To Cook or Not to Cook: Heating Foods and What It Means

Did you know that human beings are the only creatures on Earth that heat up their food before eating it? Think about it: do you know of any animals that cook anything that they eat in any way, shape or form? Not only are we the only species that applies heat to what they consume on a regular basis, but in relation to the life span of other species, human beings have some of the shortest life expectancy rates of any other living creature.

Only species that cooks food; shortest life expectancy compared to the rest of living things. Coincidence? Think again.

Humans, like other species on Earth, are biologically adapted to eating raw foods. The human body is built to be able to break down raw foods into the most basic nutrients, vitamins, minerals and proteins that are needed to survive, using them as effective body fuel for everyday living. Heat breaks down the chemical and nutritional makeup of food, eliminating important nutrients that our bodies crave and need. Add to that harmful toxins and pesticides, preservatives and artificial additives, and it becomes so much more evident why humans don't live as long as they should. In essence, we are killing our bodies by feeding them inappropriately.

By contrast, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has many countless benefits. It is widely known that a diet that focuses on raw foods is great for the skin, for example. Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins that help your complexion stay soft, supple, and healthy, and, not surprisingly, they are a wonderful source of hydration and energy. In addition, grains, legumes and other raw produce are high in fiber and protein, helping with digestion and functioning of vital organs.

One of the most exciting and significant benefits found in eating uncooked foods is how it encourages the body to break down foods properly and efficiently, significantly decreasing and in some cases eliminating harmful toxins that are secreted out of our bodies. As a result, out bodies are able to maintain much healthier chemical levels. The human body then becomes a well-oiled machine, breaking down harmful chemicals, boosting the immune system and eliminating harmful excesses from the body.

It is no coincidence that conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension have all been linked to dietary habits, which is exactly why it should also come as no surprise that studies show a significant decrease in these illnesses among people who practice raw food and vegan lifestyles. But did you know that scientific studies now show that people who are on raw food and extreme vegan diets are at a lower risk for developing many types of cancers, including breast and colon cancers? Or that they are also at a lower risk of developing heart disease? In addition, those who practice raw food diets are less prone to mental conditions like depression and anxiety, all the while maintaining sharp reflexes and great memory.

These are just some of the ways that the human body is predisposed to the Raw Food lifestyle, and why in the long run it may be beneficial to you to consider changing your eating habits to a more natural, organic, and ultimately healthier way of living. By joining the ranks of those who are switching over to the raw food diet and ditching unhealthy eating practices, you will be helping both your body and your mind become the best that they can be.


 

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Procedures Taken For Natural Body Detox

Setting up a cleansing or detox program is not an easy task. You need to undergo various procedures. It includes health history evaluation, physical examinations, biochemistry tests, mineral level tests, dietary analysis and other related specific tests to diagnose your entire health status. These are helpful in determining the appropriate natural procedure that you should take to clean up your body.

Take note, analyzing your present health status, disease, and symptoms as a result of your lifestyle, familial or inherent patterns, and diets can help in creating a body detox plan that is best suited for you. Remember, any healing procedure needs a plan that must be followed accordingly to achieve positive results.

1. Proper Diet. People who are lacking energy and nutrients need a diet which is high in protein and nutrients for improving their health. Mineral deficiencies, fatigue, and low functions of organs should have a much supportive diet. However, in this particular circumstance, short cleaning of the body for three days can help in eliminating old debris. It also prepares your body for building healthier blocks.

If you feel congested with travel, stresses, and different foods, drink juices or eat lightly for a few days. It can display a huge difference. You could also eat low protein foods, high-rich-carbohydrate foods, and vegetarian foods for a couple of years. Mild detox can consist of vegetable meals which add proteins in your body. Fresh fish with a lot of vegetables can also energize you.

2. Using natural herbs. There are different body organs which are prone to the high development of toxins. One of them is your colon. Keep in mind that large intestines can accommodate much toxicity which can result to its sluggish functioning. So, detox programs are created to solve this problem. Fiber supplements cleansing diet are incorporated for cleaning and toning colons. It includes herbal laxatives like psyllium seed husk used alone or combined with agents such as betonite clay, acidophilus culture, and Aloe Vera powder. Enemas using herbs, diluted coffee, or water can be used for cleaning your liver, another important organ of your body.

3. Regular exercise. Exercise stimulates sweating thus it eliminates toxic wastes through your skin. It improves general metabolism and aids in your overall detoxification. Aerobic exercise done regularly can maintain your body to stay non-toxic because you are prevented from bad habits. However, exercising can also increase toxic productions in your body so it must always be accompanied with antioxidants, adequate fluids, mineral and vitamins replenishment as well as other related detox principles.

4. Regular bathing. It is very essential in cleaning your skin from accumulated toxins. Sweats and saunas are most often used in purifying your body via more enhanced skin elimination. Dry brushing your skin using the right skin brush is often suggested before bathing.

5. Massage therapy. It is very useful in supporting detox programs. It stimulates body functions and elimination promoting a more relaxed feeling clearing you from worries, tensions, and mental stresses.

6. Recharging, relaxing, and resting. This is important in the rejuvenation process. It helps your body in rebalancing your attitude and mind which sometimes interferes in natural homeostasis. Practicing yoga is a powerful exercise related to breathing regulation and awareness helping you to obtain a more balanced and active aura.

Choose the right procedure you need to incorporate to clean your body from toxins in the proper way. It can make you feel much better and healthier.


 

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Preparing For a Body Detox

Are you ready to cleanse your body with a detox? If this is your first time doing so, you may be wondering what you need to do prepare. Continue reading on to find out.

Research your detox diet options. Yes, you may have already done this, but do it again. To have a successful detoxification, you need to choose the right method. For example, water fasting works for some, but you may find it too difficult to go a week without solid foods. Do not try a popular detox that you know you cannot stick to. Instead, find the plan that works best for you.

Speak to your doctor. Although many Americans start a body detox at home without first consulting with their doctor, you are advised to do so. This is particularly true if you suffer from medical conditions, such as thyroid problems, obesity, or diabetes. In many cases, your doctor will develop plan for you to safely detox, but it may not involve the plan you had selected. You may not even need to schedule an appointment, as your doctor may be able to provide you with a quick, over-the-phone consultation.

Start weaning yourself off of your "must haves." Do you need to have a glass of soda everyday, a couple of cigarettes throughout the day, or two cups of coffee in the morning? These items will be eliminated from your diet while on a detox. Unfortunately, many Americans have become dependent on caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes. If you are one of those individuals, you may suffer from withdrawal. To lessen the impact, start weaning yourself from these items. For example, do you drink three cups of coffee a day? If so, start with 2 1/2 cups and slowly work your way down. Start this process at least a week before you intend to detox.

Begin to buy supplies. Regardless of how you intend to detoxify your body, you will need to buy supplies. The only exception is water fasting and if you intend to use tap water. If you opt for the Master Cleanse, your shopping list will include fresh lemons or limes, cayenne pepper, grade b maple syrup, natural salt, and senna tea. If you opt for a juice fast, your list may include all-natural juices or a juicer and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Great a goal plan. You may already have a main goal in mind, such as removing stored toxins and waste from your body or losing weight, but create more detailed goals. For example, are you on the Master Cleanse? How long do you intend to detox? Although 10 days is recommended, some aim for more or less. Determine exactly how long you want to detox.

Create a list of distractions. Similar to creating a goal plan, you need to develop a plan to overcome the urge to quit. If you are on the Master Cleanse, water fasting, or juice fasting, you will likely experience severe to moderate hunger pains. After all, who wouldn't after a week of no food? Many are able to overcome the side effects of a strenuous detox, but you may need some help. Create a plan ahead of time, such as having your favorite movies on hand, extra spending money for a shopping trip, and so forth.

Finally, make sure you have support. A body detox with the use of fasting can be difficult on your physical body, as well as your emotions. If you do not have a strong support system at home, turn to the internet. Suggestions, support, and advice from others can go a long way.


 

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The Healthy Way to do Raw Food Diets

In recent years, much has been said about the positive effects of a raw diet. Book after book, and article after article has spoken of the negative impact that too much heat can have on foods. Vitamins break down, carbohydrates loose their nutritional value, fats become toxic, and proteins are rendered virtually indigestible.

Still, that doesn't mean you just eat any food at all that you want raw. There are some measures you do need to follow to ensure you stay healthy on the raw food diet. Like anything else in life, the key is moderation. Too much of anything, even something good, can be detrimental. As an example, years ago people were touting the grapefruit diet as a great way to lose weight. The idea was, you ate nothing but grapefruit (hence the name). You could eat as many as you wanted, so long as that was all you ate. Well, that's not good for you! Fruits contain acid; too much acid can upset the pH of your body, and will also damage your teeth. On top of that, fruit is lacking in terms of some of the nutrients you need for good health. You need balance. So, point one: meet with a doctor or dietician and set up a good, healthy raw diet suited to your needs.

Next, be sure you eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and that it's locally grown wherever possible. Now, this does mean that you'll have to do without some fruits for some periods of the year, but it's best for your overall health. Too much dried fruits can give you stomach and/or intestinal troubles (sometimes as simple as just gas), and be bad for your teeth. Or, eating fruit that's not grown locally means you don't know under what conditions it was grown. What sort of pesticides and chemicals were used on it? What sort of soil was it grown in? These days, with the global economy, you could eat fruit from any place on earth! That gives you variety, sure. But wherever possible it really is better to stick with what you know, and learn to do without when some things are out of season.

Nuts make up a large part of a raw food diet. Here again, moderation is called for. Too many people start in on a raw diet, and start eating too many nuts. Nuts are naturally high in fat. Now, your body needs fat as part of its normal biological processes, but only a certain amount. If you load up your diet with avocados, nuts, and oils, that's not healthy. Not only is there the issue of the fat, but some people have trouble digesting nuts. Here again, this is why meeting with your doctor to discuss a raw diet first is the key to adopting a healthy lifestyle. If you find yourself getting very tired after eating some nuts, your body is having trouble metabolizing them, and you should stop. Ironically, if your body has trouble with nuts, this can lead to you suddenly craving a host of other foods; some you may have never been interested in before!

Finally, there's the issue of knowing your source. Not for the foods you eat, but the advice you get. Your best friend may tell you how great their raw food diet is, and that you should do the same. Well, thank them, and then go see your doctor. Something as simple as a food allergy can undo all the sincere advice your friend gives you. As an example, if they're eating a diet rich in whole grains, and you have an allergy to gluten, your doctor will tell you to substitute whole rice for grain.

Just follow a few simple steps, and you can be sure that your raw food diet is perfectly suited to your needs. Why not give the raw food diet a go and see how you can benefit from it?


 

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Is a Detox Diet Right For You?

In recent years, body detoxification and cleansing has increased in popularity. At one time, many just believed that detoxification was for those dependent on drugs and alcohol. Now, detoxification is being promoted as a health benefit. A number of well-known celebrities have brought the process to light. Although body detoxification does have a number of benefits, is it right for you?

Health conditions. Do you have any diagnosed health condition? For example, do you have a thyroid condition or diabetes? If so, you should never detox your body, especially if water fasting is involved, without first speaking to a healthcare professional. Yes, detoxification and fasting does have many benefits, but those with certain health conditions may do more harm than good.

Excessive weight. Are you overweight? If so, that may be on the reason why you chose to detoxify or cleanse your body. As previously stated, many celebrities have brought cleansing and detoxification into the forefront. Along with that, came the realization that cleansing and detoxification can lead to weight loss. Although you are advised against detoxing your body just for weight loss, you are likely to lose weight.

Ability to stay on track. Are you able to set goals and stick with them? If so, you may be able to successfully complete a detox diet. Unfortunately, many do not realize how difficult these diets can be. Participating in the Master Cleanse, a water fast, or a juice fast can be very hard to adjust to, as all solid food are eliminated from your diet. Even just limiting your food intake to organic foods can be difficult if you are dependant on caffeine, which should be eliminated from your diet.

Lack energy. A lack of energy can be something as simple as not getting enough sleep. It can also be the sign of an underlying medical condition, such as a thyroid problem. Also, it can be due to the consumption of unnatural chemicals and additives. For example, caffeine helps to give us energy, but did you know that too much caffeine can have an adverse effect, leaving you fatigued? Detoxifying your body may help to restore your energy.

Desire. Do you want to improve your health? Are you tired of not looking your age or are you just tired all the time? If so, a detox diet may be able to help. Over the years, you may have consumed many foods and drinks with unnatural chemical and additives. Yes, these are regarded as being "safe," but not all are expelled from our body. A detox diet or cleanse can help to rid your body of these toxins, leaving your body clean and pure again.

Drug dependency. Do you have a dependency on drugs? Whether those drugs are legal prescriptions drugs or illegal narcotics, you may be seeking help. First and foremost, congratulations. Asking for help and stopping drug consumption can be difficult, but it is an important step to take. Unfortunately, wanting to detox your body to rid yourself of a drug dependency is different than doing so for improving your health or giving you more energy. For that reason, speak to your healthcare professional.

Alcohol dependency. Do you have a dependency on alcohol? As with drugs, detoxification can help, but it is important to speak with a healthcare professional. Overtime, your body will grow dependent on alcohol. If you are at that point, the withdrawal symptoms may be too much for you and your body to handle on its own. Although you can detox at home, it is recommended that you do so under the care of a professional healthcare provider.

In short, a body detox or cleanse does have a number of benefits, but it is not the right choice for everyone. If you opt for a detox diet, but find it difficult or painful to continue on, stop immediately and seek the advice of a trained healthcare provider.


 

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