True Health Optimizers: Household Water Filter

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Supplement companies push products that have not been clinically proven to be effective. Manufacturers market so-called wellbeing devices that almost border on the metaphysical. Self-proclaimed health gurus preach methods that lack scientific basis. Clearly, the Internet and social media networks are rife with “too-good-to-be-true” claims made mainly by charlatans.

After decades of continuous focused research and active work with individuals facing serious health challenges, I came to one conclusion: Despite all the misleading information out there, a few “health investments” do stand on solid scientific grounds and yield a very high return. I am referring to specific devices, supplements, and approaches that have been proven to make a difference when it comes to overall health.

In this ongoing series of articles I have titled “True Health Optimizers”, I will be discussing how they work and why they deserve your attention. And in full disclosure, I am affiliated with some of the featured brands given the high standards they abide by.

Water that Harms; Water that Heals

“I drink in excess of two and a half liters a day,” is a statement I often hear people and clients bragging about. Obviously, almost everyone nowadays is aware of how important it is to consume mineral water in proper quantities. However, very few ever wonder what lurks in their drinking water. There is the assumption that water bottling companies test their products for contaminants in order to ensure the highest standard of safety and purity. But in reality, not all companies adopt stringent procedures in this regard. And even if they did, plastic bottles in which the water is contained are going to contaminate the water with Bisphenol A (BPA). Some companies do use BPA-free plastic. However, there have been reports that other equally-harmful chemicals are used instead of BPA. A study of 450 BPA-free products found that almost all of them contained a variety of chemicals that act just like estrogen.1

What on Earth is BPA and why should we be worried?

Well, BPA is a hormone disruptor (xenoestrogen) that acts like estrogen in the body, triggering hormonal changes and encouraging the growth of breast and prostate cancers. When BPA and similar xenoestrogens get into our bloodstream, they attach to the estrogen receptors in both men and women. Not only do they mimic estrogen, but also they are much stronger than the estrogen your body produces naturally. And they block natural hormones - causing an imbalance that affects estrogen, testosterone (male hormone), and others.

A report by the National Institutes of Health's National Toxicology Program in the US found that BPA may alter brain development and behavior and increase the risk of prostate cancer in children, infants, and fetuses. BPA has been shown to play a role in several endocrine disorders, including female and male infertility, precocious puberty, hormone-dependent tumors such as breast and prostate cancer, and several metabolic disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), type II diabetes, and high blood pressure.2

Research links BPA and other bisphenols to:

• Weight gain

• Obesity

• Breast cancer

• Testicular cancer

• Prostate cancer

• Behavioral changes

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

• High blood pressure

• Asthma

• Reduced lung function

• Lung cancer

BPA is bad news - now what?

Now that I have your attention, let’s discuss sustainable solutions. And it starts by avoiding water that comes in plastic bottles. Acquiring a reliable and efficient water filter that could be easily installed in your kitchen is imperative. This is “really” the only way you will able to avoid BPA-laden water. The water you filter could be placed in glass bottles if you wish to take it to work or the gym. Over the years, I have tested and reviewed multiple brands of water filters. Some were good; others not so much. However, the most impressive I have come across so far is the HomePure Nova filtration system.

HomePure Nova has nine stages of filtration. It has received the Gold Seal of the Water Quality Association (WQA) - making it the first ultrafiltration water filter certified by the association for its capability to reduce pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and microbial cysts from water. The filter boasts the new 35+ UltraTech Filter Technology, which removes 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.99% of viruses from water, while Microban® antibacterial technology helps prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew - with no electricity required.

Another important aspect of the HomePure Nova filter is that it maintains the vital minerals found in water while removing all harmful contaminants. And this feature is not shared by other water filter technologies like reverse osmosis and ultraviolet (both are high maintenance, prone to recontamination, and reverse osmosis demineralizes the water.) Below is an infographic detailing each of the 9 stages of filtration that HomePure Nova offers:

Begin with the basics

Many continuously seek the latest advances/trends in the realm of health and fitness. And while it is commendable to be proactive in this regard, some tend to forget that covering the basics is the first and most important step. One cannot focus on how a certain protocol or supplement could extend lifespan while he or she consumes “toxic water” on daily basis! No amount of fancy treatments - regardless of how evidence-based they are - is going to optimize your health and performance unless you start with the lowest-hanging fruit: clean and pure mineral water!

How to Purchase the HomePure Nova Filter

HomePure Nova Filter could be delivered to various destinations around the world. You may click on any of the links below (email or WhatsApp chat) for a personalized buying experience.

If you found this article interesting, please "share" and "like". And feel free to leave your comments/questions - I would love to hear your opinion and answer your queries.

References:

1. Yang CZ, Yaniger SI, Jordan VC, Klein DJ, Bittner GD. “Most Plastic Products Release Estrogenic Chemicals: A Potential Health Problem That Can Be Solved.” Environmental Health Perspectives. 2011 Jul.

2. Konieczna, A., Rutkowska, A., Rachoń, D. "Health risk of exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA)." Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2015; 66(1):5-11.

The Mood Switch

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While your emotional landscape is predetermined by genetics, there is a lot you can do about it

By Richard Labaki

Driving on the highway at the breakneck speed of 180 km/hour, George was in hyper-focus mode and all psyched up as he maneuvered his BMW between lanes. Heavy metal music bursting through the speakers, the scene could only be likened to that of a Jason Bourne car chase. Amidst this intense and potentially-dangerous situation, George glances briefly to his right to assess how I’m coping in the passenger’s seat. As he later described it, what he saw was not someone wide-eyed, physically tense and filled with fear but a person in a state of Zen savoring a grilled cheese sandwich. This took place a few decades back. And for as long as I remember, my reaction to stressful or highly charged situations was always one of calmness. When everyone around was getting all worked up over a given crisis, there I was keeping my cool under fire. This is in no way due to years of practicing deep meditative techniques on a mystical mountaintop, but simply a matter of character. And only recently have I begun to understand the genetic foundation of my inherent response to stress in general.

Breakthroughs in the realm of genetic research are revealing how certain genes could impact mood and play a major role in the predisposition to disorders such as anxiety and chronic depression. I have, for example, a certain gene that operates at a faster rate than usual, quickly clearing out “fight-or-flight” stress neurotransmitters like adrenaline and noradrenaline from my system. So in essence, my mind and body are able to remain calm most of the time, easily returning to normalcy after experiencing a nerve-racking event. But there is a downside to this as well. This gene, which is functioning at a rapid speed in my case, could also clear out dopamine very quickly, leaving the person unmotivated and low on energy. Dopamine, as you may know, is the “feel-good” neurotransmitter involved in excitement and thrills (you probably experience its uplifting effect after a workout, when falling in love and others.) The fact that all the aforementioned neurotransmitters do not stay for long in my system partially explains why I had been a classic daydreamer in the classroom during my schooldays. I was in essence the poster child of attention deficit disorder or ADD.

“Breakthroughs in the realm of genetic research are revealing how certain genes could impact mood and play a major role in the predisposition to disorders such as anxiety and chronic depression”

At the other end of the spectrum, there are those who have this same gene operating at a slower rate than normal. Consequently, they have ample focus, energy and enthusiasm. But they also have a hard time kicking back and relaxing – so much so that they cannot sleep well in most cases. Stress neurotransmitters stay in their system for far too long, causing them to be more prone to anxiety. So apparently, what could be the source of a certain strength (be it mental, psychological or physiological) could also be a form of kryptonite. Luckily, I have managed to strengthen my focus and boost my energy levels over the years – without letting go of my calm demeanor. But with the continuous research concerning gene expression, I can even go further now. You see, genes are not static. There is an interplay between our genetic makeup and the food we eat, the lifestyle we adopt and the environment in which we live. This science is called epigenetics. And while each one of us has a variety of genetic tendencies to certain characteristics, behaviors and health conditions, understanding those predispositions helps immensely. As a result of this understanding, we could then customize our way of eating and living to become a better version of ourselves. In other words, we could always tip the “genetic” scale in our favor: turning off or balancing the “bad” genes while keeping the good ones switched on.

“While we all harbor psychological traits that stem from how we were raised and our individual experiences (both good and bad), our mood is largely affected by our genetic makeup, health status, and other influencing factors”

And this is the basis of a recent discussion I enjoyed with a psychologist friend of mine. I argued that while we all harbor psychological traits that stem from how we were raised and our individual experiences (both good and bad), our mood is largely affected by our genetic makeup, health status, and other influencing factors. Treatments in the form of cognitive therapy and the likes are sure to help you become more aware of your psychological flaws and blind-spots, but you will not attain perfect mood balance by simply becoming more cognizant. If you suffer major nutritional deficiencies, if your gut flora is disrupted (90 percent of dopamine and serotonin is produced by the good bacteria in your intestines), and if your body is burdened with toxins then your mood will always be disrupted. Working with a qualified shrink to address psychological and mood issues could help a lot. But this alone remains insufficient if your diet, lifestyle and environment are not in tune with your biochemistry and genetic makeup. My friend could not agree more.

If you found this article interesting, please "share" and "like". And feel free to leave your comments/questions below - I would love to hear your opinion and answer your questions. 

Why You're Chronically Fatigued

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By Richard Labaki

Imagine how much more productive your day could be if your body generated ample energy and was able to sustain it from morning till evening – think of how much more you could accomplish at the workplace and in your personal life as a result. The sad reality is that many people’s goals, dreams and aspirations are simply hindered by a lack of physical and mental energy.  "Fatigue" is a common complaint I often hear from people visiting for a consultation. This symptom seems to be pervasive regardless of the health condition – be it digestive, hormonal or any other. And the way most individuals attempt to address this problem is through the over-consumption of caffeine and energy drinks or through the intake of generic multivitamins. But the truth is none of these approaches ever work, especially over the long run. Why? Simply because “fatigue” is only a symptom that could emerge from a myriad of root causes. And unless these root causes are properly diagnosed and resolved then no amount of espressos or energy drinks will ever tackle the issue.

“Fatigue is only a symptom that could emerge from a myriad of root causes. And unless these root causes are properly diagnosed and resolved then no amount of espressos or energy drinks will ever tackle the issue”

Tired, exhausted, depleted    

Most people suffering from debilitating symptoms like chronic fatigue seek out a wonder drug, a “superfood” or a promising supplement they read about online. Their hope is that by taking a pill, eating some nutritious food or drinking a smoothie they would somehow put an end to their misery. However, this rarely makes any difference. To understand why you feel tired and lethargic all day long, you need to accurately pinpoint what is depleting your energy reserves (or impeding your body from generating the required energy in the first place.)

If, for example, you suffer from insomnia then resolving this matter should be a priority. The root cause of your fatigue in this case is the lack of proper sleep. You are just not sleeping deep enough or long enough to “recharge your batteries”. Solving this issue entails a holistic approach in terms of modifying your lifestyle habits and nightly rituals, improving your diet and probably ingesting a sleep-inducing supplement like Melatonin or Valerian.  

If you are deficient in certain nutrients like vitamin B12 (due to an imbalanced diet or gastric bypass surgery) then surely you will be feeling exhausted for most parts of the day. And the solution in this case is to supplement with a good vitamin B12 formula, modify your food choices and empower the digestive system to assimilate properly this crucial vitamin. So as you can see, for a solution to work it needs to factor in the root cause of your fatigue. 

Bear in mind that it is not always a matter of improper sleep or nutritional deficiencies. Others causes behind chronic fatigue include hormonal imbalance like hypothyroidism (a sluggish thyroid gland), heavy metal toxicity brought about by environmental and nutritional factors, chronic infections due to a weakened immune system, low levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut, high levels of oxidative stress and various other contributors. And for each of the aforementioned root causes is a specific healing approach. 

Engine at full throttle

It is often said that a problem defined is half-solved. Through a series of lab tests and in-depth questionnaires, a clearer picture will begin to emerge. And once it becomes apparent as to why you are constantly low on energy, a plan could be then put in motion to address whatever root causes are contributing to your fatigue. One of the most gratifying responses clients report after following a customized plan is how much more energy they have to conduct their best work, how much more time they are able to spend playing with their children and how much more confident they are in their mental and physical abilities. Many seem fixated on maintaining youthful looks nowadays and that is just fine; we all wish to look young for as long as we can. But what good would that do us if we look 10 years younger yet our energy levels continue to decline as we age. There is no point in looking youthful without being able to spring out of bed every morning and engage life with all our might!

If you found this article interesting, please "share" and "like". And feel free to leave your comments/questions below - I would love to hear your opinion and answer your questions.