No- Guilt Feelings and Have fun From Fitness Elements Express!

Have a Safe and Fun Happy Long Labor Day Weekend Holiday I know I am!! Have a great day!!

The Emerging Trends of “Natural” Medicine from Fitness Elements Express!

The Emerging Role of Nutritional Supplementation in Medicine Part 1- The Emerging Trends of “Natural” Medicine

How to embrace the New Evolution that is occuring in health care as more natural medicines gain acceptance

Interestingly, there is a whole new acceptance that is largely a result of increased scientific investigation and the public’s awareness of this article and research. It appears that medical researchers now have their possession the technology and understanding necessary to more fully appreciate the value of “natural” therapies. In essence, many natural therapies are being improved or refined through scientific investigation. Science is paving the way for the medicine of the future-a medicine that recognizes the healing power of nature. We use science to explain the nature of the human body and the environment and what we must keep in mind is that science is evolutionary, the underlying natural laws it tries to explain are constant. In other words, gravity existed long before Sir Isaac Newton was around to explain it. Brreakthrough developments in many areas are occuring at an incredible pace, particularly in the areas of medicine.

There is a future trend toward using substances found in nature, including compounds that are found in the human body- such as interferon, interleukin, insulin, and human growth hormone-as well as foods , food components, herbs, and herbal compounds. More and more researchers are discovering the tremendous healing properties of these natural compounds and their advantagesover synthetic medicines and surgery in the treatment of many health conditions. Through these scienctific investigtions, a trend towards natural medicines is emerging.

Most natural healing therapies are based upon scientific investigation. In most cases, the initial, investigation was of an empirical or observational nature. However, in the past 20 plus years there have been tremendous advances in the understanding of how many natural therapies work to promote health or treat disease. This increased understanding is a result of more strict scientific investigation. To conclude this article keep in mind that scientific studies and observations have have not only held up in validity of diet, nutritional supplementation, herbal remedies, chiropractic adjustments, and massage, but also some of the more esoteric natural healing treatments such as acupuncture, biofeedback, meditation, and homeopathy. Noy only has these natural cures and remedies held up in scientific investigation and been validated but the natural approach has led to signicant improvements. I hope to educate you on the reasons why Prevention is the Best Cure in this 4 part series of articles. Stay tuned for the 5 principles emerging the philosophy of medicine.

Have a happy and healthy day!


References: Michael T. Murray, N.D.

By, Natalie Pyles

Author, NSA Speaker, Licensed Nutritionist, Sports Nutritionist, Holistic Nutrition and Nursing Educator, Medical Exercise and Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist, and specialization in Special Populations

Popularized Diets the end to the Question "What is the Best Diet?" from Fitness Elements Express!

Popularized Diet Fads the Evolutionary Discovery of Optimal Health

What is the Best Diet?

The dietary guidelines and principles that I have detailed along with my references in this final article represent the answer to the holy debated question “ What is the Best diet?” Over the years, there has been quite a war of opinions as to the diet that best promotes weight loss and health. On one end of the spectrum, although it has become quite popular to restrict carbohydrates of all sorts completely in favor of high- protein and high-fat foods, I simply do not believe that this sort of diet is health promoting and neither do my references. In fact, we believe that this type of diet has already been proven disastrous to long-term health as it carries with it severe consequences for cardiovascular and kidney function. On the other end of the spectrum is the so-called low-fat, high-complex—carbohydrate diet. This diet is also doomed to fail because it does not differentiate quality of carbohydrate and fails to provide the right type of oils to promote health. I believe as well as my references to this series of articles that any diet that severely restricts beneficial oils will ultimately fail.

After reviewing every popular diet in detail, as well as thousands of scientific articles on the role of diet in human health, what I we offer here is based upon the evolutionary understanding of what constitutes the optimal diet. I believe, as well as my references that it is only a matter of time before what we are recommending will become the accepted answer to the question “What is the Best diet?” and “What foods should we eat?”

In conclusion to all the confusion to the question “What is the Best diet?” I hope this clarifies some answers for you and ends some the wondering. Designing a healthy diet can be and should be fun, flavorful, and customized for ultimate energy and optimal health.

Have a healthy and happy day!


References: Michael Murray N.D., Joseph Pizzorno N.D., Lara Pizzorno M.A., L.M.T.

By, Natalie Pyles

Author, NSA Speaker, Licensed Nutritionist, Sports Nutritionist, Holistic Nutritionist, Medical Exercise and Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist, Holistic Nursing and Nutrition Educator

Popularized Diet Fads continue Last but not least Part 6- the Zone diet from Fitness Elements Express!

6 Popular Diet Fads and the Scientific Discovery behind them Part 6- The Zone Diet

The How to's on Designing your own Healthy Diet

Here is a quick look on some of the most popular Diets and what has been discovered with these various type diets. This will be a six part discussion and education for you on determining and forming your own personal view. While there are literally hundreds of fad diets that have been promoted over the years that we could discuss, we will limit the discussion to the following popular diets:

The Atkins diet
The Blood Type Diet
The Ornish diet
The Macrobiotic diet
The vegetarian diet
The Zone diet


Today we will start and discuss the diet and what the outcomes and conclusions were. This is part six of the six part series of articles. The next and final article will be the answer to the question you've been waiting for. What is the Best Diet to date?

The Zone Diet


The Zone diet was developed by Barry Sears, Ph.D., and popularized in his best -selling book Enter the Zone. The basic principle guiding the Zone diet is based on the relationship between the hormone insulin and the ratio of dietary fat, protein, and carbohydrates. The Zone diet proposes a dietary ratio of 40 percent carbohydrate, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent fat.

The Zone diet is popular among those people desiring to lose weight, and it definately works because the actual recomendations of the Zone diet result in the average person taking in only 800 to 1,200 calories per day. Of course any diet that is low enough in calories will result in weight loss, regardless of it's proportions of protein, carbohydrate, and and fat. As when following other weight loss programs, people generally experience good initial weight loss on the Zone diet, but the strict -and confusing-nature of the diet makes it difficult for many to follow. As a result, long-term compliance-and therefore lasting weight loss-withthis diet is difficult.

Individuals following the Zone diet are encouraged to consume protein from animal/and or vegetable sources that are relatively low in dietary fat, such as chicken or soy foods. It is also recommended that the diet include a good intake of monounsaturated fats, including olive oil, canola oil, and avocados. Individuals following the Zone diet are encouraged to avoid:

All refined carbohydrates and most simple sugars, including foods made from white flour (bread, pasta, bagels, tortillas, and breakfast cereals), candy, soda, and desserts
Fruits , vegetables , and grains high on the glycemic index, such as rice, papaya, mango, corn, potatoes, and carrots
Foods containing saturated fat, most notably red meat and whole-fat dairy products
Egg yolks and organ meats

My opinion along with the references to this article of the Zone diet is that while we agree with many of the goals and principles of the diet, since it does not focus enough on plant foods, the amount of fiber and other important phytochemicals is not sufficient to promote long-term health.


Until the last and final part to the question you've been waiting for what is the Best diet? Have a healthy and happy day!

References: Michael Murray N.D., Joseph Pizzorno N.D., and Lara Pizzorno M.A., L.M.T

By, Natalie Pyles

NSA Speaker, Author, Medical Exercise and Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist, Licensed Nutritionist, Whole Health, Fitness, and Holistic Nutrition and Nursing Educator

Popularized Diet Fads Continue Part 5 - The Vegetarian Diet from Fitness Elements Express!

6 Popular Diet Fads and the Scientific Discovery behind them Part 5- The Vegetarian Diet

The How to's on Designing your own Healthy Diet


Here is a quick look on some of the most popular Diets and what has been discovered with these various type diets. This will be a six part discussion and education for you on determining and forming your own personal view. While there are literally hundreds of fad diets that have been promoted over the years that we could discuss, we will limit the discussion to the following popular diets:

The Atkins diet
The Blood Type Diet
The Ornish diet
The Macrobiotic diet
The vegetarian diet
The Zone diet

Today we will start and discuss the Vegetarian diet and what the outcomes and conclusions were. This is part five of the six part series of articles.

The Vegetarian Diet


The vegetarian diet is defined as one avoiding all animal flesh, including fish and poultry. Vegetarians who avoid flesh but do eat animal products, such as cheese, milk, and eggs, are ovo-lacto-vegetarians (ovo = egg; lacto = milk and cheese). Those who eschew all animal products are reffered to as pure vegetarians or vegans.

The vegetarian diet is often promoted as the most beneficial diet and has been advocated by people from philosophers such as Plato to political leaders such as Benjamin Franklin and Ghandi to modern pop icons such as Paul McCartney. There is also considerable scientific research showing the benefits of the vegetarian diet. In fact, it has been shown to be associated with a lower risk of virtually every chronic disease. For exampke, numerous population-based studies have shown that vegetarians are nearly 50 percent less likely to die from cancer or heart disease than are nonvegetarians. The vegetarian diet has also been shown to reduce one's chances of developing diabetes, osteoporosis, or high blood pressure or forming kidney stones or gallstones.

While each of the authors including myself a now lifetime practicing ovo-lacto-vegetarian have some time or another been a practicing vegetarian, now believe that including fish and smakk amounts of animal foods in the diet leads to a more optimal nutritional intake. Nonetheless, we recognize the central and tremenedous importance that plant foods play in an optimal human diet.

Until part six the Zone Diet have a healthy and happy day!

References: Michael Murray N.D., Joseph Pizzorno N.D., and Lara Pizzorno M.A., L.M.T

By, Natalie Pyles

NSA Speaker, Author, Medical Exercise and Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist, Licensed Nutritionist, Whole Health, Fitness, and Holistic Nutrition and Nursing Educator

Popularized Diet Fads continue Part 4 The Macrobiotic Diet from Fitness Elements Express!

6 Popular Diet Fads and the Scientific Discovery behind them Part 4- The Macrobiotic Diet

The How to's on Designing your own Healthy Diet

Here is a quick look on some of the most popular Diets and what has been discovered with these various type diets. This will be a six part discussion and education for you on determining and forming your own personal view. While there are literally hundreds of fad diets that have been promoted over the years that we could discuss, we will limit the discussion to the following popular diets:

The Atkins diet
The Blood Type Diet
The Ornish diet
The Macrobiotic diet
The vegetarian diet
The Zone diet


Today we will start and discuss the Macrobiotic diet and what the outcomes and conclusions were. This is part four of the six part series of articles.

The Macrobiotic Diet

The macrobiotic diet was developed in the 1920's by a Japenese educator named George Oshawa. Oshawa is said to have cured himself of serious illness by changing to a simple diet of brown rice, miso soup, and sea vegetables. After regaining his health. Oshawa worked to integrate Eastern and Western philosophy and medicine to form the dietary and lifestyle principles of what is now known as macrobiotics. The following are the key components of the macrobiotic diet and lifestyle.

Eat only Organic foods.
Eat two or three meals a day.
Avoid cooking with electricity or microwaves; use a gas wood stove, and use only cast iron, stainless-steel, or clay cookware.
Chew each mouthful of food approximately fifty times to aid digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Do not eat for at least three hours before bedtime.
Take short baths as needed with warm or cool water.
Use grooming, cosmetic, and household products made from natural, nontoxic ingredients.
Wear only cotton clothing and avoid metalic jewelry.
Spend as much time as possible in natural outdoor settings and walk at least 30 minutes daily.
Do aerobic or stretching exercises such as yoga, dance, or martial arts on a regular basis.
Place large green plants throughout the house to enrich the oxygen content of the air, and keep windows open as much as possible to allow the circulation of fresh air.
Avoid watching television and using computers as much as possible.

Whole grains, such as brown rice, barley, millet, oats, corn, and rye, make up the bulk of the macrobiotic diet. The diet also emphasizes the consumption of vegetables, especially cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, bok choy, collards, and mustad greens. Beans, tofu, and sea vegetables should be eaten on a daily basis, and a few servings each week of nuts, seeds, and fresh fish, such as halibut, flounder, cod, or sole, are permissible. All foods should be organically grown, and, ideally, only fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables should be eaten.

My view along with the refereneces I have provided for this article of the macrobiotic diet is that it incorporates many of the same principles that we advocate but falls short in its nutritional completeness and variety of health-boosting foods.

Nonetheless, the macrobiotic diet is a health-promoting diet that clinical research has shown it to be beneficial for people with cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Until part five the Vegetarian Diet have a healthy and happy day!

References: Michael Murray N.D., Joseph Pizzorno N.D., and Lara Pizzorno M.A., L.M.T

By, Natalie Pyles

NSA Speaker, Author, Medical Exercise and Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist, Licensed Nutritionist, Whole Health, Fitness, and Holistic Nutrition and Nursing Educator

6 Popular Diet Fads Continue- The Ornish Diet part 3 from Fitness Elements Express!

6 Popular Diet Fads and the Scientific Discovery behind them Part 3- The Ornish Diet

The How to's on Designing your own Healthy Diet

Here is a quick look on some of the most popular Diets and what has been discovered with these various type diets. This will be a six part discussion and education for you on determining and forming your own personal view. While there are literally hundreds of fad diets that have been promoted over the years that we could discuss, we will limit the discussion to the following popular diets:

The Atkins diet
The Blood Type Diet
The Ornish diet
The Macrobiotic diet
The vegetarian diet
The Zone diet

Today we will start and discuss the Ornish diet and what the outcomes and conclusions were. This is part three of the six part series of articles.

The Ornish Diet

Dean Ornish, M.D., is a developer of the Ornish diet. It is quite similiar to the diet that Nathan Pritikin developed and popularized in the 1970's. Both diets are basically the opposite of the Atkins diet. While the Atkins regimen is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, the Ornish diet program is low in fat and protein and high in whole-grain , natural complex carbohydrates. The Ornish prescription is to consume 10 percent of calories as fat, 70 to 75 percent of calories as complex carbohydrates, and 15 to 20 percent of calories as protein. The Ornish diet excludes all animal products, except nonfat milk and nonfat yogurt. It also resricts all plant foods high in fat, such as avocados, nuts, and seeds.

Dr. Ornish and his colleges have shown quite convincingly in well-designed clinical studies that can reverse heart disease. My main objectives to the Ornish diet along with my references objectives are that it is too restrictive and does not provide a sufficient amount of beneficial fats, and omega-3 fatty acids. In particular, the Ornish diet excludes fish, despite a significant body of research that demonstrates a protective effect of fish (and fish oil) consumption against heart disease.

Until part four the Macrobiotic Diet have a healthy and happy day!

References: Michael Murray N.D., Joseph Pizzorno N.D., and Lara Pizzorno M.A., L.M.T

By, Natalie Pyles

NSA Speaker, Author, Medical Exercise and Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist, Licensed Nutritionist,Whole Health, Fitness, and Holistic Nutrition and Nursing Educator