Category: Men’s Health and Wellness (Page 12 of 46)

Raw Milk = Real Milk

Raw milk has been gaining popularity for years now. The conventional dairy industry, realizing this, has stepped up their efforts to ensure that raw milk does not become mainstream. If the health and economic benefits of raw milk were to ever catch on with the general public, it would threaten the livelihoods of the conventional dairy industry.

If raw dairy did catch on, you would think that the dairy industry would simply follow suit and begin producing raw products to meet the demand. However, this would be virtually impossible. Their business depends on pasteurization in order to be able to mass-produce and ship a product that by nature is meant to be grown and consumed locally. this is why their powerful lobbyists will stop at nothing to persuade government agencies to keep raw milk bans in full force.

There’s a vast difference between the quality and safety of milk from organically raised, grass-fed cows, and conventionally raised, grain-fed livestock. Conventional dairy farms are not set up to produce healthy milk. The very idea of producing mass quantities of milk from huge numbers of cows confined to one area is contrary to the very nature of healthy milk.

Cows that are fed grain and raised under substandard conditions will likely produce milk that is unhealthy to drink raw because grains, antibiotics, growth hormones, and filthy living conditions change the pH balance and the natural bacteria present in a cow’s gut, which in turn affects the natural bacteria and pathogens present in their milk.

In order for conventional dairy farms to safely produce raw milk, they’d be forced to clean up their production practices, raise healthier cows (and likely fewer cows), and give them access to pasture. This would cost them money ? lots of money.

Mercola.com

Unfortunately for consumers, money has been, and is the number one reason why our food supply is so devoid of nutrients. To learn more about the health and economical benefits of local farming and products like raw milk visit The Weston A. Price Foundation or The Campaign for Real Milk or read The Raw Milk Revolution

The dark side of soy

The vast majority of soy at your local market is not a health food. 91% of soy grown in the US is genetically modified (GM) soy that is contaminated with large pesticide residues. The genetic modification is done to impart resistance to the toxic herbicide Roundup, so they can spray it over the soy plants to improve crop production by killing the weeds. This is solely meant to increase farming efficiency and provide you with less expensive soy. In other words, cheap as opposed to healthy.

For centuries, contrary of what Americans have been told, Asian people have been consuming non-GM fermented soy products such as natto, tempeh, and soy sauce in SMALL amounts. Western food processors separate the soybean into two commodities?protein and oil. And there is nothing natural or safe about these products that many Americans consume.

Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story, points out thousands of studies linking soy to malnutrition, digestive distress, immune-system breakdown, thyroid dysfunction, cognitive decline, reproductive disorders and infertility?even cancer and heart disease.

Here is just a sampling of the health effects that have been linked to soy consumption:

* Breast cancer
* Brain damage
* Infant abnormalities
* Thyroid disorders
* Kidney stones
* Immune system impairment
* Severe, potentially fatal food allergies
* Impaired fertility
* Danger during pregnancy and nursing

Soy proponents will argue that soy-based foods (they lump the fermented ones with the unfermented) will protect you from everything from colon, prostate and breast cancer to strokes, osteoporosis, and asthma. However, proponents never mention the studies that illuminate soy?s downside and all of the dangers posed to your health, which are based on sound research.

Another unfortunate fact is that 80 percent of the world?s soy is used in farm animal feed, which is why soy production is contributing to deforestation. Some soy propagandists have suggested that the solution to this is for all of us to become vegetarians?a reckless recommendation rooted in total ignorance about nutrition?whereas a far better solution is a major overhaul in how farm animals are fed and raised.

Stress, not Your Parents Genes, add Years to Your face.

Your genetics may not be the best predictor of how you’ll age. A study involving identical twins suggests that despite genetic make-up, certain environmental factors can add years to a person’s perceived age. Factors such as divorce or the use of antidepressants are the real culprits that cause facial aging.

Researchers obtained comprehensive questionnaires and digital images from nearly 200 pairs of identical twins. The images were reviewed by an independent panel, which recorded the perceived age difference between the siblings.

Study subjects who had been divorced appeared nearly two years older than their siblings who were married, single or even widowed. Antidepressant use was associated with a significantly older appearance..

The presence of stress could be one of the common denominators that caused facial aging. The researchers also suspected that continued relaxation of the facial muscles due to antidepressant use could account for sagging.

(Mercola.com 2/19/09)

A true fat burner, GABA.

There’s a very effective fat burner that’s available over the counter, and it’s been around since 1883? Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, more commonly known as GABA, is a powerful amino acid that is classified as a neurotransmitter in the brain. It acts as a balancer of excitation and relaxation. Its ability to burn fat is actually secondary. GABA stimulates the anterior pituitary gland, leading to an increased output of Human Growth Hormone. HGH is known to have anti-aging effects and lowers body-fat levels. One study conducted by the First Medical Clinic at the University of Milan found a five-fold increase in HGH levels of 19 subjects after 90 minutes of consuming 5gms of GABA. The 18 placebo subjects in the same study showed no increase in HGH output. This is an excellent product for those who can’t afford to go to an anti-aging clinic but want the benefits of HGH.

I’ve used this product on and of since the early eighties and have had good success. I always notice that I get a little leaner, sleep better and have a better overall well-being.

A conversation with Drew Brees’ trainer Todd Durkin about TRX Suspension Training

New Orleans Saints quarter back Drew Brees celebrates after the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV at Sun Life Stadium in Miami on February 7, 2010. Brees was named MVP for the game. UPI/Rob Hobson

At your local gym, you may have been offered a chance to try out a tool called the TRX Suspension Training, which is an innovation by former elite Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick.

As a Navy SEAL, Hetrick often found himself in remote safe houses with limited means to keep he and his soldiers in shape. Using only salvaged parachute materials, Hetrick created what would eventually be named the ?Best Total Body Tool? by Men?s Health magazine.

The TRX Suspension Trainer was born.

One of the many trainers that have incorporated TRX not only in his athletes? workouts, but also into his own workouts is Todd Durkin. Of the many athletes Todd works with during the offseason, perhaps his most recognized is New Orleans Saints? quarterback Drew Brees.

During the offseason, Brees flies all the way from Louisiana to train with Durkin and the TRX, which obviously speaks to Todd?s credibility as a trainer. And considering Brees is coming off a Super Bowl win this past February, clearly Todd?s methods work.

We recently had the opportunity to chat with Todd about a variety of topics, including his work with Drew, TRX and the ?Get with the Movement? campaign, which is defined as a rally cry that dares American fitness enthusiasts to free themselves of their everyday routine. It encourages people to get off their exercise machines and take a more dynamic, moment-focused approach to building their overall health and achieving personal goals.

We also asked Todd to share his favorite Drew Brees story, what specific workouts he uses to train a Super Bowl-winning quarterback and how the TRX can help everybody from the ?weekend warrior? to yes, even grandma.

For more on Todd, TRX and his new book The Impact! Body Plan, please visit www.fitnessquest10.com and www.todddurkin.com.

Also for more on the ?Get with the Movement? campaign, visit www.getwiththemovement.com.

Anthony Stalter: Hey Todd, how are you?

Todd Durkin: Real good! Things have been a little crazy around here, but it?s exciting with the new book coming out.

To read the entire interview, click here.

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