For those who always skip meals, you should start kicking that unhealthy habit now!!
By skipping meals, most people believe you can get slimmer. Right?
In a starved mode, the blood sugar runs low. Ravenous eating follows to satisfy a bigger appetite.
Do not attempt to keep an empty stomach till lunch hours. After several hours of rest without food, breakfast becomes an most important meal for the body to recharge. Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast have a faster reaction time throughout the morning, and less midday fatigue than those who start their day with nothing or just coffee. There are few good reasons to have a good head-start.
(1) It has been observed the frequency of a sudden attack/death or stroke peaks between 6 a.m. and noon, with the highest incidence being between 8 am and 10 a.m. This significant change is likely due to the platelets (a blood component that prevents excessive bleeding with a cut but can lump together due to cholesterol or plaque buildup in the arterial lining) being most active during these hours and tend to form these internal blood clots at the greatest frequency.
It has been found that eating a light, very low-fat breakfast comprising low-fat milk/fat-free yogurt and orange juice is able to modify such platelet activation. A simple meal to include cereal with some fruits can help in warding off a potential heart attack or stroke as well.
(2) Research also showed that those who skip breakfast tend to develop gallstones in the later part of their life. Our liver produces biles overnite and store in the gall bladder waiting for food to be processed. When there is little or no food intake, the extra juice is left standing and when accumulated over time can crystallise to become gallstones.
(3) After waking, colon activity increases three folds, and food intake doubles that rate. This action creates a two hour window in which your chances for bowel movement are optimised and thus lesser chance of getting constipation.
More damaging effects.....
Are you aware that 2/3 of the world’s population is infected with Helicobacter plyori (HP) without their prior knowledge. HP is a powerful strain of bacteria that enters the body through interpersonal contact with saliva, faecal matter or water contamination. It is found that people who eat irregular meals are prone to contracting HP and gastritis. The frequency of about an hour delay from regular mealtime at least twice a week increases the chance of contracting HP by thrice.
Our stomach follows a normal rhythm of producing acid to help digest the food at regular mealtime. When there is any deviation, the acid is left standing and can corrode the stomach lining gradually. Repeated attempts can leave an open wound with swollen surrounding tissues. This becomes a good breeding ground for the foreign invader living on the mucous lining of the stomach or small intestine and causing further damage to both the lining and the mucous layer that protect against strong digestive acids and enzymes. As a result, the acid starts to digest the stomach itself and leads to peptic/ stomach ulcer and cancer may develop.
Hence the combination of external damage by this strong bacteria and internal damage by its own acid contribute to problems like gastritits and ulcer, which can be compounded with more serious ones developing like gallstones and stomach cancer. Research also found that HP presence in a significant number of people who have suffered heart attack. Watch symptoms like indigestion, abdominal pain, passing black stools, lower back pain, headaches, a choking sensation, itching, nauseating and vomitting.
Simple Stomach Acid self-test
When there is stomach pain, swallow a tablespoon of apple cidar vinegar or lemon juice:
* If the pain goes away, likely there is lack of acid in the stomach;
* If the pain persists or worsens, likely is an overly acidic stomach.
Remedial actions:
+ Take meals at regular timing;
+ The best meal layout is heavy breakfast, moderate lunch and light dinner.
+ Over the counter drugs can provide temporary relief by reducing the stomach acid but the damage tissue needs to be repaired.
+ Take lots of vegetables and veg juices (cabbage juice daily) as they contain Vitamin K, much lacking in people with digestive problems. Go for more soft foods like avocados, bananas, potatoes, squash and yams too.
+ Avoid caffeine or alcoholic beverages as they can irritate the stomach. Drinks lots of water to dilute stomach acid instead. Also avoid milk, sugar, fried foods, tea, chocolate, animal fats, salt, refined carbohydrates.
Conclusion
By not eating regularly and subjecting yourself to stress can only increase the stomach acid production. Most sufferers resort to taking antacids, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to stave off the accompanying pains which do not solve the problems but increase stomach acidity further. Eating wisely and constantly is what all of us should strive for.
Sources: ST Mind your Body, Dec 9, 2010 and Prescription to Natural Healing
VIVA corner
VIVA Nutrazyme contains important enzymes that support the digestive system and helps in breaking down fats, proteins and carbohydrates effectively. This places lesser burden on the stomach and relieve symptoms.
VIVA Floraguard produces or preserves beneficial substances and essential nutrients, including lactic acid, digestive enzymes, essential fatty acids and vitamin B to stabilise the pH (due to too much acidity in the digestive tract) to aid in digestion and promote a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
VIVA Omega 3 provides the essential fatty acids to rebuild the membrance lining to protect the stomach and intestinal tract against further damage by the acid and bacteria.
Do not attempt to keep an empty stomach till lunch hours. After several hours of rest without food, breakfast becomes an most important meal for the body to recharge. Studies have shown that people who eat breakfast have a faster reaction time throughout the morning, and less midday fatigue than those who start their day with nothing or just coffee. There are few good reasons to have a good head-start.
(1) It has been observed the frequency of a sudden attack/death or stroke peaks between 6 a.m. and noon, with the highest incidence being between 8 am and 10 a.m. This significant change is likely due to the platelets (a blood component that prevents excessive bleeding with a cut but can lump together due to cholesterol or plaque buildup in the arterial lining) being most active during these hours and tend to form these internal blood clots at the greatest frequency.
It has been found that eating a light, very low-fat breakfast comprising low-fat milk/fat-free yogurt and orange juice is able to modify such platelet activation. A simple meal to include cereal with some fruits can help in warding off a potential heart attack or stroke as well.
(2) Research also showed that those who skip breakfast tend to develop gallstones in the later part of their life. Our liver produces biles overnite and store in the gall bladder waiting for food to be processed. When there is little or no food intake, the extra juice is left standing and when accumulated over time can crystallise to become gallstones.
(3) After waking, colon activity increases three folds, and food intake doubles that rate. This action creates a two hour window in which your chances for bowel movement are optimised and thus lesser chance of getting constipation.
More damaging effects.....
Are you aware that 2/3 of the world’s population is infected with Helicobacter plyori (HP) without their prior knowledge. HP is a powerful strain of bacteria that enters the body through interpersonal contact with saliva, faecal matter or water contamination. It is found that people who eat irregular meals are prone to contracting HP and gastritis. The frequency of about an hour delay from regular mealtime at least twice a week increases the chance of contracting HP by thrice.Hence the combination of external damage by this strong bacteria and internal damage by its own acid contribute to problems like gastritits and ulcer, which can be compounded with more serious ones developing like gallstones and stomach cancer. Research also found that HP presence in a significant number of people who have suffered heart attack. Watch symptoms like indigestion, abdominal pain, passing black stools, lower back pain, headaches, a choking sensation, itching, nauseating and vomitting.
Simple Stomach Acid self-test
* If the pain goes away, likely there is lack of acid in the stomach;
* If the pain persists or worsens, likely is an overly acidic stomach.
Remedial actions:
+ Take meals at regular timing;
+ The best meal layout is heavy breakfast, moderate lunch and light dinner.
+ Over the counter drugs can provide temporary relief by reducing the stomach acid but the damage tissue needs to be repaired.
+ Take lots of vegetables and veg juices (cabbage juice daily) as they contain Vitamin K, much lacking in people with digestive problems. Go for more soft foods like avocados, bananas, potatoes, squash and yams too.
+ Avoid caffeine or alcoholic beverages as they can irritate the stomach. Drinks lots of water to dilute stomach acid instead. Also avoid milk, sugar, fried foods, tea, chocolate, animal fats, salt, refined carbohydrates.
Conclusion
Sources: ST Mind your Body, Dec 9, 2010 and Prescription to Natural Healing
VIVA corner
VIVA Omega 3 provides the essential fatty acids to rebuild the membrance lining to protect the stomach and intestinal tract against further damage by the acid and bacteria.