Nutriacure

Importance of an Alkaline Diet

Nutriacure — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:11:07 +0000

What we eat greatly affects our body pH levels and when we are within our ideal pH level, we feel healthier. The pH level of blood is about 7.4 (range 7.35-7.45) and the closer you are to the ideal range, the healthier you’ll be with better digestive, cardiovascular and mental functioning. pH is the measurement of acidity/alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0-14. The lower the pH, the more acidic the solution and the higher the pH, the more alkaline the solution. Your body’s ‘inner’ environment needs to be slightly alkaline and the ‘outer’ a little acidic. The outer environment refers to the outer skin and digestive tract. A healthy intestinal and bowel flora needs a slightly acidic nature to thrive. However when the pH level inside the human body is too acidic (blood, tissues, organs etc) it becomes an environment for the growth of bacteria, viruses and illness. Oxygen molecules are destroyed and tissues corrode when the pH is too acidic and this creates a breeding ground for diseases.

Health issues such as low energy, inflammation, unwanted weight gain and poor digestion can be the result of the body being too acidic. If the body’s pH is more acidic long term, it may lead to heart disease and cancer. Many medical studies have found that an imbalanced pH in the body can be correlated to almost all health conditions.

What can you do?

Eat an alkaline diet: It is important what kinds of foods you eat and the amount of water you drink. Some foods which are acid forming include: processed foods, most meats, dairy products, alcohol, coffee etc. Try to avoid these acidic foods and instead consume more alkaline foods to help balance the pH. Alkaline foods include vegetables, nuts and seeds, green drinks etc. Ideally is it best to eat about 75% alkaline foods and 25% acidic forming foods.

Food combining: Proper food combining reduces putrefaction and thus helps to maintain a more alkaline environment.

Control emotions: Stay positive. Negative emotions create a more acidic environment in the body. Practice deep breathing, meditation, yoga or anything that calms your mind to help you remain positive.

Which Detox is Right For You?

Nutriacure — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:08:36 +0000

With spring in the air, many of us are starting to think about getting healthier, feeling more energized and possibly losing a few extra pounds. But how do you know which detox is right for you with so many options? Are there detoxes you want to try but don’t know where to start? From your basic cleanse to raw food cleanses to liver/colon cleanses, they all have one goal in mind– to remove toxic substances from the body. Although our body naturally filters and cleanses the body on a regular basis, sometimes we need that extra push.

To do this you can need to reduce the amount of toxins you ingest and eat foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins to help with the detoxification process. Also increasing fiber and water intake will help to facilitate bowel movements and urination where toxins can be removed.

Detox diets allow our body to repair and heal in order to function more efficiently which allows for better nutrient absorption and strengthens us. These cleansing programs are designed to help your body’s natural detoxification process.

Below are a few types of detoxes:

Basic Cleanse: The basis of this diet is to eat as fresh and unprocessed as possible. Eat foods which naturally help the body to detoxify and eliminate processed sugars, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and chemical additives.

good for those who have never done a cleanse before or those who eat a diet high in fat, sugar, salt with little fruits and vegetables or indulge in alcohol. Also good for those who are feeling low in energy, bloated and stressed

Raw Food Cleanse: Based on eating raw fresh fruits and vegetables. Natural enzymes are present in fresh foods to help us digest and absorb nutrients properly. When we eat processed food or cooked food, it denatures these important enzymes which can cause our digestive system to overwork resulting in digestive issues. By eating a more raw based diet, it helps to rebalance the body’s pH (too much acidity in the body can result in disease)

Good for those with digestive issues (bloated stomach, gas, acid reflux, bowel irregularity, food sensitivities), weight gain and low energy.

Liver Cleanse: One of the largest and also one of the most important organs in the body. The liver has many functions such as to detoxify toxic substances, processes protein, carbohydrates and fats, produces bile etc.

good for those with changes in skin, tiredness, indigestion, headaches, indulge in alcohol etc

Colon Cleanse: After nutrients are absorbed, the colon helps to eliminate wastes. Slow moving bowel movements can lead to toxins building up and getting reabsorbed into the bloodstream. When it is not working properly, there will be symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, IBS, allergies, etc.

Good for those with sluggish bowel movements, constipation, diarrhea, skin issues etc.

There are also other specific cleanses targeted for :

Weight Management
Carbohydrate or Sugar addictions
Clearer skin
Increased energy

Who would benefit from doing a detox?
The majority of us would feel benefits from eating healthier and giving our bodies a rest from overworking as a result from processing toxins. If you’ve been eating a high fat, sugar or salt diet with little fruits and vegetables recently or indulged in alcohol, a cleanse may be helpful to get your body back to feeling healthier.

To read more about detox diets and what the benefits are:

Why Detox?

Acupuncture Helps to Improve Chances of Fertility

Nutriacure — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:28:09 +0000

For those who are looking for answers on how to improve their chances of fertility, acupuncture is becoming an increasingly popular form of therapy for many women.

Acupuncture can help improve your chances of fertility by:

increasing blood flow to the uterus resulting in improved endometrial lining
promote circulation in the pelvic cavity and help with ovarian function
reduce stress and anxiety levels which relaxes the muscles/body giving the embryo a better chance for implantation
stimulate the body’s natural healing ability to rebalance both physical and emotional wellbeing

During the consult, the practitioner will assess and pinpoint the areas of imbalance which may be contributing to infertility. Treatment points will vary from person to person and can differ between treatments depending on the condition. However most points stimulate the female reproductive organs to help increase circulation to those areas and promote better function.

With a series of treatments, acupuncture helps to enhance overall health and by doing so, many have gained better sleep and digestion, less anxiety and stress, more energy etc. These positive benefits all help to increase the chances of conceiving

In a study of 160 women, published April 2002 in the reproductive journal Fertility and Sterility, a group of German researchers found that adding acupuncture to the traditional IVF treatment protocols substantially increased pregnancy success.

In this study one group of 80 patients received two, 25-minute acupuncture treatments — one prior to having fertilized embryos transferred into their uterus, and one directly afterwards. The second group of 80, who also underwent embryo transfer, received no acupuncture treatments.

The result: While women in both groups got pregnant, the rate was significantly higher in the acupuncture group – 34 pregnancies, compared with 21 in the women who received IVF alone.

To read more about this study on WedMD, visit:

The Ancient Art of Infertility Treatment

Eat According to the Changing Seasons- Autumn

Nutriacure — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:09:37 +0000

Autumn is a time of change when our body has to adapt to the changing temperatures of heat to colder autumn air. During this time it is important to change our diets with seasonal foods to prepare our bodies for winter, boost our immune and stay healthy.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM) it is believed that ‘food is medicine’ and ‘medicine is food’. If we eat according to the seasons, the body will be able to transition through the changes easier because we are in harmony with the environment. This diet is based on a balance between yin and yang which are the two opposite forces of nature. If there is an imbalance, it can lead to disease and illness. Yang foods are warm, dry, light and expansive while Yin foods are cool, dark, watery and contracting.

Certain areas of the body are more sensitive during this transition phase such as the lungs and large intestine according to TCM. Colds, respiratory issues and constipation are more common during this time of the year but it can be prevented by eating more fiber rich foods and drinking more water. Many people tend to eat more during this time of the year because of the cold weather and it’s important not to overeat as this can create poor bowel elimination which in turn can affect the skin due to toxins building up.

In autumn and winter when the weather is cooler and drier, we need to keep ourselves warm and prevent dryness. We do this by eating more root based vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkin, squash, turnips or broccoli and cabbage to name a few. Fruits which are beneficial during autumn include apples and grapes. Soups are also very nourishing as they can contain meats, vegetables and carbohydrates all in one to help warm your body.

If you eat in harmony with the environment, it can help prevent a lot of unnecessary illnesses as well boost your immune system to remain healthy throughout the winter season.
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What is Electroacupuncture?

Nutriacure — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:26:20 +0000

Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that has been used for thousands of years to encourage the body to heal itself. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture points are located along pathways which run along the body where qi (energy) flows. In Western science, studies have shown that the majority of acupuncture points are located at trigger points, near endings of nerves, in the area of peripheral nerves and motor points. Following a treatment, a variety of substances are released into the body such as endorphins, serotonin and neuropeptides/neurotransmitters to help relieve pain and aid in relaxation. Sterilized one time use disposable needles are used to stimulate the points treating various health conditions, relieving pain and restoring overall health.

How does Acupuncture help for Pain?

Reduces pain by releasing endorphins which are natural pain killers produced by the body
Reduces swelling
Relaxes the muscles and relieves spasms
Decreases inflammation
mproves blood circulation
Increases local microcirculation to help heal injuries by attracting white blood cells to the area and decrease swelling/bruising

What is Electroacupuncture (EA)?

Similar to acupuncture but it involves the use of a portable device with electrode clips attached to the needles. These small electrodes stimulate the acupuncture points giving pulsating sensations at different intensities and frequencies.

According to Acupuncture Today, a popular journal for acupuncturists:
“Electroacupuncture is quite similar to traditional acupuncture in that the same points are stimulated during treatment. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on specific points along the body. The needles are then attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips. These devices are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated. Electroacupuncture uses two needles at time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously, usually for no more than 30 minutes at a time.”

EA enhances the therapeutic effects of acupuncture and is most effective for pain conditions when used in the earlier stages of pain conditions.