The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.
The next best time is now.~Chinese Proverb
Spring is the time of planting and new growth. Consider setting your health intentions now when exercise is as easy as walking around your neighborhood and enjoying the blossoming flowers.
I recommend for 10 days eating a diet of fresh vegetable, healthy fats (such as coconut, avocados, butter made from grass-fed organic milk) organic pastured eggs, raw nuts, fish and grass-fed meats. Try eliminating grains, dairy, added sugars and all types of vegetable oils high in omega-6‘s. Eating this way gives our bodies a chance to reset and regulate blood sugar, calm inflammation and support adrenal function.
“What? I’m not eating healthy whole grains for ten days and I can eat saturated fat?” Yes. It turns out that much of the information we’ve been receiving about eating a high carb – low fat diet was never properly studied. Studies actually show that too many carbs wreak havoc on our bodies ability to regulate blood sugar. Saturated fat is not the central cause of disease and it is an alternate fuel source that doesn’t raise blood sugar.
In order to understand issues around blood sugar I encourage you to read the full article written by Dr. Dwight Lundell, MD. He is a heart surgeon and explains in detail the mechanism involved with chronic inflammation. Please go to, http://m.disclose.tv/news/World_Renowned_Heart_Surgeon_Speaks_Out_On_What_Really_Causes_Heart_Disease/113103
Dr. Lundell describes, “When we consume simple carbohydrates such as sugar, blood sugar rises rapidly. In response, your pancreas secretes insulin whose primary purpose is to drive sugar into each cell where it is stored for energy. If the cell is full and does not need glucose, it is rejected to avoid extra sugar gumming up the works.
When your full cells reject the extra glucose, blood sugar rises producing more insulin and the glucose converts to stored fat. What does all this have to do with inflammation? Blood sugar is controlled in a very narrow range. Extra sugar molecules attach to a variety of proteins that in turn injure the blood vessel wall. This repeated injury to the blood vessel wall sets off inflammation.”
In pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes the “keyhole” in the cell wall where the insulin plugs in can down-regulate or become resistant to insulin, so the pancreas pumps out
more and more insulin to try to get glucose into the cell. Eventually the cell becomes starved for energy. In another scenario the cells that produce insulin begin to fail.
This can all sound a bit overwhelming. The good news is that seeds planted in well nourished soil thrive. We can actually change our health. In a stroke of synchronicity, I was thinking about this newsletter as I pushed my cart around Costco and came across the book, The Blood Sugar Solution, 10-DAY DETOX DIET COOKBOOK, by Mark Hyman, MD. I took it home, read it and went back the next day and purchased 4 additional copies in case any of you wanted to buy one. Dr. Hyman has clear information and lots of recipes to help support blood sugar.
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You’re on your own, and you know what you know.
And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.~ Dr. Seuss
I’ve had many requests for my morning drink recipe. As you can see, it contains quite a bit of fat, which is slow burning and filling. So here it is:
Malibu 710 Turbo Charged Morning Magic
1/2 – 1 tsp matcha green tea
1 tblsp coconut cream
1 tsp pastured butter
1 tblsp collagen
5 rounds of Madagascar 100% cacao (This is available at Whole Foods in the bulk chocolate area. Add more or less according to taste)
pinch of dulse
pinch of cayenne (optional)
1/8 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1/8 tsp cardamon (optional)
Place all of these ingredients in a blender and add 8-12 oz of hot water. You can replace the water with heated unsweetened almond milk if you prefer.
Blend and savor.
The information in this newsletter is not intended to replace the relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge from research and experience of B. Mahler, LAc.
Barbara A. Mahler, LAc has practiced
Traditional Oriental Medicine and
Nutrition since 1987 and happily continues today.
For information go to barbaraamahler.com.