Dr Mercola on Coffee: an Interesting Article

EASYpH does not advocate coffee as it is acid-forming in the body.  However Dr Mercola and his associate Ori Hofmekler have presented a very thought-provoking article on why organic coffee, in small amounts, is good for you.

To see the article visit Dr Mercola's website . 

Can Random Acts of Kindness Make You Healthier?

All too often, we randomly miss opportunities throughout the day to complete a simple single act of kindness. Kindness and gratitude, are the easiest and most effective ways to stimulate your own wellness and take only a few moments.  What better way to not only do something for someone else and reap some of the benefits for yourself?

Wellness is the pursuit of the best health possible through fit body, balanced mind and peaceful spirit. The practice of kindness and gratitude actually has shown to be very beneficial to all areas of wellness. One of the wonders of pursuing a wellness path is a heighten sense of creating the same balance for things around you. It is a circle of do good and feel good.

Acts of kindness and gratitude have been shown to:

*Increase self esteem, self worth, optimism and confidence
*Help forget your own physical or emotional pain
*Help decrease stress and acts as a stress release
*Improve immune response
*Decrease feelings of depression and self doubt
*Increase sense of balance and over all well being

Best of all, as noted by Dr. Herbert Benson, a Harvard cardiologist involved in scientific research for over 30 years, helping others it allows us to ‘forget one’s self’. Dr. Benson states that another reason is that when we carry out an act of kindness, our body rewards us by creating a ‘feel good’ sensation, which boosts self esteem and well being. This has been titled, the helper’s high.  The evidence is overwhelming that in its purest form, giving and being thankful is good for everyone involved. So, be conscious, be gracious and take the time to give back. The benefits of positive action are priceless. 

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Can bicarb improve sport endurance?

This item was sourced from: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, as described in Wellbeing magazine.

Tennis is a game of high skill but it is also an endurance test. As long matches go on the level of skill can drop away dramatically but with bicarbonate of soda (sodium bicarbonate) that may no longer be the case.

In a new study tennis players were put into two groups. The test group received 0.3grams of bicarbonate of soda per kilogram of bodyweight before playing a simulated tennis match on a “gaming” system. The control group received a placebo made of sodium chloride. Both groups received a second, although reduced, dose after three games of the first set.

Before and after the test both groups were subjected to the Loughborough Tennis Skill Test to establish their skill levels before and after exertion.

The results showed that lactate levels were significantly higher in the placebo group and that the bicarb group also had a more alkaline blood. This led to the bicarb group showing no loss of skill level on their service or forehand after the match whereas the placebo group experienced significant skill losses.

It all comes down to the alkalising effect of the bicarb which counteracts the muscle tiring that comes from the build up of lactic acid when you exercise.

If the idea of maintaining your skill for longer periods has you fizzing with enthusiasm, before you start frothing at the mouth and go trying to dose up on bicarbonate of soda: stop and think. If you are restricting sodium intake to control blood pressure for instance, then the sodium in bicarb is not for you. Excessive bicarb loading will also reduce stomach acidity and will reduce potassium levels in your body. Potassium is an important mineral for heart and muscle function.

If you really want to alkalise your body to build endurance, we suggest you do it in aa sustainable way. Eat plenty of vegetables, especially greens, as they alkalise your body, as described in the EASYpH booklet. 

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Beware lovely lemon juice...

Lemon juice is wonderfully alkaline-forming and is an excellent drink with warm or cool water.  The acid can, unfortunately, cause damage to your teeth.  When you have your lemon drink, be sure to rinse the mouth with fresh water immediately afterward to ensure there are no lingering acids to cause dental erosion.  Should you have any concerns, please see your dentist.

 Which is a better measure: urine or saliva?

Urine tends to be more reliable in that it varies less with what we eat/drink during the day.  Saliva can be inaccurate due to lingering food/drink/toothpaste residues, mercury amalgam fillings, hydration and bacteria in the mouth.  If your saliva readings are highly variable and unexpected, perhaps do a few urine tests.  Please remember not to put EASYpH test paper into the mouth; drop saliva into a clean cup/spoon or onto the paper.  The suggested ideal readings are all in the EASYpH booklet.

Cheers for Chia!

Chia seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids, protein and many minerals.  They are absolutely wonderful for providing the body with energy and keeping hunger at bay between meals, to name only a few of the benefits of chia.  We suggest you add 10g to your drink bottle, shake it up and drink them with your daily water.  The texture takes a little getting used to!

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How much water should I drink?

Depending on your body size, activity level and climate, as well as what you are eating (water content of vegetables and juices), a useful guideline is 0.033 x your body mass.  So for example if you weigh 50kg, your suggested water intake should be 50 x 0.033 = 1.65L per day.

Should I eat fruit?

Initially, as you commence your alkaline life-journey, you may choose to exclude fruit from your diet for a period of time, perhaps three months.  If your body is highly acidic it is possible that you may suffer from candidiasis and other microform overgrowth.  Limiting natural sugars in your diet essentially starves the candida so that your body can regain control.  Fruit is loaded with nutritious enzymes, minerals and vitamins, so it is unwise to exclude it from your diet for an extended period.

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Which 'green drink' is best?

We are often asked this question.  The answer is: the one that you can drink easily.  Wheat grass, barley grass, chlorophyll and  spirulina are all highly nutritious and offer wonderful and different health benefits.  However, if the taste is so foul for you that you struggle to get the stuff down your gullet, try something else.  Many people find barley grass easy to drink, and there is a brand of chlorophyll on the market that has a little mint in it, making it taste quite pleasant.  If all of them taste okay to you, then maybe go for a mixture or rotate your greens for optimum benefits.

Note that both barley grass and wheat grass are gluten free.  Some greens are available in tablet form for those of you who really struggle to drink greens.  Tablets are also easily transported when you are on the go.

Parties & how to survive without ruining your health

When you're going out, it is worth considering some strategies for reducing the acid load on your body. Have a good time and enjoy...but remember the consequences and make an effort to re-alkalise yourself.

Consider the following options:

• Keep up the green drinks to nourish your body
• Have a large green salad with olive oil and lemon before going out for a big meal, you'll be less likely to eat too much acid-forming food if you don't arrive starving
• Have lemon juice in water whenever you can to help you alkalise
• If you drink alcohol, go for the purer varieties like scotch with soda, vodka or an organic wine.  Avoid the sugary mixers, diet drinks and colorants
• Station yourself away from the food buffet at the party
• Offer to bring something to a party; and take a plate of fresh crudite veggies and some good hummous (and eat it yourself!)
• Opt for fresh fruit desserts
• If you over-do it, the homeopathic remedy Nux Vom may be particularly helpful.

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Are there supplements that can help me be more alkaline?

Apart from green powders, such as barley grass, wheat grass, spirulina and chlorophyll; you can take bicarb of soda to quickly help you become more alkaline.  Yes, ordinary bicarb of soda...

Dosage: up to 3 teaspoons per day, dissolved in water.  Preferably do not take with a protein meal, as it can hinder protein digestion.  EASYpH does not know the long-term effects of taking bicarb so it might be best to use this remedy during illness only.  If you have high blood pressure please be aware of the sodium content of bicarb of soda (sodium bicarbonate).

There are many alkalising supplements available at health food stores and online.  Bicarb is useful to help you overcome illness but should not replace healthy alkaline eating.  Commercial bicarb of soda may contain aluminium.

Flu and what you can do to help yourself recover

Being in a healthy alkaline state should improve your resistance, but sometimes it can still happen that you down with the 'flu or a bad cold.  Remember to keep hydrating with good alkaline water and 'green drinks'.  Your body might need an alkalising boost, so you can take up to 3 teaspoons of bicarb of soda per day, in separate doses and not with protein foods.  Vitamin supplements can be of help too: particularly vitamin B,C and zinc.  Garlic, horseradish and echinacea can be of benefit too.  There are many homepathic remedies which can reduce the duration and severity of the 'flu and colds.  It is essential to get professional advice to ensure you take the correct remedy for your particular symptoms.

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