Words of Wisdom By Mario Calanna

Possible Younger Disease Tsunami

With the rapid advances in technology there are many benefits — however there are also potential damaging threats and consequences. 

While we are enabled to navigate our business, access information and communicate form almost anywhere at any time —we need to be aware that there is a time to play, to exercise, to eat, to connect with our family and friends — all with out the intrusion of technology.

Children from a young age are using iPads, phones and the    internet to access games and other information sites.  The    easier it is to use technology the more we will use it.  It’s options are endless.  A recent study I read concluded that if a young  person sits in front of a  computer or  mobile device eight or more hours a day for three years and does not move or have  a break in some way during this time — they have 40% extra chance of acquiring diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.  The study also concludes that these diseases may not be reversible .

So it is possible that in the future more parents will outlive their children.

We go about our lives –day to day focused on our “to do list” and our responsibilities.  While we have our health and our energy –we are fine however, chronic disease begins at a young age and slowly overcomes our wellness.  Most times these are reversible.  This current study challenges these beliefs.

Habits are difficult to break.    Acquiring new disciplines and  forming new habits is hard.  As we live in a society of instant          gratification, deadlines and the mindset to survive or thrive-we can easily forget about fun, family and the purpose of our lives.

Many young parents I speak to are very aware that providing their children with nutrient rich foods and siting down together at meal times without technology provides a happier, less stressed and fulfilled family and personal life.

I encourage parents to be mindful of your family life.  To be aware that all the things we do day to day– have a           compound effect.  Some are beneficial, some are toxic.  We all seem to gravitate towards what we enjoy of find easy to do.  So we need to be aware of the future benefits or threats that these activities may achieve.

The 21^st century is an age that has never occurred before.  It is easy to believe that we can do things differently.  That human connection can be acquired through technology. That science has the answer to all our needs.

Unfortunately-one thing has not changed.  Our health and our body are affected by the foods we eat, the people we connect with, the material we read. Listen and watch.  We still look for respect for care, for association.  And we are all born for a purpose.

Although technology can aid us in achieving some of these human needs we have to make a conscious effort to     ensure that it remains part of our life and not become our life.

Wellness is a constant journey and struggle — it does require our top   priority.

Keep technology in it’s place.

Take care…...Mario

Are your bones healthy and Strong?

 

Written by: Katie Faile

Strong Bones begin when we are young, by eating those healthy foods that grow an intricate, crystalline structure.  By the age of 30 years our bone density is at its peak and from here on, there is a natural decline in density.  The rate of decline depends a lot on our diet, level of activity, weight bearing exercise, our normal hormonal fluctuations and targeted supplementation. Minerals of the bones are primarily, calcium and phosphorous, with a ratio of 2:1 as well as other micro minerals such as silica, magnesium and fluoride. 

Food sources and supplements that have both calcium and phosphorous stimulate bone production.  Dairy sources are often considered a good source, however for those with inflammatory health conditions are like adding fuel to the body's fire.  Try other foods such as almonds (in milks and butter) and sesame seeds (Tahini). 

Among vegetables, good calcium sources are; bok choy, kale, broccoli, parsley, watercress and seaweeds.  Spinach, silver beet and rhubarb contain bound calcium, which makes it far less available to the body.  Oysters are a rich source of calcium, so are small fish eaten with their bones such as canned sardines, tuna and salmon. 

Bone broth promotes strong healthy bones even though it contains surprisingly low levels of calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals.  Its benefit is in providing abundant collagen, this becomes the lattice work for bone mineralisation.  To make a nourishing bone broth for every 1kg if bone use 1/4 cup of vinegar (this helps to leach out the minerals) cover with water and soak for 1 hour.  Add vegetables such as celery, carrots, onions, herbs and spices and slow cook for 12 or more hours.  The more gelatinous the broth, the more nourishing it is with lots of collagen and cartilage.  My preference is grass fed organically raised animals and wild caught fish. 

Low magnesium levels lead to more fragile bones and reduced re-modelling along stress lines and less bone growth.  A third of bone magnesium is located on the outer surface and is available to the body when magnesium blood levels are low.  Sufficient magnesium helps elevate calcium absorption.

Silica is prevalent in connective tissue and bone and acts as a seed crystal to which calcium salts are deposited.  It is required for all active bone growth areas.  Fluoride, at very low levels, is another micro nutrient required to stimulate greater stability and strength in the bone crystals lattice.  Scheussler tissue salts and Celloid minerals are useful sources.

 Other nutrients that help calcium absorption include boron, zinc, vitamins B, D and K2.  Boron is necessary for the production of natural steroid compounds within the body and for the metabolism of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous.  Food sources are apples, green leafy vegetables, sea vegetables and raw nuts.  Zinc is important in calcium uptake and manganese for mineral metabolism.  Vitamin B’s act as co enzymes; they help with metabolism and promote the production of progesterone.  Bone loss begins before menopause and can be accelerated by low levels of progesterone, due to ovulatory cycles (not ovulation).

NASA scientists reported that omega-3 fats “may protect against bone loss in space”  

Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption.  Vitamin K2 also called menaquinone activates your body’s K2 dependent proteins to shuttle the calcium where it needs to be and remove it from the places it shouldn’t be.  If you are taking oral Vitamin D make sure you are getting adequate Vitamin K2.  Take 1000 IU of Vitamin D for every 100-200 mcg of Vitamin K2.  My favourite food source is organic butter or ghee, which has Vitamin A, D# and K2.

Bone Density Risk Factors Include:

•    Magnesium deficiency
•  Inadequate phosphorous levels or excess (from soft drinks)
•  Inadequate protein consumption
•  High consumption of caffeine, more than 2 cups per day
•  High phytate consumption (grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, made less by soaking, sprouting
•  Vitamin C deficiency reduces collagen production
•   Make sure to do weight bearing exercise as this will profoundly benefit the skeletal system. 

Strength training stimulates the osteoblasts to produce new bone growth.

References:
Greenmedinfo.comMarch23.2012

Articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/05/29/omega3s-linked-to-healthier-bones.

      Balch.A.P. Prescription for nutritional healing, (Camberwell, Vic, Penguin group Aus, 2010)