Lymph Health

Why is it healthy to drink water with lemon in the morning?

It is vert healthy to drink water with lemon or lemon water in the early morning.

It provides a lots of healthy benefits to the body.

Some of the most healthiest reason to have lemon water in the early morning are:

•Boosts up the immune system.

•Balance the pH of the body.

•It detoxes the liver.

•Hydrate the lymph system.

•Decrease the wrinkles and blemishes.

•Helps in curing the tooth pain.

•Bring glow to the skin and make it healthy.

•Cures throat infections.

•Flushes the unwanted waste from the body.

•Helps in improving the digestion system.

•Purifies the blood.


•Helps in preventing respiratory problems.

HOLISTIC TREATMENTS FOR YOUR LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

Chronically ill? Your lymph might be to blame. Clean up your lymphatic system with these 10 tricks and tools to get you back on track…

A COMPLICATED NETWORK of fluid-filled nodes, vessels, glands and organs, the lymphatic system touches almost every part of the body. Although we may not feel or see it, it’s one of the most important (and often forgotten) systems of the human body. Just like the liver, kidneys, and mouth, it’s important to give the lymph the attention it deserves.

The lymphatic system’s main function is to cleanse toxins and protect against harmful invaders. It works by carrying our body’s waste away from the tissues and into the bloodstream. It tackles toxins that are introduced to the body from both external means (food, air, personal care products, water) as well as internal ones (damaged proteins and cellular/metabolic waste), making it a key detoxification pathway. Once the toxins enter the bloodstream, they are purified through the largest lymphatic tissue in the body, the spleen. The spleen is our main immune defense, fighting infection, holding a reserve of red and white blood cells and destroying worn-out red blood cells in the body.

Through lymph nodes and the lymphatic network, your immune cells can travel around fighting pathogens, such as bacteria and mold, and preventing disease and infection. This is why keeping your lymphatic system functioning properly is directly related to the overall health of the body: a stronger lymphatic system means a more resilient and reactive immune response and defense.

The problem is that, unlike blood, lymph does not have a pump. It relies on the relaxation and the contraction of the muscles and joints to move it. Your lymphatic system can easily become stagnant, especially when it becomes overwhelmed with toxic debris. This not only leads impaired immunity and disease, but the development of cellulite, edema (fluid retention), chronic pain and fatty deposits. A sluggish lymphatic flow can also be a root cause of chronic sinusitis; swollen glands, ankles and eyes; eczema; arthritis; upper respiratory, sinus and ear infections; throat problems; colds; tonsillitis; bronchitis and pneumonia.

The good news is that keeping the lymph moving doesn’t take much – just a few daily exercises, plenty of water, and the inclusion of raw foods and herbs. When the lymph is working well, we stay healthy; and if we’re ill, it helps us to regain our health again. It is never too early to practice prevention, especially when it keeps our skin youthful and cellulite-free!

10 WAYS TO DETOX YOUR LYMPH

REBOUNDING
Rebounding is one of the easiest ways to pump the lymph. Rebounding is the practice of jumping on a trampoline (yes, remember when we did this for fun!?) for ten to thirty minutes. This passively moves the lymph while stimulating the circulation of blood throughout the body. Numerous studies have proven its efficacy, and have even shown it to improve muscle tone.

TCM Pick: Let’s Bounce! The Benefits of Rebounding.







INVERSION TABLE
An inversion table is a padded table that allows one to invert upside down while strapped in by the feet. The inversion process decompresses the joints of the body and stimulates the lymphatic and circulatory system. This brings blood and oxygen to the tissues, which helps to clear the muscles of toxic build-up. By inverting, gravity works with, not against, the body, encouraging the movement of the lymph. It also improves spinal health by rehydrating the discs, reducing pressure on the nerves and relaxing tense muscles.

TCM Pick: Body Champ Inversion Table

LEMON WATER
Lymph is about 95% water, making water essential for its health. Stay hydrated by drinking half your weight in ounces of water a day. Without adequate water, lymphatic fluid cannot flow properly. And one of the most common causes of lymph congestion is dehydration. Water, and only water, can adequately rehydrate the body, but if you want to expedite the process, add lemon to your water. Lemon is an alkaline fruit that helps to mineralize the body and lymph. Try sipping on warm lemon water throughout the day, but don’t forget your straw! This protects the teeth’s enamel from the lemon.

TCM Pick: Pressed Juicery’s Lemon H20 and Glass Dharma Drinking Straw

ENZYMES
Enzymes are produced by the body to break down food substances and to expedite countless metabolic processes. They are also utilized by the body to clear toxic-waste buildup in the lymph and blood, making their supplementation a key way to improve lymphatic health. Using proteolytic enzymes between meals can help to “digest” or breakdown organic debris in the circulatory and lymph systems, increasing lymphatic flow. They also help to ease the burden of allergy-like compounds, freeing the immune fractions traveling in the lymph system for other work.

TCM Pick: Wobenzym capsules

MASSAGE
We all love a good massage, and here’s just one more reason why. Lymphatic massage is a special form of massage that specifically targets the flow of lymph in the body. It uses a specific amount of pressure and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate the lymph, encouraging its movement towards the heart for the drainage of fluid and waste. Lymphatic massage has shown in studies to push up to 78 percent of stagnant lymph back into circulation. This mobilizes toxins for clearance, lessening the burden on the lymphatic system.
HERBS
Many herbs have proven to be effective in improving lymphatic health, whether in their ability to increase lymphatic flow and drainage or in expediting the clearance of toxic substances. Red clover is a popular herb for the lymph, increasing flow, which helps to detoxify the body and reduce inflammation. Cleavers is another herb to try. Also known as clivers or goosegrass, it has been used for centuries and considered one of the best tonics to stimulate and help drain the lymphatic system. Coming from the Ayurvedic tradition is manjistha. Manjistha is an herb that is primarily utilized for its ability to de-stagnate lymph. It does this by detoxifying the tissue and supporting lymph flow. Finally, bupleurum and rehmannia are herbal tonics known to treat lymphatic conditions in traditional Chinese medicine. These herbs are famous in Asia for maintaining the cleanliness of the lymphatic system and thus for naturally removing toxins from deep within the body on an on-going basis.

TCM Pick: Organic Lymph Tincture by Terra Firma Botanicals

DRY BRUSHING
Dry skin brushing is a favorite TCM practice. It’s a technique commonly utilized in Ayurveda for assisting in lymphatic flow and boosting circulation. You simply take a dry brush with coarse bristle and brush the skin towards the heart. This stimulates the sweat glands, opens pores, and gets rid of dead skin cells. It also encourages the movement of lymph and blood in underlying organs and tissues of the body, which helps clear built-up toxins. As a result, it can be beneficial in improving skin conditions and reducing cellulite.

TCM Pick: Kingsley Natural Bristle Body Brush

EAT RAW FOODS
Incorporating raw foods into the diet is an easy way to keep the lymphatic system healthy on an ongoing basis. Raw foods offer high levels of naturally occurring enzymes that break down toxic buildups and promote the clearance of harmful substances in the body. Eating foods raw, in particular fruits and vegetables, is also a great way to boost the water levels in the body. Finally, raw foods are primarily alkaline, which help neutralize harmful pathogens, lessening the burden on the lymph.

TCM Pick: Raw Fall Harvest Soup

GO WIRELESS
Just like tight-fitting clothes, underwire bras can impede normal lymphatic flow. One of the largest clusters of lymph nodes is located in the armpit and upper chest area, and those nodes act as a source of drainage for the breast, arm, and upper chest. If a bra is too tight, or if the underwire is too restrictive (for most of us this is the case), the lymph is constricted, preventing normal drainage. Some researchers believe that over a period of time this can cause long-term impairment of the lymphatic function, and may contribute to an array of conditions including fibrocystic breast tissue, swollen lymph nodes and breast cancer.

TCM Pick: Cotton Wireless Bra by Victoria’s Secret

I am a medical anthropologist breast cancer researcher, and co-author of Dressed To Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras. It is not just underwired bras that are the problem. Any bra that leaves red marks or indentations is too tight and can be interfering with lymphatic circulation. Bra-free is the best, and women should try being bra-free for 30 days to see for themselves how much healthier they feel without the constriction. Bras also cause breasts to droop, as the natural suspensory ligaments within the breasts atrophy and weaken due to the artificial support. Women who eliminate the bra discover that their breasts tone and lift within a few months. For more, see my website KillerCulture dot com.SYDNEY ROSS SINGER.

Bra Could Be Killing You
Originally Published at Ready Nutrition
By Tess Pennington

Bras are the bane of women’s existence. There, I said it. These stylish undergarments are designed to constrict and dig into the skin in order to push body parts up to make things look more supple and visually pleasing. Of course, if you’re one of the lucky ones who get to wear the underwire support; no doubt you have felt the stabbing of flesh from when the wire pokes into your armpit.

Sure, wearing a bra makes the “old girls” look perkier. And, let’s be honest, we feel a little sexier when strapping ourselves into a top of the line push-up, miracle, bombshell bra that the latest runway supermodel is sporting. But, can I be honest? Do those models look even remotely comfortable with their ta-tas on the verge of bursting out? And, how amazing does it feel when you take these en vogue torture chambers off? Perhaps we aren’t meant to wear such heinous contraptions and the bra industry has sold us a line of bull.

The bra industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry dominated by large multinational corporations that have one goal in life: to sell billions of dollars worth of bras. Do they care that they are squeezing and contorting your body in a way that could cause future health problems?

Scientists took a look at the bras we wear today and have found that the constricting effect of bras could be causing cancer. Specifically, when you wear a tight fitting bra, it suppresses the lymphatic system below the armpits and blocks an internal network of vessels supposed to flush toxic wastes from the body. Over time, these toxins accumulate in the breast tissues and create an environment in which cells can turn cancerous. Moreover, aluminum compounds, parabens, propylene glycol, triclosan and steareths are examples of potentially dangerous toxins found in many common deodorants that can accumulate if your lymph drainage is impaired.

Years ago, a U.S. study performed by scientists Sidney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer surveyed 4,700 women and concluded that the odds of getting breast cancer increased dramatically the longer women wore bras. Specifically, women who reported wearing bras for more than twelve hours each day.

The Susan G. Komen association states that scientific evidence says otherwise. In a statement on their website, they claim:

Scientific evidence does not support a link between wearing an underwire bra (or any type of bra) and breast cancer risk [460]. There is no biological reason the two would be linked. Any observed relationship is likely due to other factors.

A 1991 case-control study found that women who did not wear bras had a lower risk of breast cancer than women who did wear bras [461]. However, the authors stated this link was likely due to factors related to wearing a bra rather than the bra itself. The women in the study who did not wear a bra were more likely to be thin, which the authors concluded might account for their decreased risk of breast cancer [461].


In an article by Dr. Mercola on the subject, he suggests you can avoid some of the improper drainage issues if you wear a bra that is properly fitted. Many, many women simply wear bras that do not fit. The website Linda’s Bra School offers plenty of guidance on proper bra fitting and can help you find a more appropriate bra style. To read more you have to click here. 

PRACTICE YOGA
Yoga works in multiple ways to increase the flow of the lymph, relieving congestion and encouraging its detoxification. To start, inversions such as handstands, headstands and shoulder stands, and even placing the legs up the wall, reverse the effect of gravity. Much like the inversion table, this helps to drain the lymph towards the heart, escalating the rate in which it’s cleaned and filtered. Twists are also a great way to stimulate lymphatic flow. Through the practice of twisting the abdomen, the organs and muscles are squeezed, forcing the lymph out of the tissues. Finally, the natural dynamic flow through the yoga poses cause the muscles in the body to contract and relax, which is the primary way lymph moves through the body. This allows for a free flow of lymph, which prevents its stagnation and accumulation of toxins.

TCM Pick: A 5 Minute Yoga Detox By Yoga Works

10 Ways to Improve Your Lymphatic System Function



The lymphatic system is one of two major circulatory systems in the body. Its primary job is to move immune cells and dead cellular debris through the body to where it can be removed or reused.  A poorly functioning lymphatic system is a risk factor for the development of cancer and other chronic diseases.

While most of modern science and the allopathic medical community have spent their time researching the blood vascular system, the lymphatic system is gaining its deserved attention from the holistic community. Today, much of the 21st century research is diving deeper into understanding lymphatic system function and its dynamic role with the health of the human body.

What is the Lymphatic System?

What little you may have heard about the lymphatic system is that it is comparable to drains. When there is a clog in any of the pipes at home you may experience an odor from the sink basin. This is where a buildup of particles such as hair and food become a breeding ground for bacteria. You regularly maintain your pipes in order to avoid a clog, but you should be paying far greater attention to your lymphatic system in doing the same.

A congested lymphatic system can lead to serious illnesses and chronic diseases which stem from a weakened immune system. A clog in your lymphatic “drains” can lead to the accumulation of toxins which the body initially tries to remove. Perhaps your symptoms of body rigidity, headaches, bloating, skin concerns, and cold extremities are actually a result of a sluggish lymphatic system that needs improving.

Detoxification Strategies to Improve Lymphatic System Function

1. Actively Reduce Stress

The following techniques may improve the flow of lymph fluid through your body by limiting both mental and physical stress on your lymphatic system:

Good posture
Stretching regularly
Deep breathing exercises
Yoga and pilates
All excellent strategies to relieve anxiety and support immune function, such practices relieve congestion and stimulate the removal of pathogens from your body.

2. Exercise

Exercise may possibly be one of the most effective and easiest ways for you to improve your lymphatic system function. Exercising increases the oxygen supply to tissues and cells and stimulates blood circulation. When the body does not regularly move, toxins remain in muscle. A condition known as hypoxia in which there is a lack of oxygen to an area of the body leaves the door open for the invasion and metastasis of cancer.

A fun way to exercise is by bouncing on a mini trampoline (called a rebounder) which is often used in sports therapy to help athletes heal from injuries. This low impact exercise is called rebounding. As the body moves against gravity, the lymphatic system is stimulated to pull lymph fluid carrying toxins through the vessels and circulate.

lymphatic system

3. Chiropractic Care

The obstruction of any anatomical structure on the thoracic cavity or upper chest region can prevent the final dumping of toxins from the lymphatic system for cleansing. The rib cage works as a major lymphatic pump which is critical for lymphatic circulation. Correcting anatomical abnormalities or displacement from everyday activities helps to promote pressure within the thoracic region which also assists to oxygenate cells.

4. Herbs

Herbs are a great source which we can utilize to detoxify the lymphatic system and remove toxins. Some of the most popular herbal treatments to help the lymphatic system heal include the following:

Essential Oils: Traditional practices have used essential oils to help the body heal for centuries. The PDQ (Physician Data Query) Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine Editorial Board reports that essential oils stimulate healing through neuroimmunomodulation. The use of essential oils strengthens the cancer patient’s immune system by relieving anxiety and stress and improving one’s emotional response.

Milk Thistle: Milk thistle is a strong detoxification agent known to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidneys, and to promote a healthy thyroid. Use milk thistle to help fight inflammation in your body to support a healthy immune system.

Essiac Tea: This herbal treatment may be recommended to patients newly diagnosed with cancer. Essiac tea detoxifies and works to heal the immune system.

Manjistha: Manjistha tea is associated with purifying the liver and blood and can help improve menstrual and skin problems while strengthening the immune system.

4-herbal-treatments-To-Help-Your-Lymphic System

5. Perspire

Perspiration is one of the mechanisms by which the human body eliminates toxins. Although exercise can promote perspiration, infrared saunas offer a method to circulate toxins out of organs and muscle for the removal through our pores. Infrared saunas use a non-invasive therapy which is a great alternative for those who cannot participate in vigorous activity to detoxify the body. (Note: The use of saunas is not recommended for those who have had numerous lymph nodes removed as it can increase the risk of lymphedema.)

6. Dry Brushing

Dry brushing aids the removal of toxins that have built up on our skin. Dry brushing involves using a coarse brush to gently be moved along the skin in the direction of the heart. This technique boosts lymph flow by stimulating sweat glands and supporting circulation below the skin.

7. Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Consuming a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and full of healthy fats is critical to support a healthy immune system, especially as we age. Pathogenic agents cannot thrive in alkaline environments which makes eating fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy cell-supporting fats absolutely necessary. Red foods are some of the best anti-inflammatory foods you can consume such as:

Cranberries, raspberries, and cherries
Vegetables, especially beets  The lymphatic system is one of two major circulatory systems in the body. Its primary job is to move immune cells and dead cellular debris through the body to where it can be removed or reused.  A poorly functioning lymphatic system is a risk factor for the development of cancer and other chronic diseases.

While most of modern science and the allopathic medical community have spent their time researching the blood vascular system, the lymphatic system is gaining its deserved attention from the holistic community. Today, much of the 21st century research is diving deeper into understanding lymphatic system function and its dynamic role with the health of the human body.

What is the Lymphatic System?

What little you may have heard about the lymphatic system is that it is comparable to drains. When there is a clog in any of the pipes at home you may experience an odor from the sink basin. This is where a buildup of particles such as hair and food become a breeding ground for bacteria. You regularly maintain your pipes in order to avoid a clog, but you should be paying far greater attention to your lymphatic system in doing the same.

A congested lymphatic system can lead to serious illnesses and chronic diseases which stem from a weakened immune system. A clog in your lymphatic “drains” can lead to the accumulation of toxins which the body initially tries to remove. Perhaps your symptoms of body rigidity, headaches, bloating, skin concerns, and cold extremities are actually a result of a sluggish lymphatic system that needs improving.

Detoxification Strategies to Improve Lymphatic System Function

1. Actively Reduce Stress

The following techniques may improve the flow of lymph fluid through your body by limiting both mental and physical stress on your lymphatic system:

Good posture
Stretching regularly
Deep breathing exercises
Yoga and pilates
All excellent strategies to relieve anxiety and support immune function, such practices relieve congestion and stimulate the removal of pathogens from your body.

2. Exercise

Exercise may possibly be one of the most effective and easiest ways for you to improve your lymphatic system function. Exercising increases the oxygen supply to tissues and cells and stimulates blood circulation. When the body does not regularly move, toxins remain in muscle. A condition known as hypoxia in which there is a lack of oxygen to an area of the body leaves the door open for the invasion and metastasis of cancer.

A fun way to exercise is by bouncing on a mini trampoline (called a rebounder) which is often used in sports therapy to help athletes heal from injuries. This low impact exercise is called rebounding. As the body moves against gravity, the lymphatic system is stimulated to pull lymph fluid carrying toxins through the vessels and circulate.

lymphatic system

3. Chiropractic Care

The obstruction of any anatomical structure on the thoracic cavity or upper chest region can prevent the final dumping of toxins from the lymphatic system for cleansing. The rib cage works as a major lymphatic pump which is critical for lymphatic circulation. Correcting anatomical abnormalities or displacement from everyday activities helps to promote pressure within the thoracic region which also assists to oxygenate cells.

4. Herbs

Herbs are a great source which we can utilize to detoxify the lymphatic system and remove toxins. Some of the most popular herbal treatments to help the lymphatic system heal include the following:

Essential Oils: Traditional practices have used essential oils to help the body heal for centuries. The PDQ (Physician Data Query) Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine Editorial Board reports that essential oils stimulate healing through neuroimmunomodulation. The use of essential oils strengthens the cancer patient’s immune system by relieving anxiety and stress and improving one’s emotional response.

Milk Thistle: Milk thistle is a strong detoxification agent known to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and kidneys, and to promote a healthy thyroid. Use milk thistle to help fight inflammation in your body to support a healthy immune system.

Essiac Tea: This herbal treatment may be recommended to patients newly diagnosed with cancer. Essiac tea detoxifies and works to heal the immune system.

Manjistha: Manjistha tea is associated with purifying the liver and blood and can help improve menstrual and skin problems while strengthening the immune system.

4-herbal-treatments-To-Help-Your-Lymphic System

5. Perspire

Perspiration is one of the mechanisms by which the human body eliminates toxins. Although exercise can promote perspiration, infrared saunas offer a method to circulate toxins out of organs and muscle for the removal through our pores. Infrared saunas use a non-invasive therapy which is a great alternative for those who cannot participate in vigorous activity to detoxify the body. (Note: The use of saunas is not recommended for those who have had numerous lymph nodes removed as it can increase the risk of lymphedema.)

6. Dry Brushing

Dry brushing aids the removal of toxins that have built up on our skin. Dry brushing involves using a coarse brush to gently be moved along the skin in the direction of the heart. This technique boosts lymph flow by stimulating sweat glands and supporting circulation below the skin.

7. Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Consuming a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and full of healthy fats is critical to support a healthy immune system, especially as we age. Pathogenic agents cannot thrive in alkaline environments which makes eating fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy cell-supporting fats absolutely necessary. Red foods are some of the best anti-inflammatory foods you can consume such as:

Cranberries, raspberries, and cherries
Vegetables, especially beets Manjistha, also known as “red root”
Lymphatic vessels exist at the site of the intestines and are easily susceptible to destruction from unhealthy diets. Maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal tract helps to ensure not only immune system healing but it also decreases your risk of developing obesity and cardiovascular disease.

8. Hydrate

The lymphatic system is primarily composed of water and must be hydrated to function at the highest level. Drinking purified and mineralized water and water with antioxidant extracts such as lemon water is an excellent detoxification strategy to push toxins from the body.

Dr. John Douillard recommends a lymphatic rehydrating technique which involves sipping warm water every 15 minutes throughout the day for 2 consecutive weeks. This procedure is believed to stimulate the lymphatic system to flow fluidly and relieve congestion and symptoms of a sluggish immune system.

9. Massage

Massage therapy improves immune function and can relieve symptoms of chronic fatigue and pain. Massage techniques such as connective tissue massage promote the flow and drainage of lymph through the body. Patients having been diagnosed with cancer and those receiving a second diagnosis can greatly benefit from massage therapy.

10. Avoid Tight Fitting Garments

Avoid tight fitting garments such as underwire bras to prevent any unnecessary restriction on lymphatic vessels. Lymph nodes are highly concentrated around the chest region to drain fluid from breasts, arms, and the chest. Do not constrict the lymphatic flow.

Supporting Your Lymphatic System When Healing From Cancer

It is critical for individuals with cancer to boost the health of the lymphatic system and detoxify regularly. Removing toxins and supporting lymphatic flow have been shown to decrease the reoccurrence of cancer. One in 5 individuals who have received treatment for breast cancer will be affected by lymphedema later in life. Will you incorporate these detoxification strategies into your daily lifestyle to improve your lymphatic system today?

Live your life without the threat of cancer. Go here to be notified each week about new, cutting-edge information that impacts your health.

Chapter 16 EXERCISE: MOVE OR DIE

Chapter 16 
EXERCISE: MOVE OR DIE

 No one likes to hear this, but it's true. If you don't move, you die. Exercise fundamentally changes every system and function in your body. 

   Circulation 

First and foremost, exercise is about circulation—and not just blood circulation, but every circulation system in the body. 

  Blood 

  Exercise definitely improves the flow of blood. Think what this means for a moment. Even if you eat healthy foods and partake of the most powerful supplements in the world, if that nutrition can't easily reach some part[1]  of your body because circulation is restricted, then that part will suffer, waste away, and become diseased. If the blockage is total, that part will die. Blood also brings oxygen to and removes carbon dioxide waste from every cell and organ in your body. Again, if circulation is restricted, the cell or organ slowly suffocates in its own waste. And finally, blood carries immune cells, and pH balancers into every part of your body. 

[1 This could be an organ, a group of cells within an organ, or even one single cell.]

(Lessons from the Miracle Doctors - 136 - Exercise: Move or Die)

Lymph

Back in Chapter 3, we talked about how your lymph is your body's sewer system, removing dead cells, waste, toxic matter, heavy metals, bacteria, etc. from body tissue. Unfortunately, the lymph system has no pump of its own. To a large degree, your body depends on muscle movement to press waste through the lymph system. If you don't move, your lymph is stagnant; you end up poisoning yourself; you die. (Keep in mind that this statement is both absolute and relative. In other words, it's definite that stagnant lymph will ultimately destroy your health, but the process
may take a number of years in some people.)

                Heart

The heart is a muscle and grows stronger with exercise.

           Blood Pressure

 Exercise lowers blood pressure
                
               Colon

Exercise is a key factor in promoting peristalsis and relieving constipation.

               Bones

Exercise increases bone density.

             Cancer

  As the New England Journal of Medicine reported in their May 1, 1997 issue, women who exercise regularly reduce their risk of breast cancer by 72%.

            Strength

  Strength is not just for showing off in the weight room. It is essential as we get older. People who exercise regularly are far less likely to fall and break bones. Not only because the exercise has
made them stronger, but also because the exercise gave them better balance and because the larger muscle mass cushions the bones better and protects them.

           Body Fat

  There's nothing more fundamental to losing body fat than exercise. Not, as many people think, because the exercise burns the fat off, but rather, because muscle burns fat even while you sleep.
The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn. Sixty to 70% of the energy your muscles burn (even while sleeping) is fat. Every pound of muscle that you have burns fat calories 24 hours

a day. Think about that. If you add four pounds of muscle to your body, every day you automatically burn an extra 200 calories or so, free of charge (plus another 200 calories from your exercise).

             Energy

  The Chinese call it Chi; the yogis of India call it Prana; here in the States, people call it Life Force. Whatever you call it, it can be seen, measured, photographed, felt, and manipulated. According
to Chinese medicine, restriction in its flow is the ultimate cause of all disease. Exercise stimulates and helps move this "energy" through blocked areas of the body.

             Biochemical Changes
   Exercise produces "happy" biochemicals called endorphins. Sometimes called "the runner's high," these endorphins drive away stress and depression and stimulate the immune system.

   In addition, exercise increases levels of human growth hormone (the youth hormone) in the body. Aerobic exercise can increase HGH levels by as much as 200%. Weight training can increase
HGH levels an astounding 400%.

          Strength Benefits

  Everyone thinks of strength training as a young person's activity, but in fact, the older you are, the more benefits it provides.

>As reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, two 45-minute weight (strength) training sessions a week can improve bone density, muscle mass, strength, balance, and physical activity in older women (ages 50-70). 

>After one year of strength training, women emerged physiologically younger by 15-20 years than when they began. Other studies have demonstrated the same results for men who weight train.

>People in their 70s and 80s can experience strength gains of as much as 180% in a matter of just a few weeks.

    General Recommendations

  Actually, you need to cross-train for maximum benefit. You need to do aerobic exercise, weight training, and stretching.

>Aerobic exercise should be practiced every other day. By definition, aerobic exercise:

-Is continuous—non-stop.

-Lasts at least 12 minutes—preferably 20 minutes or more. The key is to exercise longer, not harder.

>Has a comfortable pace—not so fast that you can't talk during it if you want.

-Involves your leg muscles.

>Weight Training should also be practiced every other day. Alternate your days with aerobic exercise. You can go to a gym or use a machine at home. 

> Stretching should be done every day. It's invaluable as part of your aerobic and weight training sessions to prevent injuries. It's also great exercise on its own.             

-Lubricates your joints.

-Squeezes lymph through your body.

-Revitalizes the discs in your spine. Backbends, in particular, squeeze the discs like a sponge, so that when you release the stretch, the discs soak up water and fill up to their original size.

-Yoga is spectacular exercise in that it stretches every part of your body and is renowned for its ability to relieve stress and depression. I can't recommend it highly enough. 


Next: Chapter 17. It's All About Energy

Chapter 11- DYING OF THIRST

Chapter 11- DYING OF THIRST

Clean water for drinking, bathing, and growing food is one of the most precious commodities on the planet. You constantly read in the news about how we're running out of oil and energy—how
these resources can only last another 20-30 years. But the simple fact is, that's 20-30 years longer than we have for water. Already, in many parts of the world, lack of clean water is the biggest problem facing huge numbers of people[1]. Just to hazard a guess, in the next 50 years, more wars will be fought over water than oil.

  Why is water so important? Quite simply, it's essential for life. And the sad fact is...most people just don't get enough. The vast majority of people living in the industrial world (even where
water is abundant) are dehydrated.

      Quantity

   In advanced societies, thinking that tea, coffee, alcohol, soda pop, or other forms of manufactured beverages are desirable substitutes for the purely natural water needs of the daily "stressed" body is a common, but potentially deadly, mistake.[2]

[1 China is currently running a water deficit equivalent to seven times the water usage of the entire state of California.
In the next few years, that deficit will triple. Already, the Yellow River, one of the most important rivers in China, is so low in water that it failed to reach the ocean on 226 days in 1997.]


[2 Batmanghelidj, F., Your Body's Many Cries for Water, Falls Church: Global Health Solutions, Inc., 1995.]

Water is the solvent in our bodies, and as such, it regulates all the functions of our bodies, including the action of all the solids dissolved in the water. In fact, every function of the body is
monitored and pegged to the efficient flow of water. Think for a moment of just a few of the functions that water regulates in our bodies:
>The movement of blood

>The transport of nutrients into our cells

>The movement of waste out of our cells

>The flow of lymph fluid

>The movement of nerve impulses through our nerves

>The movement of hormones throughout our bodies

>The functioning of our brains

   If we were to become dehydrated, all of these functions (and a thousand more) would be impaired. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happens for the vast majority of us. Over time, as we
become increasingly dehydrated, our thirst mechanism gradually fails,[1] which leads to even more dehydration. Symptoms of chronic dehydration include allergies, asthma, chronic pains, constipation, acidosis, dry skin, and the shrinking of internal organs and thinning of skin associated with aging—to name just a few.

   We need to consume between 64 and 96 ounces of pure water a day. Pure, fresh (not bottled or canned) fruit and vegetable juices may be substituted for some of this quantity—as may limited
quantities of non-diuretic herbal teas (without sugar). In general, however, pure water is the key.

     Quality

   When you look at the big picture, state and federal authorities have done a remarkable job in providing "clean" water for the country as a whole. Water-borne epidemics such as cholera are almost unheard of in the United States. On the other hand, acknowledging what has been accomplished does not mean that we should close our eyes to the problems that exist.

  Keep in mind that the MCLs (maximum contamination levels) that water districts so proudly adhere to merely represent a compromise standard designed to be econonomically feasible for water districts to meet. They in no way come close to the safety standards established by the US government's Safe Water Drinking Act.

  On average, drinking water in the United States currently contains over 2,100 toxic chemicals that are known to cause cancer, cell mutation, and nervous disorders. This is not particularly surprising
considering that there are close to 100,000 chemicals now in everyday use—with over 1,000 new ones being added each year. In fact, according to the EPA, US industries generatesome 79 million pounds of toxic waste each year that is not disposed of properly.
What is probably more surprising to most people, though, is the fact that, according to the EPA, 53 million Americans unknowingly drink tap water that is polluted by feces, radiation, or ....

[1 Even when our thirst mechanism is functioning properly, it's not a reliable indicator of dehydration since "thirst" is one of the last symptoms of dehydration to manifest.]

.... other contaminants. Also according to the EPA, some 45 million people drink water contaminated with the parasite cryptosporidium that killed more than 100 people in Milwaukee in 1993. Or that
over half of all Americans drink water that has been used at least once before.[1]

   According to an ABC News Special, US industries generate some 88 million pounds of toxic waste a year, 90% of which the EPA estimates is improperly disposed of, whcih makes its way into our water supplies. With close to 100,000 chemicals now in use and with the introduction of 1,000 new ones each year, it's impossible for treatment plants to keep up. Each year, at least 400,000 cases of illness can be attributed to contaminated water.

   With all due respect for the great job that all of the water departments in all of the states and cities do, you still don't want to be drinking tap water. It may not kill you immediately, but as sure
as the sun rises in the morning, it will compromise your health over time. The bottom line is that you need to drink filtered (or distilled water). Tap water, well water, and bottled water[2] are all suspect.

  Chlorine

  Chlorine is the primary disinfectant used to purify drinking water. Let me make it absolutely clear that I am not advocating eliminating chlorine from the purification process. That would be
stupid. Chlorination controls many water-borne diseases, including typhoid fever, cholera, and dysentery. When chlorination was stopped in Peru, for instance, there was a cholera epidemic of
300,000 cases.

However, it should be understood that:

> Chlorine is one of the most toxic substances known. It does everything from drying your skin and destroying your hair to wiping out the beneficial bacteria in your colon.

> And the byproducts of chlorination (such as chloroform, dichloro acedic acid, and MX), which are found in drinking water, are all proven carcinogens.

> According to the US Council on Environmental Quality, the cancer risk among people drinking chlorinated water is 93% higher than among those whose water does not contain chlorine. There is a higher incidence of cancer of the esophagus, rectum,breast, and larynx and a higher incidence of Hodgkin’s disease among those drinking chlorinated water.

> Chlorine has been strongly implicated as a major factor in the onset of atherosclerosis and its resulting heart attacks and strokes.

> By the same mechanisms that chlorine narrows blood vessels that feed the heart, it also narrows the blood vessels that feed the brain. Consequently, chlorine has been implicated as a major factor in the onset of senility.

[1 You probably shouldn't think about this particular statistic too long if you have any tendency toward a weak stomach.]

[2 Yes, if you're on the road and you're thirsty, picking up some bottled water at a 7-11 is a better alternative than drinking from the water fountain or buying some coffee or soda.]

There's no question but that the use of chlorine in drinking water has helped stopped the spread of many virulent water-borne diseases. On the other hand, there's also no question but that
chlorine in our drinking water presents us with serious long-term health implications. The bottom line on chlorine is that it pretty much needs to remain part of the city water purification  process. That means that you need to remove it from your water at your house.

      Fluoride

  At the risk of being accused of being a Luddite, let's take a look at the use of fluoride in our drinking water.

  Exactly what is water fluoridation? In fact, all water contains some fluoride. Fluoridation is
the process of adjusting the level of fluoride in the water supply to theoretically protect against
tooth decay. This concentration varies from 0.7 to 1.2 parts per million (ppm). While it is true that
"organic" fluoride itself is present naturally in soil, water, plants and many foods,[1] the "industrial"fluoride used in water fluoridation is a toxic waste product.[2]

  Does it work? Now that's a question of more than some debate. There's no question that since fluoridation began, the incidence of dental caries has gone down significantly in the United States.
Score one for water fluoridation! But hold on a second. It's gone down throughout the country—even in states that don't fluoridate their water! In fact, there is no good statistical evidence that fluoride (either in your water or your toothpaste) makes one iota of difference in terms of dental health.[3]  All of the improvement in dental health that we have seen in the United States can easily be attributed to better dental hygiene (brushing and flossing), not fluoridation.

  Which brings us to the key question: Is it safe?

  Well, to be fair, community water fluoridation is supported by the U.S. Public Health Service,[4]the American Dental Association,[5]
 the American Medical Association,[6] the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the National Academy of Sciences. On the other hand, the devastating, toxic effects of fluoride are well documented by mainstream organizations such as: 

>Numerous articles have appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association challenging the safety of fluoridation. 

>National Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences has shown that fluoride
causes cancer.

>Scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency have come out against fluoridation because they have confirmed that it does not reduce tooth decay and that there is clear evidence that fluoride causes cancer.

>The Pasteur Institute in France, and the Nobel Institute in Sweden have caused fluoride to be banned in France and Sweden respectively because the health risks from using fluoride far out-way any possible benefit.


>Fluoridation is also banned in Finland, Holland, Chile, and Japan among others.

[1 Tea, for example, is an extremly high source of fluoride (even when made with unfluoridated water).]

[2 American industry loves water fluoridation. Instead of having to pay for the disposal of a toxic waste product, they now get paid by cities by selling them this same toxic waste. It's probably no surprise then that the industries producing fluoride byproducts are some of the biggest proponents (and backers) of water fluoridation.]

[3 In fact, as New Zealand's former chief dental-health officer, Jon Colquhon, a one-time proponent of fluoridation, said, "When any unfluoridated area is compared with a fluoridated area with a similar income level, the percentage of children who are free of dental decay is consistently higher in the unfluoridated area."]

[4 While at the same time, curiously, pushing for a reduction in our daily fluoride intake. Maybe you can explain that to me.]

[5 It's worth noting that the American Dental Association is on the horns of a dilemma. To admit that promoting the use of fluoride was a mistake would open up the floodgates of litigation.]

[6 While at the same time repeatedly publishing articles in their magazine proving the dangers of fluoride. No one ever said this has to make sense.]

Fluoride is a potent toxin[1] that accumulates (about 50% a day for adults and 75% a day for children) in the body. Each exposure stays in your body and adds to the accumulated levels. And that's the key. We are constantly being exposed to high levels of fluoride other than in our water. It is in our toothpaste.[2] It is sprayed on our food.[3] It is present in pharmaceutical drugs ranging from birth control pills to antibiotics. It is in soda pop, which is manufactured from fluoridated water. Once you look at the scope of the problem, you realize that there is no way in the world to determine what your flouride intake is, but it's far higher than is healthy.

  Health problems associated with fluoride include:

>Destruction of the immune system

>Up to a 39% increase in various cancers—with an astounding 80% increase in rectal cancer

>Genetic changes both in sperm and other cells

>Dramatic increase in heart-related deaths

>Brittle bones[4]

>Chronic fatigue

>Gastrointestinal disturbances

[1 Fluoride is used as a pesticide particularly for roaches, ants, and rats.]

[2 Note: fluoride toothpaste can double the level of fluoride in the blood within five minutes of being used—just from the amount absorbed through the cheeks and gums.]

[3 Apples and grapes are particularly high in fluoride for this reason.]

[4 One of the claims for fluoride is that it helps builds bones. That claim is so deliberately misrepresentative of the truth that it borders on the criminal. Yes, while it is true that there are studies that confirm that fluoride builds thicker bones, it is gross misrepresentation to cite those studies without also mentioning that fluoride makes bones more brittle. And, in fact, there are numerous studies that have appeared in the Journal of the American Medical
Association that show a significant increase in hip fractures in areas with fluoridated water. In addition, The New England Journal of Medicine reported that fluoride treatment of osteoporosis patients resulted in higher hip fracture rates.]

>Increase in Infant Mortality

>Skin rashes after bathing

>Miscarriages

>Dizziness

>Vision problems—including blindness

>Not to mention mottled teeth

   Also, it is well established that fluoride is an extremely potent enzyme inhibitor.

  The bottom line is what freakin right does anyone have to force such a potentially toxic substance into your drinking water[1] for no proven benefit.[2]

  Oh yes, I almost forgot, the aluminum/fluoride connection. New research has revealed that fluoride in drinking water makes the aluminum that we ingest more bioavailable. In the presence of fluoride, more aluminum crosses the blood-brain barrier and is deposited in the brain. As was reported in Brain Research, Vol.7 84:98, the combination of aluminum and fluoride causes the
same pathological changes in brain tissue that are found in Alzheimer's patients. Now don't misunderstand, I'm not saying that aluminum/fluoride is the cause of Alzheimer's. That would be premature. All I'm saying is that it might be prudent to limit your exposure until we know more one way or the other. Remember, even O.J. was found innocent in the end.

    Bathing

  As it turns out, it's not enough just to worry about the water you drink. The water you bathe and shower with is equally, if not more, important.

  You absorb more chlorine through your skin in a 15 minute hot shower[3] than you do by drinking 8 glasses of that same water throughout the day. (So much for that nice safe feeling you had drinking only bottled water.)

    Just for fun, stop by your local swimming pool supply store and pick up a chlorine test kit. Fill a glass with some of your local tap water and test it with your kit. The water will change color according to how much chlorine there is in the water. Now fill up another glass with water from the tap. This time, soak your hand in the water for 60 seconds before testing. Notice how the water shows no chlorine. In just 60 seconds you absorbed all of the chlorine in the water into your body through your hand. The absorption factor is that dramatic. (Note: the younger you are, the more absorbent your skin tends to be. And women should take special note; breast tissue is the most absorbent tissue in the body. Soak your breast in the same water, and it will clean out all of the chlorine in just 20 seconds.)

[1 At least with toothpaste, you have a choice to buy a non-fluoride brand]

[2 There are now at least 10 studies that prove as fluoride intake goes up, so does tooth decay!]

[3 Actually, when you shower, you absorb more chlorine through your lungs in the form of vapor (produced by the small droplets of hot water) than you do even through your skin.]

The trick is, if you want to protect your skin (and your body as well), you've got to mount a defense at the surface of the epidermis. Once a substance gets past this tough outer layer of dead skin cells, it generally has a much easier time passing through the living area of the epidermis and then into the body.

     Bioavailability

  Although all water consists of the same basic H20 molecules, water nevertheless varies according to how these molecules bond together to form "water molecule groups." To put it simply,
it is in the size of these groupings that water differs. The smaller the groupings, the more bioavailable the water is—the more easily it is able to pass through cell walls, to circulate through your body as a whole.

   What holds water molecules together in clusters is surface tension. This is what you see when you wash your car and the water beads up in droplets on the hood. When washing your car, you use detergent to break that surface tension—which makes the water wetter and better able to clean. Obviously, you can't use detergent to "improve" the bioavailability of your drinking water.

  But you can use magnetics. Magnetizing your drinking water breaks its surface tension, making it wetter and more useable by your body. In addition, there's a strong secondary benefit. Applying
a magnetic field to water raises its pH. This is of vital importance as we will see in the next chapter.

      General Recommendations

> You need to treat the water that comes into your house to remove the chlorine, fluoride, chemical residues, heavy metals, bacteria, parasites, etc. in your water. And you need to remove all of these toxins not only at the tap where you drink, but also where you bathe and shower. So how do you do it? You really only have 4 choices.

  Get a system for the entire house that treats the water where it enters your house.

  This is obviously the most expensive way to answer the problem, but if you actually get a good system that removes all of the toxins, it's the best way to go.

   There's no question that a good water distiller will provide the "cleanest" water you can get, but you need to be sure it incorporates a charcoal filter, since toxins like chlorine vaporize and recondense along with the water you're trying to clean.

- There's one other question to consider. Distilled water, by definition, has no mineral content. For years there has been much debate as to whether that's good or bad. "Distillerites" claim that demineralized water is more natural—like rain water and glacier water—and that minerals in the water end up in your joints. The argument against distillers is that most animals drink water that has had contact with the ground and acquired a high mineral content. Prime examples are the high mineral water of the Hunzas and the coral calcium water of the islands off of Okinawa—two areas renowned for the age and health of their inhabitants. As for me, I don't think it matters, provided that if you drink distilled water, you make sure that your diet and supplements provide an abundant supply of minerals.[1]
   And as for the question of mineral-laden water leading to joint deposits, studies have proven that the calcium which deposits in joints comes from inside the body—leached from your own
bones because of too much acid in your diet.


[1 Understand, because it is devoid of minerals, distilled water is bioelectrically dead.]

   Reverse osmosis units produce a good quality drinking water. The problem I have with them is that they waste a huge amount of water—many gallons of waste for each gallon of usable water. I'm not really sure that's justifiable nowadays with the looming water shortage we face.

   A good water filter is probably your best bet, but keep in mind that it will cost you more than $29.95 or even $100. To find one that will truly remove ALL of the bad stuff, while leaving in the beneficial minerals, you will need to pay $250-$300.

> Drink 8-12 glasses of pure water a day. (To follow the water-cure-protocol formula, see below) 

> When possible, use glass to hold your water, not plastic. Absolutely avoid drinking water that has a strong plastic smell or taste.

> Apply a magnetic field to your water for at least 20 minutes (depending on how large your bottle is).

> If you're not using a central home purification system, remember to get a good shower filter to remove the chlorine from the water you shower in. Understand that the filter is on the shower, not the bath. The bath water (unless you fill the tub from the shower) will still be toxic.

(To follow Water-Cure protocol formula: Drink at least 10% of your own daily water-quota (31.42 ml multiply by your present body weight(kg), every 90 minutes. Use 1/4 teaspoon of sea-salt in your daily diet, for every 1250 ml water drank.)