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Fight Heavy-Metal Toxicity With Whey
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By Dr. Phil Maffetone

One of the most serious environmental contaminants includes a group of compounds known as heavy metals that find their way into the body through air, water and food, and even medications such as mercury-containing preservatives in vaccines. Other dangerous heavy metals include lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, aluminum and silver.

While exposure is common in homes, offices and schools, even those who live far away from industrial areas may be at risk as exposure worldwide is now a serious concern. Health problems can begin almost immediately after exposure of high amounts, or result from a buildup of smaller levels over many years. The problem of exposure is especially serious for children, whose developing bodies and brains are more vulnerable to heavy-metal contamination. As adults, chronic low-level exposure throughout life can also cause health issues, especially fatigue, immune problems and cognitive dysfunction.

These toxins, commonly encountered through household and other environmental conditions, have been extensively studied and reported in medical journals. They have been shown to impair children's development even at levels of exposure currently experienced by significant portions of the population. These include impairments in attention, memory, learning, IQ and other cognitive dysfunction along with potential physical problems. In addition, social dysfunction may include problematic classroom behavior and increased delinquency.

Physical problems associated with heavy-metal toxicity can include a variety of symptoms. These include fatigue, sometimes due to suppression of thyroid function. Numbness or tingling (arms or legs), muscle and joint pain, headaches and other symptoms can also be associated with metal toxicity.

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"The problem of heavy-metal toxicity can be remedied in two ways."
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While blood tests are the most common approach to diagnosing a clear toxicity, even undetectable levels in the blood can cause dysfunction. In more serious exposure, such as lead toxicity, a bone X-ray more easily demonstrates the problem.

The problem of heavy-metal toxicity can be remedied in two ways. Prevention is the best approach. This includes avoiding pollution from air, water and food. In the case of infants, continual care to see what goes into their mouths is important.

Treatment of common metal toxicity can include certain items in the diet. Whey protein, such as that contained in  Hydrolyzed Lactalbumin Protein (Pure Whey Protein)  from here, contains the amino acid cysteine, which can help rid the body of toxic metals. Whey protein has also been shown to improve immune function in children and adults. Likewise, heavy-metal toxicity can significantly reduce cysteine levels in the body. Replacing the lost cysteine with whey or even cysteine itself, not only helps reduce heavy-metal toxicity, but also restores immune function. Cysteine performs this task by providing sulfur to the liver. This helps to detoxify the liver and to remove many other potentially harmful compounds in addition to heavy metals.

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  Exercise is Key in Weight-Loss Equation
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By Dr. Phil Maffetone

Learning to eat properly to meet your individual needs is very important to any weight-loss program. However, it's also essential that you exercise regularly to maximize the benefits.

Exercise is a necessity to stimulate the body's fat-burning mechanism. I'm not talking about a no-pain, no-gain exercise program that will fall by the wayside as quickly as you start it. Instead I am talking about an ongoing natural aerobic exercise program that will greatly improve your energy levels, stamina and endurance, while helping you to lose excess body fat, and tone aerobic muscles.

Aerobic exercise differs greatly from anaerobic no-pain, no-gain activities like fast running, weight-lifting and "aerobics classes." In fact, aerobics classes are often anaerobic exercise due to the intensity at which they are conducted. The main difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise is that when you perform aerobic exercise your body predominantly uses fat as a fuel. However, when you do anaerobic exercises you will mostly burn sugar. Moreover, when you perform aerobic exercise, you program your body to burn more fat as a fuel for all your activities, from working to sleeping. On the other hand, anaerobic exercise programs your body to burn more sugar and less fat. So if you want to burn fat and lose weight, think slow and easy when it comes to exercise.

Even if you've never been active, aerobic exercise is easy and simple. It can be done with a simple 29-minute walk a minimum of five times per week. You can do this on your way to work, or on your way home, as part of your lunch break or anytime. It can be performed walking indoors or outdoors. Or you can use a treadmill or stationary bike, either in your home or at the gym. A simple aerobic workout will easily fit into your current work schedule and requires no special equipment, clothing or gear.

 If you already have been exercising, or wish to pursue a more advanced exercise program, you may want to use a heart-rate monitor to ensure your heart rate is not exceeding your aerobic "fat-burning zone." A handy formula called The 180 Formula for determining the optimum heart rate for burning body fat is discussed in my book, In Fitness and In Health. Exercising above the proper heart rate may result in more stress and the risk of overtraining, which can have adverse effects on long-term fat-burning.

As you progress with your aerobic workouts you may find that you want to increase the duration of your exercise. Expanding your exercise program to longer durations will only increase the benefits of health and weight loss.

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Turkey Day:
It's Not the Bird That Makes You Sleepy
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By Dr. Phil Maffetone

Sleepiness after any meal may be indicative of carbohydrate intolerance. So if you often feel this way, it's time to re-evaluate your eating habits. The," Two-Week Test", as discussed in the book, In Fitness and In Health, is a good place to start.