I totally agree with the statement "Superior Health is Up to You" "Do not expect to receive valuable health advice from your typical doctor."
In my experience doctors are very limited in their understanding of health as a whole. Some are very good at diagnosis while others take a more trial and error approach (I felt like a test rat sometimes) They are also good at knowing which drug on the market is related to the diagnosis and will often write a prescription. However when it comes to individuals health most are far removed. It is up to the individual to be a self-doctor, or in other words 'care' enough to understand the nature of their problem and to seek changes.
Personally I found that the advice given by Dr. Fuhrman is one of the best I have found yet and the most effective when treating medical conditions, most of which are incurable by current medical science.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Mind- all powerful but it sometimes needs a break
As I was reading the article
The Mind-Body Wellness Connection The point it makes is very good "people turn to mind-body techniques, such as meditation or prayer, to help relieve stress. Stress is known to both cause and contribute to certain conditions and often precedes serious illness. And in turn, serious illness can cause depression which leads to other illness and on goes the cycle.
One technique that is useful in making you aware of your thoughts, so you can influence positive changes in your mood and health, is called mindfulness.
Sit in a quiet room and focusing on your breathing, just your breathing and nothing else. Try working on one task at a time, not five. Just do one thing until it’s done. "
Another thing that I realized is that our mind needs a break from stress that we put on it. Mindfulness is a way to relax your mind. That's harder then it sounds, but very good to do.
The Mind-Body Wellness Connection The point it makes is very good "people turn to mind-body techniques, such as meditation or prayer, to help relieve stress. Stress is known to both cause and contribute to certain conditions and often precedes serious illness. And in turn, serious illness can cause depression which leads to other illness and on goes the cycle.
One technique that is useful in making you aware of your thoughts, so you can influence positive changes in your mood and health, is called mindfulness.
Sit in a quiet room and focusing on your breathing, just your breathing and nothing else. Try working on one task at a time, not five. Just do one thing until it’s done. "
Another thing that I realized is that our mind needs a break from stress that we put on it. Mindfulness is a way to relax your mind. That's harder then it sounds, but very good to do.
About AIDS Cursed, Yet Blessed - TIME
The Time.com reports on how a group of people seem to have a natural immunity to Aids
Cursed, Yet Blessed - TIME: "Munyiva is one of a remarkable group of 25 Nairobi prostitutes who are the subjects of intensive scientific study. The fact that they have no symptoms of AIDS is not so amazing, since HIV can lie dormant in the body for many years before it begins its deadly work. What is surprising is that the virus cannot be found in these women at all; it apparently cannot establish itself in their cells.
A small number of people in other high-risk groups, including some homosexuals and spouses of infected hemophiliacs, have shown resistance to infection. But the Nairobi prostitutes, so frequently exposed to the virus for so many years, provide the strongest evidence yet that people can have a natural immunity to AIDS. If the cause of that protection can be identified, it could spur efforts to develop a vaccine."
Cursed, Yet Blessed - TIME: "Munyiva is one of a remarkable group of 25 Nairobi prostitutes who are the subjects of intensive scientific study. The fact that they have no symptoms of AIDS is not so amazing, since HIV can lie dormant in the body for many years before it begins its deadly work. What is surprising is that the virus cannot be found in these women at all; it apparently cannot establish itself in their cells.
A small number of people in other high-risk groups, including some homosexuals and spouses of infected hemophiliacs, have shown resistance to infection. But the Nairobi prostitutes, so frequently exposed to the virus for so many years, provide the strongest evidence yet that people can have a natural immunity to AIDS. If the cause of that protection can be identified, it could spur efforts to develop a vaccine."
Monday, June 25, 2007
Organic Food: Is it Safer and what are the benefits/dangers?
When one decides to buy organic produce there are a number of decisions one needs to make. Personally I agree with recommendations in ETL not eating fruits and veggies is more damaging to one's health then the potential exposure
But Diseaseproof.com ponders the question of "Is Organic Food Safer?" Disease Proof: Is Organic Food Safer?
One of the comments ponders the question of What are the benefits? as well as What are the dangers?
I will continue to look into these questions and post back.
But Diseaseproof.com ponders the question of "Is Organic Food Safer?" Disease Proof: Is Organic Food Safer?
One of the comments ponders the question of What are the benefits? as well as What are the dangers?
I will continue to look into these questions and post back.
About Healthy Fingernails &Your Health
Take a look at the article and your fingernail health. I know I need to...
'"Fingernail color and texture can reflect a wide range of medical conditions."
By Sherry Rauh
"Take a good look at your fingernails and you may notice subtle variations in the texture or color -- a touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, perhaps some rippling or bumps in the surface. These imperfections may not look like much to you, but it’s more important than you might think to maintain healthy fingernails. That’s because to the trained eye, nails can provide valuable clues about your overall health. And noticing and following up on those clues is the best way to maintain healthy fingernails."
'"Fingernail color and texture can reflect a wide range of medical conditions."
By Sherry Rauh
"Take a good look at your fingernails and you may notice subtle variations in the texture or color -- a touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, perhaps some rippling or bumps in the surface. These imperfections may not look like much to you, but it’s more important than you might think to maintain healthy fingernails. That’s because to the trained eye, nails can provide valuable clues about your overall health. And noticing and following up on those clues is the best way to maintain healthy fingernails."
FDA will Regulate Dietary Supplements
This just in
FDA OKs Dietary Supplement Regulations: "June 22, 2007 (Washington) -- Manufacturers of dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, and herbs will have to test their products for purity under new regulations finalized by the FDA Friday.
Much of the testing is left to the discretion of companies, and the agency said it would not inspect all manufacturing plants to monitor compliance. But the rule for the first time compels supplement makers to confirm that what’s in the bottles they sell matches what’s on the labels."
So does this mean the FDA finally realized that there is a market out there for supplements, vitamins and minerals? It took them only 13 years to put this together. It makes one wonder about why they are doing this now.
FDA OKs Dietary Supplement Regulations: "June 22, 2007 (Washington) -- Manufacturers of dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, and herbs will have to test their products for purity under new regulations finalized by the FDA Friday.
Much of the testing is left to the discretion of companies, and the agency said it would not inspect all manufacturing plants to monitor compliance. But the rule for the first time compels supplement makers to confirm that what’s in the bottles they sell matches what’s on the labels."
So does this mean the FDA finally realized that there is a market out there for supplements, vitamins and minerals? It took them only 13 years to put this together. It makes one wonder about why they are doing this now.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Vertical farming in the big Apple - Than would be great
This article focuses on vertical farming. A new concept which is in essence a multistory greenhouse.
Read more here
BBC NEWS | Americas | Vertical farming in the big Apple:
"Professor Despommier lists many advantages of this revolutionary kind of agriculture. They include:
* Year round crop production in a controlled environment
* All produce would be organic as there would be no exposure to wild parasites and bugs
* Elimination of environmentally damaging agricultural runoff
* Food being produced locally to where it is consumed
And, says the professor, vertical farming would allow some existing traditional farms to be returned to natural forests. Good news in a time of global warming."
The project website is here
http://www.verticalfarm.com/
Read more here
BBC NEWS | Americas | Vertical farming in the big Apple:
"Professor Despommier lists many advantages of this revolutionary kind of agriculture. They include:
* Year round crop production in a controlled environment
* All produce would be organic as there would be no exposure to wild parasites and bugs
* Elimination of environmentally damaging agricultural runoff
* Food being produced locally to where it is consumed
And, says the professor, vertical farming would allow some existing traditional farms to be returned to natural forests. Good news in a time of global warming."
The project website is here
http://www.verticalfarm.com/
Monday, June 18, 2007
Is a vegan diet deficient in Phosphorus?
Someone in my family recently gave me an article from a newspaper listing the benefits of Phosphorus in a diet. I was always taught that Phosphorus is important but I was never sure why. The article given to me was informative but didn't list any sources.
So I did some more research and this is what I found out...
Phosphorus is only one of the minerals required by the body for proper function. It is present in every cell of the body, but 85% of the body's phosphorus is found in the bones and teeth. There is generally no deficiency of phosphorus because it is so readily available in the food supply.lus/ency/article/002424.htm
We know phosphorous alone is not as healthy as when it's digested in food because food has many elements which work in concert when your body digests it.
For example
Go here www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez - Type "Co-dependence of calcium and phosphorus on growth and bone development under conditions of varying deficiency" into PubMed search field
Another good source is "Relationship to Phosphorus and Protein Intakes"
So I did some more research and this is what I found out...
Phosphorus is only one of the minerals required by the body for proper function. It is present in every cell of the body, but 85% of the body's phosphorus is found in the bones and teeth. There is generally no deficiency of phosphorus because it is so readily available in the food supply.
Excessively high levels of phosphorus in the blood, although rare, can combine with calcium to form deposits in soft tissues such as muscle. High levels of phosphorus in blood only occur in people with severe kidney disease or severe dysfunction of their calcium regulation.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlinepWe know phosphorous alone is not as healthy as when it's digested in food because food has many elements which work in concert when your body digests it.
For example
Go here www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez - Type "Co-dependence of calcium and phosphorus on growth and bone development under conditions of varying deficiency" into PubMed search field
Another good source is "Relationship to Phosphorus and Protein Intakes"
http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=1349&page=178
This article is very interesting since it studies the relationships of phosphorous and a vegan diet. Guess what, they found that "Diets moderately low in bioavailable phosphate – like many vegan diets – might be expected to have a complementary impact on disease risks"
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0306-9877(03)00228-7
Actually if you want to see the Phosphorus content in foods go here
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR16-1/wtrank/16-1w305.pdf
And of any mineral vitamin or nutrient for that matter
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR16-1/wtrank/wt_rank.html
The recommended daily dietary intake of phosphorus set by the FDA is 1000-mg. The Food and Nutrition Board set the official scientific US RDA at 800-mg to 1200-mg.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0306-9877(03)00228-7
Actually if you want to see the Phosphorus content in foods go here
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic
And of any mineral vitamin or nutrient for that matter
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic
The recommended daily dietary intake of phosphorus set by the FDA is 1000-mg. The Food and Nutrition Board set the official scientific US RDA at 800-mg to 1200-mg.
Under normal conditions, there is only a very small possibility of a phosphorus deficiency because phosphorus is both abundant and widely distributed in most foods.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
About Ayurveda and Unani medicine
A coworker and I had a talk about the benefits of a Vegan diet. As we talked he said his family uses Ayurveda, a traditional medicine from India. He also Mentioned Unani which is related. Apparently the practitioners use food as a medicine among other things and it's is practiced for over two thousand years.
If you are curious here is some info.
Ayurveda Recommendations may include: implementation of lifestyle changes; starting and maintaining a suggested diet; and the use of herbs. In some cases, participating in a cleansing program, called panchakarma, is suggested to help the body rid itself of accumulated toxins so it can gain more benefit from various suggested measures of treatment. In summary, Ayurveda addresses all aspects of life--the body, mind and spirit. It recognizes that each of us is unique, each responds differently to the many aspects of life, each possesses different strengths and weaknesses. Through insight, understanding and experience Ayurveda presents a vast "database" of the relationships between causes and their affects, both immediate and subtle, for each unique individual
If you are curious here is some info.
Ayurveda Recommendations may include: implementation of lifestyle changes; starting and maintaining a suggested diet; and the use of herbs. In some cases, participating in a cleansing program, called panchakarma, is suggested to help the body rid itself of accumulated toxins so it can gain more benefit from various suggested measures of treatment. In summary, Ayurveda addresses all aspects of life--the body, mind and spirit. It recognizes that each of us is unique, each responds differently to the many aspects of life, each possesses different strengths and weaknesses. Through insight, understanding and experience Ayurveda presents a vast "database" of the relationships between causes and their affects, both immediate and subtle, for each unique individual
Unani medicine is closely linked to the Muslim emphasis on treating illnesses in hospitals with its origins in ancient Greece. The name Unani derives from Ionia, reflecting its Greek origins. The principles of Unani medicine are those of the Hippocratic school of ancient Greece.
As with both Ayurveda and ancient Greek medicine, plants are the basis of the main drugs. Given the Greek origins of Unani, it is not surprising that Dioscorides’ de Materia Medica, written by the Greek physician in about 70 BC, was the most important handbook for plant drugs. Plants are either used by themselves – simple – or in mixtures – compound.
I looked online on a treatment for allergic rhinitis related to Ayurveda since that's what I had and found a herb Tinospora Cordifolia that they use. There was an actual randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial with the following results.
Efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia in allergic rhinitis
With TC treatment 100% relief was reported from sneezing in 83% patients, in 69% from nasal discharge, in 61% from nasal obstruction and in 71% from nasal pruritus.
It's interesting isn't it that an herb is so powerful. Actually I was always interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) where herbal therapy is an integral part of curing many ailments.
References
http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=355&xcntr=1
http://www.plantcultures.org/themes/medicine_unani.html
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8D-4DVTH0P-1&_user=107229&_coverDate=01%2F15%2F2005&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000008279&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=107229&md5=349e2d1ca9c972e0cc63b5e2730a41e1
As with both Ayurveda and ancient Greek medicine, plants are the basis of the main drugs. Given the Greek origins of Unani, it is not surprising that Dioscorides’ de Materia Medica, written by the Greek physician in about 70 BC, was the most important handbook for plant drugs. Plants are either used by themselves – simple – or in mixtures – compound.
I looked online on a treatment for allergic rhinitis related to Ayurveda since that's what I had and found a herb Tinospora Cordifolia that they use. There was an actual randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial with the following results.
Efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia in allergic rhinitis
With TC treatment 100% relief was reported from sneezing in 83% patients, in 69% from nasal discharge, in 61% from nasal obstruction and in 71% from nasal pruritus.
It's interesting isn't it that an herb is so powerful. Actually I was always interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) where herbal therapy is an integral part of curing many ailments.
References
http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=355&xcntr=1
http://www.plantcultures.org/themes/medicine_unani.html
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8D-4DVTH0P-1&_user=107229&_coverDate=01%2F15%2F2005&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000008279&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=107229&md5=349e2d1ca9c972e0cc63b5e2730a41e1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)