Food Incompatabilities and Fruit Smoothies; Energy Science Nutrition
The rage is fruit smoothies these days but from an energy science view it's not a good combination Fruit with any other food and that includes milk should be kept separate But there's so much more about incomapatability that the energy science of Ayurveda has to say
The concept of food incompatability is not a well known concept in matter science nutrition circles but from an energy science view there is a large volume of information since ingestion of incompatable combinations lead to disease
Matter science has a few things to say about incompatable foods Some say that it takes three foods to bring about incompatability Other western nutritional experts believe there is a possilble molecular transmission and that disease is related in some way to the incompatability but draws on the fact that the incompatability rests on the individual
The Energy Science Perspective
According to energy science of Ayurveda, every food has its own taste (rasa), a heating or cooling energy (virya) and post-digestive effect (vipak) When two or three different food substances of different taste, energy and post-digestive effect are combined together agni can become overloaded inhibiting the enzyme system and resulting in production of toxins in the system While it is true that an individual's agni largely determines how well or poorly food is digested, food combinations are also of great importance When foods, (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) having different attributes, tastes, heating or cooling properties, and post-digestive effects are eaten together, agni will be slowed down The foods can then remain in the stomach for seven to eight hours These same foods, if eaten separately might well stimulate agni, be digested more quickly and even help to burn ama(digestive toxic load or stagnant energy) Thus, according to Ayurveda, one should eat according to one's constitution and take fruits, starches, proteins and fats separately at different times of the day Combining foods improperly can produce indigestion, fermentation, putrefaction and gas formation. This condition, if prolonged, can lead to toxemia and disease complex For example, eating bananas with milk can diminish agni, change the intestinal flora producing toxins and may cause sinus congestion, cold, cough and allergies
Some Basic Concepts
Avoid taking milk or yogurt with sour or citrus fruits.
Avoid eating fruits together with potatoes or other starchy foods. Fructose (and other sugars) is digested quickly, whereas starch takes quite some time. In this case the sugar would not be properly digested.
Avoid eating melons and grains together. Melons digest quickly whereas grains take more time. This combination will upset the stomach. Melons should be eaten alone or left alone.
Honey should never be cooked. Honey digests slowly when cooked and the molecules become a non-homogenized glue which adheres to mucous membranes and clogs subtle channels, producing toxins. Uncooked honey is nectar. Cooked honey is poison.
Do not eat meat protein and milk protein together. Meat is heating and milk is cooling so they counteract one another, disturb agni and produce ama.
Milk and melons should not be eaten together. Both are cooling, but milk is laxative and melon is diuretic, and milk requires more time for digestion. Moreover the action of hydrochloric acid in the stomach causes the milk to curdle. For this reason Ayurveda advises against taking milk with sour fruits, yogurt, sour cream, cheese, and fish
Digestive Aids
There is a beautiful passage in the Sanskrit literature describing all types of foods and their actions. Among the digestive aids referred to there are:
Water, which imparts a liquid quality and helps in digestion and absorption of food.
Salt also aids digestion, and helps to retain water.
Alkalies help digestion and regulate gastric fire (HCL).
Ghee stimulates agni and improves digestion.
Milk invigorates.
Meat gives energy. Also in this literature are descriptions on influence of foods on the tri-dosha:
Pitta is increased by foods which are sour and pungent.
Kapha is aggravated by milk products.
Vata is over-stimulated by beans, dry fruits, astringent and bitter substances. The daily diet should contain:
40 - 50% well-cooked basmati rice, barley, corn or wheat depending upon one's constitution.
15 - 30% well cooked legumes.
2 - 5% vegetable soups.
1/2 teaspoon pickles
Incompatable Food Combinations
Milk Is Incompatible With:
Bananas
Fish
Meat
Melons
Curd
Sour Fruits
Kitchari
Bread containing yeast
Cherries
Melons Are Incompatible With:
Grains
Starch
Fried foods
Cheese
Starches Are Incompatible With:
Eggs
Chai
Milk
Bananas
Dates
Persimmons
Ghee (in equal proportions)
Heating or cooking with.
Radishes Are Incompatible With:
Milk
Bananas
Raisins
Nightshades, (Potato, Tomato, Eggplant, Chilies) Are Incompatible With:
Yogurt
Milk
Melon
Cucumber
Yogurt Is Incompatible With:
Milk
Sour Fruits
Melons
Hot drinks
Meat
Fish
Mangos
Starch
Cheese
Eggs Are Incompatible With:
Milk
Meat
Yogurt
Melons
Cheese
Fish
Bananas
Mangos Are Incompatible With:
Yogurt
Cheese
Cucumbers
Corn Is Incompatible With:
Dates
Raisins
Bananas
Lemon Is Incompatible With:
Yogurt
Milk
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
My profound gratittude to Dr Vasant Lad for helping to prepare this list
Until next time To health as a Skill Love DrBill
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Nightshades and the Energy Pattern of Vata
Nightshades: The Alkaloids and The Matter Science
Nightshades get their name from the fact that the flower during fertilization is bent down like the Victorian lampshades used at night for lighting
The group includes tomatoes, eggplant, sweet and hot peppers, potato both white and sweet, and paprika as a spice So we can see that this food group has a wide range of usage in our nutritiion
From a molecular standpoint they have a high concentration of a class of compounds called alkaloids that have two significant biological effects The first is that they interfere with a nervous system neurotransmitter that is ubiquitous in the nervous system So there is a potential but subtle change in nervous function
The second feature is that this class of compounds can affect the joint spaces and again even though subtle consistent intake of these compounds in all the varieties of nightshades currently available to us leads to potential imbalances that can affect our health long term
Nightshades: An Energy Science Perspective
The energy science of Ayurveda views foods from how they affect the energy physiology and ultimately their impact on the balance they bring or do not bring to the physiology For example, if a Pitta Vata(PV) eats tomato they increase the qualities of hot, light, sharp/penetrating, rough, dry, liquid, and subtle Vata is the energy of movement in the energy physiology so this has biologic repercussions for those of us who are Vata dominant
Many of these qualities can have imbalancing effects long term and lead over a period of time dis-ease consequences such as anxiety, anger, irritability, fear, and loneliness due to their effects on the nervous system through the above neurotransmitter effects on cholinesterase With this example we can see how foods effect the mind not just the physical body, that is they affect the mindbody as a whole
And these same alkaloid effects can produce difficulty in managing joint dis-eases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and gouty arthritis This is because these same qualities affect energy patterns that affect the joints, causing dryness due to the qualities of hot,rough, light, and dry
The below table helps us understand the nutritional use of the various nightshades from an energy science view
Yes Moderation No
Tomato, raw PV/PK
Tomato, cooked PK PV
Eggplant PK PV
Sweet peppers PK PV
Peppers, hot PK PV
Potato, white PK PV
Potato, sweet PV PK
Paprika PK/PV
How To Interpret the Table
The link provided above comes from foodsheal.com and by taking a questionnaire we can find out what our basic biological energy pattern is With that information we can determine if we are PK(Pitta Kapha) or PV Then using that we can see where we fit on the above table As we can see PV should stay away from nightshades as a class of foods Who would have thunk it? And it is based on the above information garnered from the alkaloid effects on the nervous system and joints
We can also see how PK can use this class of foods in moderation which means 1-2 x/week but as we show not all the time And then PV can use sweet potato all the time and PK white potato all the time
Both PK and PV should stay away from raw tomato all the time!! What happened to our salads!!
The Value of Energy Science Nutrition
It is obvious that most of us do not or would not follow the above scheme But the information is there for any of us who want to be healthier It's a different biologic paradigm but one that will help improve our quality of life if we so chose
As in any aspect of nutrition, the choice is ours
Until next time Ciao To health as a Skill Love DrBill
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The Biological Energy Pattern of Vata and Its Imbalances
The Energy Science and Aggravated Vata
In the biological energy science of Ayurveda the energy of movement in the physiology is Vata which translated means that which acts like a vehicle If this biological energy pattern is a vehicle, what does it carry? The answer it circulates the other physiologic energy patterns of Pitta and Kapha but for our purposes today we'll focus on what produces an increase in the Vata energy pattern and what are the consequences
Aggravation of this energy pattern is brought about by;
Not eating according to your energy mindbody makeup
Eating old leftover food Dry uncooked food Rapid eating
Eating before last meal digested Too many activities(so called multitaskiing) Overstimulation
Staying up late at night Prolonged loud talk Overexertion Excessive exercise Prolonged grief worries anxiety fear loneliness Excessive sex
So What Are the Physical Obervations of This Aggravated Vata State?
Once Vata is aggravated it shows up in many psychological signs and symptoms
Fear Indecision Anxiety Tremors
Loneliness Lack of direction Fatigue Muscle tension/joint pains
And physically as:
Dry rough skin Early skin wrinkling Chronic constipation or diarrhea
Poor sleep Interference with sexual performance Addictions(alcoholism etc)
Cracking of the joints
Many of these signs and symptoms are common reasons why we seek help at our matter science medical doctor's offices, estimated to be about 70-80% of all doctor visits Yet by our list of symptoms we can see that often the tools that the doctor might use will be insufficient at best in dealing with the presenting problems
Long Range Consequences of Fast Paced Lifestyle Behaviors
But the serious consequences of this imbalance year after year decade after decade is not pretty Left to continued aggravation by the "fast paced Western lifestyle" Vata takes us out to the woodshed and creates even more damage Merely extensions of the above listed dis-eases and this list is not complete
Chronic fatigue syndrome Chronic diarrhea Chronic depression
Malabsorption(irritable bowel syndrome) Chronic constipation Eating disorders(anorexia/bullemia)
Chronic headache Stroke(CVA) Osteoporosis
Chronic insomnia Asthma Interstitial cystitis
So What To Do?
The first step is to stop the aggravation by observing what we are doing on a daily basis with the above aggravating factors in mind Going to foodsheal.com will help give some nutritional guidelines
Other steps are important
Get good rest on a regular basis (in bed by 1030pm)
Don't overexercise(light sweat is enough)
Do daily oil massage
If you yet don't have the long range consequences then it's a great time to start If you have long range consequences then it's never too late!!!
Until next time Ciao To health as a Skill Love DrBill
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Vitamins, Health, and Nutrition: An Energy Science View
Even though the health supplement industry has become amazingly successful I think it not unreasonable to look at the other side of the coin and consider the potential adverse effects of supplements particularly employing the energy science view
The Matter Science Debate on Molecules
In the article that appeared in USA Today two sides of the coin are debated by one financed by the nutraceutical camp and the other representing the skeptical matter or molecular science view about the agents, both with solid credentials
The article revolves around a recent Archives of Internal Medicine research that showed an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in women taking regular multivitamins
And no doubt there will other future articles showing other potential adverse effects because it is impossible to control for all the variables leading to these matter science articles in peer reviewed journals
So What's The Point?
As a society we have translated the current matter science medicine pharmaceutical approach to intuitively believing that if pills bail us out of medical problems that pills can be taken to make us healthy
This transition seems to make logical sense on the surface but when we think more deeply about the problem it doesn't make sense
I had a patient who was suffering from severe gastric hyperacidity(heartburn) requiring emergency room visits and in questioning was taking large doses of vitamin C(2000mg per day) She had other symptoms of excess acidity as well and began feeling better after stopping the C
This story is not uncommon in a population that believes that health begins with taking a pill It also points to the fact that blind pill popping can make us sick Since these pills are concentrated food they can have adverse consequences because as we know even food can make us sick
Supplement According to Your Energy Pattern
The energy science can give us guidance here because when one takes supplements according to one's energy pattern makeup then we can't get into trouble The patient mentioned above shouldn't have been taking C at all due to her makeup
So what should we do?
Find out what energy makeup you are
Find the appropriate nutritional format
Look at the supplements section under your format
Remember the rule: A lot more is not better
Until next time Ciao To health as a Skill Love DrBill
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Do We Need a Nutritional Philosophy?
What comes around, goes around, says our cartoon And there are common responses to this "Yea, yea I know my nutritional decisions make me what I am, "As you sow, so shall you reap"
But if we subsitituted our friend in the cartoon with today's matter science nutritionist we might get an idea that what is being done today in nutrition circles is not working
Perhaps it argues for a different nutritional philosophy?
Intellectualizing With Speculation
We don't currently have a philosophy behind our current nutritional discussions these days We have a matter science or molecular nutritional way of assessing our foods and supplements This information often debases our choices on "too much sugar, too much fat, not enough protein, not enough calcium, not enough too little protein, this lycopene will make you better" approach And confusion reigns!!
And the molecular approach does have a place But perhaps there's a way to add to the present nutritional way of doing things
But philosophy or the study of how we obtain knowledge, in this case nutrition, currently reactively intellectualizes about nutritional choices For example, if refined sugar is bad, then there can be lots of choices that give you natural sugar If being vegetarian seems like a good idea, then we can give you a lot of non meat choices
The application to our daily lives doesn't match with a body of knowledge with one pointed focus A hodge podge of information The application of the knowledge is not married to a grounding philosophy of nutritional thought Mere speculation about foods that may or may not be good for us I would submit a lot of conjecture and less trust by the consumer as to what the real truth is since it changes year by year
But nutritional philosophy should be utilitarian, that is, it should not be divorced from practical life circumstances
And I sense currently that people want more and better advice as to what to eat grounded on, you guessed it, a philosophy
Nutritional Philosophy Based on Nature
What separates the current matter science nutritional utilitarian approach from the energy science nutritional model is that the latter is grounded in a deep philosophical tradition whereas our matter or molecular approach is not
Furthermore the energy science nutritional model is based on a philosophy that is both theoretical and practical What good is a philosophy if it is not practical to our every day lives?
This energy science philosophy is based on the understanding of the workings of Nature herself Again not on intellectual musings about what's currently in vogue but on why to act based on the fundamental laws of Nature
For example,if one suffers from heartburn(acid indigestion) then what foods should I use and what foods should I avoid? You might be surprised! If I have a strong family history of cancer what foods should I avoid and what foods should I favor? You might be surprised!
More generally speaking, what foods are antiinflammatory, anticongestive, and antidegenerative?
Philosophy and Improvement of Quality of Life
No one gets out of this life alive And for some the quantity of life(longevity) is not as important as the quality of the life lived
We might be surprised by the fact that a sound philosophy brings about improved quality of life and possibly quantity as well
But the key is that nutrition based on a life promoting philosophy will give its users a quieter mind, weight loss, more energy, ability to wake up in the morning with energy refreshed, better clarity with decision making, a better immune system response to cancer cells, emotional stability, and more balance in life and health overall
It sounds too good to be true But what do you have to lose? No money, just a promise and a gift
Until next time Ciao To health as a Skill Love DrBill
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Talking To Our Genes and Inflammatory Diets
As we have more understanding of genetic plasticity we begin to realize that there is an active communication between the nutritional choices that we make and our genetic responses That dietary choices change your genetic structure and expression for disease
The Pitta Energy Pattern and Inflammation
What Berit Johansen professor of biology and her colleagues at Norwegian University of Science and Technology found was that either excessive carbohydrate(CHO) in the diet produced an upregulation of genes responsible for inflammation
When Pitta provoking foods are taken in that produce inflammation we may experience heartburn, acid indigestion, or diarrhea These are local GI responses to the inflammation delivered in the form of imbalancing foods
But as the researchers point out if inflammatory foods are ingested over a long period of time(chronically) then "we stimulate our genes to initiate the activity that creates inflammation in the body This is not the kind of inflammation that you would experience as pain or an illness, but instead it is as if you are battling a chronic light flu-like condition. Your skin is slightly redder, your body stores more water, you feel warmer, and you're not on top mentally"
Scientists call this metabolic inflammation
This is precisely what the energy science disciplines state regarding the chronic manifestation of disease from cancer to rheumatoid arthritis to diabetes
“Genes that are involved in type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and some forms of cancer respond to diet, and are up-regulated, or activated, by a carbohydrate-rich diet,” says Johansen
Encouraging Message From Research
Johansen and her team did make an interesting observation
For those of us who have been eating a high carbohydrate diet, she related that “It took just six days to change the gene expression of each of the volunteers,” so it's easy to get started But if you want to reduce your likelihood of lifestyle disease, this new diet will have to be a permanent change
We Eat Our Way to Disease
Our thoughts produce food choices
Food choices if poorly made effect gene expression
Gene expression can produce inflammation
Chronic inflammation can produce chronic disease
It's our choice whether to be sick Our current matter science medical model blames foods, pesticides, food manufacturers, the government, etc
But where do we fit in this formula I would submit no where in the current nutritional model
A Simple Message
.Physiologic inflammation induces disease from an energy science medical view This has been taught and known about for thousands of years It's only now that our contemporary matter science medical model is understanding it's importance
The energy science medical model and it's nutritional approach can be of great benefit to us in directing our choices of foods
Until next time Ciao To health as a Skill Love DrBill
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