About Me

My photo
When you fail to follow your dreams, you cheat yourself out of being you.
Be proud of who you are and don't back down.
Be a winner at the game of life!
Showing posts with label junk food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label junk food. Show all posts

Saturday, June 18, 2016

The Ketogenic Diet and Cancer


Published on Jun 17, 2016
Dr. Mike explains how a ketogenic diet can prevent and even cure cancer by depriving cancer cells of glucose, which is their only energy source.

For more True Health content,
Subscribe to Dr. Mike's channel for more awesome videos at https://www.youtube.com/drmichaelvandc
Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dr.michaelvan
Instagram: DrMichaelVan Twitter: @DrMikeVan

References:

1. Lee C, Raffaghello L, Brandhorst S, et al. Fasting Cycles Retard Growth of Tumors and Sensitize a Range of Cancer Cell Types to Chemotherapy. Science Translational Medicine. 2012;4(124):124.

2. Brandhorst S et al. A periodic diet that mimics fasting promotes multi-system regeneration, enhanced cognitive performance, and healthspan. Cell Metabolism. 2015;22(1):86-99.

3. Rocha NS, Barbisan LF, de Oliveira ML, de Camargo JL. Effects of fasting and intermittent fasting on rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen. 2002;22(2):129-38.

4. Descamps O, Riondel J, Ducros V, Roussel AM. Mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species and incidence of age-associated lymphoma in OF1 mice: effect of alternate-day fasting. Mech Ageing Dev. 2005 Nov;126(11):1185-91.

5. New York Times May 12, 2016

6.http://articles.mercola.com/sites/art...

7. Koppenol WH, Bounds PL, Dang CV. Otto Warburg's contributions to current concepts of cancer metabolism. Nat Rev Cancer. 2011 May;11(5):325-37.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Gun Appreciation Day

If GUNS kill people, then PENCILS misspell words, CARS make people drive drunk, and SPOONS make people fat.

All of these tools can be used for positive or negative. The person wielding that tool is the one making the choice. Convict irresponsible people, don't villainize neutral tools.

Monday, November 9, 2015

Zombies

Considering I used to eat cake for breakfast and at one point went on the Jack In The Box/Sonic diet to gain weight, it may seem ironic that I am posting about healthy eating. Since I have stopped eating sugar, my mind has gotten much more clear.

Now, I look around and see zombies everywhere. This is similar to when I quit doing drugs and was able to easily spot those who used. Except that this type of zombie is much more common and considered "normal" by today's dysfunctional standard.

The zombies I am referring to are the people who eat whatever they think tastes good without concern over whether it is really food (most convenience foods are "foodstuff" at best). Some of these people look fit and healthy, while many are out of shape or overweight. Appearing healthy does not mean one is healthy (I was an example of this). I also do not believe that overweight people want to be overweight, and might not even be overeating. Yet, the foods that are chosen keep the body starving for nutrients and prevent a homeostatic state. It's no wonder so many people are sick and/or on medication.


Recently, there was a study which showed that removing sugar can improve health in less than 2 weeks. I believe it and noticed an improvement myself. Will this new study change people's behavior? I doubt it. Sugar withdrawals are intense. I think it might take an extreme sickness for the average person to seriously attempt quitting. Throughout my life I have heard many people say that they would rather die a few years earlier (and they will) in order to enjoy what they eat...and sugar is easy, convenient, and tastes good. For what it's worth, U.S. sugar has been genetically modified for the past 10 years.

The foods of today are not the same as the foods your parents and grandparents grew up with. They had real food. Unless you go out of your way to purchase otherwise, you are eating genetically modified lab experiment food. There are no studies on GMOs' long-term affect on humans health and reproduction. However, there are numerous problems which have popped up since their introduction--new problems which lack explanation.

A decade ago, if someone would have suggested I become Paleo, there is no way I would have even been open to it. However, 5 years ago, I started transforming. First I removed corn and corn syrup from my diet. Then aspartame and monosodium glutamate. 3 years ago, I stopped eating lactose products. A year or two ago, I stopped eating gluten. This year, I quit sugar. I am so close to the Paleo diet now that I believe it will not be too difficult to accomplish.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Breaking my sugar addiction

As a child, I was indoctrinated that "good girls get treats" and sugary items were a reward. Many people think of sugar as just another food without realizing what it actually does to the body. However, studies have shown that 94% of the time, rats will choose sugar water over cocaine! In case you do not understand the significance of that, rats will usually choose cocaine over food and then die of starvation. Sugar is an addictive substance!

Image found at: grandtetonchiropractic.com/clean-eating-corner/why-you-must-break-your-sugar-addiction.html

While sugary items may taste good, they wreak havoc on the body and brain. For much of my life, sugar has had control over me. I've known it, yet the momentary physical and emotional pleasure sugar provides was a powerful reinforcer for continuing. A decade ago during an illness, I was forced onto a restrictive diet which broke my addiction. Unfortunately, after I got better, I retrained my body to successfully function with sugar again (this is pathetic considering that retraining involves getting sick repeatedly from the toxicity).    :-(     For the past few years, I have wanted to quit again, yet sugar withdrawals are so uncomfortable that I wasn't willing to relive them.

On July 15th, I decided to re-break my sugar addiction; this means no candy, cakes/muffins, coffee drinks, Red Bull, added sugar, juice, or any other sweet items (including those with artificial sweeteners). The first few days were horribly intense--significantly worse than when I quit drugs and alcohol. I went through severe withdrawals: mood swings, cramping, difficulty staying awake, depression, extreme cravings, and binging (on allowed foods). While binging is not healthy, it felt like it was the lessor of two evils to help me through the withdrawal process.

Day 2 was the worst. I wouldn't say I was crying, yet tears kept coming out of my eyes. I called my best friend (he is always more rational than I) who reminded me of the reasons I needed to do this and convinced me to stick with it. I had numerous justifications for why I should quit sugar in a week or two instead of now--but he helped me keep my resolve. Taking away a "reward" that one has grown to know and love is difficult. But, in reality, sugar isn't a reward--it is a punishment.

Today is Day 8 of no sugar. Yes I still have cravings. They are manageable. My brain keeps trying to lie to me and tell me that specific foods would be okay or that I "deserve a treat." How sick is it that my treats are actually self-sabotage? Thankfully, I realize this is the addictive cycle and have not given in. My mind is getting clearer, I have lost 2 pounds this week without even trying, and I feel good. Obviously, being a true addiction, I need to continuously monitor myself to prevent slips.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

My love-hate relationship with cake

So it happened again yesterday. I was passing a bakery when I saw a gorgeous slice of cake. I should've known better as, the majority of the time I have eaten there, I have often been disappointed. But, I bought it. The first bite was amazing--everything I hoped it would be and more! The second bite was still good, although not nearly as great. The third bite started to taste waxy. After a few more unenjoyable bites, I threw away the slice of cake without finishing it. Why does my brain discard all the information it has gathered when I see a delicious-looking cake?



I'm starting to think that's what I've done with men too.  *sigh*  Since I'm resuming interest in dating, I need to examine why I do this and fix it.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Your New Body in 30 Days

A friend of mine and I were recently talking about our bodies. She retired a decade ago and misses her stripper figure. To help her get back in shape, I sent her this email:

This is the Body Pump workout that I do at home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhaKN8sAocI.

Keep in mind that it is easy to injure yourself with BodyPump. You must use proper form! This means always keep your wrists straight, never let your knees go pass your toes, in squat position all your weight should be on your heels (I lift my toes the whole time to be sure), and keep your chest "proud" throughout your workout. I recommend attending live classes because being in a group will help you get through when you want to stop (and you will want to stop early) and mirrors help with form. Start with only the bar for the first class. If you are not sore the next day, you were probably using incorrect form. If ever you feel like class was too easy (after the fact) or you don't get sore, it's time to up your weight with the minimum increment on each side. This class should always be challenging.

For cellulite, you should do body scrubs: http://www.essenceofmyinstincts.com/the-importance-of-a-good-scrub-body-brushing-and-exfoliation/. In addition, you need to drink a ton of water. Whatever your weight is, divide by half, and that is your minimum amount of required daily water. For example, I weigh 140, divided in half means I need a minimum of 70 ounces of water per day. If you want to lost weight, it's even more: http://www.slenderkitchen.com/how-to-calculate-how-much-water-you-should-drink-a-day/.

This is not easy. It may be the hardest you've ever worked on your body. But I guarantee that if you do an hour class 3 times per week, within a month your body will be changed. And, if you also add 2-3 spin classes per week during that same month, you will go from however you look now back to having a body you will be proud of.

I forgot to add: what you eat is extremely important! Seriously. You can't make a regular habit of eating fast food and have a ripped body. When you start tracking, you may be surprised at where your calories are coming from and which activities burn the most. There are several free programs which help you do this. For your smart phone, MyFitnessPal and LoseIt are the most popular. Enter in all your food, exercise, and weigh-ins. Chances are you'll lose weight from making smarter food choices.

Are you ready for your new body? Then take control of yourself and get it! It only takes 30 days to make an impressive change. This is what I do and it will work for you, too.  :)

Friday, January 4, 2013

New Year Resolutions

The secret to New Years Resolutions is to only commit to changes that you really want.

Every year people make New Year resolutions that they are unable to stick to. No, that's not accurate.. Every year people make New Year resolutions that they are unwilling to stick to. We make choices in life; if your New Year resolution is to eat better or exercise--and then you don't, it's because you chose not to stick to it. This means that making a resolution that you don't want to stick to is either torturing yourself or lying to yourself.

What is my New Year resolution for 2013? I will stop hitting curbs with my tire or rim. It's not that I am particularly a bad driver, I just haven't been careful enough when parking. My goal is reasonable and I am ready to make this change. Since January 1st, I've been parking while consciously paying attention to where my tires are (in the past I would focus on why I was parking instead of being active in the moment). This is an easy change which only requires dedication. In a few weeks, my brain should be re-programmed to always park this way.  :)

Why did I not choose eating properly or exercise, like millions of other people? Easy. I do these things already. Well, at least 90% of the time.  Not because they were successful during a previous New Year resolution, but because this is the lifestyle I've trained myself to be happy with.

Making resolutions is awesome. It is a way every year to fix something about yourself...something that you are ready to change and are willing to tackle all year long.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Selfless Act for Lent

I was thinking "I can't afford to donate, I'm barely making it right now." Then I looked down at my KFC tray and realized I'm just fooling myself. Even if it's just a small donation (like that of a single fast food meal), it all adds up. If you're reading this, even if it's just a dollar, HELP THEM OUT! They are good people with a quality message. :)

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Lent cleansing

Not only am I not a Christian, I don't believe that Jesus Christ ever existed. So why am I posting about Lent? Lent is a time for spiritual cleansing--which is beneficial no matter what your faith (or lack of).

From Wikipedia: There are traditionally forty days in Lent which are marked by fasting, both from foods and festivities, and by other acts of penance. The three traditional practices to be taken up with renewed vigour during Lent are prayer (justice towards God), fasting (justice towards self), and almsgiving (justice towards neighbour). Today, some people give up a vice of theirs, add something that will bring them closer to God, and often give the time or money spent doing that to charitable purposes or organizations.


What will I do different during Lent?
Lent started this year on March 9; I just heard about it so I am starting today. Daily chanting of my mantra and meditation will be a priority. For the fasting aspect, I am giving up masturbation, soda, and cake. In addition, each day I will do at least one activity to selflessly help others.

As I follow this rule I find that I am letting go of old mortal beliefs and the Divine within is flaming higher and higher. Its pure white light is infusing all my surroundings with a delightful spirit of wisdom, dignity, and peace. I realize more and more the law or righteous thinking that is bringing me into a consciousness of my perfect dominion.


My 40th day will be April 21st.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Aspartame

Seriously. Most people don't pay attention at all to what they put in their body. I was guilty of this for a long time. Years ago I stopped eating MSG, thinking it was the only evil thing I could put into my body. HA! Ignorance is bliss sometimes...until you get sick.



Aspartame is made from: Aspartic acid 40%, Methanol 10%, Phenylalanine 50%. Not only have I stopped consuming aspartame but I check ingredient lists for asparatame building blocks. I actively avoid corn syrup too (much more difficult than you would imagine if you don't cook all of your own meals). For the most part I now Eat Clean. My health has improved and my body now looks better than it has in years. But this isn't about me. This posting is to make YOU think about what you put into your own body. Do you eat foods with ingredients you cannot even pronounce? Have you looked them up on the internet so see what they are?

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Changing

It's been a long few years with a couple close deaths.. I won't "get over" these losses but I am finally in recovery.

My physical health is improving. Several months ago I realized I had a problem with ephedrine. (This is not an anti-ephedrine post.) Ephedrine is a great drug. Unfortunately it got to the point where I was taking far too much and needed it to get by. At the time I thought it was helping me. Now I see I had become addicted and it was tearing me apart. When Nevada made ephedrine illegal in June, I quit cold turkey. Personally I feel it should be legal. However, I would probably still be taking it...

At the beginning of August I ran out of anxiety medication. I've been off since. Taking responsibility for my own emotions now.. Learning stress management. These past few months have been trying: I got robbed and foreclosed on a house. Luckily, I've learned good coping techniques. :-)

My body is tired of yo-yoing. Instead of living within a 20 pound range, I have adapted a new lifestyle. No more junk food. This has been the most amazing step. By eating properly my mind is clear and my body is in it's best shape ever!

Enthusiasm is creeping back onto my face.. I see opportunity in every new day, in every lesson life presents.. My youth is returning.

Watch out, world, Trixie is here to stay!