November, 2011 | Live Young

Sack of Groceries

Some people can eat all types of food and they don’t have any problems, while others suffer from bloating, gas and heartburn. Research has shown different blood types are not able to digest the same foods in the same way.

Your blood type can also determine how susceptible you are to certain illnesses. When you eat the wrong foods for your blood type, the protein lectins in those foods attack specific body organs causing inflammation, disease and cancer.

Do you know your blood type? If not, ask your physician to order a special blood test. The most common is blood Type O; followed by Type A, Type B and then Type AB being very rare.

Continue reading to learn more about the foods to enjoy, foods to avoid and exercise tips for your blood type.

Different Blood Types

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Top 5 Healthy Habits to Living Young series kick-off article – Hydrate with Drinking Water. Check back for future posts to read more about my top healthy habits.

Why Hydration is so Important

The body is comprised mostly of water so keeping hydrated is essential to staying alive! Water is the best choice because it is cheap and has no calories or added ingredients. In addition around twenty percent of your water will come from the foods you eat.

Water hydrates your skin to look younger, keeps the body nourished, flushes out the toxins, controls body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure.

Tip: Before strenuous activity, drink at least 12 to 20 ounces of cold fluids two to three hours before starting your activity.

Avoiding Dehydration

Only 34 percent of Americans drink the 64 ounces of water per day recommended by the USDA. As a general rule drink enough water so you go to the bathroom every two to three hours.

The body hides mild dehydration very well, and it can take hours before you recognize that you are dehydrated. A new twist on dehydration is fatigue! If you are tired all the time there is a good chance one of the reasons is you are just not getting enough water into your body.

Tip: To stay hydrated, drink before you get thirsty — if you are thirsty, then you are starting to get dehydrated.

My Dehydration Story

Just a few months ago I headed to the ER with some unusual symptoms. We ate dinner out that evening; me eating my usual fish meal. A few hours later I spent half the night in the bathroom. Finally woke my husband when I started feeling dizzy, blurred vision and racing heartbeat. I had no idea I could dehydrate that fast! They gave me two bags of fluid to rehydrate me!

10 Tips for Drinking More Water

Begin your day with two 8-ounce glasses of water to rehydrate your body after sleeping all night.
Each day fill a 64-ounce or larger container with water. When the container is empty you have met your daily water intake of 8 to 12 cups depending on your weight.
Before meals drink a glass of water to help fill you up.
Want a hint of flavor to your water – add a slice of lemon, lime or orange.
Always on the run; reach for bottled water instead of soda in the convenience store or vending machine.
Drink water before, every 15 minutes during, and after your physical activity.
Start your meal with soup occasionally.
Social gatherings have a glass of water instead of alcoholic drinks, or alternate them to stay hydrated.
Traveling by plane; drink 1 cup of water for every hour of your flight.
Continue drinking water throughout the day until you have consumed half your body weight in ounces.

So what do you think – do you drink enough water every day?