Wellness tidbits to nibble on Cory Quirino Inquirer
November 14, 2006
THE macro and micro of this message is one and the same—optimal. Health and well-being require nutrition from the food we eat. So, the question is: What are we eating?
The why of it
Why do we need to eat right? Because good nutrition can only contribute to:
• normal organ development and functioning • cell reproduction • body energy • stronger immune system/resistance to infection and disease • body repair
Preventive medicine
Everyone needs good nutrition but individuals have their own distinct genetic makeup. Therefore the needs will differ in terms of quantity, not quality. To keep healthy, prevention is the key through:
• Having regular medical checkups • Eating a balanced meal, one that is rich in nutrients. That means high on green vegetables, fruits, and fiber; and low on sugar/sodium/salt/fats. • Exercising regularly • Reducing or managing stress •Having sufficient sleep
Balance
There must be some truth to the adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Good health begins with the maintenance of the alkaline—acid balance in the body (8 percent alkaline, 20 percent acidic). If you are habitually stressed, drink excessive amounts of alcohol, coffee, carbonated drinks; eat too much meat and very little vegetables, chances are, you are acidic.
Eating too much acid-forming foods can make you: feel exhausted/irritable, gain excess weight, have aches/pains. This condition is called acidosis. It will force your body to borrow minerals (calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium) from organs and bones.
Eventually, it will predispose the body to sickness. (Reference: http://www.happyherbalist.com/alkaline balance.htm)
Since the blood must maintain an average ph range of 7.365-7.4, your body will readjust things from within to maintain that balance, if you are acidic. Begin today by adding more vegetables to your diet or drinking a veggie juice daily. Supplemental help can also come via Goolar Salads available in Rustan’s Supermarket. It can also be delivered to your doorstep, an innovative lifestyle offer to those living in Makati or Greenhills.
Goolar is a salad service available by Internet. Call Lito Misa, 6471205/6471356 or e-mail gemmarc@zpdee.net.
Are you a 5-9 person?
No, it’s not a work schedule in reverse. It’s a vegetable intake guide of 5-9 servings a day which nutritionists discovered is essential to a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent chronic diseases. Though studies have shown most people do not attain this number, recommendations have been made by health experts to try to attain the goal, to make vegetables the first choice of any one meal, and to take nutritional supplements like super juices and vitamin/mineral supplements.
For GAC, call Pharmanex, c/o Paula at 0917-8113230.
Super-nutrient drinks to consider are GAC with high concentrations of lycopene and beta-carotene, cili (a Chinese fruit rich in antioxidants) and wolfberry (also of Chinese origin and taken for longevity).
Beauty in a veggie
Shred a carrot or two. Wrap in a hanky. Squeeze it as you rub it on your face and body. Natural acids ought to slough away dry skin.
Juice another carrot and drink up. You will feel and look better every day (other combinations: carrot with cucumber, apple, singkamas, romaine lettuce).
Your affirmation:
“Good health, good looks is my lifestyle choice beginning today.”
Love and light!
Previous columns: The power of C and more – 11/07/06 ‘Dead’ before death – 10/31/06 Wild yam for facial lift – 10/24/06 How not to diet – 10/17/06 13 secrets to weight loss – 10/10/06 Lows, highs and in-betweens – 10/03/06 Living for the present moment – 9/26/06
