Archive for the ‘Genera Natural Health’ Category

Diabetes and Dementia

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Recently one of my readers recently wrote in and was very concerned about her mother’s recent diagnosis of dementia, and especially how this condition made her remembering to deal with her diabetes even more difficult.

Recent studies have shown that about one third of patients that have developed dementia also have suffered from damage to the small blood vessels.  Damage to blood vessels is one of the key concerns with patients that have uncontrolled diabetes.  Blood vessel damage can occur in the brain which could be a contributing factor for a stroke, which also is a contributing factor to dementia.

The reader expressed concern that her mother would now be even more forgetful about what types of food to eat (and not to eat!). Also the forgetfulness was affecting her remembering to get up and walk daily which is very important in regards to reducing blood sugar levels.  Daily walking also assists in maintaining muscle tone and helps to insure that legs and joints remain as strong as possible.
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This is Your Brain On: Aspartame

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Back in June I published an article that talked about my staff member whose daughter dissolved some baby teeth in sugared soda drinks.  The response was interesting because I got a few emails in which people agreed with the point that sugar rots teeth, and so it’s best to avoid sugared sodas.  So instead of drinking the full-calorie sodas, they drink diet ones.

The actual point was to drink more water and try to abandon soda altogether.  While there is a point that most things are okay in moderation, such as sugared drinks, some items are best left out of consideration.  Diet drinks fall into this category for the most part, but specifically the ones artificially sweetened with aspartame.

A simple internet search of aspartame yielded 3 trends that I noticed.  The first trend was the number of competitor products that talked about how horrible it is and all the research that has been conducted to back up the claims.
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Foot Soup: Do you Supinate, or Pronate?

Monday, August 9th, 2010

No, I really don’t intend on eating or offering anything called Foot Soup. But this was an easy way to remember at test time in anatomy classes the difference between supine and prone.

If you hold your hands out in front of you and turn them palms-up, as if you were carrying bowls of soup, this is supinating.  If you roll your thumbs down and the back of your hands are up, as if pouring out the soup, you are pronating.

Now that we have the anatomy refresher out of the way, let’s talk about ankle pain and arthritis.

I was in a shoe store the other day and they had some very impressive gadgets to help runners and walkers determine what type of shoe would be best for their feet.

First, you stand on this machine that shows in all its color-coded glory where your feet are experiencing the most force while standing.  This, I am told, is a great way to determine if your arches are too high or if you are flat-footed.
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Gestational Diabetes

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Gestational diabetes is one of the lesser known forms of diabetes mellitus. In fact, most women are not even aware of it, as there are a few symptoms that are normally ascribed to the various changes that occur during pregnancy. It is important to note that gestational diabetes can occur even if there is no previous history of high blood sugar.

Gestational diabetes occurs in 3-10% pregnancies and is usually revealed in diagnostic tests performed during pregnancy. There is also no known reason why blood sugar levels shoot up in some pregnant women, but it is believed that it is due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy. Hormones produced during pregnancy are believed to increase insulin resistance, which impairs glucose tolerance. Insulin resistance is classified as diabetes mellitus type II, a condition where the body’s cells are unable to absorb glucose to derive energy.

According to its medical definition, gestational diabetes is ‘any degree of glucose intolerance with the onset or first recognition of pregnancy.’ Although associated with pregnancy, this does not rule out the possibility of prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes type II before pregnancy. The bottom line is that it can be diagnosed, but whether diabetes subsides after childbirth, it is open to doubt.
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How does your Garden Grow?

Monday, June 7th, 2010

There are not very many people who would dispute the numerous benefits of growing your own organic fruits and vegetables, especially today with the increase in the price of everything, including food.  Having a vegetable garden is not always that easy, though.

Many people in closed-in areas have limited space availability, limited water, or both.  Some people work so many hours trying to stay caught up that gardening just isn’t practical. However, there are some things that you can do easily with limited resources to have fresh veggies and herbs, grown by you, that have great health benefits. (more…)

MSG and its Effects on the Body

Monday, January 18th, 2010

I was watching a television show recently where a man went to a Chinese restaurant and asked the waiter, “Does your food contain MSG?” To that, the waiter replied, “Do you want MSG?” The man replied, “No, of course not,” to which the waiter responded, “Never had it, never will!”

This sort of got me to thinking. I can recall when I first heard of Monosodium glutamate (MSG). At the time, it was the latest and greatest thing. These days, everyone seems to be scrambling to avoid it.

I avoid it as well but I wondered just how many people avoid it for their health without actually knowing what it is and what ill side effects are associated with MSG.

MSG is a chemically created flavor enhancer. It has been used since the early 1900s when the Japanese “discovered” it.

It is used in many types of foods including soups, any ready-to-eat meal, processed foods like, canned meat, vegetables, fish and condiments. Basically, you’d have to look to avoid it.

MSG is also hidden by certain word substitutes on the labels. Look for “natural flavorings” or “hydrolyzed sodium.”

OK, so what’s the big deal? I don’t mind a little flavor enhancer if it makes my food better and I don’t suffer as a result.

The problem is that for many, there are side effects of MSG and not all of them are minor. MSG is actually an excitotoxin. This means that its chemical makeup does actually “excite” the brain’s neurons (brain cells) and can in some cases, cause them to die.

Side effects can include rashes, headaches and symptoms of allergies such as sneezing, wheezing and nasal discharge.

As this chemical additive affects the brain, it can for many, exacerbate an already existing neurological disorder such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.

Serious and potentially life-threatening side effects credited back to MSG include asthma attacks, brain cell death, seizures and even tumors.

Yes, taste is great but so is our health. In the end, natural is best so in order to ensure optimal brain activity and health, I avoid MSG and would encourage others to do so.

I also highly recommend my Dementia program for anyone suffering from dementia or mild Alzheimer’s. The exercises are all natural and results are guaranteed!

EL331002

What’s Your New Year’s Resolution?

Friday, December 25th, 2009

If you are like me and my family and friends, you’ve all just enjoyed at least one day of merriment and fellowship with those you love this holiday season.

Additionally, you’ve also likely been tempted and even given into over indulging in eating. How often do we cook such a “spread?” Worse, if we aren’t cooking we are obliged to eat whatever “Aunt Sally” has labored over.

It’s also a fact that food isn’t the only problem we face in maintaining health. It’s such a busy and stressful time of year when trying to budget for presents, getting our kids to their extracurricular events and finishing up priorities at work.

Often times, these things take a toll on our health. Are you finding time to exercise each day? Are you remembering to visit your doctor and if he/she has prescribed medicine, have you remembered to take it?

“I can’t afford to be sick.” I hear this so often, but so many people these days really mean it. Whether people can’t afford the time to rest or the money they will miss by staying home to rest, the result is the same – it’s your personal health that suffers.

This is why I truly believe in creating a New Year’s resolution. I also encourage each and every one of you to make a resolution this year!

What I also encourage is a plan. Whether it’s quitting smoking, losing weight or exercising daily, the number one reason people fail at their resolution is that they DON’T MAKE A PLAN.

You don’t decide to take a cross-country trip and then just get in your car and go do you? For the logical person, the answer is “no.” We take our car in to the repair shop and get a health check, repairing any mechanical issues before we start our trip.

Additionally, we request time off from work and ensure our absence isn’t going to create issues for others. We pack accordingly to the weather, which we’ve been watching to ensure we have nice weather for our trip.

This is exactly what we need to do when we are attempting to improve our health. Yes, agreeing that a change is needed is a hugely important step but it’s not the only one. Practicality, while not as much fun, is just as important.

Also important is realizing that change is a process. If you slip and miss a day of exercise or over eat, you don’t have to quit your plan. It’s not ruined – go back over your plan and point out “lessons learned” to help ensure success down the road.

For many, losing weight, stopping snoring, and lowering blood pressure are great examples of New Year’s resolutions. They are important because each of these are considered “silent killers.” Most people don’t see or feel the adverse effects until permanent damage has been done.

Many others though, are currently living in pain. Whether its neck pain, headache and migraine, fibromyalgia, TMJ, acid reflux or vertigo, people with these conditions can’t help but be reminded (every day in some cases) that they have a health issue.

Many of you with these conditions have been told by professionals that it’s in your head (fibromyalgia usually gets this response) or that there is nothing to be done for the condition.

If there is something to be done it usually involves prescription medicines, which can have dangerous and potentially life-threatening side effects. Often times, these medicines don’t treat the condition or the cure is worse than the treatment due to the harsh side effects of the medicine.

This is why I am so proud of my programs. They are all natural – no pills to remember to take. They are easy to do breathing and relaxation exercises which provide, in most cases, near immediate relief. Client feedback from those who have been helped has been overwhelming!

I encourage you to explore my blog site today. There, you can find more detailed information on each of my programs (located on right side of page).

El331002

Health Benefits of Spinach – It’s a Super Food for Certain!

Friday, December 4th, 2009

“Eat your spinach so you can be strong like Popeye!” While still a child, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it but now as an adult, I understand – my mother and the cartoon creator were part of a propaganda conspiracy towards children.

What I also didn’t realize then is just how amazing the health benefits of spinach are. Spinach is at the top of the super foods list for a reason.

Just take a look at all of the nutrients provided in spinach: vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, magnesium, manganese, Vitamin C, iron, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), potassium, calcium, vitamin E, dietary fiber, folic acid, carotenoids, lutein, omega 3 fatty acids, protein, vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B3 (niacin), phosphorus, zinc and the list goes on!

Why are these important for health? Let’s start with vitamins A, C, folic acid, dietary fiber and magnesium. These nutrients have been long known for their abilities to ward off cancer, especially lung, breast and colon cancers.

Additionally, folic acid is also important in that it helps prevent a certain birth defect that happens during the first two weeks of pregnancy - before most women even realize they are pregnant. If one keeps in mind that half of all pregnancies are unplanned, this is especially important.

Vitamin A and C are also excellent antioxidants. They actually help prevent the ability of cholesterol to stick to artery walls, which allows for better blood and oxygen flow to the major organs including the heart and brain, thus preventing heart attacks and stroke.

Lutein in spinach has been found to help prevent cataracts. The riboflavin in spinach has shown promise in preventing migraine attacks. The calcium content in spinach is excellent for bone strength and has shown to help prevent against osteoporosis.

A recent study has shown that ingesting 3 servings of dark leafy greens like spinach (kale, collards, Swiss chard, turnip greens and bok choy are also nutrient rich like spinach) per day helped ward of age related memory loss and mental decline by up to 40%!

The iron in spinach is an excellent source for energy which can in turn lead to more physical activity, which can then lead to weight loss and improved muscle tone. At only 40 calories per cup (uncooked), and with more than twice the fiber than regular lettuce, this is a salad which will fill you up.

Unlike the Popeye cartoon, the best way to retrieve the nutrients in spinach is to consume it uncooked as with a spinach salad. Cooked spinach, however, is full of flavor and is quite versatile – it can easily be added to foods for extra taste and nutritional content.

It can be added to lasagna and other pasta dishes, soups and many other meals in order to easily help fulfill your daily dietary needs.

Spinach is great for heart and health but if you have specific concerns, I highly recommend both my High Blood Pressure program and my Weight Loss Breeze program. These programs are all natural, and easy to get started. Best of all, they work!

EL331002

Stress and the Holidays – How are You Coping?

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

As the favorite Christmas song goes, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” but is it? Don’t get me wrong, Most people love the holidays. It’s a chance to get together with families, exchange presents and eat like there’s no tomorrow.

The problem is that for many of these same people, the very things listed above can contribute to stress.

In fact, one recent study by a leading mental health group determined that the most commonly reported stressors during the holidays are concern over finances, memories and emotions concerning relatives who have died and having too many activities going on at once.

Also making the list were concerns over spending time with family, over indulging and concerns about being alone.

Of those who reported additional stress, people of color (specifically Latinos and Native Americans) and women reported the most stress. Parents, as compared to people with no children also reported more stress.

Many of my clients write to me asking me how to help reduce their stress level during the holidays. Many are helped just by recognizing what their stressors are but I was amazed by the number of people who know the stressor, e.g., spending time with family and still don’t know what to do.

For many, avoiding the stress simply isn’t an option. By avoiding family, for example, my clients felt that would create even more stress and tension and the damaging effects would be more long term.

All we have to do is get through the holidays, right? Wrong. Starting January 2, many people report feelings of depression, anxiety, feeling “down and even illness.

Why would this happen after the stressful event(s)? This is because stress, unmanaged, can take a huge toll on one’s mental AND physical health.

What can one do about managing stress? Number one is budget. This is a timely subject, given our current economic crisis. If saving extra for the holidays simply isn’t an option, consider cutting back and getting creative in gift ideas.

Don’t feel you have to purchase for everyone. Perhaps agree with your extended family and friends that you will do a gift swap or only purchase for the children. Many who are likely in a similar situation will be actually be relieved to hear you suggest this.

Don’t feel like you need to be responsible for everything. If you are hosting a meal, don’t be shy about requesting specific food items that others need to bring. Also, why not split up get-togethers so as not to burden one person or family with the responsibility.

Also important is to take time for you, even if only an hour a day. Go for a jog, do yoga, read a book or even take a bath. As long as you are focusing on only you - this is the key.

Attending a holiday gathering specifically for adults is also recommended. The holidays are already so focused on your children, don’t feel guilty about getting away from them for an evening and enjoying yourself as a couple or single.

I also highly recommend my all natural programs to treat a number of common but previously considered incurable conditions (located to the right of my blog page) to help in managing stress. The programs are easy to do but best of all, they work!

EL331002

How Does My Illness Affect My Ability to Take in Oxygen?

Monday, November 16th, 2009

It’s again timely that I write about side effects of illnesses such as cold, influenza (flu) and sinus infection which cause the body not to be able to take in oxygen properly.

How many of you become “mouth breathers” due to the fact that your nasal passages are blocked? Many don’t always realize there are problems because of the way we adapt to this.

If we can’t breathe in normally through the nose, we compensate by breathing in and out through the mouth. Yes, oxygen is still being delivered but not in the proper way.

Each nostril has five cranial nerves delivering signals from different parts of the brain, which the mouth does not. They are responsible for warming, filtering, moisturizing, dehumidifying, air and also for smelling.

The nostrils are also smaller, obviously, than the mouth. The lungs take in oxygen both in the inhale and exhale. When we breathe in and out through our noses, it allows the air coming in and out to slow down and allows the lungs to capture the oxygen and properly deliver it to the blood, which in turn properly delivers oxygen to the organs and other tissues.

Breathing in and out through the nose also maintains proper balance between carbon dioxide and oxygen. When mouth breathing, carbon dioxide is lost to quickly, resulting in poor oxygen absorption.

Over time, mouth breathing can result in chronic halitosis (bad breath), not to mention more serious health risks such as asthma, snoring and sleep apnea, which can then lead to hypertension (high blood pressure).

There are those who suffer from chronic sinus conditions or deviated septum, which forces them to always breathe through their mouths. For others, chronic illness affecting the nasal passages changes their breathing habits and they become accustomed to mouth breathing.

Many don’t realize that even when awake, they aren’t properly taking in oxygen, let alone when they sleep. Most people, unless told by their sleeping partner, aren’t even aware that they snore or stop breathing during sleep (sleep apnea).

For many short term illnesses, there are of course, medications to help alleviate the problem but all medications have potentially serious side effects, even over the counter medications. This is especially true if one is already taking medications heart conditions such as hypertension.

If you have been told that you snore or have mild sleep apnea, I highly encourage you to try my Stop Snoring program. The all natural breathing exercises are effective – especially for those who have developed bad breathing habits due to recurring sinus infections, etc.

EL331002


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