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Alkaline Diet Articles Turmeric Could Have Saved Steve Jobs from Pancreatic Cancer Article from http://thealkalinediet.org/alkaline-diet-tips/turmeric-could-have-saved-steve-jobs-from-pancreatic-cancer Posted on November 4, 2011 The seven-years battle Steve Jobs had with pancreatic cancer is now over and yet the whole world mourned with his death. Although he lived for years after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, many health experts believe that he could have lived longer. A doctor from Harvard University recalled that when Steve Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004, he should not have delayed the operation for nine months before he undergoing the surgical procedure. Others believe that he died either because of the complications from the secret liver transplant performed in 2009 or his recent chemotherapy treatment months before he died. Whatever the reason may be, this article will shed light on those who have little understanding of pancreatic cancer, its standard treatments, and other health alternatives that can prevent this fatal disease. Pancreatic Cancer Overview The pancreas is situated in the upper abdomen beneath the stomach which composed of glands responsible for producing enzymes and insulin to regulate the blood sugar levels. The start of cancerous cell growth normally starts in the ducts which carry the pancreatic juices. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, also the most aggressive, is adenocarcinoma. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose in its early stage. The common symptoms for pancreatic cancer are weight loss, pain in the back and abdomen, loss of appetite, diarrhea, bloating, and jaundice. More often than not, the period of time between diagnosis and death is shorter than expected. Which treatment of Steve Jobs that could have saved him? Doctors and many people blamed Job’s decision to delay the surgery while he pursued other alternatives such as herbal medicine and even acupuncture from the time he was diagnosed of pancreatic cancer. In 2004, he underwent pancreatic surgical procedure that removed the neuroendocrine tumor from his pancreas. Jobs received a liver transplant in March 2009 which is said contribute to his ailments. Dr. William Chapman, transplantation chief of Washington University who did not treat Mr.Jobs, said that it is hard to treat pancreatic cancer with liver transplant. Long term complications are may arise and many related side effects may be experienced during medication. It can also lead to a liver failure and increase the need for another liver transplant. Jobs passed away a few months after chemotherapy treatments at the Stanford Cancer Center in California. No question was targeted at the multiple treatments Jobs undergone in his attempt to survive pancreatic cancer as poisons may be introduced into his body, resulting in a sudden deterioration in his health. His loss is extremely saddening to all his followers around the world but surely, his legacy will remain a niche in the field of modern technology. Turmeric as the Best Alternative to Avoid Pancreatic Cancer Turmeric does not only look like ginger but it is also a relative of ginger with a bitter taste. For over thousand years, herbalists use turmeric to treat viral infections, stomach troubles and other ailments. The secret lies in the curcumin contents of turmeric. Since the pancreas lies near the stomach and pancreatic cancer can spread rapidly but show vague signals during the early stage, researchers are now exploring the possible use of turmeric to prevent this type of cancer, including cancers of the breast, skin, stomach, mouth and esophagus. In one clinical study involving 21 patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, the patients were given 8 gm of turmeric daily. 2 patients responded positively to the curcumin treatment; their condition stabilized for more than 18 months and there was a significant regression of the tumor to up to 73%. Other blood test markers also showed improvement. The theory is based on the active chemical which is known as curcumin that interferes with the flow of blood supply causing the cancer cells to shrink. The antioxidant in turmeric is said to be very effective in protecting the damaged cells. Although the results of curcumin is very promising, more research needs to be conducted for it to be conclusive. Therefore, always consult your doctor for further advice before starting to consume turmeric. Apple Cider Vinegar Weight Loss – Truth or Fad? Posted on 05. Feb, 2011 Apple cider vinegar or ACV is another type of vinegar made through fermentation process of apple cider. The yeast and bacteria breaks down the sugar content of apple cider into alcohol and makes it into vinegar. The main ingredients of apple cider vinegar are acetic acid, citric and malic acids, and some citric. What makes it beneficial for the body is the fermentation process that provides apple cider combined with oxygen that produces acetic acid which pH is beneficial to body system. Most alternative practitioners recommend apple cider vinegar to restore the alkaline acid balance. The popularity of apple cider vinegar as fat burner Apple cider vinegar gained it popularity for its remarkable health benefits. But what is more appealing to most people is the claim that it has long been used for weight loss as a fat burner and natural appetite suppressant. If you think this is a breakthrough in the diet arena, the use of apple cider vinegar has been used centuries ago. In fact, even before apple cider vinegar gained its reputation, history already recorded that natural cider vinegar was used as both medicine and food. In 400 BC, Hippocrates used the apple cider vinegar combined with honey as energizing tonic. But it was in 1950’s when Dr. Jarvis, the earliest proponent promoted the apple cider vinegar for weight loss. He wrote a book titled Folk Medicine, published in 1958, suggesting that regular intake of apple cider can influence the metabolic rate that helps people to burn the unwanted fats. How to prepare apple cider vinegar in your diet? The step in preparing the apple cider vinegar diet is very simple. Just mix 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into chamomile tea or glass of water. You may add honey if you want to or cinnamon powder to get the full benefits of losing weight as it can also help you reduce cholesterol. You can drink the mixture of apple cider vinegar twice a day and should be taken at least half an hour before meal. If you would like to see the immediate result of losing weight, regular exercise of at least 3-4 times a week is most recommended. Please also remember to drink plenty of water to aid flushing out the toxins out of your body system. So far, there are no harmful side effects reported in taking apple cider vinegar. There are manufacturers who took advantage of the popularity of apple cider vinegar and sell it in the pill form. But remember that the sour taste of this vinegar is the key to eating less; therefore, there is a possibility that it may eliminate the weight loss benefits you can get from the natural taste of apple cider vinegar. There maybe a need for further research to back up the claim and prove the effect of apple cider vinegar in losing weight. Nonetheless, if the health benefits of this vinegar is consumed and paired with eating moderation, balanced diet, and good exercise, rest assured that with or without apple cider vinegar, you can properly lose weight. It is just a matter of self disciple and control to your diet and choosing the healthy lifestyle fit for you. Acidic Foods – Classifying Acid Foods Posted on 25. Jan, 2011  http://thealkalinediet.org/blog/acidic-foods-classifying-acid-foods If you want to gain the optimal health benefits of alkaline diet, you have to consume at least 80% alkaline-producing foods, while the remaining 20% are acid-producing foods in your daily diet. It’s been reiterated many times how certain acidic foods can produce poison or toxic materials in our internal environment that we need to eliminate properly. Otherwise, our cells may have become sick and die. Therefore, as our body secretes fluids, the blood is the most important; we have to maintain a state of balance in our pH level. In a range of 0-14, 7 as the neutral, we have to maintain at least 7.4 blood pH level which is slightly alkaline. Remember that we have to make it constant or we can develop various illnesses leading to serious health conditions. Nonetheless, it is sad that most of the populations are still unaware about the significance of applying the proper balanced diet. One of the problems you maybe having is how to classify food as to whether it is acid-forming or alkaline-forming. In order to fine-tune your optimal diet, you will need to refine your classifications, but this time we will just focus on acidifying foods. How to Classify Acid-Forming Foods? It is worth taking a note that every food we ingest is either acid or alkaline producers. In fact, all natural food contains those elements. It is the inorganic matter such as phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium which actually determine the alkalinity and acidity of our body fluids. Generally, high protein foods such as animal products and most grains are high in acid-forming elements. Most fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, are rich in alkaline-producing elements. Over consumption of proteins, fats, sugars, milled white rice, processed foods, chemically added with preservatives, and synthetic drugs contribute to the acidity of our body system. Now that we know how to classify acid-forming foods, in general, let us be more specific to different types of foods so that you will have the better grasp what makes a food an acid-forming, or what makes it less acidifying. 1. Acidic Fresh Fruits If you think that all fruits have this alkalizing effect, think twice because not all fresh fruits are able to metabolize acids. Remember that a fruit’s acidifying properties are actually depends on how ripe it is. Meaning to say, the riper the fruit is, the less acid it contains. Premature harvesting may never reaches the full ripeness of the fruit and the natural ripening of the produce has reduction in their acid content. Cooking fruits do not lessen its acidity. Another thing, when you slice or shred the fruit, it makes more alkaline as the air allows its acid content to oxidize. Likewise, remember that eating fruits with cereals is acidic because most of the grains are producer of acid toxins. Cranberries, prunes, plums, rhubarb, and pomegranates are considered acid-forming fruits. 2. Acid-forming Vegetables All vegetables are alkalizing, EXCEPT for tomatoes and eggplants, and that is quite easy to remember. Nevertheless, there are some vegetables which are classified as slightly alkaline such as sulfurous vegetables (broccoli, radishes, onions, peppers, Brussels sprouts, etc). Although these vegetables can restore minerals to a person suffering from acidification, these vegetables contain sulfur which is considered an acid. There are people who are sensitive to the sulfur which irritates the mucous membrane of their digestive system. Therefore, they are not recommended to take large quantity of those mentioned vegetables, or consult a doctor to know which exact vegetables have irritating effect on their digestion process. If you want to get the full nutrients in vegetables, it is best eaten in raw because cooking destroys the complete vitamins you can get from raw vegetables. The cooking forms of steamed, roasted and braised also restore an acid-alkaline balance of vegetables. Boiling may not a good idea as it draws the minerals from the vegetables as you throw the water along with valuable nutrients after use. When you put a dressing, make sure that the content will not destroy the alkalizing quality of your vegetables. Another reminder, if you put a lemon juice, it can be acidifying to some people if they cannot metabolize the acids properly. 3. Dairy Products Whole milk becomes acid-forming when it is sterilized, homogenized, ultra-pasteurized, and processed as it becomes hard to metabolize the acid well. Therefore, whole human milk is alkaline-forming that is why babies can curdle the milk in their stomach, and we are losing that digestive capacity as we grow older. The more whey and the older milks are, the more they become more acidic. Cheese has strong acid because of the fat portion, the age, including how strong it is. Nevertheless, cottage cheese and unripe cheese is slightly alkaline. Fresh butter, on the other hand, if eaten in raw and moderation is slightly alkalizing. However, please take note that after butter is subjected to heat, it becomes acidic already. Lastly, egg yolk is alkalizing if eaten alone, but not the whole egg as it is slightly acidifying. 4. Grains  Most of the health buffs are eating cereal grains for their breakfast. There ways to prepare your cereal grains, like it can be eaten as whole, ground, flakes, or bread. Crunchy cereal is less acidifying than those which are not. However, categorically, cereals as by-products are considered acidifying. It only becomes acid-forming due to refinement such as white rice. White bread is more acid-forming than dark grains or the whole grains. Include on the list of acidifying grains are the yeast bread as it makes dough rise which makes it acid. When you grill or toast your bread, it is less acidifying than freshly baked bread. When it comes to pasta, tomato made it more acidifying. The less acidifying could be the pasta made from whole grain served in white sauce and less grated cheese. 5. Meat and Fish Red meat contains great amount of toxins, fat, and blood as to compare with white meat. Even if both are acid-forming foods, white meat is lesser culprit.  Shrimps are more acidifying than fish. Nonetheless, regardless of what meat you will include in your meal, those are still acid-producers. Liver, oysters, organ meat are classified low acid; fish chicken, lamb and turkey are acid; and pork, beef, veal, shellfish, sardines, and canned tuna are in the classification of high acid. 6. Legumes and Some Nuts Peanuts, legumes, pecans, cashews, etc. contain less water and mineral salts and that is the reason why legumes some nuts are considered an acid-forming food. Legumes are also high in purines and for our body to eliminate the toxins, these have to be transformed into uric acid in order to metabolize the acid properly. In fact, soybeans have many purines than pork. Anyway, purines are substances found in body cells and all foods, but there are foods which contain high concentrated amounts of purines causing the urinary tract infection or kidney problems. Kidney problems normally start with excessive accumulation of uric acid, and purines are chemically formed in uric acid. Aside from legumes, high-protein foods such as organ meats, yeast, and sea foods are high purine foods. 7. Beverages Coffee, chocolate drinks and tea are considered acid-forming beverages due to its high purine content. Commercial sodas and other drinks are considered very acidifying due to its high sugar content.  Vegetable juices and alkaline water are the best replacement for these drinks. Leaving you the final note, the principles are very clear- eat more vegetables and fruits in a daily basis and cut the dairy products, grains, meat and fish, dairy products, processed foods, etc. In short, your typical Western diet is too acidic, and before you realize that it is indeed harmful to your health, you are already paying the high price of wrong diet. Although it is never too late to change your diet, it is your determination and discipline  Supergreens – Healing Powers Posted on 09. Jan, 2011 http://thealkalinediet.org/blog/supergreens-innerlight-healing-powers Do you consume more vegetables on a daily basis? Do you belong to group of people who just eat muffins or cereals for breakfast, heavy sandwiches or meat dominated meal for lunch, and fast food take out for dinner? In short, the great portions of your daily meals are more on fats, carbohydrates and protein- lack of essential vitamins and minerals. According to health experts, our body needs at least 5-9 servings of vegetables, especially the dark green and leafy ones. It is a given fact that it provides remarkable amount of essential vitamins and minerals which we can offset the call of harmful diseases. We may not realize how important that our body gets the proper nutrition it needs to maintain the energy level that can sustain all the hard works in everyday. Our busy schedules and hectic lifestyles hindered us to take the proper nutrition. If you are the type of person which cannot consume the recommended servings of vegetables in your daily meal, you may try to take super greens as your supplement. What is super green? Technology has made super green foods available in the market by juicing the plants which are processed as supplements in a form of pill, or it could be in a form of powder which can be taken as green drink. Super green powder is mixed in your favorite fruit juice, unlike the pills which you can just take as it is. There are claims that super greens in powder form can absorb all the necessary nutrients than those pills which are big and hard to swallow. No worries where to get the supplement or super green powder for there are lots of super green products available in local vitamin stores and online market. The costs may depend on the types of vegetables or plants included in the specific brand. What are the common plants included in the Super Greens? Cruciferous is another given name to super green vegetables that according to many researches are best to fight against cancers. Vegetables like brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, chard, cauliflower, kale, rutabagas, mustard greens and turnips are included on the list of cruciferous vegetables. The use of these vegetables are also known for decades in relieving several health conditions such as inflammation, hair loss, freckles and for tumors. Likewise, cucumbers, kale, kelp, alfalfa, barley, and wheat grass are also available in some brands of super greens. Please take note that there are super greens which nutrients are very difficult to obtain in any types of traditional vegetables. Spirulina and chlorella are one of those plants included in super greens. Both are algae foods high in foliate, proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The combinations of the two are best together as the chlorella is responsible in cleansing, and the spirulina is for the preparation of the body for muscle building. You may find the price not affordable compared to other vitamins available in the market, and then you may opt to just prepare your own super green meals. Health advantages of super greens Maybe you are taking your vitamins, but still, the amounts of minerals you need are not enough with all the processed foods you included on your meals. The broad spectrum of vegetables is loaded with antioxidants, potassium, folate, fiber, lutein, flavonoids, and many more to mention. It is unimaginable how super greens contain all the vitamins you can think of. If you assume that vitamin B complex are mostly found in meat and dairy products, super green foods have it all including the vitamin b12. Let us also include vitamin C and E, macro minerals including zinc, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Omega fatty acids are also included on the list, beta-carotene, and nuclei acids. All green vegetables contain the powerful ezymes which main function is to speed up and acts as catalysts for chemical reactions in all living organisms. Enzymes can also protect blood vessels in reducing damages in certain tissues as caused by high blood sugar. It is a well-known reality how diabetes can lead to several underlying illnesses of vascular diseases, kidney failure, and blindness. We heard so much about chlorophyll in vegetables which is responsible for its green pigment color, right? What we may not realize is how chlorophyll is in charge for the effective growth of tissues, guard against any infections, and most importantly, green vegetables can counteract free radicals. Generally speaking, super greens are special nutrients with great amount of chlorophyll. People who are so inclined in super greens have experienced mental clarity, rush of energy, healthy skin, and good digestion. In fact super greens can remove all the heavy metals and toxins you have accumulated from the polluted environment and unhealthy lifestyle. It is just a matter of preference if some people may find these condensed super greens in a form of pill or powder as unnatural way to obtain the nutrients. For them, nothing can ever replace eating the real food than getting those servings in a so called dehydrated vegetable supplements. Therefore, these super greens supplement are recommended for people who cannot consume the recommended servings of vegetables and fruits. If you may just take time to prepare your healthy meals, then well and good. However, what is most important is that you have to make a way to meet the required nutrients you need for your body system to function well. Water Ionizer – Good Investment for Better Health? Posted on 15. Dec, 2010  http://thealkalinediet.org/blog/water-ionizer-good-investment-for-better-health One of the most abundant natural resources we have is water. In fact, the 70% of our body is comprised with water and our brain is also composed of 80% water. For this reason, we can never run out of good water in our body system in order to function well. When we say good water, we are talking about the right water that gives all the health benefits we need.  With that regard, one of the largest trends in alternative medicine is no other than alkaline water. Yes, alkaline water through electrolysis process has been the subject for scientific study and was proven with its endless health benefits as best for human consumption.  With the use of water ionizer, we can separate the tap water into two different compositions and molecular levels, the alkaline and acidic water. Health Benefits of Alkaline Ionized Water The alkaline ionized water becomes popular with its numerous health benefits that naturally act as natural antioxidant which neutralizes harmful free radicals. It can balance the body’s pH level suited for people who have acidic body. Categorically, an acidic body invites an ideal environment for microorganisms to thrive in and weaken the immune system. Since our body has the power to buffer the effect of acidity, the tendency is the lost of calcium from bones and other minerals essential for body function. Likewise, the acidic wastes are stored in fatty tissues resulting from gaining excess weight and other underlying diseases. As for the result, the chances that cancerous cells may appear are too high that even our organs can degenerate and break down. Nevertheless, since ionized water is very alkaline, it can dissolve those accumulated acid wastes and can restore the pH balance to its normal function. Many significant studies also showed how alkaline ionized water can reduce the blood glucose concentration for diabetic patient. What is the difference between water filter and water ionizer? Do not be mistaken on the difference between water ionizer and water filters because the edge of the water ionizer is that it has already undergone a scientific alteration to become alkalized and ionized. The tap water consists of 12-24 molecules while the processed water using water ionizer provides small cluster of only 4-6 molecules per cluster. What is the implication of having smaller water cluster to health? Our body can rehydrate much faster if it absorbed smaller molecules through the cell’s wall so detoxification and cleansing diet is easier. Moreover, water ionizer can leave the active hydrogen molecules which bond with reactive oxygen species molecules- the free radicals. These free radicals are responsible in premature aging and damaging the DNA and RNA which contributes to several diseases. How does water ionizer work? The unit is attached to the water supply and water enters the chamber undergoes the ionization process that changes the original molecular structure of water and turns it into an alkaline water. The primary task of the ionizer is to filter all the harmful components in the water using the multistage carbon filter containing coral calcium and tourmaline. Then a small electrical charge is also introduced through the platinum-coated titanium electrodes. The process of water electrolysis takes place in patented chamber which is specifically designed to separate the water into 2 streams. It can produce reduced water with higher pH value of more than 7 that turns it into alkaline water.  It is reduced water as it leaves the electrolysis chamber the molecules of water that have been restructured. The positive and negative electrodes entered into the water and each are attracted to one another. The alkaline water becomes ideal for drinking and other uses, while the acidic water can still be used for watering plants and cleaning purposes. Choosing the Best Water Ionizer Water ionizer is a piece of investment for your health so you have to make sure to get what you pay for. So, there are several aspects you have to look for your brand: the parts, full service warranties, and efficiency of the machine. Remember that the plate size matters a lot in a way that the longer the water remains within the surface area, the greater quality you can get from your water source. In short, the larger the surface of the plate, the better it can produce a quality alkaline water. The plate material must be made with platinum material and titanium for safer use. The oxidation reduction potential (ORP) is responsible for creating anti-oxidant properties and the lower the negative number, the better it can be with its sanitizing properties. Lastly, the most recommended pH level for your drinking water is roughly 9.5 pH level. The prices vary on the brand. You may compare prices available online and make sure to check the specifications and read the consumer’s comments or ratings. To give you an idea, here are the 5-star rating water ionizers you can have as your options: Enagic Leveluk SD501 – one of the expensive water ionizers in the market but the unit has good features with 7 titanium plates and still uses the traditional transformer. Life Ionizer 4100 – it is recommended for household use as it offers low-cost solutions for home owners with only minimal requirements and yet it retains good and advanced features. Life Ionizer 8000 – this is the first under-the-counter water ionizer that hit the market sometime in 2009. The package comes with a custom pre-filter with 2 interior filters, stainless steel faucet, and an organic vitamin C component for chloramines and chlorine removal. Life Ionizer 3000 – one of the most affordable water ionizers and yet it comes with very good features like the filtration attachment for the faucet to divert the filtered tap water directly into the system. AlkaFresh MiniMax – has a competitive price with 5 platinum titanium plates that can be adjusted to 250 watts of power, automatic pH display and control, and the color LCD display comes in full size. Our today’s age is exposed to acidic material we accumulate in our environment and the food we eat over a long period of time causing underlying illnesses. We can combat free radicals by keeping the alkalinity of our body in order to maintain the overall wellness. It may seem overwhelming to have expensive water ionizer but the benefits it can provide are certainly priceless. Therefore, when it comes to your health, your investment to water ionizer is really worth your money, without any doubt.