Category: Podcast Episodes

• Tell us about yourself and qualifications
• He is an Endocrinologist who completed medical school in Puerto Rico. Completed his residency in internal medicine  in Orlando. Moved to endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at USF. He now works in a private group of 6 endocrinologists based out of Maitland and Orlando. 
• Explain to my listeners what is the Endocrine System
• A system that is less known. A organ system that involves all the glands in the body that makes hormones. It controls all the functions of your body. I.e the heart, thyroid, hormones.
• What are some things that contribute to low testosterone?
• The main one is keeping a good weight. As you gain fat tissues, your testosterone levels are suppressed. Other main factors are lack of exercise or quality sleep. Stimulate your muscles, weightlifting plays a role. There are other factors that play a role. 
• What connection is there between our metabolism and our hormones? 
• Metabolism is tied into how we process foods and break them down into energy. If you have poor hormones, you won’t be able to break down foods correctly. Your hormones are connected to how your body uses food and energy. Meiditiation, breathing exercise, walking are some things to balance your cortisol levels.
• What hormones are created by our fat cells and how do they impact our health?
• One is leptin, the hormone that tells you that you are full. Constantly eating can lead to a deficiency in leptin. We are still studying some of the hormones and what they do. Many are connected to insulin insensitivity. There is a hormone in our fat cells that takes testosterone and converts.
• Why do people who have diabetes struggle to lose weight?
• Gaining weight puts you at a higher risk of being diabetic. Insulin is an anabolic hormone which leads to weight gain. Excess sugars and insulin resistance tells your body that there is no sugar. Lack of protein, hydration and other factors can play huge roles. 
• Give us a connection between Thyroid disease and diabetes?
• The most known connection is with type 1 diabetes which is an autoimmune condition. That is when the body is attacking a part of you. One you have an autoimmune condition, it raises your chance of getting another. The most common thyroid issue is hypothyroidism. People with low thyroid issues have an increased risk of type 2. 
• What are some foods that tend to have hidden sugars and how can we learn to recognize them?
• It is important to learn how to read labels. A lot of sugars are added to things we think do not have them like yogurt, sauces, etc. Many cereals, sport drinks, and energy drinks are high in sugar. Look for words that end in ose, juices and other words that mask sugar name. 
• If you had to put a finger on it, what are some habits that make it hard for us to manage our weight?
• One is a lack of physical activity. I.e walking. Eating a lot of the foods we are used to that may not be good for us. I.e a big glass of juice with our meal. Yo-yo dieting is a huge factor. 
• Tell us how we can get in touch with you and request your services? 
• Preferably via Instagram  @dr.kenneth.rodriguez Their website is     http://floridaendocrine.com/   and phone # is 407-629-4901

Take the scenic route and enjoy the ride!

About 71% of the Earth is covered in water

Water is of major importance to all living things; in some organisms, up to 90% of their body weight comes from water. Up to 60% of the human adult body is water.

According to The Journal of Biological Chemistry , the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%.

1. Water acts as a medium in which various metabolic and  biochemical reactions take place.
2. Water helps in absorption of various nutrients present in the food in the digestive system.
3. Water helps in maintaining body temperature
4. Water helps in removal of waste materials from the body
5. Among other important functions

• Metabolic Functions-  If we want to speed up our metabolism, we need to increase thermogenesis.  Thermogenesis is a metabolic process during which your body burns calories to produce heat.  A study in PubMed In 14 healthy, normal-weight subjects (seven men and seven women), they  assessed the effect of drinking 500 ml or 16 ounces of water on energy expenditure. To estimate the effect of water drinking 500 ml of water increased metabolic rate by 30%. The increase occurred within 10 min and reached a maximum after 30-40 min. So they conclude that the thermogenic effect of water should be considered when estimating energy expenditure, particularly during weight loss programs.
• Absorption of Nutrients- An article in Mayo Clinic states “Water helps break down food so that your body can absorb the nutrients. Water also softens stool, which helps prevent constipation” 
• Body Temperature and Removal of Waste- According to Harvard School of Public Health “ Water helps to restore fluids lost through metabolism, breathing, sweating, and the removal of waste. It helps to keep you from overheating, lubricates the joints and tissues, maintains healthy skin, and is necessary for proper digestion. It’s the perfect zero-calorie beverage for quenching thirst and re-hydrating your body.”

Why do you feel quenched when you drink sodas or high sugary drinks:

First, listen to episode 5 to understand the sugars or fake sugars in sodas and how they damage our metabolism and lead to weight gain, yes, even the 0 calorie diet soda.

Second- You may feel a temporary relief because the  bubbles in a cold can of Coke may actually trick your brain into thinking its thirst has been satisfied. In actuality, the phosphoric acid in soda binds to calcium, magnesium, and zinc in your body, you’ll soon be flushing those vital nutrients down the toilet. 60 Minutes later,  a sugar crash hits you hard. You’re left feeling cranky, sluggish, thirsty, and guess what!  ready for another soda.

Third- Do not wait until you are thirsty! Another article in Mayo Clinic indicates “when you’re thirsty, you could already be dehydrated, having lost as much as 1 to 2 percent of your body’s water content. And with that kind of water loss, you may start to experience cognitive impairments — like stress, agitation and forgetfulness, to name a few.”

Now that we know all this, what’s next?

For starters, we need to make sure we are hydrated. But, how much water do we need to drink? In my earlier show I recommend the pee test. You can tell that you are hydrated based on the color of your pee. I put a link to the hydration pee test  in the show notes. 

Then, find clean sources of water. Spring or Mountain Water if possible. Not all bottled water is made equal. Research conducted by EWG found 38  pollutants in 10 major brands. 

In addition, make sure the bottle your water comes in is BPA free.

According to a paper published  by The World Health Organization indicates that  several research studies in rodents of variable quality have suggested that BPA treatment during development can cause alterations in brain development and behavior. 

Another study published in PubMed  indicates that BPA has been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of several endocrine disorders including female and male infertility, precocious puberty, hormone dependent tumours such as breast and prostate cancer and several metabolic disorders.

A three year study published  by Scientific America found more than 200 unregulated chemicals in the tap water of 45 states.

Zero Water is my favorite filter. I don’t have a discount or promotion code for them, but I use them because they use a 5 stage filtration system that removes over 99% of contaminants. 

Lastly, upgrade your water. I use Liquid IV in every bottle of water I drink. They provide an optimal ratio of ingredients designed to enhance rapid absorption of water and other nutrients into your bloodstream.

An article  published  in PubMed indicates that exercise leads to a progressive water and electrolyte loss from the body as sweat is secreted to promote heat loss. It goes on to say the addition of sodium, and perhaps also of potassium, may be important for rehydration after exercise.

An article published by  The American College of Sports Medicine recommends addition of proper amounts of carbohydrates and/or electrolytes to a fluid replacement solution is recommended for exercise events of duration greater than 1 hour. 

This may actually enhance performance. 

Now, there are a variety of beverages formulated to provide fluid, carbohydrates, and electrolytes during and following exercise. Namely, sports drinks.  Which commonly contain 4 to 8% carbohydrate and small amounts of electrolytes. The efficacy of consuming such beverages has been questioned primarily because of concern that beverage high carbohydrate content may inhibit gastric emptying rate and fluid absorption during exercise, thereby jeopardizing physiological homeostasis                            

 But, Liquid IV uses a mix of 5 essential vitamins and about 3x more electrolytes than sports drinks. They call this- Cellular Transport Technology. A combination of  sodium- potassium and glucose to aid the delivery of water to your cells for more efficient use. 

I mix a packet in every 32 ounce of water I drink, especially during exercise instead of high sugar sports drinks! 

Go to  liquid-iv.com  or click on the link in the description of the show or show notes and use code ZECOHEALTH to get 25 % off your orders. 

Never forget the importance of hydration! 

• Tell us about yourself and your qualifications 
• Certified personal trainer and  fitness nutrition. I also work with children. 
• Who were some of the people who inspired you and why
• Reading biographies and reading about people who are doing what they love. If you’re able to do something you love and speaks to you, it plays a huge part in your physical and emotional health. 
• What is the 28 days to a new life program and book?
•  The book addresses nutrition, fitness ad mindset. For example, if we are constantly stressed, you will struggle to lose weight. It addresses our thoughts. Our thoughts are often automatic, but we need to learn to stop and address them. When you only address one habit, you are more likely to return to previous bad habits
• In your blog, you mentioned cultivating a healthy internal environment, What do you mean by that?
• I consider this 2 prong approach. 1. Dealing with the imbalances and bacteria in our gut, having a diverse microbiome. 2. Dealing with our thoughts and stress . 
• What particular challenges do you and  clients face in the Covid19 environment?
• The lock-down seems to impact mental health. The stress and fear leads us to drink and eat more. Most of the news is negative. There is an increase in anxiety and depression. By changing our focus, we can take control of our health, even in this environment. CDC reports show that most people who are hospitalized are overweight or have at least 1 underlying health issue. 
• Tell us about your upcoming app. FitnAll
• My blog is FitnAll . I am working on a new website and app called Health6Fit that we will launch in the next couple months. It will be a fitness platform to include nutritionists, therapists, trainers and more to help you improve your health on a holistic level. 
• What is your favorite healthy food?
• Good fats like avocado and almond butter
• What are your non negotiables?
• I have to be active everyday, even habits like walking or stretching. I work on my mental health daily like meditation, practicing gratitude.
• How can we connect with you or solicit your services?
• You can find me on Instagram or my blog FitnAll  

• Tell us more about your qualifications 
• M.A. in Psychology and is a Certified Hypnotherapist & Life Coach, Certified NLP and EFT Practitioner , Author of “Living through Choice” and is an Intuitive Healer & Breathwork Facilitator.
• What led you down this path? 
• Growing up I always felt I was different. At an early age, I heard the call to be of service to humanity. For decades, I tried to avoid the messages coming from the Universe to follow my true path, because I wanted to “fit in” to the norm of what society required of me. By 2009 I was deeply depressed, felt empty inside, I was lost, and unsatisfied with my life. When my doctor warned me that I would not survive more than 2 years, if I continued on that path, I knew I had to make drastic changes in my life. My struggle and suffering was caused by the career I had chosen ten years prior.
• Tell us more about your book Living Through Choice 
• It helps you to:

• Understand how your past (in this lifetime and beyond) influences your present

• Overcome stress, anxiety, and depression

• Banish anger and resentment to forgive yourself and others

• Overcome addictions and other illnesses

• Manifest spiritual, emotional, and physical healing

• What is a life coach?
• It is widely known that people who practice healing meditations, energy healing, and other holistic modalities experience deep and profound cleansing and balancing of their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical bodies – in turn achieving an enhanced quality of life and healthy longevity.
• What is hypnotherapy and how does it work?
• Journey Into Your Healing and rejuvenate your mind and body with this powerful therapeutic guided meditation. This meditation will help boost your immune system and increase your inner healing power. It is excellent for individuals that have been affected by cancer and or other physical illnesses.
• What is the Emotional Freedom Technique?
• EFT works with the body’s energy system called the meridians. It is a form of psychological acupressure based on the same energy meridians used in traditional acupuncture to treat physical and emotional ailments. By simply tapping with the fingertips at the end points of the body’s energy meridians, the client is able to transfer energy onto the meridians on the head and chest area while they think about the specific problem and say positive affirmations.
• Because negative emotions contribute to physical pain, disease, and anxiety, EFT helps release the disruption in the body’s energy system. This technique restores the mind and body’s balance, which is essential for optimal health and the healing of physical disease
•  How can we get in touch with you?
• Her website is https://journeystoheal.com/ that explains her qualifications and services.

According to savuer 

10,000 B.C.: Before sugar ruled the world, honey was queen. Basically any part of Europe, Africa, or Asia that isn’t covered in ice had bees, and thus honey. There are no bees in the Americas, though, so their sweeteners are syrups from trees, agave nectar from cactus, or mashed fruits. 

8,000 B.C: Sugar is native to, and first cultivated in, New Guinea. Initially, people chew on the reeds to enjoy the sweetness. 2,000 years later, sugar cane makes its way (by ship) to the Philippines and India. 

Up until this point sugar was mostly enjoyed in its natural state.  

Which is better for human consumption and health.

According to healthline honey is a good source of antioxidants, helps digestive issues, a potent prebiotic and much more. These benefits can promote good gut health and even support sustainable weight management. 

An article on healthambition states that The processing of the sugar cane plant into table sugar essentially removes all of the phytonutrients from sugar cane juice. The nutrients play a role in fighting disease and free radicals. 

Sugar is first refined in India: the first description of a sugar mill is found in an Indian text from 100 A.D. 

According to cancercenter , Foods with natural sugar have an important role in the diet of cancer patients and anyone trying to prevent cancer because they provide essential nutrients that keep the body healthy and help prevent disease. Refined sugar comes from sugar cane or sugar beets, which are processed to extract the sugar. It is typically found as sucrose, which is the combination of glucose and fructose. We use white and brown sugars to sweeten cakes and cookies, coffee, cereal and even fruit. The article continues to explain that the body breaks down refined sugar rapidly, causing insulin and blood sugar levels to skyrocket. 

Now, with the birth of sugar manufacturing, many cultures started to call on it for desserts, like rice pudding, sweet barley meal and fermented drinks. 

327: Greeks and Romans learn about sugar during visits to India. Nearchus, Alexandria’s general, writes of “a reed in India that brings forth honey without the help of bees, from which an intoxicating drink is made, though the plant bears no fruit.” Small amounts are brought back to the Mediterranean and traded to physicians who use it for medical purposes.

500-600 A.D.: A university in Iran, becomes the meeting place for the world’s scholars (at least those west of China). Greek, Christian, Jewish, and Persian scholars gather to create the first teaching hospital. They study texts from various cultures, and by 600 A.D. They are writing about a potent Indian medicine: sugar. They also develop better methods for processing sugar cane into crystallized sugar.

1801: Franz Carl Achard, a student of Margraff, is credited as the first person to extract sugar from beets on a commercial level. Around 1837, As slavery dies out in the Caribbean, European governments enact policies to support their beet growers. With governmental support, the European beet sugar industry expanded through the 20th century.

1879: A graduate student at Johns Hopkins refines saccharin, a crystalline powder 300 to 500 times sweeter than sugar but with no calories. 

1952: Calcium cyclamate starts appearing in diet sodas

1965: Aspartame (a.k.a. NutraSweet and Equal) was invented in 1965, and by the late 1970s is used in diet sodas.

1967: The bad boy,  High-fructose corn syrup hits the scene.

1998: Sucralose, which goes by the brand name of Splenda and is a whopping 600 times sweeter than sugar, is approved for use in the U.S. Artificial sweeteners supplement or replace sugar in all kinds of food products. 

Artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes are found in a variety of food and beverages marketed as “sugar-free” or “diet,” including soft drinks and baked goods. 

Sugar alcohols generally aren’t used when you prepare food at home. But they’re in many processed foods and other products, including chocolate, chewing gum and toothpaste and even in processed meat.

 Artificial sugar is not just the issue, excess sugar in our blood stream can lead to a host of health issues, including diabetes and cancer.

We may be eating sugars, when we think we are not. 

Next time you go shopping, look at the label, you can identify excess sugars by looking for words that end in “ose,” such as fructose, dextrose, and maltose, and look for syrups and juices.

It is important to educate ourselves and take control of our health. 

As artificial sweeteners fall out of vogue, ancient forms of sugar make a major comeback: agave nectar, stevia, dates, and of course honey, which is delicious, shelf-stable, and linked to many health benefits. 

As these sweeteners are being studied and approved for health benefits, we are learning how they can be good for health and fatloss. 

It is usually best to eat sugars in their natural unprocessed forms, i.e apple, instead of apple juice or sugar cane instead of added sugar derived from cane.

Download a Glycemic Index App on your phone and eat according to the index. This can help you maintain healthy blood sugar. 

Gina A. Di Iorio, Certified Holistic Health Consultant, television
personality, home health advocate, author, and speaker,
discovered her passion of healthy living at the age of 15 years
old. She has followed the Holistic Model: body, mind and spirit.

Gina believes taking an active role in your own health and
well being starts with developing healthy daily rituals.
She founded Holistic Nutritious Solutions, LLC, in 2016. Her
mission is to eradicate the “privileged theory” and empower
while providing access to achieve optimal health naturally.

Gina creates customized health and wellness plans for her
clientele. Lecturing on topics of “Home Pollution” and “Toxic
Beauty.” Gina has successfully converted homes from a toxic
environment to an eco-friendly sustainable “Green Space.

You can reach Gina by:

email Info@HolisticNSolutions.com

Ph# 609-556-3741

Or visit her website: https://www.holisticnsolutions.com/

Ilana was a chronically sick child, and spent much of her life studying Chinese and holistic medicine, determined to find an alternative to the western medicine practices that weren’t serving her.

She learned about the importance of gut health, and was able to heal herself through diet and holistic remedies.

She eventually became certified through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and now runs her private coaching practice Ilana Integrative Health as well as a cooking show for gut health and disease prevention, Candida Kitchen.

You can access her information at

candidakitchen.com or ilanahealth.com