Posted by Dan Hammer //

08/15/2017

L-glutamine benefits were first discovered in the body building industry to help build and preserve muscle tissue. As more research has been done on this amino acid the health benefits of L-glutamine are impressive. Here are 14 key proven L-glutamine benefits

Promotes muscle growth.

Decreases muscle wasting (especially important for those using any type of statin drug.)

Helps balance mucus production to improve IBS, diarrhea issues, and healthy bowel movements.

Improves gastrointestinal health by rebuilding and repairing the small intestines.

Helps heal a leaky gut.

Helps heal ulcers.

Aids in cellular detoxification.

Improves your metabolism to aid in weight loss and weight management.

Helps curb cravings for sugar and alcohol.

Helps stabilize blood sugar to improve diabetic issues.

Is an essential neurotransmitter to help with memory, focus, and concentration.

Improves athletic performance.

Aids in recovery from intense exercise.

Key building block for muscular development.

What is Metabolism?

Posted by Dan Hammer //

08/01/2017

Just recently I had a good client of mine ask me the question what is metabolism. And the simple answer I gave him is your body’s ability to process your food and drink for energy. But the real answer to the question what is metabolism is a bit more complex than that.

Here’s a definition of metabolism from Christian Nordqvist,

“Metabolism refers to biochemical processes that occur within any living organism – including humans – to maintain life. These biochemical processes allow people to grow, reproduce, repair damage, and respond to their environment.”

And when you break down this definition there are two component parts. Read More →

Can Artificial Sweeteners Cause Weight Gain?

Posted by Dan Hammer //

07/22/2017

There has been a long running debate about whether artificial sweeteners cause weight gain. And the answer is “YES!”

Not only do they cause weight gain but they also contribute to several other metabolic disorders. These are the findings of the researchers at the University of Manitoba’s George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation. (Try fitting that on a business card.)

They reviewed 37 studies that where done over the last 10 years or more. These studies documented the results from over 400,000 participants who used artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and stevioside. They were able to document that artificial sweeteners had a negative impact on:

Metabolism

Gut Microbiome

and Appetite.

Additionally, their review of the literature clearly showed the following: Read More →

How to Optimize Power Naps

Posted by Dan Hammer //

07/15/2017

Power naps are a surprising way to improve your health and productivity. Especially if you can get over the guilt of taking one.

In fact, according to WebMD power naps are more effective than caffeine in boosting your memory, cognitive skills, creativity, and energy.

According to Dr. Sara C. Mednick, a sleep expert and author of Take a Nap! Change Your Life,

“You can get incredible benefits from 15 to 20 minutes of napping. You reset the system and get a burst of alertness and increased motor performance. That’s what most people really need to stave off sleepiness and get an energy boost.”

Resetting Your Microbiome – Two Testimonials

Posted by Dan Hammer //

07/08/2017

There is a health revolution taking place in America and it’s all about resetting your microbiome. Or what some term “resetting your gut health.” As I shared in my blog post 3 E’s and 4 R’s to Gut Health, the fastest way to reset your microbiome is to

Eliminate the 3 E’s

Eliminate Dybiosis

Eliminate Inflammation

Eliminate Leaky Gut

Replace with the 4 R’s

Remove Foods and Factors That Damage Your Gut

Replace With Healing Foods

Repair With Specific Supplements

Rebalance With Prebiotics and Probiotics

And that’s exactly what Homer Wimberly and Tammy Hester did in resetting their microbiome. They have given me permission to share their testimonials. Read More →

How Much Protein Do You Need

Posted by Dan Hammer //

07/01/2017

With the recent emphasis on protein to improve your health has come the question, how much protein do you need? If you research this, then you’re going to find a wide range of answers.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it’s 46 grams for women and 56 grams for men. However, you need to keep in mind that this is the minimum to prevent illnesses due to lack of protein consumption.

In a recent show on Dr. Oz he also addressed this question on how much protein do you need. According to Dr. Oz the suggested recommendation varies according to your current weight. Here is a link to the show and in it he recommends dividing your weight by 3 to determine the amount of protein that’s right for you.

If I used his suggestion, then I would need 45 grams of protein since I weigh 136 pounds. This would be less then the government’s recommendation. However, if I weighed 210 pounds, then I would need 70 grams of protein, which would be higher then the government’s recommendation.

In deciding how much protein is right for you, this formula of dividing your weight by 3 allows for individual differences and would work for both men and women. Read More →

Resetting Your Gut Microbiome With Protein Foods

Posted by Dan Hammer //

06/22/2017

Choosing the right type of protein foods can play a major role in helping reset your gut microbiome for improved health and wellness. And here’s why.

When you properly select your protein source you can effectively address the 3 E’s to gut health. These 3 E’s are:

Eliminate Dysbiosis

Eliminate Inflammation

Eliminate Leaky Gut

And if your diet is lacking in protein, not only will you experience abdominal distress but you could also experience the following symptoms: Read More →

Resetting Your Gut Microbiome With The Mediterranean Diet

Posted by Dan Hammer //

06/15/2017

I just recently came across an excellent article on The 15 Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet by Jen Miller. I’ve listed these 15 health benefits below.

As I was reading her post I kept thinking that the Mediterranean Diet is an excellent way to address the 3 E’s and 4 R’s to Gut Health. How this way of life can:

Eliminate Dysbiosis

Eliminate Inflammation

Eliminate Leaky Gut

while helping you

Remove Foods and Factors That Damage Your Gut

Replace With Healing Foods

Repair With Specific Supplements

Rebalance With Prebiotics and Probiotics

The Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional foods that were consumed by ancient populations in Italy and Greece. Over time this diet has been modified. But its core components have remained the same.

And the resulting health benefits make the Western diet look like a death sentence. Read More →

Can Garlic Benefit Your Health

Posted by Dan Hammer //

06/08/2017

If you search the web for information on garlic you’re going to find a wide range of conflicting information. Garlic Some of the information will tell you this herb is effective for a variety of health challenges. Other articles will tell you that the benefits of garlic are as mythical as its ability to protect you from vampires.

This article will give you a fair and balance perspective so that you can make an intelligent choice on whether to include this herb as part of your health plan.

History of Garlic

Garlic belongs to the Allium family of vegetables which also includes onions, chives, shallots and leeks. It’s a perennial herb with a bulb that can contain 5 – 15 cloves.

While it has been used for centuries as a culinary and medicinal herb, it wasn’t until 1844 that a German chemist named Theodor Wertheim was able to distill the pungent substance in this herb. He called it allyl.

In 1848 Louis Pasteur demonstrated that allyl could inhibit the growth of bacteria. For whatever reasons, Louis Pasteur and others abandoned further research on this herb and its ability to inhibit bacterial growth. Read More →