As the "father" of the concept of stress, Hans Selye emphasized physical, chemical and emotional reactions to stress. In fact all illness, and ultimately death, is the result of total stress. For more than 50 years, the excess stress of smoking was reported as the number one preventable cause of premature death. Obesity has now passed smoking as the number one measurable cause of death. Two-thirds of Americans are now overweight (Body Mass Index above 24), with one-third officially obese (BMI above 30). Obesity also is a major contributor to many other common diseases, including stroke, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and at least several cancers.
While all "fast foods" are major contributors to obesity, at least two-thirds of the food sold in grocery stores is also junk – white flour and bread, sugar, candy, almost all processed and packaged foods (loaded with MSG, which is addicting and prevents weight loss), all pop, corn syrup and fructose, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats (at least 90 percent of peanut butter), most packaged cereals, and virtually all crackers and snacks!
Obviously TV and its insidious contribution to the couch potato syndrome – as well as computers and video games – contribute considerably to decreased physical activity, another major stressor. In fact, Selye emphasized that inactivity was as stressful as a fractured leg! In the long run, as Professor Wilbanks pointed out years ago, "The Modern Obscenity" is "I can’t help myself." Ultimately it is personal willpower that makes the difference!
On the other hand, there are a number of adjuncts that can assist those who prefer optimal health and freedom from stress. The following may be just the boost you need.
Appetite Control & Weight Loss
Significant appetite reduction may occur with these supplements, and 75 percent of more than 30 individuals have reported weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week:
• Calcium citrate: 1.5 grams for weight up to 150 pounds. Add 500 mg for each additional 25 pounds.
• Branched chain amino acids, 1.5 grams, for weight up to 150 pounds. Add 500 mg for each additional 50 pounds
• Probiotics (I prefer PB 8), 3 up to 150 pounds. Add 1 for each additional 50 pounds.
• If your body temperature is consistently below 98.6, add Iodoral, one daily.
If you do not lose at least one-half pound each week, add one at a time:
• EGCG-green tea extract, 200 mg, before meals, 3 daily
• Super CitriMax, 1500 mg, before meals, 3 daily
• Phase 2 starch blocker, 500 mg with each meal
• ProArgi9 Plus, one scoop before breakfast and two at bedtime. Try for a month before adding anything else.
• Acetyl-L-carnitine, 500 mg before each meal. Again, wait a month for certainty.
• Gamma Amino Butyric Acid, 500 mg before each meal
• Gamma lipoic acid, 500 mg before each meal
• Coconut oil, one teaspoon each meal
Great Health Habits
Nothing is better for stress reduction or for weight control than physical exercise! Exercise physically, building to 60 minutes daily. One of the easiest is a sturdy trampoline. You do not have to jog. Just stand on it and walk briskly. Start with five minutes and add one minute each day, or…
• Bounce – Just stand in place and bend your knees halfway while moving your arms up and down. See www.MedicalRenaissanceSeries.com/Bounce
• Relax while using visual imagery to adjust weight. "Weight Balance" is available as a tape or CD from Self-Health Systems.
• Drink good non-chlorinated water. Divide your weight in pounds by two and drink that many ounces of water daily.
• Eat at least one stick of celery and one regular carrot, twice daily.
• Cut your serving portions by one-third!
• Eat a cup of cooked dry beans or peas, at least four times a week
• If you do not sleep at least seven hours each night, get and use a Shealy RelaxMate™ set for an hour as you fall asleep.
• Add Bliss to your life!
Bliss, the Natural High
Ecstasy, euphoria and rapture are the synonyms for bliss. In Sanskrit, it is called ananda.
Our brains produce the cannabinoid anandamide, our built-in chemical high! Interestingly anandamide is found even in invertebrates, so it appears to be an essential evolutionary gift. Anandamide is involved in memory and a wide variety of human behaviors, including eating, sleep and pain relief, as well as motivation and pleasure.
Although dark chocolate is a natural source of anandamide and the only food with significant amounts of this joyous substance, it takes little to provide bliss. Just one ounce of 70 percent dark chocolate, taken after dinner, with the intent of having it burn all calories not needed to attain your ideal weight can help you lose half a pound each week!
Bliss is now available in a bottle. Just a brief whiff enthralls the senses. One drop is a terrific mood enhancer. A few drops in a water incense dispenser may make your room remarkably sensuous (available at www.selfhealthsystems.com).
Try the following links to fantastic protocols from one of the great healers of the world, Deena Spear, at www.singingwoods.org. She recommends doing them in this order:
• The Un-Switching Protocol by Deena Zalkind Spear (PDF or Word)
• Prelude to The Ice Cream Cone Energy Egg by Deena Zalkind Spear
• The Ice Cream Cone Energy Egg by Deena Zalkind Spear
Finally, if you have unfinished emotional stress, get and do 90 Days to Stress-Free Living. Reading it is of little value, but doing it has tremendous benefit.
Ultimately, everything affects everything! Your attitude and decision to minimize stress, eat right and exercise adequately are the reward for a healthy attitude and wise choices in every aspect of your life!
