Eating Clean is Eating Vegan!

There is a good reason that eating vegan is sometimes called “Eating clean.” Living Clean or Eating Clean as is built on the premise that “if you are what you eat then you should eat the best that you can.”

If you are eating dirty, then you are eating old dead food.  The more refined a food is, the deader it is and the worse it is for your physical health. 

Eating vegan means –

Eat live foods. Eating live foods means consuming fresh foods  Stay away from eating dead foods. These are foods that must be trucked from far away and are sprayed with preservatives, have been processed or that have been sitting around on a store shelf for too long.

Eating locally. Eating locally means that you are not going to eat food that is transported from a long ways away.  This also reduces your likelihood of eating a GMO food that has been altered not to rot.  Food that is not grown near you tends to be grown with more pesticide, is more at risk of being rotten or containing e-coli and is older so it does not taste as good.  Foods that are grown locally are fresher, have more nutrition and taste better.  When you eat locally you also help reduce global warming and it helps your local economy.

Eating raw. Eating raw means eating as many raw vegan foods as you can so that you can get the most nutrients from what you consume.  Most of us eat food that is heated over 188 degrees, which destroys most of its nutrients.  Cooking food also destroys many of the natural enzymes that are used by the body to break down food for digestion and facilitate the absorption of nutrients and the expelling of waste.  Old dead food that is processed, salty and stoked with chemical preservatives simply passes through the body with no real benefits.

There are a lot of benefits to eating raw and that includes more energy during the day and a deeper, more satisfying night’s sleep.  When you eat raw you can practically feel your skin healing itself at night.  You have more than enough fiber to keep your bowel movements regular, which in turn improves cell respiration and fights cell oxidization and aging.

Yet another benefit of eating raw is that you can eat as much as you want without becoming toxic or clogging up your system. You never have to go hungry because raw foods are complex carbohydrates that have a low glycemic index. 

Eating organically is another principle to keep in mind as you become vegan.

There are two great reasons to eat organically and that is that is your only assurance of totally avoiding pesticides and antibiotic-resistant infections. You also support local farmers and smaller agricultural operations when you eat organic; it is more ethical.

Finally it is also important to eat alkaline.  Eating alkaline means mostly eating raw foods with a low acid content. Bacteria and viruses cannot live in a highly alkaline environment and if your body is not acidic no disease can take root. 

There is a good reason that eating vegan is sometimes called “Eating clean.” Living Clean or Eating Clean as is built on the premise that “if you are what you eat then you should eat the best that you can.”

If you are eating dirty, then you are eating old dead food.  The more refined a food is, the deader it is and the worse it is for your physical health. 

Eating vegan means –

·

Eat live foods. Eating live foods means consuming fresh foods  Stay away from eating dead foods. These are foods that must be trucked from far away and are sprayed with preservatives, have been processed or that have been sitting around on a store shelf for too long.

Eating locally. Eating locally means that you are not going to eat food that is transported from a long ways away.  This also reduces your likelihood of eating a GMO food that has been altered not to rot.  Food that is not grown near you tends to be grown with more pesticide, is more at risk of being rotten or containing e-coli and is older so it does not taste as good.  Foods that are grown locally are fresher, have more nutrition and taste better.  When you eat locally you also help reduce global warming and it helps your local economy.

Eating raw. Eating raw means eating as many raw vegan foods as you can so that you can get the most nutrients from what you consume.  Most of us eat food that is heated over 188 degrees, which destroys most of its nutrients.  Cooking food also destroys many of the natural enzymes that are used by the body to break down food for digestion and facilitate the absorption of nutrients and the expelling of waste.  Old dead food that is processed, salty and stoked with chemical preservatives simply passes through the body with no real benefits.

There are a lot of benefits to eating raw and that includes more energy during the day and a deeper, more satisfying night’s sleep.  When you eat raw you can practically feel your skin healing itself at night.  You have more than enough fiber to keep your bowel movements regular, which in turn improves cell respiration and fights cell oxidization and aging.

Yet another benefit of eating raw is that you can eat as much as you want without becoming toxic or clogging up your system. You never have to go hungry because raw foods are complex carbohydrates that have a low glycemic index. 

Eating organically is another principle to keep in mind as you become vegan.  =.

There are two great reasons to eat organically and that is that is your only assurance of totally avoiding pesticides and antibiotic-resistant infections. You also support local farmers and smaller agricultural operations when you eat organic; it is more ethical.

Finally it is also important to eat alkaline.  Eating alkaline means mostly eating raw foods with a low acid content. Bacteria and viruses cannot live in a highly alkaline environment and if your body is not acidic no disease can take root. 

For more information or to book a consultation about anti-aging, diet and weight loss programs or any health issue you may be experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Health Clinic website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office at  (416)-656- 8100.  We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services.

Food And Aging

By Dr. Karen Gilman

Let’s face it, aging is part of life and how we choose to age is within our control. What you eat can make a huge difference on how you look and feel.  Here are a few common age-related diseases and some tips on which foods can help reduce your risk of developing them.

To help prevent basic cell damage: Colourful fruits and vegetables offer up loads of antioxidants that help stop free radicals from damaging healthy cells. Include leafy greens, deep red tomatoes, blueberries and carrots to help prevent cell damage.  At each meal fill about half of your plate with fruits and vegetables. To help with macular degeneration: Three particular antioxidants; vitamin c, zinc and beta-carotene help protect your vision from macular degeneration which is the leading cause of blindness after age 65.  Choose spinach, kale, collard or mustard greens or bright-coloured produce to ensure you get a good supply of these antioxidants.

To help with heart disease or cancer: A powerful antioxidant in grapes and red wine, called reservatrol may help lower your odds of getting heart disease or cancer.  Beans and lentils are also loaded with fibre and plant-based protein so they are a good age-protecting alternative to red meat.

To help with Type 2 Diabetes: Eating whole grains high in fiber like oats, quinoa, barley and brown rice may help lower your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. A healthy diet that contains whole grains also keeps blood vessels in peak condition.

To reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s: Omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish offer many anti-aging benefits; they help protect your heart, lower your odds of having a stroke and may even help guard against Alzheimer’s disease.

To reduce your risk of high blood pressure and help lower high cholesterol: The fats in nuts are among the healthiest. Snacking on nuts may cut your risk of high blood pressure and control high cholesterol. To get the benefit, eat ¼ oz of nuts or about 4 almonds.

Not only should we add foods for healthy aging but we need to limit some foods that may harm the body:

Go easy on high-fat meat, high-fat dairy and baked treats. The saturated fat found in these foods can lead to clogged arteries and heart problems.

Don’t add sugar. Eating too much sugar can send your blood sugar levels on a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs. Over time, excess calories may cause insulin resistance, which can lead to Type 2 diabetes.   Sugar also suppresses the immune system.

Eat less salt. Too much salt can raise your blood pressure which over time, can damage other parts of your body including brain, arteries and kidneys. Limit daily sodium intake to 2,400 milligrams or about 1 teaspoon of table salt.

Dr. Karen Gillman is dedicated to healthy eating for more than 25 years, Karen Gilman is passionate about helping others eat well and love what they eat. Karen graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in 2011 where she received a diploma in Natural Nutrition. Karen is also a certified food handler and a member of the Canadian Association of Holistic Nutrition Professionals.

                     

You can make an appointment at the Pinewood Natural Health Centre with Karen Gilman by emailing

toronto@pinewoodhealth.ca 

or

Phone: (416) 656-8100 

Top 5 Affordable, Accessible Superfoods For Anti-Aging

If you are getting cosmetic injections, carboxytherapy or dermal fillers to improve your looks, you should keep in mind that aside from the treatments that you may be getting to look youthful, it is also important to eat the foods that support healing, cell regeneration, collagen production and tissue connectivity.

Here is a look at a Top 5 Affordable and Accessible superfoods that can keep you looking young. 

1. Green Tea

Green tea is one of the most powerful anti-aging foods known to man. Green tea contains the phytonutrients myricetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and quercetin. They are the phytonutrients that work together in order to help your body burn fat by increasing its metabolism. These nutrients can also fight against the development of tumours and cancers.

The only thing to be careful about when drinking green tea is that it can prevent iron from being absorbed into your bloodstream. The best way to prevent this odd side-effect and ensure you are getting all the nutrients you need from you food is to drink green tea between meals as a pick-me-up or add a little lemon to it.

2. Kale

Kale, and other leafy greens like Swiss chard are chock full of antioxidants including the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. This antioxidant combination decreases the risk of macular-related vision degeneration and protects them from sun-induced damage.  Kale also promotes youthfulness by improving your cardiovascular health, boosting your immune system, fight cancer through hormone moderation, regulating blood sugar levels, and aiding in digestion.

Slightly steaming kale or braising makes it easier for the body to assimilate the healing carotenoids.

3. Blueberries

Blueberries contain a significant amount of vitamin K, manganese, vitamin C, and fibre. They also have omega-3 fatty acids. They can help your eyes and can heal ulcers. The antioxidants found in blueberries not only combat aging and stress factors in the body, but also reduce the risk of degenerative diseases and cancers.

One cup of blueberries has only 85 calories, and less than one gram of good fat. The fibre they contain improves bowel function and helps eliminate bowel residue. The phytochemicals they contain aid in weight loss and reduce inflammation.

Blueberries can be eaten raw, blended into smoothies, sprinkled on oatmeal or baked into muffins.

4. Tomatoes

Lycopene, the pigment that makes tomatoes red, reduces their risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer and blindness. Lycopene is best absorbed through tomatoes that are cooked so it is a good idea to eat them stewed or as a sauce. 

Salsa is also a profoundly anti-aging food because the red peppers also add substantial amounts of disease-fighting Vitamin C to the mix of tomatoes. Onions and garlics add selenium, zinc and other important minerals to the food as well.

5. Squash

Bright orange squash is loaded with beta-carotene, which in turn converts to vitamin A in the body. This reduces the risks of cancers, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.  The lutein and lycopene found in produce also help protect the skin from sun damage and reduce wrinkling.

Squash is easily baked in the oven. It can be mashed up like a potato and served cold and cubed in a salad.

These foods are not exotic and can be found in any supermarket. Try to buy organic to optimize your nutritional gains and anti-aging benefits.

For more information or to book a consultation about anti-aging, diet and weight loss programs or any health issue you may be experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Health Clinic website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office at  (416)-656- 8100.  We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services.

Additional Suggested Anti-Aging Foods

As discussed in our last blog, part of maintaining any treatments that you have done at the Pinewood Health Clinic, whether it be cosmetic fillers, laser resurfacing or mesotherapy injections, is eating well.  Here are some additional suggestions for foods to include in your diet that boast amazing anti-aging properties.

1. Squash

Bright orange squash is loaded with beta-carotene, which in turn converts to vitamin A in the body. This reduces the risks of cancers, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.  The lutein and lycopene found in produce also help protect the skin from sun damage and reduce wrinkling.

Squash is easily baked in the oven. It can be mashed like a potato and served cold and cubed in a salad.

2.  Broccoli

Broccoli and broccoli sprouts contain sulorphane, which increases the production enzymes that help clear toxins from the body. The younger the broccoli is, the more of this anti-aging substance it contains. Broccoli also contains a substantial amount of calcium that is good for teeth, bones, skin and hair.

Broccoli is most nutritious if it is served raw and the broccoli sprouts are delicious served in a sandwich. If sprouts are eaten when they are about three days old they offer up about fifty times the protection of the mature stalks.

3.  Kale

Kale, and other leafy greens like Swiss chard are chock full of antioxidants including the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. This antioxidant combination decreases the risk of macular-related vision degeneration and protects them from sun-induced damage.  Kale also promotes youthfulness by improving your cardiovascular health, boosting your immune system, fight cancer through hormone moderation, regulating blood sugar levels, and aiding in digestion.

Slightly steaming kale or braising makes it easier for the body to assimilate the healing carotenoids.

4.  Red Kidney Beans

Red kidney beans are one of the most nutritious of anti-aging foods.  They contain high levels of LDL cholesterol, which lowers the “bad cholesterol” that can cause heart disease.  Beans also contain anthocyanins and quercetins that fight free radical damage in the body.

Beans are of the most benefit if they are served in a salad or as part of a bean salad with red onions and apple cider vinegar.  Beans are also delicious and healthy served as part of a tomato stew.

5.  Acai Berry

The healing constituents of Acai are vitamins A, C, E, omega fatty acids, protein, iron, and fibre. Every 100 grams of Acai contains 1000 IU of Vitamin A as well as the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc.

Acai has ten times the antioxidant power of red grapes and twice that of blueberries. The free radical cancer fighter that is especially prominent in these berries is anthocyanin.

Another surprising nutritional fact about Acai is that it contains more protein than an egg as well as Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. It is a whole food.

You can find Acai juice quite easily in most grocery stores but be sure to check labels to make sure it is not “cut” too heavily with other juices such as grape or apple.

The most common Acai product available is the frozen pulp but once again be sure to read labels to make sure that there is no sugar added.  Acai should be the first ingredient on the label and not sugar or some other kind of fruit or additive.

For more information about improving your diet, losing weight, special diets and the HCG program visit the Pinewood Natural Health Centre website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office at  (416)-656- 8100.  We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services that you have.