What to avoid on a daily basis...

High Fructose Corn Syrup: HFCS has been linked to an increase in obesity. When the body consumes HFCS, triglyceride levels rise in the blood which affects leptin in the brain, a protein which helps regulate the intake of energy - i.e food.

When HFCS is ingested, it travels straight to the liver which turns the sugary liquid into fat, and unlike other carbohydrates HFCS does not cause the pancreas to produce insulin; which acts as a hunger quenching signal to the brain. So we get stuck in a vicious cycle, eating food that gets immediately stored as fat and never feeling full.


Hydrogenated Oils: Cannot be processed by the body; they are seen as toxins. In order to detoxify these oils and eliminate them, the liver must strip vitamins and minerals from the body otherwise used for regular body maintenance.

Trans fatty acids work to increase LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, and they also decrease HDL cholesterol, which is "good" cholesterol. This means that the fats in hydrogenated oil are far more damaging than even saturated fats, which medical professionals have already determined to be harmful. There is also evidence to suggest that trans fatty acids may bioaccumulate in the body, because the digestive system has difficulty figuring out what to do with them. As a result, a diet high in trans fats will result in weight gain.

Consumption of hydrogenated oil has been linked with diabetes, coronary disease, and obesity in a wide number of scientific studies


Sodium Benzoate:
•As more people become aware of the chemicals they put into their bodies when they eat processed foods, food preservatives have come under increasing scrutiny. These chemical additives serve the important purpose of stopping the growth of bacteria and fungi which could cause illness if left unchecked. Unfortunately, the dangers of food preservatives are becoming increasingly recognized. One unhealthy preservative that's received recent attention is sodium benzoate.

Sodium benzoate is a commonly found preservative in such food and drink products as fruit juice, soft drinks, coffee flavoring syrups, as well as a variety of condiments. Although the FDA has previously classified sodium benzoate as a safe preservative, this classification is now being questioned. It appears that sodium benzoate forms a chemical known as benzene when in the presence of vitamin C. Benzene not only causes damage to DNA, the genetic material, it's also a known carcinogen and appears to play a role in a variety of diseases due to it's DNA damaging capabilities.

Another reason sodium benzoate may be considered an unhealthy preservative is its effect on children. Some studies have shown that sodium benzoate along with artificial food colorings can cause children with ADHD to be more hyperactive. This can be a particular problem for kids who consume soft drinks on a regular basis since most carbonated beverages have sodium benzoate as a preservative. Because of increasing awareness of this problem, Coke is planning on removing this unhealthy preservative from its soft drink products this year.

Because the conversion of sodium benzoate to benzene occurs in the presence of vitamin C, this unhealthy preservative may be particularly unsafe when used in fruit jellies, jams, and fruit juices where high vitamin C fruits are present. It's also thought that heat plays a role in the conversion to benzene, so heating products containing this preservative could increase the risk of negative health effects.

Unfortunately, many of the preservatives used in common food products have raised health concerns although sodium benzoate appears to be under the most scrutiny right now. To reduce your risk of exposure, read nutrition labels closely and avoid products that contain sodium benzoate, which can also be listed on the label as E211. Be particularly careful to avoid buying products high in vitamin C that have this unhealthy preservative and never put any product containing sodium benzoate under heat. To avoid the dangers of food preservatives entirely, avoid processed and packaged foods and make your own fresh items at home.


Aspartame: The components of aspartame can lead to a number of health problems, as you have read. Side effects can occur gradually, can be immediate, or can be acute reactions
According to Lendon Smith, M.D. there is an enormous population suffering from side effects associated with aspartame, yet have no idea why drugs, supplements and herbs don’t relieve their symptoms. Then, there are users who don’t ‘appear’ to suffer immediate reactions at all. Even these individuals are susceptible to the long-term damage caused by excitatory amino acids, phenylalanine, methanol, and DKP.

Adverse reactions and side effects of aspartame include:

Eye
blindness in one or both eyes
decreased vision and/or other eye problems such as: blurring, bright flashes, squiggly lines, tunnel vision, decreased night vision
pain in one or both eyes
decreased tears
trouble with contact lenses
bulging eyes

Ear
tinnitus - ringing or buzzing sound
severe intolerance of noise
marked hearing impairment

Neurologic
epileptic seizures
headaches, migraines and (some severe)
dizziness, unsteadiness, both
confusion, memory loss, both
severe drowsiness and sleepiness
paresthesia or numbness of the limbs
severe slurring of speech
severe hyperactivity and restless legs
atypical facial pain
severe tremors

Psychological/Psychiatric
severe depression
irritability
aggression
anxiety
personality changes
insomnia
phobias

Chest
palpitations, tachycardia
shortness of breath
recent high blood pressure

Gastrointestinal
nausea
diarrhea, sometimes with blood in stools
abdominal pain
pain when swallowing

Skin and Allergies
itching without a rash
lip and mouth reactions
hives
aggravated respiratory allergies such as asthma

Endocrine and Metabolic
loss of control of diabetes
menstrual changes
marked thinning or loss of hair
marked weight loss
gradual weight gain
aggravated low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
severe PMS

Other
frequency of voiding and burning during urination
excessive thirst, fluid retention, leg swelling, and bloating
increased susceptibility to infection

Additional Symptoms of Aspartame Toxicity include the most critical symptoms of all
death
irreversible brain damage
birth defects, including mental retardation
peptic ulcers
aspartame addiction and increased craving for sweets
hyperactivity in children
severe depression
aggressive behavior
suicidal tendencies

Aspartame may trigger, mimic, or cause the following illnesses:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Epstein-Barr
Post-Polio Syndrome
Lyme Disease
Grave’s Disease
Meniere’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
ALS
Epilepsy
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
EMS
Hypothyroidism
Mercury sensitivity from Amalgam fillings
Fibromyalgia
Lupus
non-Hodgkins
Lymphoma
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

These are not allergies or sensitivities, but diseases and disease syndromes. Aspartame poisoning is commonly misdiagnosed because aspartame symptoms mock textbook ‘disease’ symptoms, such as Grave’s Disease.

Aspartame changes the ratio of amino acids in the blood, blocking or lowering the levels of serotonin, tyrosine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. Therefore, it is typical that aspartame symptoms cannot be detected in lab tests and on x-rays. Textbook disorders and diseases may actually be a toxic load as a result of aspartame poisoning.

Ever gone to the doctor with real, physical symptoms, but he/she can’t find the cause? Well, it’s probably your diet, your environment, or both.

Aspartame is the common denominator for over 92 different health symptoms at the root of modern disease. The Aspartame Detoxification Program demonstrates the most effective way to reverse disease symptoms is removing the underlying cause - aspartame.

Summer Special for Hoboken residents...

We're offering a special rate for Hoboken residents during off-peak hours.

$65 for an hour of 1-on-1 personal training. This offer is available Monday-Friday
10AM and 4PM. I will go one step further and drop the rate to $60/hour for those individuals that buy 6 or more sessions. Thin incredible deal is only good now through Labor Day Weekend.

These sessions can be used in-home, if you have a gym in your building, or outdoors in the park on 4th and Hudson with the NYC skyline serving as a backdrop. I have more than enough equipment to provide a kickass strength and conditioning workout. This is also a great environment for those individuals that are in need of chi-building exercises and bodywork.

No matter what your fitness goals and needs are, we will provide you with knowledge and training that you need to feel and look your best. Between James and myself we have over 16 years of experience and an array of the highest level of certifications in exercise science, diet, holistic lifestyle and weight management.

Just as importantly, we are committed to being professional and providing you with the highest level of customer service.

Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to improve your quality of life and reap the benefits of optimal fitness and health.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email or call:
greg@bellatorfit.com/ 917.573.4563

or

james at: attle155@aol.com/ 845.598.1875

and make sure to follow us on facebook : http://www.facebook.com/#!/BellatorFitness?ref=ts

Eat like its the Stone Age...

It's been a while since I last posted. I've been so busy with my clients and working on the new and improved website, that I've only been updating our Facebook page (which by the way is averaging over 300 hits per week - thank you!). After some much needed rest this Memorial Day weekend, that I spent with my family I am feeling energized and more motivated than ever to help people get healthy. Remember, healthy people are happy, and generally speaking most happy people are healthy.

There is a great, concise article in the May/June issue of 'Psychology Today' entitled, "The Way Were' which outlines how are Paleolithic ancestors ate and why our diets should mimic theirs. If I sent you my health and nutrition doc a few weeks ago, this article reinforces most of my bullet points. This whole issue has... alot of great info, and is def worth buying.

Here is an excerpt from the article;
"Increasingly, scientists believe that our bodies are metabolically adapted to what our Stone Age ancestors ate. Our genetic makeup has scarecly changed. Nearly all the genes and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms we carry today were selected for behaviorally modern humans who appeared in Africa between 100,000 and 50,000 years ago... The dietary and lifestyle differences between then and now account for most of our chronic diseases and cancer."

Don't forget to get ample amounts of sleep and quiet time. I lead a very healthy life. I eat right for my metabolic type. I get plenty of exercise. Drink more thank a half ounce of water for every pound of bodyweight etc etc. Yet, before this weekend full of rest, my mind and body was suffering from working too many hours and 18 days straight. I feel so much better just from getting 8 hours a night and relaxing.

Train with purpose. Live with purpose.

10 Minute Toast ...

So you say you don't have enough time to workout. Here's how to fry your legs in ten minutes or less.

Minutes Incline Speed

0-1 0 3.0

1-2 15 3.0

2-3 15 5.5

3-4 15 1.2 walking lunges

4-5 0 8

5-6 15 3.3

6-7 15 3.7

7-8 15 1.2 walking lunges

8-9 0 9.5

9-10 0 0 squat thrust next to the treadmill


BARBELL COMPLEX

Complete as many rounds as possible in 10 minutes ( 5 minutes for beginners)

Alternating barbell lunges - 10 each leg 65lbs

Jump Lunges - 10 each

Stiff-Legged Dead lifts- 15 x 65lbs

Hamstring curls on Swiss ball - to failure

Treadmill Sprint for 30 seconds at 8.8 mph

Please note: this routine is for a well-conditioned athlete. Beginners should adjust the time and intensity accordingly.

As always; train with purpose.

CHEK Points for Optimizing Your Sleep / Wake Cycle

Paraphrased from Paul Chek's life-changing book,'How to Eat, Move and be Healthy'.

1.) Try to get to bed by no later than 1030pm. Your body physically repairs itself between the hours of 10pm and 2am, and psychologically repairs itself between the hours of 2am and 6am - so get to bed and get your 8 hrs- DVR will serve you well. Repair hormones won't be released if you are awake during these times.

2.) Minimize your exposure to bright lights, for at least two hours prior to going to bed. If you don't have a light-dimmer, use lamps with low wattage light-bulbs, or even candles.

3.) Make your bedroom as dark as possible.

4.) Avoid the consumption of stimulants (such as caffeine, sugar and nicotine) after lunch. Be particularly mindful of desserts and alcohol consumption on weeknights.

5.) Eat right for your metabolic type. (Most Americans of European decent are Protein MB types).

6.) Drink plenty of water. Our bodies have very little water reserve, and once dehydrated, the body responds as though it's experiencing stress. If your body is stressed it produces stress hormones, which are awakening hormones.

7.) EXERCISE!!!!

8.) Try unplugging all electrical appliances in your bedroom. This will help make your bedroom darker and also help keep the electrical currents from affecting your natural biorythms.

Continued from last post...

I wanted to add just a few more factoids to impress upon you the importance of GI health. As I just mentioned, intestnal health plays an important role in weight loss and energy levels, but perhaps more importantly 80% of your immune system is reliant of GI tracts ability to function properly.

Because of the low quality of foods in our grocery stores- foods loaded with perservatives and other chemicals that don't easily pass through our systems- most Americans intestinal walls are covered with a thick layer of shit. I use the word, 'shit' both literally and figuretively. This layer of shit not only causes your belly to be bloated, but it is incredibly detrimental to your immune system.

You see, when there is a layer of what essentially acts as spackel on your intestines, the nutrients from the food you eat cannot readily be absorbed into your blood steam. So after years of eating pre-packaged foods and foods loaded with perservatives, and accumulating this spackle - how much good do you think that salad you just ate is doing? Ill answer for you- not all that much good.

Think that multivitamin you take every morning is getting you all the antioxidants you need to be healthy? Well consider this, regardless of your intestinal health, 70% of that vitmain will be passed undigested through your system. Now factor in the fact that you most likely have a half inch of shit gunking up your pipes... that vitamin probably isnt going to cut it, now is it. Bottom line, get your nutrients from real, whole, organic foods.

I am not anti-vitamin by any means, but you do need to get clear on the how little it actually helps you, especially if you arent taking care of you intestinal.
If you follow the simple tips that I laid out in my last blog post, you will be on your way not only improving intestinal health, but improving the quality of your life. I can absolutely guarantee that.

For more information, please do not hesitate to email me. This is my passion. All that I want to do, is help as many people as possible.

Train. Eat and live with purpose.

The important first step to weight loss ...

Weight loss is something milllions of people battle with on a daily basis.

Aside from helping people get their exercise programs in order, I also encourage my clients to take several easy steps to clean up their diet.

The first step is to improve the health of your intestines. Begining this process is actually quite easy (for most, more difficult for people who eat fast food more than once a week).

So let's lay out some steps to take get your GI health back on track.

First off, learn how to eat right for your metabolic type. This will teach you how to portion your macronutrients. This will not only help regulate your bowel movements, but will lead to an increase in energy. There are a number of metabolic-type questionaires on-line that can help you figure out your MT. This is also an area that I can help you - I have a customized questionaire and will require you to keep a food log for at least 4 days. The most important thing to make note of while keeping a food log to figure out your MT is to make note of how you feel the two hours after you eat each meal. I don't want to get too off track, so if you are interested in learning how to properly portion your macronutrients, send me a an email.

Next, get yourself a quality probiotic (I recommend Natren - Healthy Trinity), and a high quality fish oil supplement ( I currently take Jarrows brand EPA- DHA blend). Take these as recommended on the bottle. Take the probiotics in the morning with 12oz of ice water.

Finally, start eating 1 or 2 pieces of organic fruit on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Choose fruit that is high in fiber, such as apples and pears - stay away from bananas, as they are known to be binding. Make sure that you eat the fruit by itself, and do not consume any additional food for at least 1 1/2 hours. When you do eat your 'real' breakfast, make sure it is high in protein and COMPLEX carbohydrates.

TBC...