Skin Care Exposed Part 1

Skin Care Exposed Part 1

People don't realize the danger of some of the ingredients in their skin care products. Products using toxic ingredietns will not fulfill their promise of keeping you looking beautiful and radiant, and can have devastating long-term effects on your skin, your health, and our environment.

You know I want you to read the label on everything and learn what foods are super foods and what foods are poisons to your chemistry. This concept is especially important to skin care as well. As a doctor, as a father of my children I know the frusturations we all share finding products we can rely on day in and day out. In skin care it is even harder to find prodcuts you can trust b/c regulations are not as tight on skin care products as they are in the food lines. Your skin is the largest organ of the body and it plays a vital role in our overall health. The function of your skin is to assit with detoxifications, regulate temperature, protect us from external elements, and help our immune system fight off infection. The importance of our skin goes way beyound wrinkles and age spots.

Your skin is designed to be alive, dynamic, and changing. The life cycle of skin cells is about 28 days. By the time the cells make their way to the surface of the skin they have already died. New skin cells form in the lowest layer of the epidermis knw as the base layer. When the cells are born, they are fluid-filed and plum, ready to make their journey upwards. These cells share space with elastin, the suportive fibers and protein that give skin its youthful elasticity. Age, the environment, our lifestyle, and many other factors can cause the production of collagen and leastin to decline, which can lead to sagging skin. As cells make their way to the surface of the skin, they become dehydrated and are ready to be rplaced by yourthful new cells formed in the base layer. The point is that in order to have radiant skin requires consistent production of bibrant new skin cells to replace the old ones.

Protecting the supportive fibers and protein cells is important. Preventing dehydration and encouraging proper respiration (oxygen usage) is critical to the process of healthy skin repair and rejuvenation. That being said you need to know that your skin is affected by anything it is exposed to. 60% of whatever it comes into contact with is absorbed. That is why knowing what we put on our skin, scalp, teeth, is so important. The average adult according to the Environmental Working Group (an organization spotlighting many of these toxic compounds found in skin care) uses nine personal care products each day. Each of these containing 126 unique and potentially dangerous chemicals. More than 25% of all women use at least 15 personal care products daily.

Would you put cancinogens (cancer-causing agents) on your skin everyday multiple times a day? One in five adults are exposed to all of the top cancer-causing impurities found in personal care products. Millions of people put these chemicals on the largest, most complex, and significant organs of the human body.

Why Am I So Tired?

Stressful challenges from our environment such as air, water and chemical pollution, the eating of junk “foods”, stressed interpersonal relationships, over- work and anxiety combined with fears of the unknown future for our family and friends are the signs of our times.

Coping with these physical, mental and emotional stresses tests the limits of our health.
Each and every one of these challenging factors calls upon one or more of the dozens of healthful functions provided by the adrenal glands.

The adrenals are endocrine glands the size of walnuts which are located on top of the kidneys. The outer layers are known to create more than 30 hormones or hormone-like substances1 which are integrated into virtually every function of the body. The inner part of the adrenal gland is an extension of nerve tissue providing quick jolts of energy to help us handle “emergencies.”

The adrenal glands support us through thick and thin. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle seems like one emergency after another to our adrenal glands, so they end up getting exhausted, “jumpy” and overworked. And without healthy adrenal glands we suffer. Many of the syndromes, symptoms and diseases of the 21st century are directly related to a lack of adrenal health.

To name a few:
• Chronic fatigue •    Immune deficiency •    Insomnia •    Craving of sweets and caffeine •    Weight gain •    Depression

Stress Challenges to the Adrenals
Constant stressful stimulation of the adrenals ultimately leads to adrenal exhaustion. Think of the adrenals as if they were muscles. Muscles contract when a need arises and relax when the need passes. Try holding even a small hand weight straight out from your body – it won’t take long for your arm to fatigue and go weak. Similarly, the adrenals respond to stresses but ultimately fatigue if not given an opportunity to “relax” and restore their strength and function. In this way constant stress leads to the loss of healthful adrenal function.

Sources of Stress That Challenge the Adrenals:
Refined carbohydrates - Junk foods - Physical and mental strain - Sleep deprivation - Chemical & heavy metal toxins - Trauma / Injury – Anger – Fear – Worry – Anxiety – Overwork – Noise pollution – Inflammation – Pain – Infections – Malabsorption – Maldigestion – Nutritional deficiency – Food allergies – Low blood sugar.

Meeting the Challenge
As one can see from this list of challenges, in our world the adrenals are constantly stressed. No wonder adrenal fatigue affects virtually everyone from time to time.
Do you suffer dizziness?, Headaches?, Weakness? Are you tired but wired?
Do you suffer prolonged weakness after colds or flu? Are you suffering nervous or muscular exhaustion?
Do you suffer insomnia? Do you have weight gain around your waist or face only? Decreased libido? Do you experience lightheadedness when standing up quickly?
You are very likely suffering from stressed, and unhealthy adrenals!!

“Help Dr. Chapa...I’m sick!”

Overcoming Healing Crisis

On our first visit we cover so much material and it can be difficult to remember all we cover so we wanted to remind you of one important possibility. It is not uncommon for an individual to start on a program and get sick within the first few weeks. Depending on the health of a person, how fast we get started and how dedicated to the process you really are your body will begin cleaning up old trash (infection, metals, chemicals, infestations) and can bite off a job more than it can handle. It is like stirring up a bees nest. Not a good idea. But in the event that it does happen you need to know that we don't recommend you jumping out of the process and getting onto medications. Your body is cleaning house. If the cleaning process gets overloaded you are potentially going to get sick. That means you may get a head cold, fever, cough, lung congestion, or experience a full fledged flu. Not fun. But can be a sign of your body getting healthier as it is clearing out old trash.

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms you need to call and come in for a visit so we can determine your need. It may be you need extra drainage support, or you need immune support, or maybe we need to adjust the intensity of your program. For you guys that are on zinc, or calcium it is more common to experience these symptoms as these minerals are strong immune system up-regulators. They will turn on your system and can lead to this healing crisis.

When You Should Eat Your Snacks

Snacking makes your day more fun because you get to eat more. Everyone loves to eat more and snacking is not only tasteful it is highly beneficial for boosting your metabolism. We recommend that because most people today are so sedentary and stressed that they eat 3 meals and 2 snack in between main meals to boost metabolism and boost productivity throughout the day. An example of when you should eat is around 10:30am and 3:30pm. Eating at these intervals during the day along with a healthy breakfast and lunch your blood sugar will remain stable and allow you to thrive through your day.

Snacking on good foods is key. Remember from previous day's snack info that the word snacks is misleading because many people think cookies, candies, sodas, etc. Snacks are just smaller versions of meals and should be looked at as a fuel sources for healthy vital organs to run complex metabolic process each and every day.

What Are Good Hearty Snacks I Should Eat

• Raw Nuts (Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans)

• Trail mixes out of the bulk section of local stores

• Organic Food Bars,

• Shakes: Sp Complete Rice Protein, Xymogen (Fit Food Lite), (Opti-Cleanse Plus), (Opti-Cleanse GHI)

• Dynamic Greens (equivalent to 25 servings of vegetables and fruits

• Raw vegetables with humus or tahini (look online for recipes)

• Hard-boiled eggs

• Apples, pears or berries with almond butter

• Celery raw almond butter

• Raw or Cooked Carrots (bag of carrots in water for 10 minutes, strain add butter, salt and pepper)

• Raw broccoli dipped in raspberry vinaigrette dressing

• Almond Butter Sandwiches (one slice of gluten free bread)

• Lunch meats (see below) roll ups, especially wrapped in lettuce leaves or pack (spinach, jalapenos, or tomatoes) inside, Added bonus dip in spicy mustard or guacamole for different flavors

• Water-packed albacore tuna

• Crackers made with nuts (Nut Thins)

• Chips (Kettle chips, vegetable snacks) NO MSG version

• You can also pick up pre-packaged foods like tabouleh or brown rice dishes or make a salad at Whole Foods Market

• Spinach Salad. Add In: raw broccoli, carrots, mushrooms (for AB and B), onions boiled egg slices, and / or bell peppers (for B and O). Choose Vinaigrette or oil and vinegar to give this salad even more flavor and texture.

• Chicken Salad (For A and O) or tuna salad on an avocado (for A types only), tomato (for AB and O) or portobello  mushroom (for all Blood types)

• Soups (Amy’s, Gluten Free Health Valley Organics, Imagine, Nile Spice) Watch ingredients for your food allergies

• Green Bean Spears, (raw or steamed)

• Sliced Bell Peppers (B and O) dipped in favorite vinaigrette

• Sliced Zucchini (all types) dipped in favorite vinaigrette

• Yellow Squash Chips: Slice about size of chip, add pink salt/pepper (eat alone or dip in salsa salsa For AB and O) or (dip in tomatillo sauce or guacamole For A types)

• Pickled okra or cucumbers (for all blood types)

• Bison, Venison, Beef (B and O), Turkey, chicken (A and O) jerkies (watch for MSG and Nitrites)

• Asparagus Spears (bake or stove top) use olive oil as cooking agent

• Deviled brown eggs

• Tuna or salmon Salad

• Sunflower seeds (for A and O) or Safflower seeds (for AB and B)

Why Eat Snacks Through Out the Day

One of the best ways to keep good health is to snack between breakfast and lunch and lunch and dinner. Most people living the standard stagnant lifestyle need to snack to keep there blood sugar up and keep their metabolism elevated. We see more people living with hypoglycemia than ever before. This is a physiological state where ones body's blood sugar swings up and down creating symptoms of headaches, shaky, moody, tired, achy, sleepy, and un-motivated and un-productive. Every patient that comes in is recommended to snack between meals. We do this because a huge key to your well being is keeping a stable, and steady blood sugar. Snacks are an important key to your success.

Have you ever wished eating your favorite snack food like Cheetos would be good for you? According to some snack food companies, that time is now. I disagree.
One food manufacturer claims it wants to help consumers find a "little shortcut to a healthier life." A new labeling system will indicate what are supposed to be 'smart food choices." Stickers currently mark products like baked Cheetos and by the end of 2004, more than 100 foods will be identified as "smart choices." Another snack maker introduced 100 Calorie Packs of its most popular snacks such as Chips Ahoy! to help consumers count their calorie intake.
This is not the concept I am promoting to you and your family. I fear the labels will encourage people to purchase food they should not eat. Many of the so-called smart foods may be better than their predecessors but still are not healthy choices.
Company officials argue that the stickers will make it easy to find better choices in a given category.
Some say big name companies are introducing these food campaigns to offer alternatives. Critics say they are simply trying to combat the increasing awareness and concern for obesity in the United States.

Well what is a snack? Is it cookies, cakes, M&M's, sodas? These regardless of their calorie counts are not going to promote health. Get the concept of snack foods being sugar foods and know that a snack is a small quick version of a meal in between your breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. Eat every 2-3 hours. Snacking on almonds, walnuts, pecans, and seeds. Utilize nut butters and carrots, celery, or an apple. Utilize our snack options we have at the office, like Go Raw foods, artisana organic butters, organic food bars, dynamic greens, and our shakes products. We will have a more comprehensive list come tomorrow.

Water Consumption Guidlines

How Much Water Should You Drink?
So, how much pure filtered or spring water should you drink per day? Six glasses? Eight?

Well, here's a good rule of thumb:

You should be drinking enough water to turn your urine a light-colored yellow.
If you are outside on a hot day or engaging in strenuous activity, it is advisable to increase your water intake as needed. It is also important to note that as you age, your thirst mechanism works less efficiently. Older adults need to pay more attention to the color of their urine to see if their water intake is adequate.

I recommend your drinking 1 liter of water per 50 lbs of body weight. So if you are 150lbs you need a minimum of 3 liters or 96 oz of water per day. Consume an extra (liter/32 oz) of fluids for every hour of exercise.


When you should drink water?

Drink water between meals: That is a minimum of 30-60 minutes either side of a meal. I recommend only drinking enough water with your meals to take your supplement program. People don't realize that fluids with your meals dilute your stomach acids and slows your ability to digest your food. Fermentation and putrefaction in your colon are the consequence. This is basically rotting food in your colon. That is trouble.

Coconut Water and Vegetable Juicing – Adding a Little Variety
Coconuts are an excellent source of fresh, pure water and electrolytes. Coconuts are also rich in lauric acid, which is known for its immune-boosting as well as its antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties so it's an ideal choice when you're sick, or exercising heavily. Most of you know by know that your blood type is not a fan of coconuts and that is true. But when using the water it is a great addition to your program.

Symptoms of Dehydration
The  body can become dehydrated as we progress in age. At the same time, it disregards "dry mouth" as the only indicator of body thirst. The body gives other symptoms long before dry mouth is indicated. Other symptoms are:

• Dyspeptic Pain (heartburn, indigestion, stomach pains)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis pain (joint pains), 
• Angina Pain (heart pains, deep sternal chest pains,
• Low Back Pain, 
• Intermittent Claudication Pain (leg pain on walkking) 
• Migraines,
• Hangover Headaches,
• Colitis Pain (lower digestive issues,
• Constipation.