The body uses sunlight to make Vitamin D but expose to sun can accelerate skin aging and over time leads to wrinkles, sun spots and an increased risk for skin cancer.  Most of the Vitamin D produced by the skin is taken up and used by other organs in the body to prevent all the health issues listed above. 

There are several forms of Vitamin D including D2 which comes from food, D3 which is synthesized through the skin and D5 which is a synthetic form.  Vitamin D3 is the most natural form and offers the most benefits.  The form of Vitamin D we get from food is not fully active until it gets converted by the liver and then the kidneys.  This is why people with liver and kidney disorders are at a higher risk for osteoporosis. 

Exposing your skin to the sun for fifteen minutes at least 3 times per week is one way to get Vitamin D however those with dark skin or those who live in northern climates where sunshine is limited especially during the winter months, cannot produce adequate amounts this important vitamin.  A lack of exercise outdoors and milk consumptions can lead to deficiencies in Vitamin D. 

The benefits of vitamin D are endless including a reduced risk of developing polyps in the colon, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease and Type 1 Diabetes.  Muscle strength is improved with this vitamin as well as better coordination, balance and stronger bones.   A severe deficiency can cause rickets in children and a lesser deficiency can cause vision problems, insomnia, diarrhea, loss of appetite, a burning sensation in the mouth or throat and weight loss. 

You can ingest Vitamin D through foods like fish liver oils, saltwater fish like mackerel, halibut, salmon, oysters, sardines, tuna, dairy products, eggs, butter, cod liver oil, dandelion greens, liver, shiitake and chanterelle mushrooms, oatmeal, sweet potatoes and vegetables oils.  However, with today’s ‘dieting’ by so many searching for successful weight loss, a lack of this important vitamin/hormone is prevalent.  There are some herbs that contain Vitamin D and they include parsley, nettle, horsetail and alfalfa. 

There are other factors that interfere with successful absorption of Vitamin D including liver and gallbladder disorders, cholesterol-lowering drugs, antacids, diuretics, mineral oil and steroid hormones such as cortisone. 

Age, skin color, geographic location, use of sunscreens and the amount of sun exposure make it difficult for the body to produce all the Vitamin D it needs.   Unfortunately, the skin loses its ability to produce enough Vitamin D3 between the ages of 20 and 70 so supplementing with Vitamin D is the way to go.  Always follow label directions when it comes to supplementing and check with your health practitioner for their recommendations but many do well with 1,000 international units daily.  It is more a hormone than a vitamin but it is an integral part of a strong immune system and youthful longevity. 

Regeneration USA
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• Twice as many B vitamins including folate
• More protein and fiber
• Fewer starches
• Lower glycemic levels making it more suitable for those dealing with diabetes
• Food enzymes that aid in digestion
• Higher vitamin content
• Low in saturated fat

Sprouted grains encourage the growth of good bacteria, commonly known as probiotics that help keep the colon clean and offer plenty of antioxidants. They are high in Vitamins A and C, iron, potassium and phosphorus that are important for mental alertness and healthy bones and teeth.

Regular whole-grains like wheat can cause a mucus build-up when cooked leading to all sorts of allergic reactions, constipation, and can prevent the body from absorbing nutrients. Sprouted grains make it much easier for the body to break them down because they are converted to simple sugars so those intolerant to wheat are able to eat sprouted grains without any problems.

Flourless bread is made with grains and legumes that are sprouted BEFORE grinding them into flour. As a result, sprouted grains offer an increased vitamin and nutrient content because the seed is sprouted first which simply means it is alive and active during the growing process allowing the ground meal to retain their nutrients.  

Nutrition bars made with sprouted grains have a very sweet taste offering a dense, moist texture because they are made without yeast plus sprouting changes some starches in grains to sugars giving a dessert-like flavor.   Sprouted ingredients can be grown organically without pesticides and offer a low glycemic-index of 45 making them a perfect food for helping you stay full longer – an excellent weight loss tool.

The Main Difference

Whole Grain Flour is a finely ground, powdery whole grain plant food stuff obtained by intentionally sprouting, sound, quality grain that is non-sprouted, and then milled into a finished whole grain product.  The finished Sprouted Whole Grain Flour is the result of purposefully germinating the grain into a living plant.  It is made from the entire grain, inclusive of bran, germ, and endosperm. 

Sprouting a grain actually changes its composition from a starch to a vegetable.  When whole grains are sprouted, they are converted into a more nutritious and digestible food. As the grain sprouts, it turns into a plant, and the body recognizes it as a vegetable. Vegetables are the easiest-to-digest food because they are broken down by vegetable enzymes, not pancreatic enzymes and are less abundant in most people’s digestive systems. The sprouting conversion happens when the sprout pierces the shell of the grain.

Once this process is complete, the body can digest the sprouted grains as a vegetable. Picture a grass seed that has begun to sprout into grass coming alive as a vegetable. The sprouted grass seed is then dried and milled into flour.

They have been shown to have the lowest rates of cancer and the healthiest arteries, sharp minds and lean, fit bodies.  People in Okinawa eat predominantly plant-based foodsthat are high in carbohydrates and low in calories proven to support long-term health and longevity.  Plant-based foods account for two-thirds of their diet which totally exceeds the USDA’s recommendations of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. 

Here are some ways for you to incorporate the Okinawa diet to slow down the aging process:

1. Eat until you are almost full – restricting calories is a proven way to ultimate health and vitality because by eating fewer calories which create fewer free radicals that are responsible for inflammation and damage that causes aging.
2. Watch your fat and sugar intake – flavor dishes with spices instead of fats like butter and use heart-healthy oils like olive and canola oil. 
3. Start your meals with soup whenever possible – you will tend to eat twenty-percent less calories at a meal.
4. Order fish instead of steak at restaurants – with the sauce on the side and if you must have dessert, share it.
5. Build a meal around fruits and vegetables instead of building it around a protein source – this will help double the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables.  This will help reduce your risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure stroke, cancer and obesity.  Add fruit to your breakfast, vegetables and salad to your lunch and dinner.
6. Choose whole-grains like amaranth, barley, bulgur and brown rice and add your own spices to the grains instead of purchasing the packaged rice mixes that are full of sodium

For maximum longevity and weight loss, this is the best way to slow down the aging process for a long, healthy life.

Regeneration USA
www.regenerationusa.com

P.S. Plant Based Foods & Supplements  are the key to longevity in humans.

For instance, in humans pesticides can lead to an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma, decreased fertility, increased risk of lung, brain, and testicular cancers, damage to the liver and pancreas, asthma, allergies, and an increase in stillbirths. Especially alarming is the fact that children are most susceptible to the dangers of these chemicals. Children have higher metabolic rates so the chemicals can do damage much more quickly. And, they have thinner skin so the compounds are more readily absorbed. These factors put them at higher risk for pesticide-related conditions such as respiratory problems and the much more serious diseases, leukemia and brain cancer.

These fertilizers and pesticides are actually depleting our soils of their basic mineral content and this is why our foods now contain less minerals than they did 50 years ago. Our bodies need minerals in order to function at their peak performance, however the majority of Americans lack minerals in their daily diet.

What’s the solution?, re-mineralize your body daily with organic pesticide/fertilizer free minerals.

http://www.regenerationusa.com/Humic_Fulvic_Zeolite_Q&A.pdf

Good quality soy protein contains isoflavones with the most powerful antioxidants being genestein and daidzen.  This does not mean go out and buy every product made from soy protein.  Look for non-GMO (non-genetically modified) Soy protein at your local health food store to add to a smoothie for a nutrient-dense meal any time of day.

Ground flaxseeds have lignans which are very similar to isoflavones.  These are an excellent food source for women, especially those dealing with menopause symptoms.   Lignans attach themselves to excess estrogen receptor sites in the body and help eliminate them.  It is important to use ground flaxseeds as opposed to the whole ones because the body is not able to digest them whole. 

Beans are another good source for isoflavones as well as tea, onions and apples.  You can slow down the aging process from the inside out by increasing your intake of flavonoids and lignans by:

• Enjoying a cup or two of green tea every day
• Add ground flaxseed to your morning oatmeal, smoothie or sprinkle them on a salad
• Eat good-quality soy products like soy milk, tempeh or miso which is a great way to add flavor to your favorite dishes.
• Add more flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables like broccoli, kale, celery, onions, snow peas, turnip greens, apples, strawberries, grapes, apricots, acai berries

It is never too late to slow down the aging process from the inside out as it will definitely show on the outside with improved skin, hair, nails and more energy. It is your best defense against heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity for a long and healthy life.    

Regeneration USA
www.regenerationusa.com

1. Purified water to flush out the body while giving the body the nutrients it needs.

2. Fiber to keep your intestinal tract healthy.

3. Whole foods will energize the body instead of relying on caffeine to get through the day.  Here are the top ten foods for optimum health and vitality. 

1. Leafy green vegetables. They are full of chlorophyll and B-vitamins which help eliminate toxins, chemicals and pollutants plus they help protect the liver. 

2. Lemons. They are full of Vitamin C which is known as a detox vitamin and helps converts toxins into a water-soluble form so they are easily flushed away. 

3. Watercress. Add a handful to salads, soups, and sandwiches because the green leaves are rich in minerals and have a diuretic effect helping to move everything you eat through your system

4. Garlic. Add it to everything — salads, sauces, spreads, guacamole for its benefits to the heart and it activates enzymes in the liver to filter out junk. 

5. Green tea. Your liver loves green tea because it contains antioxidants and catechins which support liver function plus it is a great way to get more fluids in daily

6. Broccoli sprouts. Look for them at your local health-food store because they are full of cancer-fighting enzymes than regular broccoli.   

7. Sesame seeds. Tahini is a great source for sesame seeds or sesame seed paste which is a staple in Middle Eastern cooking.  They support liver function by protecting liver cells from the effects of alcohol and other chemicals. 

8. Cabbage. Coleslaw is a great way to reap the benefits of cabbage because it contains enzymes to support the liver to detox the body. 

9. Psyllium is a plant that’s rich in soluble fiber, like oat bran, but more versatile because it mops up the LDL (bad) cholesterol as well as toxins to clear them out and cleanses the colon as well.  You can add psyllium in powder form to juice or look for it in cereal form and enjoy with the soy milk or almond milk.

10. Organic Fruits. They are full of vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and all kinds of antioxidants. Besides, nothing tastes better than a ripe mango, fresh berries, or a perfect pear.

11. Humic & Fulvic Minerals. They are loaded with plant based organic matter that contain ionic minerals such as: Sulfur, Copper, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Sodium, Selenium, Iron, Manganese, Potassium, Boron, Molybdenum, Folic Acid, Carbon and over 72 other Minerals your body needs and doesn’t properly get.

 www.regenerationusa.com

It can aggravate or cause conditions like:

• Psoriasis
• Dermatitis
• Diabetes,
• Multiple sclerosis
• Lupus
• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart disease,
• ADD and ADHD
• Brain fog and headaches
• IBS and Colitis,
• Osteoporosis,
• Pain in the body,
• Weight gain
• Chronic fatigue Syndrome.

You may be exercising, drinking water and doing all the things you should do to lose weight and keep it off but nothing is happening.  Does this sound familiar?  Unfortunately you might be eating gluten and not even realize it.  Food manufacturer’s add gluten to virtually all types of boxed, packaged and canned foods and is used as a thickener or coating for many foods.  It can be lurking in drugs, salad dressing, soy sauce, even cosmetics such as lipsticks, lotions and shampoos. 

Gluten is a protein found in wheat grain and is responsible for making unsuspecting people look at least 10-15 pounds heavier than they really are without realizing them realizing it.  Gluten can compromise the immune system, depress energy levels, increase the hormones in the body that cause weight gain like Cortisol and alter the metabolic rate so much so it makes it impossible to lose weight. 

If Toast is part of a daily breakfast meal, sandwich for lunch, a granola bar for a snack and garlic bread with dinner.  It is too much and causes an immune system overload. 

Here is how the cycle begins:

-          The day begins with a piece of toast

-          Serotonin levels drop, blood sugar levels drop and adrenaline drops

-          Mood swings occur including anxiety or onset of depression

-          Cravings for more reactive foods or high carbohydrate foods

-          Immune system reacts as well as hormone levels leading to tissue swelling

-          Feeling of heaviness and fatigue

-          Storage of excess food calories mainly as FAT

-          Metabolism declines

-          More fatigue, more mood swings and weight gain

-          More cravings

-          Swelling of intestinal membranes allowing allergens to assimilate in the intestines preventing healthy nutrients from being absorbed leading to nutritional deficiencies

-          Weakened immune system due to lack of nutrient absorption

-          Increased swelling and bloating

-          Increased reaction to these foods with more cravings

-          And the cycle begins all over again

When you eat gluten, the food particles end up in your fat cells causing them to swell leading to that bloated feeling.  The body sends water to help dissipate this reaction to remove the reactive food particles however this is more difficult if the body is lacking water.   Hence, the bloated feeling and by simply eliminating gluten, this is the first step to reducing body fat and increasing energy in the process.

This 14-Day Fat-Flush Menu Plan will ignite your fat-burning furnace using the right foods that are gluten-free for a lifetime of good health.  Begin each day with water, water, water!!

Regeneration USA
www.regenerationusa.com

Let’s begin with breakfast.  It is important to start your day with some of the most powerful antioxidants.  One of those is blueberries because they contain ellagic acid which prevents carcinogens or free radicals from latching on to your DNA.  Yogurt is another great food to add to your breakfast because it contains the healthy bacteria lactobacilli which stops enzymes that turn healthy cells into cancer.   Instead of coffee for breakfast try a cup of green tea or you can take a break in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon with a cup of green tea which offers powerful antioxidants.

Another great food to look for in the grocery story is tempeh which is packet with isoflavones which can help reduce estrogen-induced cancers by blocking our natural estrogen.  Isoflavones are plant-based estrogens that mimic estrogen found in animals and humans. 

Make sure you pick up some tomatoes at the grocery store because they contain one of the world’s most concentrated sources of lycopene which prevent cancer cells from growing and dividing.  They are best absorbed if they are cooked with a bit of olive oil.  Enjoy them with a vegetable omelet for breakfast or add them to any salad or meal. 

Ground flaxseeds should be a staple in any home as they contain lignans.  Lignans attach themselves to excess estrogen receptor sites in the body and help eliminate them.  They actually block natural estrogen which can feed certain cancers like breast or ovarian. 

Quinoa is a whole grain that is rich in fiber and antioxidants and stimulates the good bacteria in the colon to produce cancer-fighting compounds plus it lowers the risk for cancer by sweeping carcinogens through the colon. 

When it comes to vegetables, pick up plenty of garlic cloves and onions because they have shown to stop cancer growth in the stomach, colon, brain, lung, prostate and breasts.   Other vegetables that are packed with antioxidants are carrots, sweet potatoes and squash.  Broccoli detoxifies the liver and beans are rich in fiber.  Here’s to your good cooking to prevent cancer. 

Regeneration USA
www.regenerationusa.com

Antioxidants help prevent this from happening by keeping oxidation under control.  Some antioxidants are provided by the body while others come from food or supplements.  They work by preventing inflammation throughout the body and can help prevent all sorts of health issues including asthma with its annoying and stressful symptoms of coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

There is a clear association between a low intake of Vitamin C and increased risk of symptoms.  When it comes to lycopene, studies have shown it can protect those from exercise-induced asthma symptoms making it an important antioxidant. 

Omega-3 fatty acids are known for having anti-inflammatory properties and go a long way in preventing inflammation-caused conditions such as heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain.  The best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are cold-water fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, anchovies, tuna and bluefish.  It is a general rule that the fattier the fish, the more Omega-3’s it contains.  The human body can manufacture Omega-3s from alpha-linolenic acid which is found in walnuts and flaxseed however they are available in supplement form labeled as fish oil, Omega-3, DPA and DHA or a combination of all three. 

If you are taking a medication to thin the blood or may be undergoing surgery soon, you should check with your doctor first before beginning a supplement program. 

Regeneration USA
www.regenerationusa.com