Empower Your Inner Superhero

2012-02-10T09:07:00.000-08:00

Water Bottles

by Brandon DiNovi

"Attack Life...Expect Greatness!"

On the bottom of my water bottle there is a number inside a triangle, what does it mean?
The number inside of the triangle is a plastic identification number representing which chemical were used in making the plastic. For example if you see a #1 this represents PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and #7 represents Polycarbonate (which contains Bisphenol A), which are the two most commonly used chemicals in water bottles. This articles intent is to give a basic overview for #1 and #7 chemicals and is not inclusive by any means. I urge the reader to research each of these chemicals further.

Can I reuse my plastic water bottle?
Water bottles with the #1 (PETE) are designed for single use only! Refilling containers which contain PETE will cause this chemical to leach into the solution. The more you reuse bottles made out of PETE the more of the chemical you will ingest. Number 7 is rather stable plastic, in the beginning, however, overtime the pores of this plastic begin to leach polycarbonate. Plus, the more you wash and refill the more it will leach and ultimately the more you will ingest. I recommend not using bottles made with either #1 or #7 plastics.

What is the health problem associated with chronic exposure to these chemicals?

PETE is possibly a carcinogen, which is a cancer causing substance. Recently there have been reported studies to support this claim. I am not yet sold on the exact condition PETE causes within the body, but drinking small amounts of chemicals cannot be good for anyone.

Polycarbonate on the other hand is showing health concerns in a variety of ways. Bisphenol A (contained in Polycarbonate) was 1st introduced to the market in the 1930's as an estrogen for pharmacological use. Bisphenol A is now used in a variety of plastics and has been shown to disrupt the endocrine system, fetus development, cause reproductive abnormalities and has been shown to enhance the growth of human breast cancer cells. These are disease states that everyone should be trying to prevent from occurring.

Are there any bottles that are safe?

Bottles made by SIGG are coated on the inside with resin that have been proven to be resistant to breakdown and do not leach harmful chemicals. These bottles are looked upon as the gold standard when it comes to reusable containers. Another company that produces leach free containers is Klean Kanteen. I suggest you do your own research and choose a safe bottle.

Real World Results
Proper hydration is a part of the detoxifying, cooling and transportation process for every cell in the body. If the water you are consuming is contaminated with chemicals the detoxification process will be hindered and dysfunction will follow. Try to make it a daily habit to consume liquids in a safe, chemical free container.

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2012-02-09T16:48:00.000-08:00

Dehydration

by Brandon DiNovi

"Attack Life...Expect Greatness!"

What are the signs of dehydration?
Many people are unaware how essential water is for just about every function of the body. Did you know not being properly hydrated could increase your allergies and lead to a lowered immune system? Joe Ferrara, PhD has found that sub-optimal hydration levels cause your body to release the chemical, histamine. When histamine is abundant in the body it can make you more susceptible to allergens (dust, pollen, etc). Another function of histamine is to aid in the release of a hormone called, cortisol. It is widely known in the research community that cortisol is the enemy of health as it suppresses the immune system.

In addition to histamine causing the release of cortisol it also causes the destruction of the amino acid tryptophan. An amazing thing about tryptophan is that it's needed by the brain to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin. With this knowledge it is plausible to conclude that a lack in hydration can lead to chronic depressive states like depression.

The most frequent side effect of dehydration is a lack of energy. Dr. Ferrara has found that for every 1% reduction of water in your cells you will experience a 10% drop in energy!

Why are we dehydrated?
Coffee, tea, juices, soda pop (diet and regular) and alcohol all contribute to the leaching of water out of your cells. The function of water is to help transport, dilute and detoxify your system. Smog, pesticides and processed foods all leave an abundant of pollution in your system. This pollution needs to have a transport mechanism for removal, without it your system may become toxic.

If you are drinking something other than water throughout the day, and are consuming processed foods, then your hydration levels may be in jeopardy. One of the easiest ways to tell if you are dehydrated is your urine. The more tea color (dark brown) your urine looks then the more dehydrated you are. Your urine should be clear or very light yellow except just after ingesting your multi-vitamins.

How much water should I drink a day?
I have found most people do well with around 3 liters per day. I tell myself that I will have “3 by 3” that means I try and consume 3 liters of water by 3 p.m. Now remember if you are also consuming any of the products that cause you to be dehydrated then your levels will have to be increased.

Real World Results
Did you know that synovial fluid, the lubrication for your joints is made up of mostly water? When your hydration level is in jeopardy your synovial fluid levels will be sub-optimal and your joints will experience more wear and tear. This will be experienced as stiffness or pain. Simply increasing your water intake can protect your joints, lower your allergies as well as increase your outlook on life. With this information you should think about making sure your body is hydrated.

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2012-01-30T12:49:00.000-08:00

Andy Grammer

"Keep Your Head Up"

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2012-01-30T12:41:00.000-08:00

“I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing. So, with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal. Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength. And let us renew our faith and our hope. We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we’re in a time when there are no heroes, they just don’t know where to look.”

-Ronald Reagan

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2012-01-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

I Can Achieve Anything!
by Brandon DiNovi

"Attack Life...Expect Greatness!"

I am in control of my life, whatever I set my mind on achieving, I will achieve. Whatever I choose to be, I can and will be. The evidence is all around me. The power of my choices has brought me precisely to where I am right now. I have made the choices. I have held the thoughts. I have taken the actions to create my current reality.

I take full responsibility for where I am today.

I have the power to continue on this path or change my direction and start toward whatever I want to be. With the choices I make, I am constantly fulfilling the vision I have for my life.

I understand it is not what happens to me that is important; it is how I react to what happens to me. I have the choice to point fingers and place blame on others. I also have the choice to learn, grow and find the opportunity in each problem that comes my way.

Each and everyday I will look at the abundance around me. I will look at the marvels nature unfolds with ease. I will enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Each and everyday I choose to find something new about me to be proud of.

I understand that my health is the only true wealth and with my health I can achieve anything!

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2012-01-27T11:31:00.000-08:00

Master Antioxidant, N.A.C.

by Brandon DiNovi

"Attack Life...Expect Greatness!"

What is N.A.C. and what is it good for?
N.A.C. stands for N-Acetyl-Cysteine which is used as the building block for the body's master antioxidant, glutathione. The liver, which is the main place where all toxic substances of the body become neutralized, uses an exorbitant amount of glutathione during the detoxifying process. When levels of glutathione are reduced the cell is left without protection, which leads to dysfunction and causes the cell to degrade. Many pharmaceutical products are known to deplete glutathione levels in the liver, for example acetaminophen can deplete liver stores of glutathione, which leave it vulnerable to the toxic effects of alcohol. Stress, pesticides, smog, food additives, chlorinated water and pharmaceutical products all cause glutathione stores in the body to be depleted.

When cells are not able to regenerate at an optimum level the aging and degenerative process is accelerated. By restoring glutathione levels to an optimum level the degenerative process may be slowed. Dr. Michael Colgan states "Body glutathione declines rapidly with age. In fact the decline in glutathione levels is so reliable, it is used as an index of human aging."

So why do we need N-Acetyl-Cysteine?
Research has shown that supplementation with glutathione does not raise serum (blood) levels in the body. There seems to be a problem with the supplement form of glutathione and the digestive process but researchers found oral N-Acetyl-Cysteine supplementation elevates serum levels of glutathione. I recommend my patients take one 750 mg capsule of NAC per day to keep their glutathione levels elevated.

Why are we deficient?
Most of the foods that contain glutathione are either not eaten often enough or in large enough quantities to provide enough glutathione. So with this imbalanced relationship between our toxic/processed environment and our lack of proper nutritional intake, our stores of glutathione have become depleted.

What foods contain Glutathione?
Foods that contain glutathione are avocado, watermelon, asparagus, grapefruit, acorn squash, strawberries, orange, tomato, cantaloupe, broccoli, okra, peach, zucchini, and spinach. I am sure that if you look at your diet for the last few weeks you may see a lack of these specific foods or they may have been insufficient amounts to contribute to your glutathione stores.

Real World Results
All of my clients have been educated on the important role glutathione plays in their health. I have found with my clients who supplement their diet with N-Acetyl-Cysteine and get manual treatment on a regular basis report less cold and flu like symptoms throughout the year. Athletes who are supplementing with N-Acetyl-Cysteine report less muscle soreness following a workout and state they feel they are recovering faster between workouts.

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2012-01-27T11:15:00.000-08:00

I AM WELLNESS®

"Empowering America"

I AM WELLNESS® products are exclusively merchandised through the DiNovi Wellness Clinic.

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I AM WELLNESS® is a Registered Trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. All unauthorized use will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

2012-01-27T10:54:00.000-08:00

Magnesium the Miracle Mineral

by Brandon DiNovi

"Attack Life...Expect Greatness!"

Background about Magnesium.
Magnesium is used in over 300 enzymatic reactions within your system, which ranks it as the most used mineral in the body. Patients with heart disease, osteoporosis, migraines, high blood pressure, blood sugar disorders, muscle weakness, cramps and tremors usually have below normal levels of magnesium. Did you know that over 80 percent of Americans are deficient in magnesium?

Why are we deficient?
The reason most Americans do not receive enough magnesium is due to our diet and stress levels. Most Americans eat foods that are processed or enriched which contain little or even no magnesium. The body expends much of its paltry supply to process carbohydrates, cleanse itself of smog, pesticides and other daily toxins while perspiration and stress drain what is left.
While some Americans claim they take a vitamin and mineral supplement that contains magnesium, in reality they are not getting what they are paying for. Most companies use magnesium oxide as their source of magnesium. This allows the supplement company to keep costs low (which keeps profits up) and still make the dose look appealing to the unknowing consumer. Yet research shows that you only absorb 1/10th of magnesium oxide! You should choose a supplement that contains magnesium aspartate as the main source, which is a Krebs cycle intermediate and enhances the absorption rate. The Optimal Daily Allowance (ODA) is between 400-600 mg; this allowance is for the elemental form of the mineral hence why you want to take the aspartate form.

What foods contain magnesium?
Magnesium is found in all of the foods you know you should be eating and probably are not. Whole grains and green leafy vegetables are a good source of magnesium and should be part of every meal. Fruit and nuts are a good source of magnesium and can be used as foods to snack on.

Real World Results
I have found patients with low levels of magnesium who complain of tension headaches are prime candidates for magnesium supplementation. After restoring magnesium to proper levels I have seen tension as well as migraine headaches disappear and not return. Athletes who complain of abnormal fatigue and chronic injuries see vast improvement once proper biomechanics and magnesium levels are restored.

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