|
Holistic Health Newsletter!
Subscribe
About
Share Guide
Holistic Health Articles
Health Directory
Reviews
Advertise
Links
Contact us
Up to 50% Off Detoxification & Cleansing
Products FREE
self test!
Do you have a
Holistic
Business?
Get listed in Share
Guide's Holistic Health
Directory for only $9.95 per
month. For more info Click Here
|
The Share Guide:
Your Fat Flush Plan doesn't
include fasting, but many people think fasting is essential for
detoxification. What is your opinion on this?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
When I wrote The Fat Flush Plan,
I specifically did not deal with fasting because, in my estimation, if
a fast is not done appropriately you can become much sicker after the
fast than before. This is because the liver is dumping too many
petrochemicals from fat stores into the body, and many of these
petrochemicals simply relocate into different organs. If the liver is
not supported properly with a variety of antioxidants, sulfur bearing
nutrients, as well as certain types of amino acids, then many of the
toxins get broken down into more toxic by-products. So it's exceedingly
important that people understand that detoxification is a
nutrient-dependent process. It's essential that the right nutrients and
the proper fiber is in the system before you begin a program. So you've
got to be very careful and prepare the body for fasting. I have just
completed a new book, The Fast Track
One-Day Detox Diet, which will be out next April, that features
a one-day fast that uses a particular type of juice with certain spices
and herbs that are very helpful in regulating blood sugar.
The Share Guide:
How important is flax seed or psyllium for detox and is it something
that people should take long-term?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
The reason I include ground up flax seeds and psyllium in The Fat Flush Plan is the
importance of fiber. One needs to transport toxins out of the system
and absorb many of those toxins, and that's the function of fiber.
Ground up flax seeds are also the highest source of lignans, an
estrogen modulating substance that is very protective against estrogen
dependent cancers-from breast cancer to prostate cancer-so you get a
double whammy when you use ground up flax. And it contains 50%
soluble fibers and 50% insoluble fibers, so you get the regulating
effects of the fiber as well as the effects of blood sugar
stabilization, and even cholesterol regulation. So I am the biggest
believer in ground up flax. Psyllium, on the other hand, can become
gooey; it absorbs lots of water in the system, so people's bowel can
become quite dehydrated. Overuse of psyllium can actually strip the
bowel of beneficial bacterium.
The Share Guide:
So these things are not to be taken long-term?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
I don't believe that psyllium alone should be taken long-term, but
ground up flax is great. But I am going to caution people here: when
the ground up flax is not pre-toasted, it contains a type of alkaloid
substance, and taken in excess this can effect iodine absorption or
iodine uptake in the thyroid. So it should be toasted for 10-15
minutes, at 250-300 degrees in the oven.
The Share Guide:
Why is flax seed oil so important?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
There are several reasons. First, it's one of the highest sources of
omega 3 fats, of which 80% of the public may be deficient. And because
it's such a high source of omega 3, flax seed oil has the ability to
stabilize blood sugar, and it's also very helpful in lowering
cholesterol levels, providing a cardiovascular benefit. Studies show it
is also helpful in terms of male infertility, believe it or not. In my
program, flax seed oil has been found to give skin a wonderful glow,
and we see people with thinning hair who say their hair has more
luster. I've always recommended at least one tablespoon per one hundred
pounds per body weight. When you take one to two tablespoons on a daily
basis, it has a marvelous effect in terms of appetite satiation, so
there's an insulin regulating ability as well. A little bit of flax
seed oil will keep you filled up for 3-4 hours. I also believe that
flax seed oil lubricates the system, and we need some lubrication along
with our fiber to keep the toxins swiftly moving out of our body. Flax
seed oil is very sensitive to heat and light, so use it in unheated
recipes-and make sure the brand you choose is 100% organic.
The Share Guide:
What about fish oil capsules? If you are taking these do you need flax
oil too?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
Oh, yes, I firmly believe that fish oil has different benefits than
flax oil. What we find with flax oil, particularly high lignan organic
flax oils, is that you're getting a nice healthy dose of those
anti-cancer lignans that also have a fibrous benefit. But beyond that,
we also find that flax oil is helpful in terms of cholesterol
modulation, and c-reactive protein lowering. There is also the fact
that there are many vegetarians who simply won't eat fish or fish oil.
And because fish are so highly contaminated, one must be very careful
of the sources of the fish oil; it must be molecularly distilled to
remove all toxins and contaminants.
The Share Guide:
How important is our water intake?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
Water is the elixir of life, and I truly believe that water is
exceedingly important. It is the element in which many of the toxins
become eliminated, it flushes the system, and keeps you well hydrated.
It's also important to note that many individuals think they are hungry
when in fact they're really thirsty. I believe we should drink one half
of our weight in ounces every single day-drinking a little bit
throughout the day, perhaps every half hour. Many individuals should be
drinking from 9-12 eight ounce glasses of water per day. And if those
individuals are involved with a lot of speaking, or if they're on the
telephone all day, they need an extra two glasses beyond that.
The Share Guide:
So if a guy weighed 200 pounds, he should drink 100 ounces of water per
day?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
Yes, and then divide that by eight, and you get 12 1/2 eight ounce
glasses of water per day. And beyond that, if you're speaking a great
deal, then you would need an extra two glasses even beyond that.
The Share Guide:
But this needs to be pure water, right?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
Definitely! Any time you open a faucet you could be exposed to at least
two thousand chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic. And in some
cases, you could also be exposed to a good dose of cryptosporidium or
giardia. So the reality is that one needs a water filter that is able
to block out cryptosporidium parasites as well as giardia, and has the
ability to cleanse the water of chorine, lead, other heavy metals, and
even radioactive residues. We've got quite a lot that's floating around
in our water these days!
The Share Guide:
You've written that women are especially vulnerable to the effects of
caffeine. How toxic is coffee?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
There are forty different kinds of pesticides, herbicides, and
fungicides in coffee beans. So the liver must break down the caffeine,
plus it must also sequester, neutralize, and otherwise eliminate all of
those toxins that are in the herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides
that are used to grow the coffee. So on a daily basis, this can be
exhausting for your liver, and this way your antioxidants can be used
up in the process. We also know that a cup of coffee takes longer for a
woman to process than a man, because of the intake of estrogen that her
liver is already trying to break down. If you must drink coffee make
sure it's organic, or try Teeccino, which is the herbal coffee blend I
prefer.
The Share Guide:
There's hidden caffeine in many things such as herbal supplements, and
over the counter medicines.
Ann Louise Gittleman:
I think caffeine is our legal street drug. Caffeine not only affects
the liver, but it does lots of damage to the adrenals. When the
adrenals are taxed and overworked by too much caffeine, then they go
into burnout and the thyroid has to take over. Then before you know it,
the thyroid becomes over-used, overworked, over tired. I think it's
important not to rely on outside stimulation, but regenerate,
rejuvenate, and balance our systems internally. We need to get proper
rest, eat well, and take in sufficient water so we don't have to use
stimulants to keep ourselves going.
The Share Guide:
When people quit things like caffeine and sugar, isn't it best to
decrease gradually?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
Yes, absolutely. That's why I recommend doing a pre-Fat Flush before
the Fat Flush Plan. I
recommend one week of decreasing those things gradually. When I first
created the program I thought the most difficult challenge was going to
be getting rid of sugar. I was sadly surprised; it's not sugar at all,
it's caffeine! It is very difficult for people that use coffee as their
daily stimulant, their daily drug, to give it up. So doing this
gradually is very important. The only thing that I have ever found that
comes close to smelling like coffee and tasting like coffee is Teeccino.
The Share Guide:
What culinary or medicinal herbs do you think are the most beneficial
for detoxification? And why do you say to avoid very spicy foods?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
Many women retain fluids with spicy foods, such as certain kinds of
chilis, with the exception of cayenne. We season our food with
therapeutic herbs and spices that are not just empty flavor enhancers,
but actually are helpful in terms of powering up your health. One of
the major spices is cayenne, because it seems to stimulate circulation,
break up congestion, and it's very good for digestion. Cayenne is known
as a thermogenic spice which can raise your body temperature, thereby
raising metabolism for several hours. Mustard also has that ability,
and mustard has a marvelous taste. Mustard is also a good reliever of
inflammation and respiratory congestion. Cinnamon is also a favorite,
because it has marvelous anti-oxidant qualities, and it has the ability
to regulate blood sugar.
The Share Guide:
You say that The Fat Flush Plan
can be very helpful for menopausal women. Can you explain this?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
It's because of the essential fats in the program. I believe that women
have been eating themselves into hormonal dysfunction all these years,
because they've been on a fat-free diet. The use of two tablespoons of
flax seed oil, as well as our GLA substance, black currant seed oil,
has been exceedingly helpful for menopausal women who suffer from hot
flashes, irritability, dry skin, and dry eye syndrome. We've got so
much resolution with dry eye syndrome that it's amazing. These are
women that have been written off by their doctors. On The Fat Flush Plan they have been
able to lose weight, lose inches, and keep it off. By using fats,
they've remained thinner, they up their fat-burning metabolism, and
they're able to lose inches for the first time in years. I think this
relates to the essential fatty acids and the GLA content, but also
eating the right kind of carbohydrates, the right kind of proteins, and
the fact that we give them free support on our website. Support is a
life saver; it is just as important as eating the right foods, drinking
the proper amount of water, and exercising.
The Share Guide:
You've written that eggs are fine to eat regularly, but what about the
bad rap eggs have had?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
Eggs are a very high source of antioxidants, which I believe we're
missing from the diet. Eggs are also high in a nutrient called
phosphatidylcholine, which is important for helping to metabolize fats.
They are also the highest dietary source of several sulfur-based amino
acids, including taurine, cysteine, and methionine, which are needed by
the liver to regulate bile production. So I say bring on the eggs! But
get those eggs from chickens that don't do drugs. I use free-range,
omega 3 enriched eggs.
The Share Guide:
What about fried foods? Aren't they a big problem?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
You're right, no more fried foods! These have trans-fats which raise
cholesterol levels, harden the arteries, as well as contribute to heart
disease and aging.
The Share Guide:
Trans-fats also relate to margarine and shortening. People are worried
about cholesterol, but isn't it healthier to eat butter than margarine?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
Without a doubt. You're really eating plastic when you're eating
trans-fats. If you want a margarine substitute, think butter-and make
it organic butter from grass-fed cows. Your body really has no ability
to digest margarine. So it thickens the bile, makes it very viscous,
and I believe that causes gall stones. When you eat trans-fat your body
doesn't have the ability to break it down, so it stores it, and that's
where you're getting the spare tire, the fat on your hips, waste, and
thighs. Clinical studies have shown this; trans fats are simply
unhealthy for the human body.
The Share Guide:
Can the Fat Flush Plan be
done effectively if you are a vegetarian or vegan?
Ann Louise Gittleman:
Yes, for vegetarians or vegans, there are adjustments they can make,
which are listed on our website at www.annlouise.com
 Natural Weight Loss
Program recommended by The Share Guide: Free Sample
 MORE HEALTH ARTICLES
 If
you liked this interview,
you'll love The Share Guide's
Holistic Health
Newsletter. Subscribe
for free!
Home  Health Directory Articles Index Interviews Index
Reviews Links About Share Guide Contact us
|
