Health Archives

Jack La Lanne: 1914-2011

Saturday, March 19th, 2011 at 2:08 am  
Jack Lalanne - 1914-2011

A Famous Quote From Jack Lalanne was : “Inactivity is the killer, and remember, it’s never too late!”

As I sat  waiting in the doctor’s  office last week,  I picked up a People magazine. I think I felt  a few tears well up in my eyes as I read that Jack LaLanne, one of my biggest fitness idols, had passed away.

I can remember as a child my mom doing exercises in her bedroom while watching his show on a little black & white TV.  The magazine article went on to describe how the exercise guru taught America how to get fit long before Arnold pumped iron and Jane felt the burn.  He started his first gym in the 1920’s and his exercise show in the 50’s made him a star.

Doctor Oz  stated that LaLanne went on to become “the father of the biggest health movement in the world, and he walked the walk”.  Jack’s famous quote was : “Inactivity is the killer, and remember, it’s never too late” At his prime, it is said that LaLanne did 1,033 push-ups in 23 minutes.

Later on in his life, he became known for his emphasis on vitamins and healthy eating with the introduction of  the Jack Lalanne Line of Juicers. I  was most  impressed with a quote from Arnold Schwarzenegger that I feel depicts what Jack LaLanne was all about: “It is one thing when you are great. It’s another thing when you  use it to motivate others to become great.”

And Jack LaLanne certainly did that. He will be missed dearly. Rest in peace Jack… thank you for the awesome life you led and all that you taught us. :-) On January 23, 2011, Jack LaLanne died of respiratory failure due to pneumonia at his home in Morro Bay, California. Check out this post we added some months ago of Jack LaLanne and his wife Elaine.

Tags: Jack La, biggest fitness idols, Jack’s famous quote, little black, biggest health movement

Common Questions About Hemorrhoids: Why It’s Important To Talk About It

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 at 5:21 pm  

painful hemorrhoidsCommon Questions About Hemorrhoids

I’m going to talk about something a little tasteless but very important today, and that is hemorrhoids, colonoscopies  and anal examinations.

Many people love to talk about fasting and cleansing, but when I bring up the topic of enemas, colonoscopy and hemorrhoids, many clam up as if I was talking about something horribly obscene.

But I will tell you what is REALLY obscene. Waking up with colon cancer because you either procrastinated getting checked or did not ever think about it. So let’s talk a little about hemorrhoids:

What Are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are inflamed but typically existing blood vessels around the anus and lower rectum that extend under pressure, much like spider veins in the legs. The higher pressure and inflammation may result from straining too much to have a . Other contributive reasons can include being pregnant, heredity, aging, and chronic constipation and / or diarrhea.

Hemorrhoids are generally inside the anus or under the skin surrounding the outside of the anus. Many anorectal problems, including irritation, itching and swelling have similar symptoms and are incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoid flare-ups usually are not serious or terminal. In most cases, hemorrhoid symptoms should subside in just a few days.

What Are The Symptoms of Hemorrhoids?

Although many people have hemorrhoids, not everyone is going to experience symptoms. The most common sign of inner hemorrhoidal inflammation is bright red-colored blood within the fecal matter, on bathroom paper, or perhaps in the toilet. However, hemorrhoids may stick out from the anus outside the body, becoming inflamed and painful. This is whats called a protruding hemorrhoids.

Symptoms of external hemorrhoids may include unpleasant swelling or even a hard lump about the anus which results when a blood clog forms.

This problem is known as a thrombosed external hemorrhoids. Furthermore, too much straining, scrubbing, or washing around the anus could cause irritation with swelling and/or itchiness, which may produce a vicious cycle of symptoms. Draining mucus may also cause itchiness.

Both women and men commonly encounter hemorrhoids. About half of the populace get hemorrhoids by the time they are 50.

Hemorrhoids & Pregnancy

Females often go through hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Pressure of the unborn infant in the abdomen, in addition to hormonal changes, cause the hemorrhoidal veins enlarge.

These blood vessels are also placed directly under severe pressure throughout labor. For the majority of females, on the other hand, hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy are a temporary problem.

A thorough assessment along with appropriate medical diagnosis is essential whenever bleeding from your anus or blood within the stool lasts for longer than a few days at most. Rectal bleeding might be a symptom of other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancers.

The doctor investigates the rectum and anus to search for swollen blood vessels that reveal hemorrhoids and will also perform a physical rectal probe with lubricated sanitized gloves to feel for irregularities.

More detailed evaluation of the rectum for hemorrhoids requires testing with an anoscope, a hollow, lighted tube helpful for looking at internal hemorrhoids, or a proctoscope, useful for a more comprehensive examination.

To rule out other causes of intestinal bleeding, the doctor may examine the anus and inferior colon or all of the  colon through a colonoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are diagnostic methods which also involve use of tubes of light inserted in the anus. I know that none of this sounds very inviting and, in truth, most of us tend to shun colonoscopy like the plague.

But, I must tell you dear friend, it is better to take a little discomfort and perhaps a bit of a hit on your pride NOW, than to have to deal with something as awful as colon cancer LATER. So, if you have not had a colon examination in more than five years, I recommend that you call your doctor and have one done asap – especially if you are over forty and have had frequent bouts with hemorrhoids.

Regular Juice Fasting can help to keep the body detoxified and the colon clean, which is a very strong preventive measure you can take against hemorrhoids and your health in general. :-)



Tags: Health Medical Pharma, elevated pressure, anorectal problems, vicious cycle, blood vessels

Bell’s Palsy – Origins and Early Warning Signs

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 at 9:38 am  

The earliest identified case of Bell’s Palsy was discovered in 1882 by Sir Charles Bell of Edinburgh, Scotland. The oncoming of Bell’s Palsy is abrupt and generally devoid of notice. The major symptom of Bell’s Palsy is partial face paralysis or drooping of one part of the face, which is accompanied by pain or overall soreness. Over 40000 people in the U.S. are afflicted by this very aggravating illness.

Although much is still unknown about this uncommon and mysterious ailment, at least 75 percent of Bell’s Palsy incidents are preceded by respiratory system infections.

The onset of Bell’s Palsy frequently mimics what can be seen as a stroke. This is typically because of the face paralysis that occurs. In many instances, the family of the sufferer becomes persuaded that a stroke has occurred when they noticed that one side of the sufferer’s face lags. The possibility of a stroke or tumor should be eliminated before a conclusive medical diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy is made.

Even though the root cause of Bell’s Palsy is unidentified, many hypotheses exist. The commonest explanation is that stress is a key trigger of Bell’s Palsy. This is not difficult to believe because in a lot of cases the episode hits at times of heavy stress and/or emotional discomfort as, for example, amidst financial problems or right-after the passing of a loved one. Different not as likely causes of Bell’s Palsy comprise: Diabetic High blood pressure.

Whether Bell’s Palsy is inherited genetically remains unclear, although it is a probability contemplated by experts. Although steroids are often recommended as a treatment method for Bell’s Palsy, the effectiveness of these drugs is unclear.

The remedies that seem to have the greatest advantage for treating Bell’s Palsy is eye drops due the eye dryness that Bell’s Palsy patients tend to have, as well as their observed inability to blink the eyes appropriately. This is the usually a prelude to the facial paralysis that accompanies this brain illness.

Patients stricken by Bell’s Palsy must learn relaxation skills that will help them to reduce the tension/stress that seems to trigger this infirmity. The majority patients normally show a marked improvement fairly quickly, although in some cases recovery takes in excess of three months.

Sadly, there ARE some who never fully recover from Bell’s Palsy. Although failing to recuperate fully is unusual, it does happen. The greatest way that this ongoing illness can affect a person’s life is in their ability to be self-sufficient as, for example, eating, dressing and drinking from a glass, cup or bottle.

Sufferers could expedite recovery, and assist in the avoidance of a relapse by faithfully practicing face therapeutic massage and facial exercises several times each day. These could be done at home in front of a mirror or anywhere where you can catch your own reflection.

Massage the muscles of the face and become accustomed to making faces as if you were trying to make a child laugh. This is a great workout for the face muscles and will help you to counteract a recurrence.

Look, in this world in which we live, it is often hard to relax and not be a bucket of tension and nerves. But, in truth, is there anything at all that will be that important once we die? Not really.

Therefore, even if you are going through a difficult period in your life, I encourage you to learn to “let go” and just “let God.” All we can do is the best that we can. The end result is often not in your hands, right?


Tags: Palsy comprise, partial facial paralysis, great workout, Conditions and Diseases, major symptom

Ten Ways To Prevent Breast Cancer

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 at 5:13 am  

preventing breast cancer

There are solid steps you can take to reduce your risk of breast cancer. Here are my favorite ten!

1. Exercise regularly for the rest of your life with frequent workouts. Numerous studies have proven that regular exercise offers powerful defense against breast cancer.

Strive for half an hour or more of modest aerobic activity (fast walking) five if not more times a week. Consistency and duration, not intensity, are important!

2. Minimize your intake of or avoid alcohol altogether. Alcohol is one of the most well-established nutritional danger signs.

Recent studies have clearly shown that consuming more than a single alcoholic beverage each day can increase the likelihood of getting breast cancer by as much as 25%.

3. Eat a large amount of as often as you can - as many as five or more servings daily are encouraged. Experts in the field of breast cancer prevention indicate that crunchy veggies (broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower) ; darkish abundant greens (collard, kale, spinach) ; celery and tomatoes should be a constant part of the daily diet.

Also included in the list are cherries, berries and citrus like oranges and lemons. Important Distinction: it is most beneficial to eat crunchy veggies raw or lightly cooked because the crucial and health-protecting phytochemicals can be destroyed by high temperatures.

4. Maintain a stable weight equivalent to a Body Mass Index of under 25. Weight gain in our forties, regardless of BMI, has been shown to significantly increase the risk of breast cancer. Additionally, a high BMI continues to be a HUGE risk indicator for breast cancer after menopause.

5. Do not overindulge in fats! The type of of fat in what you eat will impact your breast cancer hazard. Decrease utilization of omega-6 fats (sunflower, safflower, corn and cottonseed oils), fatty foods as well as trans fats. Maximize your intake of omega-3 fats, especially from oily fish (salmon, tuna, sardines and trout).

Consume monounsaturated natural oils (canola, olive oil, nuts/seeds, avocados) as most of your fat source, as these foods possess likely anticancer qualities. Especially, canola oil is an abundant source of omega-3 fats; extra virgin olive oil is a potent supply of de-oxidizing polyphenols, including squalene; and nuts and seeds provide you with the cancer protective mineral, selenium.

6.Take it easy on the carbs. Minimize use of the higher glycemic index, “Terrible Whites” – white flour, white rice, white potatoes, sugar and merchandise that contains them. These food types trigger hormone changes that promote cellular development in breast tissue. Substitute these types of “wrong” carbohydrates with whole grains as well as beans/legumes. Beans/legumes are very good for their high fiber content.

7. Eat natural soy food frequently, including tofu, tempeh, edamame, soy milk and miso. Take in ONLY organic, non-GMO (genetically altered) soy. Research has demonstrated a direct connection between soy usage and decreased risk of breast cancer.

8. Minimize contact with artificial estrogen. Don’t take prescription estrogens except if medically advised. Lifetime contact with excess estrogen is cast as a primary culprit in breast cancer formation.

Additionally keep away from estrogen-like compounds found in eco pollutants, such as pesticide sprays and commercial chemical compounds. Purchase natural fresh foods if you’re able to afford it; otherwise, completely rinse all non-organic foods. Minimize contact with residual hormones present in non-organic dairy foods, meats and fowl.

9. Be sure to take your supplements every day. A multivitamin, 500-1,000 milligrams of ascorbic acid in split doses, 200-400 IUs of vitamin E as mixed tocopherols, and pharmaceutical grade fish oil. Additionally take 200 mcg of the nutrient selenium or eat at least a couple  Brazil nuts as an alternative. If you have a long-term medical condition or take prescription medications, consult your physician first.

10. Sustain a positive mind view. Engage in positive reinforcement behaviors frequently. Develop vibrant, warm and beneficial interactions with friends and family. Sleep five to eight hours nightly.



Tags: non-organic foods, non-organic dairy foods, monounsaturated oils, high bmi, breast cancer prevention

The Human Papillomavirus HPV: More Common Than We Can Imagine and Deadly

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 at 12:41 am  

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is among the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the world. Experts estimate that up to 24 million Americans infected with HPV, and the occurrence of infection and disease seems to be escalating. More than 60 kinds of HPV have already been discovered by researchers.

Several forms of the virus cause typical skin warts.

About one-third of the HPV kinds are passed via sexual intercourse and dwell only in genital tissue. Low-risk types of HPV produce genital warts, by far the most recognizable indication of genital HPV contamination. Other high-risk sorts of HPV cause cervical cancer along with other genital cancers.

Just like most sexually transmitted microorganisms, HPV usually results in a quiet infection, that is, without visible symptoms. One particular research sponsored through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) documented that almost half of the women infected with HPV had absolutely no obvious symptoms.

Because the viral infection persists, individuals may not be conscious of their illness or the the risk of transmitting to others as well as suffering complications. If you are unsure whether or not you have HPV, I strongly encourage you to get tested – especially if you have been promiscuous at any time in your life. This is very important for women who could develop cervical cancer if the HPV is not properly diagnosed and treated. Get check out!

Reprinted from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Tags: national institute of allergy and infectious diseases, Food and Drug Administration, human papillomavirus hpv, genital cancers, genital hpv contamination

HIV/AIDS Symptoms In Women

Monday, November 1st, 2010 at 5:02 pm  

Symptoms which could serve as alert indicators of HIV infection often go ignored because most females do not view themselves as being at risk. Symptoms can include recurrent yeast bacterial infections, pelvic inflammatory, irregular shifts or dysplasia (growth and presence of precancerous cells) in the cervix, genital sores, genital growths, and significant mucosal herpes infections could also go with HIV infection in females.

It is possible for a person afflicted with HIV to exhibit absolutely no indicators of infection. For women, the most typical symptoms of exposure to the HIV disease are repeated breakouts of severe vaginal infections, irregular PAP smears, or pelvic infections (PID) that are difficult to treat.

Inside of 2-3 weeks of having been infected, lots of people acquire flu-like symptoms. However, in some cases, signs and symptoms do not appear for quite some time. As the disease progresses, some symptoms range from 1) swollen lymph glands on the throat, under the arm, or crotch region, 2) recurrent fever which includes “night sweats,” 3) rapid weight loss for no apparent reason, 4) continuous tiredness, 5) diarrhea as well as reduced hunger, 6) white-colored spots or abnormal spots in the mouth.

Given that women amount to one of the most rapidly rising segment of the HIV-infected populace in the united states, AIDS prevention is specially essential for women’s wellbeing. HIV is carried through bodily secretions, like blood and semen. Utilizing injection drugs, participating in unprotected sex with someone who has utilized injection, and having multiple sexual partners all increase the likelihood of acquiring HIV.

As per the FDA, the simplest way to protect oneself against HIV is to abstain from sexual activity and use of illicit drugs. For those who have sex, be sure it is with one uninfected partner or use protection such as condoms and dental-dams to protect the tongue during oral sex. Currently, there isn’t any recognized cure for HIV/AIDS. The most effective remedy today appears to be doctor prescribed “cocktails,” or mixtures of medications.

These types of medications incorporate those for antiviral treatment and other drugs, like oral antifungals to fight yeast infections, which fight illnesses that make use of the weakened defense response of those infected. Additionally it is essential for HIV-infected women and their doctors to look out for pelvic inflammations or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Likewise, cancer of the cervix may be more prevalent and progress more quickly in afflicted women; for this reason, females with HIV must have Pap Smears twice a year to be sure cancer tumors are detected and treated early.

Not many women with HIV were included in early research of this pandemic, but in the early 90′s, women totalled 18% of adult contributors inside of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. Studies is focusing on clinical indicators of HIV contamination in women and also on the associations between being pregnant and HIV.

Scientists are investigating “female-controlled” types of protection by developing creams or gels that women would utilize prior to sexual intercourse to be protected from HIV as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. There is no conclusive evidence on the potency of contraceptive tools as a way to prevent infection. Most babies born to HIV-infected women are spared from being afflicted.

However, 1 in 4 do become infected prior or during birth or through breast-feeding, even though nobody is certain exactly when the virus is transferred to the child. Transmission or a lack thereof may also be tied to the mother’s health throughout the pregnancy or birth. There are more viruses during the earliest phases of AIDS compared to the later sates. For example:

Right now, physicians may prescribe the medication Retrovir (AZT) for infected women that are pregnant to lessen the number of children that are born afflicted. The effectiveness of this therapy is increased if the HIV is in its early phases and soon after pregancy.

HIV is passed from one person to another through most types of sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, and anal) whenever one or both of the partners infected with the illness. Oral sex with no latex condom places you at risk of contact with HIV. It should also be observed that pre-ejaculation fluid can transport HIV also it can be absorbed into the thin mucous linings in the mouth. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) advises that during oral sex, a latex condom ought to be used to decrease danger of exposure.



Tags: abnormal pap smears, contraceptive tools, simplest way, Sexually transmitted diseases and infections, uninfected partner

Study Finds Higher Suicide Risk in Teens Who See Themselves as Overweight

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 at 9:16 am  

As if the many physical health concerns associated with the obesity epidemic weren’t worrisome enough, new research shines a light on an alarming mental health connection: Teenagers who are overweight are at higher risk of attempting suicide. Even teens who merely believe themselves overweight — but actually are not — are more predisposed to suicidal behavior, the researchers found.

The study, which appears online in the Journal of Adolescent Health, looked at more than 14,000 high school students to determine the relationship between a high body mass index (BMI) and suicide attempts, as well as the relationship between perceived overweight and suicide attempts, and found higher risk in both cases.

Contrary to what the researchers had originally expected, the association was as strong for boys as for girls, said lead study author Monica Swahn, PhD.

“This is a major concern since more and more children and youth are becoming overweight and obese,” said Swahn, associate professor in the Institute of Public Health at Georgia State University.

“The mental health issues and distress that some youth who are overweight may experience … appears to be a growing, but largely unaddressed, issue,” Swahn told Daily News Central. “We tend to overlook the need for mental healthcare and prevention and underestimate the scope and range of services needed.”

Reality vs. Perception

For the study, participants answered a survey question:”How do you describe your weight?” They could choose among five responses: very underweight, slightly underweight, about the right weight, slightly overweight or very overweight, Swahn said.

“In our analyses, we looked at those who said they were either slightly or very overweight to determine their potential increased risk for suicide attempts. Our study shows that those who felt that they were overweight were about 40 percent more likely to also report suicide attempt.”

Hatim Omar, MD, chief of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the University of Kentucky, said his own experience has led him to believe that perceived obesity does increase both depression and suicide risk. “Teens are vulnerable because of their development,” he said, “and any actual or perceived changes in their lives, including weight issues, can potentially increase the risk of depression or suicide.”

Understanding these associations can help in the development of appropriate strategies for suicide prevention, according to the researchers.

“We cannot only focus prevention strategies on those who are overweight and who are concerned about their weight, but we also need to include youth who feel that they are overweight even though they may not be,” Swahn said.

Societal Pressures

“Youth feel very pressured to fit in and to fit certain limited ideals of beauty,” she added.

“Unfortunately, as a society, we are very focused on beauty and in particular weight,” she noted. “Weight gain and weight loss are pervasive issues that many of us struggle with. So, of course, these issues are linked to our well-being and our mental health.

The sad aspect of our findings is that it is not only those who actually are overweight that are at increased risk for suicide attempt, but also that those who perceive themselves as overweight, even if they’re not actually overweight, are at increased risk for suicide attempts.

This finding appears to reflect the very strong influence of social constructs related to body image and body ideals. It is also important to point out that in our study, the link between perceived overweight and suicide attempts was important for both boys and girls.”

Omar noted that “this study adds another wake-up call to providers, parents, teachers and society about the need for screening for depression and suicide risk in all teens, with special attention to teens with perceived or actual obesity.”

Signs of Depression

Swahn pointed to several common symptoms of depression that parents and caretakers can look for: persistent sad or irritable mood;loss of interest in activities once enjoyed;psychomotor agitation or retardation;feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt; recurrent thoughts of death or suicide;difficulty concentrating;difficulty sleeping or oversleeping;loss of energy;significant change in appetite or body weight.

“If five or more of these symptoms are present for more than two weeks, it is very likely that the person can be diagnosed as depressed,” Swahn said.

What should be the role of parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and others in providing appropriate feedback to teens regarding weight and body image? Is there a conflict between nurturing health and fitness on the one hand, and self-esteem on the other?

“It is very important that we find a balance between supporting healthy eating and exercise to achieve well-being and pushing too hard for quick fixes, weight loss and unrealistic body ideals,” Swahn said. “All of us, as parents, caring adults, teachers and healthcare professionals, can have active roles in promoting healthy youth development that support healthy eating and frequent exercise.

External Influences

“However, it is important to recognize the many external influences that manipulate our eating,” she continued. “I just read Dr. [David] Kessler’s new book, The End of Overeating, which is a fascinating account of how the food industry, together with the advertising industry, have made it nearly impossible for some people to control their food intake.

Food has been manipulated, packaged and sold in a way to increase the proportions of sugar, salt and fat, which lead most of us wanting more and on a downward spiral to weight gain. Given this heavy influence, particularly among our children who are growing up with all these messages, it is clear that we need to serve as advocates for our children as well.”

The study authors recommend and encourage future research to examine issues pertaining to perceived and actual weight and their role in suicidal behavior.

“There is growing empirical evidence that there is a strong link between these,” said Swahn, “and that concerns about weight can contribute to distress and suicidal behavior. Ideally, future research should disentangle these associations … and also examine the factors that may alleviate the risk among those who perceive themselves to be overweight.”

View the original article here

Tags: health connection, suicide attempt, Weight loss, Daily News, Health Medical Pharma

Salmon: The Healthiest Source of Fat on Planet Earth?

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 at 5:05 am  

According to the U.S. National Fisheries Institute, the per capita consumption of salmon in America went from less than a pound a year in 1992 to more than 2 pounds a year in 2006. And that’s only an average. Among health-conscious Americans it’s not unusual to eat salmon weekly — or even more frequently. The reason? Salmon is loaded with two of the healthiest fats on the planet: the omega-3 fatty acids known as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). And it’s absolutely delicious here in Broiled Salmon with Tamari-Orange Marinade.

Essential fatty acids were discovered in the early 1930s by husbandand-wife medical team George and Marilyn Burr. The Burrs found that rats deprived of fat developed a number of metabolic disturbances and symptoms, including scaly skin, growth retardation, and reproductive problems. Once fat was reintroduced into the rats’ diet, most of these problems disappeared. This led to the discovery of essential fatty acids, which are fats that are essential for health and that the body can’t actually make on its own — they need to be obtained in the diet.

Even though the two fatty acids in salmon, DHA and EPA, are among the most important compounds in human nutrition, they’re not technically essential fatty acids. Why? Because the body actually can make them from another omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid, which is essential.

But what the body can do and what it actually does do are two different things. Even if you’re taking in plenty of alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed (which most people aren’t doing to begin with), very little of the alpha-linolenic acid actually converts to DHA and EPA, so you wind up noticeably lacking in these two incredibly important nutrients. And that’s not a good thing at all.

This is especially tragic because it’s so simple to get enough DHA and EPA. They’re packaged together in one tidy food: salmon. DHA and EPA work together brilliantly. And their combined benefits to your health are beyond stunning. Hundreds of studies show that the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon benefit the heart and the brain, improving both mood and behavior.

DHA Delivers

The first of these two omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, is brain food and is crucial for vision. It’s the most abundant fat in the brain and the retina, and it is vitally important during pregnancy, where it’s linked to the development of the baby’s brain and eyes. DHA is also an important component of breast milk, and it’s well documented that breast-fed infants and toddlers score better on cognitive and visual tests, perhaps because of the DHA.

Both the World Health Organization and the British Nutrition Foundation recommend that infant formula be supplemented with DHA. And in a 2002 study of almost 9,000 pregnant women published in the British Medical Journal, researchers found that the babies of women who ate fish once a week during their first trimesters had more than 3 1/2 times less risk of low birth weight and premature birth.

DHA isn’t just important for babies. In 1998, scientists at the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA found that volunteers who ate foods enriched with DHA showed an increase in HDL cholesterol (the protective kind) and lowered their triglycerides by 26 percent.

EPA Essentials

EPA, the other important omega-3 fatty acid found in salmon, has complementary benefits. The March 2007 edition of the journal Atherosclerosis published a study in which some Japanese men with unhealthy blood sugar levels were given 1,800 mg a day of EPA for approximately 2 years. The men had a significant decrease in the thickness of their carotid arteries along with an improvement of blood flow.

Another study, this one published in the medical journal The Lancet (also March 2007), showed that people with high cholesterol levels who were on statin drugs reduced their frequency of major cardio events by almost 20 percent when they added EPA supplements to their daily regimens.

The Power of the Pair

DHA and EPA are known to be mood enhancers. They incorporate themselves into cell membranes, making the membranes more fluid and making it easier for important brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin to get in and out.

They help the brain to repair damage. Both DHA and EPA together are being studied in ongoing research at Harvard University by Andrew Stoll, M.D., for their effect on the depression of bipolar disorder. Also, a University of Pittsburgh study showed that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as salmon are associated with increased gray matter volume in areas of the brain commonly linked to mood and behavior.

A ton of studies link low omega-3 consumption to depression, mood disorders, and behavioral problems, including those that are especially worrisome among kids and teenagers, such as violence, acting out, and possibly ADHD. Research by Sarah Conklin, Ph.D., at the Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Program in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, reported that people who had lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids were more likely to have negative outlooks and to be more impulsive.

And in 2001, Joseph Hibbeln, M.D., a senior investigator at the National Institutes of Health, published a study that found a correlation between a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids (mostly from fish) and lower murder rates!

Another way that omega-3 fatty acids provide health benefits is by reducing inflammation. Chronic, low-grade inflammation is emerging as a major risk factor for a host of chronic diseases, so much so that it was dubbed the “silent killer” in a Time magazine cover story a few years ago. Inflammation contributes to obesity, diabetes, cancer, A

lzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and probably some conditions we haven’t even thought of yet. And the omega-3s are among the most anti-inflammatory compounds in the world. A diet filled with natural anti-inflammatories (such as the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon and flaxseeds and the many anti-inflammatory compounds found in the vegetables featured in this book) is one of the best preventive health strategies you could possibly follow.

The omega-3s in fish are among the most heart-healthy nutrients on the planet. Even the FDA gave them a “qualified health claim” in September of 2006, stating that “supportive but not conclusive research shows that the consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary .” Don’t be fooled by the FDA’s overly cautious language.

Fish such as salmon is a big component of nearly every native diet that has been shown to be associated with lower rates of . According to Stoll, omega-3s reduce the rate of fatal arrhythmias by 30 percent. “In the alone, more than 70,000 lives could be saved each year if Americans had sufficient omega-3s in their bodies,” he says.

We don’t.

Most of us get a paltry 0.1 to 0.2 g a day of EPA and DHA (that’s one-tenth to two-tenths of a gram!). (For what health organizations advise, see “EPA and DHA: What the Experts Recommend” on page 71.)

Personally, I’d like to see us get a minimum of 0.5 g a day of EPA and DHA, and ideally 1 to 3 g. You can meet the World Health Organization and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (WHO- NATO) recommendations consuming 2 servings of salmon (or other fatty fish such as mackerel) each week.

And if all this hasn’t convinced you of the incredible health benefits of ent meals of salmon, let me appeal to your vanity. Salmon can make look better. Nicholas Perricone, M.D., whose books on skin care have topped the best-seller list on numerous occasions, recommends a “three day diet” for clearing up your skin that features — what else — salmon.

For breakfast even! (Hey, it’s not that weird to the folks fishing through the ice in Greenland!) Actually, Perricone’s “three-day nutritional face-lift” claims your skin the same results that a face-lift would, by eating salmon two or three times a day, accompanied by fresh fruits and vegetables. I can’t guarantee that, but I’m pretty sure you’d look and feel pretty terrific after allowing your skin and hair cells to be bathed in the nectar of those nourishing omega-3s.

How to Cook Salmon

Probably the most important thing to remember when cooking fish is that it will continue to cook after it is off the heat, so you have to remove it before it is done to your liking. As the fish is cooking, cut into it frequently with a fork and look inside to check for doneness.

While most fish taste best when they flake and are opaque, this is not the case with salmon, which tastes best when it’s on the rare side. So when you’re cooking, look for the center to still be translucent. As a general guideline, grill salmon for 7 to 8 minutes per each inch (3 cm) of thickness.

Because of the wonderful healthy fat content of salmon, it does well in many cooking styles, including grilling, baking, poaching, broiling, and pan-frying. Crazy as it sounds, some people poach salmon in their dishwashers!

EPA and DHA: What the Experts Recommend

The World Health Organization and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (WHO-NATO) recommend consuming 0.3 to 0.5 g a day of EPA and DHA.

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommends consuming two 4-ounce (115 g) servings of fish high in EPA and DHA per week (such as salmon) to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

The American Heart Association recommends 0.5 to 1.8 g per day of EPA and DHA to reduce the risk of cardiac disease, plus 1.5 to 3 g of alpha-linolenic acid, which is found in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, for even more benefit. The above is an excerpt from the book The Healthiest Meals on Earth by Johnny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
Published by Fair Winds Press; July 2008;$24.95US/$27.50CAN; 978-1-59233-318-9 Copyright 2008 Johnny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.

Author Bio
Johnny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S, is a nationally known expert on weight loss, nutrition, and health. He’s a board-certified nutrition specialist with a master’s degree in psychology, a life coach, motivational speaker, and former personal trainer with six national certifications. His most recent book is the much-praised The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth. His book The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising Truth about What You Should Eat and Why has been endorsed by a virtual who’s who in the world of integrative medicine and nutrition, including Mehmet Oz, M.D., Christiane Northurp, M.D., and Barry Sears, Ph.D.

www.jonnybowden.com

View the original article here



Tags: U.S. National Fisheries Institute, mood disorders, Alpha-Linolenic acid, Eicosapentaenoic acid, British Nutrition Foundation

Gene Study Sheds Light on Cancer Cell Growth

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 at 12:26 am  

It is well established that cancer cells feed on blood sugar, but that is not the only nutrient they require. Another major energy source for cancer is glutamine, and a new study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and published online in the journal Nature shows how a cancer-promoting gene called “Myc” controls its use.

The findings could offer a new approach toward combating cancer.

The research team was investigating how the Myc gene promotes cancer growth when it made a surprising discovery: The gene actually increases the utilization of glutamine by cancer cells, according to Chi V. Dang, MD, PhD, a professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins.

Protein experts joined the team effort, searching for proteins that responded to Myc. The researchers examined human cancer cells with the Myc gene turned on or off and found eight proteins in the cell’s mitochondria that displayed a distinct response to the gene.

One of the proteins that responded to the Myc gene, glutaminase (GLS), supports the production of cellular energy. Cancer growth slowed down markedly when researchers removed GLS.

Building on earlier research, the team found that the Myc gene did not affect GLS directly, but rather affected an intermediary — “something that in turn controls GLS,” according to Ping Gao, PhD, a research associate in hematology at Johns Hopkins.

That “something” turned out to be some microRNAs, small bits of RNA that can bind to and inhibit RNAs, which contain instructions for making proteins. Two microRNAs called “miR23a” and “miR23b” link Myc to GLS expression.

The scientists intend to continue their exploration in a study with mice to see if removing GLS can impede cancer growth.

“If we know how cancer cells differ from normal cells in how they make energy and use nutrients, we can identify new pathways to target for designing drugs with fewer side effects,” said Gao.

View the original article here

Tags: the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, johns hopkins university school, research associate, the journal Nature, Induced pluripotent stem cell

Study: HIV Lurking in Many Unaware Gay, Bisexual Men

Monday, October 18th, 2010 at 7:46 pm  

Recent data from the show that 1 in 5 sexually active gay and bisexual men in America are HIV-positive but that 44% of them don’t know it. A fifth of all sexually active gay men in the US are HIV-positive, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and a staggering 44% of them are unaware of it.

CDC researchers reached that conclusion after testing more than 8,000 gay and bisexual men in 21 American cities.

Racial Disparities

White gay and bisexual men between the ages of 30 and 39 were found to have the highest absolute number of infections, although the rate per capita (16%) was less than that of black and Hispanic gay and bisexual men. Among blacks, the rate of HIV infection per capita was highest, at 28%. The rate of infection among young Hispanic gay and bisexual men was found to be 18%.

Nearly half of the HIV-positive men (44%) did not know they were infected. Young gay and bisexual men of color were least likely to be aware of their infection.

Socioeconomic Factors

The researchers found a link between socioeconomic status and HIV among gay and bisexual men. Those with greater levels of education and income were less likely to be infected and, if they were, more likely to know about their status.

The highest rate of HIV infection among gay and bisexual men occurred in Baltimore, at 39%, the researchers found. Atlanta was lowest, with just 6% reported. Rates of infection greater than 25% were found in Baltimore, Dallas, Houston, Miami and .

Bisexual men were infected with HIV at the highest rate, likely due to behavioral factors such as number of sexual partners. Compared to heterosexual men, their rate of HIV infection was found to be 44 times higher.

Relaxed Attitude

Because drugs have been developed to successfully manage AIDS, and many HIV-infected individuals have survived for decades, the perception has grown that an HIV-positive diagnosis is no longer the death sentence it was once thought to be. However, more than 18,000 people die from HIV and AIDS annually in the US — a sobering statistic.

The fact that so many HIV-positive individuals are unaware of their condition underscores the tremendous need for aggressive testing programs and ongoing education about this disease.

View the original article here

Tags: HIV/AIDS in the People's Republic of China, socioeconomic status, gay men, hiv infection, behavioral factors

Less Than 7 Hours Sleep May Hike Cancer Risk in Women

Monday, October 18th, 2010 at 8:24 am  


Regular physical activity can reduce a woman’s risk of developing cancer, but there’s a catch. She must also get adequate sleep on a regular basis, according to a new study presented at a conference of the American Association for Cancer Research.

The research, led by James McClain, Ph.D., cancer prevention fellow at the National Cancer Institute, followed 5,968 women in Maryland, aged 18 and over, for about 10 years.

Those who were the most active were found to have a sharply reduced risk of cancer — 25 percent less — than those who were the least active.

However, when they examined the sleep patterns of women in the most active group, the researchers found that those who averaged less than seven hours of sleep per night were almost twice as likely to get cancer than those who regularly got more sleep.

Though more study is needed to understand the relationship between sleep and cancer, it is well established that adequate sleep is generally important to health for everyone — men, women and children.

Following are some suggestions for improving sleep: Establish a regular pattern. Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning — even on your days off.Create a pleasant sleep environment: quiet, dark, comfortable and relaxing. Make sure your room is neither too warm nor too cold, and keep it well ventilated.Invest in a bed that’s the right size and firmness for you, and don’t use it as a multipurpose space. If you enjoy reading before bed, do it in a comfortable chair. Watch TV and listen to music elsewhere in the house. Never eat in bed. Keep electronic equipment out of your bedroom.Relax before bedtime. This is not the time to fit in your three mile jog. Exercise is best done earlier in the day.

Avoid action-packed, frenetic entertainment offerings. Don’t use this time to do stressful tasks such as paying the monthly bills. A warm bath is great. So is pleasant music. This is a good time for reading — as long as the book is not one that will keep you turning pages all night long. Don’t eat large meals close to bedtime. Also, don’t drink caffeinated beverages or alcohol. A drink might help you fall asleep initially, but it interferes with the quality of your sleep. You’ll be more likely to wake up during the night. Don’t smoke (ever — but especially not before bedtime).

Avoid taking medications right before bedtime if possible. This applies to over-the-counter remedies as well as prescription drugs. Check with your doctor if you’re not sure whether you can alter your med schedule.Naps are great — early in the day. Late naps can make it harder for you to fall asleep at your regular bedtime.

Get 30 minutes — or more — of sunlight every day. It will help keep your biological rhythms regulated. (It will also provide you with essential vitamin D.)If you’re having trouble sleeping, get up. Staying in bed will just make you more anxious. This is the time to indulge in your usual pre-sleep relaxation routine. Read, meditate, listen to some soothing ambient music. Then slip back into bed and drift away.

View the original article here

Tags: electronic equipment, comfortable chair, entertainment offerings, Delayed sleep phase syndrome, American Association for Cancer Research

Poor Sleep Linked to Higher BMI

Monday, October 18th, 2010 at 4:09 am  


A “good night’s sleep” may be more important than we think. In addition to allowing us to feel rested, energetic and clear-thinking, studies have shown that there are connections between sleep and heart health. There also has been research demonstrating that sleep may affect body weight.

The latest to shed light on the sleep-weight connection is a study presented Sunday at the American Thoracic Society’s 105th International Conference in San Diego, which indicates that body mass index, or BMI, is linked to length and quality of sleep in a surprisingly consistent fashion.

Researchers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center analyzed the sleep, activity and energy expenditures of 14 nurses who had volunteered for a heart-health program, part of the Integrative Cardiac Health Project.

The program included nutritional counseling, exercise training, stress management and sleep improvement.

The subjects were categorized either as “short sleepers” or “long sleepers.” The short sleepers tended to have a higher BMI, averaging 28.3, compared with the long sleepers, whose average BMI was 24.5, according to lead investigator Arn Eliasson, MD.

The short sleepers also had greater difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, he reported.

In spite of sleeping less, the overweight individuals in the study were more active than the normal weight participants by about 25 percent, and they burned almost 1,000 more , the study found.

Dr. Eliasson suggested that stress could disrupt the length and quality of sleep, as well as increase eating and other behaviors contributing to weight gain

Also, getting less sleep appears to cause a reduction in leptin, a hormone that triggers the feeling of fullness, perhaps causing short sleepers to eat more.

Leptin’s Role

That raises the possibility of using leptin supplements to curb overeating.

“It is conceivable that leptin may become an agent that can be administered to help with weight management, but we are not there yet,” Dr. Eliasson told Daily News Central. “Science is still sorting out the role that leptin plays in weight management and its variation with sleep.”

He compared leptin to melatonin, in terms of the current level of scientific understanding of their roles.

“Melatonin pulses at predictable times that coincide with sleepy times of the day,” noted Dr. Eliasson. “However, melatonin administration is not a reliable soporific agent. So what gives? Rozerem (ramelteon, a melatonin receptor agonist) has made it to market to help with sleep but it is less reliable for regulating sleep and inducing sleep than other agents like the new benzodiazepine receptor agonists. We know even less about leptin at this time.”

Given the low likelihood that any magic pill will soon hit the market to make up for the effects of short sleep on body weight, one solution might be to get the proper amount of sleep. However, it can be tricky to figure out how much sleep you actually need for optimal functioning.

Calculating Sleep Needs

“Sleep needs vary greatly by individual, and there is no single good test to measure what an individual’s sleep need is,” Dr. Eliasson said.

On average, adults need regular episodes of about 8 hours 15 minutes per 24-hour period — but that’s a statistical average. The range is much broader: 4 hours to 10 hours, depending on the individual. Children require about 9 hours, and teens may need a little more. By adulthood, adults generally need about 8 hours per night, according to Dr. Eliasson.

Contrary to common belief, aging in itself doesn’t reduce the amount of sleep required, he noted. Other things may conspire to interfere with a regular schedule of night-time sleeping though, such as medical conditions, orthopedic issues, medications, mental health and living circumstances — whether one has to get up at the same time each morning to go to work or is retired, for example.

The result is that older people often break up their sleep into shorter episodes at night combined with daytime napping.

If you want to pinpoint the ideal amount of sleep for you, Dr. Eliasson suggests a six-month experiment: Attempt to get very regular amounts of a certain length of sleep for a few weeks, and keep a diary recording how you feel during that period. For example, get 7 hours of sleep per night for three to four weeks, noting what time you go to bed and get up, when you nap, and how you feel.

Keep those regular sleep hours on week days, weekends and holidays. Then, expand your sleep time to 7 hours 20 minutes per night for three to four weeks recording similar variables. Then, expand to 7 hours 40 minutes per night for three to four weeks, and so on. Over six months, you will be able to zero in on the amount of sleep needed to feel rested and be functioning in peak form.

“This sort of experiment takes a lot of dedication and time, and not many people are willing or able to make this happen,” Dr. Eliasson observed.

Primitive Biology

James Gangwisch, a post-doctoral fellow in psychiatric epidemiology at Columbia University, led an earlier study that found a relationship between sleep and obesity. He hypothesized that sleeping less might trigger our bodies to store more fat because we’re still functioning biologically like primitive humans.

Early humans may have slept less during the long days of summer when food was plentiful, Gangwisch suggested, and their bodies may have then stored extra fat in anticipation of the winter, when food would be scarce. Perhaps the bodies of short sleepers now function as though it’s perpetually summer, and they’re always storing as much fat as possible.

“The theory involving storing fat in the summer during periods of short sleep appeals to common sense and is a tidy way to explain why short sleep may favor weight gain,” Dr. Eliasson commented. “It would be lovely to have some measurable hormones or transmitters that would put names and faces on the characters of this unfolding story. Give science another five to 10 years!”

Future Research

Dr. Eliasson intends to continue researching this subject through the Integrative Cardiac Health Project at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

There are currently plans in the works to evaluate the impact of stress reduction on sleep. Researchers will employ mechanisms such as exercise, meditation, acupuncture and acupressure to reduce stress and assess the effect on sleep induction, sleep duration, and energy expenditure. They hope to make their findings known in the next year or two.

Work in this field goes far beyond helping people achieve the pleasant aftermath of “a good night’s sleep.”

A body of research over the past decade has established that sleep has “a huge impact” on heart health, Dr. Eliasson pointed out.

“The association applies to both sleep quantity and sleep quality,” he said. “Not getting enough sleep makes people vulnerable to heart attacks and stroke — perhaps mediated through impact of insufficient sleep on glucose metabolism, cholesterol levels, and stress hormones. Likewise, poor quality sleep as demonstrated by the paradigm of sleep apnea increases risks for and stroke as well.

“The statistics are staggering,” Dr. Eliasson continued, “in that more than mild sleep apnea — moderate and severe sleep apnea — is associated with a three- to four-fold increased chance for developing and a five- to six-fold increased chance for stroke.

“Our hard-charging, on-the-go, 24/7 lifestyle carries measurable risks,” Dr. Eliasson concluded. 

View the original article here

Tags: Walter Reed, walter reed army medical, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, San Diego, calories per day

How to Breathe With Your Belly

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 7:27 pm  

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: complementary therapy, anxiety disorders, mother in law, Diaphragmatic breathing, poor posture

Gestational Diabetes Prevention

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 3:51 pm  

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 , 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 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: type 2 diabetes, diabetes risk, diabetes medicine, pregnant women, Health Medical Pharma

Loose Stools

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 11:55 am  

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

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

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 with your physician immediately, as it can be a sign of a serious disorder.

Tags: ginger tea, loose stools, lack of energy, Hospitality Recreation, poor diet

Foods to Avoid – Candida Diet

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 7:44 am  

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: rice syrup, maple syrup, yeast foods, maple sugar, raw sugar

Green Stool

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 4:38 am  

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


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: Health Medical Pharma, bowel movements, transit time, bile salts, Crohn's disease

Liver Flush

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 12:06 am  

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 . 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 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: fruits and vegetables, http://www.whale.to/cancer/k/Chapter 4.html, organic apple juice, Abdominal pain, detoxification method

5 Tips for Natural Skin Care

Monday, August 16th, 2010 at 8:03 pm  

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 ) 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 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: ground flaxseeds, fish oil supplements, Skin care, acne rosacea, gentle pressure

Colonic vs. Enema

Monday, August 16th, 2010 at 4:19 pm  


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: Treatment of ulcerative colitis, Health Medical Pharma, residual water, period of time, Digestive system
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