Letters

Natal fights baby fat

Dear Health,

Do you have an emailable 1,200-calorie intake diet sheet?

- Alex Miller, PhD, Deputy Editor IDEAZ, wow.ideaz-institute.com, A Humanities and Social Science Journal

Dear Reader,

A sample 1,200-calorie menu may include approximately:

Six ounces of cooked lean protein equals two decks of cards.

Three servings of starch equals three half-cups cooked starch/ground provisions.

one serving of low-fat dairy/soy (eight ounces milk, for an example)

Three servings of fruit.

UNLIMITED vegetables.

Three added fats equals a teaspoon of oil being one fat

- Frances Mahfood, nutritionist

My 21-day detox experience

Dear Sharon,

I read your article with interest and wondered why you excluded bananas from your programme. Would you please elaborate? Thanks.

- C.G.

Dear C.G.,

Thanks for your excellent question! Believe it or not, bananas are acid-forming. When you are on a detox programme, the idea is to reduce acidity and create a more alkaline inner environment. Like sugar, red meat and dairy products, bananas are one of the main 'mucus-making' and acid-forming foods, causing stickiness in the intestines and thus preventing healthy absorption of nutrients. I know, I love my bananas and it was a hard one to give them up for 21 days, but you learn to do everything in moderation. Hope this helps.

- Shakti Love, Sharon

Dear Sharon,

Thanks for the information on a 21-day detox programme. However, what are liver-cleansing enzymes and where can you get that? What also are probiotics? Thanks.

Dear Reader,

Thanks for your interest in the 21-day detox programme! As you know, the liver plays a central role in removing toxins in the body. Over time, toxins build up so much that the liver has a hard time eliminating them on its own, causing a build-up of toxins in the body. That's why we need to detox! Herbs such as milk thistle and dandelion root, and enzymes such as amylase and lipase help the process. Probiotics help to restore good bacteria in the intestines and help with digestion, elimination and absorption. I get everything I need for my detox at Natural Health in Mid-Spring Plaza or at Orchid Patch. The owners Maria and Edgar are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Hope this helps!

- Shakti Love, Sharon

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.