The 21 Day "Empty Calorie" Fast

Superb nutritional support with powerful all natural anti-oxidants
http://thoughtfulhealth.mysiselpro.com/v1/Products/nutritionals/spectramaxx.aspx

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter (@thoughthealth) you are likely aware of the 21 day "empty calorie" fast challenge. For those of you who are not aware here is my Facebook note that gives a brief overview:

"For 21 days we will abstain from consuming any and all empty calories. Sweetened beverages (i.e. soda, sweet tea, lemonade, etc.) and desserts (potato chips, cakes, cookies, ice cream, etc.). Also included would be anything artificially sweetened. Give your body a break from inflammation and rejuvenate your immune system. If you must have something sweet fresh fruit is acceptable." A few advantages of participating may be:

- allergy abatement
- inflammation relief
- deactivate continuous immune system response
- insulin burden relief
- support weight loss or maintenance through calorie reduction
- relieve mineral loss

This 21 day fast is not a gimmick. The purpose of the fast is many fold as suggested by the Facebook note. In addition to the reasons given in the noted highlights I would like to demonstrate through this fast how easy it is to consume foods and other things on the daily basis that only contribute to acidosis and weight gain without providing any nourishment to the body.

In the midst of this fast some people will figure out quickly how out of control we are as it relates to food. This brings me to why the fast is 21 days for there are several reasons. First, psychologically it is said it takes 21 days to break a habit. It is not the intention of the fast to keep you completely away from empty calories forever. Indeed, I only wish to bring into your awareness more often what it is you are consuming. Second, 21 days is enough time to show either weight loss or inches lost as the body basks in the glow of a break from the metabolic nightmare that is our current diet. Third, the liver gets a chance to take a breather which increases metabolism and the ability to cleanse the blood of toxins leading to better health.

In regard to artificial sweeteners it is a goal of this fast to give the liver a break. Artificial sweeteners taxes the liver giving no rest to the weary (liver). There are other issues to contend with to numerous to cover in this post but please refer to my artificial sweetener blog posts. They will tell you how artificial sweeteners actually lead to weight gain.

Naturally I cannot promise anyone that they will lose weight/inches or that your metabolism will increase. What I can tell you is that your weight and metabolism will not get better if you do not start somewhere. Underlying medical issues may prevent seeing physical benefits but internally things will either improve or stop declining. Ultimately the goal is to prove to yourself that you are in control of you and to stop the unnecessary downward health trend.

Contact me at Thoughtfulhealth@gmail.com, on twitter @thoughthealth, on Facebook (search my name Derrell Jones) or Skype derrelljones1

Much Love to everyone and let’s Take Back Our Life!!!!

Superb nutritional support with powerful all natural anti-oxidants
http://thoughtfulhealth.mysiselpro.com/v1/Products/nutritionals/spectramaxx.aspx

Keratin Treatments May Blow Out More Than Your Hair

Damaged hair requires natural healing

Keratin hair treatments have been around for more than a few years now. Many people have raved over its miraculous ability to straighten all types of hair. Apparently kinky, damaged, colored or otherwise distressed hair is no match for the Keratin treatments. And since Keratin is a naturally occurring protein these treatments have been regarded on some occasions as being a natural product. Women from around the country and the world have lined up to get this “natural” straightening marvel as the answer to their "hair hell" prayers. This marvel, however, is often little more than a cleverly marketed deception.

The Brazilian Keratin Treatment, as it is formally known, will cost you anywhere between $150 to $800 USD in a salon and is reported to last approximately 3-4 months. The claim of the Keratin treatment system is that the Keratin protein is responsible for the straightening action but there is another ingredient of great concern at work. That ingredient is Formaldehyde. Recently the U.S. government added Formaldehyde to the list of substances known to cause cancer (refer to my posts from 6/12/11 and 6/16/11 for more regarding Formaldehyde). Many experts believe that it is the Formaldehyde doing most of the heavy lifting as it relates to straightening.

The use of Formaldehyde and its parent chemicals Aldehyde and Aldehyde Salts (more on these in a bit) pose immediate and long term risk to the client, beautician/stylist, and by-standing customers and visitors. When the Keratin treatment is applied it is heated vaporizing some of the formaldehyde allowing it to be taken directly into the lungs. The potential for respiratory distress from the vapors is increased with each inhalation and could be felt immediately or develop over time. In addition, the formaldehyde applied to hair that is not vaporized breaks down over time and can be absorbed through the scalp and skin . The Cosmetic Ingredient Expert review panel has set the “safe” limit (as safe as a poison can be) at .2%. Test were initiated by Allure Magazine on some Keratin treatment products and found 10 times the recommended “safe” amount of Formaldehyde in them. In 2010 the Oregon OSHA and Oregon Health and Sciences University found that one popular treatment called Brazilian Blowout Solution contained 8% Formaldehyde while the company’s website insisted their product was Formaldehyde free.

Splitting Hairs (pun intended)

Many Keratin treatment producers have caught on that their customers do not want Formaldehyde in the products they buy. These companies also know that their products will not work nearly as well without Formaldehyde. What is a company to do? Some have chosen deception for the sake of profit. The deception goes like this: Step 1 - Remove the Formaldehyde to make the product more desirable. Step 2 - Add an Aldehyde or Aldehyde salt to achieve straightening ability. Step 3 - Advertise to the public your product is Formaldehyde free...brilliant! Unfortunately the same potential adverse health effects exist. Aldehyde is the parent chemical of Formaldehyde and possesses the same inherent dangers. Dubious and devious, indeed.

Consumer beware. Straightening your hair should not be detrimental to your health. Seek trustworthy companies that make safe products or seek to go natural. Choose wisely and be sure to tip your stylist (by tip I mean share this post with them).

Damaged hair requires natural healing

Sources:

http://www.orosha.org/pdf/Final_Hair_Smoothing_Report.pdf

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_tampa/brazilian-keratin-hair-treatment-product-linked-to-formaldehyde

http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/retexturizing/post-keratin-treatment-methods

http://www.carolina.com/category/teacher%20resources/material%20data%20safety%20sheets%20(msds)/msds-%20a-c/acetic%20aldehyde.do

Styrofoam: Is it contaminating your food?

All natural antioxidant support for great health

There was a time not long ago when I thought nothing of heating or reheating my food on a Styrofoam plate in a microwave. Today I seldom microwave anything at all (the reason will be addressed in another post). Before curbing my microwave habit I stopped using Styrofoam plates in them. It seems I read something or other a few years ago about the ability of Styrofoam to leach chemicals onto the food. It turns out that heeding the advice and not using Styrofoam in the microwave was a pretty good idea. Just last month (June 2011) the US Department of Health and Human Services made a bold, yet necessary, decision to add the chemical styrene to the list of substances reasonably known to cause cancer in humans. It is has been known to cause cancer in animals for years.

Styrene is a chemical used in the production of Styrofoam, some rubber products and cigarettes. In fact the majority of exposure to styrene is thought to come from smoking or inhaling second hand smoke. Second to smoking would be the use of Styrofoam products for containing or holding foods and beverages as a chief mode of exposure. With either heat in general or the aggressive manipulation of molecules through microwaving comes the breaking down of Styrofoam allowing chemicals like styrene to attach itself to our foods.

It has been established that long term exposure to styrene through ingestion or inhalation can be very hazardous. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for styrene explains these hazards clearly. The acute (immediate) concern for styrene exposure is that it can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system causing inflammation and pain. The chronic (long term) health concerns include nervous system toxicity, upper respiratory tract toxicity, targeted organ damage and cancer.

Using Styrofoam has become a way of life for most people. If used sporadically one lessens their risk from the long term damaging effects of styrene. Avoid using Styrofoam in microwave ovens or for serving hot foods and beverages. In fact, perhaps the best advice is to avoid any use associated with food all together.

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/styrofoam-chemical-styrene-added-possible-carcinogens-list/story?id=13815600

http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9925112

All natural antioxidant support for great health