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Concerned about osteopenia or osteoporosis? How dieting, salads and toast, led to the rise of osteoporosis.

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT

A Brief History of Calorie Cutting, Meat Avoidance After WWII and Its Ramifications on Women’s Health.

After World War II, the world experienced not just economic and political shifts, but also changes in how people thought about food. Rationing had made calorie conservation a necessity during the war, but even after supplies improved, the cultural emphasis on “light” eating lingered — particularly for women.

After World War II, women’s eating habits didn’t just change — they were reshaped by a powerful mix of fashion, marketing, and lingering wartime scarcity mindsets. Calorie cutting became the new standard for “watching your figure,” and nutrient-dense foods like meat, eggs, and dairy were often sidelined in favor of lighter, lower-calorie meals.

While these shifts aligned with the emerging beauty ideal of a slender, delicate silhouette, they had an unintended consequence: lower intakes of the protein, calcium, and micronutrients essential for strong bones. Meat was framed as “masculine,” and women were encouraged to choose salads and toast over hearty, balanced meals. At the same time, sedentary lifestyles became more common, reducing the bone-strengthening effects of weight-bearing activity.

This cultural framing influenced diets for decades, shaping everything from portion sizes to the rise of “diet foods” in the 1950s and beyond. The postwar period left a lasting mark on how food, femininity, and health were perceived, as well as a new health challenge for women in particular – osteoporosis.

The Rise in Osteoporo sis

While osteoporosis was not unheard of, it was rare pre-WWII. Osteoporosis in women began to rise noticeably in the mid-20th century , particularly from the 1950s onward , but for different reasons than people sometimes assume.

Before then, fractures in older women certainly occurred, but they were less frequent. Also, life expectancy was shorter — meaning fewer women lived into the high-risk postmenopausal years. Several factors contributed to the post-1950s increase; most having to do with changes in eating habits and food choices;

Dietary changes – The post–WWII push toward calorie cutting and “slim” ideals often meant lower protein, calcium, and nutrient intake for women.
Lower physical activity – More sedentary lifestyles reduced bone-strengthening load-bearing exercise.
Hormonal factors – Longer life spans after menopause meant more years without estrogen’s bone-protective effects.
Shift in eating patterns – Reduced dairy intake in some groups, combined with the cultural move away from “heavy” foods like meat, affected bone health over time.

By the 1970s and 1980s , osteoporosis was being recognized as a major women’s health issue, leading to public awareness campaigns and research into prevention.

Bone health is built over decades—not just in old age. The habits women formed in their 20s, 30s, and 40s after WWII—shaped by restrictive diet culture and outdated gender norms—played a major role in today’s osteoporosis trends. Strong bones aren’t only about preventing fractures later in life; they’re about giving your body the right nourishment at every stage.

Unfortunately, the continued demonization of meat hasn’t helped. All forms of animal protein—including red meat—provide the amino acids your body needs to build every single cell , not just bone. Calcium supplements alone won’t do much if your diet lacks the protein that works synergistically to make bones stronger. Yet, many people I meet are eating far too little protein of any kind.

So, it’s time to eat—ladies and gentlemen! Enjoy a juicy rib-eye, roast a chicken, savor some fresh-caught fish. Get enough protein, and you’ll likely see not only stronger bones, but also healthier hair, nails, skin, and energy levels. Give your body what it needs now, and osteopenia and osteoporosis can be left in the rearview mirror.

The Hidden Danger: What You Need to Know About Visceral Fat & Insulin

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 23:55:00 GMT

The Hidden Danger: What You Need to Know About Visceral Fat & Insulin

When we talk about fat, most of us think of what we can see—like the extra padding around our waist or thighs. But there’s another kind of fat that hides deeper in the body, and it can be far more harmful: visceral fat. This isn’t about body shaming or chasing unrealistic ideals—this is about your health from the inside out. Let’s break it down in a simple, friendly way.

What Is Visceral Fat?

Visceral fat is the fat stored deep inside your abdomen. It wraps around vital organs like your liver, pancreas, and intestines. You can’t always see it, but it can still do damage. Think of it like clutter in your body’s control center—it takes up space, causes dysfunction, and puts stress on your internal systems.

Why Is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Unlike subcutaneous fat (the stuff you can pinch), visceral fat is biologically active. It doesn’t just sit there—it sends out inflammatory signals, disrupts hormone function, and increases the risk of serious health issues, including:

Heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Fatty liver disease
Hormonal imbalances

Even people who appear slim on the outside can carry dangerous levels of visceral fat if their lifestyle is out of balance.

Where Insulin Comes In

Now let’s talk about insulin—the hormone that helps your cells absorb glucose (sugar) from your blood for energy. When we eat a lot of refined carbs and sugar (think white bread, pastries, soda), our blood sugar spikes. In response, the body releases insulin to bring that sugar into cells. But when this happens repeatedly—day in and day out—your cells start to ignore insulin. This is called insulin resistance.

The result? Your body produces more insulin in an attempt to compensate.
And high insulin levels = fat storage mode, especially around the belly.

Insulin doesn’t just help store sugar—it also signals the body to store fat and prevent fat burning, particularly in the abdominal area where visceral fat loves to grow.

What You Can Do

Eat real food : Focus on clean, grass fed and/or pastured proteins, healthy fats, and some fresh organic vegetables. Keep your consumption of grains and starchy foods low. And finally, cut back, or better yet, eliminate processed sugars and refined carbs. An added benefit to this style of eating is weight loss!
Move your body: Walking, strength training, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are all great for reducing visceral fat.
Prioritize sleep : Poor sleep affects blood sugar and hormone balance, making fat loss harder.
Manage stress : High stress = more cortisol = more belly fat. Find what helps you unwind, whether it’s yoga, meditation, or simply unplugging for a while.
Get some sunshine : Vitamin D supports insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic health. (Win-win!)

Final Thought

You don’t need to chase a six-pack. The goal is to feel strong, balanced, and energized—and keeping visceral fat in check is a powerful way to protect your long-term health. Small daily choices can shift your body out of fat-storing mode and into a healthier, more resilient state.
Your body is always trying to take care of you. Let’s give it the tools to succeed. I’m here to help you on your journey to wellness.

Do you have Candida?

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 23:26:00 GMT

Do you have Candida?

CANDIDA AFFECTS 33% OF THE POPULATION

Candida overgrowth is more common than you may think, affecting 1 in 3 people. Those who have diabetes, autoimmune disorders and gastrointestinal disorders are more susceptible. Prolonged use of medications can also lead to candida, as they disrupt the balance of friendly bacteria that can allow fungus to proliferate.

SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE CANDIDA

The signs are not always obvious. Joint pain and digestive issues are a sign but are often overlooked as being the result of candida overgrowth, leading people to solve the symptoms with over the counter medications that bring quick relief but never solve the underlying issue.
Other signs are brain fog, and the inability to concentrate, fatigue and mood. Skin issues, such as ringworm, rashes, seborrheic dermatitis are also signs of candida overgrowth. Athletes foot is often thought of as being something you get in a locker room, but it is a sign of systemic fungal overgrowth. You can treat topically again and again, but it will never eradicate it. Same with chronic yeast infections, also the result of systemic fungal infection.

CLIENT SUCCESSES

I have had a number of clients with life-long athletes’ foot that had no idea this was the outward expression of a systemic fungal infection. Once we got the fungus cleaned up and the gut healthy, they never had athletes’ foot again!

SAFE AND NATURAL REMEDIES

What can you do? There are many antifungals available on the market. Oregano oil, caprylic acid, undecyclenic acid and allicin are a few. It is important to get on an antifungal diet as well and stay on it until it is cleared up. But know that trying to go it alone can be hard. It is best to get some help. Working with someone who can design a protocol using biofilm disrupters, antifungals and the appropriate diet, as well as ongoing support, is the best way to overcome candida and learn how to live healthy lifestyle that won’t lead you back to another infection. There is hope! Try a few thigs on your own, with an anti-fungal diet and see how it goes. If you feel you aren’t getting better, get help! Or, just get help from the beginning so you don’t waste time, energy and money.

GET HELP FROM AN EXPERT

I’m here to help. I’ve had many successes helping clients overcome it and go on to lead happy, healthy, candida free lives!
If you would like to know more email Beverly Hur-Holistic Lifestyle Coach & Personal Trainer at beverly@beverlyhur.com or call (805) 626-8881

Is Your Stomach Acid Low?

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:07:00 GMT

Is Your Stomach Acid Low?

The Importance of Stomach Acid

Stomach acid is a critical to our digestion. It protects us from foreign invaders, meaning low acid can lead to bacterial overgrowth, parasites, and fungal infections. As we age, so does our production of stomach acid. But factors such as stress and poor diet can affect our stomach acid levels starting very young and lead to lifelong problems. There are a wide variety of symptoms associated with low stomach acid such as low energy, food allergies, skin conditions and the obvious gas, burping and bloating. I have had many clients who have digestive issues that are uncomfortable when I recommend taking HCL to improve their digestion. The idea that they are taking “acid” seems frightening. But the stomach, when healthy, maintains a pH of 1-3 in its resting state and a pH of 1 once feed enters. A pH of 1 will dissolve right through the skin, so I understand their misgivings. But the stomach is designed to have such a high acid, using mucus and bicarbonate (yep, baking soda!) to protect the lining of the stomach itself, keeping the lining at a nice, neutral 7. When people have acid reflux, it isn’t due to too much stomach acid- it’s the result of stomach acid being in the wrong place. That is a topic for another day. It’s just important to know that we need that acid for good digestion and overall health.

Aids metabolism

Having enough stomach acid leads to the proper metabolism of amino acids, vitamins, fats, and carbohydrates. Without it we can end up with malnutrition, even if we are eating a healthy diet! This can show up as weak fingernails, hair loss, depression, asthma, food allergies, skin rashes and many more. If you have gas, bloating and constipation and/or diarrhea, then you may need to supplement with HCL in combination with pepsin. It may also be in your interest to have some testing done for fungal infections, parasites, and bacterial overgrowth. If your acid levels have been compromised for any period of time, you have been left open to be a host for potential invaders. If any of this resonates with you, what should you do? You can have your stomach acid levels tested. There are also a few things you can do on your own to see of you need to implement an enzyme protocol. One is the baking soda test. You take a 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in a 1/2 cup of water and drink it down, If you burp in 1-3 minutes, you probably have sufficient levels, but if you barely burp or don’t burp at all in 4-5 minutes there is a good chance supplementation is needed. Or you can take a teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar or lemon juice in a 1/2 a cup of water a few minutes before a meal. If that alleviates burping and helps with bloating, again, supplementation may be needed. These aren't the most technical of tests but will give you a clue to whether stomach acid is the issue. Don’t want to go it alone? It’s a great idea to get some assistance. I always ask my clients to start with some basic lab tests, so we are not guessing. Then I design a protocol specifically for that client, one that addresses stomach acid and any other findings. Don’t suffer! Get help, whether it’s me or another practitioner, get the support you need and enjoy life to the fullest!
If you would like to know more email Beverly Hur-Holistic Lifestyle Coach & Personal Trainer at beverly@beverlyhur.com or call (805) 626-8881

Do You Eat Right For Your Body Type?

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 21:01:00 GMT

Never cut calories & never diet again

Do a 20-year-old Sumo wrestler, a 35 year old marathon runner, and a 90 year old woman have the same dietary needs? Do you have friends or family who enjoy food you can’t eat without feeling bad? I know for years I have fought against the “fat is bad for you” and won the battle with my health and fitness as a result. I remember back when people were on the eat-less-than-10-grams-of-fat-a -day crazy and I would have nothing of it. I was fit and ate butter, cream in my coffee and fatty cuts of meat and felt great! But this isn’t about fat, or maybe it is for you. This is about metabolic typing. One man’s food is another mans poison. I have seen this repeatedly with family, friends and clients. I am a fast oxidizer. If I eat a low-fat meal, I’m hungry in an hour. Oatmeal makes me hungry! If I eat a lean cut of meat (chicken breast is the worst for me) I can’t digest it if I don’t have some fat with it. But one of my dearest friends, Lisa, is the opposite. Although we have similar body types, activity level and are only a year apart, she does very well with a higher carbohydrate and lean meat diet. Why is that? In his book “Biochemical Individuality” by Roger J. Williams, PhD., Williams covers a tremendous amount of research into the size and shape of people’s internal organs, studies done on blood work showing radical differentiation on the chemical make up of different individuals blood, even that identical twins are NOT identical on the inside. He presents a huge body of work demonstrating, without doubt, that we are each biochemically individual. What does this mean? It means we all are unique and discovering what foods are best for our unique type and listening to our body’s needs can, and will radically transform our health and our bodies. If you have been told all your life that fat is bad for you, but you naturally gravitate to fatty foods and feel better when you eat them, eating a high carb diet will lead to weight gain and poor health. Others who have seen carbs demonized but feel better when they eat a higher carb diet will also have the same experience. As a Chek Practitioner one of the things I do is identify my clients unique dietary needs and teach them how to listen to their bodies changing needs throughout the seasons. The result? Better energy, better satiation, and weight loss WITHOUT dieting. There are many choices out there today, Paleo, Keto, Whole 30, Mediterranean, and all have excellent qualities. But are any of these right for you? Set up a free consultation today and get started on a new way to eat, feel great and finally lose the excess weight!

Gut Health & Your Immune System

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 18:55:00 GMT

Gut Health, the foundation of your immune system

This is the time of year when I hear people talking about being sick, or just getting over something and refer to it as “just that time of year!” And people agree, yes, it is! As a Holistic Health Practitioner, I am amazed that many people have come to believe there is a “time of year” that one can expect to get sick. We have been taught there is a “flu season,” and “summer colds.” But does it have to be that way? I work with my clients to improve gut health, the foundation of our immune system. When we have a healthy gut, we have the right kind of bacteria to ward of infections that come our way. If you have a diet full of processed foods and sugar, your friendly to unfriendly bacteria ratio is not in your favor. Did you know 1 teaspoon of sugar will depress your immune system for 1 hour? If you eat any processed food, there is probably a teaspoon in every serving. So, if you eat processed (sugar) food at every meal, even a small amount, you are suppressing your immune system continuously. Also, our immune system is most active when our cortisol levels are lowest- when we are asleep. If you go to bed late, or have poor quality sleep, you are not accessing your body’s natural rest and repair cycle. And stress elevates cortisol further depressing our immune system. What can you do? Eat high quality foods that are right for your type. Eliminate processed foods and save the sugar for a special treat occasionally instead of at every meal. If you have trouble sleeping, try doing some breathwork to calm the body and mind, try a little meditation before bed to still the mind and prepare the body for sleep. Go outside and get some fresh air and sunshine in the early morning to access the sun early, during its hormone regulating, rays. These are just a few things I use in my practice with clients. If you would like to learn more about the foods that are right for your type, how to reduce stress and get good sleep, or how to align yourself with what’s important to you so you can use your time efficiently and have some time for rest and play.

Is Stress Making You Fat?

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 23:23:00 GMT

The Impact of Stress, Cortisol and Insulin Resistance

You’ve tried everything. Dieting, starving, cardio and a million crunches and still, you have that extra around the middle that won’t go away. Yes, it’s fat. But that is just a symptom, not the cause. It’s trying to tell you something. You’re stressed and your hormones are out of balance.
We all have three primary hormones, adrenaline, insulin, and cortisol. They are essential to our survival and regulate all our autonomic functions. That’s all our automatic functions in the body, like our heartbeat, breathing and digestion. But today’s lifestyle of go, go, go is causing our system to perceive an emergency and release cortisol even when there isn’t one.
Cortisol sets off self-catabolism. Since a busy lifestyle often means skipping meals, drinking “energy” drinks, and sometimes eating junk we would otherwise never consider eating, it’s a safe bet to say if you’re one of these busy people, cortisol is chewing the muscle off and you are storing fat. At this point, most people start a new diet and workout program. Usually something dramatic. The thinking is “it’s time I get back into shape!” Unfortunately, if the tank is already empty, not filling it up and driving it further isn’t going to get you anywhere, except out of gas. You are officially using starvation to treat a malnourished and catabolic body. You may see some initial results followed by more weight gain, less energy and a feeling of hopelessness that you will never be able to solve the mystery in the mirror. Let’s just take a look at some of the effects of cortisol as a short-term response to a stressor:
Elevates blood pressure, ensures a steady supply of blood sugar, increases serum glucose, suppresses the urge to urinate and suppresses your immune system. All these things make sense if we need to fight, flee or hide. However, when we have chronic stress, the danger is never over for our body. Working all day, taking care of the kids, managing the house, and whatever else gets packed into the day, then running to the gym to do the latest insane “fat-burning” workout puts us in a chronic stress state. The danger never ends.
Cortisol is elevated yes, but so is insulin. We are constantly in the perceived need for a steady supply of glucose which never gets used in the fight/flight/hide response. Our body manufactures insulin to lower elevated blood sugar and triglycerides. Chronic stress also elevates lipogenic and decreases lipolytic enzymes – less fat burning, more fat storing enzymes. The effect is worse in women. Our muscles become insulin resistant and belly fat accumulates. If your waist is bigger than your hips -or getting there- you are headed to or are already insulin resistant.
Eventually, if the situation isn’t addressed through proper nutrient selection, changing the way we exercise and getting rest and high-quality sleep the long-term health effects set in. So many of the health problems that are common today are simply chronic stress left unchecked. Fat is a symptom. The underlying causes must be addressed through balanced lifestyle modifications to reduce stress and lower cortisol.

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Concerned about osteopenia or osteoporosis? How dieting, salads and toast, led to the rise of osteoporosis.

A Brief History of Calorie Cutting, Meat Avoidance After WWII and Its Ramifications on Women’s Health.

The Rise in Osteoporo ﻿ sis

The Hidden Danger: What You Need to Know About Visceral Fat & Insulin

The Hidden Danger: What You Need to Know About Visceral Fat & Insulin

What Is Visceral Fat?

Why Is Visceral Fat Dangerous?

Where Insulin Comes In

What You Can Do

Final Thought

Do you have Candida?

Do you have Candida?

CANDIDA AFFECTS 33% OF THE POPULATION

SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE CANDIDA

CLIENT SUCCESSES

SAFE AND NATURAL REMEDIES

GET HELP FROM AN EXPERT

Is Your Stomach Acid Low?

Is Your Stomach Acid Low?

The Importance of Stomach Acid

Aids metabolism

Do You Eat Right For Your Body Type?

Never cut calories & never diet again

Gut Health & Your Immune System

Gut Health, the foundation of your immune system

Is Stress Making You Fat?

The Impact of Stress, Cortisol and Insulin Resistance

The Rise in Osteoporo sis