Posts Tagged ‘digestion’
To barf or not to barf
Posted on: January 23, 2013
- In: Nutrition
- 48 Comments
This is my dog, Peaches. Isn’t she adorable?
Proper nutrition is just as important for our four-legged friends as it is for humans.
To barf or not to barf
by Ann Blanton
Do you and Fido spend hours at the vet for allergies, dry itchy skin, hot spots, dental problems and a host of other diseases? If so, have you considered switching your cherished companion to an all-natural food plan? It may sound difficult, but after you read this blog post, you’ll have all the information you need to put your pet on the road to good health and nutrition.
Maybe you’re one of the millions of people who currently practice good nutrition. If so, has it improved your health; maybe even extended your life? Good nutrition is just as important for your pets’ health as it for humans, so why not do the same thing for your loyal companion? With proper nutrition, your four-legged friends can be just as healthy, happy and free from disease as their owners.
What is it?
Barf, which means, bone and raw food, consists of fresh meat, including bones and vegetables that are uncooked unlike commercial dog foods. What’s more, the barf diet is organic, not processed, has no preservatives, grains additives; fillers or byproducts; and contain only the highest quality of fresh ingredients.
The fresh food plan was designed to improve the health of your pet with evolutionary nutrition. Holistic veterinarians have been prescribing the barf diet to their patients for many years with beneficial results. “I agree with the barf diet, because it is based on what dog’s ancestors and current wild canids eat,” says homeopathic veterinarian, Dr Susan Maier. “It contains what their bodies naturally need to provide optimum health.”
Raw or ground?
That’s up to you. But, if you’re like most people, with little or no free time, preparation can be very time consuming. A number of web sites offer fresh quality ground meat, (bones included) and vegetables that are properly prepared, prepackaged and ready to be delivered frozen right to your door. All you need to do is thaw out the package in the refrigerator and serve your dog his favorite meal.
By now, if you’re thinking how disgusting this sounds, consider this. Although, your canine is a beloved family member, all dogs are still considered hunters and scavengers who thrive on raw meat. That’s why dogs who barf, make cheerful and much stronger companions for years to come.
Let’s take a look at some of the healthy benefits that raw foods provide.
Teeth, gums and breath – When feeding commercial dog foods, most dogs accumulate tarter build up which often leads to bad breath and sometimes even tooth loss. Hence, when feeding raw crunchy bones, you won’t have to worry about expensive cleanings because it naturally eliminates plaque and freshens breath.
“Dogs on raw food have healthier mouths and overall, very little tarter. Some of the “doggie” breath is related to an imbalance of micro flora in the gut,” explains Dr. Maier. “The odor may come from the mouth or stomach. Processing kibble often destroys many nutrients in the food, leading to an imbalance in the micro flora.”
Skin and coat – If you’re dog has dry itching skin, a sparse coat or infections, the barf diet is just what the doctor ordered. “By providing the proper nutrients, in the most digestible form provides the building blocks needed for a healthy coat,” Dr. Maier says.
Allergies – “Many allergies are because of poor nutrition, causing leaky gut syndrome,” says homeopathic veterinarian, speaker and author, Dr. Christina Chambreau. “Most dogs’ allergies resolve because of the nutrition and improved vibrational pattern.”
Disease – “Every disease can be helped with a fresh food diet as it provides the nutrients needed for health,” explains Dr. Chambreau.
Foods to feed – Feeding Fido proteins like beef, chicken, lamb, turkey, pork, vegetables and fruit can improve physical well-being. You might also consider adding dairy and yogurt to Fido’s new diet. Thus, when feeding yogurt, make sure it contains active, live cultures. These cultures are a natural form of Probiotics that help aid digestion.
Foods to avoid – Dr. Chambreau says, “Avoid grapes and raisins because of the recent deaths caused from them. Avoid large amounts of onions, (garlic is ok). No chocolate.”
Supplements – Calcium is an essential vitamin; but if your dog is consuming crunchy raw bones, calcium is not necessary.
Water consumption – Unlike highly processed kibble, the water from a fresh food diet has not been removed. The barf diet has a higher moisture content, so if Fido is drinking less, don’t panic.
Making the transition – According to Steve Brown, co-author of “See Spot Live Longer”, a properly prepared raw diet is a gradual process. “A good way to do it is to feed raw for one meal and kibble for another. The more fresh food for dogs, the better. There are many types of raw diets, but a properly prepared, ancestral-type diet is best because it is high in protein, has balanced fats, low in carbohydrates, antioxidants and a trace of mineral rich,” he explains.
Tips to remember – Always wash your hands after handling raw food. Keep counters clean and sanitized and thoroughly wash your pet’s bowl after each meal to prevent bacteria from setting in.
Now that you know all the basics to improve the optimal health of your best-friend, a properly balanced all-natural diet is by far, the best approach. If you’re still in doubt, here are a few helpful links for more information.
You can also purchase some useful books at the following links.
http://www.seespotlivelonger.com/home/sll/page_10
http://www.seespotlivelonger.com/home/sll/page_9/unlocking_the_canine_ancestral_diet.html
I would love to hear your feedback, so send me all your comments.
I’ve had many articles published at Fitness Plus Magazine. Here’s the link to view them if you want to check them out. http://fitplusmag.com/magazine/author/annblanton/ Currently, I just had my first short story titled, “Shattered Spirits”, published as an anthology in a book titled, “Heartscapes”.
The Benefits of Probiotics
Posted on: August 3, 2012
- In: Health | Uncategorized
- 8 Comments
The Benefits of Probiotics
by Ann Blanton
We all crave more energy to help us get through our busy lives. When the body is functioning normally, it takes approximately eighty percent of your energy to digest and eliminate the foods that you eat. No wonder so many people are dragging around by the end of the day.
According to Webster’s dictionary, Probiotics is defined as, “usually dairy food or a dietary supplement containing live bacteria that replaces or adds to the beneficial bacteria normally present in the gastrointestinal tract.” Probiotics also mean “for life”, which is why studies have proven that taking Probiotics is as necessary as taking a multi-vitamin.
You probably already know that good health begins in the digestive tract. The human body consists of trillions of bacteria and microorganisms typically in the gut. Individuals need to continually refill the good bacteria in the abdomen to boost balance in the digestion. The body stays healthy when intestinal floras flourish.
Chronic or acute conditions such as poor digestion, obesity, urinary tract infections and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) can become problematical if they’re not imbalanced. An overgrowth of the yeast fungus, also known as candidiasis, might also be a concern.
“Friendly” flora or “good” bacteria is found in the digestive tract, skin, mouth, rectum and the vagina. In other word, Probiotics keep our stomach, intestines and colon clean and healthy. It supports normal function of the colon, digestion, elimination of waste and prevents yeast, bacteria and parasites. When the “good” flora decreases, the “bad” bacteria and yeast take over. Once this happens, it throws the entire digestive tract off balance; causing the body to become prone to illness, Candida, yeast infection and digestive problems.
Frequently, antibiotics can also kill the “good” bacteria in the large intestine, which makes disease more susceptible. Physicians should always recommend Probiotics in combination while taking antibiotics.
Bad eating habits, chlorinated drinking water, stress, a low immune system, steroids and birth control pills are factors that can interrupt the healthy balance with the bacteria in the body.
Improves digestion
In order for the body to fight off infection, improve digestion. elimination and boost the immune system, you might want to include Probiotics into your diet. By taking Probiotics, they also promote regularity and improve mineral absorption.
There are many sources of Probiotics available in pill form, capsule, liquid or powder. Foods that contain Probiotics include fermented products. Webster’s dictionary defines fermented as: “any of a group of living organisms, as yeasts, molds and certain bacteria that cause fermentation.” Many of these products may already be included in your diet, such as sour cream, yogurt with live cultures and cultured buttermilk. It’s known that “good” bacteria in yogurt can help with diarrhea, gas and bloating. Those who are lactose intolerant and have difficulty digesting milk products, may find drinking acidophilus milk easier to tolerate.
Has this information been useful in learning the advantages thatProbiotics can provide? What benefits have you gained?
I’ve had many articles published at Fitness Plus Magazine. Here’s the link to view them if you want to check them out. http://fitplusmag.com/magazine/author/annblanton/ Currently, I’ve just had my first short story published as an anthology in a book titled, “Heartscapes”.
Drink up! The Nutrient of Life!
Posted on: July 8, 2012
Drink up! The Nutrient of Life!
Water is by far, the most important nutrient on earth! Water is 80% of the body’s weight that performs and supports the internal functions of all plants and animals. Common sense tells us that we all need it, and without it, our bodies simply cannot perform appropriately. When your body is well hydrated, all the internal organs function at a higher capacity.
Water helps to regulate the body’s temperature. It makes up ninety two percent of the blood and almost ninety eight percent of intestinal, gastric, salivary and pancreatic juices. Water holds all nutritive factors in solution and acts as a transportation medium for all these substances. Drinking water for health, helps to keep the blood thin, as it should be. But when you’re dehydrated, the blood thickens which can make it much more difficult to pump. What’s more, it makes the overall function of the body slow and unproductive.
Many believe that drinking water is only to quench thirst, but, in reality, it’s the most important source of nourishment for the body. It might be possible to go without food for days, maybe even weeks, but without water, a person would be in dire straits.
On average, an adult body loses about three and a half quarts of water on a daily basis through breathing, perspiration, urination and bowel movement. Because half of the human body is made up of water, it’s important to replace what is lost. The only way to do that, is to drink plenty of fluids every day to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Some people wonder how much water they should be drinking daily. That depends on your activity level, health status, the climate in which you live or if you’re pregnant or nursing. A good way to determine your daily consumption is based on your total body weight divided by two. Example: Let’s say that you weigh one hundred and fifty pounds; divide that by two, equals seventy five. So every day you should be drinking no less than seventy five ounces of fresh, clean water. Are you drinking the expected amount for your total body weight?
Water and Exercise
Because sweat is a liquid, it diminishes the body’s internal water supply. If you sweat excessively during exercise and don’t replenish the fluids that are lost, it can lead to illness and other problems such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, dizziness and muscle cramps. With that said, it’s critical to adequately replace whatever you lose while exercising. Hydration enhances physical performance, helps digestion, maintains balance of electrolytes and transports nutrition. Remember to always drink more water before, during and after exercise to keep your energy levels high and to aid in recovery.
Water and Weight Loss
Drinking water also helps to speed up your metabolism and acts as a natural appetite suppressant for weight loss. If you’re trying to lose weight, you should be drinking an additional eight ounce glass for every twenty five pounds you are over your ideal weight. The advantage is the positive effect water has on your metabolic rate. Usually, women have less water than men; but overweight people have less water than a thin person because fatty tissue contains less water than lean tissue.
Ask yourself this question. How many times have you felt hungry and reached for a snack? Your body was asking for something and you merely assumed it must be food. Maybe you were just dehydrated and needed water. The next time, reach for a glass of water and see if that helps. Some people wait until there thirsty to drink water. If you wait until thirst sets in, you’re probably already dehydrated.
Water flushes toxins from the body
Drinking water detoxifies the liver and kidneys and carries waste away from the body.
Water assists fluid retention
If the body doesn’t get enough water, every drop of liquid you put into it, it will hold onto. So what’s the solution? Drink more water. When the body recognizes it has a continuous amount, it will stop hanging onto every drop. A diet that is high in sodium will also cause water retention. To combat this, drink more water to help flush the sodium through your kidneys.
Muscle Tone
If you lift weights to build long lean muscle mass, you must keep your body well-hydrated because water helps muscle tone by giving it the usual capability to contract. It also lubricates the joints.
Can you drink too much water? Absolutely. It’s called water intoxication. When I talk about too much water, I’m referring to excessive amounts under normal circumstances. Too much water in your system causes the dilution of necessary electrolytes in the blood stream, which has implications to control the heart beat. Recommendations are to drink eight to twelve glasses of fluid with additional fluids from the foods that you eat to help support exercise and hot climates.
Tip:
If you plan to stay hydrated, drink cold water; but drink warm water if you want to stay full longer.
I’ve had many articles published at Fitness Plus Magazine. Here’s the link to view them if you want to check them out. http://fitplusmag.com/magazine/author/annblanton/
Ann Blanton Let's talk health, fitness, nutrition and everything in between 