by theonehipguy@gmail.com | Jun 23, 2016 | Uncategorized
Necessity is the mother of invention
In early summer of 1965, the assistant coach of the University of Florida’s American Football team – the Florida Gators – sat down with a team of university physicians and asked them to determine why so many of his players were being affected by heat and heat related illnesses.
THE DISCOVERY
The researchers — Dr. Robert Cade, Dr. Dana Shires, Dr. H. James Free and Dr. Alejandro de Quesada — soon discovered two key factors that were causing the Gator players to ‘wilt’: the fluids and electrolytes the players lost through sweat were not being replaced, and the large amounts of carbohydrates the players’ bodies used for energy were not being replenished.
SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT
The researchers then took their findings into the lab, and scientifically formulated a new, precisely balanced carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage that would adequately replace the key components lost by Gator players through sweating and exercise. They called their concoction ‘Gatorade’.
This story is significant in that there was a problem that needed to be solved and it it was solved with good solid science. It was the very first drink that was marketed to improve energy and health. Since then the energy drink industry came to market with a bang! Had science continued to be the reason for the development of sports drinks and energy drinks I believe the industry landscape would look entirely different. Today the sports drink industry in the US is 1 Billion dollars annually. What is even more remarkable is the energy drink sector in the US will be 27 Billion by 2017! Red Bull was the first energy drink brought to the US and Canada. It was invented in 1987 and brought to North America in 1997.
Today the energy drink industry is booming! There is no denying it. Yet what are consumers paying for? Does it serve or does it harm?
In a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, between 2007 and 2011, emergency room visits involving energy drinks doubled to more than 20,000.
What Are the Cardiovascular Risks of Energy Drinks?
Medical researchers are still at the early stages of really understanding the health risks associated with energy drinks, but the primary cause of serious health problems appears to be the high concentrations of caffeine and sugar. Examples of findings related to caffeine and the cardiovascular effects are…heart palpitations, and increased heart rate and blood pressure . According to one study, 19 percent of college students who used energy drinks had experienced heart palpitations.
The amount of caffeine in energy drinks in Canada is regulated by Health Canada. The amount of caffeine allowed in energy drinks here in Canada is between 80-100 mg in a 250 ml single serve can. I am unable to find any regulatory agency with regards to caffeine in energy drinks within the US.
It is estimated that 200-300 mg of caffeine is safe for the average healthy adult.
One major concern with energy drinks is the amount of sugar. In my previous blog on weight loss the recommended daily amount of sugar is 35 grams for men, 20-25 grams for women, 12-20 for teenagers and 12 for children 4-8 years of age.
Here are the typical amounts of sugar in the most popular energy drinks. http://www.caffeineinformer.com/sugar-in-drinks
What you will notice in the energy drink sector is two things. First the amount of sugar in these popular energy drinks. Often 2-3 times the recommended daily amount of sugar and two, the ones that have zero sugar. Be wary of these products because they mostly all use artificial sweeteners that makes it look like there is no sweetener when in fact many of these artificial sweeteners play havoc in our body.
If the intake of sugar is high then our body cannot metabolize it properly and the result is it turns to fat. Drink a lot of these with the high sugar load and you will become fat, never mind the caffeine issues associated as well.
Over the years I have drank coffee or tea. I used to be a shift worker many rears ago and found coffee to be my “go to” beverage. I was totally uniformed. As the energy drink industry started to boom I saw my teenage children start to drink this new fad beverages. I still had no idea what was happening at the cellular level with these beverages being consumed so although I was concerned I was still uniformed. As I have taken the effort to be a more vigilant consumer I have become aware of the challenges these drinks contain.
Fortunately I have found an energy drink that I “go to” in the event I feel the need for an added boost. I don’t drink these everyday, just on those days when I might be driving for a long time or know it will be a long day. This drink is called REV3. It is a stick pack that contains all the great benefits of improved energy levels without the sugar. Just add it to your water and away you go. It has a lemon ice tea flavor.
Whatever your current daily consumption of energy drinks always keep in mind the long term effects of using these them. If you don’t use them today then good for you! if you do use them I would suggest you read the literature and make the best decision for you and your family.
Yours in Health
John – One Hip Guy
by theonehipguy@gmail.com | Jun 9, 2016 | Uncategorized
I have been a pet owner almost all my life. There were not too many years when I didn’t have a furry creature waiting for me when I walked in the door.
I’ve had an array of different types of dogs from Chihuahua cross to Alaskan Malamute cross. Some were lap dogs and some were yard dogs. Some of the yard dogs thought they were even lap dogs! They all have brought joy into our family.
I have also had different variations of cats! They all had their own personality that made them unique and special.
These are the current cat collection we have here at home.
As our children grew up we encouraged their interests in animals. In fact we had hamsters, lizards, mice, and more. It taught our children responsibility. These animals needed to be cared for and taking on this responsibility was good for them.
Pets are great for our health! It is not just antidotal but there is clinic evidence to support it.
The American Heart Association has linked the ownership of pets, especially dogs, with a reduced risk for heart disease and greater longevity.
- Dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
- People with dogs have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets. One study even found that when people with borderline hypertension adopted dogs from a shelter, their blood pressure declined significantly within five months. http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/having-a-dog-can-help-your-heart–literally
- Playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
- Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.
- Heart attack patients with dogs survive longer than those without.
- Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.
Owning a pet can also help to change lifestyle habits that are more beneficial to our well being. The need to look after a creature, taking them for walks, having a companion helps to create structure to your day, allows you to meet new people at the dog park or just when you walk around the block. Just touching and stroking your pet will help reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure.
Your pet doesn’t care what kind of day you had. They are beating heart that appreciates another beating heart.
Many provide service in other ways. Some work for the vision impaired and as well the hearing impaired. They can be great yard dogs and are great deterrents to intruders.
If you are making a decision to own a pet there are a few thoughts to consider. This is a commitment. Your pet will be with you for a long time! They will be a member of your family. Make sure you are ready for this commitment. There is sound evidence that you should not buy your pet from a pet store. Pet stores have little to no information on the animal in their store. Many of these animals come from cruel and restrictive breeding practices. Essentially they are mills. The American Humane Society and the Canadian Federation of humane Societies both state clearly that the purchase of your pet should come from reputable shelters, rescue organizations or satellite adoption centres.
Looking after your pet is important. Regular veterinarian visits are important. The quality of the food you provide will determine the quality of their health. Do your research. There are many contradicting thoughts on the web. Surprise! From raw diets to home made to can food to dry food it is quite confusing. Our dogs have been given a high quality dry dog food that is free of binders and fillers. Our cats have been given dry food as well, however male neutered cats can develop crystals so it may be necessary to feed him soft canned food. We have needed to do this for our male cats and because they all eat together feed them all soft food. Your pet may benefit from a supplement. In particular they may need essential fatty acids. Based on some of the latest research it may be prudent to provide your pet with omega 3 essential fats as a supplement because many of the commercial food brands do not provide enough adequate omega 3’s. If you decide you would like to provide you pet with omega 3 essentials fats then make sure you choose one that is pharmaceutical grade with a guarantee of potency.
Whether you have a dog, cat or even a rabbit, having a pet is good for your soul!
Yours in Health
John – One Hip Guy
http://www.care2.com/causes/14-ways-your-cat-improves-your-health.html
by theonehipguy@gmail.com | May 26, 2016 | Uncategorized
The obsession to lose weight is greater today more than ever while people are expanding more and more. The weight loss industry is booming, however it is not working. The problem is that all these weight loss programs have little to do with lifestyle and more to do with a temporary fix.
Often when you go on a diet you feel noble yet deprived and then when you go off the diet you relieved but guilty because you go back to eating all the foods that got you there in the first place. There needs to be a plan to create a lifestyle that can work for you.
The hard facts:
One in four adult Canadians and one in ten children have clinical obesity, meaning six million Canadians living with obesity http://www.obesitynetwork.ca/obesity-in-canada
More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese. [Read abstract Journal of American Medicine (JAMA)]
The incidence of obesity has risen so dramatically since the 1970’s that it seems like a misprint. Click on the obesity hyperlink to see just how the US has changed in the last 40 years alone. What will happen in the next 40 years? Who will care for elderly if this current trend continues? What will the burden be on the health care system and the taxpayers? Who is responsible for this epidemic?
There are numerous Overweight and Obesity-Related Health Problems in Adults
Coronary Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Stroke, Type 2 Diabetes, Abnormal Blood Fats, Metabolic Syndrome, Cancer, Osteoarthritis, Sleep Apnea, Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome, Reproductive problems, Gallstones, Overweight and Obesity-Related Health Problems in Children and Teens
These diseases have exploded in the last 40 years! Children are now subjected to diseases that were thought to be adult diseases. What has happened to have this rise become so unprecedented? Are people today less educated than our grandparents? Is there something sinister that is causing this to happen?
Lets take a look at the advertising campaigns that are being blitzed on TV day in and day out. Fast food products that look fun and sexy. Yes sexy…Many of these ads are directed to children while watching their favorite cartoons. The food lobbyists prevented the banning of directed advertising toward children in the US and Canada. Many countries are now banning advertising of these foods during children’s programming. Commercials where you can’t eat just one are played over and over. Packaging is directed toward children so they can get a prize. Fast food places have the fun zone so that it draws in children to eat and play. Much of the food packaging is loaded with sugar that has been shown to be as addictive as cocaine.
Beverages have 2-5 times the recommended daily sugar intake. The recommended sugar intake is 35 grams for men, 25 for women and children 4-8 is 12 grams. Teenagers should get 12-20 grams. 4 grams equals 1 teaspoon of sugar. Lets look at a can of 16 ounce Rock Star that I took a picture of this past week.
62 grams of sugar! That is almost twice the recommended daily intake for men and 3 times for women. This amounts to over 15 teaspoons of sugar!
The reality is the food industry is making us sick. The more sugar dumped into our bodies the fatter we can become. It is up to all of us to become aware and to take action.
To effectively lose weight you must identify the problem foods and eliminate them. You must eliminate all the packaged foods, fast foods, reduce alcohol, reduce caffeine, and start to replace them with healthy real food. Fruits, vegetables, organic animal protein along with drinking good clean water. If you are a vegetarian then find good protein like eggs, beans, legumes, cheese, broccoli, spinach and much more. http://www.nomeatathlete.com/vegetarian-protein/
Lose the problem foods and you will lose weight. It is about adapting your lifestyle choices, not what diet plan works.
The physiology of the body works simply. Feed your body the building blocks and the body will release fat.
Exercise plays an important role, however if you cannot adapt a new lifestyle habit when it comes to what you eat then exercise will only go so far! What we eat determines what sits around our belly! All the situp crunches in the world will not solve this problem and make it go away.
Once you start to eat real food and avoid sugar, caffeine, alcohol, junk food, fast food then exercise will make a world of difference. You can metabolize your fat stores into muscle and create a lean body.
Start your day by avoiding store bought cereals. Did you know that these cereals are loaded with sugar? Take a look at these examples…one cup of Honey Nut Cheerios has 12 grams of sugar. For a child under 8 they should only get 12 grams a day! Often a child will eat at least 2 cups so that adds up to 24 grams! Kellogg Corn Flakes has 3 grams of sugar for a cup of cereal. A typical child will eat at least 2 cups so that adds up to 6 grams before they even get out of their pajamas!
Instead have some eggs or a shake to start your day. I start my day with a healthy shake that has coconut oil for a good source of saturated fat. My shake has no sugar in it! Instead it has Stevia which is a composite herb which leaves are a source of non caloric sweetener. It actually has health benefits. The stevia leaves contain potassium, zinc, magnesium and vitamin B3. Based on the stevia nutrition facts, it is the 10.77% fiber which helps in curing constipation and promotes proper digestion. One of the benefits of stevia is that it contains a 702 ppm level of iron which can stimulate the production of hemoglobin. If you want to know more about the different shakes I recommend please private message me on facebook or send me a quick note.
To be successful in your weight loss lifestyle change you will need to break free from the sugar addiction. Sometimes we need help. I have helped many people kick start their weight loss journey with a program that is more about lifestyle than dieting. If you want to know more about it please email me at johnbriancunningham@gmail.com.
Whatever you decide to do just be aware that too much sugar is the biggest culprit. Find ways to remove it from your diet and you will see the pounds melt away!
Yours in Health
John – One Hip Guy
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/prevalence-maps.html
by theonehipguy@gmail.com | May 12, 2016 | Uncategorized
I recently went on a get away to a fantastic medical facility called Sanoviv. http://www.sanoviv.com/
I didn’t go there because I was unwell, although they do help all kinds of people in need.
It is simply one of the most relaxing and stress free places on earth.
The first thing you notice upon arrival is that you can almost feel the healing begin the moment you come through the doors. The energy is so uplifting and powerful. It is a 5 star resort yet at the same time it is a hospital.
Nestled just south of San Diego near Rosarito, Mexico it is an opportunity to get back in touch with who you are.
This was not my first visit. I have been there 4 times now. Three years ago I was there to detox and regenerate after my hip replacement surgery. It was amazing. They did a full medical program and the same time they worked to detox my body from the anesthetic and stress of surgery. They had many protocols for detoxing. From massage therapies, to ultra violet saunas, to the Thalasso pools it was amazing. Many of the other protocols involved light therapy, sound therapy, and much much more.
All the meals are organic. The vegetables are grown onsite with all the cooking methods designed to help with digestion and detox.
Your morning begins with the tower bells ringing at 6:15 am. You get your vitals done at 6:30 am and then off to get some organic lemon and tepid water and a touch of cayenne pepper. this is to help with the detox process. At 6:50 am you have a shot of organic wheat grass which has tremendous benefits in detoxing the body. At 7:00 am you join a meditation class to help the process of connecting with body. In the fast paced world we seldom are in touch with our body and how it is doing. 8:30 am it is breakfast. A nourishing balanced start to the day. At 9:00 am we follow the agenda set out by the coordinators. it is a busy day full of events just for me!
From massages, to doctor consults, to colonics, to some time in the gym it is all about me! When there is free time a nice walk on the grass or pathway to watch the whales and dolphins fills in nicely.
Lunch! another fantastic organic meal!
If you have a medical program you may have blood work, ultrsounds, xrays, and so on. Although it doesn’t look like a hospital it functions like one. The afternoon is another full schedule. Dinner is at 6:00 pm. All the meals you socialize with the other guests and become fast friends. At 7:00 pm there may be an educational class or a funny movie in the auditorium. By 9:00 PM you are ready for sleep…leaving the doors open to the ocean to hear the waves as they crash onto the shore.
Have you ever wished that you could have zipper and look inside and find out everything about you and your body? Well this is the place. Each morning the medical team along with the dentists, nutritionist, physiologists, chiropractors, spa and fitness personal all meet to discuss the patients and their needs. By meeting together they can work completely on you! I have never seen a doctor and dentist meet to discuss my personal health together…ever. The results from consulting with each on your individual case is amazing.
If you are in need of a detox or have some medical needs that need addressing, Sanoviv could be the place because it is one of the most advanced health facilities in the world. http://www.sanoviv.com/
If you want to learn more private message me on facebook or email me at johnbriancunningham@gmail.com
Yours in Health
John – One Hip Guy
by theonehipguy@gmail.com | Apr 28, 2016 | Uncategorized
It has become increasingly clear that sugar is creating a terrible burden on our health.
First let me say that sugar shouldn’t necessarily be the bad guy but it has become this way. There is a simple saying…everything in moderation…however this is not the case with sugar anymore. The suggested amount of sugar we should consume on a daily basis is 6-9 teaspoons a day. Four grams of sugar equals one teaspoon of sugar. So when looking at the packages of food we eat if it is says 12 grams per serving then that would equal 3 teaspoons of sugar.
Glucose is necessary for the body to function properly. Simple table sugar will convert to glucose in the body as well as all the sugars that have some different names like:
- dextran
- dextrose
- diatase
- diastatic malt
- ethyl maltol
- fructose
- maltodextrin
- maltose
- mannitol
- high-fructose corn syrup
- malt syrup
There many many more different names of sugar. As consumers it is getting harder and harder to distinguish what is sugar on the label.
Obesity is on the rise year after year and the major culprit is sugar. Many people are getting 3 to 4 times the necessary sugar everyday! In fact one can of a 12 oz Coca Cola has 39 grams of sugar or almost 10 teaspoons of sugar! Things really do go down better with coke because its so sweet you can’t help but drink it! The sad fact is addiction begins to develop and people will start to crave it.
One out of every three people in the US are classified obese. Two out of every three people in the US is classified overweight. In Canada we are catching up to those numbers. The big culprit is SUGAR! Cut the sugar and you will lose weight.
For people who have joint replacements we should be paying close attention. To have our new parts work effectively and long term we should striving to get to our ideal weight!
Sugar is as addictive as alcohol or cocaine.
So what can we do to fix this problem? First we must become vigilant at reading labels in the grocery store. Did you know that the lobbyists prevented putting the daily recommended percentages next to sugar on the label? This has been done to deceive the consumer because if they knew how much of the daily recommended sugar was in a serving they might not buy it. We need to be the stewards of our own health and that of our family.
Here is a quick video called “Sugar is Killing us” https://youtu.be/Yda8RtOcVFU
There are few alternatives to using sugar that are actually good for you. One that I have found that is beneficial to your health is Stevia.
Stevia is perhaps the only sweetener that is not just “not harmful,” but has actual health benefits. It has no calories, is 100% natural, and if you choose the the right one then it also tastes like a million bucks. That seems like a better option for the consumer. If you are looking to start your day with a shake full of protein and good low glycemic carbs make sure that that they use Stevia instead of fructose of high fructose corn syrup or many of the other oddly named sugars. Buy Stevia to replace your table sugar in the house. The health of you and your family will thank-you for it.
Yours in Health,
John -One Hip Guy
