Recently the morning’s news carried the story that straight-shooting Dr. Memet Oz had raised concerns over the long-term effects of apple juice after his independent tests revealed unsafe levels of arsenic in some processed apple juices. This set off a swift response by the government and for the first time I heard there was such a thing as good arsenic and the kind that is harmful to humans. It is not clear what the truth is on this subject but it reminds us that there are clear steps we all can take to optimize our health beginning with eating whole food.
DRINK WATER
There doesn’t seem to be consensus on the absolute number of glasses of water to drink per day but it ranges between 4 and 8 glasses. We all have different needs. Just remember water can be bottled, come from the tap or from other foods.
EXERCISE
This is too obvious, right. But like eating, one must consciously figure out ways to integrate exercise into your real life. Exercise helps you sleep, reduces the risk of many diseases and improves confidence even if you do not see immediate results. Your organs will thank you.
BUY ORGANIC
Whenever possible try to buy naturally raised organic and locally grown foods. The complaint most often heard is that organic is too expensive. And it can be. But where you can avoid pesticides it’s worth the effort. For example, it’s apple season now and the pick-your-own farms have several varieties from which to choose priced far below supermarkets. To find one in your neighborhood, take a look at www.pickyourown.org
AVOID LOW FAT
We need fat for energy. So where can we get the right kind of fat to help our bodies heal themselves and strengthen our immune system. The best sources for these vitamins are animal foods: fish, shellfish, fish, liver, eggs, organ meats, butter and other saturated fats.
SUNSHINE
We get natural vitamin D from the sun and it helps the body absorb calcium. It is necessary for bone, teeth, muscular and immune system health. But depending upon where you live or work, you may not be getting enough. The recommended dosage is about 1000 IU per day of D3. So if getting it from the sun is not possible supplement it by eating salmon, sardines, and shrimp.