Tag Archive for: digestive health testing

pH strips and test bottle

Understanding the 24 Hour Urinalysis

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Understanding the 24 Hour Urinalysis is key to balancing the body and reducing stress from tissues and organs. The key insight is determining optimal digestion.  I work primarily with women who typically want to balance their hormones and lose weight. The number one insight to understanding their health is that it is extremely difficult to balance the hormones until we balance the gut. Truly, balancing the gut is the first step before working towards rebalancing the body from any health condition.

The 24-hour urinalysis collection provides information on what a person can absorb, assimilate and digest as well as nutrient deficiencies.  The test is prognostic, not diagnostic. These insights tell what could lie ahead with your health if you don’t make the changes to clean up your diet and support your digestion.

A 24-hour collection is a way of peeking at the blood (the extracellular fluid or ECF). The health of the blood takes precedence in the body and cells will sacrifice nutrients in attempting to maintain the blood’s pH. So, therefore, the blood takes what it needs from the cells to achieve its balance or homeostasis.

Volume

The total urine output in relationship to the specific gravity indicates how well the kidneys are functioning.

Specific Gravity

Measures the weight of total dissolved substances in the urine against an equal amount of water. Specific gravity shows the general water content (hydration) of the body.

Indican

This indicates the degree of toxicity, putrefaction, gas, and fermentation in the intestines. Indican comes from putrefying undigested food in the large intestine which is kicked back into the blood and excreted through the kidneys. Indican is extremely toxic and cause many symptoms.

Calcium

If a nutrient does not show in the blood, it means the body is using all there is. For example, if the level of urinary calcium is low, that indicates that the blood doesn’t have enough calcium to spare and may be leaching calcium out of the cells and bones. This could lead to osteopenia or osteoporosis. If the nutrients are too high, the blood is dumping excess calcium into the urine. For example, the urine test can show too much calcium or electrolyte chloride (salt) which means you are eating too much salt. It can also indicate a lipase deficiency.

pH

If the urine shows an acidic pH, it means the blood is dumping excess acid reserves into the urine to maintain an optimal pH. A high alkaline urine pH means the blood is dumping excess alkaline into the urine.

Kidney Stress

Signs of kidney-lymphatic stress include allergies, dark circles under the eyes, swollen lymph glands, kidney pain, low blood sugar, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. This is usually worse in women during menstruation and pregnancy. Urine volume in relation to specific gravity shows whether the person is suffering from kidney-lymphatic stress. A normal or low volume with a low specific gravity indicates a kidney lymphatic stress pattern.

Total Sediment

Total sediment is about determining optimal digestion. The reading looks at the ability to digest protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Understanding this value helps determine which digestive enzyme and diet would be best for your body.

Vitamin C 

Levels of vitamin C indicate body reserves.

Additional Resources

A great resource to learn more is The Enzyme Advantage for Women by Howard Loomis Jr., D.C., F.I.A.C.A.. In this book you will learn how diet and digestion can impact female health; from puberty, PMS, and infertility to menopause, as well as the four types of PMS, and much more! I was so fortunate to complete my Digestive Health Training directly from Dr. Loomis along with a team of other brilliant doctors from Loomis Institute.

Call us with questions at 812-461-8922 or schedule a complimentary Wellness Strategy Session.

 

how to soak and sprout nuts

How to Soak Nuts

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How to Soak Nuts

Before we answer how to soak nuts, we must answer why you should.  Nuts and seeds could be wreaking havoc on your digestion as you may not be assimilating them. It is true, nuts and seeds along with grains and legumes contain natural toxic inhibitors to ensure their survival until germination.  Nature has made them indigestible in their dry form. Soaking removes the inhibitors and makes them more digestible allowing your body to utilize more vital nutrients contained within.

Benefits of soaking nuts and seeds:

  • Increases enzyme activity
  • Better absorption of nutrients by the body
  • Increased digestibility
  • Soaked nuts and seeds will begin the sprouting process which increases their nutrient value
  • Improves flavor, especially with walnuts as the tannins, dust, and residues are rinsed away

Most unsoaked or raw nuts and seeds contain enzyme inhibitors and toxic substances. Nature has intended the dry nut and seed to be protected by enzyme inhibitors and toxic substances until perfect growing conditions are in place. When there is enough rain and sun, this sets the stage for the nut/seed to literally come alive. When soaking nuts and seeds, we mimic nature.

Another important reason to soak nuts is that the soaking process will help remove the dust, residue, and tannins from the skins. You’ll notice that soaked walnuts do not have that astringent taste to them. This is because when soaking walnuts, the tannins are rinsed away, leaving behind a softer, tastier nut.

Nuts should only be soaked after they are removed from their shells. You’ll notice that nuts without skins such as macadamias, cashews or Brazil nuts don’t have as much of the murky water residue, but soaking is still recommended for ease in blending and for nutritional purposes.

Recommended soaking time for nuts and seeds:

Soaking nuts and seeds can take anywhere from 20 minutes, to 2 to 3 hours, even overnight in the refrigerator. Harder nuts will take longer to soften. If your recipe calls for soaked nuts or seeds and you are short on time, you can soak them for 20 minutes or at the very least rinse them. Otherwise, plan ahead and soak or sprout them according to the chart below.

Soaking nuts in plastic is not recommended as plastic can leach into the water and into your food. Some folks keep a variety of nuts and seeds soaking in their refrigerators at all times to have handy. If you do this, be sure to change the soak water every couple of days to prevent spoiling.

Note: the soaked water from nuts and seeds should always be discarded and never used as water in a recipe. Also, be sure the water you are using is purified or distilled.

Here is a helpful soaking and sprouting infographic for nuts and seeds as well as grains and legumes.  Click the image to see an enlarged version.

Need a bit more help with your digestion? Consider Digestive Health Testing or schedule a Free Wellness Strategy Session with me to learn more. I am the premium Digestive Health Specialist in the Charleston, SC area but can help clients online via virtual consulting.

How to Soak Nuts