The very first point we want to get across is that obesity is not the "cut and dry" issue many make it out to be. Obesity is a much deeper issue than a lack of self control or bad parenting. It has roots branching out past eating habits and poor food choices to environmental toxicity, stresses, hormone imbalances and even government subsidies. At home, this disease has its grasp on one in three American adults, a number that ignores many millions who are overweight.
Obesity is the symptom of much deeper physical, mental, emotional and spiritual stressors within the body. In a way, it is the body crying out to the individual that something is not right. Each person has a unique set of stressors that are causing this transformation. Sure, some individuals are overeaters, but there is more to this than just a lack of self control. The answer to this issue lies within each individual, we just need to find it, which is becoming more and more vital every day.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that "obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer and type II diabetes. Studies have found that obesity related illnesses kill between 112,000 and 400,000 people every year. The World Health Organization says that a total of 200 million Americans are overweight. This number is a striking 1.6 billion internationally and is projected to reach 2.3 billion by 2015. That’s 2.3 billion people with MAJOR risk factors for certain cancers, type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. How many people do you know that could stand to lose a couple pounds? The crazy thing is that between 1960 and 1962 just 13.4% of American adults between the ages of 20 and 74 were obese…13%! Today in the same age range, 35.1% are obese (67% overweight).
This trend is outrageous and must stop, but how can it? Many studies are coming out linking things like fluoride and bromide to thyroid issues. In addition, aspartame and msg are widely used despite being placed in a category of additives called excitotoxins, because they "may" have adverse affects on the brain. Last, but not least, fast food chains are doing great, kicking out an entire cheeseburger or chicken sandwich for only $1! They have successfully implemented factory philosophy at every level of production, turning out low quality, low price mush which is flavored and colored then shaped like food. It’s convenient, cheap and better yet, super-sized.
Governmental sources "do their part" by banning ridiculously dangerous food additives, but only when it gets to the point that they would need to start publishing the side effects on them. They even help everyone by subsidizing the production of corn, right? As great as that idea may seem, the subsidized, and usually genetically modified, corn has four major purposes (from a food standpoint).
It is shipped to 3rd world countries at very low costs, putting their local farmers out of business and thereby building those countries dependence on the United States. Food manufacturers use it to produce a great deal of food additives like high fructose corn syrup which has been found to contribute to the diabetes epidemic. Much of the corn is fed to animals at farm factories, most of which do not eat it otherwise. This has given birth to new strands of bacteria including E. coli O157:H7 which is resistant to traditional methods of elimination and has been publicized for related deaths in recent years. The corn in turn makes the cattle put on disproportionate amounts of Omega 6 based fat, which only adds to our midsections, butts and thighs. Finally, feeding our cattle this mass produced corn is creating unnatural environments for the cows which usually live on grass. A cow’s stomach is designed to get all its energy and nutrition from grass alone. Feeding cattle corn in order to fatten them up and increase profits, sabotages their digestive tract, creating mucous blockages and over acidic conditions. This in turn forces the farmers to load their cattle up with antibiotics to prolong their life, just long enough to get them fat for slaughter. Clearly this is unhealthy for the animals, and for Americans who consume this meat.
These subsidies have driven down prices industry wide, making those burgers, chicken sandwiches and grocery store meats cheaper. As a result, our country has developed an unmatched hunger for meat, routinely devouring disproportionate servings in excess of 1/2 pound. This is simply too much fat laden protein to be consuming, given our relatively sedentary lifestyles. This overindulgence is bad for the body and bad for the environment.
What are the implications of these trends? In addition to the diseases mentioned earlier, overweight individuals present economic problems. Overweight and obesity has been linked to low workplace productivity, more sick days, absenteeism and higher insurance costs. The last CDC study (1998) of the economic consequences related to obesity found that medical expenditures related to obesity alone accounted for 9.1 percent of total U.S. medical spending. This figure translates to over $227 billion in total costs based on 2009 spending! That was over 10 years ago and doesnt take into account the growth in the overweight and obese population. As a result, being overweight is dangerous for the individual’s health as well as the economy.
Big business and government sources cite lack of exercise as the primary underlying cause of obesity. This has some merit, but we believe there is so much more. Our eating habits have worsened, our food has been degraded, our environment has become polluted and our bodies have become toxic. Thus, no matter how much we exercise, no matter how few calories we consume, most will not be able to achieve the much needed, sustained weight loss and related health benefits.
The stage is set and the mission is clear. These are just some of the issues at hand. Can you imagine if today’s generation could get a handle on this catastrophic problem? We are dedicated to providing the education that will curb this and the many other health issues plaguing our world. If you seek answers, you may just find them.
Using medium heat, fry eggs sunny side up or over medium using a little bit of oil (coconut oil or butter). Salt and pepper eggs. While frying, cut avocado (google this if you don’t know how). Put the half with the seed in a plastic bag, leaving the seed in, for later in the day, squeezing lemon on it if possible. Plate eggs when cooked to desired state. Remove avocado from skin and plate with eggs. place greens on plate and top with a little bit of apple cider vinegar. Delicious, healthy, power-packed breakfast.
Oil pan with butter, coconut oil or olive oil. Fry onions and jalapenos over medium heat until desired tenderness is achieved. Remove from pan and re-oil. Crack eggs in a bowl and stir until well mixed. Add a small amount of water or milk if desired, but it is not required. Pour eggs in heated pan. If pan is hot enough, eggs should sizzle and bubble a little. Using spatula, gently pull back sides of omelet and allow uncooked eggs to flow in (you may need to tilt the pan. Continue this process, rotating the pan until most of eggs are cooked. then add onions, peppers and cheese to half of the omelet, salt and pepper. Flip bare side over side with contents and cook for 1-2 minutes and flip cooking for another 1-2 minutes. Remove from pan and enjoy!
So I was digging through old magazines that were piling up and came across some great information in a past issue of Vive. It outlines some very practical ways to make your everyday life greener. As all of you know, a healthy earth equals a healthier you. I changed the order of things a little bit, but here we go.
1) Stop Drinking Bottled Water. Bottled water accounts for astronomical amounts of unnecessary waste, especially because it is much more efficient and better for nature (yourself included) to drink filtered tap water. Also, use a stainless steel or glass water bottle to avoid possible leaching of toxic chemicals from plastic bottles.
2) Donate Unwanted Items. The popularity of pre-owned goods is on the rise, keeping ridiculous amounts of perfectly good items out of landfills. A plethora of organizations are designed to make this process easy for those willing to donate. Many Salvation Army locations offer pickup services and items can be dropped off at any number of non-profit businesses. The Salvation Army sells what it can to fund charitable efforts and bundles the rest to be shipped off to third world countries. Finally, websites like www.FreeCycle.org and www.CraigsList.org make it possible to give away, trade or even sell your unwanted items to individuals in your local area.
Fried Chicken: Used to Cure Cancer?
Susan G. Komen for the Cure has just partnered with Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in an attempt to raise some $8 million for breast cancer research. KFC will donate $0.25 for every pink bucket sold from participating locations.
Hurting you, maybe your family or friends? The misconceptions and what everyone should know.
We are certain that every one of you knows someone who is obese, but many do not know or understand the real reason behind this growing trend. Obesity is a largely misunderstood condition that is many times as much the symptom of a problem as it is the problem itself. We at Rejuvenation view it as a physical manifestation of any number of issues within the body.
In order to understand this problem fully, we need to first recognize there exists three types of fat: Structural, Reserve and Excess. Structural Fat is very important because it acts as padding on your bones (bottoms of your feet) and filler for sensitive areas within the body such as around organs. Reserve fat is the extra fuel supply that the body utilizes throughout the day whenever blood nutrient levels fall below a certain level or your body needs energy. Both of these fats are highly beneficial and essential to a healthy life. Finally, excess stored fat accumulates in undesired areas such as the stomach, hips, thighs, arms and buttocks. This fat is unhealthy and often thought to be unattractive. Furthermore, stored within it are many toxins that have accumulated through exposure to environmental pollutants, food additives, unfiltered water, personal care products, etc. This fat is very hard to release because it is not readily available for use by the body. When people restrict calories, they first use reserve fat, then the body turns to structural fat before finally using the excess. This is why people who pursue this unhealthy lifestyle typically look gaunt, lacking necessary “padding” around their ribs and cheek bones.
The diet pill industry is booming because so many people want a quick, inexpensive, no-work-needed fix. The only problem is many of them contain ingredients like ephedrine, caffeine, taurine, guarana, country mallow (or heartleaf) and bitter orange. They may temporarily increase your “metabolism” and curb hunger, but it will not last. These pills stimulate the adrenal glands to produce adrenaline, giving the body energy. This shifts caloric intake vs. calories burned and allows the body to lose weight, however, constant use of these pills depletes the adrenal glands which has been linked to anxiety, rapid heart rate, irritability, elevated blood pressure, difficulty sleeping, heart rhythm abnormalities and poor interactions with other medications. Furthermore, they create dependency and fail to address the real problem behind the obesity. All this trouble for something that isn’t even going to fix the problem! Similarly, people undergo invasive procedures or take prescription medication to combat the obesity specifically, but they ultimately fail because they are treating the symptom not the true problem. Not only are these methods often ineffective, but there are numerous side effects, not the least of which is death.
When individuals encounter an overweight or obese person, they often assume that the person overeats because they are lazy, lack self control and need more exercise. In response to this stigma, Obesity in America replies, “It is important to remember that obesity is not always a behavioral issue.” For example, “hormone disorders – such as those related to the thyroid, adrenal glands, pituitary glands, and ovaries” can be an underlying factor.
Rarely do we, as a society, side compassionately with the overweight individual. We all know people who overeat, but it is important to figure out what is causing them to do so. Most of us also know someone who eats well and works out, yet cannot seem to shed extra weight. Do these describe your spouse, your child, brother, sister, aunt, neighbor? At the Rejuvenation Institute of Natural Health, we believe it is important to take an in depth look at each person and try to figure out what is happening to cause this issue.
Below is a list of common factors in America’s overweight population.
Hypothyroid: An underactive thyroid often contributes to a low metabolic rate, causing weight gain and fatigue. Other signs of hypothyroidism could be cold hands and feet, low body temperature and even thinning hair. Does any of this sound like you? This often goes undiagnosed and few understand the underlying causes for it.
Overeating: Overeaters usually consume large amounts of food at one sitting, eating when not hungry, for entertainment or emotional comfort. Overeaters often spend an excessive amount of time thinking about food and planning their next meals in their minds. This, of course, is the most obvious contributor to obesity.
Poor Food Choices: This is where it gets tricky, as most Americans do not fully understand what a poor food choice truly is. For starters processed, modified and denatured foods are a major culprit of obesity in America. Fast food is most notorious for these, but you can also find them at your local restaurant or grocery store. One of our missions is to provide education regarding this very topic through our newsletter and library.
Food Additives: How often do you eat foods with: high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, monosodium glutamate (msg), aspartame, artificial colors etc. If you can’t pronounce it it’s probably a poor choice. For a full list, check out Food Additives to Avoid.
Stress: Stress is a double edged sword because it can cause weight gain (from adrenal fatique) as well as emotional eating, not to mention contributing to insomnia and an entire host of other diseases. Adrenal depletion not only causes weight gain around the middle but also can have a cascading effect resulting in many more serious problems in the body. If you are overly stressed, treating it will be a great step in the right direction. Try designating 20 – 30 minutes per day for personal time. Exercise, reflection, sleep and consistent effort to think positively can work as well. There are many ways to deal with stress, just do your research and find one that works for you. Next time you need an uplifting break, sit back, take a deep breath, relax and if you like, check out the Inspirational section of our library.
Hormones: Imbalanced hormone levels are a major contributor to weight gain. Imbalances of estrogen, cortisol, testosterone and thyroid hormones, can cause excessive fat storage.
Digestive Imbalances: Every cell in the body is fed off of our intestinal track. It is imperative for this to be healthy and functioning optimally. Everything from stress to denatured foods to antibiotics and chemicals in our food supply sabotage this process and delicate balance. If we are not absorbing what we eat then even when we are eating well, we will not be getting the nutrition needed for a healthy body, mind and spirit.
Candida: Candida is a fungus in the body which can contribute to sugar cravings, ultimately affecting an individual’s weight. This condition also causes constipation, fatigue, mood swings and depression. Greatly reducing or eliminating sugars from the diet is the quickest way to reduce candida growth in the intestines, however in many cases it will take a bit more work.
Sugars: While this cause of obesity may seem behavioral, it is often a lack of information rather than conscious decision. Dr. Richard J. Johnson has been studying the relationships of sugar to obesity for many years and has found it to be a major contributor. The average American consumes 150 pounds of sugar per year, which is a 50 fold increase over the 4 pounds per year European-American Societies consumed in 1700! He reveals that this is primarily due to the appearance and often high concentration of high fructose corn syrup and sucrose (table sugar) in astronomical amounts of food.
Why are these issues affecting us more than ever? It’s because much of our food is piled high with chemical additives and sugars while being robbed of its nutrients thanks to commercial farming techniques. Our drinking water is purified with chlorine, a known thyroid toxin, infused with fluoride, also a toxin, and has “trace” amounts of any number of prescription drug residues. The lotions and creams that we rub on our largest organ (our skin!) are filled with potentially toxic chemicals. We put mercury in our children’s mouths for tooth fillings, and the list goes on. It is because of all these things that we ask you to please pay attention to what you put in and on your body. You will find that there are many good products out there if you educate yourself and keep your eyes open. A good place to start is our article on Food Additives to Avoid.