HEALTH TIPS
Could certain HONEY be dangerous to your health?
From Dr Mercola: In a new report by Food Safety News, more than 75 percent of the honey on American supermarket shelves may be processed to the point that all inherent medicinal properties are completely gone. Nearly all the fake hone is made in China and smuggled into our country - sometimes with bogus country of origin papers. Millions of pounds of that honey has been banned by the European Union, and it's tainted with illegal antibiotics, including chloramphenicol, which can cause DNA damage and cancer, and heavy metals like lead.
76 percent of honey samples bought at TOP Food, Safeway, OFC, Kroger, Harris Teeter, etc were absent of pollen.
77 percent of honey from stores like CostCo, Sam's Club, Walmart, and Target were absent of pollen.
100 percent of honey sampled at Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and CVS Pharmacy were absent of pollen.
The good news is that samples from farmers markets, co-ops, and natural stores like Trade Joes had the proper compliment of pollen, as did organic brands from common grocery stores.
MSG linked to Parkinsons, Alzheimers, Autism and Fibromyalgia
MSG (monosodium glutamate) lurks in processed foods by other names, such as: yeast extract, autolyzed yeast, calcium caseinate, sodium caseinate and hydrolyzed protein.
Research suggests a link between MSG and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimers, ALS, Parkinsons, autism and fibromyalgia (Brain Res Mol Brain Res 2004; 128: 160-9). And according to an FDA-commissioned report, other side effects include nausea, headaches, dizziness, chest pains, drowsiness and mood swings.
Stomach Acid
Here's a do-it-yourself test so see if you have low stomach acid. Take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar when stomach symptoms arise. Vinegar has a low pH, which means that like stomach acid, it is highly acidic, If after taking the tablespoon of vinegar, your symptoms vanish, it's likely that you have low stomach acid - and thus have difficulty digesting food.
Recent studies show that secretion of stomach acid declines as we get older. It is estimated that 30 percent of people over 60 produce little or no stomach acid - and 40 percent of postmenopausal women have low gastric levels. This decline can increase the risk that nutrients in food are not being absorbed. There is also some speculation that low levels can contribute to symptoms such as osteoporosis, asthma, eczema, chronic hives, psoriasis, arthritis, thyroid disorders, and gastrointestinal infections. Check with a naturopath or nutritionally focused doctor.
If you take the vinegar test and don't experience relief, it is possible that your body is pumping out too much stomach acid.
Banana Benefits
The Potassium in bananas can help normalize one's heartbeat, send oxygen to the brain and regulate the body's water balance - thus helping with stress, high blood pressure and stroke - as well as give the brain a boost. Vitamin B6 in bananas can help regulate blood glucose levels which can affect one's mood - thus helping depression or PMS symptoms; and the high vitamin B levels can also help calm the nervous system. As well bananas contain trypotophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, which can relax and improve one's mood. High in iron, bananas can also stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and help with anemia - plus the sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber can give one a boost in energy. Some people find that a banana with honey milkshake can help a hangover, calming the stomach and rehydrating one's system. Also bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, soothing morning sickness and ulcers sometimes. Finally, before scratching a mosquito bite, try rubbing the inside of a banana skin on the bite and see if that relieves some of the itching sensation. Nature has so many natural remedies.
About Gallbladder Issues or Surgery...
From ANM Health Newsletter, May 18, 2011: If at all possible, keep your gallbladder.
"Your gallbladder acts as a storage tank for bile. The bile is released as needed into the small intestine to help break down fat. The gallbladder also releases toxins that have been metabolized by the liver so they can make their way to the bowels and out of the body. Things can go wrong when this fat-busting, toxin transporting bile become over-saturated with cholesterol from the diet or from the body's natural production. When this happens, the bile salts can't keep cholesterol in a liquid form. In time, this leads to the formation of gallstones that can be as small as a pea or as large as a golf ball. If gallstones are small enough, they may pass painlessly from the gallbladder into the intestines and out of the body. But if stones are bigger or if you have a lot of them, they can cause abdominal pain or inflammation in the gallbladder wall. Larger stones can lodge in the bile duct leading out of the liver or in the narrow opening of the duodenum at the start of the small intestine. This blockage causes bile to back up into the pancreas. And this can lead to pancreatitis, a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas."
"If gallstones are chronic or sever, surgery to remove the gallbladder is probably necessary. But, in many cases, prevention is possible - and it starts with your DIET."
Here are some of the things Dr David Blyweiss tells patients who are prone to gallstones:
"Go vegetarian - or at least cut back on the amount of meat you eat...Reduce your meat consumption to no more than two 3-ounce servings a week and opt for egg whites, beans and organic soy for most of your protein."
"Eat more greens. Kale, Swiss chard, spinach, and other leafy greens help protect against gallstones. Not only do greens offer lots of healthy fiber - which lowers cholesterol - they also produce enzymes that help digest fat. Other foods that reduce the risk include citrus fruit, strawberries, papaya, peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower."
"Lay off the carbs. Eating pasta, bread and other high-glycemic-index carbs increases gallstone risk...According to a study published in Surgery, a diet made up of 75% carbs from refined grains and sugars appears to increase risk of gallstone formation. This is compared with a diet containing 45% carbs. That's why it's so important to load up on fruits, vegetables, and legumes for healthy carbohydrates."
"Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep hydrated - this can help keep the bile in your gallbladder fluid. Shed pounds if you need to..."
Also vitamin C and lecithin (vitamin B) are helpful.
"Opt for enzymes. For those times when fatty foods are unavoidable, take digestive enzymes. The enzyme that helps digest fat, which is produced primarily in the pancreas, is called lipase. Many digestive enzyme supplements containe lipase along with a variety of other enzymes to foster good digestion."
"So before you let a surgeon remove your gallbladder, give these strategies a try. At the very least, get a second opinion. It just might help you hang on to your original equipment."
Preventing Alzheimer's
From Dr. Robert Jay Rowen's SECOND OPINION Newsletter, April 2011, Vol. XXI, No. 4, titled: "Three Nutrients Cut Brain Shrinkage by 53% and Prevent Alzheimer's"
"Scientists at the University of Oxford conducted a trial on 168 people. They gave them high doses of three vitamin B supplements every day. The results startled the scientists. The treatment reduced brain shrinkage associated with dementia by up to 53%....
The human brain naturally shrinks in volume as we get older. By age 60, it's shrinking by as much as half a percent a year. In those with MCI, it accelerates to one percent a year. With Alzheimer's, the shrinkage skyrockets to 2.5% a year. With the shrinkage comes severe memeory problems, slower thoughts, and confusion....
At the end of the trial, the researchers found...on average, taking B vitamins slowed the rate of brain atrophy by 30%. In many cases shrinkage reduced as much as 53%....
The doses the researchers used in this study were large. For B12, they were 300 times the RDA. The folate dosage was four times the RDA. And they took 15 times the RDA of vitamin B6, and 6 mg of folic acid. You can easily attain these doses by buying high potency individual vitamins at your health food store."
For those who have trouble digesting vitamin Bs, I've found that liquid vitamins work the best. You might want to consult a professional before trying large doses of vitamins.
Healing Properties of Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate, baking soda, has many uses. It makes bake goods rise; eliminates odors in refrigerators, carpets or litter boxes; and can be a minimally abrasive "green" cleaning agent for sinks, dishes, fruits or vegetables. As well, baking soda is helpful for putting out a small kitchen fire.
And baking soda can also be helpful with some health issues. Bicarbonate is an alkaline substance naturally produced in the body that buffers acids and can keep pH in check. Pooly functioning kidneys have a difficult time removing acid from the body. Eating a low-protein diet with fewer acidic waste products is helpful as well as drinking baking soda dissolved in water. For an occasional upset stomach, stir half a teaspoon of baking soda into half a cup of water and drink it an hour or two after meals. Be aware that very large doses of baking soda can cause temporary naseau and diarrhea.
British researchers found that adding one half cup of baking soda to bathwater soothes itchiness and irritation in patients with psoriasis. As well, a paste made of baking soda mixed with a little water and dabbed on sunburn, insect bites, allergic rashes, and poison oak or ivy irritation can help reduce the discomfort.
Some people use equal parts of baking soda and cornstarch mixed together and rub it on their arm pits as a deodorant. Others mix about a teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to create a milky liquid and rub it on their feet, underarms, or in shoes to remove odors.
Baking soda is a common ingredient in toothpaste because it can help plaque removal. However baking soda alone as a tooth cleaner can wear down enamel over time. All of the above information is from Dr Julian Whitaker's Health & Healing newsletter, January 2011, Vol. 21, No. 1.
Here's something very few people know about baking soda. My husband had a dark spot on his face and a holistic practitioner suggested the following. Gently scrape away any outer crusty skin. Then put Atomidine iodine on the area. Next make a paste of baking soda and water and put it on the spot and use a bandage to cover it. It turned black and then within a week the dark spot was entirely gone. The holistic practitioner had done this with a very large area on the face of her 90-year old father. A doctor had wanted to operate, but she felt that 90 years old was too old for that procedure, so she used this iodine-baking soda treatment and within a couple of months that large dark area was gone from her father's face.
Digestion is important for a Senior Diet
After getting Pancreatitis from a hospital procedure removing a gallstone - and the doctors did not offer any thoughts on diet or how to heal from the ailment - a wise person suggested some ideas. First, she told me to look at my blood type to see what foods might be difficult for my body to digest. I'm Type A, and that blood type seems to have less stomach acid - so many things can be more difficult to digest - especially Vitamin Bs. Secondly, my stomach always hurt when I took any Vitamin Bs or food with a lot of Vitamin B in them, such as avocado - so I had avoided them. Research showed me that Vitamin Bs are helpful for digestion and can be found in liquid form. After a couple of days taking the following, my painful Pancreatitis symptoms, which had been going on for several months, seemed to heal rapidly. Here's what I took to aid my digestion process: liquid Vitamin B1, a liquid Multi-vitamin with B2, 6, and 12, and also liquid Vitamin D3. As well, I took a powdered digestive enzyme (mixed in liquid) BEFORE a meal and liquid Acdophilus AFTER a meal. Wow! What a difference. Hope this is helpful for other people with sensitive digestive systems.
And Digestive Enzymes are especially important for Senior Diet. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach begins to diminish after the age of 25. So think about how low it probably is when you've reached 50! Many have found that digestive enzymes help with heart burn and acid reflux. Give it a try and see how it works for you.
Other suggestions for a Pancreatitis diet and Gall bladder Diet:
AVOID - PEANUT BUTTER; OILS, FATS and products with added fats (such as: biscuits, crackers, chips, pretzels, breaded-fried-greasy-spicy food ); DAIRY (and anything that uses cheese, creme, ice cream, butter, margarine, oil-based sauces, also whole or 2% milk, half-and-half, sweetened yogart); NUTS or SEEDS; SODA; COFFEE; ALCOHOL; MAYONAISE or creamy dressings; avacado; RED MEATS, BACON, SAUSAGE and PROCESSED MEATS such as sandwich meats or hotdogs; deserts; pasta or rice; CHOCOLATE; anything TOO DRY (such as dry eggs). SUGAR and sweets can cause problems while healing from Pancreatitis. Foods work best if blended into a soup or smoothie and if they are moist and easy to swallow and digest. I use Vanilla Almond Milk in smoothies and also for cooking rolled oats for oatmeal. Add extra Almond milk when eating the cereal because you need things to be very liquidy. Gas-producing foods also give some people problems. However blending broccoli, for example, with chicken broth and making it into a soup can work. Begin with small bites and small amounts. Eat slowly and chew everything until it is mush. Take good care of yourself and you will heal.
Drug Induced Parkinsonism
The October 2010 issue of Worst Pills, Best Pills News (found on www.worstpills.org) has an article that lists drugs which can produce symptoms that appear to be from Parkinson. "In a recent study, published this year in Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, researchers carefully examined 1,528 people with symptoms of Parkinsonism and found that 7.9% (120 patients) had clear, unequivocal evidence of drug-induced Parkinsonism...The good news is that drug-induced Parkinsonism is reversible. The bad news, however, is that too many doctors do not know about the diseases' differences...and do not get a careful history from the patient about what drugs they started before the onset." Unfortunately, the doctos may mistakenly treat the symptoms with another drug as though they were treating Parkinson's disease, while leaving the patient on the drug that caused the illness in the first place.
Larry is a real-life example. He was an "otherwise healthy 58-year-old man with diarrhea, which was believed to be due to irritable bowel syndrome. He was given trifluoperazine (STELANZINE), a powerful antipsychotic, to calm down his intestinal tract...Six months after starting STELAZINE, Larry developed severe Parkinsonism, a neurological condition characterized by tremors, limited movements, rigidity (etc)...To correct this, Larry was started on L-dopa (LARODOPA), a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease...For 7 years, Larry took both drugs until seeing a Parkinson's specialist. The specialist recognized the real cause of his problem, stopped the STELAZINE and slowly withdrew the L-dopa over a 6-month period. Larry's severe, disabling Parkinsonism cleared completely. That same Specialist saw, in just 3 years, 38 other patients with drug-induced Parkinsonism and 28 with drug-induced tardive dykinesia."
Go to www.worstpills.org and on the Home Page under "Best Pills Article - Oct 2010" click on Drug-Induced Parkinson. Note that Table 1 shows the difference between symptoms of Parkinson disease and Drug-induced Parkinsonism. For example, if you hold your hand out horizontally and it tremors, it might be drug-induced.
Did you know...?
1. According to CONSUMER REPORTS in the October 2010 issue on pages 8 - 9: How does a company create fat-free half-and-half? By adding stuff such as corn-syrup solids, artificial color and sugar to nonfat milk. Also, if soy milk is NOT labeled organic, it probably contains genetically modified soy.
2. Calorie restriction not only stimulates weight loss but also improves immune function.
3. 70% of the antibiotics used in the US go to livestock, and 65,000 deaths per year are attributed to drug-resistant infections.
Dirtiest Fruits & Vegetables
Blemish-free fruits and veggies might look good, but they require a lot of spraying to ward off insects, pests, fungal attacks and rot. The Environmental Working Group published two lists - the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15. These rankings are based on levels of chemical residue that remains in conventionally raised fruits and vegetables after washing.
Thus for the Dirty Dozen, it is best to buy ORGANIC. Here they are: Celery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Blueberries, Nectarines, Bell peppers, Spinach, Kale, Cherries, Potatoes, Imported grapes.
The cleaner 15 are: Onions, Avacado, Sweet corn, Pineapple, Mangoes, Sweet peas, Asparagus, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Sweet potato, Honeydew melon. And remember - whatever produce you buy, wash or peel it before eating.
Choose FRUIT for snacks
It's best to eat fruit alone on an empty stomach. If they are eaten right after a meal then they can ferment the food going into the intestine. When fruit comes in contact with food in the stomach and digestive juices, the food begins to spoil. Here are some reasons to choose fruit rather than man-made snacks.
KIWI is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E and fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.
An APPLE has antioxidants and flavonoids that enhance the activity of vitamin C in the body and thus help lower the risk of colon cancer, heart attack, and stroke.
STRAWBERRIES are filled with antioxidants that can protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.
Some claim that eating two to four ORANGES a day can help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent and dissolve kidney stones, and possibly lessen the risk of colon cancer.
WATERMELONS are packed with glutathione, which helps boost the immune system. They also are a source of lycopene, a cancer fighting oxidant - and they have vitamin C and potassium.
PAPAYA is rich in carotene and good for the eyes.
GUAVA is rich in fiber which can help prevent constipation.
To help loose unwanted weight, choose fruit instead of pastry, cake, cookie, candy, etc. And fruit will give you more natural energy, which items with sugar or sweet-substitutes will rob you of energy. Test it out for yourself and see!
The many uses of CUCUMBERS
Cucumbers contain Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, Folic Acic, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potasium and Zinc. Many have found that cucumbers are a great afternoon or evening snack because they ward off hunger. Some use cucumbers on their eyes for relaxation or to help soothe wrinkles. Others use a slice of cucumber to remove the fog off a mirror after a shower. As well, eating a few cucumber slices before going to bed can help one avoid a hangover in the morning. And boiling cucumber creates a steam that has helped relax new mothers and also college students who are studying for an exam. After a meal, press a slice of cucumber to the roof of the mouth for about 30 seconds and the natural chemicals in it can help eliminate bad breath. A new favorite is putting freshly cut cucumber slices in a pitcher of water. This creates a refreshing taste; however, you might want to take the cucumbers out of the water after about 30 minutes. Wow...what a useful vegetable!
Gallbladder Cleanse
It's best to fast 2 to 3 days on unfiltered apple juice or on green apples (5 a day) with a gallon of water - before beginning either of the following gallbladder cleanses.
Process 1: Repeat this for 3 days in a row. Place 6 Asparagus spears in a pan of water and cover with 1 3/4 cup of water. Bring to a boil - then simmer for 10 minutes. Drain the "asparagus water" in a cup - at least 8 ounces. Let it cool enough to drink- then drink it all down. Wait about 5 minutes and then drink exactly 8 ounces of CocaCola - not diet coke. Then lie on your right side for a minimum of 30 minutes with your knees pulled up to your chest. You might experience loose bowels, and it could take 2 days for anything to appear in your bowel movement.
Process 2: another possibility. Use 1 cup of cold pressed virgin olive oil divided into 4 containers - and also 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice divided into 4 containers. Fast 2 or 3 days on unfiltered apple juice, drinking it or water only when you are hungry. Then on the third evening, just before you go to bed, drink 1/4 cup of olive oil every 15 minute and follow it with 1/4 of the lemon juice. (I had to sip some water to chase the lemon juice down.) Go to bed and sleep on your right side. In the morning, you will probably have a loose bowel movement and find soft mushy green bile in the toilet. Some people say that you need to do this flush several times before the gallstones come out.
The Internet has other possible cleanses. One of those uses epsom salt and either fresh grapefruit or lemon juice. Research and find what's best for your system.
Foods that can trigger Arthritis
Here are some foods that trigger Arthritic pain in people. We are all different, so you will have to test out the following information and decide for yourself what works for you.
Foods to AVOID: white potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and chili, strawberries, wheat, dairy (milk, eggs, cheese, butter, yogurt), White flour, White rice, White pasta, alcohol, tobacco, coffee, soda, sometimes tea, refined sugar and juices with sugar added, excessive salt, licorice, chocolate. For many people: meat, beef, pork, lamb, sometimes chicken and turkey; cured or processed meat, all bacon, sausage, hot dogs, all animal fat; processed foods with chemicals and additives (ketchup, mustard, pickles, pimento). For a few people: corn, rye, rhubarb, chard, spinach, beets, carrots, citrus, nuts and oil-rich seeds, nut butters, soy, cayene, paprika, red pepper seasoning, safflower oil and fish oil.
So you're asking - then what on Earth CAN I eat?
Sometimes a very small amount of food won't trigger it - 1 or 2 Tablespoons, for example. Here are things to try: fresh salmon, sardines, tuna, trout, mackerel, herring. Others do best with just fruits, veggies, and gluten free items.
Many people find the following items OK: asparagus, broccoli, collards, kale, beans (navy, mung, white or black), cabbage, romainne lettuce, cucumbers, parsley, celery, watercress, chinese celery, lentils, avocado, artichokes, sweet potatoes, squash, apples, pineapple, bananas, peaches, nectarines, pears, apricots, kiwi, mango, papaya, watermelon, cantaloupe, seeds (flax, chia, pumpkin), pecans, oat products, quinoa, brown rice, millet, barley, wheat grass products, sprouts, soy products, almond milk, coconut milk, broth, seaweed, and some green tea.
Re-energizing Seminar Exercises and Office Exercises
Most Seminar and Workshop leaders know that it is a good idea to give the audience a recess every 45 minutes. Often they have people stand up, breathe and stretch. As well, studies have shown that taking a stretching break in an office setting can help boost productivity.
Here is a simple Qigong exercise that can invigorate the audience at a Seminar and also re-energize people who work in an office.
Louhan Patting: Tapping the body helps bring blood flow to the area you are stimulating. Begin tapping with both hands on the top of the head, and then tap the back of the head. Next tap the forehead and then on the temples. With the mouth open a bit, tap the cheeks. Then tap above the top lip and below the bottom lip. Next tap under the outer part of each collarbone. This helps energize the lungs. Then with two fists, tap the adrenal gland area on either side of the spine slightly above the waist on the back. And finally tap just below the outside of both knees. This is an endurance acupuncture point.
Cancer Recovery
There are lots of theories out there, and I read many of them after I was told that my body had symptoms of the big "C." Very few people know that the law requires doctors to first offer "standard of care," which is chemo and radiation. Not until I said "No" to those options did the thrid doctor I went to offer another possibility. Suzanne Somer's book KNOCKOUT, page 126, shares a conversation with Dr. James Forsyth in which he verified that he needed "to chart that the patient refused conventional chemo" before offering alternative possibilities. That way he was covered.
I didn't like the way the second doctor said statistics showed that I might have only 2 years after I did chemo and radiation. In Suzanne Somer's book, she documents people who have lived 27 years after using alternative treatments.
Fortunately the third doctor I consulted was more "enlightened." He scraped harmful cells out of my bladder and gave me injections of a vaccine that is used for tuberculosis. As well, he sent me to a naturopath doctor who gave me IV's of vitamins C and K to counteract any negative effects of the vaccine and rebuild the body's immune system.
I changed my diet to mostly things from nature: fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains, and "juiced" fresh vegetables at least every other day. I also had some salmon now and then.
The curious thing that happened was that I met the second doctor who gave me the "death verdict" as he was coming into my enlightened doctor's office. He took me aside and asked me what I was doing because I looked so well. I told him my daily routine and that I had 3 blood checks that showed I am now clear. Later I wished I had added that perhaps he should reconsider giving people a "death verdict" and work from a more positive approach because emotions are crucial in helping the body heal itself.
Daily Tai Chi and Qigong practice and prayers also kept my spirit positive. It's important to keep your Light alive. There are answers out there. Suzanne Somer's book KNOCKOUT offers lots of good possibilities. Don
Cooling FOODS for SUMMER
In general, green, blue, and purple vegetables and fruits are more cooling than red, orange or yellow ones for summer. An example would be a green apple or green pepper. Fresh ginger, cilantro, lemon balm, peppermint, and white peppercorn are cooling spices. Kelp and all seaweeds tend to have cooling properties.
Raw foods and foods eaten cold are better than cooked foods. Quick stir fries are preferable to anything deep-fried. Lettuce, celery, radish, cucumber, summer squash, broccoli, tomatoes and most leafy vegetable are good. Sprouted grains and legumes tend to be cooling; therefore consider amaranth, barley, millet and wheat or northern, navy, kidney, lima and mung beans.
Yogart is the most cooling of dairy products. Herbal teas, fruit and vegetable juices are best for drinks. And of course, always drink plenty of water!
COLA raises Blood Pressure
According to "Environmental Nutrition Newsletter," Volme 33g, cola consumption (regular and diet) was associated with a significantly increased risk of raising blood pressure. The researchers suggest that the caffeine in cola is probably not the culprit. Rather, it may be some as-yet-unidentified component.
And just recently on the news, diet soda was linked to heart problems.
WINTER EATING
The ancient Chinese tried to live in harmony with the cycles of nature. Thus the cold darkness of winter urged them to slow down, to reflect on one's life, and to conserve strength. Winter is associated with the Kidneys, Bladder and Adrenal Glands. The Kidneys are considered the source of energy or "Qi" in the body. They store and reserve Qi so it can be used in times of stress and change, to heal or prevent illness, and to age gracefully.
The fundamental principles of winter are rest, reflection, conservation and storage. Eating warm hearty soups, whole grains, and roasted nuts help warm the body's core. Some kidney shaped foods are black beans and kidney beans. As well, blackberries, blueberries, mulberries, walnuts, chestnuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and black sesame seeds are helpful for Kidney Qi. Dark, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, cucumbers and celery also help with Kidney Qi.
Reflect on what truly brings you joy and stop doing the things that drain your life energy.
Tai Chi helping older people with knee pain
On October 30, 2009, the Los Angeles Times reported that knee pain from osteoarthritis is a common and often chronic ailment for older people. However, a new study finds that practicing easy Tai Chi movements not only helps reduce osteoarthritis pain, it can improve function as well. Easy Tai Chi and Qigong movements are a great senior exercise.
Helping confidence, balance, and peace
After surgery, John Parks experienced balance problems that caused stumbling and falling, breaking some ribs and painful swelling. Dr. R. Lipsky suggested his practicing Easy TaiChi movements at least three times a week. According to his wife, Sue Parks, after doing this - John now "walks more confidently, his posture is great and he is more at peace with himself. He enjoys the exercises and is proud of his accomplishments."
Alkaline-Forming Foods
By now most of you have heard that foods which are alkaline-forming in your body - are the healthiest way to go. A body with a lot of acid seems to be more prone to disease, irritation, and imbalance. And it's not just foods that create acidity in the body - most prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs are high in acid as well.
Here are some of the best alkaline-forming foods: most edible grasses and their juices, most sprouted seeds, grains and beans, fresh spinach, celery, cucumber, garlic, dandelion, green beans, red cabbage, chard, parsley, cilantro, fresh lemon, lime, tomato, green pepper, eggplant, avocado, jicama, lima beans, fresh soy beans, white beans, baking soda, sea salt, mineral water, and seaweed.
A brief list of highly ACID-forming foods: all artificial sweeteners, white sugar, high fructose corn sweetener, liquoir, wine, beer, coffee, molasses, fruit juice sweetened with white sugar, black tea, ketchup, mayonnaise, prepared mustard, most canned processed and micro-waved foods, all fried foods, ice cream, cottonseed oil, pudding, jam and jelly, anything hydrogenated, white vinegar, apple cidar venegar, all candy, packaged snack food, cola and all soft drinks.
Just as toxic are thoughts that are "acidy," such as anger, jear, jealousy, and stress. Turn your attention back to gratitude. It's probably one of the best healing agents around.
For more information, go to Dr Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid.
http://www.drweil.com/drw/ecs/pyramid/press-foodpyramid.html
Meditation for reducing stress
A study from the Centre of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences at the University of Allahabad, India, found that meditation was helpful for theta activity, reducing stress, and allowing sleep. Listen to the sample CD of "Loving Presence," a healing meditation, on this website.
Tai Chi can stimulate antioxidant enzymes
A study from the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia noted the effect of Tai Chi exercise on DNS damage, antioxidant enzymes, and stress in middle-age adults. It used sedentary volunteers, age 45 and older. After 6 months the Tai Chi subjects had increased mildy damaged DNA. After 12 months the conculsion was: "Regular Tai Chi exercise stimulated endogenous antioxidant enzymes and reduced oxidative damage markers."
Depression, Anxiety, Weight and Fall Risk
The study Clinical Trials of Tai Chi and Qigong in Older Adults from Arizona State University found "improved physical function, mood, weight, and cardiovascular risk factors." Also, "the meditative movement forms are holistic in nature and can help older adults improve physical function and reduce blood pressure, fall risk, depression and anxiety." It pointed out that "the spiritual exploration of the meditative forms is an important component to the movement activities that can contribute to successful aging."
Heart Benefits with Tai Chi
Integrative Medical Therapies of Harvard Medical School conducted a systematic review evaluating Tai Chi exercise as an intervention for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). They examined 29 clinical studies published in English and Chinese, and the studies reported "improvements with Tai Chi, including blood pressure reductions and increases in exercise capacity." Many doctors see a correlation between physical heart problems and emotional problems with relationships.
Qigong for Diabetes
From the Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine: Diabetes rates have doubled China over the past decade. Over 35 studies were reviewed and found that "Qigong therapy may be an important complement to conventional medicine in treating diabetes."
The trouble is that many who have diabetes do not like to exercise. A quick 10-minute routines either once a day or throughout the day is a good way to begin. As well, adding more greens to your diet can help balance sugar and create more natural energy.
Stroke Rehabilitation
According to NATURAL SOLUTIONS Magazine, July/Aug 2009, page 20, T'ai Chi can help improve balance for stroke survivors. In a research study in Hong Kong, 136 people who suffered a stroke more than 6 months prior to practice, did T'ai Chi for 12 weeks. Researchers then tested the subjects' ability to keep balance when reaching, shifting weight, and standing on a lurching surface that simulated a crowded bus. "The T'ai Chi group demonstrated a significant improvement in balance."
Recently we received an email from the wife of Olympic Pole Vault Champion, Don Bragg. She shared how he has gained benefits from doing our "Easy Tai Chi-Qigong" DVD movements. "Daily use of the Easy Tai Chi-Qigong DVD has increased his sensations and helped build his strength back. It has also helped his mental outlook and lessened the depression that so often is part of having a stroke." Theresa Bragg
Don Bragg's new book is "Kamp Olympic." Email him at: tarzanbragg@aol.com
International Symposium at Vanderbilt University
Just recently an International Tai Chi Symposium was held at Vanderbilt University in which five Grand Masters of Tai Chi met with top mind-body researchers from Harvard, Mayo Clinic and NIH, the National Institute for Health. Those attending spoke about how helpful Tai Chi was when used before and after surgery as part of the healing process. They also talked about ways to modify Tai Chi so that it is accessible to people of all physical levels, including those in wheel chairs. The "Easy Tai Chi - Qigong" DVD is an easy-to-learn modified form for senior exercises and people of all ages.
PLUMS for strengthening bones
A recent READER'S DIGEST shared that a Florida State University study suggested: PLUMS are a good bone-strengthening fruit. "In animal studies, dried plums not only prevented bone loss but also reversed it. Preliminary research in postmenopausal women suggests that plums may be just as powerful in humans (a larger, longer study is under way)."
Plums are high in disease-fighting antioxidants and a good source for boran, potassium and vitamin K, which are all helpful for bone health. In the recent study, women ate eight to ten dried plums - prunes - a day. As well as eating them for a snack, plums are great with cereal or some people stew them with onions, garlic and carrots, and serve this as a side dish.
CARROTS - King of Vegetable Juices
The body converts carrot juice into vitamin A, and carrot juice also contains vitamins B, C, D, E, and K, as well as the minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and sodium.
Alkaline minerals contained in carrot juice, such as calcium and magnesium, help soothe and tone intestinal walls and strengthen bones and teeth. Skin, nails, and hair also benefit from its high protein and mineral content. As well, fresh carrot juice stimulates digestion and sometimes has a mild diuretic effect.
Perhaps the most important contribution to your health is that carrot juice assists in cleansing the liver. With regular use, carrot juice helps the liver release stale bile and excess fats; and when fat levels are reduced, cholesterol levels are reduced.
There is one drawback, however...drinking more that five glasses of carrot juice per week could cause the skin to turn slightly yellow. Some suggest that this is a manifestation of the toxins that the liver is excreting. If this occurs, simply reduce the amount of carrot juice you are consuming, or mix it with other vegetable juices.
The Jack LaLanne Power Juicer is the best on the market because it does not destroy valuable enzymes. We've found that fresh vegetable juices fill the stomach, and we feel lots of energy after drinking them. Enjoy the natural power of carrot juice!
CELERY Juice
Many have found that celery juice has a calming effect on the nervous system. It might be due to its high concentration of organic alkaline minerals, especially sodium. As well, the minerals contained in celery juice make the body's use of calcium more effective by balancing the blood's pH.
Unlike inorganic sodium chloride, organic sodium found in celery juice is naturally blended with many other useful minerals. And for weight-reduction diets, celery juice can help curb the desire for sweets.
Make sure to choose celery that is firm, crisp, and ORGANIC because celery has been found to be the vegetable that has the most harmful chemical residue in it from spraying with pesticides, etc. Even the leaves of celery can be used to make juice. On the average, two to three celery stalks will yield about one ounce of juice.
Studies have shown that in some cases celery juice is helpful for asthma, insomnia, kidney or liver disorders, fluid retention, and nervous disorders. Munch away....
