Our main goal is to increase the number of Filipinos who are healthy at every stage of life- from conception to resurrection. Our strategy provides evidence-based recommendations fundamental to improving the nation’s health through the active engagement of all sectors of society to help achieve these goals. These evidence-based recommendations will reduce the burden of leading causes of preventable death and major illness.

The Core Plan to Prevent Chronic Diseases

Our main goal is to increase the number of Filipinos who are healthy at every stage of life- from conception to resurrection. Our strategy provides evidence-based recommendations fundamental to improving the nation’s health through the active engagement of all sectors of society to help achieve these goals. These evidence-based recommendations will reduce the burden of leading causes of preventable death and major illness. Here is the second of seven priority areas:

2 TOBACCO-FREE LIVING

Seven Most Effective and Natural Interventions to Quit Smoking: (1) Detoxification: Nicotine and other chemicals (2) Foods to help you quit smoking (3) Herbs to overcome cravings and repair the lungs (4) Exercise for tobacco-free living (5) Complete hydration (6) Spirituality and smoking (7) Family and community support.

(5) Complete Hydration

Writing about tobacco-free living is very painful to me; it is like reliving my brother’s pain when he tried to quit smoking more times than I can count. Experiencing a little pain is no big deal when you know it will ease up in a few minutes. But the type of pain that you feel from nicotine withdrawal lasts for hours at a time. The pain is bad enough that it’s actually the number one reason seventy to ninety percent of people give for not quitting. It gets to the point that everything you do is in response to it or an attempt to prevent it. It rules you, and you have to be very tough and hold on tightly to that strong goal to get through.

For most people, the first week of quitting is the most difficult time. This is a time when getting over both the psychological dependency on cigarettes and physical effects of nicotine withdrawal can feel overwhelming. You might feel anxious, depressed, impatient, tired, and even hostile. During this critical time, it may be very tempting to go back to old behaviors and use smoking to deal with these feelings.

Modern medicine offers pills, nicotine patches, and e-cigarettes to help you quit. However, the best method to give up the cancer, heart disease, birth defects, and emphysema sticks has nothing to do with adding more chemicals to your body, but has everything to do with removing chemicals from your body put there by smoking and causing cravings that make it so difficult to quit.

DRINK UP AND HYDRATE.

In that first week of quitting, hydration is crucial in order to start flushing out the toxins and chemicals that have built up in your cells. In addition, dehydration may be a trigger for cigarette cravings in the same way that it is a trigger for hunger cravings. The body often feels as though it needs something when it simply needs to be better hydrated. Consuming plenty of water and hydrating juices tremendously helps with cigarette cravings. Drinking herbal tea instead of lighting up is also an effective distraction from smoking. Drinking more water will help you feel more alert and energetic, which is very important if you’ve been relying on cigarettes for an energy kick. Aim to drink 6-12 cups of water per day, adding lemon or calamansi juice if you want some extra flavor and an alkalinizing boost. Duke University found that fruits, vegetables, and non-carbonated drinks like juice and water make cigarettes taste bad, while foods high in fat, coffee, meat, and alcohol make them taste better.

1) Drink plenty of water: Water is life! It cleanses and purifies your system while giving you something to do with your hands. Full hydration reduces your urge to eat because your stomach is full with liquids. This comes in handy if you are concerned about weight gain while quitting smoking. Herbal teas are also a great way to hydrate.

2) Drink plenty of fresh, organic juices: Drink a combination of a variety of vegetable and fruit (in moderation) juices to receive detoxifying benefits! Drink juice of equal quantities of moringa, pineapple and celery. This combination is useful in detoxifying the intestines, liver and kidneys. To cleanse the small intestine, drink fresh pineapple juice. Drinking carrot juice is particularly good for smokers, as it helps cleanse the lungs. To start detoxing and cleansing the liver, drink 1/2 cup of lemon juice to 1 cup water. Beet, carrot and cabbage juice cleanse the lungs and toxins from the liver and bloodstream.

Juicing for Quitting!

• Fresh vegetable juices are high in phytochemicals that break down and flush toxins from the body, and help the body begin repairing the damage caused by smoking. Juicing will make it easier to maintain a good energy level as your body is working hard to recover and heal. Drinking at least five glasses of fresh vegetable juice daily will help curb cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms.

• The most beneficial juices to drink are those high in chlorophyll such as moringa, kale, spinach, sweet potato leaves, alugbati, celery, and cabbage. Juices should be heavier in green vegetables than fruits. We have no apple growers in the Philippines, but pineapple, graviola (guyabano) and lime are delicious drinks. Pineapple, one of the best anti-inflammatory fruits, helps rid the body of inflammation and waste. Lime helps cleanse the lungs.

• Have fresh vegetable juice for breakfast by adding quinoa and/or chia seeds. It is a meal replacement and/or replaces your normal snacks.

• The power-packed nutrition of fresh juice is often enough to eliminate cravings immediately. Within a week, your cravings will diminish considerably, and getting through the days will be relatively easy. Keep up the process for a couple of weeks even after you no longer crave cigarettes to support your body with extra care and nutrition.

In order to gain the greatest benefits of juicing, especially juicing the stems/leaves of moringa (maluggai), ampalaya and sweet potato, it is a MUST to choose a juicer that is right for you.

Of available juicers in the Philippines, I favor the efficiency and affordability of Matstone masticating juicer. Though I have not made product endorsements in my 27 years of practice, this is the juicer that I recommend to my patients based on the experience of knowing the company for 15 years. Matstone’s reputable distributor, integrity and their solid commitment to excellent customer service are second to none.

Matstone masticating juicer is multi-functional and can be used to make more than just juice. We need a high quality and dependable juicer to help quit smoking and provide nutritious juice for optimum health, beauty, energy, vitality and longevity. Here is my complete and PROVEN experience of Matstone…

P-erformance. It is a single auger, multi-purpose masticating slow juicer, and works by “chewing” food (cuts, crushes and squeezes) to retain more nutrients.

R-eliable. Backed by the company’s 5 year warranty on motor warranty & 2 years warranty for non wear & tear parts

O-utstanding. The ONLY juicer in the Philippines that can juice malunggay leaves & stems efficiently.

V-ersatile. 8-in-1 most well-known versatile auger juicer in the market. Also good for processing whole foods and creating tasty meals, snacks, pasta, noodles, sauces, baby food, soups, dips, etc. It also grinds and minces, and can be used on meats and fish as well as herbs for creating your own seasonings.

E-conomical. Matstone is one of the best investments you can make for you and your family’s health. You get more juice from less produce.

N-utritional content is preserved. Matstone gives live juice with a 24-hour shelf life.

For more information on Matstone Multi-purpose slow juicer, you may call Sean at 0908-864-1322 / 0917–636-1448 (632) 361-4574 / (632) 362-3898 loc. 879 or through email at [email protected]
Meanwhile, here is the Green Secret’s “LIFT ME UP” juice to fight nicotine craving at its height. Pineapple is loaded with nutrients: calcium, potassium and vitamin C, PLUS the much needed energy while quitting smoking. It also promotes healthy bones and supplies trace minerals. Mint, a proven healing herb, makes juices taste great. Mint is most commonly used to treat a nervous stomach, the perfect remedy while quitting tobacco. It also slows the effects of bacteria and is thought to prevent cancer. Add Ginger for those times when you’re feeling nauseous or have a mild cough. (Make sure to wash all ingredients well before juicing). It is a MUST to use organic ingredients only.

3 sprigs of mint • ½ pineapple (small or medium) • 1 inch of fresh ginger root • 1 carrot or stem of maluggay(optional)

Juice all ingredients in your Matstone masticating juicer. Stir and enjoy!

If you have decided to live a tobacco-free life, an action plan is vital for the bad day that’s bound to come up. Those days are often the impetus that leads people to relapse. Be sure to have your masticating juicer handy for those days, and reach for it instead of a cigarette. Don’t worry; this stage in the process is only temporary. When you put that into perspective with being smoke-free for the rest of your life, you know you can do it!

REMEMBER, tobacco is on track to KILL one billion people, smokers and nonsmokers, this century. This year, we have a historic opportunity to change the future. Let us actively work together to make the next generation tobacco-free.I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on “Ask Dr. C at www.greensecret.com.ph” Our deepest gratitude to IAJ WELLNESS CORPORATION for making this information public. For more information or questions, email me at [email protected].

Christine E.V. Gonzalez is a doctor of naturopathic medicine and holds PhDs
in holistic nutrition and natural medicine. LLM (MS Environmental Laws & Labor)
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