Calcium Supplements Increase Heart Risk (and NO you're not getting stronger bones either!)

Kate Moss  may be making milk addiction look sexy, but don't be fooled.
And did you know that milk products produce opiates and thereby qualify as narcotics?
May explain why many a drug addict like their cafe latte when not engaging in drugs;
unfortunately it keeps the pathways for addictive behaviors alive.
How's that for milk addiction.

Calcium supplements, usually taken to improve bone health, may increase risk of heart attack by as much as 30% according to the findings of the Women's Health initiative, a 15 year research project by the National Institute of Health.

Now how can this be? Well, what happens is that when your body is too acidic it takes calcium from your bones and puts it into your blood stream in an attempt to alkaline your body; and THAT is the reason why  most people get a decline in bone density as they age - it's NOT lack of calcium, rather it is a diet that does not match their unique genotype and thus favors a more acidic body pH!

If you take calcium supplements without addressing your body's pH balance and metabolic type, you build up excess calcium in your system that, coupled with mineral deficiencies and imbalances, can cause plaque built up in arteries, kidney stones, gall stones etc.

Does that mean you should never take calcium? No, but it does mean that you should be sure that you address all your mineral deficiencies simultaneously, otherwise yes: you will increase your risk of a stroke and the calcium will not go to your bones but only add further damage to your body!

What I recommend is taking a trace mineral supplement in ionic form to push your body pH more to the alkaline side and thus prevent calcium leakage from your bones. Also something like taking a green smoothie, containing collard greens, spirulina and add to that some apple or pear to sweeten it, in the AM is one of the best things you can do to change your body pH and build strong bones in a zap!

So, put down that pasteurized milk carton, cos it's got nothing to do with your bones, and it aint nothing but puss, hormones and dead bacteria.
And yes, that's pretty darn gross.

Reference:
M. J. Bolland, A. Grey, A. Avenell, G. D. Gamble, I. R. Reid. Calcium supplements with or without vitamin D and risk of cardiovascular events: reanalysis of the Women's Health Initiative limited access dataset and meta-analysis. BMJ, 2011; 342 (apr19 1)

The Nutrition Doctor's Secrets of Anti-Aging no. 2: Top 10 Super Foods

The Nutrition Doctor either uses medicinal mushrooms
as part of tonics or in savory recipes!

Medicinal mushrooms
High in super immune-enhancing polysaccharides such as beta glucans, medicinal mushrooms are one of the most intelligent adaptogenic herbs on the planet. Reishi mushrooms are the most well studied herb in the history of the world. reishi has antioxidant properties that protect the body from radiation and free radicals. it inhibits bacteria, viruses, treats tumors, and its adaptogenic properties protect the body from stress.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These types of fats - especially eicosapentaenoic acid - performs a number of functions in the body from balancing hormones to improving skin, hair and nails. In general most diets are deprived of omega-3s and have excessive omega-6. Having an excess of omega-6 fatty acids and rancid trans fatty acids, such as are commonly found in processed foods, leads to inflammatory response in the body, which can develop into a contributing factor in cardiovascular disease, immunity challenges, and neurological problems. The best way to get the right kind of fatty acids is to consume foods containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). These are commonly founds in microalgaes such as chlorella, marine phytoplankton, and seeds like hemp, chia and flax in addition to fatty fish, which is an excellent source of EPA and DHA, as long as you choose from the bottom of the food chain to minimize heavy metal intake.

B-Vitamins
B-vitamins such as B6, B9 and B12 are highly correlated with our ability to handle stress. B12 gets used up in our body quickly just by the stresses and toxicity found in our environment on a daily basis. B12 is known to deactivate homocysteine found in our blood. Elevated homocysteine levels correlate directly with our chance s of having a heart attack. the best form to take is methylcobalamin, which has the added benefit of contributing a methyl group that breaks down carcinogenic "bad" estrogen in the system and helps rebalance hormones in women. Vitamin B6 and B9 also contribute methyl groups to our liver, helping to break down "bad" estrogen.

MACA: Increase your stamina
from the bedroom t0 the boardroom!

Maca
A staple of the Peruvian Andes for thousand of years, this adaptogenic superfood increases energy, endurance, strength and libido. Dried maca powder contains 19 amino acids and 7 essential amino acids. it offers incredible hormone regulation from the top down, supporting the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the thyroid, and the adrenal glands in addition to being rich in B-vitamins. Maca is one of the secrets to the efficacy of The Nutrition Doctor's Natural Hormone Balancing™ program and customized blend series.

Probiotics
A healthy ecosystem in our body starts in the gut - your second brain. After we hit 30 we experience a drastic drop in the secretion of digestive enzymes and our ability to digest and utilize the nutrients no matter how clean a diet we are following. Therefor, supplementing with a high-quality probiotic as well as including 2 servings of fermented foods daily, such as kefir, buttermilk, yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh, natto etc. is crucial to maintain a healthy gut flora and benefit from whatever other supplements you are taking.

Astragalus
This herb has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Astragalus has antioxidant properties that protects the cell against damage caused by free radicals and is used to protect and support the body's immune system, including improving the power of the lungs. Some astragalus samples contain TA-65, the most powerful anti-aging compound ever discovered! The Nutrition Doctor has included this compound both in Santini Skin Solutions™ as well as our Natural Hormone Balancing™ line.

Goji Berries
Used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years, goji berries are regarded as a longevity, stregth-building and potency food of the highest order. This superfood contains 18 kinds of amino acids, all 8 essential amino acids, 21 trace minerals in addition to being high in antioxidants, iron, polysaccharides, B and E vitamins, and many other nutrients. They are especially high in eyesight improving zeaxanthin. Goji berries have always been associated with longevity and beauty.

The Nutrition Doctor in The Kitchen:
RAW Chocolate-Cashew Cream. LICK IT!

Cacao
This is the highest antioxidant food on the planet! It is the no. 1 source of magnesium, iron, chromium, manganese (important for strong bones), and is also extremely high in PEA. Cacao's theobromine adds cardiovascular support. The Nutrition Doctor eats RAW chocolate every day to keep a strong mind in a strong body, and loves it as it balances brain chemistry, builds strong bones, is a natural aphrodisiac, and elevates your mood and energy by increasing serotonin and dopamine brain chemicals. We have added raw cocoa in our Natural Hormone Balancing line, which is delicious blended with a frozen banana and drizzled with raw Manuka honey and chopped nuts. Get the recipe for raw chocolate-cashew ice cream here (will be available when the new web site, kitchen and product line launches in March - so stay tuned).

Aloe Vera
The gel of aloe vera contains vitamin C and E, the minerals sulfur, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and chromium as well as antioxidants, fiber, amino acids, enzymes, sterols, lignans, and most importantly, polysaccharides. the polysaccharides have a particular lubricating effect on the joints, brain, nervous system, and the skin. Aloe Vera is one of the many ingredients that work synergistic in boosting collagen and improving skin tone in Santini Skin Solutions™. Aloe Vera, when taken orally, also has immuno-modulating effect, allowing the body to fight back chronic nanobacterial and fungal infections. Aloe vera is a crucial part of any weight loss regime, as it has been shown that when ingesting aloe, you can lose weight yet gain muscle mass simultaneously!

Love

Eat. Breathe. Love.

This is the last, but most important step to live long and strong: The sweet taste of love.
Love completely and unconditionally. It spikes beta-endorphins, our natural pain-killers, boosts brain-serotonin and enhances the flavors of life on every level. Learning to love yourself and others is the first step towards emotional freedom and healing. When you love life, you need not numb yourself by overeating or drugging yourself.

Christina Santini, The Nutrition Doctor, specializes in herbal medicine along with having a caring and compassionate approach in helping you overcome obstacles in your life and redesigning it the way you want it.

Take back control of your health and get the life you deserve.
You can make an appointment for a coaching session by phone, skype or 1:1 (in person appointments only Los Angeles and New York area) here.

DIY Bright 'n Balanced pH Skin Toner

So in response to last week's post on the importance of following the pH balance rules and adhering to a slightly acidic skin care regime in order to minimize the appearance of fine lines and prevent bacterial proliferation, here is a do-it-yourself skin toner recipe that The Nutrition Doctor uses to brighten and balance complexion.

It's cheap, super efficient and void of unnecessary fillers.

And it only takes 30 secs or less, so we can head off to more important stuff than spending hours in front of the mirror, while still looking great.

Matcha powder green tea that you whisk in a bowl
has the highest ORAC

That's how we like it.

This diy skin toner recipe keeps a week in the fridge.

When can you expect results? In a month if you use it consistently AM & PM - for best results follow with The Nutrition Doctor's moisturizer series.

Santini Skin Solutions™: Bright & Balanced Toner

So, what's in it?

• 1/2 c. green tea
• 1/2 c. lemon juice, freshly squeezed 
• 2 slices of ginger
• 1 tsp. raw Manuka honey

Green tea is high in antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress and prevent DNA damage to your skin.

Lemon is acidic and helps maintain an optimal skin pH balance as well as it enhances the efficacy of the antioxidant value of the green tea! Lemon also contributes with vitamin C which naturally brightens and evens out skin tone.

Ginger increases circulation and stimulates cell renewal.

Manuka honey add moisture and is reknown for its anti-bacterial and anti-anflammtory porperties - topically as well as internal!

So, what to do?

Steep the green tea and ginger slices for approx. 4 minutes in hot, but not boiling water.

Let it cool completely before adding lemon juice and honey.

Pour in a clean bottle (preferably with a spritzer attached, available in cosmetic stores) and store in the fridge.

Whenever you need it swipe over your face with a cotten ball or simply spritz.

Anti-aging in a bottle for less than $2. What's not to love!

The Nutrition Doctor's Secrets of Anti-Aging No 1: pH Balance

Santini Skin Solutions™ Feed your skin because your skin eats too!

When it comes to looking and feeling young it is a balancing act; the most important being ph balance. PH stands for "potential of hydrogen" - that is, the measure of hydrogen ion concentration in a substance.

The scale devised by a Danish chemist in the early 1900s, ranges from 0, which is highly acidic, to 14, which is the most alkaline. Seven, the pH of water, is neutral. The human body maintains such a specific balance between acidity and alkalinity that an off-kilter pH might be connected to a host of unhealthy woes, ranging from dry, rapidly aging skin to acne, inflammation, and even fatigue, weight gain, and susceptibility to disease.

Most of us have heard about the importance of an alkaline diet - however, what you apply to your skin needs to be slightly acidic to prevent DNA damage and combat fine lines! Understanding the triggers diet wise and skin care wise as well as the different requirements is the first and most important step to gain a youthful appearance naturally.

Externally pH plays a fundamental role in the skin's barrier, called the acid mantle, which is formed by secretions from sweat and sebaceous glands as well as the breakdown of fatty acids by beneficial microflora. This barrier keeps lipids and moisture in and pollutants and bacteria out. The acid mantle is as its strongest when the skin is slightly acidic with an optimum pH of 5.5. An acid environment inhibits bacterial growth - those that suffer from acne typically have too alkaline skin pH, which is why it is an absolute disaster to use regular soap as this further makes for an imbalanced pH.  Soap bars typically have a pH of 9; leaving an alkaline residue of film on your skin. In order to combat acne you must use a skincare line that supports an acid skin pH.

When it comes to fighting wrinkles alkalinity is also a key player - a study published in British Journal of Dermatology by Greg Hillebrand, pHD, of P&G Beauty Science, showed that women with an alkaline stratum corneum developed more fine lines than those with acidic skin over an eight-year period; an alkaline epidermis tends to be more brittle and drier than an acidic one. In addition, alkaline skin is more susceptible to sun damage as its protective barrier has been weakened!

This simple principle is what makes The Nutrition Doctor's all-natural so-clean-you-could-eat-it skin care line so efficient for both acne prone skin and in preventing fine lines (DNA damage) by high ORAC value and its pH balancing properties.

Right now The Nutrition Doctor in the Kitchen is making Bright & Balanced Skin Toner - stay tuned for the DIY recipe next week!

All of Santini Skin Solutions™ are hand-churned, made in small batches and based on the pH principle and that, if you can't eat it, don't feed it to your skin!

In combination with a session with The Nutrition Doctor we also offer to customize and develop your own personal skin care line so that it meets exactly your needs and match your biochemistry type!

Contact us for more information.

Reference:

http://www.pgbeautygroomingscience.com/assets/files/posters/AAAS09/Hillebrand%20P101%203MB.pdf