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In this weeks podcast, I interview Erica Stelcik, nutritional and detox coach about two of the foods that you are likely eating that are literally killing you slowly.
I answer the following listener questions:
-How can I get rid of stubborn belly fat?
-Weight lifting for back and shoulder pain?
-I can’t quit eating sweets. Is there something wrong with me?

Podcast resources: Contact Erica Stelcik for a personalized nutritional and detox profile at: http://www.realfood2health.com/ (949) 596-9991. Mention the podcast for a special offer.
Food Journal print out to track your food intake.
Overhead Squat Form (non affiliated youtube video): my advice- do this very slowly, not fast like in the video. You will have no weight with the broomstick so focus on slow, deliberate, conscious movement. If you have a camera, film your movement. Send me the link to your youtube video…
Yoga pose Utkatasana (fierce pose) photo of BKS Iyengar. Make sure to not overarch the low back. Low back should be almost flat in this pose, the trunk and arms as vertical as possible.
Rolf Method of Structural Integration.
For specific and personally tailored analysis and programs contact me directly at manny@mannyaragonstructuralperformance.com (949) 375-7278

In this video I interview Glen Depke, Traditional Naturopath to follow up on his previous guest post article on natural ways to protect yourself from the effects of chronic exposure to radioactive fallout. You can sign up for Glens Newsletter at: http://bit.ly/glenletter and grab the RadioProtect package at: http://conta.cc/radioprotect

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In this weeks podcast, I answer the burning (or not so burning question)- What foods can I eat to increase my libido?
-How can I stop constant hunger pangs while at work?
-Does eating spinach increase growth hormone levels in the body?
-What is the supplement immunocal and is it good for you?
-How can you put an end to knee pain while running?
-What is the best strategy for dealing with IT band syndrome?
-When should I use iodine supplements to protect my thyroid from nuclear fallout?
-What is a “safe” dose of radiation?

Guest Article by Glen Depke- Traditional Naturopath

The earthquake and tsunami are devastating events last week for the people of Japan and their friends and loved ones worldwide and our thoughts and prayers are with them all.

There is another potential devastating event that could be taking place sometime very soon based on the condition of many of the nuclear reactors in Japan. While it is difficult to get reliable information from the news and government agencies, it is suggested that 8 or 9 nuclear reactors is Japan are in dangerous territory. The chance that one of these reactors melts down may be higher than we are lead to believe. Since my wife and I live on the West coast, this is a concern of mine since the trade winds head right from Japan to the West coast of the United States.

So what are some of the toxic effects of radioactivity exposure?

On a cellular level excessive radioactivity causes damage to chromosomes and causes radiation sickness. This will also damage immune system function and increase the risk of many forms of cancer, due to radioactivity inducing mutations to cells that lead to cancer. This exposure also causes the production of hydroxyl free radicals with the body by “splitting” the body’s water content. Exposure to radioactivity on the skin can cause radiodermatitis and often causes radioepithelitis, which is a destruction of the epithelium especially of the skin.

So what proactive steps can we take based on this possibility?

I am going to focus on products and supplements that will provide the highest levels of protection for me and my family and I would recommend reviewing this list for your family.

· Glutathione is a key component of the antioxidant system which protects the body from free radicals at the cellular level. Reduced glutathione is involved in the synthesis and repair of DNA, and enhances the antioxidant activity of vitamin C, the transport of amino acids, and the detoxification of harmful compounds.

· Glutathione Recycler is a scientifically developed, first-of-its-kind formula supports the synthesis and recycling of glutathione, the primary antioxidant produced in our bodies. This formula provides key essential nutrients, cofactors, and substrates that are used to metabolize intracellular glutathione activity. It also supports the activation of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzymes, and positively supports the ratios of reduced and oxidized glutathione.

· Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) – The oral administration of sodium bicarbonate diminishes the severity of the changes produced by uranium in the kidneys. The kidneys are usually the first organs to show chemical damage upon uranium exposure. It is my understanding that the United States Army recommends the use of bicarbonate to protect the kidneys from radiation damage. There is no better therapy for radiation sickness then intense sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and magnesium baths with the appropriate clay added in.

· Iodine is important to have in supply because this is the most obvious and important element in protecting against radiation damages. Radioactive iodine will plunge in to any and all iodine receptor cites that have no iodine in them due to iodine deficiencies. This is a serious problem because a high percentage of people in North America are iodine deficient. This leaves them susceptible to radioactive iodine, which is one of the principle forms of radiation given off in nuclear accidents. I would not recommend supplementing with more than 1000mcg of iodine per day and iodine could also be contraindicated with those on thyroid medications.

· Lipoic Acid reduces the toxic effects of exposure to radioactivity. It was recognized that persons exposed to Radioactivity after the Chernobyl incident (in Russia) who received Lipoic Acid supplements exhibit greatly lowered oxidative damage as a result of Radioactivity exposure.

· Vitamin C improves the ability of the body to resist the toxic effects of exposure to radioactivity. Guinea pigs that were supplemented with large dosages of Vitamin C combined with bioflavonoids were able to withstand twice the known lethal dosages of radioactivity. Vitamin C (10 grams per day) decreases the bleeding and cell degeneration that occurs as a result of exposure to plutonium radioactivity.

· Food and supplemental sources of chlorella and spirulina reduce the quantity of radioactive isotopes absorbed into the body and thereby helps to counteract the toxic effects of exposure to radioactivity.

· Lastly you could use a Young Living diffuser, coupled with the following oils, in the rooms of your home over the coming days and weeks. Diffuse a combination of Melrose, Sacred Frankincense, and Purification essential oils. Combine the oils in pairs when diffusing (for example, Melrose with Sacred Frankincense or Sacred Frankincense with Purification). Melrose is a particularly powerful blend because it contains two melaleuca oils that may protect cells from radiation damage. Another sensible precaution is to wear an inexpensive dust mask saturated with the above oils while you are outside or traveling.

Podcast: Download
In this March 2, 2011 free podcast episode:A recipe for “Fat Burning Juice”, A natural remedy for nail fungus, what kind of juicer is best, how to get rid of severe nightime foot and leg cramps, what is insulin sensitivity and how to control it, pediatric natural remedy for ear infections and pink eye, how to improve balance, and how to tell if you have an adrenal deficiency, how it affects your health, and what you can do about it.

Show Notes Resource Links: Omega Juicers J8003 , J8004, J8005, J8006.
Nuun Hydration Tablets, Min-Tran, Eyebright Liquid Extract, Goldenseal Root Extract, Bosu Ball. Balancing Yoga Poses: Tree Pose (Vrksasana), Half-Moon Pose (Arda Chandrasana).
To find out more about testing your adrenal levels, contact Glen Depke at (949)642-2094 or glen@depkewellness.com – be sure to mention coupon code (manny012B) for a special rate.

In this inaugural weekly podcast episode, I reveal 10 common but not so well known ways to easily and inexpensively boost your body’s fat burning capability. The secret here is to understand how these things work together to change the rate at which your body burns fuel. The key is to implement several of these simple techniques together to create a layered, synergistic fat burning effect.

There is a ton of great information in here which I show you how you can easily and quickly implement. On a side note, if you are in the So. California area, I will be covering this material and its application more in depth at a seminar at my Newport Beach, CA office on Thursday Feb 24th at 6:30pm. Space is limited so call or email your RSVP to me at (949) 375-7278 or manny@mannyaragonstructuralperformance.com

The challenge of staying pain free if you’re active and work at a desk…(who doesn’t?) is that physical activity just works better when your posture is better….that is, when your body is at its longest, tallest, most stretched out over all. Problem is, sitting at a desk, whether in a meeting or simply banging away on the keyboard in your cubicle, puts you into a slouched over, collapsed, and physiologically inefficient posture.

Your body likes to remember what it does by shaping itself to your activity (kinda like gumby..) so…….what that means is that when you are doing your lunchtime run, swim, soccer, whatever activity, you retain some of the slouch.
This puts your body at a real disadvantage from a biomechanical standpoint (a point that athletic coaches love because it makes them loads of money..) because slouching while running, etc. makes it infinitely harder to do.

The reason why I love this handy dandy little exercise is that it is easy, fast, and doesn’t take a lot of energy to do.
Do 2-3 sets of ten of this exercise before and after your physical pursuits for an easier, more neutral posture, making sure you allow the abdomen to fall back toward the spine. The feeling of this movement is that the knees are moving away from the shoulders pulling the trunk taut, lengthening the spine and releasing both the lower and upper back and neck.