Natural Health & Alternative Medicine at INEDIA

Generic biologics

2009-04-03T06:36:00.000-07:00

Biologic drugs are made by culturing specially engineered organisms, and no approval path for generic versions exists in the U.S.

The producers of these complex generics -- often called biosimilars -- will likely face tough regulatory scrutiny, if a law allowing generic versions of biologics is drafted .

Furthermore, many prominent biotech drugs will remain under patent protection for a number of years.

Under current law, generic drug makers can receive approval of copycat small-molecule drugs,
like cholesterol-fighting statins, after their five years of exclusivity expire.

In applying for approval, small-molecule generics must show they have the same active ingredient and the same action as the brand-name version -- which allows them to rely on the original clinical trial results and avoid having to pay for new trials.

But biologics are large proteins that are sometimes thousands of times bigger than small molecule drugs. Their manufacturing makes them sensitive to minor changes in the process, potentially altering their complicated structures and even how they work in the body.

If generic biologics have their own brands, then pharmacists won't be able to substitute them for the original, which means that generic companies will be forced to market their version of the drugs to physicians. Small-molecule drugs typically see generic substitution as high as 90%, a level not expected with branded generic biologics.

Multiple barriers to entry to sell generic biologics will limit the number of likely participants.

Generic biologics will only be for a few players.

The simple choices that we make in our lifestyle

2009-01-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

Many people have a hard time believing that the simple choices that we make in our lifestyle -- what we eat, how we respond to stress, whether or not we smoke cigarettes, how much exercise we get, and the quality of our relationships and social support -- can be as powerful as drugs and surgery.

But they often are. And in many instances, they're even more powerful than breakthroughs in medicine.

Our bodies have a remarkable capacity to begin healing, if we address the lifestyle factors that often cause these chronic diseases.

Unconventional therapies

2008-12-31T10:43:00.000-08:00

Is there anecdotal evidence that unconventional therapies sometimes yield positive outcomes? Yes. There's also anecdotal evidence that athletes who refuse to shave during winning streaks sometimes bring home championships. It was George D. Lundberg, a former editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association, who said: "There's no alternative medicine. There is only scientifically proven, evidence-based medicine supported by solid data." We'd do well to keep that in mind as we plot the future of American health care. It's not like we've got billions to waste

Exploring treatment options for cancer

2008-12-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

Before exploring treatment options for cancer, establish some ground rules.
You'll be more comfortable with any cancer treatment decisions you make if you:

Decide how much you want to know. While most people want to know exactly what their treatment is and their survival chances, others don't. If you don't want to know all the details, let your doctor know, and you and your doctor can devise a strategy that's appropriate for you.

Decide how you'll want to make your treatment decisions. You might want to gather all the information you can and take the lead in the decision-making process. Or you might want to turn all decisions over to your doctor. You might also be somewhere in the middle, sharing the decision process with your doctor.

Have realistic expectations. Your doctor can give you estimates about what you can expect to get from each type of treatment. But what you do with these estimates is up to you. Exactly what side effects you may be willing to put up with will depend on what the benefits of the treatment are likely to be.
Communicate your preferences with your doctor.

Keep the focus on you. Don't let anyone pressure you into a particular treatment option. Pick what you feel most comfortable with.

Accept help. You'll need support throughout your treatment. Support can come from your doctor, your friends and your family. If you don't feel supported in your decision making, contact groups such as the American Cancer Society, which can put you in contact with cancer survivors who can help support you through this process. It might help to write down your expectations and preferences before you meet with your doctor. That might help you better express your hopes for and feelings about your cancer treatment.

Nutritional Genomics

2007-12-17T10:27:00.000-08:00

Imagine this scenario : A physician scrapes a sample of cells from inside your cheek
and submit it to a genomic lab.

The lab returns a report based on your genetic profile that reveals which diseases you are
most likely to develop and makes recommendations for specific diet and lifestyle changes
that can help you maintain good health .

You may also be given a prescription for a dietary supplement that will best meet your
personal nutrient requirements.

Such a scenario may one day become reality as scientist uncover the genetic relationship
between diet and disease.

Until then however we need to know that current genetic test kits
commonly available on the Internet are unproven.

Underweight people.

2007-12-15T06:43:00.000-08:00

Underweight is affecting more than 5 percent of U.S. Adults.

Whether the underweight person needs to gain weight is a question of health and , like weight loss, a highly individual matter.

Healthful weight gains can be achieved only by physical conditioning combined with high energy intakes.

Weight-Gain strategies center on :
*Energy-Dense Food
*Regular Meals Daily
*Large Portions.
*Extra Snacks
*Juice and Milk.
*Exercising to Build Muscles.

We don't expect tall people to shrink

2007-12-13T11:33:00.000-08:00

Many people assume that every obese persona can achieve slenderness and should pursue that goal.

First consider that most obese people do not -for whatever reason – successfully lose weight and maintain their losses. Then consider the prejudice involved in that assumption.

People come with varying weight tendencies, just as they come with varying potentials for height and degrees of health, yet we don't expect tall people to shrink or healthy people to get sick in an effort to become normal.

Overweight people

2007-11-10T10:10:00.000-08:00

A new study found that moderately overweight people are not at greater risk of dying from cancer or heart disease but obese people are.

Rare disease

2007-10-11T08:21:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your reply. Red spots on right side of tongue started a month ago, it is not so red now but looks like papillae (along the right side of tongue), but there is a numbness/metallic taste there especially after a meal. I had the same feeling before when I first had 3-4 nodules (red) which docs removed last year and diagnosed as mucosal neuroma and later was diagnosed as inflamed pappilitis by 3 other pathologist, after 2 months later there were also a few nodules, which was removed and diagnosed as inflamed pappilitis. Now there is no nodules, only non significant red spots. After the removal surgery,I also had this numbness at the scar tissue area especially after a meal and will go away after an hour, docs says because of nerves being removed, it could cause this problem, but it doesnt spread to the area where the red spots is. But since these red spots appear a month ago, I seems to get this sort of numbness and metallic taste espcially after meal, it takes a few hours to go away.I have been to 2 maxilofacial docs and ent docs, all of them says it doesnt looks cancerous, some says it is pigmentation, some says blood capillaries, some says odema (swollen) pappilae, some says foliate pappilae, my maxilofacilal doctor specialised in oral medicine keep asking me to take amyitripline (an antipressant) for the burning mouth that I have (on palate and part of tongue).Docs dont think I had mucosal neuroma because it is rare (associated with MEN Type III) .He keep saying I am depressed. Have tried taking 10 mg amyitripline every night for 1 month but no effect, but makes me feel like a zombie the next morning. Stop medication. Another naturapathy docs says I have too much acid in my blood (prone to cancer)and put me on some calcium oxide and herbal treatment and not to take any medication because medication is acidic. But after 2 weeks ulcers came out and spots looks more significant, stop his herbal medication which he says is healing process and part of detoxification. My Ent docs says sometimes when pathologist diagnosed and found inflammation of tongue they will just indicate as foliate pappilitis becaue it is non specific. As long as it is not malignant, they just give it a name as inflammation. Some docs says maglinancy dont appear immediately and there will be changes and takes time before it became cancerous, specially in the tongue. It can be very tricky to diagnose. Even a lot of docs says since biopsies on both sides also do not indicate any maglinancy, I shouldnt think of getting cancer, if I had cancer it would have appear now!(It is already a year, went thro 2 endocrine test, 1 in Oct 06 and another in June this year, all endocrine test for cancer negative. So docs dont think what was remove was mucosal neuroma but inflammation. They says the two biopsies was quite big 2 cm each, any maglinancy would have been detected.But why am I having all this discomfort (burnign mouth and numbness metallic taste) and what are the red spots? I thank you for being very helpful but I really dont know what is happening to my tongue and mouth and dont know how to get rid of the burning mouth and red spots numbness.Pls help, and appreciate any reference to anybody who has similar problem. I am a very anxious person and suffers from anxiety for more than 10 years. Some docs says anxiety can cause a lot of sickness even cancer (as cancer is a disease of the mind). Anxiety actually brings down out immunity system. Look forward to your reply.Thank you.ALow(waifun333@yahoo.com)

Marijuana

2007-07-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

People who smoke marijuana daily or weekly double their risk of developing a psychotic illness There arenew findings on the neurobiology of cannabis, its effects on mental health and its interaction with severe mental illness .

Molecular studies have shown that tetrahydrocannabinol, the active component of cannabis, increases release of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway. Given the suggested relation between increased mesolimbic dopamine and positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such observations provide support for the hypothesis that cannabis may act as a risk factor for schizophrenia .

But marijuana is prevalent in society, more than people think.

Cannabis is also the most increasingly used illicit drug in the world in recent years.

There is some evidence to suggest an increase in the regularity with which people use cannabis.

The drug remains less of a problem than alcohol and tobacco.

Insomia and Sleeping Aids

2007-04-23T07:35:00.000-07:00

Insomnia does not only apply to people who cannot sleep at all; many people suffer from sleeping disorders such as difficulty falling asleep, sleeping through the night and even more commonly a lack of quality sleep. Sleep is not only necessary in quantity, but even more importantly quality. Some people sleep through the night but wake up exhausted.

Some sleeping aid products such as Melatrol Sleeping Aid can eliminate stress, regenerate your energy levels, repair any damages in your body and recover or fight off diseases. Stress and a lack of sleep can cause a variety of health related problems, many of which can be serious.

Also, here are some techniques you've probably already tried but are still worth trying again.

Play some soft, soothing music that will lull you to sleep. There are even cassettes and records designed for that very purpose. Some are specially composed music, others simply have sounds of waves rhythmically breaking, or the steady pattern of a heartbeat.

Have your spouse (or whoever) give you a massage just before going to sleep. If you can convince them to give you a full body massage, great. If not, even a short backrub and/or a face and scalp massage can be a big help. Have them make the massage strokes slow, gentle, yet firm, to work the tension out of your muscles and soothe you to sleep.

A glass of warm milk 15 minutes before going to bed will soothe your nervous system. Milk contains calcium, which works directly on jagged nerves to make them (and you) relax.

It should be obvious, but some people forget that coffee is not the only drink containing caffeine. Tea (black, not herbal), chocolate and cola drinks are also high in caffeine.
Alcohol may feel like it's soothing you, but all it's doing is stupefying you. Research has shown that alcohol upsets sleep, preventing a deep rest. Same with tobacco. Avoid them all.

A firm bed will give your entire body the support it needs to really relax. It's better for your spine, too. Also, sleep ON YOUR BACK!

I hope some of this information helps you sleep better at night. Remember, it is never too late to try another technique to sleep better.

Stay in health, live 100 years!

HGH Human Growth Hormone Research

2007-04-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

For those of you that are looking for information on anti-aging and youth, we have found a website that talks about the Human Growth Hormone HGH which it seems could help slow down aging.

From the beginning of time man has sought a way to extend life, reverse the aging process, and live forever. Up to this point, nothing has proven to be significantly viable for this purpose. However, the greatest advance in man’s ability to “turn back the clock” may now be available to us. The human growth hormone (HGH or Somatotropin) has produced increases in the levels of insulin-like growth hormone 1 (IGF-1). There is a direct connection between the level of this hormone in a human’s body, and their age. As observed by many scientists, if this hormone could be kept at the levels of youth, then would the aging process be slowed down, or even stopped altogether? It is a question that has spawned much controversy within the ranks of physicians, with many leading doctors on both sides of the issue.

Tell me what you think.

Stay in health and live 100 years!

Firefighting Increases Risk Of Death From Heart Disease New Study Says

2007-04-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

A new study suggests that of the various duties performed by US firefighters, the act of firefighting increases their risk of death from coronary heart disease by up to 100 times compared to non emergency duties.

The study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).The research team, comprising US and Greek scientists, already knew from previous studies that heart disease accounts for 45 per cent of deaths among US firefighters while they are on duty.

What they did in this study was to establish which duties carry the most and the least risk in the daily work of the firefighter.To establish the incidence of heart disease related deaths, they looked at 11 years of records provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of all deaths on duty of firefighters between 1994 and 2004, leaving out those linked to the 2001 September 11 terrorist attacks.They then estimated the amount of time firefighters spent on different duties by analyzing records from three sources: a municipal fire department, 17 large metropolitan fire departments, and a national database.

Using non emergency duties as the reference category, they then calculated the risks (using odds ratio and 95 per cent confidence intervals) of death from coronary heart disease for a range of specific duties.The results showed that compared with non emergency duties, some emergency duties and physical training were linked with firefighters having an increased risk of death from coronary heart disease.

The team had conducted an earlier smaller study on retirement due to cardiac events with similar results.Fire suppression takes up between 1 and 5 per cent of the time that a firefighter spends on the job. But it accounted for 32 per cent of deaths from coronary heart disease and compared with non emergency duties carried 10 to 100 times the risk of death from the disease.The researchers suggest that the reason is the increased demands that fire suppression places on the firefighter's cardiovascular system.

The smoke, the chemicals, carbon monoxide, the physical effort and the psychological stress come together to create an effect that lasts for 24 hours, the duration of the elevated risk period.However, in discussing the results, they also suggest that the risk of coronary heart disease events during the act of putting out a fire could be higher because many firefighters are not physically fit, have an existing elevated cardiovascular risk, and subclinical or clinical coronary heart disease.

They refer to studies that show new recruits are often overweight and have lower aerobic fitness and this is made worse during the working life of the firefighter because more than 70 per cent of fire departments do not have fitness and health programmes.Also, most fire departments do not require firefighters to exercise, have medical exams, or be evaluated when they go back to work after major illness.They say many studies have highlighted the increased cardiovascular disease risk factors for firefighters, linked with lower than expected levels of physical fitness.

They mention two studies of firefighters who became ill or died on duty because of coronary heart disease where around 20 per cent of them had previously been diagnosed with a cardiovascular related condition, while the rest were more likely to be smokers, have high blood pressure or be diabetic compared to the other active firefighters.

Like other studies, this study found that the risk of death from coronary heart disease went up with age for all types of duty, with those over 60 having the highest risk and those older than 20 and younger than 40 having the lowest.However, unlike other studies, the researchers found that professional and volunteer firefighters had different risk factors for death from coronary heart disease and this varied according to type of duty, but both groups had fire suppression as the highest risk factor.The researchers also found that physical training significantly increased the risk of death from coronary heart disease.

This is consistent with other studies that suggest intense physical activity is a strong trigger, especially among those who are physically inactive.The idea of a triggering event may also explain why these findings, consistent with other studies, put risk of death from coronary heart disease associated with alarm response and alarm return at roughly five to seven times higher than that associated with non emergency duties.The researchers also found work that reflects a lower level of exposure to physically demanding emergencies, such as emergency medical service and other non fire emergency responses, was not linked with significant increased risk of death from coronary heart disease, which is consistent with the lower fatality rate from heart disease among emergency medical workers who are not firefighters.

New Health Search Engine Launched

2007-04-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

To those that are always looking for better websites providing relevant and up-to-date information the following site might be of great interest.

MedWhat.com , a new Online Health Search Engine is being constructed to provide users a health specific search engine.

Take a look and tell me what you think.

Stay in health.

Live 100 years!

AMERICANS STILL NOT EATING ENOUGH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

2007-04-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

Despite mom's good advice, most of us aren't eating our fruits and vegetables, at least not enough of them, according to a large recently released government study.

Only about 27 percent of adults in the USA ate vegetables three or more times a day in 2005, and 33percent ate fruit two or more times a day that year. A higher percentage of women than men ate this much, according to interviews with more than 305,000 people conducted for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Research shows that diets high in these foods decrease the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and help with weight control. For years, the government's dietary guidelines have recommended that people eat at least two servings of fruits and at least three servings of vegetables daily. Now the guidelines are more specific, suggesting consumption of at least 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables a day for someone eating about 2,000 calories.

Other findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System:

College graduates have the highest level of vegetable intake.
Hispanics have the highest intake of fruit consumption and lowest intake of vegetables.
Whites have the highest intake of vegetables.

The CDC's Larry Cohen says people may not be eating these nutrient-rich foods because of cost, lack of time for preparation or lack of easy access to them.

To get people to eat more of these nutrient-rich foods, the CDC, the Produce for Better Health Foundation and other leading health groups are launching a new initiative Monday called "Fruits & Veggies — More Matters." This will replace the "5 A Day" campaign. This will be a "rallying cry" to get people to eat more fruits and vegetables, says Elizabeth Pivonka, president of the Produce for Better Health Foundation. She says the group's research with moms shows that they know their families should be consuming more fruits and veggies, but they don't know how to work more into their diets. "They told us that they didn't want to be lectured to or made to feel guilty or scared into eating more fruits and vegetables. They wanted help and ideas on how to do what they already know that they should do."

Nail biting is due to a stressful life.

2007-03-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

Nail biting is due to a stressful life.
At least 30% of teenagers and 5% of adult people bite theirs nails .
This problem is known as onicofagy and the main cause is to have a stressful life.
The consequences are serious side effects like infections and aesthetic deformations in lips, hands and teeth.

Liver Cleanse

2007-02-28T07:06:00.000-08:00

Cleansing is not to be taken lightly.
As this liver cleanse protocol is pretty intense, it is advised you to speak with your physician about your intentions. Not all people can do a cleanse like this. If you are weak, emaciated or working hard physically, do not do this cleanse. If you have a medical condition, definitely speak with your physician.

Here it is:

Liver and Bowel Cleanse

Purpose: To revitalize and heal the body through detoxification of the liver and bowel. Detoxification is necessary as we inhabit a toxic environment and consume toxic foods. We are plagued with food additives, flavorings, colors, preservatives, artificial sugars and pesticides. Daily stress pollutes our mind and body as well.

The Detoxification Program....

Daily: Upon waking in the morning, have a cup of warm filtered water with 1-2 Tspn lemon juice. Fresh is best if you can obtain it. This is cleansing to the bowel and liver.

Take 5 minutes to take some deep, slow abdominal breathing in a quiet setting. It is best to breathe inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. While doing this, let all muscles relax. use this opportunity to put intention and purpose into your day. Only positive thoughts during this time. If your nose is clogged, you make practice jalneti with a neti pot and salt. [Jalneti is a type of sinus irrigation and a link is below which will provide more information.]

Drink 8 cups of filtered water daily, drink 3 cups of a detoxifying tea per day (such as dandelion, burdock, clover, asparagus). To encourage elimination through the skin, try a dry brush massage after your shower or a hot therapeutic peat bath. A regular sauna or massage would be helpful as deep tissue work and deep heat mobilize fat soluble toxins.

Obviously, consume only organic grains, vegetables, fruits and pure filtered water. If cannot afford or obtain organic foods, wash with Fruit and Vegetable Wash found at your local health store.

Ensure you’re detoxifying from all organs of elimination: skin, kidneys, liver, lungs, intestines.

Sleep and rest are essential during this time of cleansing and healing. Not only should the physical body cleanse, but the mind should as well. Imagine how polluted our minds our due to television, ads, news, traffic and political issues.

Exercise should be limited to walking during this period. This is essential. If one attempts too physical of exercise, the body consumes its own proteins causing muscle loss and organ destruction. Sun salutations may be practiced each morning to stretch and warm the body. Sun salutations are described in Yoga Basics

It is likely that a toxic headache will occur. If this happens, take antioxidants. Vitamin C works well. Also drink, drink, drink, drink. Your body will mobilize toxins from all over your body so it is essential that your support this with fluids and kidney herbs.

Each day eliminates more and more foods until only fluids remain. This professional cleanse is for those who are serious about cleansing. If you would like to modify it, do so. This can be done by practicing Day 1 through Day 3 or however you desire. Day 1 and 2 should be practiced however for any form of cleanse to occur.

Day 1: Eliminate all sweets, caffeine, refined foods (junk food, white flour, fast food) and red meat. Eliminate watching the news and reading the paper. News is mainly negative and these emotions are not needed. This day is the hardest. If you find yourself consuming one of these foods, that is fine. Try the next day. Do not go to the second day until day one is accomplished successfully.
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 1 serving BioCleanse Capsules
Take 1 peat bath
Take 2 servings Asparagus capsules or Asparagus Tea (am/pm)

Day 2: Eliminate all beans, nuts, dairy, eggs, chicken and oils. This day is easier to accomplish than day two!Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 1 serving BioCleanse CapsulesTake 2 servings Asparagus capsules or Asparagus Tea (am/pm)

Day 3: Eliminate grains except white whole grain rice. Eat lots of cooked fruits and vegetables. Cooked vegetables easier to digest than raw.
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 1 serving BioCleanse Capsules
Take 1 peat bath
Take 2 servings Asparagus capsules or Asparagus Tea (am/pm)

Day 4: Eliminate starchy vegetables, fish. Continue to eat more cooked vegetables. Stick to herbs for spicing dishes rather than salt.
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 1 serving BioCleanse Capsules
Take 2 servings Asparagus capsules or Asparagus Tea (am/pm)

Day 5: Eliminate white rice. Love those vegetables, fruits and pure broths! Ensure to eat some liver foods: beets, artichokes, onions, carrots, dandelion root. Dandelion leaf is helpful to detox the kidneys. Add 1 tsp of Psyllium husk powder along with 1 T of Betonite clay to 6 oz of dilute pure juice (no sugars added). Stir and drink quickly. Follow with 8 oz water. The psyllium and clay binds toxins and moves them through the bowel for elimination. If you are able to obtain a suspended betonite clay and psyllium preparation from a health store, use this. It is much easier to drink! Remember to eat, eat, eat, plan ahead and bring food and water (or quality organic juice without sugar) with you everywhere so you do not find yourself hungry and eating a bite of your friends greasy hamburger.
Take 1 serving BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 2 servings BioCleanse Capsules
Take 1 peat bath
Take 2 servings Asparagus extract capsules (am/pm)

Do 1 organic coffee enema. [2 c. organic coffee, 2 cups water]. before using coffee enema, use a normal filtered warm water and salt enema to prepare then repeat using the coffee. Add to enema bag at body temperature. lay on right side. retain fluid as long as possible. this stimulates the liver. If you don’t want to do an enema – skip it.

Day 6: Eliminate all solid food. Have as many broths and vegetable juices and diluted pure fruit juices as you like. No need to repeat psyllium and clay. Your body is loving you for all the hard work you are doing! If you feel well and strong, you may desire to extend this liquid only portion for another 2 days. Remember – no strenuous activity, only walking and sun salutations.
Take 2 servings of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 2 servings BioCleanse Capsules
Take 2 servings Asparagus extract capsules (am/pm)

Day 7: Time to add food back in! Have some solid fruits and vegetables. This step must be done properly. Do not add whole foods back in as this shocks the digestive system and constipation arrives. If you find yourself desiring whole foods, snack on carrots or whole apples. The best fruit to break the fast with: Watermelon. Make sure that all melons are eaten alone from other foods as they interrupt digestion of other foods.
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 2 servings BioCleanse Capsules
Take 2 servings Asparagus extract capsules (am/pm)Take 1 peat bath

Day 8: Add in starchy vegetables and whole grain white rice. Remember – do not consume too much food or eat whole foods. Hang on. Breaking the fast properly is more important to detoxification than the first week. Plan and take your foods with you everywhere.
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 2 servings BioCleanse Capsules
Take 2 servings Asparagus extract capsules (am/pm)

Day 9: Add in other whole grains.
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 2 servings BioCleanse Capsules
Take 2 servings Asparagus extract capsules (am/pm)Take 1 peat bath

Day 10: Add in fish or chicken and oils. Use organic only meat. Add in beans, seeds and nuts.
Take 2 servings Asparagus extract capsules (am/pm)

You did it! Now is the opportune time to make opportune lifestyle and dietary changes. Perhaps you want to stop caffeinated beverages. Keep in tune to your body. If you feel queasy after eating egg, soy, wheat, peanuts or tomatoes, it is likely that a food allergy or sensitivity exists.

Tips for a smooth liver cleanse:

Try a fruit smoothie.
Organic food only is preferable (see our entry below on safe fruits and veggies)
Bring food with you at all time
Maintain hydration at all times.
Take Vitamin C if feeling a toxic headache
Do not exercise. Only walk
Steam vegetables – do not add directly to water. This removes beneficial vitamins.
Do not peel vegetables.
Cleansing partner – don’t do it alone if you can help it!
Remove all tempting foods from your house before you begin – give them away or toss.
Do not eat out or order in.
Take a night out on the town and bring your tea and snacks to a café or coffee house if you must. This is supposed to be a quiet time without noise and stimulants.
If you live with roommates or a loved one, have them join you or respect your decision to detox. You need all the support you can get.
Continue peat baths for total of 21 applications for a complete detoxification. You may substitute peat baths with a sauna if you prefer. Remember to do sauna or peat bath every other day. Please read all peat bath instructions

Helpful products for liver cleanse:

Peat bath
Chlorine water purifiers for shower, bath and drinking
Vitamin C and other antioxidants
Enema bag
Colloidal betonite with psyllium
Herbal teas
Neti pot and salt
Asparagus Extract
Books: Yoga Basics, How to Meditate, Science of Breath
Movies: Comedies as laughter is the best medicine.
Candles

Feeling after liver cleanse:

no morning breath
easy to rise in morning and overall more energy throughout the day
no cravings
no desire for big meals or processed foods

Word of Caution:

Do not do this full liver and bowel cleanse if you are weak and thin. Do not do this cleanse if you have night sweats. Advise your physician that you are intending to cleanse and bring this paper with you. You may have heard about liver and gall bladder flushes with olive oil and lemon juice. This is not advised. A gall stone may get trapped and cause an emergency situation. Do not exercise or work physically during this cleanse. Drink fluids and eat plenty of food even if it is in juice form. If you ever feel too weak or not well, consult your physician. Please tell you physician your intention to cleanse so they can support you.

Ensure that you do not go back to eating processed foods once again. It is easy to do. I recommend educating yourself on proper nutrition. Some useful books: Diet and Nutrition and Transition to Vegetarianism If you find yourself chowing on some ice cream a month after the cleanse, no worries! Eating should not be a job - it should be enjoyable.

It is not necessary to become a vegetarian and I do not intend to force that upon you. I am not a vegetarian either. I tried it for 2 years and it did not work for me.

You are one of few individuals who are able to accomplish a successful professional detoxification protocol. Nice work. You will feel on top of the world when you are done!

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your physician before taking any supplement or abiding by any information herein.

Lower Cholesterol naturally - alternatives to Statin drugs

2007-02-27T08:27:00.000-08:00

Huge topic. I can write a book on this but best not yet! Two more years of med school yet and by then I'll be even more versed in how to lower cholesterol naturally.

First: What is cholesterol?
According to Stedman's Medical Dictionary, cholesterol is "the most abundant steroid in animal tissues, especially in bile and gall stones, and present in food, especially rich in animal fats, circulates in plasma complexed to proteins of various densities and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atheroma formation in arteries."

What is pathogenesis of atheroma? It is the beginning stage of atherosclerosis which is the building of lipid [cholesterol] plaques within the structure of arteries. These plaques narrow the vessel wall thereby limiting the flow of blood. Limiting the flow of blood causes turbulence which causes further deposition of plaque. The slowed speed of blood through the arteries helps lay down more plaque as well.

Ways to lower cholesterol naturally:

Exercise: damn. How many times do you have to hear it - everyone says it. Because it works better than any drug out there. Why does it work? Simple biochemistry and physiology. Exercise requires energy. Energy comes from sugars, fats and proteins. When the sugars and proteins are burned, fats must be converted into useable forms of energy. The liver steps up by making good cholesterol, HDL. HDL goes around and picks up bad cholesterol, LDL. It converts this into useable energy. So, by exercising, your energy requirements increase thereby lowering cholesterol naturally. Exercise 30 minutes a day as often as you can in a week. Try one day a week and build up. You'll become addicted to it. Better that than statins.

Eat soluble fiber: Where can you find that? In beans and whole grains. The FDA's page on fiber is not too shabby. Fruits and vegetables contain insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber actually binds to cholesterol removing it from your body. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stools making you more regular - which is extremely vital as well.

Limit animal fat foods: damn again. Even Stedman's Medical Dictionary said cholesterol is the most abundant steroid in animal tissues. They didn't say plant tissues. I'm not saying avoid it completely. Just keep an eye on it - don't chomp down endless roast beef sandwhiches with mayo and four kinds of cheese.

Inositol: This is time-released niacin in the no-flush form. Niacin is a main player in cellular metabolism. If one is low in niacin, then the energy reactions do not go forward. If they do not go forward, lipids accumulate which is directly tied to high levels of choleterol. A study on time-released niacin shows its effectiveness. The study I found used pharmaceutical time-released niacin but I believe these two are very similar - with the natural form being superior. The bottom line of the study: "The results show that niacin ER [extended release] produces a beneficial effect on lipoprotein subclasses, specifically decreasing the more atherogenic small, dense LDL particles and enhancing the cardioprotective large HDL particles." Remember what I said about bad LDL and good HDL? The inositol sounds pretty good now doesn't it?

Red Yeast Rice: This is what the pharmaceutical companies make some statin drugs from - directly! So why not take it in its natural state? It works quite well. It works by limiting the cholesterol reaction from going forward. This means that cholesterol's production is slowed down thereby lowering cholesterol naturally. I have found a great research article on PubMed for Red Yeast Rice. The research was done by the Center for Human Nutrition and is not biased by a natural supplement company. Here is the study: Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement.

Policosanol: This is sugar wax. Sound safe? It is. It does not turn off the cholesterol forming reaction as strongly as statin drugs. Our bodies need some cholesterol formed. Without it, numerous hormones would not be made and we would be dead. Thus, it is better to moderately limit production rather than severly limit. Policosanol has also shown to increase the levels of HDL. Do statin drugs do this? No. There is a good study on this that I found on PubMed. You'll notice it is not a study made by a natural supplement company or with biased interests. Here it is: Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol with atorvastatin in elderly patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia

Bio Lipotrol: This natural cholesterol lowering supplement is made by Biogenesis. Bio Lipotrol has Red Yeast Rice, Inositol, Policosanol and Guggal Gum extract. I work for Biogenesis and have preceptored with Dr David Wood. I have visited with physician after physician that have used Bio Lipotrol and the results are seen within a couple weeks. Now this doesn't mean you can sit on your couch eating hamburgers and pizza while popping Bio Lipotrol capsules. I have already stated that exercise is the best medicine - along with the limitation of animal fats and an increase in soluble fiber. I did not know about Bio Lipotrol until a classmate kept buying it. I found her in the hall one day and asked her what it is. She told me it is working very well on her grandmother's high cholesterol levels. Then I became more interested. The benefits of being in med school - you find what works and what doesn't. You can find Bio Lipotrol by Biogenesis here.

What are the dangers of Statin drugs?

I don't know all of the dangers but I know one that is not often addressed. Statin drugs give the false impression that the one taking them does not have to be proactive in lowering cholesterol. If a drug is lowering cholesterol without them doing anything, why not chomp on fatty foods? I'll tell you why. Statin drugs limit the production of cholesterol. They do not limit the intake of cholesterol. You do.

Also - statin drugs seriously limit the production of Coenzyme Q10. This is a major energy source for the human heart and electron transport chain. So if you are on statin drugs, take CoQ10. I believe statin drugs also limit the conversion of active Vitamin D. This I need to check on but it makes sense if following the reactions down from HMG-CoA, which is the limiting step in cholesterol synthesis.

If you want to lower cholesterol naturally, these steps will no doubt help you. I recommend having a sit-down chat with your physician. Most docs will listen to you and be supportive and knowledgable about this arena. If not, find a licensed and qualified naturopathic physician who will listen to you.

This information is not telling you to stop taking your statin drugs. It is merely information. Do not stop your statin drugs without consulting with your physician. Only then, under their direction, stop the meds if you implement other means.

If you are not on statin drugs and you don't have money to see a doctor, these steps may help you lower cholestrol naturally. But as I am not a doctor yet, I am not prescribing any of this information to you. It is up to you.

Live in health, life 100 years.

How to keep your brain healthy? Use it

2007-02-26T11:20:00.000-08:00

Using your brain is the best way to keep it healthy.

Why? A working brain has increased blood flow. Increased blood flow brings oxygen, nutrients and removes waste products. As your brain cells need oxygen to fully function, using your brain is a great way to increase its oxygen content.

Studies have shown that Alzhemier's is minimized by people who continuely exercise their brain. I'll locate some when I get a chance.

So exercise your brain to keep it healthy!

Breathe deeply while reading a book on astrophysics. If that will put you to sleep, try listening to language tapes while driving in your car.

Does TV work? Unless you're watching Jeapordy or trying to solve the case with Dr House, I don't think so.

Of course, one must eat healthy as well for proper brain health. But let's take one step at a time!

For now, pick up a great book and try to learn something new. If your partner tells you to get up, tell them you're exercising!

Tired? Do Contrast Hydrotherapy in the Shower

2007-02-25T05:41:00.000-08:00

Waking up tired and expecting to be revived in minutes does not seem realistic; especially for those who aren't addicted to the most common drug: caffeine.

Want to wake up without caffeine? Or just wake up in general?

Take a Contrast Shower. That will do it. Not only will it wake you up, but it will wake others in the house as you let out a wail once the cold water hits you.

It's not that bad.

How did I stumble across this crazy natural treatment for fatigue and lethary? It was prescribed to me by my naturopathic doctor years ago. I did it and it worked amazingly.

Who cannot take a contrast shower? If you are asthmatic, have active autoimmune disease, inflammation, cardiovascular issues, pregnant, temperature insensitive, weak feeling or otherwise do not feel that you should, do not take a contrast shower. Seek the advice of your physician if you have any questions about the safety of this procedure. It is pretty intense!

How does one take a contrast shower:

Drag out of bed
Get into the shower and turn the water as hot as you like. Hotter the better as the blood flow is stronger - obviously don't burn yourself. Hot water for about 3 minutes.
You may wash during this time - may as well as you're likely late to work.
At the 3 minute mark, I turn the water up higher for a brief moment until I'm just begging for a cool down. Then turn the nob.
Turn the shower all the way to cold for 30 seconds
Then turn it back to as hot as you can for another 3 minutes.
Then repeat cold for 30 seconds
Then hot for 3 minutes
Then end with cold for 30 seconds.
Basically 3 sets of 3 minutes hot and 30 seconds cold.

That's it! You're done! How do you think it sounds? You going to do it? ;)
Let me say a bit more.

When you get really hot water on you for 3 minutes, you do crave cold. I recommend that you have something colorful in the shower to stare at while you're getting blasted with cold water. Reminds me of the tropics. Or close your eyes while in the cold water part and imagine you're walking down the beach gazing at palm trees.

An easy way to ease into the cold part is to only put your head into the water. Once your head has adjusted, let the water go down your back. Ease into it. You'll get it.
When you finish with cold for the last time, you end up extremely hot and sweating. This is a good sign that you did the procedure correctly. Why do you sweat? Your body does not want you cold. When ending with cold for 30 seconds, your surface temperature gets cold because the blood rushes away. As soon as you stop the cold, your blood comes screaming back in to warm you. This sudden rush of blood makes you hot.

The trick is not keeping the cold on for too long and making sure you have the hot water on long enough. If you have the cold water on for say 1 minute and hot water on for 1 minute, you're going to be cold. So make sure you do the 3 sets of 3 minutes hot and 30 seconds cold.
If you want, do what I do - just do one set. I don't have time every day for a 10 minute procedure so I cut it short. I still feel super charged afterwards.

Enjoy it! It really does make you feel refreshed, full of energy and hot as heck after you are done.

I'll get into the mechanics of hot cold showers and also why they are beneficial - besides just feeling good afterwards.

An important note that needs to be addressed is what hot water does to chlorine. Chlorine is a gas and when hot becomes very volatile. Chlorine is a lung-irritant and destroys proteins. Proteins are everywhere - your hair, eyes, skin, inside you. I say inside you as one typical shower in chlorinated water is equivalent to drinking 8 cups of chlorinated water. If you are asthmatic, have acne, winter skin, dry eyes, dandruff, eczema or other skin conditions,

Rheumatoid Arthritis or Just Arthritis in General?

2007-02-23T09:42:00.000-08:00

Patient after patient with Rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis or or syndromeXblah arthritis all have one thing in common: They hurt. They are in pain. They typically only go one direction: worse. The meds they are on may help temporarily relieve pain and stiffness. Then after that they are put on more severe drugs - such as methotrexate which is horrific.
Steroids are far from the answer and may cause a severe joint problem called avascular necrosis - even after one dose. This is documented.

So what the hell is one supposed to do then for rheumatoid arthritis or other arthritis conditions.
One thing. Find what is causing the inflammation. Is it food? Is it overeating? Is it heavy metal toxicities? Is it a nutrient imbalance? Is it leaky gut or intestinal permeability? Is it stress?

Accorindg to Dr Goldberg who authored the following paragraph:

"What is the single most important dietetic factor in causing Rheumatic Disease?There are multiple dietary factors that may be responsible, and they will differ greatly from person to person. If I had to pick one single factor, it would be the usage of refined carbohydrates and overeating. An excess of even natural carbohydrates can be a potent contributing factor in some people. Food allergies are also a contributing factor in many patients. Some patients have eaten so much in the way of refined carbohydrate or excess carbohydrate overall over a number of years that they have thrown off their insulin/glucagon balance leading to an imbalance of eicosanoids with resulting lowered immunity and increased inflammatory responses."

An attempt to translate what Dr Golberg said:

Sugar is inflammatory -> thus sugar causes inflammation.
Inflammation may cause intestinal permeability -> intestinal permeability may develop numerous food allergens.
Daily intake of food allergens cause further long term inflammation
Long term inflammation may initiate autoimmune disease as the immune system is hyperactive.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.
Remove food allergens.
Restore intestinal health.
These reduce inflammation.
Reduced inflammation leads to a quiet immune system.
Quiet immune system leads to dormancy of autoimmune disease.Simple isn't it? The concept is. Changing your lifestyle is not. However, if you were committed to it and followed through with it, your life may change significantly.

I find his website useful and he may prove useful to some patients.
See what you think: The Goldberg Clinic: Chronic Disease Reversal

A Resource of Nutrient Values in Foods!

2007-02-22T07:47:00.000-08:00

This resource is of great quality and excellent nutritional information. It's by the USDA.
From what I have seen, I am impressed.You can quickly view which foods are the highest in your selected nutrient. So magnesium - buckwheat flour! I Would have never thought. Check out the USDA National Nutrient Database .
Related to that site is this resource:Food & Nutrition Information CenterBookmark them.

Depression Causes a Higher Cost of Lost Productive Time Among US Workers

2007-02-21T13:11:00.000-08:00

Cost of Lost Productive Time at Work Among US Workers With Depression:

Evidence consistently indicates that depression has adversely affected work productivity with work absence and reduced performance while at work in the US workforce. Estimates of the cost impact in lost labor time in the US workforce, however, are scarce and dated.

Accordig to the American Productivity Audit (conducted August 1, 2001–July 31, 2002) between May 20 and July 11, 2002, excess lost productive time (LPT) costs from depression were derived as the difference in LPT among individuals with depression minus the expected LPT in the absence of depression projected to the US workforce.
Workers with depression reported significantly more total health-related LPT than those without depression 81% of the LPT costs are explained by reduced performance while at work.

Major depression accounts for 48% of the LPT among those with depression, again with a majority of the cost explained by reduced performance while at work. Self-reported use of antidepressants in the previous 12 months among those with depression was low and the mean reported treatment effectiveness was only moderate. Extrapolation of these survey results and self-reported annual incomes to the population of US workers suggests that US workers with depression employed in the previous week cost employers an estimated $44 billion per year in LPT, an excess of $31 billion per year compared with peers without depression. This estimate does not include labor costs associated with short- and long-term disability.

A majority of the LPT costs that employers face from employee depression is invisible and explained by reduced performance while at work. Use of treatments for depression appears to be relatively low. The combined LPT burden among those with depression and the low level of treatment suggests that there may be cost-effective opportunities for improving depression-related outcomes in the US workforce.

The Health Method of Homeopathy and its Benefits

2006-03-28T10:17:00.000-08:00

What Is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a comprehensive system of medicine in which practitioners use solutions containing minute amounts of animal, vegetable and/or mineral substances to promote healing. Homeopathic practitioners (homeopaths) believe in what they call the "law of similars." This means that "like cures like" and that illnesses can be treated by giving patients a small dose of a substance that produces similar effects to those of the illness. This is the same principle used in allergy treatments and immunizations.

Homeopaths evaluate and treat each patient as a whole. They consider psychological, behavioral, and genetic factors--not just the immediate physical symptoms of the disease--when prescribing the remedy that will have the most powerful healing effect on the patient.

The system of homeopathy is based on the work of Samuel Hahnemann (1753-1843), a German physician and chemist. Deeply disturbed by practices such as bloodletting and purging, which were mainstream medicine in his time, Hahnemann quit his medical practice and began a quest to understand the healing properties of drugs.

In his research, Hahnemann tried out various substances on his followers and on himself, and carefully recorded the details of their effects. Armed with this information, he then applied them to the treatment of the sick based on the "law of similars." His work led him to conclude that an imbalance in the body's vital energy caused disease and that a slight stimulus from the correct substance could trigger the body's ability to heal itself. Hahnemann also found that by progressively diluting and mixing a drug preparation, he could make an increasingly potent remedy with few or no side effects.

Hahnemann's research and writings were synthesized into a system of homeopathic medicine in the mid-nineteenth century. It wasn't long before homeopathy became an accepted medical discipline in many nations throughout the world, and by the early 1900s it was widely practiced in the United States. Interestingly, the original legislation that created the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1938 included the regulation of manufacturing standards for homeopathic drugs.

Conventional medical doctors and scientists, however, scoffed at the dilution principle of homeopathy, preferring to think that direct chemical actions were necessary for drugs to be effective. After a decline during the middle of the twentieth century, homeopathy regained status and today has a broad following in Europe, South America, and India. With preliminary scientific studies documenting the effect of some homeopathic treatments, along with the widespread interest in "natural healing," homeopathy has once again become a more accepted method of treatment in the United States.

How Does Homeopathy Works?

A homeopathic remedy is made by crushing a plant, animal, or mineral substance, then putting it into a solvent such as grain alcohol. The extract is then further diluted in a mixture of alcohol and water and shaken with each dilution; this emphasizes the signature healing effects of the substance being diluted. The process is repeated many times to achieve a therapeutic dilution with few chemical side effects.

Homeopathic remedies are labeled with numbers and letters that indicate their dilution, or "potency." A solution labeled "30C," for example, has been diluted 30 times at a ratio of one part substance to 99 parts alcohol and water ("C" is for "centesimal," as the ratio is 1:100). A solution labeled "6X" has been diluted 6 times at a ratio of one part substance to 9 parts alcohol and water ("X" stands for "decimal potency," or a ratio of 1:10). After it has been properly diluted, the medicine can be administered in one of many forms, including tablets, ointments, liquid, or spray.

Advocates of homeopathy believe that the dilution process produces a potent healing "essence." Critics argue that most homeopathic remedies are so diluted that chemical laboratory tests cannot detect the original active substance. They suggest that homeopathic cures are the result of a placebo effect caused by the patient's belief in the practitioner or the method. Some well-run recent research, however, suggests that there is more than a placebo effect inherent in homeopathy.

What You Could Expect From it?

If you'd like to be treated homeopathically for a chronic illness, it is best to seek out a licensed naturopath, osteopath, or medical doctor who regularly uses homeopathy as a treatment modality. Because there are over 2,000 substances used in homeopathic remedies, it helps to have professional advice.

A homeopathic practitioner should begin your initial visit by taking a detailed health history. You will probably be asked how your current complaint started, how it has developed, and how it makes you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally. You will also be asked to explain exactly what kinds of symptoms are involved, precisely where your symptoms are located, and what kinds of events or actions, times of day, or types of weather make the problem better or worse. You may even be questioned about what foods you like and don't like.

The answers to these questions will help the homeopath determine what kind of problem you have, what kind of person you are, and what remedy to prescribe to encourage your body's natural healing processes. The homeopath may prepare the recommended remedies for you, or you may be told where to purchase them.

Homeopathic remedies can be used to treat a specific problem, to support resistance to disease, or to strengthen the body in general. Homeopaths will give you the dose best suited for your system (it could be daily, weekly, or just once) and follow your response. If the remedy recommended by your homeopathic consultant fails to improve your ailment, you may need to move on to another remedy or some other form of treatment.

If you have a minor acute condition, homeopathic remedies are an excellent choice for self-care. Over-the-counter homeopathic remedies have label indications for their use, and there are many effective home-care guides to using homeopathic remedies such as Arnica montana for bruising injuries, Ignatia amara for the emotional stress of sudden grief or loss, or Nux vomica for overeating or alcohol hangover symptoms.

A unique aspect of homeopathy is that two people with different conditions but similar symptoms might be treated with the same remedy. Homeopathic self-help guides can counsel you on how to choose the best remedy based on your symptoms.

In addition to the specific single-drug remedies, mixtures of homeopathic remedies are sold for common conditions. A flu remedy, hay fever remedy, or bladder symptom remedy, for example, might contain four to eight specific agents. Many homeopathic remedies can be found at heath-food stores, drug stores, and natural pharmacies.

The Health Benefits

While many mainstream physicians believe that the much-diluted homeopathic remedies are at best placebos, homeopaths argue that the remedies do work--for all types of ailments from hay fever to seasickness.

There is now a growing body of clinical evidence concerning homeopathy's efficacy. However, the need for more solid research in the future is clear.

While many clinical trials have indeed shown homeopathic remedies to be no better than placebos, other studies have found them to be effective. A number of conditions, including hay fever, postoperative ileus (intestinal obstruction following surgery), rheumatoid arthritis, influenza, asthma, and sprains appear to respond to homeopathic remedies.

A recent German study tested 146 patients with hay fever and showed that the homeopathic nasal spray Luffa comp.-Heel (a mixture remedy) worked as well and as quickly as the conventional treatment cromolyn sodium spray.

How To Choose a Practitioner

Homeopaths are licensed in only three states in the United States (Arizona, Connecticut, and Nevada), although some practitioners may hold other medical licenses. In addition, the American Board of Homeotherapeutics (ABHt) grants Diplomate (advanced specialty) status (D.Ht.) to those medical and osteopathic physicians who successfully pass a written and oral exam. Licensed physicians, advanced practice nurses, and physician's assistants can also take a Primary Care certification exam offered by the ABHt, which recognizes entry-level diagnostic and therapeutic skills.

The Council for Homeopathic Certification (CHC) also offers homeopathic certification to individuals who have a health-care license ( M.D., R.N., D.C., and so on) as well as to trained homeopathic prescribers who are not licensed in any biomedical profession. However, in order to qualify for the certification exam, individuals must submit documentation proving that they have completed coursework in and have sufficient knowledge of the health sciences.

In addition, The Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians offers Diplomate certification (the DHANP certificate) for naturopaths who specialize in the full classical specialty of homeopathy.

In order to avoid a potentially dangerous misdiagnosis of your condition, it is best work with a licensed and/or certified homeopath who will cooperate with your conventional doctors, or to seek out a licensed M.D., R.N., D.C., D.O. or N.D. who regularly incorporates homeopathy into their licensed scope of practice treating health conditions. A licensed health-care practitioner will also be able to offer you a more well rounded treatment plan for your ailment.

Cautions

Because the practice of homeopathy is only minimally regulated in the United States., a homeopathic practitioner may be a self-educated person with minimal training. Be sure to check into the practitioner's credentials.

Some unlicensed practitioners "diagnose" the need for remedies by the use of electrical diagnostic devices. This method, even when practiced by trained M.D.s, is controversial within the homeopathic community. Do not accept such diagnostic advice from a person who is not otherwise licensed as an M.D., D.O., D.C., or N.D.

Although the manufacture of homeopathic remedies is regulated under the Food and Drug Administration for safety and purity, the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies has not been tested the same way that new pharmaceutical drugs are tested before coming to the U.S. market.

If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking drugs, homeopathic remedies, or supplements for self-care.

Even though the doses of alcohol are very small, it is wise to avoid taking homeopathic remedies in an alcohol base if you are pregnant, a recovering alcoholic, or otherwise need to avoid alcohol.

Don't keep taking the same homeopathic self-care remedies once they have helped you recover from a specific problem, or if you have not noticed improvement within a week. Some people can develop annoying symptoms from overused or poorly chosen remedies.

Don't rely solely on homeopathic remedies to treat a serious illness such as cancer, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.

And Remember; Live Healthy, Long and Strong.

Live 100 Years!

Alzheimer's Disease Tips and Special Diets

2006-03-21T10:29:00.000-08:00

How can overall health and well-being be maintained in a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease?

It's important for the person with Alzheimer's to be under the continual supervision of a qualified medical doctor in order to stay in the best overall health possible. Poor overall health is associated with greater symptoms of Alzheimer's, so maintaining healthy habits may reduce symptoms. Attention must be paid to proper exercise, diet and to any new or long-standing health problems. Hearing and vision should also be evaluated regularly and treated appropriately if faltering. Ongoing consultation with a primary care physician may be supplemented with visits to specialists or other health professionals as necessary to address specific needs.

Co-existing medical conditions should be identified and properly managed, as they may negatively impact Alzheimer's behaviors. For example, frequent urinary tract infections may increase wandering, and depression disrupts sleep and deepens social withdrawal. Click here for more information on co-existing medical conditions.

Do people with Alzheimer's need to follow a special diet?

People with Alzheimer's should eat well-balanced, nutrient-rich meals, but a special diet is usually not necessary. However, even healthy older people experience changes in eating habits as they age: Food may not smell or taste the same; it may become more difficult to chew and digest food, and our cells may not be able to utilize the energy from food as efficiently. These problems may be more pronounced in people with Alzheimer's and may be compounded by other challenges posed by the disease. In addition, Alzheimer's may cause appetite control systems in the brain to malfunction as nerve cells in those areas deteriorate, resulting in extreme eating behaviors (overeating or not eating at all).

In early stages of the disease, people with Alzheimer's may have difficulty preparing meals. They may forget they have food in the oven or cook something and forget to eat it. Step-by-step written or verbal instructions clearly delineating what to do to prepare and eat meals may be beneficial in such cases.

Food preparation problems may progress to difficulty eating. Nerve cell death eventually steals the ability to recognize thirst or hunger. At the same time, depth perception may be compromised due to changes in the visual and "mapping" areas of the brain, making the process of eating more frustrating. The person may no longer know how to use a knife or fork and may lose interest in food altogether.

Severe eating problems put the person with Alzheimer's at risk for weight loss, dehydration and malnutrition. See your doctor if you notice significant weight loss or changes in eating behavior. Ask about ways to increase your loved one's food intake and find out if nutritional supplementation might be warranted. Keep in mind that supplements should be used with caution and only under a doctor's supervision, as they may interact with prescription medications.

Is it important for a person who has Alzheimer's to exercise?

Maintaining a reasonable level of exercise is important for many reasons, both for overall health and to address issues specific to Alzheimer's. Exercise can improve mobility and help one maintain independence. In normal people, moderately strenuous exercise has been shown to improve cognitive functioning.

In people with Alzheimer's, studies show that light exercise and walking appear to reduce wandering, aggression and agitation. Incorporating exercise into daily routines and scheduled activities can also be beneficial in alleviating problem behaviors. The type of exercise should be individualized to the person's abilities. Talk with your doctor about what is right.

What kinds of complementary health approaches might benefit a person with Alzheimer's?

Health treatments for people with Alzheimer's disease can also employ so-called "complementary" health approaches. These may include herbal remedies, acupuncture, and massage. This area of treatment is presently the subject of a great deal of research, with far more proposed. It's important to understand that complementary or alternative health approaches, including vitamins and herbal supplements, are not subject to the same kind of critical government review for safety and efficacy that new drugs are, so one must be cautious when considering such approaches. While there are a growing number of legitimate researchers investigating these approaches, there is also a great deal of misinformation in the public domain, and unsubstantiated claims are rampant. Ask your doctor to help you understand the benefits and risks of such approaches, and do not take herbal or vitamin supplements without first discussing it with your doctor, since many of these pills can interact negatively with prescription or nonprescription medications.

Gingko biloba, an herbal supplement with antioxidant properties, has been the subject of much hype regarding it's supposed effects on cognition and memory. Some studies have shown that some people with dementia (of unspecified types) may benefit from gingko biloba supplements, but rigorous evidence of the herb's effectiveness is so far lacking. More studies are ongoing, including ones that are investigating whether gingko biloba can help improve symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment. Like other herbal supplements, gingko biloba can have side effects and may interact with prescription medications, so it should only be taken under a doctor's supervision.

Acupuncture, a core component of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for thousands of years to treat all manner of health complaints, has recently been investigated for its use in Alzheimer's disease. Scientists at two medical institutions, the Wellesley College Center for Research on Women in Wellesley, Mass. and the University of Hong Kong, reported the promising findings of two small studies at a recent medical meeting for Alzheimer's researchers.

In the Wellesley study, 11 people with dementia (10 with Alzheimer's, one with vascular dementia, a related condition) were treated with acupuncture twice a week for three months. Tests completed before and after the study measured cognitive function and mood in the study subjects, and an analysis showed that the treatments significantly reduced depression and anxiety. The Hong Kong study, in which eight patients with Alzheimer's were treated for a total of 30 days each, demonstrated significant improvements in cognition, verbal skills, motor coordination and in an overall measure of the severity of Alzheimer's symptoms. Additional studies are ongoing to repeat the results and further explore the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating mood and behavioral disturbances associated with Alzheimer's disease.

The Spine

2006-03-20T12:40:00.000-08:00

More than 31 million visits were made to physician offices in 2003 because of back problems (Source: National Center for Health Statistics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2003 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.) Eight out of 10 people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Low back pain is one of the most frequent problems treated by orthopaedic surgeons.

What is the lower back?
Your lower back is a complex structure of vertebrae, disks, spinal cord, and nerves, including:

five bones called lumbar vertebrae - stacked one upon the other, connecting the upper spine to the pelvis
six shock absorbers called disks - acting both as cushion and stabilizer to protect the lumbar vertebrae
spinal cord and nerves - the "electric cables" which travel through a central canal in the lumbar vertebrae, connecting your brain to the muscles of your legs
small joints - allowing functional movement and providing stability
muscles and ligaments - providing strength and power and at the same time support and stability

How does the spine work?

The lower or lumbar spine is a complex structure that connects your upper body (including your chest and arms) to your lower body (including your pelvis and legs). This important part of your spine provides you with both mobility and strength. The mobility allows movements such as turning, twisting or bending; and the strength allows you to stand, walk and lift. Proper functioning of your lower back is needed for almost all activities of daily living. Pain in the lower back can restrict your activity, reduce your work capacity and diminish your quality of life.

What are the common causes?

Low back pain can be caused by a number of factors:
-Protruding Disk
-Age
-Osteoporosis and Fractures
-Low Back Sprain and Strain

The muscles of the low back provide power and strength for activities such as standing, walking and lifting. A strain of the muscle can occur when the muscle is poorly conditioned or overworked. The ligaments of the low back act to interconnect the five vertebral bones and provide support or stability for the low back. A sprain of the low back can occur when a sudden, forceful movement injures a ligament which has become stiff or weak through poor conditioning or overuse.

Prevention

Back pain caused by lifting can be prevented if you use proper lifting techniques and exercise regularly to improve your muscle strength and overall physical condition. The normal effects of aging that result in decreased bone mass, and decreased strength and elasticity of muscles and ligaments, can't be avoided.

However, the effects can be slowed by:

-exercising regularly to keep muscles that support your back strong and flexible
-using the correct lifting and moving techniques
-maintaining your proper body weight; being overweight puts a strain on your back muscles
-avoid smoking
-maintaining a proper posture when standing and sitting; don't slouch

Staying in shape

You can reduce the risk of back pain if you stay in good physical shape.
Recreational activities such as swimming, bike riding, running or walking briskly will keep you in good physical condition. There also are specific exercises that are directed toward strengthening and stretching your back, stomach, hip and thigh muscles as well as exercises to decrease the strain on your lower back. Consult your physician about a proper exercise program.

And remember, live longer, healthier and happier.

Live 100 years!

Alternative Remedies by Rural Elderly

2006-03-14T16:46:00.000-08:00

Alternative medicine is just as popular in rural North Carolina as it is in America's urban centers.

But a new study finds older North Carolina adults are more likely to use home or folk remedies such as vitamins, Epsom salts, or a daily "tonic" of vinegar rather than acupuncture, homeopathy or massage therapy.

Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem surveyed 701 diabetics, aged 65 and older, in two rural North Carolina communities. They found that most of the respondents did not use complementary and alternative therapies to treat diabetes or other chronic diseases.

"They are using complementary and alternative medicine for prevention or for treating symptoms (a headache, a sore throat, a cut), but not for treating a chronic condition," the researchers said. In fact, alternative remedies "are largely a form of self-care" in this older, rural population, the study authors wrote.

It's common for these people to use some complementary and alternative medicine therapies, such as vinegar or honey, as a general "tonic," noted lead researcher Thomas Arcury.

"I've talked to older adults who'll tell you should take two tablespoons of vinegar every day in a glass of warm water because it's good for you. They aren't treating anything in particular," he said in a prepared statement.
More than half (52 percent) of the respondents used food home remedies (honey, lemon and garlic), and 57 percent used other home remedies (tobacco, Epsom salts and salves). Vitamins were used by 45 percent of the respondents, and minerals were used by 17 percent. Only 6 percent used herbs for self-care.

Ethnicity played a major role in the use of alternative therapies. Blacks and Native Americans were 81 percent and 76 percent, respectively, more likely to use food home remedies than whites and more than twice as likely to use other home remedies.

"We want to understand how people make decisions about managing their health. If we understand how people are treating themselves, the information can be useful for physicians," Arcury said.

And remember, live longer, healthier and happier.

Live 100 years!

Healthy Levels of Cholesterol

2006-03-13T07:01:00.000-08:00

Your total blood cholesterol level

Your total blood cholesterol will fall into one of these categories:
Desirable — Less than 200 mg/dL
Borderline high risk — 200–239 mg/dL
High risk — 240 mg/dL and over

Here is some more explanation about each of these categories.

Desirable- If your total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL, your heart attack risk is relatively low, unless you have other risk factors. Even with a low risk, it's still smart to eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and also get plenty of physical activity. Have your cholesterol levels measured every five years — or more often if you're a man over 45 or a woman over 55.

Borderline high risk- People whose cholesterol level is from 200 to 239 mg/dL are borderline high risk. About a third of American adults are in this (borderline) group; almost half of adults have total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL.

Have your cholesterol and HDL rechecked in one to two years if:
Your total cholesterol is in this range.
Your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL.

You don’t have other risk factors for heart disease.

You should also lower your intake of foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol to reduce your blood cholesterol level to below 200 mg/dL. Your doctor may order another blood test to measure your LDL cholesterol. Ask your doctor to discuss your LDL cholesterol with you. Even if your total cholesterol is between 200 and 239 mg/dL, you may not be at high risk for a heart attack. Some people — such as women before menopause and young, active men who have no other risk factors — may have high HDL cholesterol and desirable LDL levels. Ask your doctor to interpret your results. Everyone's case is different.

High risk- If your total cholesterol level is 240 or more, it's definitely high. Your risk of heart attack and stroke is greater. In general, people who have a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL have twice the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL.
You need more tests. Ask your doctor for advice. About 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels.

Your LDL cholesterol level

Your LDL cholesterol level greatly affects your risk of heart attack and stroke. The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk. In fact, it’s a better gauge of risk than total blood cholesterol. Your LDL cholesterol will fall into one of these categories:
LDL Cholesterol Levels
Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL Near Optimal/ Above Optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL Borderline High
160 to 189 mg/dL High
190 mg/dL and above Very High

The key point to remember is, the lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk. Your doctor may prescribe a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, regular exercise and a weight management program if you're overweight. If you can't lower your cholesterol with these efforts, medications may also be prescribed to lower your LDL cholesterol. Check these categories and the goals for treatment that can lower your risk of heart attack.

Your HDL cholesterol level
In the average man, HDL cholesterol levels range from 40 to 50 mg/dL. In the average woman, they range from 50 to 60 mg/dL. HDL cholesterol that's less than 40 mg/dL is low. Low HDL cholesterol puts you at high risk for heart disease. Smoking, being overweight and being sedentary can all result in lower HDL cholesterol. If you have low HDL cholesterol, you can help raise it by:

Not smoking
Losing weight (or maintaining a healthy weight)
Being physically active for at least 30–60 minutes a day on most or all days of the week

People with high blood triglycerides usually have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels. Female sex hormones raise HDL cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol ratio
Total blood cholesterol is the most common measurement of blood cholesterol. It's the number you normally receive as test results. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Knowing your total blood cholesterol level is an important first step in determining your risk for heart disease. However, a critical second step is knowing your HDL or "good" cholesterol level.

Some physicians and cholesterol technicians use the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol in place of the total blood cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends that the absolute numbers for total blood cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels be used. They're more useful to the physician than the cholesterol ratio in determining the appropriate treatment for patients.

The ratio is obtained by dividing the HDL cholesterol level into the total cholesterol. For example, if a person has a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL and an HDL cholesterol level of 50 mg/dL, the ratio would be stated as 4:1. The goal is to keep the ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5:1.

Your triglyceride level

Your triglyceride level will fall into one of these categories:
Triglyceride Level Classification
Less than 150 mg/dL Normal
150–199 mg/dL Borderline-high
200–499 mg/dL High
500 mg/dL or higher Very high

Many people with high triglycerides have underlying diseases or genetic disorders. If this is true for you, the main therapy is to change your lifestyle. This includes controlling your weight, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, not smoking and, in some cases, drinking less alcohol. People with high triglycerides may also need to limit their intake of carbohydrates to no more than 45–50 percent of total calories. The reason for this is that carbohydrates raise triglycerides in some people and lower HDL cholesterol. Use products with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Smokers benefit from vitamin C supplement

2006-03-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

Treatment helps maintain levels of protective antioxidant nutrients
Researchers have found that a smoking habit depletes the body of essential antioxidant vitamins, but taking supplements can help restore the balance. In fact, taking vitamin C supplements not only increases levels of this nutrient but also blocks the depletion of vitamin E, according to Maret Traber of Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute.

Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that help protect cells from damaging molecules called free radicals that are generated inside the body and are also present in cigarette smoke and other pollutants.
Traber and her colleagues studied 11 smokers and 13 nonsmokers, asking them to eat a diet low in fruits and vegetables for three months so they had low levels of vitamin C. One group of smokers and nonsmokers then took 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C each day, while a second group took inactive pills.
Smokers who received the vitamin C supplements lost vitamin E from their blood at about the same rate as nonsmokers. But smokers who were still deficient in vitamin C lost vitamin E about 25 to 45 per cent faster than nonsmokers.

"A lot of nutrition research in the past has been done by studying one nutrient or another in isolation, sometimes with conflicting results," Traber says in a statement. "What this and other studies like it are showing is that the protection we get from proper diet or supplements often comes from combinations of nutrients working together. This has implications not only for smokers but also for many other people."

Remember, live longer, healthier and happier.
Live 100 years!

A Health Tip- Bonding With Baby

2006-03-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

Bonding is an intense attachment that develops between parents and their baby, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Although babies and their mothers usually bond quickly, the process may take more time for fathers.

The AAFP offers these suggestions for new fathers:

Participate in labor and delivery.
Touch your baby.
Establish eye-to-eye contact.
Communicate vocally with your baby.
Feed and change the baby.
Mirror the baby's movements.
Let the baby touch you.
Use a front baby carrier while performing routine activities.

Remember, live longer, healthier and happier.

Live 100 years!

Supplements and Knee Pain

2006-03-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

There's another article I have found that I want to share with you. The title is "Supplements May Help Relieve Moderate-to-Severe Knee Pain". I think it has very interesting information. It says.....

A combination of the popular dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate appears to relieve knee pain associated with moderate-to-severe arthritis, according to a large federally funded study.
The results of the study of more than 1,600 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, however, showed that the supplements don't significantly relieve knee pain and other symptoms suffered by people with milder arthritis.

The study's authors, led by Dr. Daniel Clegg of the University of Utah, cautioned that the 354 patients in the moderate-to-severe group was considered small and that a larger study of patients with more severe osteoarthritis would need to be conducted before concluding the supplements really work.
The study's results are being published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"This rigorous, large-scale study showed that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate appeared to help people with moderate-to-severe pain from knee osteoarthritis, but not those with mild pain," said Stephen Straus, the director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, one of the two National Institutes of Health units that paid for the study.

More than 20 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage in between the joints, and at least five million of them use glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are natural substances found in cartilage. The supplements are made from material extracted from shellfish and animal cartilage.

The study followed about 1,600 patients for six months. They were assigned to receive one of five treatments daily: glucosamine alone, chondroitin sulfate alone, a combination of the two supplements, a placebo, or Pfizer Inc's Celebrex. Researchers measured improvement as a 20% reduction of pain at six months compared to the start of the study.

The study found that, overall, there were no significant differences between the supplements and the placebo. Researchers found that those taking Celebrex experienced statistically significant pain relief compared to those taking placebo. About 70% of patients taking Celebrex reported pain relief compared to 60% in the placebo group. But researchers said 79% of the 72 patients in the moderate-to-severe pain subgroup who took the glucosamine combined with chondroitin sulfate reported pain reduction compared to 54% in the placebo group.

John Hathcock, the vice president of scientific affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a Washington group that represents supplement makers, said glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are typically sold as a combined supplement by most large manufacturers. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate products are among the top 10 nutritional supplements in terms of annual sales. Americans shelled out $734 million for the products in 2004, according to the Nutrition Business Journal.

Dr. Clegg said he and other researchers are conducting a smaller study to see whether glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Results from that study should be available in about a year.

by JENNIFER CORBETT DOOREN at the WSJ

Arthritis Supplements

2006-03-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

I have found a very, very interesting article fom the Wall Street Jounal that I want to share with you. It says....

What's Next for Arthritis Sufferers: Doctors Hold Out Hope for Supplements

A long-awaited study of the popular arthritis supplements glucosamine and chondroitin was supposed to be the final word on the popular treatments. Instead, it has just reignited the debate over them.
Although the study didn't find any overall benefit to the supplements, many doctors don't think patients should give up on the treatments just yet. Some doctors reason that traditional arthritis pain remedies carry so many risks, the unproven treatments still might be worth a try. Many medical researchers, however, remain skeptical, saying it's unlikely the treatments have any effect at all.

Glucosamine, derived from shellfish, and chondroitin, made from cow cartilage, are among the most popular supplements on the market today, with combined sales in excess of $700 million. Many arthritis sufferers swear by the treatments, and a handful of studies, most of which have been sponsored by the supplement industry, have suggested the supplements really do help relieve arthritis pain.

The Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial, or GAIT, was hailed as the largest-ever study of the supplements. The $12.5 million study was paid for by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health. At first look, the results of the GAIT study, released in the New England Journal of Medicine last week, appear to debunk the notion that the treatments really work. In the six-month study of more than 1,580 arthritis sufferers, most of whom had mild to moderate arthritis pain, glucosamine and chondroitin didn't offer any more pain relief than a placebo pill.
But the study researchers and other experts say it's not time to write off the supplements. In a group of sufferers with moderate to severe pain, the glucosamine/chondroitin combination appeared to work. In that group, 79% of glucosamine/chondroitin users reported their pain had dropped by at least 20% after treatment. By comparison, only 69% of patients taking the popular drug Celebrex reported similar benefits. About 66% of patients taking glucosamine alone felt better, while 61% of taking just chondroitin felt better. That compares with about 54% of the placebo group who experienced some pain relief.

However, the study had only about 350 patients with moderate to severe arthritis pain. And then those patients were divided up into five separate groups taking various combinations of the supplements, Celebrex or a placebo. In the end, the part of the study with the most promising data was really only a study of 142 patients -- 72 taking glucosamine and chondroitin and 70 taking a placebo.

"I think the subgroup finding is a clinically important finding," says Daniel Clegg, the study's lead author and chief of rheumatology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. "But it should be interpreted cautiously."
Even so, Dr. Clegg says the results were promising enough that he plans to seek funding for another study looking directly at the effect of glucosamine and chondroitin on moderate to severe arthritis sufferers.
While it might seem like grasping at straws to focus on the results of such a small study group, the truth is, arthritis sufferers don't have many other options. In recent years, new health worries have emerged about popular prescription pain relievers, and one of them, Vioxx, was withdrawn from the market because it was linked with a higher rate of heart problems.

Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, found in Advil, or naproxen, found in Aleve, is also highly risky. Each year, side effects from NSAIDs cause nearly 103,000 hospitalizations and 16,500 deaths. The drugs can lead to indigestion, peptic ulcer disease and damage to the small intestine and colon, resulting in internal bleeding, bowel perforation and other life-threatening problems. In one recent study comparing arthritis patients who used NSAIDs to those who used Tylenol or took nothing for pain relief, nearly 60% of NSAID users developed ulcers or erosions in the small intestine compared with 17% of nonusers.

Vijay Vad, sports-medicine specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, says he is concerned the study results will prompt people to start using traditional pain relievers. "We have fewer options for treating arthritis today than we did five years ago," Dr. Vad says. "What I don't want happening is for people to switch over to anti-inflammatory drugs in giant numbers. I think there are positives in this trial that show these supplements are potentially valuable for a certain subset of arthritis patients."

Another reason researchers don't want to give up on glucosamine and chondroitin is that most arthritis treatments simply don't work that well for a lot of people. Notably, in one part of the GAIT study, Celebrex, a proven pain reliever, didn't offer significant pain relief for half the people who used it.

The supplements, which cost about $30 a month, are considered safe -- the main risk is for people who have shellfish allergy. As a result, doctors typically advise patients to use them for three months to see if they notice a difference. And if the subgroup finding from the study is to be believed, the biggest effect comes from taking both glucosamine and chondroitin, not just one.

In addition, the first GAIT trial isn't over yet. About half of the GAIT participants will be treated for an additional 18 months. Researchers will compare X-rays taken at the beginning of the study and after one and two years to determine if the treatments result in any noticeable changes in the knee joint. (No one knows exactly how the supplements work but they might have a mild anti-inflammatory effect or slow the erosion of joint cartilage.) Results are expected in about a year.

by Tara-Parker Pope, wsj.com

The Benefits of Fasting and How Does it Work

2006-01-20T14:58:00.000-08:00

Strictly defined, fasting is abstinence from all food and drink (except water) for a limited period of time to maintain or improve health, or treat a specific illness. Juice fasting, a popular variation, is abstinence from all food and drink except water, vegetable juices, and fruit juices. A modified fast includes small amounts of solid food, usually raw fruits as well as raw and steamed vegetables. Some advocates of fasting include other modifications as well, such as vegetable broth, herbal teas, and nutritional supplements. Most of the research into the therapeutic value of fasting has explored the water-only method.

A short fast, lasting from one to three days, can generally be tolerated by most people. An extended fast (more than three days) should be supervised by a doctor, preferably one trained in fasting therapy.

How Does Fasting Work?

Critics of fasting therapy often confuse fasting with starvation. In the fasting state, nonessential tissue, like fat, is used for fuel while vital organs are spared. Starvation occurs when the body has depleted its fat stores and begins to use vital organs for fuel. Obviously, if the body does not receive food after a supervised fast, starvation and death will inevitably follow.

The series of physiologic events that occurs within the body during a fasting state has been well-studied and follows a definite sequence. Basically, the body undergoes certain changes in metabolism to conserve its energy sources but continues to function with the same degree of efficiency. For example, blood sugar levels remain fairly constant no matter how long the fast lasts.

Early in fasting, the body both manufactures glucose (gluconeogenesis) and releases stores of it from within the liver (glycogenolysis). After a few days, the body will release triglycerides from fat cells. These tryglycerides become oxidized and form acids called ketones, which are then used for energy production. All of these changes slow the overall metabolism of the body to about 75% of its normal rate. For this reason, plenty of rest (and no vigorous exercise) is routinely advised while fasting.

What You Can Expect From a Fasting Therapy?

If you'd like to try a fast of one to three days' duration, it is probably safe to do so on your own--as long as you are healthy and not pregnant or breast-feeding. If you plan to fast for longer than three days, however, you should seek medical supervision.

If your primary-care practitioner isn't willing to supervise your fast, you may want to seek a naturopathic physician, nutritionally oriented chiropractor, nutritionist, or registered dietitian. Before you begin, the practitioner should go over your medical history, conduct a physical examination, and perform other tests to be sure that your body is up to the challenge of a fast.

Prepare for your fast with a day of eating light vegetarian meals, focusing on raw fruits plus raw and steamed vegetables. Throughout your fast, drink plenty of liquids--water, if you are on a strict fast, and nonacidic juices and herbal teas, if you are on a modified fast. While you'll need to continue any prescription medicines for a specific condition, you can stop taking any nutritional supplements during the fast. The way you break your fast is also important. Ease back into solid food the same way you eased into the fast--with light meals of fruits and vegetables. A large amount of food right away may be too much for your system to comfortably handle.

At the beginning of your fast, you may feel energized. Or, your hunger may trigger headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and irritability. As time goes on, you will probably feel calmer and may even experience a heightened sense of well-being and clarity of mind. Your sleep patterns may be disrupted, however. Be sure to nap during the day if your sleep at night is lighter. In addition, your tongue may feel furry or coated, and you may develop bad breath. Rinse your mouth with plain water or water mixed with lemon juice to relieve these symptoms. If dizziness, nausea, aching limbs, or visual or hearing disturbances bother you, contact your practitioner.

Don't expect to pursue your regular activities during a fast. For a weekend fast, you will want to stay close to home. Limit exercise to walks, stretching exercises, yoga, or tai chi. Good pastimes are meditating, napping, reading, and listening to relaxing music.

The Health Benefits of Fasting

Published research into therapeutic fasting first appeared in the late nineteenth century. Since that time articles have appeared in conventional medical journals in both the United States and Europe showing the positive results of supervised fasting in treating various diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, skin disease, gastrointestinal disease, arthritis, and allergies. How fasting positively affects these diseases, and what its long-term effects are, depends on the ailment. If you have a chronic medical problem and are interested in the benefits of fasting as a therapeutic modality specific to your condition, your best bet is to locate a nutritionally oriented physician or naturopath with some experience in the field.

There is very little published evidence that fasting has any value for a healthy individual. Even so, practitioners of naturopathic medicine regularly recommend fasting as the therapeutic tool for internal cleansing, otherwise known as detoxification. Periodic fasting, naturopaths believe, helps overworked systems (the gastrointestinal tract, skin, liver, and kidneys) remove potentially damaging toxins from the body.

Not surprisingly, a naturopath's definition of what constitutes a "toxin" vastly exceeds that of conventional medicine. And while both camps tend to agree that certain heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury) and chemical compounds (pesticides, herbicides, solvents) are toxic, naturopaths expand the list to include food additives, many commonly prescribed drugs, cigarettes, recreational drugs and alcohol, and substances produced by bacteria-induced chemical reactions in the intestine.

A fast can also be an effective way to begin a low-calorie diet, a signal to your body that you're altering the way you eat. But the hunger produced from a fast can lead some people to binge afterward. The "yo-yo" effect of fasting and binging can slow down metabolism, making it harder to lose weight in the long run.

If you decide to do fasting, then a couple of precautions should be known.

Even healthy individuals should not undertake an extended fast of more than three days without medical supervision.

Pregnant or breast-feeding women should not fast.

If you have advanced cancer, a compromised immune system, diabetes, ulcers, or liver, kidney, heart, or lung disease, you should never fast without medical supervision.

Fasting as part of the treatment for a chronic disease such as heart disease, epilepsy, arthritis, or schizophrenia should be under the supervision of a physician experienced in the field.

Anyone who takes prescription or recreational drugs regularly should not fast without medical supervision. Withdrawal symptoms can develop quickly during fasting.

It's important to break a fast carefully. Eating too much too soon will overload your digestive system, causing uncomfortable and disruptive reactions. Your doctor can help you decide how best to break your fast for your individual needs.

The Low Fat Diet

2006-01-14T11:01:00.000-08:00

What Is A Low Fat Diet?

Low fat diets try to eliminate most fats from the foods you eat. The diet replaces fat with vegetables, lean meat, brown rice, fiber-rich whole fruits, vegetables, and products made from whole wheat flour. The idea of this diet is to reduce your intake of saturated fat and replace them with protein, polyunsaturated oils and beneficial carbohydrates. This helps the dieter to lose weight while bringing your cholesterol, triglycerides and body fat down. The diet concentrates on restricting fats and filling the dieter up with protein and carbohydrates. This diet eliminates most fats from your diet, and replaces them with fiber-rich whole vegetables,fruit, lean meat, brown rice and products made from whole wheat flour. The goal of low fat diets is to reduce saturated fat in your diet.

How Does It Work?

The Diet works on the principles of reducing your saturated fat intake, thus leading to weight loss. The diet recommends the dieters to switch to lower fat options like: low fat dairy food, low-fat cheese, fat-free dressings and switch to fish, turkey and chicken from beef and lamb. It also recommends that the dieters eat more complex carbohydrates Like potatoes, wholemeal or wholegrain bread, oats, cereal, rice, pasta. The diet says to also eat more fruit, vegetables and salad and to make these foods a MAJOR part of your diet. Because of this weight is lost.

How Much Can You Lose?

Men lose an average of 6-8 pounds after the first two weeks on this diet. Women lose an average of 4-6 pounds. In subsequent weeks, dieters lose an average of 1-2 pounds each week.

Any Possible Side Effects?

Non to note

KNOW THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FATS

Saturated Fats

Foods high in saturated fats tend to raise blood cholesterol. These foods include high-fat dairy products (like cheese, whole milk, cream, butter, and regular ice cream), fatty fresh and processed meats, the skin and fat of poultry, lard, palm oil, and coconut oil. Keep your intake of these foods low.

Dietary Cholesterol

Foods that are high in cholesterol also tend to raise blood cholesterol. These foods include liver and other organ meats, egg yolks, and dairy fats.

Trans Fatty Acids

Foods high in trans fatty acids tend to raise blood cholesterol. These foods include those high in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as many hard margarines and shortenings. Foods with a high amount of these ingredients include some commercially fried foods and some bakery goods.

Unsaturated Fats

Unsaturated fats (oils) do not raise blood cholesterol. Unsaturated fats occur in vegetable oils, most nuts, olives, avocados, and fatty fish like salmon. Unsaturated oils include both monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Olive, canola, sunflower, and peanut oils are some of the oils high in monounsaturated fats. Vegetable oils such as soybean oil, corn oil, and cottonseed oil and many kinds of nuts are good sources of polyunsaturated fats. Some fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, contain omega-3 fatty acids that are being studied to determine if they offer protection against heart disease. Use moderate amounts of food high in unsaturated fats, taking care to avoid excess calories.

Warning Signs of an Asthma Attack

2005-12-29T09:40:00.000-08:00

If your child is coughing, wheezing or having trouble breathing, it could mean an asthma attack.

Here's a list of asthma's telltale signs, courtesy of the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Breathing is difficult and faster than usual.

Complaints of wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.

Speaking is affected because of the difficulty breathing.

Skin color is pale.

Level of awareness has decreased.

Drawing in of the muscles between the ribs is necessary to breathe.

If your child has these signs and asthma medication can't control them, seek medical help at once.

Remember, live longer, healthier and happier.

Live 100 years!

The Flu - What you should eat when you have it

2005-12-28T09:36:00.000-08:00

The FLU
While foods and their valuable nutrients may not prevent you from catching the flu, they can, nonetheless, help to build your immune system and facilitate the alleviation of symptoms caused by the flu. Vitamin C is also full of antiviral potential, and foods high in vitamin C, as well as those high in beta-carotene, help to fortify your body's immune defense system. Vitamin C is also a natural antihistamine and can help to block the effect of inflammatory substances produced by the body, thereby reducing discomfort from congestion. If you do come down with the flu, you should still try to consume foods high in these vitamins and minerals as they can work to diminish the severity and duration of symptoms. If you are suffering from congestion, foods that contain garlic and capsaicin can help to open up bronchial passages.

What You Should Eat & Why

garlic
Garlic acts as a "mucokinetic" agent, alleviating congestion commonly experienced during the flu. Garlic may also prevent bacteria from invading tissues.
Leading Food Sources of garlic: Garlic

vitamin C
Vitamin C is a well-known immunity booster. If taken at the first signs of the flu, it may keep it from fully developing and produce a faster recovery. Taking vitamin C doesn't prevent flu, however.
Leading Food Sources of vitamin C: Cabbage, red, Strawberries, Oranges, Tangerines & other mandarins, Peppers, bell, red, Kiwi fruit, Potatoes

Remember, live longer, healthier and happier.

Live 100!

Getting ready for the allergy season

2005-12-24T18:18:00.000-08:00

Why are some individuals more prone to allergies than others? Genetics? Maybe.

Here may be the clear answer: Hyperactive immune function, weak cell membranes, poor water intake and obstructed airways cause individuals to be overly sensitive to the environment.
If these four issues are addressed, drugstore runs can be diminished.
Let’s look at these issues:

Hyperactive immune function: Stress plays a big role in immune function. Stress signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol which temporarily shuts down immune function. Over time, the adrenal glands become fatigued and cannot supply enough cortisol. Low cortisol levels cannot keep immune function in balance anymore. This causes numerous sensitivities with pollen being one.

Finding stress relieving activities and rebuilding the adrenal glands helps restore balance to immune function.

Weak cell membranes: Foods can be inflammatory. If so, they cause cell membranes to be weaker and easier to break. Weaker cell membranes then release histamine causing undesirable symptoms. Ingesting foods which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, like cold water fish, stabilize cell membranes. The typical American diet consumes a high ratio of inflammatory causing omega-6 fatty acids.

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in grains and grain-fed animals. Consuming more cold-water fish, reducing meats and grains and supplementing with EPA/DHA (derived from cold water fish) helps stabilize cell membranes. Unfortunatly we need to be aware of mercury in fish.

Poor water intake: If the blood is thick and concentrated with chemicals, hormones and proteins, inflammation is more likely to occur. If histamine is more concentrated in the blood, inflammation occurs readily as histamine is more likely to bind to a receptor.

The easiest and least expensive way to reduce histamine concentration is to drink pure filtered water. Water will penetrate the cells, enter the blood and dilute the solute concentration, giving histamine less chance to bind to a receptor. Water is an anti-histamine. Drink a minimum of 8-10 cups filtered water daily. Do not drink chlorinated water. Chlorinated water increases the solute concentration and destroys cell membranes.

Obstructed airways: Obstructed nasal passages are a perfect habitat for bacteria and viruses. Why? The immune system cannot wade past thick mucous to consume bacteria and viruses. Allergies trigger sinus infections routinely from this basic principle.

Maintain an open airway by reducing histamine levels as described above and by nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation uses a neti pot filled with warm filtered water and a pinch of non-iodized salt. Water flows into a nostril, then into the opposite sinus and out the opposite nostril. This procedure removes mucus and pollen from the immediate airway reducing the chance of a sinus infection and allergic attack. For the new user this can be awkward, but it gets easy with practice. Neti pot nasal irrigation is done as needed – one to three times daily. If a neti pot is not handy, snort non-iodized salt water into one nostril, tilt the head and have the water run out the opposite nostril. Blow with both nostrils open. Never blow with only one nostril open as this forces mucus and bacteria deeper into the opposite sinus.

Prepare early and prepare now. To prevent or reduce allergies, one must begin this protocol as soon as possible. It takes time to rebuild cell membranes: supply adrenals with proper nutrition and learn nasal irrigation. In about four weeks time, cell membranes and adrenals will improve. During this time, nasal irrigation should be underway keeping the nasal passages clear of pollen and other allergens.

Enjoy a trouble-free spring – year after year! Tell your friends about this simple protocol as well. They will thank you.

Remember, live longer, healthier and happier.

Live 100!

The 12 Most Pesticide-Ridden Vegetables and Fruits

2005-12-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

When we buy organic produce it usually means it is free from boogers and by all means, it best be free from pesticides. However, our wallets feel stress when we buy organic produce. Demand has gone up for organic products though. Which of the non-organic veggies and fruits are the safest to eat? A watermelon looks tough - it has a big thick skin. A juicy thin-skinned peach must be really tasty to bugs so the growers must spray the heck out of it. This rationale obviously is not fool-proof. So which are the most toxic? This information is gathered from Food News and they gathered the information from the Environmental Working Group.

Most Popular Fruits and Vegetables with highest pesticides are:

Apples
Bell Peppers
Celery
Cherries
Grapes (imported)
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Potatoes
Red Raspberries
Spinach
Strawberries

So the rationale of thin-skinned produce was not all bad. So what to do? Not eat these sprayed fruits and veggies? Pretty much. Definitely do not feed them to your children. The body mass of a child is much less than a fully grown adult. Thus, it does not take many non-organic strawberries to inflict potential harm on a little one. The best method is to buy these twelve organically. If you cannot, then wash them with the pesticide-removing soaps they sell in good stores. There will still be poisons harbored in the produce but diminished at least. You can also peel apples and other produce with skins but then you lose nutrients along with some pesticides. So you may as well then go eat some plastic as it is toxic and has no nutrient value. Organic is the best bet.
Spend your tight dollars on buying these twelve fruits and vegetables organically - or keep them away from your kids.
Now that you've purchased expensive organic strawberries, what are the safest non-organic fruits and vegetables?
Most Popular Fruits and Vegetables with lowest pesticides:

Asparagus
Avocados
Bananas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Corn (sweet)
Kiwis
Onions
Mangoes
Papaya
Pineapples
Peas (sweet)

To save you writing all this down, you can download the FoodNews Wallet Guide. [Adobe file] Cut out the guide and stick it in your wallet. Go shopping without having to guess.

Remember, live longer and healthier.

Live 100!

Yogurt, the Immune Booster?

2005-12-22T06:46:00.000-08:00

A new study provides strong evidence that yogurt can enhance immunity, particularly among seniors.

Investigators in New Zealand and St. Johns, Canada, compared two groups of volunteers age 60 and older. For six weeks, participants drank either plain milk or milk laced with yogurt cultures.
By the end of the study and for several weeks after, blood tests revealed that the yogurt group had stronger immunity (European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 3/00)
An earlier trial from the University of California at Davis also confirmed the immune-boosting benefits of yogurt. In that study, researchers found that eating yogurt daily results in a four-fold increase in the body's production of gamma-interferon, a substance believed to enhance immune function.

The Friendly Bacteria

Yogurt, which is simply milk that has been curdled by the addition of "friendly" bacteria, has long been advocated as a health food, primarily for its digestive benefits. It contains "good" bacteria, called probiotics, that help keep disease-causing organisms in the bowel in check. What's more, the friendly bacteria help the body break down foods, synthesize vitamins, and process hormones such as estrogen. They may possibly even prevent or treat a number of illnesses, including ulcers, colon cancer, and vaginal yeast infections.

For the greatest punch, be sure to buy yogurts that contain live, active cultures. In addition, the fresher the better: As yogurt ages, the probiotic count declines. To get the biggest bacteria boost, choose nonfat or low-fat yogurt with an expiration date far in the future.

Joint Pain - Take NSAID or Glucosamine?

2005-12-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

Glucosamine sulfate has been in the news. Some claiming it bunk and some proving it effective. What does research show? Glucosamine is more effective in providing long term pain relief as compared to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID's). This particular study is attached below.

Glucosamine sulfate aids in cartilage rebuilding. NSAID's decrease inflammation and have been shown to inhibit cartilage formation. Long term benefit is definitely going to be providing nutrients allowing your joints to recover. Decreasing inflammation is important but removing the cause of inflammation is more important. Obviously not all causes can be removed but multitudes indeed can be stopped.

Taking plain glucosamine sulfate is useful. If one wants to completely rebuild a joint properly, the aggravating factors must be addressed. This is where your physician comes in handy. Have them properly diagnose and educate you on what the cause of your condition is - not only the name of the condition - what caused it?

If you have joint pain, please consult with a trusted physician and learn about the cause of your condition.

Inedia’s Live 100 is here to help provide useful information and products.Inedia.com offers Glucosamine Sulfate for those who are in need of joint pain relief.

Live 100

Plastic food containers linked to breast cancer

2005-12-19T16:49:00.000-08:00

Lately, researchers have found plastic harms unborn boys' future fertility.
Now they've shown that it is linked to breast cancer. Scientist can do
countless studies and research on plastic and its harmful effects; but the point
is that plastic is harmful. Use glass or stainless steel. Remain
healthy. This change in lifestyle habit can improve your life - and your loved
one's lives as well.

Read the full article at : "http://society.guardian.co.uk/cancer/story/

Live 100

Antiperspirant and Breast Cancer: Linked?

2005-12-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

The information below is taken from the FDA newsletter:

"FDA is aware of concerns that antiperspirant use -- in conjunction with underarm shaving -- may be associated with increased risk of developing breast cancer. FDA continues to search scientific literature for studies examining this possible adverse drug effect. Unfortunately, there are many publications that discuss the issue but very few studies in which data have been collected and analyzed. Overall, the studies that contain data are inconclusive in determining whether antiperspirants, in any way, contribute to the development of breast cancer. FDA hopes that definitive studies exploring breast cancer incidence and antiperspirant use will be conducted in the near future."

The issue is the aluminimum found in antiperspirants. Given this fact, numerous companies in the beauty industry are shifting away from adding aluminum and other potentially harmful ingredients to their products.

Why wait for solid proof that aluminum is causing breast cancer - especially as there are alternatives. Visit your health store, pharmacy or even quality supermarket. There you will find aluminum free deodorants.

Yet if one is in a stressful job and sweating all the time a safe anti-perspirant may be necessary.

For more antiperspirant information, visit the full article on the FDA website.

Welcome!

2005-12-03T14:33:00.000-08:00

Welcome to "Live 100 years"

This blog is designed for anybody that cares about their health, nutrition, beauty and well-being.

Here I will post extensive information about health conditions and diseases, health advice and why nutritional supplements and "Natural Health" can help you fight and prevent many diseases.

I believe that Natural Health is a positive alternative to cure or prevent diseases. Natural health is an eclectic self-care system of natural therapies concerned with building and restoring health and wellnes by working with the natural recuperative powers of the human body and the immune system through natural products.