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

RAGE about AGE: The cancer connection

Cancer cells with RAGE

Back in the day of being a bench scientist studying how cells work, how a single fertilized cell eventually becomes skin, eye, muscle, adipose… how our bodies routinely detect and destroy improperly formed cells, and even clean out those that die when their time is up to make way for new, healthy tissue; back then never a day went by without a remarkable new finding at a deeply biochemical/molecular level. Sadly, so much of that fascinating work can only be understood by those of us who speak the language of science and molecular biology. Yet, their are times when an important … 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

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

What you really need to do about radiation…

While it is true that several United States EPA air monitors, including Anchorage, are now detecting above normal radioactive iodine levels following the Fukushima nuclear plant incident in Japan, these levels are still far below the levels of public health concern and we do not expect harmful levels of radiation in our state. For a full map of detection sites and reports please visit here: (http://www.epa.gov/japan2011/) As explained in an earlier report, taking iodine as a preventive measure is not a wise choice and can cause serious health problems, even though some fear-driven reporting has recommended doing so. Not to … Continue reading

People in the western parts of the US and Canada are snapping up Potassium Iodide pills and solutions, should you??

Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to those affected by Japan’s earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear generating plant crisis. I’m going to give you my assessment of the radiation threat here in Anchorage and try to help–have certainly received many, many calls of the “should I stock up on iodine?” sort. The idea going around is that taking iodine (potassium iodide) can help as a preventative medication against possible radiation fallout. Thing is, you can do more harm than good by taking iodine if you don’t need it. Here’s the data: First of all, iodine in any form will only … Continue reading

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