Frances Michaelson's Blog

Do you know? Do you know what that means? Moat people do not, yet they will say that they have heard this question before and do know that they should be more alkaline than acidic. Yet, when you ask people what acidic means, they do not really know. The pH balance of your body indicates the state of your health. Most people with their condition on the alkaline side feel healthy, full of energy and vitality, while those battling acidity feel sluggish and unhealthy. The trouble is that most people feel comfort in their discomfort . My thoughts on that is that they just used to the way they feel, so that  they have no idea how much better they can feel. Does this make any sense? Those that recognize this lack of energy and balance are the lucky ones because this condition can be corrected through diet before more serious symptoms set in. IF  the state of acidity is not corrected all kinds of ailments will arise. Acid related conditions include rheumatic pain,arthritis, indigestion,constipation,irritable bowel syndrome, Chron,s etc.. There is a saying “cancer loves to live in an acidic environment”.

There are several ways to test your pH -some tests more reliable than others. As a naturopath, I can tell instantly if someone’s pH is off -most people are. You can see the state of anyones health in their skin (the largest channel of elimination), hair, eyes and overall stamina.  The good news is, is that with a change in diet, thinking , and exercise, the shift can be made easily over time.

It is very important to understand that a disease is just the body expressing itself.. ( not at ease). If the body is not given the biochemical nutrients it needs, cells break down and die before  their appointed time. A red blood cell, for example lives approximately 12o days and dies off and is replaced by new ones. As long as we provide the body with the biochemical nutrients that it needs, the various organs and tissues can rejuvenate themselves indefinitely. On the other hand, if  the body is not given the nutrients that it needs, cells break down and die before their appointed time. If  you take in substances that your body cannot digest, these substances remain in your body as toxic waste , reducing the ability of some organs and tissues to do their job.  We must have the right foods to build and sustain high-level wellness. Just today there was an article in the Globe, emphasizing the necessity of the mineral magnesium. It is a fact that many people are lacking this precious mineral , but to go out and buy a supplement in an isolated form can cause more harm than good. The reason for this is that all minerals are dependent on another another for absorption. Our body works as a whole. We need all our organs, glands etc and all our organs , and glands need each other . Taking in supplements is not going to do the trick unless you work with a qualified naturopath , who can identify what you are lacking  according to your symptoms. The best place to get your nutrients is from whole foods in its raw state .When you cook your food, you destroy most enzymes and minerals . Our newspapers are constantly giving you a list of where to get your vitamins and minerals , but most of the time, they are listing cooked foods. I find this confusing to the reader because either they run out and buy supplements without enough information or make an attempt to change their eating habits with too much information missing.

There is certainly a trend towards cleansing the colon the last few years. You hear this on the air ( radio) advertising, on line marketing and your local newspapers. Although it  is  essential that we keep the colon clean, it is not true that buying a one month supply of either a Pro biotic or any other “Cleanse in a box” is going to do the trick. In fact, this product can just add further acidity to your body. Everyone these days seems to be a fan of Dr. Oz. He definitely has some powerful messages , but please understand that  just because Dr is beside his name does not mean that everything he says should be followed. I am bringing this up because he is now supporting a product (fat burning) that is claiming to cleanse your colon and burn body fat! It takes many months of changing your diet to an alkaline one combined with a powerful psyllium to really get rid of bad bacteria that sits in all of us , coming from years of acidic foods, anti biotics, and supplements. The most effective way to clean the colon is really through colonic irrigations or home enemas done properly. To learn more about these procedures , you may read Dr. Bernard Jensens  Guide to Better Bowel Care.

I am asked constantly, what exactly is naturopathy? My answer is simple……….everything health! Disease, allergies, symptoms of fatigue, migraines, inflammation are everywhere! We are bombarded with news of failing health and obesity , and the medical system is just not working anymore. We , as naturopaths teach people how to be preventive, how to lead a healthy life by taking in nutrients that the body needs to perform well. We are trillions and  trillions of cells that if given the opportunity to perform well, will have the integrity to keep regenerating . So what exactly are these nutrients? Alkaline foods are raw veggies , fruits , and seeds. These whole foods (organic) hold the enzymes, minerals, and vitamins that are the key to your health ..If you have not seem the dvd Forks over Knives, I highly suggest you do to further understand what I am talking about.

‘If you make more time for health, you will not have the time to get fat!

Too often people just jump on the band wagon of taking any supplement that they hear is good for them. Sometimes this can result in a good decision, but most of the time, I would say it does not. EFA’s , however, are called essential because they are required for so many important functions in your body and brain. Your body cannot manufacture them, so therefore, you must consume them. They are important for immune function, cell growth, and for healthy skin. A growing number of studies show a strong correlation between the intake of omega 3 oils especially DHA and cognitive function and overall brain development. Allergies, acne, dry skin, dandruff, itchy skin, eczema,psoriasis,asthma, can all be linked to EFA deficiency.All this to say that EPA-DHA is also diminished when you  eat simple carbs (cakes, cookies etc). I strongly suggest taking a supplement in the form of a good quality fish oil in the form of EPA-DHA.

I now have a hard time listening to the same old, same old, resolution stuff. I say stuff because truly this is what it amounts too. Why is it that just because the date changes to another number, this creates a frenzy of wishes and hopes , resolution material that leads to failure most of the time. Is it because a whole year has been and gone, making people realize that nothing changed in their lives? This must be it .Here is another point: the resolutions always focus on weight loss and exercise. We never seem to get ahead. Every year we hear more and more about crazy diets and weight loss strategies that do not work and eventually lead to weight gain and compromised health. Most people live to eat. I would like everyone to start thinking about eating to live. What you eat has a direct effect on your health, and your health will determine whether you are successful at losing body fat (do not like the word weight) and keeping it off. You cannot be efficient at burning sugars if you are not taking in the right nutrients! You cannot be efficient  at changing your body composition if you do not add resistance training to your exercise program. Finally , your attitude is also important. Enjoy what you are doing and have fun !

I still have a hard time believing that people get trapped into thinking they will lose weight and keep it off  giving up certain foods, combining others, and eating garbage like those cookies and proteins in a box. Have you seen that? Those diets that are advertised that come  pre-made and all you have to do is turn up the heat !Imagine thinking that you are eating food out of a cardboard box! That is absurd. There are no nutrients in a box. You cannot possibly feel good, have positive energy , and lose body fat by eating dead foods. You see, your cells can only regenerate and deliver nutrients to your organs (that release hormones) to do their job , if you feed them living foods. Living foods that contain vitamins and minerals that stimulate metabolism to function well are only fruits and raw veggies, and seeds-NOTHING ELSE!!! Yes, you heard me , nothing else.

My answer? No problem………..Too many people these days spend too much money on large pieces of equipment that just turn into clothes hangers. I cannot tell you how many times I have walked into a home to see exercise machines gathering dust and hidden in a corner. Times have changed. We can do so much with our own body weight and cheaper tools like a stability ball and resistance tubing , for example. So here is an idea of a circuit that will get your heart rate soaring. If you have stairs (which most people do), go up and down 5 times .Then without any rest do 12 push ups, 15 slow squats, hold a plank , and finish with stairs again, but this time hold a large book or a stability ball above your head !

Guess what? You can’t , well actually, I take that back. Even if you do indulge a little more on the holidays , if you are fit , you will probably be just fine. I would always suggest adding a few extra workouts during these risky times . The important point  here is that the holidays are not the time to focus on weight , nor should you stress about eating and drinking too much. This is the time to indulge in those rich treats and decadent foods that we do not have available at other times of the year. There are  however a few tips that I am happy to share with you  that will help with OVER INDULGING. The first and most important is never ever starve yourself all day just because you have a dinner party at night. Going to a party hungry is the worst thing to do as it just paves the way for overeating and bloating. If you did not have the time for a good meal at lunch, at least grap an apple before heading to the party and a big glass of water. When lounging at home ,STAY DRESSED! This will keep you more focused to make better food choices as opposed to wearing loose lounge wear. DO NOT make the mistake in thinking that alcohol has less calories than food……WRONG!!! Over drinking leads to over eating and dehyration. Keep water handy and replenish with every alcoholic drink, but take care not to drink water while you eat-just before or after so as not to interfere with enzymes and good digestion. Hope this helps a bit

Enjoy, and have a great holiday season