Each fortnight we’re putting the best alkaline diet questions we receive from you to our Alkaline Diet Expert, Dr Young trained blood analyst and highly qualified nutritionist – Gareth Edwards.

Gareth is right at the very top of his field, so these answers are absolutely the best you’ll find from arguably Britain’s most qualified expert in this area!

Q&A With Gareth Edwards

Question One: What are the Core Benefits of an Alkaline Ioniser Water Filter?

Hi Gareth. I’m thinking of buying an alkaline ioniser water filter but want to know what the benefit is. Can’t I just add ph drops to tap water or with a brita filter? Andrew

Thanks for this great question Andrew. You might think that paying between £700 and £1500 for a machine which turns your water into … water is a big expense. That said, I finally took the leap of faith last year and I think it is one of the best £700 I have spent.

Ionisers do two things. Firstly they filter the water. The level of filtration is superior to that of the cartridge, if for no other reason than the larger area of the unit in the ioniser compared with the cartridge. Once filtered, the water then passes over electronic plates which separate positively charged (acidic) ions from negatively charged (alkaline) ones. The ioniser can affect this process to different levels allowing you to receive water of varying levels of alkalinity at the touch of a button. Acidic (waste) water passes from the machine via another tube.

As I understand, when you add pH drops to water, acidic mineral complexes remain present, but the highly alkalising solution that you add has an over-riding effect on the water’s pH. There is, apparently, a further benefit to the separation process of ionising. Minerals form clumps in water. The ionising process substantially reduces the size of these clumps, which means that the remaining, negatively charged (alkalising) minerals (in smaller clumps) can be more easily assimilated and metabolised within the body.

Ionising also dramatically reduces (a good thing) the ORP (oxidation reduction potential) of water (edit: Ross – ORP is how the antioxidant level of a substance is measured. The lower the ORP the greater antioxidants potential of the substance.). This also promotes the alkalising and de-toxifying effects of the water that the ioniser produces.

To understand more about water read the chapter you are what you drink in Dr. Young’s book the pH miracle for weight loss (it’s as much about health as weight loss!).

Editors comments: If you are interested in getting more detailed information about water ionisers, their specifications, prices, etc then please click here to have a look at our wide range of some of the best ionising machines available on the market from brands like Jupiter, Life Ionizer and Tyent.

Question Two: How can you add Vitamin B12 to an Alkaline Diet?

Vitamin B12, which is essential for life, is not found in alkaline diet. It can be obtained from meat, fish, eggs and cheese, which are all acidic. So how can you add Vitamin B12 to an alkaline diet?

Another great question. Dr. Brian Clement, the principle of the Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida (specialising in raw food diets for health and healing) has written some very interesting papers on this subject. He firmly believes that the vitamin B12 that is produced in our digestive tract is re-absorbed into our blood stream. Conventional medical wisdom would say that this is not the case.

This was an issue, quite high in my mind when I cut out most animal protein from my diet. A couple of factors however put my mind at rest on the subject. Daphne Lambert, award winning organic chef, soil association trustee and green and raw food nutrition teacher and advocate, lives on a vegan diet. She rarely visits hospitals, but after a car accident was forced to have a blood test in hospital. Her vitamin B12 levels were completely normal. She does not take a B12 supplement and, to my knowledge, does not eat any animal protein. If Brian Clement’s hypothesis is correct, then colon and intestinal function are more important to maintaining B12 status, than ingesting food sources containing it.

Further interesting information on this subject comes from research carried out by an acupuncturist friend of mine. It appears that Vitamin B12, which can only be synthesised by bacteria, not animals, is present in high levels in the soil attached to root vegetables. Fanatical hygiene, or even peeling root vegetables, could actually reduce our B12 intake from, relatively alkaline food sources. Soya yoghurt, although slightly acidifying, does provide B12 too.

B12 is principally required for healthy red blood cell formation. Chlorophyll (such as Young pHorever Liquid chloropHeal), healthy oils (such as Udo’s Choice Ultimate Oil Blend and Jarrow Krill Oil) and salt (such as Young pHorever pHlavor Mineral Salts) are also primary requirements for erythrocyte (red blood cell) formation, so you need to be sure to get those elements in abundance.

If you are concerned about your B12 status you could ask your doctor to test it or arrange to have it done privately with a qualified health professional. There are B12 supplements available, but I do not use them or specifically recommend them to clients.

Question Three: Can Alkalising help my with Bone Spurs and Arthritis?

Can alkalizing help my body with bone spurs and arthritis? I have a ridge of bone (calcification) and Stage 1 osteoarthritis in my right great toe. So far the options I’ve been given are surgery, cortisone injections, or just live with it. So far, raising my pH from 5 to 6.8 hasn’t shown any effect. How long would it take for effects to be noticeable?

For a start, alkaline diet and hydration should be able to help reduce pain and discomfort in this area. I used to have a particularly painful bony projection on the side of my foot, which has now reduced and rarely gives me any discomfort.

I think you’re going to need to get stuck in and be as dedicated as you can to see results. Osteoarthritis and calcification are likely to have resulted from acidity of body fluids and tissue. Calcium deposits are laid down to buffer acids and acids in their turn can be destructive to bone and cartilage structures.

Its outstanding work to get (presumably your urinary) pH up to 6.8. You need to keep going to get it up to consistently above 7.5 or higher! Drink your greens (such as Young pHorever Doc Brocs Power Plants), take pHour salts and eat as high a raw food diet as you can. Additionally I’d recommend acupuncture and a good chiropractor or osteopath.

Surround yourself with people who will help to keep you motivated. If you are taking any medication, arrange a consultation with a qualified practitioner who can help you develop strategies for reducing that in conjunction with your GP.

Question Four: How can I get in touch with you Gareth?

How can I get a hold of you Gareth? I have some questions regarding this lifestyle. I have been living 100% raw and alkaline for 7 months now and drinking 5-6 litres a day with greens and ph drops. I’m young and I have goals to achieve the body I want and the mental state. From the day I started to today I have not achieved anything. I have gained weight, I have NO energy etc. etc. So would be great if you could give me an email or something where I can chat with you.

People reading this may think this is a plant question to advertise my services! This is not the case. It does however happen sometimes that having a look at wider issues and a review of all the factors likely to be affecting your health would help you to get where you want to go.

There are several options for a consultation with me. Click here to see them. If trips to London are not possible then I can do a consultation with you on the phone or via Skype. You’ll need to fill in a health questionnaire and food diary and e-mail them to me. Most people find this helps clarify issues and get a broader perspective on all issues in your life that can effect pH balance, health and help you to achieve your desired weight.

You can book through Energise For Life or go to my website. I look forward to hearing from you.

Question Five: Is it ok to have Juice and a Snack at the same time?

One I’m not sure of now is – is it ok to have juice and a snack (like soaked almonds) at the same time? It’s just that I cannot see myself surviving my mornings with juice alone if to have it first thing in the morning….!

I get this. I just went to see Joseph McClendon with Callum (Partner in EFL). Joseph was recounting how he lives only on juice for two weeks a year. During that time he expects to lose several kilos in weight. It sounded powerful but tough. Dr. Young encourages people to feast, rather than fast when cleansing. This means that you put low sugar, high nutrient food into your body in abundance. He recommends green smoothies and juices.

My answer to your question would be yes. Chicken and chips or green juice and soaked almonds? Let common sense preside! A very good question though.

Question Six: Have you got any ideas for battling nasty sweat rash?

I have been battling with a nasty sweat rash under first one then both breasts, I am a large lady and very careful re hygiene but have always sweated badly. Oddly my deodorant (Mitchum) always seems to control it but has aluminum in it which I hate but it is the only one of many that works for me. Used Sudacreme although it stops the water it does not work. Very allergic to hydrocortisone and have even tried a new natural fungal treatment. I am at my wits end so wondered if you have any ideas. Does not itch now but left with very rough unhappy skin.

Thank you for your question. When our body fluids and tissue become acidic the body will want to excrete these acids. Urination, defecation, respiration and perspiration are the four primary “ways out”. If we are not drinking enough alkalising fluids or eating enough alkalising (high water, low sugar content) foods to promote urination or defecation, then the acids may well come out through the skin in the form of sweat. The acid that will be contained in the sweat is likely to cause irritation and rashes. Areas where there are folds in the skin or limited ventilation are likely to be the most effected.

I would strongly recommend that you heal from the inside. Use EFL’s alkaline lifestyle course and drink a green powdered drink (such as Doc Broc power plants) with pH drops (such as Young pHorever PuripHy). You should consume at least two to three litres a day of the drink a day. That will make you urinate more, which will be a good thing.

These answers are not intended to replace the advice that can be acquired from a personal consultation with a qualified physician. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms of any sort, you should consult with a nutritionally aware physician.

Ross says: more great questions and answers from Gareth! If you have any questions of your own or would like to ask a follow up question to any of the above feel free to leave a comment below!

Krill Oil is fast being recognised as the most effective and efficient source of Omega 3 (EPA & DHA) and has been clinically proven to provide the following benefits to men & women:

Men:
• Aids Muscle Growth & Repair
• Very High in Antioxidants
• Reduces LDL and Raises HDL Cholesterol
• Treats Pain & Inflammation (especially Rheumatoid Arthritis)
• Increases Libido
• Works Wonders on Skin Conditions Such as Eczema & Psoriasis
• Boosts & Maintains Energy Levels
• Dramatically Effective in Helping Treat Depression
• Significantly Decreases Risk of Mental Illness

Women:
• Proven to Decrease Symptoms of PMS
• Very High in Disease-Fighting Antioxidants
• Supports Weight Loss By Helping The Body to Burn Fat as Fuel
• Increases Metabolism
• Supports Strong Hair & Nails
• Promotes Soft, Clear Skin
• Vital for Pregnant Women or Those Wanting to Become Pregnant
• Dramatically Effective in Helping Treat Depression

Krill Oil – The Nutritional Gem from our Oceans

Article by Bibi

Krill Oil and its numerous health benefits are becoming increasingly popular and well known around the globe. Various studies have been conducted in recent years in order to prove these benefits and to highlight its superiority towards Fish Oil.

This is a quote from Dr Tina Sampalis M.D., Ph.D. which says “I call … Krill Oil nature’s perfect recipe. It’s like what nature intended for humans by putting it in a small and plentiful marine animal.”

In the following article we are going to look at this in more detail and highlight how Krill Oil has numerous health properties and can help us with various symptoms ranging from Arthritis, Hyperlipidemia to Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

1. What is Krill Oil and where does it come from?

Krill Oil is extracted from shrimp-like crustaceans that are abundant in all the oceans and are approx. 1 to 6 cm long and mainly feed on phytoplankton. The most well known type is the ‘Antarctic Krill’ – in technical terms (Euphausia superb). There are large amounts of Krill stock in our seas and they are also one of the most successful types of animals in the world.

This stems from the fact that their bio mass of ca. 500-900 million tons is probably larger than of any other ‘multiple-cellular’ animal. This means that the Antarctic Krill is a crucial part of the ecosystem. A core advantage with Krill is that they are plentiful in the oceans.

Krill are also positioned right at the start of the food chain and are therefore free from heavy metals and pollutants.

2. What does Krill Oil contain?

Krill Oil is similar to Fish Oils in that they are both partly made up of Omega-3 rich oils EPA (eicosapen-taenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). The main difference between those two types of oil is that Krill Oil is the unique source of Omega rich oils in the form of phospholipids; whereas all Fish Oils are triglycerides. As the Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) contained in Krill Oil are bound to these phospholipids, the body can take them in much better than Omega-3 EFAs contained in Fish Oil.

Most Krill Oil typically has more than 40% phospholipids by weight and upwards about 30% EPA and DHA. This is the main difference between Krill and Fish Oil, as the EPA and DHA of Fish Oil is totally in the form of triglycerides.

Apart from its high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are extremely important for our health, Krill Oil is also becoming increasingly popular because it contains an antioxidant called Astaxanthin. Krill eat algae that produce the bright red pigment Astaxanthin that gives Krill, salmon and other crustaceans their slightly reddish/pink colour.

Furthermore, Krill Oil also contains Omega-6 fatty acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Cantaxanthin.

3. What makes Krill Oil so nutritiously valuable?

As outlined above, Krill Oil contains healthy fats like the EFAs (Essential fatty Acids) in the form of Omega-3s and Omega-6s plus the potent antioxidant Astaxanthin, Vitamin A and Vitamin E.

Mainly due to our Western diets we are commonly lacking a sufficient intake of Omega-3s, which has been proven to be extremely important for human health. Unlike the other fats, the body cannot produce them itself and yet they are essential for the efficient working of our cells that make up our body and for the development of our central nervous system. We therefore need to take them in with foods and high quality oil supplements like Krill Oil. They also play a central role in regulating our coagulation, our blood pressure and inflammations.

Omega-3 fatty acids also have a positive impact on our cholesterol levels. Krill Oil has the ability to reinstate the balance between ‘bad’ and ‘good’ essential fatty acids, which can help in the prevention of inflammations.

Furthermore Omega-3s fatty acids are also very beneficial for our brain functions, as it improves our performance and concentration capacities. People who have been taking Krill Oil have reported that they have started to feel benefits like increased alertness and higher levels of concentration.

Other well documented benefits of the EFAs are lubricate joints and improved blood circulation. They can also protect against heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes, just to name a few core benefits. Besides that, they can also help relieve secondary symptoms of asthma, arthritis, allergies and skin conditions.

As the EFAs can also help in the prevention of inflammations, Krill Oil has therefore got an important anti-inflammatory effect, which can reduce pain levels for people taking it regularly.

The other core ingredient contained in Krill Oil is Astaxanthin, which is one of the most potent natural antioxidants ever discovered. It is often called the ‘ultimate antioxidant’ as it has up to 550 times the antioxidant capacity of Vitamin E, and up to 10 times the antioxidant capacities of Beta Carotene and Lutein. Research into the health benefits of Astaxanthin also suggest that it looks very beneficial in maintaining the eyes, fertility, immunity, heart and arteries, the digestive system, muscles and joints and premature ageing of skin.

The highly antioxidant power of Krill Oil protects the body and protects the oil of becoming ‘rancid’ or to oxidize, which can be detrimental to our health. This happens quite frequently with other types of oils. These antioxidants together with the Omega-3s fatty acids are built into the cell membrane of each newly developed cell in the human body. They protect us from attacks from so-called “free radicals”, which can lead to an early death of cells and a function loss.

Another important point is the difference in the ratio of Omega-3s and 6s contained in Krill Oil. Our body uses about the same amounts of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. The main problem is that our intake of Omega-6s is generally too high nowadays due to our diet, as these EFAs are also contained in vegetable oils as well as white meat and eggs.

Krill Oil can help here – it contains 15-times more Omega-3 than Omega-6 fatty acids. This is an about three times better ratio compared to other Omega-3 sources like Fish Oils.

4. What are the main advantages of Krill Oil in comparison to Fish Oil?

Generally it can be said that people take Krill Oil for the same reasons they use other oils rich in Omega-3 fatty acids like Fish Oils and Flax Seed Oils.

Krill Oil has however got some important advantages in comparison to most Fish Oils, as has already been partly mentioned above. Krill Oil has a much more pleasant taste, as it does not cause fishy burps or a fishy aftertaste, which is a very common side effect of Fish Oil.

Another advantage is that it does not become rancid and also has a longer durability than most Fish Oils.

The results of a study published in 2003 also show that Krill Oil is easier digestible and the body can absorb it better, which is particularly the case for the absorption of the Omega-3 fatty acids. This means that a large number of people who are suffering from a very weak digestion of fats should profit from the intake of Krill Oil. This is due to the fact that the Omega-3s in Krill oil are bound to phospholipids in contrast to the Omega-3s of Fish Oils which are bound to triglycerides.

As well as this, the ratio of Omega-3s and Omega-6s in Krill oil is about three factors better than the ones contained in Fish Oils as well as Vegetable Oils.

Krill Oil can also positively influence our Cholesterol levels and has shown much better results than Fish Oil. An official study showed that the improvement was ten-times higher by a daily intake of 2g of Krill Oil in comparison to a daily 3g intake of Fish Oil.

5. What are the Core Health Benefits of Krill Oil?

Here is a list of the most common reported health benefits shown in published studies of Krill Oil:

• Arthritis: A recent study conducted with the aim to evaluate the effect on Neptune Krill Oil on Chronic Inflammation and Arthritic Symptoms. Ninety patients were recruited with confirmed diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and/or rheumatoid arthritis and/or osteoarthritis and with increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). The result of this study clearly show that Krill can significantly reduce joint pains, inflammation and to increase the flexibility of the joints. It has also shown to alleviate symptoms caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. (Click here to see details of this Study)
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): A study conducted at the University of Montreal evaluated the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the Management of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Dysmenorrhoea. The participants of this study were seventy patients of reproductive age diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome.

  The conclusion of the study was that Neptune Krill Oil can significantly reduce dysmenorrhoea and the emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and is shown to be significantly more effective for the complete management of premenstrual symptoms compared to omega-3 fish oil. Krill oil preferentially benefited breast tenderness, feeling of inadequacy, stress, irritability, depression, joint discomfort and bloating. Both groups improved on weight gain, abdominal discomfort and swelling. (Click here to see details of this Study)

• Cholesterol: In a study conducted by the University of Montreal, McGill University and a medical centre in Quebec, Canada, 120 people were given Krill oil, fish oil or a placebo. The results of this study demonstrated within high levels of confidence that krill oil is effective for the management of Hyperlipidemia by significantly reducing total cholesterol, LDL (commonly referred to as “bad”) cholesterol , and triglycerides, and increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. At lower and equal doses, krill oil was significantly more effective than fish oil for the reduction of glucose, triglycerides, and LDL levels. This is something that no pharmaceutical drug has yet been able to manage. (Click here to see details of this Study)
• Power of Potent & Bioavailable Antioxidants: studies highlight that krill oil contains a powerful combination of antioxidants, which are not only beneficial for your continued health, but also sustain the shelf life of the oil. Krill oil provides you with an ample supply of vitamins A, E and D, plus alkaline minerals such as potassium, sodium and zinc. And it also contains large amounts of the B-complex nutrient, choline.
• Strong, Natural Stress Reducer: the high choline content (as mentioned above) means that Krill Oil is a powerful de-stresser. This, along with the general benefits to your mood and energy levels provided by this potent source of omega-3 means that Krill is very beneficial to those living a high-stress lifestyle
• Powerful Pain Killer: In a recent double-blind study, fourty-five patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis were administered 300 mg of krill oil. After only 7 days, inflammation was reduced by 19%, pain was reduced 24%, stiffness was reduced by 21% percent and immobility was reduced by 16%.

  The combination of three anti-inflammatory ingredients (omega 3, phospholipids and the antioxidants mentioned above) make for a very effective, and healthy, pain reliever.

• Muscle Repair & Growth: vital to the creation of new muscle is the repair and restoration phase after workout (or muscle stress) and omega 3 is absolutely vital to this process. The role of omega 3 directly impacts the bodies ability to recover and rebuild as the body will only reach an optimal level of recovery if all of the necessary components are in place- meaning that cardiovascular, hormonal, immune, and muscle function are contingent, to a large degree, upon the required amount of omega 3 consumption. As a perfect and easily absorbed combination of EPA and DHA, Krill Oil is highly recommended.
• Increases the Production of New, Healthy Red Blood Cells: Krill Oils supports the formation of red blood pigment (haemoglobin) from other, simple substances: Haemoglobin ensures that oxygen is carried around the body. Sufficient haemoglobin levels are essential as this means that oxygen and nutrients reach the muscles and other areas of the body where they are needed. Also, acidic waste products (including carbon dioxide and lactic acid), will be removed with greater efficiency if haemoglobin levels are sufficient.

If all the information above has made you interested in giving this exciting Krill Oil a try, then have a look at the latest addition to our product range – the ‘Jarrow Krill Oil 60 Softgels’ for only £29.99.

We are almost certain that you will discover your new favourite Oil supplement which has highly antioxidant powers and provides you with all the healthy essential fatty acids (EFAs) needed for our bodies to function at their most efficient level!