A study published in The Journal of Intensive Care Medicine concludes that magnesium is critical to long life and good health.
Magnesium deficiency triggers such conditions as: anxiety, diabetes, heart disease, and migraines.
Some experts say [over] half of Americans are deficient in this nutrient and don’t know it.
Benefits of Magnesium
It is responsible for over 300 enzyme reactions and is present in all bodily tissues. It’s a critical component in bones, muscle and brain. And your cells need it to make energy, stabilize membranes, and help muscles relax.
It can fight depression, fatigue, and even kidney disease. And it’s critical to many essential bodily functions. It has important relationships to heart health. It helps dilate blood vessels, prevents spasms in the heart muscle and blood vessel walls, fights the action of calcium, which increases spasms, helps dissolve blood clots, acts as an antioxidant against free radical formation.
Sources of Magnesium
Good sources include almonds, cashews, walnuts, shrimp, green drinks, and leafy green vegetables.
I do suggest taking a supplement. While the recommended daily amount is about 300 mg a day, most of us get less than 200 mg. Most people could benefit from as much as 400 to 1,000 mg a day.
Another good option is taking Epsom salts. Taking a hot bath in Espom salts (magnesium sulfate) helps reduce stress and allows easy absorption of magnesium.
Magnesium citrate, glycinate taurate, and aspartate are the most easy to absorb. Caution against magnesium carbonate, sulfate, gluconate, and oxide because they are more difficult to absorb.
I you have diabetes, heart disease, or migraines, I also recommend taking the UltraInflamX 360 shakes. These provide magesium and other natural ingredients to decrease inflammation.
I know people are confused about eggs. Personally I always eat the egg yolks. That’s where the best nutrition is! Here’s the story:
By throwing out the yolk and only eating egg whites, you’re essentially throwing out the most nutrient dense, antioxidant-rich, vitamin and mineral loaded portion of the egg. The yolks contain so many B-vitamins, trace minerals, vitamin A, folate, choline, lutein, and other powerful nutrients… it’s not even worth trying to list them all.
Even the protein in egg whites isn’t as powerful without the yolks to balance out the amino acid profile and make the protein more bio-available. Not to even mention that the egg yolks from free range chickens are loaded with healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Yolks contain more than 90% of the calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, thiamin, B6, folate, and B12, and panthothenic acid of the egg. In addition, the yolks contain ALL of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K in the egg, as well as ALL of the essential fatty acids (EFAs).
What about my cholesterol?
When you eat a food that contains a high amount of dietary cholesterol such as eggs, your body down-regulates it’s internal production of cholesterol to balance things out. On the other hand, if you don’t eat enough cholesterol, your body simply produces more since cholesterol has dozens of important vital functions in the body.
There have been plenty of studies lately that indicate that eating whole eggs actually raises your good HDL cholesterol to a higher degree than LDL cholesterol, thereby improving your overall cholesterol ratio and blood chemistry.
In addition, the yolks contain the antioxidant lutein as well as other antioxidants which can help protect you from inflammation within your body (the REAL culprit in heart disease, not dietary cholesterol!), giving yet another reason why the yolks are actually GOOD for you, and not detrimental.
A University of Connecticut study that showed that a group of men in the study that ate 3 eggs per day for 12 weeks while on a reduced carb, higher fat diet increased their HDL good cholesterol by 20%, while their LDL bad cholesterol stayed the same during the study. However, the group that ate egg substitutes (egg whites) saw no change in either and did not see the improvement in good cholesterol (remember that higher HDL levels are associated with lower risk of heart disease) that the whole egg eaters did.
I prefer organic free range eggs from healthy chickens that are allowed to roam freely and eat a more natural diet.
You should also know that groups of people that ate egg breakfasts vs groups of people that ate cereal or bagel-based breakfasts showed that the results of the study showed that the egg eaters lost or maintained a healthier bodyweight, while the cereal/bagel eaters gained weight.
It was hypothesized that the egg eaters actually ate less calories during the remainder of the day because their appetite was more satisfied compared to the cereal/bagel eaters who would have been more prone to wild blood sugar swings and food cravings.
I would like to know what amounts of protein are necessary for pregnant women? I have been eating the Paleo Diet since you introduced me to it. This is my first child. I am finding that my protein and fat requirements are significantly higher than what I usually eat.
Is there any research you could direct me to regarding protein requirements for pregnancy based on trimester?
Great question and I am thrilled you are prgnant! The bottom line is that you probably should increase your fat and carbohydrate consumption, and limit protein to about 20-25% of energy, as higher protein intakes than this may prove to be deleterious to mother and fetus for a variety of physiological reasons.
John Speth (an anthropologist) at the University of Michigan wrote a paper on protein aversion in hunter-gatherer women during pregnancy. Listed below is the abstract: (note the 25% protein energy ceiling!!!)
“During seasonal or inter-annual periods of food shortage and restricted total calorie intake, ethnographically and ethnohistorically documented human foragers, when possible, under-utilize foods that are high in protein, such as lean meat, in favour of foods with higher lipid or carbohydrate content. Nutritional studies suggest that one reason for this behaviour stems from the fact that pregnant women, particularly at times when their total calorie intake is marginal, may be constrained in the amount of energy they can safely derive from protein sources to levels below about 25% of total calories. Protein intakes above this threshold may affect pregnancy outcome through decreased mass at birth and increased perinatal morbidity and mortality…”
Pregnant women should include more carbohydrate and fat (i.e. fattier meats) in their diets and limit dietary protein to no more than 20-25% of their total caloric intake.
I used to be a vegetarian for about 15 years. I avoided red meat, poultry, and fish (because I never really liked it and because of mercury toxicity). Every now and then I’d have eggs. I ate a lot of pasta, grains, and vegetables. I started out as a vegetarian diet because I was experimenting with different diets for my clients. Being a vegetarian seemed to fit my “Chiropractic lifestyle”.
Then about 3 years ago I began to work out more vigorously with kettlebells and free weights. I knew I would need to increase my protein intake. One night after being at the movies with Maddy I said “I want a steak for dinner.” She practically fell out of her seat. I had already been recommending a ‘Paleo’ or Mediterranean diet for many of my clients because I knew those who ate a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet were leaner, healthier, and more energetic. I saw it happening day in and day out in my practice.
As I increased my exercise intensity I maintained my protein shake in the mornings (like I always do) but I switched from a soy based protein to a whey based protein (Ultrameal from Metagenics). I actually got leaner and went from a 10 percent body fat to a my most recent test that revealed a 7 percent body fat.
I eat grass-fed beef, and hormone free chicken, and I still don’t like fish but I recommend fish for those who do! I make sure I take fish oil supplements. I eat organic vegetables, avoid fruit juices unless I dilute it with water, avoid grains, and limit sugar-laden desserts. I love the “paleo” or “primal” diet. Today, it is recognized by many as the healthiest diet in the world.
I make sure I take my Wellness Essential for Men vitamin packs from Metagenics.
All exercise is the same, right? Not so fast, suggests a small study of teens out of Scotland that found that high-intensity exercise may be better than endurance training for preventing cardiovascular disease because it can be done in less time.
The study included 57 adolescent schoolchildren (47 boys and 10 girls) who were randomly assigned to high-intensity or moderate-intensity exercise groups.
Both groups did three exercise sessions a week for seven weeks. The high-intensity group’s program consisted of a series of 20-meter sprints over 30 seconds, while the children in the moderate-intensity group ran steadily for 20 minutes.
By the end of the seven weeks, teens in the moderate-intensity group had completed a total of 420 minutes of exercise, compared to 63 minutes for those in the high-intensity group. Estimated total energy expenditures per child were 4,410 kcal for those in the moderate-intensity group and 907.2 kcal for those in the high-intensity group.
Both groups of children showed significant improvements in cardio-respiratory fitness, blood pressure, body composition and insulin resistance. But the teens in the high-intensity group achieved those health benefits with only 15% of the exercise time put in by those in the moderate-intensity group.
The findings, published April 5 in the American Journal of Human Biology, suggest that brief, intense workouts offer a time-efficient way to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in teens, said study author Duncan Buchan, of the University of the West of Scotland, and his colleagues.
However, further research is needed, they added.
The gluteus medius muscle is an important frontal plane stabilizer of the pelvis. Although its primary function is pelvic stabilization in single leg stance (closed-chain), many therapists and trainers continue to strengthen the gluteus medius in an open chain using hip abduction. The addition of an unstable surface such as a Thera-Band® Stability Trainer is thought to increase muscle activation due to the increased challenge of stabilizing the pelvis in the frontal plane while balancing on a labile surface.
Researchers found that single leg stance exercises produced significantly greater glute med EMG activity compared to bilateral stance. In addition, single leg squats produced significantly more EMG activity than single leg stance. While not statistically significant, performing single-leg exercises on a foam pad did produce more EMG activity of the gluteus medius than a stable surface.
How come some people in there 60s look closer to 45. There is emerging evidence that a class of proteins called sirtuins are the cause. Sirtuins send signals to our cells that work to combat the effects of aging. They slow down the process of cell death and give your body more time to repair DNA damage. Enter resveratrol. Resveratrol activates a gene that “turns on” our sirtuins. How do you get resveratrol to help reduce wrinkles? Start drinking red wine, eating plums, grapes, blueberries, pigmented berries, pomegranate juice, acai, and cranberries. Resveratrol is an antioxidant and it’s 100 percent natural. One study shows it has 17 times more anti-aging power than man-made CoQ10. Resveratrol removes free radicals that damage skin cells. It’s those damaged skin cells which lead to wrinkles and dull skin. Not just that… it breaks down collagen to give your skin that healthy, youthful glow.
I recommend getting resveratrol through supplements. Order Resveratin & Regenemax
RegeneMax is a patented choline-stabilized formulation of orthosilicic acid (OSA). Only when stabilized does OSA deliver on its promise of activating the human body’s production of the three beauty proteins: Collagen, Elastin, and Keratin. RegeneMax delivers 5 mg of the active ingredient in proprietary microsphere-filled capsules.
Resveratin: Methylated resveratrol (pterostilbene), in conjunction with controlled delivery resveratrol and quercetin, leads to improved uptake and stability with more pronounced benefits. Unlike other formulas, Resveratin’s exclusive methylated bio-optimized formula enables full resveratrol absorption in the body. This formulation is exciting new patent-pending technology delivered exclusively to XYMOGEN. With Resveratin you get a complete bioflavonoid complex with resveratrol, quercetin and pterostilbene to take advantage of three antioxidants with known synergisms. These compounds are being extensively studied in the areas of cardiovascular health, cell replication, capillary integrity and aging.
Order by calling 800-647-6100 Code TUC500
Everyone with chronic pain can safely start the Anti-inflammatory diet – no sugar, alcohol, gluten, dairy, preservatives, & chemicals. The minimum supplements I recommend you should be taking are high amounts of EPA/DHA (EPA-DHA 720, three softgels up to three times daily with food), Vitamin D3 (IsoD3 5,000 i.u. daily) and digestive enzymes (Metazyme, one tablet during each meal). Order from Metagenics 800-692-9400.
Additional Supplements for chronic pain:
Quercetin (Resveratin Plus 12 capsules daily). Order from XYMOGEN 1-800-647-6100
UltraInflamX Plus 360 medical food is a shake that contains Turmeric, Ginger, Rosemary extract, as well as other vitamins and minerals plus 15 grams of protein. Two scoops in water or juice 1 – 2 times daily. Order from Metagenics 800-692-9400
Kaprex is for joint relief and contains hops, iso-alpha acids, Olive Leaf extract and Rosemary Leaf extract. Dose is two softgels three times daily. Order from Metagenics 800-692-9400.
Chronic pain depletes serotonin, GABA and dopamine and other catecholamines (which in turn amplify pain perception); so nutrients that address serotonin (such as Tryptophan, 5HTP, and vitamin D) and dopamine and catecholamines are useful. Trancor and Symphora (4 each per day). Order from Metagenics 800-692-9400
Acute Trauma: Traumeel tablets – take 1 tablet every 15 minutes for 3 hours then cut back to 1 every hour for day 1; 1 every 2 hours on day 2 and 1 3 per day until you come in for a visit. This is easily purchased in health food stores.
Peripheral neuropathy, including diabetic neuropathy:
Take Insinase which contains Alpha Lipoic Acid 540 mg BID and Acetyl-L-Carnitine HCL 400 mg BID. Order from Metagenics 800-692-9400.
Osteoarthrits & RA:
UltraInflamX 360
Kaprex
EPA-DHA 720
Iso D3
Muscle Pain/Fibromyalgia:
Combinations of Magnesium, Calcium, Valerian root and Hops are essential. See my list for chronic pain and include UltraInflamX 360.
Capsaicin (Capsicum frutescens) cream:
Capsaicin is the main component in hot chili peppers (also known as cayenne). Applied to the surface of the skin, it is believed to deplete stores of a substance that contributes to inflammation and pain in arthritis. Several studies have shown that capsaicin cream provided much better pain relief than a placebo but no improvement in joint swelling, grip strength, or function for people with OA. Pain reduction generally begins 3 to 7 days after applying the capsaicin cream to the skin. Apply the cream 4 times daily.
Biofreeze gel:
This is another topical pain reliever used in pain management. This is especially good for sore or strained muscles; shoulderand arm pain; neck, hip, and leg pain; back pain; arthritis pain; painful joints; diabetic neuropathy; tendonitis; and bursitis. Biofreeze needs to be applied 4 times daily.
KinesioTaping procedures are an invaluable aide in everything from chronic edema (swelling) reduction to reduction of muscle tension/pain.
My two favorite modalities for chronic pain continue to be the Deep Muscle Stimulator (DMS) and warm laser.
I am so sick of clients doing excessive cardio – I mean mindless long runs, or bouts on the bike or eliptical. I hear about clients doing 60 minute cardio sessions and they are stiff as a board and in pain. The part that ‘kills me’ is that they won’t stretch or even listen to me when I talk to them about doing some weight lifting. I know cardio is one fat burning strategy, but it is time consuming and the reality is that aerobic activities burn far fewer calories than you think. After doing 20-30 minutes of cardio you may feel as though you’ve burned 600 calories but the cold reality is far different. For example, researchers measured the number of calories burned when walking versus running. The study showed that the average man burns just 124 calories when running a mile and only 88 when walking the same distance. So by running three miles you can expect to burn about 396 calories and by walking three miles you will burn about 240.
Figures for other aerobic activities are shown below (these are calculated using a man who weighs 190 pounds).
· Stationary bike (light): 474 calories per hour;
· Walking uphill (3.5 miles per hour): 518 calories per hour;
· High impact aerobics: 604 calories per hour;
· Stationary bike (moderate): 604 calories per hour;
· Jogging (light pace): 604 calories per hour;
· Running (5 miles per hour): 690 calories per hour;
· Stationary bike (vigorous): 906 calories per hour;
To lose one pound of body weight – you have to burn 3000 calories through exercise activity, or decrease your intake of food calories by approximately 3,000 calories. One strategy I use is to decrease 250 calories of food daily and increase your activity by 250 calories per day to reach the 3,000 calorie mark each week to lose a pound a week. Make sense? You can do 30 minutes of cardio (I prefer intervals = sprints) to burn body fat or do some weight lifting to build muscle which automatically burns more calories during rest. I like to teach my clients to do a combo of cardio + resistance. That’s what I personally do.
Too much aerobic exercise will burn calories from fat but can burn fuel from muscle cells too – resulting in a loss of muscle mass – now you are screwed. The reason this happens is that periods of aerobic exercise cause the body to shift into survival mode. In this state, it strives to preserve access to fat cells by also burning fuel derived from muscle cells. It does this because the body is incapable of understanding our motivation for doing cardio. As far as it is concerned, it just needs to maintain fat reserves for any pending emergency situations where we might not have access to food.
By combining your workouts with resistance + cardio activities, you can burn up to 44% more calories. The bottom line is that resistance + cardio workouts burn considerably more calories and fat than ordinary cardio alone.
Just tell me what you like to do and I can turn any of your activities into a cardio + resistance workout. For example, if you like to walk or jog you can pick up a set of dumbbells, some ankle weights or even a weight vest. If biking is your thing, just kick up the resistance. Whatever cardio activity it is that you like to do, I’ll show you how to add some resistance and not only will you burn more fat but you’ll also be able to maintain more of your hard-earned muscle mass
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