15 delicious foods to boost detox power

Quick factoid: While we all have a natural ability to break down and eliminate toxic chemicals and metals, those systems were designed to eliminate by-products of our daily activities—not overloaded by “better living through chemistry and technology”. Our liver, kidneys, and digestive tract are supposed to balance hormones (activate/inactivate as needed), neutralize cell waste products, balance electrolytes, and keep us energized all day long. But instead… Overloaded by environmental pollution, anti-food, medications, stressful lifestyles… our body can’t keep up! We quickly go out of balance, the accumulation of toxic substances creates chronic inflammation. Months and years later, we feel the … Continue reading

Think fast: what the pH?

Diagram of entire digestive tract including nutrients absorbed in each section

Thanks go to three of my clients who just this week asked questions about alkaline diet foods and pH: What the pH? Skin care commercials tell us their product will balance our skin, so-called “clean eating” blogs promote “alkaline diet foods”, designer bottled water companies and aggressive multi-level-marketing water filter companies promote alkaline waters, or maybe you retained a basic understanding of pH from biology or chemistry. The idea of an alkaline pH is trendy and in large print on labels. But what does being “pH balanced” or “too acidic” or “alkaline” or even “too alkaline” really mean? And, why … Continue reading

Keeping inflammation in check: Your ubiquitous ubiquitin system

Are Alzheimer’s, weight gain and obesity, cancer, diabetes and heart disease all the same health problem? I think so. And so do many other researchers today. What they all have in common is excess inflammation in the body. And any time some really interesting new piece of the inflammatory puzzle hits the science headlines, pharmaceutical and biotech companies start promoting how they’ll develop novel anti-inflammatory drugs to block these natural proteins to finally solve the problem of unquenchable pain and inflammation. And one such amazing piece of the inflammatory puzzle—amazing to molecular biology or biochemistry nerds like me—just put together some pieces not before known. For 20 … Continue reading

Why restoring gut balance comes first, and detoxifying second–Rejuveo

purposeful activities, enjoy life, whole foods nutrition, anchorage nutritionist, vitamins, healthy eating, optimal health

“Dysbiosis:” simply put, is when there is an imbalance between the types of bacteria and yeast living in you. And it ALSO is used to mean, harmful (disease-causing) bacteria, yeast and parasites are living in you (usually your gut). Most of us have this to some degree and don’t even know it. But you probably know with certainty that you have chronic indigestion, bloating, gas, alternating constipation and diarrhea, yeast infections / jock-like itches… and what about other common symptoms of dysbiosis like chronic fatigue, skin rashes, bad breath, thyroid problems, bladder infections, immune problems and even cancer, especially of … Continue reading

Sneaking sugars into kefir??

Coconut milk kefir probiotic

“You put sugar in your kefir, right?” (I’m sorry—did I hear that right????) “Well I was over buying coconut milk kefir and she said you put sugar in yours, that’s why her’s is better.” There I was, enjoying the company of the great clients who turned out for the first ever Fermentapalooza over at the Alaska Health Improvement Center, and suddenly there was this “You put sugar in your kefir?” question / statement. I am the mother who helps an entire football team develop iron-man stamina by finding alternates to sugary Gatorade, who applauds schools like Spring Hill in Anchorage for … Continue reading

US Food Additives cause 80% of our food to be banned in other countries

Shopping for additive-free food

The story is very clear: Food additives make children hyperactive. A definitive study published in The Lancet clearly shows that food colors and preservatives (sodium benzoate) make normal children hyperactive—half of whom were age 3 and the other half ages 8/9. In my practice, I’ve seen this in many, many adults. Our nation’s love of easy, cheap and fast is unique. It isn’t done this way in most other places. In fact 80% of pre-packaged foods sold in the United States are actually banned in other nations. And for good reason. Whether it’s toxic soda brands like Mountain Dew, or sugary … Continue reading

Sunscreen & Bug Spray—Oh My!

Summer is just far too short! It is that rare time when we Alaskans get to slather on the sunscreen and bug repellent and … hold the presses! Sunscreen and bug repellent?! Sure, I understand the evening mosquito warfare problem; and getting some summer sunlight is pretty important, but isn’t there a better way? Before it’s too late, let’s take apart the Vitamin D, sunlight and bug spray myths once and for all: Myth #1. Sun exposure is bad for you. Truth #1: Direct sunshine is healthy. Although overdoing it and burning your skin is most definitely a bad idea … Continue reading

Cleanse & Detoxify The Right Way

detox with whole food

Cleanse? Detox Boot Camp? How to handle accumulated toxins. Our bodies are bombarded by a barrage of pollutants and toxins making cleansing or detoxification increasingly popular. I received quite a lot of inquiries when I announced my Rejuveo cleanse last week; here are some answers. In today’s world, it is true that your body accumulates more toxins than its natural detoxification system (your liver, colon, kidneys, skin and lungs) can remove. Chemicals like pesticides, preservatives, plastics, chlorine, ammonia, even drug and alcohol residues build up over time and cause disease. Why can’t health professionals agree? Key points: bombarded with more … Continue reading

Clear up nagging weight, lack of energy…

toxic chemicals and accumulated waste prevent weight loss

Greetings healthy friends! After wrapping up my year of training in integrated nutrition, I have a surprise for you. Especially for those of you who wrote me after my weight loss series. Have you tried drastic measures to lose weight, regain energy, simply feel the way you should feel… ? I hate to say this, but so often the problem is volumes of very poor information, fads and “quick fix” solutions. So the results don’t last. Many people I know have tried diet after diet, losing and gaining weight, berating themselves for not being able to keep the weight off, … Continue reading

Tips for Safer Non-Toxic Cosmetics

My own personal research into the effects of chemicals on our health–decades of research into methods to effectively remove chemicals from our bodies, and thereby restore health–has only strengthened my resolve to find pure, effective, non-toxic cosmetics that are a good value for money. I’m tired of seeing $50 price tags on 2oz of “night serum” or “daily moisturizer” made from cheap and harmful chemicals just put in a pretty wrapper. Contrary to popular belief, the U.S. government doesn’t regulate cosmetics for safety, long-term health impacts or environmental damage. Many common cosmetics ingredients are harmful to people and the environment.  … Continue reading

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