About Estrogen Dominance

Estrogen dominance is a term coined by Dr. Lee in his first book on natural progesterone. It describes a condition where a woman can have deficient, normal or excessive estrogen, but has little or no progesterone to balance its effects in the body. Even a woman with low estrogen levels can have estrogen dominance symptoms if she doesn 't have any progesterone.

ESTROGEN DOMINANCE SYMPTOMS

The symptoms and conditions associated with estrogen dominance are:

Acceleration of the aging process
Allergies, including asthma, hives, rashes, sinus congestion
Autoimmune disorders such as lupus erythematosis and thyroiditis, and possibly Sjoegren's disease
Breast cancer
Breast tenderness
Cervical dysplasia
Cold hands and feet as a symptom of thyroid dysfunction
Copper excess
Decreased sex drive
Depression with anxiety or agitation
Dry eyes
Early onset of menstruation
Endometrial (uterine) cancer
Fat gain, especially around the abdomen, hips and thighs
Fatigue
Fibrocystic breasts
Foggy thinking
Gallbladder disease
Hair Loss
Headaches
Hypoglycemia
Increased blood clotting (increasing risk of strokes)
Infertility
Irregular menstrual periods
Irritability
Insomnia
Magnesium deficiency
Memory loss
Mood swings
Osteoporosis
Polycystic ovaries
Premenopausal bone loss
PMS
Prostate cancer (men only)
Sluggish metabolism
Thyroid dysfunction mimicking hypothyroidism
Uterine cancer
Uterine fibroids
Water retention, bloating
Zinc deficiency
This material may NOT be copied or reproduced in any form or media without express written permission of the authors.

THE CAUSES OF ESTROGEN DOMINANCE

Strictly speaking, it's possible that we are all -- men, women and children -- suffering a little from estrogen dominance, because there is so much of it in our environment. You would have to virtually live in a bubble to escape the excess estrogens we're exposed to through pesticides, plastics, industrial waste products, car exhaust, meat, soaps and much of the carpeting, furniture and paneling that we live with indoors every day. You may have on-and-off sinus problems, headaches, dry eyes, asthma or cold hands and feet for example, and not know to attribute them to your exposure to xenohormones. Over time the exposure will cause more chronic problems such as arthritis and premenopause symptoms, and may be a direct or indirect cause of cancer.

To read more about estrogen dominance and its causes, please read Dr. Lee's books, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause , or What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause.

Supermodel Legs

How To Get Into Supermodel Shape



So what is supermodel shape? It's definitely not trying to diet so that you have a 24 inch waist.
IT'S A HEALTHY SHAPE THAT IS PERFECT FOR YOU!

Difficulty: N/A
Time Required: N/A

Here's How:

1. Drink more water. We often mistake thirst for hunger. Always carry a bottle with you. Imagine your calorie intake if you reach for a glass of water instead of a snack.

2. No bad foods... just bad portions. Okay, yes there are bad foods, but as long as you eat a nutrient rich diet the entire day, you can allow yourself to have one small serving from the bad list. (see tip 1)

3. Bathing Suit Legs... yes, they can be yours. Add lots of knee bends, lunges and marching to your daily program. Yes I did say marching. Lifting your legs will help shape those thighs. (see tip 2 on marching)

4. Get rid of the belly. Healthy foods high in fibre often contribute to gas and bloating. To avoid this, gradually increase the fibre while cutting back on fizzy soft drinks.

5. Did you know that stress can cause you to swallow a lot of air and contribute to what appears to be a belly. Breath slowly through your nose (to help calm you) and while you are at it... eat slowly.

6. Work lots of ten minute activities into your day. Imagine a walk around the block, lunges while you vacuum, playing frisbee with the kids and my favorite... power shopping.

7. Work out in the pool. You can pump your heart rate while protecting your joints from injury. Try jogging or kick boxing. Sounds like fun to me.

8. According to Patricia Bannan, a nutritian consultant, the shows you watch can either make you want to eat, or turn off the cravings. Believe it or not, you are less likely to want to snack while watching a sitcom.

9. Personal trainer Angela Selinger suggests that we look to our posture. Slumping damages our core muscles. We need to go back to those days when we were told to sit up straight and don't slouch.

10. It's easy to walk. That has to be my all time favorite form of exercise. To make it work for you, add a few extra minutes each week. You won't notice the difference, but your body will.

Tips:

Never allowing yourself foods that you love will always backfire. Allow yourself one tiny portion to satisfy the craving.
Can't see yourself marching down the street? Why not try it in the privacy of your home.

Healthy Favorites

1. Energy, mood, anti-aging, antioxidant drinks
2. Almonds
3. Fuji Apple with peanut butter or wee brie
4. Almonds
5. Cappuccino
6. Swiss Cheese
7. Dark Chocolate
8. Green Tea or Black Tea
9. Spinach Salad
11. Greek Salad
12. Blueberries
13. Gluten-free crackers with wee brie & fig spread
14. Red wine
15. Eggs - omelet, boiled or over hard
16. Greek yogurt (FAGE) with agave nectar

Perfection Confection

I had the best visit with my Doctor yesterday. As I sat in her office complaining about the last 5 pounds I wanted to loose she slowly closed her eyes and with deep concern expressed the most loving advice. She told me to stop trying to be perfect and be happy with my body. She continued to assure me that once I put my health first amazing things will start to happen but that I need to give my body thanks instead of abuse. I'd have to say I agree with her and my husband tells me these things at least once a week. He was happy to hear that my Doctor was also telling me this. She recommended a book to read called "Women Food and God" by Geneen Roth and told me that being happy with your body is a spiritual maturity that I will grow into. I honestly can't believe I'm 32 this year and want to be and stay as physically and mentally healthy as I can. I've decided to eat lots of fresh fruits & veggies, lean protein, healthy fats and workout on a regular basis. It's all about consistancy as my husband would say. So I'll read this book and let you know what I think. Here's what another blog has to say about it...



I recently finished Women Food and God by Geneen Roth We spend a lot of time worrying about what to eat, but HOW we eat is equally important. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their relationship with food-For anyone who has ever restricted or binged because of a whole array of emotions and circumstances that had nothing to do with food itself.

When was the last time you were talking to a girlfriend and she said "Gosh, I just LOVE my body! Look at my strong legs, which I run miles on, and carry me throughout my day. Look at my beautiful arms, which I used to express myself when I talk. Look at my abs which look HOT in a swimsuit." ?? I doubt it is only my friends who are gorgeous women, but are constantly putting themselves down. Flabby arms, soft stomachs, big calves, too small, too fat, not perfect, we hear and complain about it all.

"When you love something you wish it goodness; when you hate something, you wish to annihilate it. change happens not by hatred but by love. change happens when you understand what you want to change so deeply that there is no reason to do anything but act in your own best interest. When you begin to inhabit your body from the inside... any other option except taking care of it is unthinkable."
We are each given this one body to inhabit, and roam the world with. Why spend your entire life hating parts of it??

This is not a diet book. Instead is is a platform, a set of guidelines to spring from, to start to improve your relationship with food. There are no good foods or bad foods. The idea of having no food rules can be very scary for most people. But Roth writes "What motivates you to be kind, to take care of your body, to the spirit, others, the earth? Trust longing, trust the love that can be translated into action without the threat of punishment. Trust that you will not destroy what matters most. Give yourself that much."

For her eating guidelines, she also calls them "If Love Could Speak" instructions:

"If love could speak to you about food, it would say, 'Eat when you are hungry, sweetheart, because if you don't you won't enjoy the taste of food. and why should you do anything you don't enjoy? 'If love could speak to you, it would say, 'Eat what your body wants my darling, otherwise you won't feel so well and why should you walk around feeling tired, or depressed from what you put into your mouth?' If love could speak to you, my little cream puff, it would say, 'Stop eating when you've had enough, otherwise you will be uncomfortable, and why spend one minute in discomfort.'"
The Eating Guidelines:

Eat When you are Hungry
Eat sitting down in a calm environment

Eat without distractions
Eat what your body wants
Eat Until you are satisfied
Eat (with the intention of being) in full view of others
Eat with enjoyment, gusto and pleasure.

While being very real and blunt at most times, there is a quite a bit of optimism in her book. She insists that following these guidelines will end your obsession, and lead to feeling more alive, instead of tied down by food.


"the hard part is allowing yourself to know what you already know. what you knew when you were four years old but have since forgotten. the hard part is disengaging from the roar of can'ts and won'ts and let-me-outta-heres, from the habitual way you swing into gear around the food thing to paying attention to the deeper son, the deeper truth; you without your story of you. you as you experience yourself directly, here, now. When you sit down, when you listen, when you sense you body directly, there is what Eckhard Tolle calls, animating presence" blazing through you. It is beyond any story. It's not of hte past, not anything that anyone ever told you. It's been in the background every minute of your life, but sine you were paying attention to the foreground, the the changing appearances and dramas and feelings, you never noticed it. But now you can. And your relationship with food can be the doorway."

How many times have you heard someone say "All I want to do is lose 10 pounds, then I'll be happy." The problem with equating being skinny with happiness, is that when you lose the weight, if you haven't addressed other parts of your life, you will not be happy. There are plenty of skinny miserable people.

I am very guilty of eating while distracted, while reading, while at my computer, while checking my crackberry. So for the month of June I am going to really focus on eating without distractions-a Mindful Month. I think it will make me appreciate my meals even more. I'm also going to work on stopping negative body talk. Does commenting on my and others physical appearance make the world a better place? Quite the contrary. So this month I am going to accentuate the positive to the extreme. ByeBye Negativity!

Further Reading: Check out Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, "intuitive Eating." Written by two RDs, it is a great book about making peace with food.
Gena of Choosing Raw-wrote an excellent post about reconciling veganism and intuitive eating. For me, vegan eating is intuitive eating, and changing my diet to this has actually drastically improved my relationship with food.

Have you read Women, Food and God? What do you think of the Eating Guidelines? Care to join me for a Mindful Month?

Posted by Elizabeth Jarrard

Life is

"Mama always said life was like a box a chocolates, never know what you're gonna get."

NO Aspartame!

Aspartame Side Effects

The components of aspartame can lead to a number of health problems. Side effects can occur gradually, can be immediate, or can be acute reactions. According to Lendon Smith, M.D., Russell Blaylock, M.D. and a growing number of other medical doctors, there is an enormous population suffering from side effects associated with aspartame, yet have no idea why drugs, supplements and herbs don't relieve their symptoms. Even though some don't 'appear' to suffer immediate reactions, these individuals are still susceptible to the long-term damage caused by excitatory amino acids, phenylalanine, methanol, and DKP.

Over 92 adverse reactions and side effects have been attributed to aspartame including:

Eyes
blindness in one or both eyes
decreased vision and/or other eye problems such as: blurring, bright flashes, squiggly lines, tunnel vision, decreased night vision
pain in one or both eyes
decreased tears
trouble with contact lenses
bulging eyes

Ears
tinnitus - ringing or buzzing sound
severe intolerance of noise
marked hearing impairment

Neurologic
epileptic seizures
headaches, migraines and some severe
dizziness, unsteadiness, both
confusion, memory loss, both
severe drowsiness and sleepiness
paresthesia or numbness of the limbs
severe slurring of speech
severe hyperactivity and restless legs
atypical facial pain
severe tremors
Psychological/Psychiatric
severe depression
irritability
aggression
anxiety
personality changes
insomnia
phobias
Chest
palpitations, tachycardia
shortness of breath
recent high blood pressure

Gastrointestinal
nausea
diarrhea, sometimes with blood in stools
abdominal pain
pain when swallowing

Skin and Allergies
itching without a rash
lip and mouth reactions
hives
aggravated respiratory allergies such as asthma

Endocrine and Metabolic
loss of control of diabetes
menstrual changes
marked thinning or loss of hair
marked weight loss
gradual weight gain
aggravated low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
severe PMS

Other
frequency of voiding and burning during urination
excessive thirst, fluid retention, leg swelling, and bloating
increased susceptibility to infection

Additional Symptoms of Aspartame Toxicity include the most critical symptoms of all:
death
irreversible brain damage
birth defects, including mental retardation
peptic ulcers
aspartame addiction and increased craving for sweets
hyperactivity in children
severe depression
aggressive behavior
suicidal tendencies

Aspartame may trigger, mimic, or cause the following illnesses:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Epstein-Barr
Post-Polio Syndrome
Lyme Disease
Grave's Disease
Meniere's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease
ALS
Epilepsy
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
EMS
Hypothyroidism
Mercury sensitivity from Amalgam fillings
Fibromyalgia
Lupus
non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

These are not allergies or sensitivities, but diseases and disease syndromes. Aspartame poisoning is commonly misdiagnosed because aspartame symptoms mock textbook 'disease' symptoms, such as Grave's Disease.

Aspartame changes the ratio of amino acids in the blood, blocking or lowering the levels of serotonin, tyrosine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. Therefore, it is typical that aspartame symptoms cannot be detected in lab tests and on x-rays. Textbook disorders and diseases may actually be a toxic load as a result of aspartame poisoning.

http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/aspartame.htm

http://www.naturalnews.com/022785_food_sugar_sweeteners.html

http://tuberose.com/Aspartame.html

Buy Cruelty Free

LIST OF COMPANIES THAT DON'T TEST ON ANIMALS
LOOK FOR THESE LOGOS



COMPANIES TO AVOID
Bic Corporation
Church & Dwight (Aim, Arm & Hammer, Arrid, Brillo, Close-up, Kaboom, Lady's Choice, Mentadent, Nair, Orange Glo International, Oxi Clean, Pearl Drops)
Clairol (Aussie, Daily Defense, Herbal Essences, Infusium 23, Procter & Gamble)
Clorox (ArmorAll, Formula 409, Fresh Step, Glad, Liquid Plumber, Pine-Sol, Soft
Scrub, S.O.S., Tilex)
Dial Corporation (Dry Idea, Purex, Renuzit, Right Guard, Soft & Dri)
Johnson & Johnson (Aveeno, Clean & Clear, Listerine, Lubriderm, Neutrogena,
Rembrandt, ROC)
L'Oréal (Biotherm, Cacharel, Garnier, Giorgio Armani, Helena Rubinstein, Lancôme, Matrix Essentials, Maybelline, Ralph Lauren Fragrances, Redken, Soft Sheen, Vichy)
Max Factor (Procter & Gamble)
Melaleuca
New Dana Perfumes
Olay (Procter & Gamble)
Pantene (Procter & Gamble)
Physique (Procter & Gamble)
Ponds (Unilever)
Procter & Gamble Co. (Clairol, Crest, Gillette, Giorgio, Iams, Max Factor, Physique, Tide)
Reckitt Benckiser (Easy Off, Lysol, Mop & Glo, Old English, Resolve, Spray 'N Wash, Veet, Woolite)
Shiseido Cosmetics
Schering-Plough (Bain de Soleil, Coppertone, Dr. Scholl's)
S.C. Johnson (Drano, Edge, Fantastik, Glade, OFF!, Oust, Pledge, Scrubbing
Bubbles, Shout, Skintimate, Windex, Ziploc)
Suave (Unilever)
Unilever (Axe, Dove, Lever Bros., Suave, Sunsilk)
Vicks (Procter & Gamble)

Splenda, Not So Splendid

SPLENDA - the cruelest product in the supermarket
Killing dogs over a cup of coffee



The real "life-saving" research going inside of Huntington Life Sciences (the largest animal testing laboratory in the world)

You may have seen it in the supermarket, you might even have it at home. well have a look at how they tested this product. all for the sake of a low fat sweetener:

A Splenda Way to Die!

In a time when obesity has seen a dramatic increase, diabetes is plaguing more and more children, and doctors are warning people to cut down on their sugars, sugar giant Tate and Lyle, with the aid of McNeil Specialty Products (a division of Johnson and Johnson) came up with a sweetener 600 times more potent than real sugar! Now where do you think you go to test "safe" a product as "important" Sucralose (also called Splenda) – Huntingdon Life Sciences, of course.

Huntingdon played a big role in the testing that took place to bring this garbage product to the market. An estimated 12,800 animals died in the process according to a published report in a recent scientific journal.

Some of the more gruesome details revealed:
• 32 beagle dogs were locked in metal cages for 52 weeks. They were given Sucralose mixed in with their normal feed, and blood and urine samples were collected. At the end of the study they were killed by means of exsanguiation - they had their throats slit open and bled to death. They were then cut open and their organs - by now drained of blood so easier to dissect - were examined to test the product's toxicity levels.
• Four beagle puppies (or as HLS calls them – punching bags) were starved before being force-fed the super-sweet sugar powder. HLS employees then took blood samples from the jugulars of the infant dogs.
• An unspecified number of marmoset monkeys either died from the poisoning or were killed at the termination of the research at HLS.
• The report states that 12 of these monkeys, which were babies – under 10 months old – were force-fed Sucralose for seven weeks. Two of the primates died on the seventh day from brain defects, another primate was mysteriously killed after four weeks, and the remainder all were murdered at the completion of the seventh week. Some of the recorded observations from this study noted "in appetence, body weight loss, unwillingness to use hind leg, hopping, involuntary grip reflexes, salivation and subdued mood."
• Huntingdon also used rabbits to study the effects of the product. These little animals were given 1200 times the expected daily intake and not surprisingly most died from the trauma. Many of the other rabbits suffered from convulsions, weight loss, and various intestinal disorders.
• Huntingdon also tested the product on pregnant rabbits, mice, and rats – killing both the mothers and the fetuses.

All in all, just another customer-sponsored project at HLS. All this pain and death for the sake of bringing to the market a sweetener that can make your ice-cream or jam 600 times sweeter. This sort of testing really should give you pause to think, and possibly send off a thank you note to HLS for all the important contributions they are making to the world.

Here's the link for the Australian site of SPLENDA
www.splenda.com.au

Angry after reading this? Show them how angry you are!
Write, email, fax Splenda and tell them why we WILL NOT be purchasing Splenda products in the future

We demand action be taken against Splenda to show that this disgusting use of 'science' is in no way acceptable.

There is an organisation committed to closing down Huntington Life Sciences where these experiments as well as hundreds of other equally horrific useless testing on animals takes place for really important products (NOT) such as oven cleaner and washing powders. SHAC holds demonstrations, protests and marches regularly in England, Europe and U.S.A. Check out their website HERE. Want to see how the 'scientists' at H.L.S treat the dogs they experiment on? watch THIS but BE WARNED its going to make you really mad. (no medical procedure shown, this video shows the treatment of beagle dogs and puppies by the scientists)

Chemical Bond of Love

Scientists are finding that, after all, love really is down to a chemical addiction between people



OVER the course of history it has been artists, poets and playwrights who have made the greatest progress in humanity's understanding of love. Romance has seemed as inexplicable as the beauty of a rainbow. But these days scientists are challenging that notion, and they have rather a lot to say about how and why people love each other.

Is this useful? The scientists think so. For a start, understanding the neurochemical pathways that regulate social attachments may help to deal with defects in people's ability to form relationships. All relationships, whether they are those of parents with their children, spouses with their partners, or workers with their colleagues, rely on an ability to create and maintain social ties. Defects can be disabling, and become apparent as disorders such as autism and schizophrenia — and, indeed, as the serious depression that can result from rejection in love. Research is also shedding light on some of the more extreme forms of sexual behaviour. And, controversially, some utopian fringe groups see such work as the doorway to a future where love is guaranteed because it will be provided chemically, or even genetically engineered from conception.

Read more at:
http://www.oxytocin.org/oxytoc/love-science.html

Vegetarian Pho

Vegetarian Phở (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
Serves 2

Broth
1 large onion, peeled and halved
2-inch piece fresh ginger root, peeled and halved lengthwise
3-inch cinnamon stick, preferably Vietnamese cassia-cinnamon
1 star anise
2 cloves
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
4 cups unsalted vegetable stock
2 teaspoons soy sauce
4 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped

Noodles
1/2 pound dried flat rice noodles (known as bánh phở; use 1/16", 1/8", or 1/4" width depending on availability and preference)

Toppings (optional)
Protein such as fried or baked tofu, bean curd skin, or seitan
Mushrooms
Vegetables such as bok choy, napa cabbage, or broccoli

Garnishes
1/2 onion, very thinly sliced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 chile pepper (Thai bird, serrano, or jalapeño), sliced
1 lime, cut into wedges
1/2 cup bean sprouts
Large handful of herbs: cilantro, Thai basil, culantro/saw-leaf herb
Hoisin sauce, sriracha (optional)

For the broth
Char onion and ginger over an open flame (holding with tongs) or directly under a broiler until slightly blackened, about 5 minutes on each side. Rinse with water.

In a large pot, dry roast cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and coriander over medium-low heat, stirring to prevent burning. When spices are aromatic, add vegetable stock, soy sauce, carrots, and charred onion and ginger.

Bring broth to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Strain and keep hot until ready to serve.

For the noodles
While broth is simmering, place noodles in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Let stand for 20-30 minutes or until tender but still chewy. Drain. (If soaking does not soften the noodles enough, blanch them in a pot of boiling water for a few seconds.)

For the toppings (optional)
While broth is simmering, prepare toppings as desired – slice and cook tofu, lightly steam or blanch vegetables, etc. Toppings should be unseasoned or only lightly seasoned so as not to interfere with the flavor of the broth.

To serve
Divide noodles between two bowls. Arrange toppings over noodles. Ladle about 2 cups of broth into each bowl. Serve with garnishes on the side, which diners should add to taste.

Dietitian/Nutritionist

Researching all aspects of diet and nutrition is a hobby of mine. I guess you could say it's my 2nd calling if I were to ever go back to school for anything. Especially with my mom having cancer I see how important our nutrition is and how it effects our body. I'm always experimenting and looking for ways to help people. You'll never know if something works unless you try it and it's better to try than to be miserable!

Finding Peace

When the realities and disappointments of life smack you in the face, seek the truth for understanding and peace. Do your best to make things right. Never give up.
- J. Skaaren

Fight Fat

10 Foods That Fight Fat

Edamame
Swiss cheese
Apples
Berries
Eggs
Sweet potato
Salmon
Almonds
Oranges
Yogurt

Your Inner Hippie

What If Hippies Ruled The World

What if hippies ruled the world? What would things be like? Would we be at war right now? Would money be tie-dyed?

Make Your 72 Hour Kit

How To Make Your 72 Hour Kit

{click to make image larger}

72 Hour Kit Info You Need To Know

1) Your 72 hour kit should be in a portable container located near an exit of your house or better, sheltered in your backyard.
2) Each family member should have their own 72 hour kit with food, clothing and water. Distribute heavy items between kits.
3) Enclose the extra clothing, matches, personal documents, and other items damageable by smoke or water in plastic to protect them.
4) Keep a light source in the top of your 72 hour kit, so you can find it quickly in the dark.
5) Personalize your 72 hour kit. Make sure you fill the needs of each family member.
6) Inspect your 72 hour kit at least twice a year. Rotate food and water every six months. Don’t forget to check your medications. Check children’s clothing for proper fit. Adjust clothing for winter or summer needs. Check expiration dates on batteries, light sticks, warm packs, food and water.
7) Consider the needs of elderly people as well as those with handicaps or other special needs when building your 72 hour kit. For example: for babies, store diapers, washcloth, ointment, bottles and pacifiers, and other special supplies.

hCG The Skinny

About The Diet
Lose 26 lbs in 26 days if you follow the diet as directed. Note that this is the average weight loss we have recorded from our clients. Some people lose more, some people lose less. But the fact is, you will definitely lose weight on this regimen without heavy exercise or without frozen or prepared foods to buy.
The HCG Diet is based off Dr. Simeons “Pounds & Inches - A New Approach to Obesity” and was previously only available in spas and weight loss clinics which made access to the diet unaffordable for most. As the diet proved wildly successful and something that could easily be done at home with the proper instructions, HCG Diet Direct was formed so that you could obtain the same supplements and instructions that the clinics provide.

HCG = Human Chorio Gonadotropin
HCG works directly with the Hypothalamus gland. This gland actually controls body fat, emotions, and helps to develop the reproductive organs during puberty. Each and every person is given their life time supply of HCG at birth. Unfortunately most American food has been overloaded with chemicals. These chemicals are designed to remove HCG from your body.
Candida yeast overgrowth can be another common reason people lose HCG. This overgrowth is a result of an imbalance in the digestive system. If you have ever, in your life, taken antibiotics there is a high chance you have an imbalance.

The weight registered by the scale... is determined by two processes not necessarily synchronized. Under the influence of HCG, fat is being extracted from the cells, in which it is stored in the fatty tissue. When these cells are empty and therefore serve no purpose, the body breaks down the cellular structure and absorbs it. But the breaking up of useless cells, connective tissue, blood vessels, etc., at times follow the fat-extraction process. When this happens the body replaces some of the extracted fat with water which is retained for this purpose. Because water is heavier than fat, the weight scale may show no loss of weight even though fat has actually been consumed to make up for the deficit in the 500- calorie diet. When such tissue is finally broken down and the water liberated, there is a sudden flood of urine and a marked loss of weight. This is the reason for the appearance of no weight loss on the scale while following the instructions of the diet.