The Balance in Your Body: Finding the meaning of dis-ease

Here is goes another health article, but this one isn’t a checklist of do’s and don’ts to prevent something. This article is targeted at what to do, when you have done everything you could: you ate your protein and veggies, consumed the proper amount of water (1/2 your body weight in ounces), breathed deeply, ate fruit and nuts as snacks, avoided sugar, drugs and alcohol, all three of which are equally addictive. On top of this you took your Vitamin D, fish oil, and antioxidants, along with a daily dose of physical activity!

Now what? You sound unstoppable with this laundry list of activities that are supposed to paint the picture of good health. What happens when all this fails? What do you do when you find yourself dealing with something you were trying to prevent, from the common cold, other infection, diabetes, cancer, or some other malady?

Why is often a question we ask ourselves when something in life doesn’t go the way we wanted. Why do bad things, like sickness, health challenges, or dis-ease happen to good people? Why, is because there are some things that are beyond us, one of which is our health. “The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health in its broader sense in 1946 as ‘a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

When you are faced with a ill-health, find your centeredness. Our health is an interplay of forces, seen and unseen. Go within yourself and find serenity as you surrender to something bigger then your efforts and their effects. Look for the meaning, what can you gain or grow from, if your health can be a learning lesson? If you have trouble coming up with something on your own, try this for entertainment, and of course, don’t take this or anything else too seriously, for the spiritual meaning underlying diseases, take a look at http://www.squidoo.com/spiritualmeaning.

Usually, I encourage people that health is in their own hands, of which I think is nearly ninety percent true, the other piece of it, we need to reconcile with, so at the end of each day, you are balanced with in yourself, you’ve done all you can do, and sometimes you just need to remember to relax and stop doing, and be a human-being.

Be Well and Be in Balance to your best ability!

Heart Health 4 Plus Habits to Cultivate

The heart in the human body functionally serves as a circulation pump with an electrical impulses, using sodium, potassium, and calcium contracting the muscle and sending blood, oxygen and vital nutrients all through out the body. Heart disease is a huge problem in America, being the number one killer, with an approaching 600,000 people dying each year.

Heart disease encompasses multiple afflictions and diagnoses, such as congestive heart failure, congenital heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and coronary heart disease. Many health problems, like heart disease, can be avoided with diet and lifestyle. However, there is another component to good health, beyond the well known basics. Imagine a triangle, and in one form of medicine, Applied Kinesiology, there is what is referred to as the “Triad of Health”. The foundation of this triangle is on the “structure” of the body, with the sides comprised of “chemical and mental”. It is is the realm of the “mental or emotional” category that can be a largely overlooked component of heart disease.

Cardiologist Dr. Mimi Guarneri highlights all the hearts different aspects in her book, The Heart Speaks.

Do these 4 things regularly for a healthier and happier heart and life.

1. Let Go! Emotions can be overwhelming, and may get bottled up. What happens when pressure adds? You will get an EXPLOSION if you don’t express your feelings! Don’t go there, by daily trying to release the hardships you endured. Talking or journaling can be an outlet, or exercise. Find something that works for you. Consider Emotional Freedom Technique, or otherwise known as tapping, which is a quick and easy tool that has profound effects.

2. Follow your passion! Do you feel a sense of fulfillment in your life? What gets you “lit up”? Doing what you love is like spiritual food for your heart. Either in your work life or outside of that, connect with an activity that you enjoy regularly. If you love to dance, and its been a while, turn up the music at home on an evening after work. Don’t put off the simple pleasures that put a simile on your face.

3. Forgive and stop worrying! We all experience feelings of resentment at one point or another, to others or even ourselves. Holding on to this is toxic. We just have this moment to live, and often we are either in past or future. Realize that each person in any given moment is doing the best they can, and if you’ve been hurt, don’t keep on hurting yourself with reliving that situation for the past. Talk with a professional or trusted friend to help you through life’s challenges.

4. Do the basics! It is the basic lifestyle habits that create a compound effect that will lead you to health or away from it. Don’t use tobacco, eat plenty of vegetables, eat fruit for dessert, and exercise.

4 Basics for Back Health

You’ve may of heard this line before, but once again, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! This same philosophy is well applied when it comes to injury in the musculoskeletal system. Many back injuries occur on the job, and most often for health care workers. Although, improper ergonomics and lifting can also occur outside the work place. Back pain can be purely physical, although in the realm of mind/body medicine, back pain may be symbolic of not feeling supported. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Do back strengthening and stretching exercises at least 2 or 3 times a week.
• Sit and stand up straight.
• Avoid heavy lifting. If you do lift something heavy, bend your legs and keep your back straight.
• If you are overweight, lose weight to help lower the strain on your back.

Back pain could be beyond a basic strain, especially if it persists, worsens, or is associated with other symptoms. Here’s a few tips to know when you need to see a doctor:

• Numbness or tingling
• Severe pain that does not improve with rest
• Pain after a fall or an injury
• Trouble urinating
• Weakness
• Numbness in your legs
• Fever
• Weight loss when not on a diet

Keeping a strong back will give you strength and support in other aspects of your life. Remember take care of your body, and it will take care of you!

The Meaning of Doctor 6 Traits To Look For In Your Primary Care

The word doctor originates from the Latin word, docere, which means “to teach”. Did you know that your doctor, should not only be teaching you about your body and how to achieve health as well as how to prevent? Ultimately, your health, is in your hands, but your doctor, also should play detective with you, to help get to the source of your problem.

Naturopathic Doctors who are trained to primary care physicians, live by 6 principles that will be discussed shortly. First, know that “Training for Naturopathic Doctors consists of attending a four-year, graduate-level accredited Naturopathic Medical School. A Bachelors degree which includes standard pre-medical courses is required for admission. Naturopathic education starts with the same Basic Medical Sciences required of all doctors: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Embryology, Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology among others.The second phase of training consists of the Diagnostic Sciences: Cinical Diagnosis, Physical Diagnosis, Laboratory Diagnosis and Radiological Imaging. The Academic study concludes with an understanding of treatments according to Naturopathic Principles, using modalities such as Clinical Nutrition, Botanical Medicines, Homeopathy, Physical Medicine, Hydrotherapy, Mind-Body Medicine, as well as pharmaceutical training paralleling MD’s.

During the last two years of Naturopathic School, students also undergo hands-on clinical training, treating patients under the supervision of other licensed doctors. The final step for students prior to becoming eligible for licensure is to pass the full set of national board exams, the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX). This is a set of 13 individual exams: 5 in the basic medical sciences, and 8 covering the clinical diagnostic sciences and Naturopathic Treatment.”

The 6 traits or as they are most referred to within the profession, tenets, include:

Primum no nocere: First, do no harm. This means that the most gentle and natural remedies will always be chosen first and that the suppression of symptoms will be avoided, since this can lead to the illness being pushed deeper into the body.
Vis medicatrix naturae: The healing power of nature. The body has an amazing inherent ability to maintain and restore health. Naturopathic doctors believe that their role is simply to facilitate the body’s own healing, using natural remedies and treatments.
Tolle Totale: Treat the whole person. This principle is based on the fact that every person is a unique individual. All aspects of a person must be taken into consideration and addressed in order for healing to occur.
Tolle causam: Identify and treat the cause. Rather than treating symptoms, which are signs from the body that illness is occurring, Naturopathic Medicine strives to find and treat the true underlying cause of disease.
Docere: Doctor as teacher. Your medical care should be a joint venture between your doctor and yourself. Naturopathic Doctors educate patients about their health and what they need to do to heal.
Principiis obsta sero medicina curatur: Prevention. The true goal of Naturopathic medicine is to help patients remove any causes of disease and maintain a healthy, happy body in order to prevent illness.
Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

WHAT TO DO ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT-5 TIPS TO SLIMDOWN!

We are on the go now more than ever, however how come that doesn’t kick our metabolism to melt away fat? Many have heard of the hormone cortisol, and think of belly fat[1]. Cortisol is also known to trigger our “fight or flight” response, so it is constantly being secreted with the pressures that many are under with the Western lifestyle we live. This creates changes in blood sugar regulation which can be a “catch 22” effect with spikes and drops that leave you reaching for the mid-afternoon coffee or candy.

There is a discrepancy between access to information and the practicality of its’ application. Some think that with the prevalence of the internet, social media etc we are on information overload[2], yet how come this knowledge isn’t giving us the power to create change? Perhaps it is too much time at the computer, low energy from a low functioning thyroid, not enough time to cook healthy meals, or a long to do list, etc? We all have our excuses! If we don’t have our health however, what do we have?

These 5 tips are easy to do, easy not to do[3], just as most things are in life that can either lead you to your success or lack of. What you first need to do is identify a goal, get an accountability log and a partner to help stay focused on your goal! Gandhi said, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world!”

 

1. Start the day off right! Your body had just come off of several hours, ideally around 8, being in a fasting state, it has needed to use up your stores of glucose, and now you need to refuel. Protein will keep your blood sugar stable and avoid the spikes and dips. Aim for 15-20g[4] (0.8g per kg of weight per day) depending on your needs, per meal.
2. Drink water! Half your body weight in ounces is ideal and more if in hot weather or exercising if you are loosing water via sweat. (Refer back to my hydration article)[5] Sometimes people mistake dehydration for hunger, so getting enough water could decrease your caloric intake.
3. Be active! Your body needs to move, to function optimally. Bodies in motion tend to stay in motion. If you haven’t been exercising and your health is somewhat compromised you may want to check with your doctor first. Doing a little every day makes it easy and light, for example before a shower, work up a little sweat first with a series of push ups, sit ups, leg lifts, triceps dips, and other at home moves.[6]
4. Eat the rainbow! Ideally our plate should be half covered with fruits and vegetables. At your next meal, look at the plate (and hopefully it is not too large), and one side should be bright red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.[7] Recall that we should be eating 5-9 servings per day for optimal nutritional protection. Why do you need this protection? Well, let’s look at the number one killer in this country, heart disease[8], largely a diet and lifestyle issue. The former “food pyramid” is on its way out, and the plate method is in.[9] Find out more at www.choosemyplate.gov .
5. Consult a professional! Often you’ve tried other things, perhaps they worked for a while and you reach a plateau. Getting blood work with a Naturopathic doctor to can identify road blocks to your goals. You may have a hormonal imbalance with cortisol or sex hormones, hypothyroidism, or be boarder-line diabetic. Another reason you have excess weight may not be physical, it can be an emotional and possibly be offering you protection in same way.[10] Going to a doctor or counselor can be like having a detective get to the bottom of your problem.

 

On this journey, take moments to celebrate those small victories. Congratulate yourself, like you would a child, for a job well done! Remember, the “journey of 1000 miles starts with one step,” from Lao-Tzu. Wishing you the best as you take this 5 simple steps towards a slimmer you!

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[1] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/11/001120072314.htm

[2] http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-02-01-tech-overload_N.htm

[3] The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

[4] http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=56691

[5] https://naturopathicalli.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/the-heat-is-on%E2%80%A6hydrate-tips-3-things-to-know/

[6] http://www.fitwatch.com/exercise/10-ways-you-can-exercise-at-home-without-any-equipment-10.html

[7] http://www.oprah.com/health/Eat-the-Rainbow/1

[8] http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm

[9] http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/business/03plate.html

[10] http://emotionalpain.net/excess-weight-or-emotional-baggage.html

POSITIVITY IN YOUR BODY-5 WAYS TO BE AT YOUR PEAK

The fountain of youth has been found! It isn’t a magical elixir either. What is it then? The power of being positive or optimistic in your life can translates to a multitude of health benefits, from increased life span to decreased risk of cardiovascular death, which is the number one killer in the America.[1] [2]

“‘Mind-body medicine is now scientifically proven,’ says Herbert Benson, a cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at HarvardMedicalSchoolwho is considered a pioneer in the field.” [3] Take that analogy of seeing the glass half empty or full, which can act as a test of your level of optimism or pessimism. This can have an impact on how our body functions, either attributing to health enhancement or decline.

Many desire to be forever young; more than 4 million people in the USA will turn 50 in the year 2011.[4] At fifty or any age you have all that you had in youth and more! This is youth span, which “…Refers only to the number of years we live in good health, with high energy, strength and mobility, and with vigorous mental, sensory and sexual powers.”[5] This can only be achieved by looking at the process of change in our lives in a positive manner and by doing positive things for our bodies. Here are my top ways to stay positive!

1. Dance: Music can have a definite effect on our mood, there is nothing like tuning in to your favorite beat and shaking off the stress! You’ve heard the saying “dance like no one is watching!” If you don’t like to dance do something else to get you physical at your core, laughing can do this too!
2. Gratitude: Find something to be grateful for each day, focus on that for a moment. Consider a gratitude journal, either hand written or on your computer. I like to list 5 things I’m feeling grateful for in my life on a regular basis.
3. Educate: Explore yourself, your mind, body and spirit. Read a good book that makes you want to improve yourself, and/or seek the help of a professional. Find out why, when possible things are they way they are. Sometimes though, we can’t know everything, and we must accept this too.
4. Diet: What you put in your mouth does affect your mood. While sugar maybe “the other white powder” and you will get a high (blood sugar levels), you will also likely crash and get addicted. Eating fruits to satisfy your sweet tooth. Choose to include protein and vegetables at every meal.
5. Support: Our society is more connected in some ways and disconnected in others. Take time to meet in person with friends regularly, and choose friends that look for the good in life and help you through your challenges. No one ever got success alone, just as there is no “I” in team.

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[1] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/positive-thinking/SR00009

[2] http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm

[3] http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-10-12-mind-body_x.htm

[4] http://www.bbhq.com/bomrstat.htm

[5] http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,18324,00.html

STRESS EFFECTS ON THE BODY AND 5 TIPS TO SAIL THROUGH

Stress is a part of life that we all have to deal with. At its’ best it can provide a little pressure that can be a motivating factor to get something done. Stress at its worst can wreak havoc of the body, affecting multiple systems. Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone” that is secreted in response to help regulate the heart, lungs, metabolism, immune system, and more.[1] The adrenal glands that lie on top of the kidneys make not only cortisol, but sex hormones in addition to others.

The adrenal glands can get worn out under constant stress. Stress can come in different forms. You are probably already aware of the obvious ones: work, relationship, lack of time, finances, etc. However, did you know that caffeine and sugar stress your body out too! Ironically, these are often the go to things to try to power through the stress as they can act as temporary pick me ups, but they further put stress on the body and adrenal glands. What does stress do to you? Stress can cause or have an effect on worsening the following:[2]

• Pain
• Heart disease
• Digestive disturbances
• Sleep problems
• Depression/Anxiety
• Obesity
• Autoimmune conditions (Hashimotos, et al)
• Skin conditions (eczema, et al)

5 Ways to help your body sail through with less stress:

1. Eat regularly! Keeping your blood sugar stable with protein is one of the most important things you can do, this will help prevent dips you glucose levels, preventing some of the sugar cravings. Protein also provides precursors to our neurotransmitters helping us feel good. A great book is The Mood Cure by Julia Ross.

2. Avoid sugar! Also known by some as the other “white powder”, sugar can be addictive. Best is just to stay away, and choose stevia as a natural sweetener.

3. Supplement! When under stress there are greater demands on your body to use vitamins and other nutrients. Taking supplements that you find at your natural food store or from your naturopathic doctor can help do damage control and give you energy to deal with stress. B complex vitamins are often a good choice.

4. Seek support! Don’t be a recluse, the reality is someone is going through or has gone through what you are, ask for help. If you have undergone chronic stress or have health conditions you may want to see a naturopathic doctor to do salivary hormone testing of your cortisol levels.

5. Be the change! If you can, change the stressful situation by avoiding or altering it. Or change your reaction by adapting or accepting the stressor. These is known as the 4 A’s.[3]

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[1] http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_biological_effects_of_acute_stress_000031_2.htm

[2] http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm#effects

[3] http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm

Myers’ Cocktail

The Miracle Cocktail? Must Be the Myers’ Cocktail!  

Have you ever heard that “the way to good health is paved with good intestines” as many of my Naturopathic Doctors say? Well, often there can be barriers to good digestion, thus leading to people of having low absorption of vitamins and minerals, which are an absolute necessity and reason to eat fruits and vegetables. Given any compromisation to our “guts”, one can utilize modern medicine’s I.V. therapy.

A Myers’ Cocktail is an infusion of nutrition that boots the immune system to fight of allergies or viruses, as well as combats fatigue with its support of aiding the production of energy. Low levels of energy are found in adrenal imbalance, mood disorders, and fibromyalgia. Athletes can also benefit pre/post event. The miracle of modern life is that each of us in running some sort of marathon; physically or metaphorically for some other aspect of our mental or emotional life.

In our society we our desperately deprived of energy due to our lifestyle, and in the process of going back to the basics, one can supplement with a healthy cocktail to restore optimal levels of Vitamin C, B complex, B5, B6, B12, as well as Magnesium and Calcium.

Cheers to giving your body the boost it needs to get your energy to its optimal level…