Make sure to perform the oil pulling up on waking before eating, drinking anything, or brushing your teeth.
Swish 1-2 teaspoons of cold pressed organic oils such as coconut oil (the best!) and sesame seed oil for 20 mins.
Spit out the oil and rinse with warm salt water.
Brush the teeth as usual.
** Time your oil pulling. As 20 minutes is definitely the ideal timing to dissolve the plaque and weaken or kill bacteria but not long enough that the body starts re-absorbing the toxins and bacteria that the oil chelated from the mouth. The oil will get thicker and milky as it mixed with saliva during the swishing but make sure not to swallow.
** If you are using coconut oil, spit out the oil in a trash can. Do not spit in the sink as it may solidify as the temperature goes down.
Why do we want to pay any attention to the way we combine the foods we eat?
Our digestive tract is not designed to digest the complex foods that most of us combine together. There are very important reasons for learning to combine your foods correctly. Before the foods we eat can be absorbed through the intestinal tract and transported to the cells through the bloodstream, they must first be broken down into simpler biochemical forms. The key components necessary for this process are called enzymes.
Enzymes are the active elements in the digestive juices responsible for the proper biochemical breakdown and digestion of our food. These enzymes have specialized functions and definite limits in their capabilities. Different digestive enzymes are secreted for digesting specific types of food. For example, an enzyme that helps digest fats won’t break down proteins or carbohydrates. Likewise, an enzyme that digests carbohydrates won’t work on fats or proteins. The process our body uses for the digestion of proteins is different from the process used for the digestion of carbohydrates and starches.
By understanding that our digestive enzymes have specialized functions and biochemical limitations, it becomes obvious that our systems are not designed to digest numerous types of foods at the same time. Improperly combined foods are poorly digested and produce toxic metabolic byproducts. The buildup of these toxic byproducts in the body can be the source of many serious health problems.
Although changing our dietary habits can present a challenge, the rewards of vitality, health, and well-being are definitely worth the effort. There are remarkable benefits physically, emotionally, and mentally when we choose to cooperate with our body’s biochemical capabilities and follow the principles of proper food combining.
Protein
Proteins are one of the most abundant substances in the body. They are used in building and repairing tissues and are a most important factor in maintaining food health and vitality.
Proteins are composed of smaller substances called amino acids and are more complex than fat or carbohydrates. They are digested under the influence of the proteolytic (protein-splitting) enzymes pepsin and trypsin. Protein requires an acid medium in which to digest. Therefore, protein foods and starch/carbohydrate foods (which require a more alkaline medium for digestion) should be eaten at separate meals.
Fats slow down digestive processes, so it is better not to combine fats and protein at the same meal.
Becuase simple sugars (fruits, honey, and syrups, etc) are so quickly digested, they should not be eaten with protein, which requires a more complex and prolonged digestive process.
Carbohydrates/Starches
Carbohydrates are usually referred to as sugars and starches. The body converts all sugars and starches to simple sugars such as glucose for the immediate use by the body, and glycogen stored for energy in the liver. These simple sugars are used as a fuel for the muscles, nervous system, and brain.
Simple sugars, such as those found in honey and fruits, are easily digested. Starches, such as those found in whole grains, are more complex, having to be broken down into glucose. Cellulose, a carbohydrate found in the skin and fiber of fruits and vegetables, provides bulk for good intestinal functions and proper elimination.
The main enzymes involved in carbohydrate/starch digestion are salivary amylase called ptyalin and pancreatic amylase called amylopsin. Carbohydrate/starch foods require an alkaline medium for proper digestion. Therefore, eat protein foods which require an acid medium for digestion and carbohydrate/starch foods at separate meals. Becuase simple sugars such as fruits are so quickly digested, they should not be eaten with complex carbohydrates (grains, bread, or potatoes, etc), which require a more complex and prolonged digestive process.
Consumption of refined carbohydrate foods such as white flour products, white sugar, candy, and other “junk foods” can cause toxicity and vitamin/mineral deficiencies in the body and can lead to serious health problems.
Fats/Oils
Fats (a.k.a lipids) are the most concentrated source of energy in the diet. They are compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which are the same elements found in carbohydrates but present in different combinations and proportions.
Along with providing energy, fats serve as the carriers for the fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E, and K). Fats are an integral part of the process through which calcium is made available to the tissues of the body. They are also important for helping the body convert carotene to vitamin A.
Under the influence of lipases (fat-splitting enzymes), which are secreted by the pancreas, fats and oils are broken down into glycerol and fatty acids. Fatty acids are necessary for normal growth and for healthy blood, arteries, and nerves. Glycerol is converted in the liver into glucose or glycogen to be used as fuel for energy.
Oils are similar to fats but are usually liquid at room temperature. Fats and oils tend to slow down and inhibit digestion. Therefore, it is best to avoid eating fats and proteins at the same meal.
Reference:
Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy Professional Care Level 2 (pg118-119)
“hypo” (lower) and adrenia (related to the adrenals) is a lowered adrenal activity causing a decrease in the output of adrenal hormones, particularly the steroid hormone called cortisol. Too much physical, psychological, and/or environmental stress can deplete the function of your adrenals.
This hypoadrenia can range in severity. The extreme low end of hypoadrenia is called Addison’s disease which can involve actual structural and physiological damage to the adrenal glands and is life threatening if not treated.
On the other hand, conditions towards almost normal end of hypoadrenia on the spectrum have many names such as non-Addison’s, sub-clinical hypoadrenia, neurasthenia, adrenal neurasthenia, adrenal apathy, and adrenal fatigue.
They are more commonly known as adrenal fatigue as it describes the chief symptom of hypoadrenia.
In spite of millions of people in the U.S and around the world affected by adrenal fatigue, it is not usually recognized by modern medicine nor be considered a medical emergency. Nevertheless, every organ and system in the body is more profoundly affected by the reduction of adrenal function. Changes occur in body’s metabolism (slows down), electrolyte balance, sex drive, and even body shape. our body does its best to to compensate for under-functioning adrenal glands.
Adrenal fatigue s a collection of signs and symptoms. It is not readily identifiable entity like acne or a growth on the skin. People with adrenal fatigue often look and act relatively normal as they may not have any obvious signs of physical illness. Yet, they know that they are not well and live with “gray” feelings. They often use coffee and/or other stimulants to get going in the morning and throughout the day.
Conditions related to Adrenal Fatigue
Abnormal blood sugar levels (Hypoglycemia)
Alcoholism
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Constipation
Cravings for salty or sugary foods, alcohol, caffeine, energy drink
Depression
Fibromyalgia
Frequent Allergies
Frequent Colds
Frequent Respiratory Infections
Increased difficulty during menopause
Increased Fears, Anxiety, and Depression
Insomnia
Intense Mood swings
Low energy
Low sex drive
Premenstrual Tension
Thyroid disorder
more
Factors affect Adrenal Fatigue
Whether in a mild or severe form, adrenal fatigue is usually caused by some form of stress. Our body doesn’t differentiate a type of stress. Every kind of stress, physical, emotional, psychological, environmental (external), infectious (internal), or a combination of these is responded the same by our adrenals.
While stress can be caused by significant events such as an automobile accident, or the death of a loved one, the lower grade (less intense) stress such as pressure at the workplace, an unhappy relationships, environmental toxins, poor diet, occasional financial crisis, etc. could take its toll. Especially, if occurs simultaneously, accumulate or become chronic, and adrenals have no opportunity to fully recover, adrenal fatigue is usually the result.
Anyone can experience Adrenal Fatigue
While people from every culture and every age can suffer from adrenal fatigue, each person has a different capacity to handle the total stress load, and the capacity of each person varies over time and events.
One person may handle and overcome a stress quite easily and be ready for more, but another person, or that same person at a different situation, may find the same stress overwhelming and impossible to bear. It is important to understand that the onset and continuation of adrenal fatigue is reflected by great individual variation.
Your Job may be a Factor
Some professions are harder on the adrenal glands than others such as physicians, the police force, middle executives, secretaries, and teachers. cabin attendants, actors and actresses, etc. They often sacrifice their sleeping hours, have intensive work load, and requires high responsibility. They commonly have other health problems (high cholesterol, insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity, etc.), as the adrenals are less responsive after burning out of cortisol.
Components of Lifestyle Leading to Adrenal Fatigue
Lack of sleep
poor food choices
Using food and drinks as stimulants when tired
Staying up late even though exhausted
Constantly driving yourself
Trying to be perfect
Feeling stuck
Lack of enjoyable and rejuvenating activities
Lifestyle Leading to Adrenal Fatigue
University student
Mother with two or more children with little support from family or friends
Single parent
Unhappy marriage
Extremely unhappy and stressful work conditions
Drug or alcohol abuser
Alternating shift work that requires sleep pattern to be frequently adjusted
Little play little recharging time
Life Events Leading to Adrenal Fatigue
Pressure or frequent crises at work and/or home
Severe emotional traumas that are unresolved
Death of a close friend or family member
Major surgery with incomplete recovery
Prolonged or repeated respiratory infections
Serious burns (include sunburn)
Head trauma
Loss of stable job
Sudden change in financial status
Relocation without support
Repeated or overwhelming chemical exposure including drugs and alcohol abuse
Genetics
We can never forget to consider the weaknesses on adrenal glands from birth on, besides those factors of lifestyle and life events.
Children born to mothers with adrenal fatigue and children experience severe stress in the womb typically have lower adrenal function. For this reason, they have less capacity to deal with stress in their own lives and more prone to adrenal fatigue throughout their lives.
Do I Have Adrenal Fatigue?
If you are experiencing the lifestyle that I listed above, and some conditions seem familiar to you, go click on “questionnaire” to assess your level of adrenal fatigue.
