Fitness Through Fasting Blog

Stress, poor posture, snug clothes, and habit are some of the reasons that keep us from breathing properly. We wind up using our chest muscles instead of our abdomen.

Belly breathing, also called diaphragmatic breathing, is a simple deep breathing technique that teaches you how to use your diaphragm, a sheet of muscle at the bottom of our lungs and the most important muscle for breathing.

It is often used as a complementary therapy for anxiety disorders and may also help to boost energy and stamina.

The goal should be to breathe this way all of the time.

Here are the step-by-step instructions: Sit in a chair, stand, or lie on your back. You don’t have to sit cross-legged. Try to calm your mind. Forget about what you’re going to make for dinner tonight, the emails you still have to respond to, and the birthday gift you still have to get for your mother-in-law.

Don’t force it, just let go of any thought that pops in your mind.

Tags: mother in law, chest muscles, therapy for anxiety disorders, deep breathing, Thoracic diaphragm

Some natural remedies may help protect against gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that starts or is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Occurring in three to eight out of every 100 pregnant women in the United States, gestational diabetes can increase your risk of having a large baby and needing a cesarean section at delivery (as well as raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life). In addition to receiving regular prenatal care, you may be able to boost your defense against gestational diabetes by using certain natural remedies.

Because gestational diabetes may cause a number of serious complications (such as increased risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy and low blood sugar or illness in the newborn), it’s important to work closely with your doctor in managing this condition. Your treatment program will focus on keeping your blood sugar in check during pregnancy and ensuring that the fetus is healthy, which will most likely include making changes to your diet, exercising regularly, and—in some cases—using prescribed diabetes medicine or insulin therapy.

While no type of natural remedy has been proven effective against gestational diabetes, there’s some evidence that the following treatments may offer some protection against the condition. Make sure to talk to your doctor before you begin using any type of alternative medicine during pregnancy.

1) Vitamin D

Running low on vitamin D may raise your risk of gestational diabetes, according to a 2008 study of 171 pregnant women (including 57 with gestational diabetes). Among those who developed gestational diabetes, vitamin D levels were significantly lower (compared to study members who were free of gestational diabetes). However, the use of vitamin D supplementation as a means of reducing gestational diabetes risk has yet to be proven effective.

2) Vitamin C

In a 2004 study of 67 women with gestational diabetes and 260 without a gestational diabetes diagnosis, researchers found that low vitamin C levels were linked to an increased risk of the disease. It is not known whether supplementing with vitamin C may help lower gestational diabetes risk.

3) Astragalus

Preliminary research suggests that the herb astragalus may hold promise in the treatment of gestational diabetes. In a 2009 study of 84 pregnant women with gestational diabetes, those who received treatment with both insulin and astragalus showed greater improvements in blood sugar control and levels of blood fats (compared to those who only received insulin). However, since the use of herbs may lead to adverse effects during pregnancy, it’s crucial to consult your physician before using any type of herbal supplement in treatment or prevention of gestational diabetes.

The most important step in fighting gestational diabetes is beginning your prenatal care early and seeing your doctor for regular prenatal visits. You should also be aware of risk factors for gestational diabetes (including African or Hispanic ancestry, family history of diabetes, obesity, and being older than 25 when pregnant), and watch out for gestational diabetes symptoms (including fatigue, blurred visions, frequent infections, and increased thirst). If you’re considering the use of any type of natural remedy or alternative therapy to manage or prevent gestational diabetes, talk to your doctor about choosing a treatment that suits your health needs.

Sources:

Liang HY, Hou F, Ding YL, Zhang WN, Huang XH, Zhang BY, Liu Y. “Clinical evaluation of the antioxidant activity of astragalus in women with gestational diabetes.” Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2009 29(7):1402-4.

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. “Gestational Diabetes”. NIH Publication No. 06–5129. April 2006.

Zhang C, Qiu C, Hu FB, David RM, van Dam RM, Bralley A, Williams MA. “Maternal plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and the risk for gestational diabetes mellitus.” PLoS One. 2008;3(11):e3753.

Zhang C, Williams MA, Frederick IO, King IB, Sorensen TK, Kestin MM, Dashow EE, Luthy DA. “Vitamin C and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a case-control study.” J Reprod Med. 2004 49(4):257-66.

Tags: Vitamin D, pregnant women, type of diabetes, PLoS One, Health Medical Pharma

In traditional Chinese medicine, loose stools, abdominal bloating, lack of energy, and poor appetite are signs of a condition known as spleen qi deficiency. It doesn’t necessarily involve your actual spleen, but it is a condition of general tiredness and weak digestion brought on by stress and poor diet.

Other symptoms of spleen qi deficiency are: easy bruising
mentally foggy
bloating, gas, loose stools
fatigue
poor appetite
loose stools with little odor
symptoms are worse with stress
undigested food in the stools
difficulty ending the bowel movement

Spleen qi deficiency is thought to be brought on by stress and overwork.

Diet can worsen spleen qi deficiency, specifically eating too many foods that are believed to cause cold and dampness in the body: fried or greasy foods
dairy
raw fruits and vegetables
cold drinks

Dietary treatment involves eating warm foods. Ginger tea and cinnamon tea are thought to be warming.

Besides spleen qi deficiency, other conditions that cause loose stools or chronic diarrhea include: Gluten intolerance
Lactose intolerance
Pancreatic insufficiency
Bile salt deficiency
Celiac disease
Whipple’s disease
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease
Cancer

If food sensitivities are involved, treatment includes identifying possible food sensitivties using the elimination and challenge diet and then avoiding or rotating these foods. Although symptoms may improve, it’s also necessary to identify the cause of the food sensitivities.

Address any change or abnormality in bowel movement with your physician immediately, as it can be a sign of a serious disorder.

Tags: bowel movementSpleen qi deficiency, Coeliac disease, Hospitality Recreation, poor diet, loose stools

Here is a sample list of foods to temporarily avoid while on a candida diet.

Refined sugar is thought to encourage the growth of Candida yeast.

Foods containing refined sugar include: white sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, maple sugar, molasses, date sugar, turbinado, raw sugar, demerrara, amasake, rice syrup, sorghum.

Read labels carefully because there may be hidden forms of sugar. When reading the label, words to watch out for include: sucrose, fructose, maltose, lactose, glycogen, glucose, mannitol, sorbitol, galactose, monosaccharides, polysaccharides.

Tags: honey maple, refined sugar, sugar honey, white sugar, maple syrup

The liver constantly secretes a bright green fluid called bile into the small intestine or it is stored in the gallbladder.

Bile is needed to absorb fats and fat soluble vitamins. It also helps to soften stools and is responsible for giving stools their characteristic brown color.

As bile makes its way through the intestines, it progressively changes color from green to yellow to brown, due to the action of bacteria in the large intestine on the bile salts.

Green stool often indicates that food has passed through the intestines faster than normal (called decreased bowel transit time), before it could be changed from green to brown.

Diarrhea decreases bowel transit time, so any condition that causes diarrhea can result in green stool.

Other causes of green stool include: Laxative use
Antibiotic use
Medication side effects
Food poisoning
Celiac disease
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease
Malabsorption
Irritable bowel syndrome
Bacterial overgrowth
Infectious diarrhea – especially salmonella and giardia
Traveler’s diarrhea
Cancer

Foods and supplements that can cause green stool include: Chlorophyll
Iron supplements
Algae

Note: Speak with your doctor about any change in bowel movements.

Tags: effectsFood poisoningCeliac diseaseUlcerative colitisCrohn's diseaseMalabsorptionIrritable bowel syndromeBacterial overgrowthInfectious diarrhea, Crohn's disease, fat soluble vitamins, causes of green stool, Ulcerative colitis

A liver flush is a home remedy. Although there are many variations, it typically involves drinking two glasses of organic apple juice every two hours for two days, eating only fruits and vegetables. At the end of the two days, people take one to two tablespoons of Epsom salts dissolved in water, followed by half a cup of olive oil with lemon juice at bedtime.

Proponents of the liver flush say that it’s a detox (detoxification) method and also use it as a natural treatment for gallstones.

Why these ingredients? Apple juice is high in malic acid, so it is thought to act as a solvent to weaken adhesions between solid globules. Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) are used because it’s believed it relaxes smooth muscle and will relax and dilate the bile duct to enable larger solid particles (like gallstones) to exit the gallbladder. Unrefined olive oil is used to stimulate the gallbladder and bile duct to contract and expel gallstones.

People often notice small pellets or balls in their stool, which can range in size and color. Although proponents of the liver flush say that these balls are gallstones, critics of the flush say that the balls are not really gallstones but are soft complexes of mineral, olive oil and lemon juice produced within the digestive tract. Although it’s a popular home remedy, there’s insufficient evidence to show that it’s effective or safe.

Known side effects include nausea and vomiting, explosive diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

Theoretically, the liver flush may be unsafe for people who have gallstones. The large amount of oil causes the gallbladder to contract, making it possible for a gallstone to become lodged in the narrow opening of the gallbladder and necessitate emergency gallbladder surgery. Since gallstones are common in North America and many people with gallstones are asymptomatic, the absence of gallbladder-related symptoms does not mean an absence of risk. This procedure should only be done under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner.

Sources:

Kelley WD. One answer to cancer, 1999. [http://www.whale.to/cancer/k/Chapter_4.html]

Mills S, Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. London: Churchill Livingstone, 2000; 57-8.

Murray M, Pizzorno J. Textbook of Natural Medicine Vol.1 and 2. Edinburgh: Harcourt Publishers, 1999.

Tags: bile duct, smooth muscle, magnesium sulfate, abdominal cramps, K. Principles

A dry brush exfoliation can be done in the morning before you shower. It eliminates dead skin cells and allows the skin to detox (skin is the largest organ of elimination). Dry brush exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming to the nervous system. To give yourself a dry brush exfoliation, you’ll need a soft, natural bristle brush. In alternative medicine, good skin is a reflection of a good digestive system. People with skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis often suffer from constipation, imbalanced “good” vs. “bad” bacteria, leaky gut, and other digestive conditions. The two most common sluggish digestion culprits are: Culprit #1: Not Enough Water Water bathes cells and eliminates waste products, preventing constipation. 5 Ways to Boost Your Water Intake Culprit #2: Not Enough Fiber Most people lack fiber in their diets – the average person eats only 12 g of fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board established recommended fiber intakes. For men aged 19-50 years, 38 g fiber is recommended, and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women aged 19 to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for women over 50, 21 g fiber is recommended.

Some suggestions: Add Whole Grains – Choose whole grain products over refined. Have brown rice instead of white or make your own 50:50 combination.
An Apple a Day – Have an apple, skin on, as a snack.
Eat Cauliflower – Try this delicious Roasted Cauliflower recipe!
High-fiber snacks – Snack on nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, figs, and prunes.
Try a “Prune Power” Smoothie – Prunes are a great source of fiber. Start your day with this tasty Prune Power smoothie.
Eat Beans and Legumes – Open a can of your favorite beans or legumes. Rinse them well and add them to your meal.
Ground Flaxseeds – For any easy fiber boost, sprinkle ground flaxseeds (available at health food stores) on rice, salads, oatmeal, or any other meal. Store flaxseeds in the fridge. Do you sit at your desk for hours, only getting up to go to the bathroom? One of the best things you can do for your skin, stress level, and overall health is to get moving! Inactivity may affect skin and promote bloating and puffiness, acne, cellulite, and loss of muscle tone. You’ll learn more about exercise in Step 9 of the Wellness Makeover. Here are some quick suggestions: Take a quick break to go outside and walk around the block.
Book a massage therapy appointment.
Close your door and stretch.
Go to the gym.
Start each morning by stretching.
Get a skipping rope.
Most people do not realize this but excess sugar is considered one of the main causes of premature aging. The more sugar we eat, the more sugar we have entering our bloodstream. Over time, this can result in a process known as glycation, which is when a glucose (sugar) molecule damages a protein molecule by sticking to it. The new molecules formed are called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs. AGEs damage collagen in skin, cartilage, and ligaments and promote a loss of elasticity. Wrinkles form and skin begins to sag. Try This – It may seem impossible to reduce your sugar intake, but it can be done! A gradual approach works best. In the next week, choose one thing you’re going to do to decrease the amount of sugar you consume. For example, start by cutting the amount of sugar in your daily coffee or tea by half. Every week, find another way you can decrease your sugar intake. Pretty soon, you’ll be surprised at how far you’ve come!
Essential fatty acids are simply fats your body cannot live without. They are needed to make cell membranes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Essential fats are thought to keep your heart healthy, fight inflammation, and possibly prevent cancer. They are also particularly important to people with inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne, and also for people with dry skin. People with essential fat deficiency sometimes notice bumps on the backs of their arms. Here are my suggestions on getting more essential fats: Flaxseed and walnut oil – Use flaxeed oil or walnut oil with balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing. Be sure to keep these oils refrigerated. They should not be heated or used for cooking.
Cold water fish – Sardines are a good source of essential fats. Salmon is another good source, however these salmon accumulate toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (otherwise known as PCBs) in their body fat during the 95 percent of their lives they spend at sea.
Supplements – Consider fish oil supplements.

Go to the Wellness Makeover.

Tags: whole grain products, grain products, gentle pressure, water intake, nutrition board

Colonics and enemas are therapies that both involve introducing water into the colon through to rectum in order to cleanse the colon.

But there are some key differences between colonics and enemas: Colonics cleanse the entire length of the colon. Enemas cleanse the lower part of the colon, the sigmoid and part of the descending colon. Colonics involve mutiple infusions of water into the colon. Enemas involve a single infusion of water into the colon. With colonics, fecal matter leaves the body via a tube. The client does not see or smell the fecal matter during the session.

At the end of the session, the client usually sits on a toilet, and usually passes any residual water and stools.

An enema involves the one-time infusion of water. It sits in the lower part of the colon for a period of time, and then the person sits on the toilet.

Colonics must be administered by a trained colon hydrotherapist and requires professional equipment.

Enemas do not have to be administered by a professional. Disposable enema kits are available in drugstores and online.

Tags: Digestive system, fecal matter, professional equipment, colon hydrotherapist, period of time

Dairy Products — Candida is thought to impair the body’s ability to digest fat, so dairy products may have to be restricted. How much dairy one consumes may also depend on individual reactions to cow’s milk and cow’s milk products such as cheese, yogurt, buttermilk, and butter.

People often temporarily eliminate the following dairy foods from the diet: Cow’s milk, including whole, skim, 2%, dry powdered milk
Most cheeses. Cheeses lower in lactose may be tolerated, such as Monterey Jack, sharp white cheddar, swiss, mozzarella, Colby, provolone, and dry curd cottage cheese.Organic skim yogurt made with live bacteria may be beneficial for some people because of the beneficial bacteria it contains.

Don’t forget to read about the Foods to Avoid Entirely on the Candida Diet.

Back to the Candida Diet.

Tags: dairy products, Candida Cleanse, dairy foods, Dairy farming, Food and drink

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, and changes in normal bowel function, including bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

As many as one in five adults in the United States has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is a functional disorder, which means that there are no structural abnormalities seen on x-ray, endoscopy, or blood tests.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a group of symptoms you have had for at least 12 weeks in the last 12 months. It always involves abdominal pain or discomfort along with two of the following three characteristics: Pain or discomfort relieved by defecation
Change in the frequency of bowel movements
Change in the appearance of stools

Peppermint oil is widely used for irritable bowel syndrome. It is thought to reduce the abdominal pain and bloating of irritable bowel syndrome, possibly by blocking the movement of calcium into muscle cells in the intestines and easing excessive muscle contraction there. Peppermint is considered a carminative herb, which means that it is used to eliminate excess gas in the intestines.

Eight out of twelve studies on peppermint for irritable bowel syndrome have found that it is more effective than a placebo.

Although peppermint oil is available in many forms, it should only be used in enteric-coated capsules otherwise the oil can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and cause heartburn.

Peppermint oil, especially in excessive doses, may result in nausea, loss of appetite, heart problems, nervous system disorders, and lead to kidney failure and even death.

Peppermint oil should not be taken internally by children or pregnant or nursing women. Peppermint oil may interact with the drug cyclosporine (used to prevent organ transplant rejection and for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis), so they should not be combined unless under medical supervision. To read more about peppermint oil, go to my Peppermint Oil Fact Sheet

Probiotics are live microbial organisms that are naturally present in the digestive tract and vagina. Sometimes referred to as “friendly” bacteria, probiotics are thought to promote health include suppressing the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, improving immune function, enhancing the protective barrier of the digestive tract, and helping to produce vitamin K.

There are over 400 species of microorganisms in the human digestive tract and the balance between beneficial bacteria and potentially harmful bacteria is important. One theory is that people with irritable bowel syndrome may have an imbalance in their normal intestinal bacteria, with an overgrowth of gas-producing bacteria.

Studies have found that probiotics may be helpful for people with irritable bowel syndrome. For example, a fairly large study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology examined the use of three different doses of Bifidobacterium infantis or a placebo in 362 women with irritable bowel syndrome. After four weeks, the B. infantis dose of 1 x 10(8) c.f.u. was found to be more effective than a placebo at reducing abdominal pain, bloating, bowel dysfunction, incomplete evacuation, straining, and gas.

There are many different probiotic strains, and some may be more effective for irritable bowel syndrome. Another study compared lactobacillus salivarius, bifidobacterium infantis, or a placebo in 77 people with irritable bowel syndrome. Only people who took B. infantis had a greater reduction in abdominal pain, bloating, and bowel movement difficulty. For more information on probiotics, read my Probiotics Fact Sheet.

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is a water soluble, non-gelling fiber that may help to reduce constipation and to a lesser extent diarrhea and abdominal pain in people with irritable bowel syndrome. PHGG also appears to increase the amount of beneficial bacteria, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the intestines.

One study compared PHGG (5 grams per day), wheat bran (30 grams per day), and a placebo in 199 people with irritable bowel syndrome. After 12 weeks, both the PHGG and wheat bran resulted in an improvement in absominal pain and bowel habits, but the PHGG was better tolerated and preferred.

Food intolerances may play a role in irritable bowel syndrome, possibly by triggering immune responses in the gut, leading to low-grade inflammation and an imbalance of intestinal bacteria.

The most common food intolerances reported by people with irritable bowel syndrome are dairy and grains.

A trained practitioner can supervise an elimination and challenge diet. Many foods are removed from the diet for a brief period of time, then re-introduced sequentially to isolate the body’s reaction to the offending foods. Since grains are a common culprit, it is important to remember that carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth and that chewing grains thoroughly allows amylase, the digestive enzyme present in saliva, to digest the grains.

Pancreatic enzymes have been suggested for irritable bowel syndrome symptoms that are aggravated after a fatty meal.

Hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, has also been used for irritable bowel syndrome.

Tags: peppermint oil, functional disorder, organ transplant, bowel function, low-grade inflammation

With constipation, there is the passage of infrequent or hard stools with straining. Although conventional medicine considers having a bowel movement every second day normal, for optimal health and digestion many alternative medicine practitioners believe there should be at least one bowel movement a day.

Some people can develop anxiety about the frequency of their bowel movements and self-prescribe laxatives and strong herbal “dieters” tea to try to have a bowel movement a day. This is strongly discouraged because it can injure the intestines, result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and promote the development of eating disorders. If you are concerned about bowel regularity, see a naturopathic doctor or other health professional.

Most commonly, constipation is caused by lack of fiber in the diet. Sprinkling 1-3 teaspoons of ground flaxseeds on meals, choosing whole grains over refined grains, and eating plenty of vegetables and fruits can increase your fiber intake. Simple psyllium powder can also help, however be sure to check the label as many are made with artificial sweeteners.

An ayurvedic herbal remedy called triphala is considered a gentle laxative that can be used on a longer term basis, unlike some of the more harsh, habit-forming alternatives. Triphala is a combination of three fruit, one of which is amla, a fruit naturally high in vitamin C. Triphala improves bowel tone strengthening digestion, and enhances liver and gallbladder function. It is used for constipation, detox, and a broad range of conditions. Triphala is contraindicated in people with chronic liver or kidney disease, pregnant or nursing women, and people taking blood-thinning medication. It is found in capsule form at the health food store.

If increasing fiber and water intake worsens constipation, the problem may be insuffient bile output. This is because bile makes stools soft by allowing water to bind to stools. Nutritional supplements choline, methionine, and artichoke all increase bile output, but it’s important to see a doctor before trying any treatments to identify the cause of the decreased bile output.

Constipation can also be caused by the following underlying conditions: magnesium deficiency
diabetes
hypothyroidism
Parkinson’s disease
multiple sclerosis
scleroderma
amyloid
colon cancer
side effects of medications – most common are antidepressants and codeine
If comstipation occurs suddenly, see a doctor immediately as it can be a sign of bowel obstruction, nerve paralysis, drug toxicity, infection, or other serious disorder.

Address any change or abnormality in bowel movement with your physician immediately, as it can be a sign of a serious disorder.

Tags: naturopathic doctor, bowel regularity, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, vegetables and fruits, dieters tea

Ear candling is an alternative practice that proponents believe will help remove ear wax.

How is Ear Candling Done?

Ear candling requires the use of ear candles. Ear candles are made of cotton or linen that’s wound into a cone shape, soaked in wax, and then allowed to harden.

This hollow candle is inserted through a hole in a plate specially designed to collect wax, and placed into the external ear canal. The candle is lit at the opposite end.

Proponents of ear candling claim that this creates a low-level vacuum that draws ear wax and other debris out of the ear and into the hollow candle. After the procedure, a dark, waxy substance is usually left in the stub of the candle.

Many people find it to be a satisfying procedure, because they are told that the dark waxy mass they see is a combination of ear wax and debris.

Proponents of ear candling claim that it can help to remove ear wax and debris from the ear and facial sinuses. The external ear canal, however, is not continuous with the middle ear, sinuses, Eustachian tube, and nasal passages when the ear drum (tympanic membrane) is normal and intact.

Other manufacturers claim that smoke from the burning candles dries out the ear canal and stimulates the body’s natural excretion of wax and dead cells, pollen, mold, parasites, and other debris.

There is no evidence supporting these claims. Critics contend that the dark, waxy debris that remains after ear candling is waxy candle remains, not ear wax.

Possible Risks

There are some potential risks involved in ear candling:
Burns to the ear, skin, and hair from the hot wax
Obstruction of the ear canal due to wax dripping into the ear
Perforated ear drum
Is Ear Candling Necessary?

Ear wax has a protective role. It cleans and lubricates the ear, and can protect the ear canal from bacteria and fungus. The ear has a self-cleaning system that naturally removes ear wax. Most people do not require additional cleaning. However, a breakdown in this self-cleaning system can cause a condition known as cerumen impaction.

Cerumen impaction affects about 6% of the population and can cause reversible hearing loss, dizziness, and ringing in the ears. It occurs more frequently in individuals with mental retardation and in the older population. Physicians and other health care professionals are required to treat cerumen impaction.

Evidence

One study published in the journal Laryngoscope evaluated the efficacy and safety of ear candles. The researchers concluded that ear candles did not produce a vacuum. This small preliminary study with eight ears showed that ear candling didn’t result in the removal of ear wax from the ear canal and even caused candle wax to be deposited in some ears.

Regulation

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada classify ear candles as medical devices and consider the product to pose serious risk of fire, burns, and injury to the ear, surrounding skin, and hair.

Sources
Jabor MA, Amadee RG. Cerumen impaction. Journal of the La State Medical Society. 1977:149;358-62.
Roeser RJ, Ballachanda BB. Physiology, pathophysiology, and anthropology/epidemiology of human ear canal secretions. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. 1997:8;391-400.
Seely DR, Quigley SM, Langman AW. Ear candles – efficacy and safety. Laryngoscope. 1996:106;1226-9.

Tags: ear candles, burning candles, Sensory system, waxy substance, Ear candling

Do you spend your days staring at a computer screen? If you do, you probably know how draining and tiring it can be to your entire body, not just your eyes.

Here is information about one natural approach, which is essentially “yoga for the eyes”. The rationale is that natural state of the body is to be at peace, but when we read to understand and learn new information, the mind becomes tense and tries to catch hold. This strains the entire body, including the eyes, leaving people feeling drained even though they haven’t physically exerted themselves.

The key to doing these exercises is to relax and empty the mind as if you are meditating.

Improving Visual Concentration

The first step is to strengthen visual concentration. Sit comfortably with your back and neck straight but not stiff. Start by holding each posture for a few minutes and gradually increase.

1. Focus your gaze on the tip of your nose without blinking. Remain like this for as long as you can. Then close your eyes and relax.

2. Focus on your “third eye” without blinking. This is the area between the eyebrows above your nose. Then close your eyes and relax. It may feel uncomfortable or hard to do at first, but do not let yourself become frustrated. Keep your focus on that area and with time, you will find this posture easier to do.

3. Without turning your head, focus both eyes on your left shoulder. Remain like this for as long as you can. Then close your eyes and relax. Repeat this sequence with the right shoulder.

After you are finished, place the palms of your hands on your closed eyes and rest for as long as you would like.

Imagination to Balance Visual Concentration

Lie on your back facing up. Your palms should face the ceiling and your legs should be about shoulder-width apart. If you are doing this exercise in your office then sit comfortably in your chair.

Close your eyes. Breathe into your belly. Feel it expand as it fills with air. Continue for a few minutes and then open your eyes. Look at some object. Close your eyes again and continue “seeing” that object. This exercise helps to relax your eyes. It also balances mental focus with imagination.

Meditation to Balance Visual Concentration

Lie on your back facing up. Your palms should face the ceiling and your legs should be about shoulder-width apart. If you are doing this exercise in your office then sit comfortably in your chair.

Close your eyes and place your palms over your closed eyes. Breathe into your belly. Feel it expand as it fills with air. Continue for a few minutes and then open your eyes. Look at some object. Look but keep your mind empty. Don’t let yourself attach to it or stare at it. This exercise teaches you how to focus without straining or depleting your eyes.

Tags: Human behavior, third eye, few minutes, shoulder width, Spiritual practice

Latin Name: Hoodia gordonii
Other Names: hoodia, xhooba, !khoba, Ghaap, hoodia cactus, South African desert cactus

Hoodia (pronounced HOO-dee-ah) is a cactus-like plant that grows primarily in the semi-deserts of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola.

In the last few years, hoodia has been heavily marketed for weight loss and has become immensely popular.

Although there has always been a demand for diet pills, after the ban on the herb ephedra, the market was particularly ripe for the next new diet pill.

Much of hoodia’s popularity stems from claims that the San Bushmen of the Kalahari desert relied on hoodia for thousands of years to ward off hunger and thirst during long hunting trips. They were said to have cut off the stem and eat the bitter-tasting plant.

Hoodia gordonii grows in clumps of green upright stems. Although it is often called a cactus because it resembles one, hoodia is actually a succulent plant.

It takes about five years before hoodia gordonii’s pale purple flowers appear and the plant can be harvested.

There are over 13 types of hoodia. The only active ingredient identified so far is a steroidal glycoside that has been called “p57″. Currently, only hoodia gordonii is thought to contain p57.

In 1937, a Dutch anthropologist studying the San Bushmen noted that they used hoodia gordonii to suppress appetite. In 1963, scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa’s national laboratory, began studying hoodia. They claimed that lab animals lost weight after they were given hoodia gordonii.

The South African scientists, working with a British company named Phytopharm, isolated what they believed to be an active ingredient in hoodia gordonii, a steroidal glycoside, which they named p57. After obtaining a patent in 1995, they licensed p57 to Phytopharm. Phytopharm has spent more than $20 million on hoodia research.

Eventually pharmaceutical giant Pfizer learned about hoodia and expressed interest in developing a hoodia drug. In 1998, Phytopharm sub-licensed the rights to develop p57 to Pfizer for $21 million. Pfizer returned the rights to hoodia to Phytopharm, who is now working with Unilever.

Much of the hype about hoodia started after 60 Minutes correspondent Leslie Stahl and crew traveled to Africa to try hoodia. They hired a local Bushman to go with them into the desert and track down some hoodia. Stahl ate it, describing it as “cucumbery in texture, but not bad.” She reported that she lost the desire to eat or drink the entire day. She also said she didn’t experience any immediate side effects, such as indigestion or heart palpitations.

Hoodia gordonii is sold in capsule, powder, liquid, or tea form in health food stores and on the Internet. Hoodia is also found in the popular diet pill Trimspa.

Despite its popularity, there are no published randomized controlled trials in humans to show hoodia is safe or effective in pill form.

One study published in the September 2004 issue of Brain Research found that injections of p57 into the appetite center of rat brains resulted in altered levels of ATP, an energy molecule that may affect hunger. The animals receiving the P57 injections also ate less than rats that received placebo injections. However, this was an animal study and injections in the brain are different from oral consumption, so it cannot be used to show that oral hoodia can suppress appetite in humans.

The manufacturer Phytopharm cites a clinical trial involving 18 human volunteers that found hoodia consumption reduced food intake by about 1000 calories per day compared to a placebo group. Although intriguing, the study wasn’t published or subjected to a peer-review process, so the quality of the study cannot be evaluated.

There are some potential side effects of hoodia that you should be aware of. What are Hoodia’s Side Effects and Safety Concerns?

There are widespread reports of counterfeit hoodia products. Mike Adams of News Target, estimates that 80% of hoodia products are contaminated or counterfeit. It’s impossible to know if a hoodia product contains pure hoodia and the active ingredient, unless it has been tested by an independent laboratory.

After looking at hoodia buyer’s guides, hoodia ratings, and hoodia comparisons on the Internet, my advice is that you be very cautious. Most of these sites have been secretly created by companies selling hoodia. They explain why the hoodia in other products is inferior, even though there are no published reports showing that one is more effective. Q&A: How Do I Know if it’s Pure Hoodia or a Fake?

More:

Tags: hoodia cactus, pharmaceutical giant pfizer, South Africa, herb ephedra, african desert

Q: What are the side effects of hoodia, if any? Most articles I’ve read about hoodia say it’s a gentle and safe and I can’t seem to find any information about side effects anywhere.

Hoodia gordonii is often touted as a herbal diet pill without side effects, although there’s a lack of published studies on the safety of hoodia in humans.

Hoodia marketers often claim that hoodia has no side effects because the San Bushmen in the Kalahari desert of Africa have been using hoodia for thousands of years. But hoodia simply hasn’t been around for long enough in North America and it hasn’t been subjected to safety testing to uncover any possible side effects, drug interactions, and safety concerns.

Jasjit S. Bindra, PhD, former researcher for hoodia at Pfizer (the pharmaceutical giant that licensed the rights to develop hoodia for $21 million but later returned the rights), stated in a letter to The New York Times that although hoodia did appear to suppress appetite, there were indications of unwanted effects on the liver caused by components other than the active ingredient p57 that could not easily be removed during processing.

Bindra added, “Clearly, hoodia has a long way to go before it can earn approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Until safer formulations are developed, dieters should be wary of using it”.

If hoodia does affect liver function, it may also interact with other medications a person is taking. The San Bushmen are a tribe of hunter-gatherers, and probably did not take same pills for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, depression, and other diseases, that we do, another reason why unconfirmed reports of safe use by the San should not be relied on.

People with diabetes should be cautious about using hoodia. One of the theories about how hoodia works is that it tricks the brain into thinking that it has enough blood sugar. Without proper feedback regulation, it’s possible that a person’s blood sugar could drop dangerously low while taking hoodia. And with the regular hunger mechanism turned off, the normal warning signs may be suppressed, until it’s too late.

Hoodia is believed to suppress not only appetite but thirst. There have been unconfirmed reports of shepherds in Africa who took hoodia to take the edge off hunger pains, but died of dehydration because they didn’t feel thirsty.

And as a general precaution, because the safety in pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with liver or kidney disease hasn’t been established, these people in particular should avoid hoodia.

More: Sources
Bindra, Jasjit. “A Popular Pill’s Hidden Danger”. New York Times. 26 Apr 2005.

Morris, Joan. “Little research behind claims that hoodia is safe, effective for losing weight”. Seattle Times. 9 Mar 2006.

Tags: herbal diet, unwanted effects, Health Medical Pharma, diet pill, The New York Times

Gas, flatulence, and bloating can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Fortunately, there are some natural remedies that can help. Before trying any natural remedy, however, it’s important to consult a qualified health care provider to rule out other causes.

Some people habitually swallow air, called aerophagia. They’re usually unaware they do this, and the cause is often anxiety-related.

The gas swallowed is composed mainly of oxygen and nitrogen. Most of the oxygen is absorbed by the mucous lining of the gut or is used up by colon bacteria, with very little ending up in flatulence.

Nitrogen, on the other hand, is poorly absorbed by the mucous lining and most of the swallowed nitrogen ends up in flatulence.

Treatment Strategies

1. Becoming aware that air is being swallowed can help. People become conscious of their breathing patterns.

2. Relaxation techniques may help to reduce anxiety.

3. Avoid lying down after eating. Gas from the stomach passes into the intestines more readily in this position.

Hydrogen and carbon dioxide are produced by colon bacteria in the presence of poorly absorbed carbohydrates. If flatulence is accompanied by diarrhea and weight loss, it may indicate a malabsorption disorder such as lactose intolerance or pancreatic insufficiency, and should be evaluated by your primary health care provider.

More common is excess flatulence after eating large amounts of poorly absorbed carbohydrates such as beans or foods to which you have a food sensitivity. Common food sensitivities include milk and wheat products.

Treatment Strategies

1. Chew food carefully. Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth. Any work your teeth don’t do, your stomach will have to do later.

2. An alternative practitioner may suggest an elimination and challenge diet. This is a diagnostic diet to help uncover food sensitivities and intolerances.

3. Consult your primary care provider to rule out malabsorption disorder if you are also experiencing weight loss and diarrhea.

Eating a high-fat meal can generate a large amount of carbon dioxide, some of which is released as gas. That’s because carbon dioxide is produced in the small intestine when bicarbonate is released to neutralize stomach acid and fat during meals.

Treatment Strategies

1. Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of three large meals.

2. Avoid high-fat meals.

3. Consult your primary care provider to rule out the possibility of fat malabsorption. Signs of fat malabsorption include loose and light-colored stools.

Gas that has a strong odor usually results from the metabolism of sulfur-containing proteins and amino acids in the intestines.

Treatment Strategies

1. Chew meat and other protein foods carefully. Avoid excessive protein in your diet.

2. Taking activated charcoal tablets can help to remove the odor.

Certain foods are inherently gas-producing. Gas-producing foods include beans, cabbage, onions, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, fluffy wheat products such as bread, apples, peaches, pears, prunes, corn, oats, potatoes, milk, ice cream, and soft cheese.

Foods that produce minimal gas include rice, bananas, citrus, grapes, hard cheese, meat, eggs, peanut butter, non-carbonated beverages, and yogurt made with live bacteria.

When someone has persisting bloating and flatulence, lab tests and x-rays are first conducted to exclude the presence of medical disease. Colorectal cancer often presents with the symptoms of abdomen discomfort and bloating. Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease may have similar symptoms.

It’s important to remember that gas and bloating are vague symptoms that can be associated with many medical diseases, so consultation with your primary care provider should always be the first step.

Tags: treatment strategies, carbon dioxide, relaxation techniques, malabsorption disorder, primary health care

In some people, cholesterol levels in blood become too high. This is called high cholesterol or hyperlipidemia.

High levels of LDL cholesterol (so-called “bad” cholesterol) are considered a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

LDL cholesterol is thought to irritate the lining of blood vessels, stimulating atherosclerosis, commonly known as hardening of the arteries.

Although lowering LDL cholesterol and raising levels of HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) has traditionally been the focus, factors related to free radical damage are drawing increased attention: Lipoprotein A is a relative of LDL cholesterol. It’s thought to be formed when there is free radical damage. Lipoprotein A may adhere to damaged blood vessels, eventually forming atherosclerotic plaques. Oxidized cholesterol is found in large amounts in fried and processed foods. Studies have found that oxidized cholesterol may increase the amount of atherosclerotic deposits on blood vessel walls.High cholesterol is usually treated based on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol levels, plus the presence of additional risk factors for heart disease: A few tips on using natural products to lower cholesterol:

Talk with your doctor before starting any natural method to lower cholesterol.

Make your doctor knows what supplements you are taking. Fill out the supplement diary to bring to your next appointment.

Don’t discontinue any medication to lower cholesterol. Speak with your doctor if you have questions about your medication.

Vitamin B3, also called niacin, is used to lower cholesterol. Specifically, it appears to lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol.

Well-designed studies have found that niacin lowers LDL cholesterol by approximately 10%, lowers triglycerides by 25%, and raises “good” HDL cholesterol by 15% to 30%. Niacin also appears to significantly lower levels for another risk factor for atherosclerosis, lipoprotein A.

Niacin is available in prescription form and as a dietary supplement. The American Heart Association cautions patients to only use the prescription form of niacin.

Because of side effects, niacin should not be used to lower cholesterol unless under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner.

Niacin can increase the effect of high blood pressure medication or cause nausea, indigestion, gas, diarrhea, gout, and worsen peptic ulcers, or trigger gout, liver inflammation, and high blood sugar.

The most common side effect of high-dose niacin is skin flushing or hot flashes, which is caused by widening of blood vessels. Most people only notice this when they initially start taking niacin. The flushing may be lessened by taking niacin with meals.

Although high doses of niacin showed promise in combination with drugs to lower cholesterol (called “statins”), there are concerns that combining them could result in a potentially fatal condition called rhabdomyolysis. They shouldn’t be combined unless under the close supervision of a physician.

There is some research suggesting that artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymnus) may help to lower cholesterol.

Artichoke leaf extract may work by limiting the synthesis of cholesterol in the body.

Artichokes also contain a compound called cynarin, believed to increase bile production in the liver and speed the flow of bile from the gallbladder, both of which may increase cholesterol excretion.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled German study found that 1,800 mg of artichoke extract per day for six weeks significantly lowered total cholesterol by 18.5% compared to 8.6% in the placebo group and lowered LDL cholesterol by 22.9% compared with 6% in the placebo group. The ratio of LDL to HDL decreased by 20% in the artichoke group compared with 7% in the placebo group. There were no adverse effects associated with artichoke use.

A meta-analysis looked at randomized controlled trials for artichoke extract for high cholesterol. Two trials involving a total of 167 people met the quality criteria. One trial found artichoke significantly reduced total cholesterol after 42 days of treatment. The other study found artichoke significantly reduced total cholesterol in a subgroup of patients with total cholesterol levels of more than 230 mg/dl.

Adverse events were mild, transient and infrequent. Larger clinical trials over longer periods are needed. Read more about artichoke

Soluble fiber appears to reduce LDL cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the intestines. Soluble fiber binds with cholesterol so that it is excreted.

Soluble fiber can be found as a dietary supplement, such as psyllium powder, or in foods such as: Oats, barley, rye
Legumes (peas, beans)
Some fruits such as apples, prunes, and berries
Some vegetables, such as carrots, brussel sprouts, broccoli, yams

Five to 10 grams a day of soluble fiber has been found to decrease LDL cholesterol by approximately 5%.

The FDA allows soluble fiber products to indicate on the label that they are “heart-healthy”.

Plant stanols and sterols (such as beta-sitosterol and sitostanol) are naturally-occuring substances found in certain plants. Stanols are also found as dietary supplements or are added to margarine, orange juice, and dressings.

Research suggests that plant stanols and sterols may help to lower cholesterol. They are similar in structure to cholesterol and may help block the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines.

Studies have found that stanols significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, but had no significant effect on HDL cholesterol or triglycerides.

Stanols and sterols appear to enhance the effects of other methods to lower cholesterol. In studies, people taking the statin drugs to lower cholesterol had an additional improvement in their cholesterol levels with stanols/sterols.

Policosanol
Red Yeast Rice
Coenzyme Q10
Garlic
Pantothine

Tags: risk factors for heart disease, bad cholesterol, High-density lipoprotein, blood vessel walls, risk factor

A juice fast is a type of detox diet. A juice fast involves the short-term intake of raw vegetable and fruit juice and water only. Proponents of juice fasting use juice because it’s thought to be a good source of vitamins and antioxidants.

A juice fast is considered an extreme form of detoxification because no solid food is consumed. More moderate detox methods, such as the detox diet include solid food.

Pregnant or nursing women or children shouldn’t try a juice fast. People with diabetes, low blood sugar, eating disorders, kidney disease, liver disease, malnutrition, addictions, underweight, anemia, impaired immune function, infection, nutritional deficiency, low blood pressure, ulcerative colitis, cancer, terminal illness, epilepsy, or other chronic conditions shouldn’t try a juice fast or should do so only under strict medical supervision. People shouldn’t try a juice fast before or after surgical procedures. A juice fasting can reduce blood proteins and change the way prescription drugs react in the body. People taking prescription medications should consult a health professional skilled in detoxification before trying a juice fast, and should never discontinue or reduce their medications on their own.

It’s important to consult a qualified health professional before trying a juice fast.

Common temporary side effects of a juice fast include headaches, tiredness, hypoglycemia, constipation, acne, increased body odor, and bad breath.

Other side effects of a juice fast can include fainting, dizziness, low blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, weight loss, hunger, vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney problems. If these side effects occur, there is a worsening of symptoms, or new symptoms appear, the fast should be discontinued and it should prompt an immediate visit to a qualified health professional.

Another possible side effect of a juice fast is diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte loss.

If continued for a longer time, juice fasting can lead to nutrient deficiencies, particularly protein and calcium deficiency.

Grapefruit juice should not be used during a juice fast, especially by people taking certain prescription drugs. A compound in grapefruit can change the way certain prescription drugs are metabolized in the body. Recent evidence suggests that pomegranate juice may also have the same effect.

A juice fast typically lasts for one to three days. A longer fast requires medical supervision and possibly monitoring to ensure that nutrient deficiencies don’t result.

Proponents of juice fasting suggest fasting only during the warmer months of the year. Spring is thought to be the best time of the year for juice fasting. Seven or more days before the fast, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, dairy, wheat, animal meat, fish, and eggs are typically reduced or eliminated from the diet. This preparation diet often consists mainly of organic fruits, vegetables, and beans. Between 32 and 64 ounces of juice is usually recommended per day during the fast. The juice is sipped throughout the day. Typical fruits and vegetables include celery, carrot, kale, cabbage, apple, pineapple, cranberry, spinach, beet, and greens. Citrus fruits are often avoided. Approximately 6 glasses of room temperature or warm filtered water is often recommended in addition to the juice. Organic fruits and vegetables are usually recommended. If organic produce isn’t available, practitioners suggest peeling the skin off fruits and vegetables or washing vegetables with a non-toxic produce cleaner, usually available at health food stores. Freshly juiced fruits and vegetables are preferred, but if unavailable, practitioners suggest buying it from the health food store or juice bar as fresh as possible. Green vegetables and sprouts contain the pigment chlorophyll, which juice proponents believe are especially beneficial during a juice fast. A combination of fruits and vegetables is recommended. Variations on the strict juice fast include eating one meal a day in addition to the juice.Certain fruits and vegetables and their parts should not be juiced, such as the pits of peaches, apricots, cherries, and other fruits, apple seeds, citrus peels, carrot and rhubarb tops, tough skins (such as kiwi, pineapple, mangoes), and bananas and avocados.

There should be a gradual return to solid foods. Read the sample guidelines on how to break a fast.

Tags: raw vegetable, health food store, Pomegranate juice, Food and drink, nutritional deficiency

Pellet stool is stool that comes out in small, round balls. It’s associated with constipation.

In traditional Chinese medicine, pellet stool is caused by liver qi stagnation. It’s often brought on by stress. Lack of exercise worsens the problem.

Signs of liver qi stagnation include: symptoms are worse with stress
symptoms improve with exercise
feeling bloated all the time
copious amounts of gas, which is often odorless
symptoms are worse before or during menstrual periods

Excessive intake of red meat, wheat, sugar, and alcohol are believed to cause congestion and heat in the body and worsen the liver qi stagnation. Reducing intake of these foods can help. Some alternative practitioners recommend a detox diet plan.

According to some herbalists, herbs that reduce stress and help digestion by easing intestinal bloating and cramping are chamomile and lemon balm. Both can be found as teas or taken as capsules or liquid extracts.

Stress reduction techniques, such as yoga, breathing, massage therapy, shiatsu, and aromatherapy, are necessary.

Other tips: drink enough water 5 tips
don’t suppress the urge to have a bowel movement
exercise

Address any change or abnormality in bowel movement with your physician immediately, as it can be a sign of a serious disorder.

Tags: red meat, intestinal bloating, Health Medical Pharma, lemon balm, serious disorder

Alternative practitioners often ask clients about their stool as part of their assessment. Find out what normal stool should look like, and learn about the causes of green stool, pale stool, yellow stool, blood in stool, mucus in stool, pencil thin stool, infrequent stool, and more.

An ideal bowel movement is medium brown, the color of plain cardboard. It leaves the body easily with no straining or discomfort. It should have the consistency of toothpaste, and be approximately 4 to 8 inches long. Stool should enter the water smoothly and slowly fall once it reaches the water. There should be little gas or odor.

Rapidly sinking stool can indicate that a person isn’t eating enough fiber-rich foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, or drinking enough water. This stool is often dark because they have been sitting in the intestines for a prolonged time. Learn 5 tips to boost your water intake.

Stool that is pale or grey may be caused by insufficient bile output due to conditions such as cholecystitis, gallstones, giardia parasitic infection, hepatitis, chronic pancreatitis, or cirrhosis. Bile salts from the liver give stool its brownish color. If there is decreased bile output, stool is much lighter in color.

Other causes of pale stool is the use of antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide. Stool may also temporarily become pale after a barium enema test.

Pale stool may also be shiny or greasy, float, and be foul smelling, due to undigested fat in the stool (see soft and smelly stool).

Soft, foul-smelling stool that floats, sticks to the side of the bowl, or is difficult to flush away may mean there is increased fat in the stools, called steatorrhea. Stool is sometimes also pale. Learn more about the causes of soft, foul-smelling stool.

Whitish mucus in stool may indicate there is inflammation in the intestines. Mucus in stool can occur with either constipation or diarrhea. Read more about the causes of mucus in stool.

The liver constantly makes bile, a bright green fluid, that is secreted directly into the small intestine or stored in the gallbladder. Continue reading about the causes of green stool.

In traditional Chinese medicine, loose stools, abdominal bloating, lack of energy, and poor appetite can be signs of a condition known as spleen qi deficiency. It doesn’t necessarily involve your actual spleen, but it is linked to tiredness and weak digestion brought on by stress and poor diet. Learn more about the causes of loose stool.

Like loose stools, stool that is pencil thin can be caused by a condition known in traditional Chinese medicine as spleen qi deficiency.

Other symptoms of spleen qi deficiency are: easy bruising, mental fogginess, bloating, gas, loose stools, fatigue, poor appetite, loose stools with little odor, symptoms that worsen with stress, undigested food in the stools, and difficulty ending the bowel movement. Spleen qi deficiency can be brought on by stress and overwork.

Eating certain foods in excess is thought to worsen spleen qi deficiency. Offending foods include fried or greasy foods, dairy, raw fruits and vegetables, and cold drinks, all believed to cause “cold” and “dampness” in the body. Dietary treatment of spleen qi deficiency involves eating warm, cooked foods. Ginger tea and cinnamon tea are also warming.

Pencil thin stool can also be caused by a bowel obstruction. Benign rectal polyps, prostate enlargement, colon or prostate cancer are some of the conditions that can cause obstruction.

With constipation, infrequent or hard stool is passed with straining. Learn about the causes of infrequent stool.

Pellet stool is stool that comes out in small, round balls. In traditional Chinese medicine, pellet stool is caused by a condition known as liver qi stagnation. Liver qi stagnation can be brought on by stress. Lack of exercise can worsen the problem. Find out more about the causes of pellet stool.

Yellow stool can indicate that food is passing through the digestive tract relatively quickly. Yellow stool can be found in people with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, chest pain, sore throat, chronic cough, and wheezing. Symptoms are usually worse when lying down or bending. Foods that can worsen GERD symptoms include peppermint, fatty foods, alcohol, coffee, and chocolate.

Yellow stool can also result from insuffient bile output. Bile salts from the liver gives stool its brownish color. When bile output is diminished, it often first appears as yellow stool. If there is a greater reduction in bile output, stool lose almost all of its color, becoming pale or grey.

If the onset is sudden, yellow stool can also be a sign of a bacterial infection in the intestines.

More abnormal stool on the next page…

Note: Speak with your doctor about any change in bowel movements.

Tags: poor appetite, chest pain, fiber rich foods, prostate cancer, whole grains