Begin at the Beginning

The big news item recently was that processed baby and toddler foods contain a LOT of added sugar. More than half of baby and toddler foods at Canadian grocery stores have too many calories coming from sugar, according to a study by the University of Calgary.
The study focused on a new category of processed foods such as toddler cereal bars, cookies, fruit snacks and yogurts. It showed 53 per cent of these foods had more than 20 per cent of calories coming from sugar and some even had more than 80 per cent of calories from sugar.

Wow!
You know, babies aren't born craving sugar and salt. For some reason parents seem to think that baby food would be more palatable for the little ones if it was sweeter or saltier (sort of how Mom & Dad prefer food). But babies don't know the difference if it's never introduced to them! Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, ADHD and allergies continue to increase as the predominant illnessess found in children and, what's so tragic is, it's totally preventable. On a positive note I do think that more and more young moms are starting to do things like make their own babyfood and avoid processed foods.
If babies and toddlers are fed wholesome foods WITHOUT added sugar & salt they will be a lot healthier and grow up to have good eating habits. But when grownups start feeding them "treats" like candy, soft drinks, ice cream and dessert (which, by the way, is NOT necessary to end a meal with)that's when they become "picky" eaters and we start bribing them to eat the good stuff so they can have the bad stuff as a "reward".
So, it's my hope that if we can begin good eating habits when they're babies and toddlers, the next generation WON'T be the sickest generation in history.
***************************

Just to let you all know....I've almost completed my 30 BPro screenings for Digital Pulse Wave analysis so will be certified VERY SOON and will be available to offer screenings to everyone! For any of you who've been screened I hope you found it to be an "eye-opener". What I think is so great about it is that with this knowledge you have a headstart and can take steps to halt & reverse heart disease with modifications to your diet and lifestyle rather than having no choice but to go on prescription drugs which don't generally treat the cause of the problem but suppress the symptoms. When our body has symptoms, it's trying to tell us something isn't right. When we supress those symptoms we think everything is fine when, really, whatever it was that caused the symptoms is still there causing more damage but, because we feel better we don't address the problem.

If anyone is interested in being screened, let me know and I will do my best to get it done for you. (Assuming you live fairly close to me-say, within 50 kms!) You could even invite friends and family over and we could do a whole group at the same time! I like that the screenings generally initiate a conversation about health and healthy eating. It's all about education - if you're armed with knowledge you have a powerful tool for making positive changes - and that could save your life!

Until next week...

How OLD is YOUR Cardiovascular System?

Well, I'm off to Lethbridge next week to FINALLY get certified to administer Digital Pulse Wave Screening! I've been waiting for several months and it's now just around the corner. I'm very excited to be able to offer this important diagnostic tool to people.

The BPro device captures the Central Aortic Systolic Pressure right out of the Aorta through the Radial Artery of the wrist. In about 10 minutes, I will be able to tell you the "chronological" age of your cardiovascular system. This non-invasive screening is important for the early detection of heart/cardiovascular disease and, perhaps, more importantly, gives us the ability to take steps through improved nutrition, lifestyle changes and, of course, working with your physician to halt and reverse the progression of the disease.

If you remember, I was first screened back in October 2009 and found out that the chronological age of my cardiovascular system was about 90 years old! I was shocked at how "old" it was but not really surprised since heart disease runs in my family. I immediately started taking Pulse 8, a L-arginine based nutritional supplement and when I was re-tested in April 2010 my results were amazing! My cardiovascular age is now between 50 and 60 years - it has improved by 30 years! As I continue to take the Pulse 8, the elasticity and health of my arteries will continue to get better. I will potentially be able to get my cardiovascular health down to a 20-year old level!

The nutritional supplementation is based on Nobel Prize winning research that L-Arginine (a semi-essential amino acid) boosts the production of nitric oxide which greatly improves blood vessel health and elasticity. Nitric oxide derived from arginine is directly or indirectly involved in almost every cellular response and health condition there is. It affects both the cardiovascular system and the immune system, as well as hormone function to nerve function. Nitric oxide is 1,000 times more powerful than any naturally occurring antioxidant in the body. Its antioxidant properties are particularly important for numerous body systems and may help protect against heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes, as well as slowing the aging process. It also benefits the cardiovascular system, by controlling blood pressure and reducing plaque formation through the increased production of nitric, which keeps arteries relaxed and pliable.

I will be holding screening clinics in the very near future in my area so watch for more info. If this technology can help even one person avoid a stroke or heart attack by giving them advance warning of what's going on in their body it will be worth it.