Nutritionist advises to
forget pills and diets

A Kauai conference will address
the keys to fitness and health

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By Helen Altonn
haltonn@starbulletin.com

Nutritionist Jim Polakof offers an easier solution to weight-reduction than reading labels on food to count calories.

"Going through the market, it takes a long time to read labels and truly understand them," he says, explaining a more simple approach is to watch how you combine foods.

Polakof will go into this in more detail at a health retreat Oct. 6-12 at the Radisson Kauai Beach Resort.

As an example, however, he suggests eating fruit by itself, rather than after a meal, and waiting 20 or 30 minutes before eating anything else.

"The digestive process will function more effectively and efficiently and the metabolism is going to crank up and function better."

Polakof and his wife Gloria, also a nutritionist, offer patient education, seminars and other healthcare programs through their San Diego-based company, Health Mentor Alliance.

They have a home on Kauai, as well as San Diego, and have long wanted to hold a health retreat on the island because it's "conducive to healing," Polakof said.

He said he has worked for 19 years with hospitals and medical practices, primarily on patient nutrition, but also on anti-aging, fitness and stress management issues.

Almost two-thirds of native Hawaiians suffer from obesity and need more education about nutrition and weight management, he points out.

More than 20 specialists in medicine, nutrition, massage therapy, tai chi chuan and feng shui and other healing methods will speak at the Kauai conference. They will discuss Western, Eastern and Hawaiian health and wellness options, including nutritious alternatives, vitamin supplements and herbs.

Polakof says he and his wife primarily eat fish and avoid red meat. He doesn't tell people they can't eat it. "But you should avoid it with starches, potatoes, rice and bread. It's the same digestive system. It's better to get a nice ripe tomato to help the steak or pork digest more quickly.

"Even if you're eating a pizza, people don't realize what it does to the arteries with all that cheese," he added. "We suggest, first of all, the healthiest pizza is a veggie pizza and just ask that they put in only half the cheese."

People can eat all the fruit and vegetables and legumes (peas and beans) that they want, Polakof said. "Legumes have as much protein as steak. Think about elephants and gorillas -- animals known for strength. These are all vegetarians."

He dismisses pills, injections and diets, which "basically are gimmicks." After some weight loss for immediate satisfaction, people go back to normal eating "and weight comes back with a vengeance," he said. "You actually end up gaining more weight in the long term."

For a lifetime of good health, eating habits must change, he said. "There are so many simple little hints during our retreat that we're going to try to put across."

Exercise also is necessary, Polakof stresses. "It's amazing in the islands, they are so beautiful and there are so many things you can do, yet so few people exercise here."

Just walking every other day would help, and aerobic exercise is needed to build strength, he said.

People also complain about stress, which is linked with eating, Polakof said, suggesting meditation and yoga to "de-stress yourself."

"The beauty of Hawaii is that emphasis is on mind, body and spirit ... ," he said, explaining a number of methods work together to accomplish healing. "You don't just treat people with antibiotics."

The retreat faculty will discuss how to control weight and improve fitness, reduce body fat, increase energy, manage stress, enhance sexual satisfaction, sleep better and strengthen the immune system.

Wilcox Hospital will provide cholesterol and triglyceride testing and each participant will receive a fitness evaluation and prescribed exercise program.

Polakof is offering kamaainas a discount to encourage local participation: $420 for a couple and $245 for one person for the week or $60 for one person per day.

The cost to mainland participants for the week is $840 for a couple and $495 for one person, or $125 per day for an individual. (The fees don't include accommodations or meals).

To register or obtain more information, call 888-273-2400 toll-free or see: www.kauaihealthretreat.com.