Countdown to Fitness

Magnesium Citrate - Builds Strong Bones and Teeth

I made an interesting observation of my blood pressure (BP) this morning after I started taking 5 dietary supplements this week (magnesium citrate, coQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin E, and lemon-flavored cod liver oil), based on the recommendations in the book The Protein Power Lifeplan by Michael Eades, M.D., and Mary Dan Eades, M.D.  My BP was the lowest I’ve observed since I started taking it back in May.  In fact, it was about 10 points lower on both the top (systolic) number and bottom (diastolic) number — 97/60.  Wow!  This is without taking any high blood pressure medication and without exercise.  (I’m not proud of that latter one.) (more…)

Maybe you want to lose or maintain weight.  Perhaps you have diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, diseases of the eye, or autoimmune disorders.  Or maybe you just want to find a healthy way to eat. The Protein Power Lifeplan by Michael Eades, M.D., and Mary Dan Eades, M.D., which I highly recommend, is the best book on this subject I’ve read so far.  This is not just a diet book, but as the cover says, this book is “A New Comprehensive Blueprint for Optimal Health.”

While the authors had written a previous book Protein Power: The High-Protein/Low-Carbohydrate Way to Lose Weight, Feel Fit, and Boost Your Health–in Just Weeks!, which I also bought, I was going on a trip and grabbed their second book first.  (I’m going to be reading their first book next.) (more…)

500 milligram calcium supplements made from calcium carbonate

Just yesterday, I received a new email notification from NutritionData talking about the dangers of calcium supplements, linked to a new study “Study: Calcium May Increase Heart Attack Risk.” Interestingly enough, in the book I just read, The Protein Power Lifeplan (published in 2000 — 10 years ago!), the two authors, both physicians, talk about the increased risk, not just for heart problems, but also for other health problems. (more…)

Live Springs Farm Pasture-Raised Pig

Back in March, I wrote an article “Why Fitness Hopeful Is Eating a High-Protein, High-Fiber, Moderate-Carb, Moderate-Fat Eating Plan.” I’ve still been evolving my eating plan since then, so its about time I posted something about it.  While I’m still currently eating a high-protein, high-fiber, moderate-carb, moderate to higher fat plan, what I’ve eliminated is the big difference. (more…)

On my personal countdown to better fitness, I’ve been evolving my diet not only as I’ve read articles, books, and scientific papers, but also as I’ve made scientific observations about how food affects me personally.  Amazingly, or so I thought at the time, when I increased my protein and kept carbohydrate and fat consumption the same, I lost weight.   This has happened several times since October 2009.

How can this be? (more…)