Five Vital Health Tips

Here’s a quick overview of five health recommendations that can make a huge difference in the your health and longevity. These are not easy recommendations.  But think how you can start these today.

1. Never drink tap water.  Obviously, tap water varies from locality to locality. We certainly have catastrophic examples in the past such as Love Canal and more recently Flint, Michigan. But even in the Silicon Valley the groundwater is contaminated. Toxic chemicals are leaching into the water supply. This is not widely discussed but it is known by those who monitor toxic dump sites. This would even include water at restaurants. Always ask for bottled water or sparkling water.

Stiff plastic bottles such as Fiji Water is healthier than more flexible bottled water.  The more flexible, squeezable bottles contain Bisphenol A (BPA) plasticizers.   Glass bottles are ideal and preferred.  I prefer San Pelligrino.

2. Avoid microwaving your food. Ideally, never microwave. I know that we live in a fast paced culture where the microwave oven is convenient and the fastest approach. So if you must microwave here are some very important suggestions. Never ever microwave in the native plastic container with plastic top. Remove the contents of the frozen dinner and place in a Pyrex bowl with a Pyrex top. Glass is inert. Microwave energy cooks food by heating water molecules. You will find that food is cooked more easily without “browning.”  And never stand near a microwave.

3. Remove all the chlorine from your shower. Chlorine is highly oxidative. Not good for youthful skin or hair. Chlorine is quite toxic. Chloramine is even worse. I know that your shower will remain much cleaner when chlorinated. I highly suggest using a dechlorinating filter.

The easiest filter is purchased from CustomPure. You replace the showerhead with a CustomPure filter that will remove all chlorine for at least six months. You will see the difference in your skin and hair quality. You absorb more chlorine in the shower than drinking water.

4. Cell phones are potentially dangerous. I know this is ubiquitous. Every age group is now using cell phones. Why would I even broach this subject? No studies to date have been conclusive.  But irregular microwave pulses create disturbing patterns on functional MRI studies. There is a high suspicion that cell phone microwave energy is toxic to brain cells.

Lyon, France, May 31, 2011 ‐‐ The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer associated with wireless phone use.  Int Agency Research on Cancer 2011

In summary, this study provides evidence that in humans RF-EMF exposure from cell phone use affects brain function, as shown by the regional increases in metabolic activity. It also documents that the observed effects were greatest in brain regions that had the highest amplitude of RF-EMF emissions (for the specific cell phones used in this study and their position relative to the head when in use), which suggests that the metabolic increases are secondary to the absorption of RF-EMF energy emitted by the cell phone. Further studies are needed to assess if these effects could have potential long-term harmful consequences.   Jama Network 2011

I personally limit my use of cell phones as much as possible. Never carry your cell phone in your pocket or bra. Again, I know that this may seem totally impractical. So the use of earbuds and not Bluetooth devices is one way of eliminating this energy.

5. Get more sleep. The ideal is still 8 hours of sleep. Sleep is restorative and rejuvenating, especially REM sleep. There are newer studies showing that sleep deprivation increases insulin resistance thereby increasing the possibility of diabetes. Sleep deprivation probably shortens lifespan. Again, I also am not perfect. I have the same problem.  Try to retire earlier by one hour. And possibly wake up 30 to 60 minutes later in the morning.

Laboratory and epidemiologic evidence supports an association between short sleep duration (< 7 hours per night) and the risk of diabetes, and also between poor sleep quality and the risk of diabetes. We will explore putative mechanisms for these relationships.   Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine

So much loss of daytime vigilance is related to lack of sleep. This is why sleep apnea at night is such a major phenomenon. Try to exercise later in the day. Do not eat late in the day. Add some magnesium at night. Remove all electronics from your bedroom.

This tip sheet is guaranteed to enhance your quality of life and lifespan. These are big challenges our modern world. Not easily accomplished because we are so used to each of these “conveniences.”  So make these changes one at a time. You will be happy you did.