my-blog

Vitamin D for Flu Prevention

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 01:44:44 +0100

Influenza ("flu") is medically defined as "a contagious viral infection mainly affecting the nose, throat, airways, and lungs." The flu comes around every year, usually from November to March, and symptoms (fever, headache, muscle aches, cough, runny nose, fatigue) are uncomfortable but usually not dangerous. It's estimated that 5% to 20% of people get 'infected' every flu season.

I believe optimizing our Vitamin D blood levels is one of the best things we can do to protect ourselves from the Swine Flu.

Vitamin D has a powerful effect on the immune system. Its sufficiency has been shown to increase the body's natural supply of what are called "Antimicrobial Peptides" ( AMP's). These are small fragments of amino acids, the building blocks of protein, that have very beneficial effects on the immune system's ability to fight against several types of germs including viruses and bacteria.

Many people ask me "Can't I get enough vitamin D from my food?" The short answer is that food does not contain much vitamin D. One serving of cooked salmon which is one of the foods highest in D has only 360 IU of vitamin D. This is enough to prevent rickets but with our new knowledge that higher doses of vitamin D are safe and help protect us from many of the chronic diseases of modern society including influenza, we all require higher doses. In order to get 2000 IU per day from food you would need to eat 6 servings of salmon, or 10 servings of tuna, or drink 20 glasses of fortified milk every day.

Other people ask me "Can't I get vitamin D from the sun?" The short answer is "Yes if you don't wear sunblock!" But sunblock with a SPF of 15 also blocks 99% of all the vitamin D making rays of the sun. In addition we have the problem of what is called "The vitamin D winter". If you live above the 35th parallel of latitude and that stretches from Memphis Tennessee to Oklahoma City to Santa Fe New Mexico to Bakersfield California, from approximately November through March even on a random winter's sunny day, you cannot get vitamin D from the sun if you go out in your bathing suit. This is because the angle of the sun prevents the right frequency of UV light needed by our skin to make vitamin D.

Evidence strongly suggests that a level above 85 nmol/L is highly protective against osteoporosis, cancer, multiple sclerosis and various infectious processes. Vitamin D toxicity is a concern only when blood levels of vitamin D rise above 200 nmol/L. Recent research indicates that supplementation with 1,400 IU of vitamin D per day appears to be sufficient to raise vitamin D level to the 85 nmol/L level in most patients. And at the first sign of flu-like symptoms, one expert - based on personal experience and that of family members - suggests supplementing with 2,000 IU of vitamin D per kilogram of body weight for three consecutive days.

Anyone who's suffered through the flu knows that it's not only potentially dangerous; it can be downright miserable. Ask your doctor to assess your current vitamin D status and discuss the value of vitamin D supplementation, particularly during the flu season.

Whatever your strategy, it won't eliminate your risk altogether, but why not do everything you can do naturally to protect yourself and your loved ones?

Cancer Cells Feed On...

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:22:27 +0100

An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

a. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc. are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses, but only in very small amounts or Stevia. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. A better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting
off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little other meat,
like chicken. Me at also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into
an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live
enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance
growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most
vegetables including be an sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at
temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C)..

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer
fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap
water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

-John Hopkins Update

5 Ways Acupuncture Creates Lasting New Year's Resolutions

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:50:21 +0100

New Year's Rejuvenation

It is the beginning of a new year and, once again, a time to reflect on what changes we can make to improve our lives. If you are intent on improving your health this year, acupuncture and Chinese medicine may be the very thing you need to "stick" to those resolutions.

Here's how acupuncture can help you achieve your goals:

Resolution 1: Reach Target Weight and Stay There

Losing weight is the #1 most common New Year's Resolution. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine can help you reach your goal weight and maintain it by promoting better digestion, smoothing emotions, reducing appetite, improving metabolism, and eliminating food cravings.

From an Oriental medicine perspective, the acupuncture points, foods and herbs that are chosen to assist with weight loss directly influence the Qi of the Spleen and Liver systems to treat the root imbalances that are causing the weight gain.

From a Western perspective, acupuncture and Oriental medicine have been shown to have an effect on the function of the nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, food cravings, and metabolism. All of which can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety.

The beauty of acupuncture is that each treatment is catered to the needs of the individual patient. Acupuncture points on the body will be chosen for overall well being with the objective of increasing circulation of the blood and Qi (stimulating the metabolism) and calming the nervous system.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are powerful tools for healthy weight loss, by themselves or as a supportive treatment in conjunction with other weight management programs.

Resolution 2: Stay Sharp

Your New Year’s resolution may be to learn a new language or take a class at your local college. However you choose to exercise your brain, acupuncture can help. Numerous studies suggest that acupuncture can help improve memory, mental clarity, concentration and cognitive function.

One recently published study (see below) shows how acupuncture can be used to treat memory impairment induced by diabetes and cerebral ischemia. Other studies have looked at how acupuncture affects the performance of students during an exam, post-menopausal "brain fog", Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. All results, thus far, have been positive.

Resolution 3: Relieve Pain Naturally

If pain is keeping you from living your life to the fullest, acupuncture can help. Increasingly, people are looking for more natural approaches to help relieve painful conditions instead of relying on medications. Acupuncture has no side effects and can be helpful for all types of pain, regardless of what is causing the pain or where the pain is located. Some studies have shown the pain relief it provides can last for months.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain before and after acupuncture treatment for pain shows dramatic decreases in activity in the pain centers of the brain - up to 70%.

In addition to reducing pain, acupuncture also hastens the healing process by increasing circulation and attracting white blood cells to an injured area.

Resolution 4: Quit Smoking

Acupuncture has turned a growing number of cigarette cravers into permanent ex-smokers. In fact, researchers say that acupuncture is a promising treatment for all types of addiction from cigarettes to heroin.

In one study, a team from Yale University successfully used auricular (ear) acupuncture to treat cocaine addiction. Results showed that 54.8% of participants tested free of cocaine during the last week of treatment, compared to 23.5% and 9.1% in the two control groups. Those who completed acupuncture treatment also had longer periods of sustained abstinence compared to participants in the control groups.

The acupuncture treatments for smoking cessation focus on jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness; symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.

Resolution 5: Eliminate Stress

Stress reduction is always on the top ten list for New Year’s resolutions and for a good reason. Stress is often the cause of illness and the deterioration of health. Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and lowering blood pressure

In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole gamut of tools and techniques that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check. These tools include Tui Na, Qi Gong exercises, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, meditations and acupressure that you can administer at home.

Needless to say, if the stress in your life is throwing you off balance, consider coming in for a treatment to regain peace
of mind and stay healthy.

http://acuweightloss.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-years-rejuvenation.html
By: Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOM

Don't Live with Joint Pain!

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:24:26 +0100

LAKE TRAVIS VIEW ARTICLE: SEPTEMBER ISSUE

Arthritis affects one out of every three Americans, an estimated 70 million people. The most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and both share a very common symptom…persistent joint pain!

Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage in the joints begins to break down and eventually causes the degeneration of joints resulting in swelling, inflammation, and pain. Rheumatoid arthritis results in inflammation of the joint lining, called the synovium, and can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and redness.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine have been found to be extremely effective at treating the pain and inflammation associated with all types of arthritis. The acupuncture points and herbs that are used depend on if the blockage of Qi (arthritis) is caused by the pathogen wind, cold, damp or damp-heat.

Helpful Tips:

Eat a balanced diet to maintain or lose weight if you are overweight (extra pounds can put additional stress on your joints).
Limit your intake of dairy, greasy, or spicy foods.
Add natural anti-inflammatory herbs to your diet such as turmeric and ginger...check recipes below!
Take a whole food multivitamin, vitamin D, and fish oil capsules which contain omega-3 fatty acids.

Ginger Tea Recipe: Combine one-half teaspoon of grated ginger root with eight ounces of boiling water. Cover and steep for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain and add honey to taste.

Ginger Bath Recipe: Take 1 lb. (1/8 inch thick) of ginger and cook in boiling water until water turns a golden brown. Dredge the slices of ginger and pour decoction in bathtub. Soak the arthritic joint for 10-20 minutes.

Study on Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:28:55 +0100

Acupuncture Helps with Fibromyalgia Symptoms
By: Sam Gaines, Staff Writer

"A recent study from the Mayo Clinic found acupuncture helpful in treating the fatigue and anxiety commonly experienced by fibromyalgia patients.

In the trial, patients who received acupuncture to counter their fibromyalgia symptoms reported improvement in fatigue and anxiety, among other symptoms. Acupuncture was well tolerated, with minimal side effects.

In the double-blind study, Mayo Clinic doctors gave 25 fibromyalgia patients acupuncture, and 25 "sham" acupuncture treatments. Patients received six treatments during the two- to three-week study. Those who received acupuncture treatments reported less fatigue and anxiety one month following after treatment than did the "sham" group."

To read more on the study, CLICK HERE.

ARTICLE: Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia Syndrome

ARTICLE: Treating Fibromyalgia Naturally **11 Tips for Preventing Fibromyalgia**

Become a Fan on Facebook!

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:28:59 +0100

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GINGER...Use It!

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:53:45 +0100

Medicinal Uses for Ginger

Ginger has a powerful antiviral action, due to the twelve separate antiviral agents that have been identified in it. As such, it is a great remedy for colds and flu. Additionally, its gentle sedative effects help patients to rest, while its pain relieving action helps to alleviate symptoms like sore throats and headaches.

Ginger is most commonly used to treat mild digestive complaints. It can help with nausea and vomiting from motion sickness, pregnancy and post-operative nausea. It acts as a very mild, natural supplement to the medication that motion sickness sufferers are already taking.

Researchers have also found that ginger can alleviate the aches and pains of chemotherapy treatment, although this is still unproven. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, easing the symptoms of arthritis and other joint conditions.

Ginger increases bile secretion, helping to prevent liver toxicity. It is also packed full of flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that will keep you looking fresh and slow the effects of aging...can't beat that!!!

New to the blog world!

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:17:58 +0100

Hello Friends, Family, and Patients!
I have never done this before but I think it will be a great way to inform everyone about upcoming events, new research, exciting nutrition tips, and whatever else I feel like sharing! So get excited and check back frequently...don't get behind.
Allison

P.S. I just got back from the Lakeway/Lake Travis Rotary Club meeting and met some really genuine people...enjoyed speaking to you all today.