Research is now backing up oriental and alternative medicine.  Sixty percent of MD’s practice some form of alternative medicine, whether meditation, nutrition, acupuncture, etc.  Doctors are now prescribing vitamins such as folic acid, vitamin c and other supplements and herbs for prevention or to help patients recover from chronic illnesses.

Different foods promote positive or negative reactions in your body.  One such example is Sulforaphane, a compound that was identified in broccoli sprouts by scientists at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD

This compound helps the liver metabolizes bad estrogen. Watch a short preview of Drew teaching one of his classes where he speaks about the latest research on broccoli and sulforaphane.

[mc src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9G8UqGxdhk" type="youtube"]Drew DiVittorio speaks to his class on Healing with Chinese Medicine[/mc]

Zapping your veggies may deprive them of antioxidants.  Recent research found that microwaving broccoli robbed it of up to 97% of certain types of anti-oxidants. Researchers also tested pressure cooking, boiling, and steaming. Steaming left the most anti-oxidants in tact.

(Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture)

This is one type of steamer: folding and collapsible metal vegetable steamer.  For instructions(if you’ve never steamed before) click here. You can find this metal steamer at most home goods stores.

Chinese medicine views the body as a dynamic, interrelated whole possessing a vital energy or life force called Qi (pronounced chee)  Health depends on the free flow of this energy and the interplay of the body, mind and spirit.  When disease occurs, specific herbs are chosen to rebalance the energy and allow the body to heal itself.

The practitioner begins by doing a Chinese medical diagnosis to determine the patient’s individualized pattern of disharmony.  This diagnosis includes non-invasive pulse and tongue readings, together with a thorough health history, point palpation and observation techniques.  This information allows the practitioner to craft a personalized treatment plan that is unique for each client.

Honey: The taste and color of honey is dependent upon the type of blossom it was gathered from.  Honey has the highest sugar content of all natural sweeteners and because it is high in fructose, it is one of the sweetest. Natural Honey is somewhat cloudy.  The crystal clear purity of honey in the supermarket is obtained by heating the honey to very high temperatures and thus destroying the natural enzymes.

Fruit Sugar (Fructose): May be derived from natural sources such as fruits and vegetables. Do not use fructose made from corn syrup.  Research indicates that (1) fructose may stimulate the liver to secrete more triglycerides therefore contributing to insulin resistance. (2) may interfere with cholesterol metabolism.

Liquid fructose, as in soft drinks, is the most dangerous.  When present in the solid state its action can be diminished by the presence of other substances in food.

Maple Syrup (Pure): Is a naturally occurring sweetener. The flavor is mild and unique, yet its sweetening ability is excellent.  It takes 40 gallons of sap from sugar maple trees to make one gallon of maple syrup, thus making it one of the most expensive sweeteners.

Brown Rice Syrup: This is a balanced sweetener. It is primarily a complex carbohydrate which enters the bloodstream more slowly than honey or maple syrup.  Brown rice syrup doesn’t contain as high a concentration of nutrients as does barley malt syrup, but it does contain some trace minerals and B-vitamins.  It is less concentrated in flavor than other sweeteners and adds a mild, rather than a bold, sweetness.

Xylitol – derived from the bark of birch trees.  Looks like sugar and tastes like sugar, but has 1/3 fewer carolories and a low glycemic index. Can be substituted for sugar in baking.  Expensive

Date Sugar: Ground from dehydrated dates and is considered more of a food.  It is high in fiber and rich in a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including iron. It does not dissolve, however when added to liquids.  Date sugar is also quite expensive.

Barley Malt: Less sweet than honey, similar to brown rice syrup in consistency and sweetness.  High in complex carbohydrates, it enters the blood stream slowly.  The malting process increases the level of B-vitamins in this product.  It also contains some trace minerals.

Stevia: This is a small wild shrub found in certain areas of South America.  It is a member of the Chrysanthemum family.  The sugars found in the leaf of the plant are 300 times sweeter than white sugar.  These sugars are called estevian and  rebaudin.  One teaspoon of dried stevia equals about 8 teaspoons of sugar.  It may be used to sweeten hot or cold cereals, herbal teas and in baking.  It is also available in a liquid extract form.  Stevia actually stabilizes blood sugar and has been found to reduce dental cavities in animal studies.  It is truly a great choice for sweeteners—especially during a detox.  A sweet treat is a cup of herbal tea with a drop of stevia extract. Stevia is available at most health food stores or from the The Body Ecology Diet  1-800-896-7838.  Two ounces of the white powdered stevia costs around $17, and two ounces of the powder  to make an extract is around $20.

Note: Aspartame (NutraSweet/ Equal) is a popular low calorie sugar substitute.  Aspartame accounts for 75% of all negative reactions reported to the FDA.  A list of at least 90 symptoms have been gathered relating to this product including:  seizures, panic disorders, blood sugar problems, vertigo, and memory loss.  Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the effects and we know that teenagers consume lots of diet beverages as part of their daily diet.  Avoid aspartame and try some of the other sweeteners listed above.

The Crane Exercise is designed to strengthen the organs within the trunk of the body.  Even though these organs are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, the Crane Exercise enables us to balance the energy and thereby promote a smoother functioning of these organs.

This exercise may be done standing, sitting or lying down on your back.

1.  Rub the palms of your hands together vigorously.  This creates heat in your hands and brings the energy of your body into your palms and fingers.

2.  Place your hands, palm down, on your lower abdomen so that they lie on either side of your navel.

3.  Inhale

4.  Begin to exhale slowly, pressing your hands down lightly so that your abdomen forms a hollow cavity.  This gently forces the air out of your lower lungs.  Imagine that every drop of air is leaving your lungs.  (See figure 2)

5.  After you have exhaled completely, slowly begin to inhale, extending your abdomen outward so it becomes like a balloon.  Try not to allow your chest to expand – use only the muscles in your lower abdomen.  (see figure 3)

6.  One complete exhalation, followed by an inhalation constitutes one round of breathing.  At first you will only be able to do two or three rounds of breathing at one sitting.  Gradually increase the number until you have reached twelve rounds.

NOTES:

i. It is not necessary to force either the inhalation or the exhalation.  With continued practice you will be able to extend and contract your abdomen quite easily while breathing slowly.  In the beginning your hands act as guides to help you learn the exercise.  Once you have learned the breathing, it is not necessary to continue using your hands.

ii.  Once you have mastered the Crane Exercise, you may combine the anal lock as described in the Deer Exercise with the Crane breathing.  This will increase the strength of the exercise.

iii.  The best time to do the Crane Exercise is in the morning, if possible while facing the sun.  Imagine that as you inhale you bring the energy of the sun into your body and that as you exhale all toxins and wastes are leaving your body.

iv.  When done before retiring at night, the Crane Exercise gives a gently massage it the inner organs which helps calm the body, relaxing us for proper sleep.

Women should not perform the Crane Exercise during pregnancy as the in and out motions of the abdomen may create unpleasant feelings within the abdomen.

Should You Detoxify ?

• Do you have trouble losing weight?
• Do you have high cholesterol?
• Do you have high blood pressure?
• Do you have blood sugar problems?
• Do you come from a family with diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity?
• Do you feel tired?
• Do you feel older than you are?
• Do you eat non-organic and packaged foods?
• Do you live near high traffic areas?
• Do you have trouble sleeping?
• Do you have environmental sensitivities or allergies?

If you answered yes to any of these questions feel free to contact Drew DiVittorio to set up a detox session where he will discuss how to detoxify gently, safely and effectively without any side effects.  Use contact form above.

Most detoxification programs out there today(for example, colon cleansing or supplement packages found online or in health food stores) can cause serious side effects and are not true detoxification.

Drew DiVittorio, DIPL, CH

HealthBody NYC.

1133 Broadway at 26 St

Suite 1023

Drew’s Detox, Healing with Whole Foods & Herbs is a 14 Day Rejuvenation Program helping you to transition into a healthier way of eating after a 2 week light body detox & cleanse.

The 14-Day Rejuvenation Program

Drew combines the most current scientific research with Oriental Medicine, creating the safest and most effective way to cleanse your body, help you lose weight, and feel more energetic.

Now you can be guided through this 14 day cleanse with the support of a small group meeting once a week for 3 weeks. This safe cleanse will recharge, renew, and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit- an opportunity to look at your eating habits and make some healthy changes.

Here is what you will get if you sign up for the 2 week program.

• DETOXIFICATION MANUAL WHICH INCLUDES MEAL PLANS, RECIPES, AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
• PERSONALIZED HERBAL FORMULA BASED ON PULSE AND TONGUE READING TO BALANCE YOUR INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
• SPECIFIC ANTIOXIDENTS TO SCAVENGE FREE RADICALS AND CLEAR HEAVY METALS
• FIBER, ANTIMICROBIAL HERBS AND PROBIOTICS TO CLEANSE THE COLON
• TAI CHI EXERCISES TO ENHANCE THE CLEANSING PROCESS
• A free 1 hour session with Drew after the program finishes.

The program is ongoing.

$250 for full program

Bring a friend or two! You will get a $25 discount for each friend you bring.

(products not included)

You can have your own private detox.  Set up your private detox with Drew Tuesdays or Thursdays before 5PM or Saturdays 12-5PM

HealthyBody NYC

1133 Broadway at 26 Street, Suite 1023

To sign up for the 14-Day REJUVENATION PROGRAM with your own hours, email Myrna.

Remember,  you get one free private session with Drew if you sign up for the Detox Program.

What people are saying about Drew:

“Drew’s 14-day cleanse and rejuvenation program is WONDERFUL! It has jump started my weight loss efforts by 13lbs, gave me more energy and made me more grounded. Drew has put together an excellent program that is easy to follow by using foods that you can acquire at your local market. Being a holistic health counselor, I have learned a great approach to helping my clients. If this is your first time thinking about doing a detox/cleanse or want to incorporate a detox program in your practice, I definitely recommend Drew’s 14-day detox.”

Stephanie Wedra, Certified Holistic Health Counselor

www.achievehealthylife.com

“Drew DiVittorio is an inspirational teacher who has the unique quality of bringing together the concepts of traditional Chinese Medicine with Modern Medicine and Nutrition. I recently attended his workshop for cleansing and detoxification in which we were given a wealth of information and guidance in order to bring our inner ecology into better balance. The workbooks he provided were comprehensive and understandable which made it probable that students would follow the cleanse because each day had a plan.

Furthermore his “in class” instruction was powerfully individualized and he was consistent in arriving early and staying late in order to fully answer every student’s questions and concerns. Drew DiVittorio is truly a “Renaissance Man” in his vision for health and vitality as well as an exceptional mentor. I highly recommend attending one of his events to see for yourself, you will benefit from his expertise and care.”

Rick Panson

www.Eat4pH.com

“Before I met Drew, I experienced stomach bloating and a whole host of other gastrointestinal problems. after following the Healthy Livng Program which included a variety of ancient Chinese herbs and healing foods, I look and feel more radiant. Thanks to Drew, I appreciate and listen to my body now.”

Rachel Isaacs, LCSW

“Drew’s knowledge of Chinese herbs and the 5 Elements is truly encyclopedic. You will reap great benefits from this class.”

Nita Renfrew,

Grail Reiki Master/Teacher, and graduate

of Drew’s one year study program for Health

Professionals

Technorati Tags: drew divittorio, cleanse, detox, rejuvenate, chinese herbs, nyc, healthybodynyc, healthy, body

Inflammatory foods can also produce free radicals which can lead to many chronic and acute diseases.  Excessive free radical production has been linked to cancer, heart and parkinson’s disease.

If you want to feel your best with lots of energy and life force, try the following inflammatory diet for 30 days and please send us your feedback.  We will be glad to answer any concerns and questions you might have.(use contact at top of page)

In each food category, check off how many times you are eating any food in that group weekly.  Add the number in each group and get your overall total on the bottom.  Your grand total should not exceed 15 if you want to maintain a healhthy life style.  if you want to detox your body your total should not exceed 5.

Products made from wheat, spelt, kamut, rye or barley

_____

_____

Beef, Pork, Cold Cuts, Frankfurters, Sausage, Canned Meats, Shellfish

Milk, Cheese, Cottage Cheese, Cream, Butter, Yogurt, Ice Cream, Non -dairycreamers

_____

Mayonnaise, Margarine, Processed Oil, Shortenings, Spreads

_____

Soda and Soft Drinks, Alcoholic Beverages, Coffee, Caffeinated beverages

_____

White or Brown refined Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Chocolate

Junk Food; cakes, cookies, candy, potato chips, pretzels, etc.

_____

TOTAL TIMES PER WEEK EATING INFLAMMATORY FOODS =

_____

Drew DiVittorio Dipl., CH (NCCAOM)
Taoist Healing Arts Consultant
Classical Chinese Herbolog & Nutrition
National Board Certified
Tel: 917-582-3739
Bridging the Gap Between Oriental Medicine & Modern Nutrition

I always get asked the question, "how do I detoxifly and what do you think about fasting".  The ‘Master Cleanse always comes up in the conversation.  There are many versions of this concoction which includes water, apple cider vinegar, honey and cayenne pepper.  No matter which version you are using the same rule always applies to detoxification: YOU MUST EAT!

The Master Cleanse has been around since the early 1900′s.  Since then, the research reports that calorie restrictive detoxification programs are harmful for the body.

Detoxification is an energy-dependent process that puts a metabolic burden on the body.  Water and juice fasts are not beneficial because they deplete the body of essential nutrients required for healthy detoxification.  These fasts can have many adverse effects including decreased energy production, breakdown of lean tissue rather than loss of fat, increased oxidative stress and blood sugar imbalance.

Instead of decreasing nutrients, you should be increasing protein and a variety of vegetables that help support the detoxification process.  When you fast you produce mass amounts of ‘free radicals’ thus needing essential nutrients to help manage the harmful effects of these ‘free radicals’.

If you are are thinking of starting any kind of cleanse or detoxification program please ask questions and become informed first.

The John’s Hopkins School of Medicine has identified the phytonutrient sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS) as a natural long lasting antioxidant and detoxifier found in broccoli and broccoli sprouts.

Since its discovery, more than 200 publications have underscored its amazing ability to activate the body’s natural detoxification and antioxidant enzymes, protecting cells from free radicals.

Watch this video, the information is amazing.

If you would like more information on this product, please use contact form on top of page.
 
Drew DiVittorio Dipl., CH (NCCAOM)
Taoist Healing Arts Consultant
Classical Chinese Herbolog & Nutrition
National Board Certified
Tel: 917-582-3739
Bridging the Gap Between Oriental Medicine & Modern Nutrition

Technorati Tags: detox, detoxify, detoxification, fasting, master, cleanse, calorie, restriction, water, juice, nutrients, free, radicals, phytonutrient, sulforaphane, antioxidant, broccoli

Everyone is on this water kick. I need to drink 8 bottles of water per day. "That’s 48 bottles of water per week", as Lewis Black stated in his HBO special, "you need to bring a burro to the store with you just to carry all of those bottles.  The health benefits of drinking that much water have never be clearly defined.  However, the health benefits of tea have.

There are natural compounds in tea leaves called polyphenols.  Polyphenols are natural plant antioxidants. Antioxidants have been shown to prevent damage caused by free radicals to DNA and other molecules. 

Tea polyphenols have demonstrated several cancer preventive properties.  In addition to antioxidant activity, these compounds may reduce abnormal cell growth and inflammation, help the body get rid of cancer causing agents and restore communication between different cells in the body.

According to the National Cancer Institute, the relationship between tea consumption and human cancer has been studied in several different populations and at various cancer sites.  Some of the studies comparing tea drinkers to non-tea drinkers support the claim that tea-drinking prevents cancer.

In animal studies, different tea extracts, tea polyphenol mixtures, purified tea components, and tea infusions as the sole drinking fluid have consistently been shown to prevent cancer, including cancers of the colon, esophagus, liver, stomach, lung, breast, pancreas, and skin.  The purified component, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), prevented colon cancer.  A polyphenol mixture with EGCG, Polyphenon E, has also shown cancer preventive properties in animals.  Animal studies were inconclusive as to whether EGCG or Polyphenol E caused DNA mutations that might trigger cancer growth.

Tea consumption began as far back as 2737 BC.  The second emperor of China, Shen Nung, discovered tea when tea leaves blew into his cup of hot water or so the story goes.  And then in 1876 Thomas Johnstone Lipton opened his first shop in Glasgow using American merchandising methods.  At present Tea consumption in on the rise especially Green Tea.

Snapple has a television commercial touting the health benefits of it’s green tea with a mysterious ingredient EGCG .  In addition to the many health benefits of EGCG mentioned above, researchers at the Mayo Clinic using laboratory cell cultures shows that a component of green tea known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) [epi-gallo-cat-ekin-3-gal-ate] helps kill leukemia cells by interrupting the communication signals they need to survive.

So, instead of drinking 8 glasses of water per day why not drink 4 cups of tea and 4 bottles of water.  Guess what- you are still getting 8 glasses of water…you know why…BECAUSE TEA IS MADE WITH WATER…HELLO.  Beware of the water fanatics who claim that if you add anything to pure water like tea or lemon it will negate the health benefits…I’m yawning.

Drew DiVittorio Dipl., CH (NCCAOM)
Taoist Healing Arts Consultant
Classical Chinese Herbolog & Nutrition
National Board Certified
Tel: 917-582-3739
Blog: asianhealingartsinstitute.com
Bridging the Gap Between Oriental Medicine & Modern Nutrition

Technorati Tags: water, green, tea, polyphenols, antioxidants, free, radicals, cancer, prevention, inflammation, health