Would Ayurveda Work For You

How could something so old be so new?  Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old health modality which is used world-wide although its therapeutic techniques differ slightly geographically.  Ayurveda, which has gained popularity in Asia, is also slowly gaining steam Western society as a branch in the newly popular Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).  According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a comprehensive survey of CAM use by Americans, more than 200,000 U.S. adults used Ayurvedic medicine in the previous year (NCCAM.org).

I never hear of it, are you sure it is effective? Since it is relatively new, not many studies have been extensively conducted, and unfortunately modern science often has trouble translating this 5,000 year old modality into today's scientific analysis.  Since researchers also point out that the emphasis of Ayurveda is on providing different kinds of treatments for different people having the same disease; the ability to draw generalizeable conclusions is often very limited.   However, with the advancement of technology and as the popularity of Ayurveda spreads, new methods in research will be developed to study Ayurvedic extensively, and bring it to the forefront of Western medicine.  

What is the difference between Ayurvedic medicine and the medicine my doctor prescribes?   The practice of Ayurveda involves the use of medications that typically contain herbs, metals, minerals, or other materials.  While other countries have taken steps to address some of the concerns about these medications, such safeguards in America has not been actively implemented yet.  Efforts are required to improve the standards of Ayurvedic medications.  

What does the science say about this?  Ayurveda has shown to be successfull in treating asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and ischemic heart disease.  Yoga and meditation has been known to help with insomnia and other sleep disorders.  Best of all, the Ayurveda diet has been shown to slim the waistline.

How can I get more information?  While there is a lot of information out on the internet, it is important to get the correct information.  I recommend the following website:

NCCAM

To find a practitioner near you, visit:

Life Positive 
Alternatives for Healing

Ayurveda College 

        

      

        

References:

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.  http://nccam.nih.gov/health/ayurveda  Accessed November 11, 2011

Patwardhan B, Warude D, Pushpangadan P, Bhatt N. Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine: A comparative overview.  eCAM. 2005;2(4):465-473.

Manjunath NK, Telles S. Influence of yoga & Ayurveda on self-rated sleep in a geriatric population. Indian J Med Res. 2005;121:683-690.

Rastogi S. Building bridges between Ayurveda and modern science. In J Ayurveda Res. 2010;1(1):41-46.

Furst D, Venkatraman MM et al. Well controlled, double blind, placebo controlled trials of classical ayurvedic treatment are possible in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2011; 70: 392-393

Prakash V, Prakash S et al. Sustainable effect of ayurvedic formulations in the treatment of nutritional anemia in adolescent students. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2010; 16(2): 205-211

Falkenback A, Oberguggenberger R. Ayurveda in ankylosing spondylitis and low back pain. Ann Rheum Dis. 2003;62:276-277.

Singh, RH. Exploring larger evidence-base for contemporary Ayurveda. Int J Ayurveda Res. 2010;1(2): 65-66.

Walash, H. The efficacy paradox in randomized controlled trials of CAM and the placebo trap. Journal of alternative & complementary medicine. 2001;7(3):213-218.

Miller FG, Emanuel EJ, Rosenstein DL, Straus SE. Ethical issues concerning research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine. JAMA. 2004;291:599-604.

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Yin & Yang

The light and dark side of the mountain: the symbolism of energy within and without.  The two opposing forces which consists in every aspect of being, yin and yang, impacts our very existence. Within our existence, is our life force energy, or qi, which flows in everything and through everyone.  Maintaining a proper balance of qi, particularly yin and yang, creates harmony, a sort of homeostasis; similarly, an imbalance begets disharmony. It is this imbalance that allows our entire being to succumb to disease, our organs to fail and increases our susceptibility to disease.

Understanding a little more about qi: Master Duan Zhi-Liang Wuji Qigong Master Shur Qigong Master

One major disease yin and yang imbalance is associated with is cancer. It is suggested that lin28/let-7 signaling link can be viewed much like a yin and yang balancing act. Consistent with this concept, lin28 and let-7 have been shown to have opposing expression patterns suggesting that this yin and yang imbalance is mainly associated with tumor progression and functions in development and tumor progression.  In mast cells where the suppressor and activator roles of mast cells in allergic inflammation are opposites. During allergic exacerbations there is an imbalance of mast cell functions which result in the symptoms related to allergic asthma and food allergy. During remission the balance is restored.  

One more disease viewed differently in Chinese medicine is diabetes, which is called xiao ke, or "wasting thirst syndrome". It is believed in Chinese medicine that there is a deficiency of yin, thus creating fake heat which affects the lungs, stomach and kidneys. The Chinese medicine understanding of what causes diabetes is very similar to Allopathic medicine in that those who eat/drink too much alcohol, sugar or fat (all yang foods) and live a sedentary life will develop xaio ke. Toxic heat develops which is thought to consume vital organs’ fluids and causes malfunction and disharmony between lung, stomach and kidney.
The combination of Allopathic and Chinese medicine can be shown in the example of insulin and glucagon:

We can ascertain by their functions, insulin would represent yin energy while glucagon represents yang energy.  One cannot function without the other, and without both in balance, the body becomes diseased.
Knowledge of yin and yang energy can help in the prevention, diagnosis, and cure of diseases, even where Allopathic medicine lacks.  It would behoove Allopathic medicine greatly to adopt this paradigm, and it would also benefit the millions of people who suffer from diseases in which there is no known cure for in Allopathic medicine. 






Sources:
A.D. Kraneveld, et al., The two faces of mast cells in food allergy and allergic asthma: The possible concept of Yin Yang , Biochim. Biophys. Acta (2011)
Ageless Herbs. Traditional Chinese Medicine .Yin Yang Theory. Catherine Browne, L.Ac., MH, Dipl.Ac . Retrieved on 11/4/11
Ho, L. Robertson, M. The Yin and Yang of Diabetes. Exploring Chinese medicine's understanding of diabetes mellitus.
J.B. Soriano, A. Agustı, Eur Respir J 2008; 32: 1426–1427 COPD: or balancing repair (yang) and inflammation (yin)
Junfang Ji, Xin Wei Wang A Yin-Yang balancing act of the lin28/let-7 link in tumorigenesis
Journal of Hepatology Volume 53, Issue 5, November 2010, Pages 974-975
K. Maiese, Yin Yang: A Balancing Act for Oxidative Stress, Volume 3 (2010), Issue 4, Pages 227-227, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
Monti, Daniel A. and Yang, Jingduan, "Complementary medicine in chronic cancer care" (2004).Jefferson Myrna Brind Center of Integration Medicine Faculty Papers.
Source: adapted from"Protein Power."
Diabetes Health, Investigate, inform, inspire. Yin and Yang: Balancing Insulin and Glucagon. Retrieved on 11/4/11 from http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2000/02/01/1789/yin-and-yang-balancing-insulin-and-glucagon
Shen-Nong Limited 2002-2005 “Understanding Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang” April 25-2009 http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/kidneyyinyang.html

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Is Food Medicine?

I have said that food is medicine for years.  But I wanted to make the distinction between real foods, fake foods and functional foods.  We all know that proper nutrition is necessary for a healthy body. A diet with a variety of foods and a variety of colors will keep our bodies running well.  And we live in a society which all sorts of foods from all over the world can be obtained.  Science has taught us that no matter what, a diet with a lot of fruits and vegetables, lean meats and complex carbs will help our bodies to run optimally. 

Real foods, as I call them, are foods almost in the raw.  Foods which don't take a lot of processing to make it what it is.  But I also consider real foods to be untampered with, foods that come from a source not injected with chemicals, not sprayed with chemicals, not molested with unnatural processes to make it bulky or Frankenstein-ish.  When foods are put through these processes, I call them fake foods. Fake foods come from a variety of sources, including factories, processing plants, and even some farms.  Identifying these foods can be as simple as looking at the ingredient lists and finding more than 4 ingredients in the product, or worse, finding unknown words in the ingredient lists.  Fake meat comes from animals which sit in small pens or cages, are fed by-products from factories or plants, stand in their own feces and urine for any length of time, and are injected with anything to make them healthier or better.  Avoid this group of foods when at all possible.

The third group of food I like to comment on is a group of foods called functional foods.  Originally starting as early as the '80s, functional foods, dubbed "neutraceuticals" by some, includes foods with essential nutrients necessary for the body to function properly. Some of these can be as natural as an organic blueberry, and some as synthetic as a diet aid.   I am really iffy on this third group of foods because most of them have a pharmaceutical element and can be harmful.  I do use synthetically produced functional foods to my advantage sometimes, but I research them extensively first.    

Furthermore, depending on which professional you ask depends on the exact definition and the preference for or against them.  In short, functional foods are only one aspect of the human diet, and diet is only one aspect of a healthy lifestyle.  Functional foods can sometimes be part of an effective strategy to promote good health, but they should never be considered a substitute for other good health habits and they should be cautioned when used in place of medically prescribed therapy for any health problem.

Keeping this in mind, we know that functional foods can, and do, offer health benefits over fake food.  Plus, it is important to know that most real foods and some functional foods are one in the same, and are fantastic foods to include into the diet; foods such as yogurt and organic dairy, organic nuts and seeds, lintels and beans, whole grains, herbs, organic fruits and vegetables, wild game, holistic meats, etc.  It is also important to note that  these foods are the primary foods we need in our diet on a daily basis.

Neutraceuticals, on the other hand, can be quite processed.  These include protein powders, diet pills and shakes, weight-loss/fitness items, enhanced milks, fortified food items, supplements, extracts, and tinctures.  I must make it clear that many processed products are not as healthy as they claim to be, and are not a substitute for real food.  An example would be soda pop with antioxidants, although it has benefits over other soda beverages, it still contains high amounts of HFCS, sodium, and other not-so-healthy substances.  This is not to say that when consuming soda, picking antioxidant enriched pop is a better choice than its counterparts. 

It is important to keep functional foods in perspective when they are consumed, not to assume that they offer the magic bullet against major health problems, but that they can offer vital nutrients otherwise lacking in the diet, or a better option than the comparative products. They provide an opportunity to enhance our nutritional needs, however they do not replace our cornerstone of good nutrition.  

In summery, here are some of my rules when considering what foods to include in your diet, and what not to include:

1.  Listen to your intuition.  If it sounds like a scam or hoax, it probably is.  

2.  Is it backed by science?  Always research the items you consume.  Some questions to ask are:

A) Where does it come from? 

B) Who makes it, what else do they make? 

C) How is it made?  

D) What is in it?  

E) Is everything that is in it safe? 

3. Pick up a book specializing in botanical pharmacology written by a CCH, FNIMH, AHG, ND, or MD.  My favorite author happens to be David Hoffman.  But other authors can also suffice as well.  Also, scholarly medical journals can offer insight into some products and their ingredients marketed.  Use the book(s) as a reference when buying products, or unsure of what foods can be used in order to enhance the diet.  

4.  Learn a little about anatomy and physiology.  Knowing how the body functions is just as important as knowing how the foods we eat help the body to function.  Learn a little about each organ, a little about the hormones the body produces, and a little about the body's functions and actions.  This way we are empowered to make the best choices when bombarded with sales tactics and marketing claims.   

5.  We should remain skeptical about whether these "functional" foods are useful for everyone.  Sometimes, we just don't need certain enhanced foods.  Everyone is different, and just because your friend/colleague/spouse takes something, doesn't mean you need to take it.  Know and trust your own body!  When in doubt, and many of us can be at times, ask a professional if you genuinely need it or if it is just a waste of your money; and in most cases, hyped products are.      

References

Clare M. Hasler, 2002 The American Society for Nutritional Sciences J. Nutr. 132:3772-3781, December 2002 Functional Foods: Benefits, Concerns and Challenges—A Position Paper from the American Council on Science and Health

"Functional Foods." Encyclopedia of Food & Culture. Ed. Solomon H. Katz. Vol. 2. Gale Cengage, 2003

Meister, K. MA. Facts About Functional Foods retrieved on 11/20/11 from http://www.acsh.org/publications/pubID.348/pub_detail.asp

Eat Right, The American Dietetic Assoc. Functional Foods, Volume 109, Issue 4, Pages 735-746 (April 2009)

The New York Times, Business Day. Foods with Benefits, or So They Say. Retrieved on 10/20/11 from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/business/15food.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1

European Food Information Council. FOOD TODAY 12/1999 Functional Foods

Torpy, J. (2002) Medical News & Perspectives Integrating Complementary Therapy Into Care. [Electronic version] JAMA. 287(3):306-307.

Ebbing, M; Bonaa, K; Nygard, O; Arnesen, E; Ueland, P; Nordrehaug, J; Rasmussen, K; Njolstad, I; Refsum, H; Nilsen, D; Tverdal, A; Meyer, K; Vollset, S. (2009) Cancer Incidence and Mortality After Treatment With Folic Acid and Vitamin B₁₂ [Electronic version] JAMA. 2009;302(19):2119-2126.

Zhang, S; Cook, N; Albert, C; Gaziano, J; Buring, J;  Manson, J. (2008) Effect of Combined Folic Acid, Vitamin B₆, and Vitamin B₁₂ on Cancer Risk in Women: A Randomized Trial. [Electronic version]   JAMA. 2008;300(17):2012-2021.

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Office-Chair Butt

Just recently, I had started my second-to-last semester for my MS-IHW.  I was really excited because I can see the finish line right around the corner: about six months away from accomplishing one of my life-long goals.  Unfortunately, reality hit me in the face as homework began to pile up and haunt me.  Only two weeks into the game when already I have put in almost forty hours of work into school.  Whats worse, all those hours have been spent plugging away in front of the computer.
On the flip side, nothing around the house is getting done.  Dishes are piled up in the sink, the floor is quite hairy, and a weeks worth of laundry is piled up next to the washer; outside is worse, the neighbors are starting to notice the jungle growth consuming the house.  My work has taken a toll as well, I have not talked to anyone about going green in the past two weeks, and my paychecks have suffered.
What is most horrifying, however, is my butt.  In the past two weeks, my butt has gotten bigger!  It is spreading out to fit into the chair I sit in for 50+ hours per week.  Now I do not believe in calories, or the fact that my eating has much to do with this phenomenon.  But what happened to me in the past two weeks has shocked me.  I have gained a whopping 13 lbs and a pant size.  Something has to give; other than a button I mean.
So today I really looked at what I have been eating.  Lots of fruits, some vegetables, a little tuna, a little chicken, bread, rice, and a few desserts every now and again.  I also have been drinking honey tea and soda a lot lately.  I have been eating my meals around 9am, 1pm, and snacking at 3pm and 630pm.  I also have been slacking on exercise which in not good at all.

After I took about 20 minutes to sit down and really think about a plan, I came up with this.  I am going to up the amount of vegetables I eat, and reduce the amount of fruits.  I also am going to switch from soda and honey tea to seltzer water and coffee.  I also bought a months supply of Attain bars (protein bars with crave blocker), and a months supply of Access powder (natural weight loss drink) to mix with my coffee.  Access is supposed to be used during exercise, however, I am curious to find out if it will work without exercise.  I will have to blog about that later.
My new routine is simple and works around my school and work schedule. 
Every morning, I wake up with a cup of coffee mixed with two scoops of Access powder. 
Then I do several chores around the house.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I hit the gym. 
I eat a quick Attain bar if I get munchy before lunch, then hit the computer to start work. 
For lunch, I am eliminating breads and including more vegetables, perhaps a chicken salad would suffice.         I eat a small dinner before 4 of vegetables with a little protein.
Then I take the dogs for their afternoon walk.
Dessert will be eaten after lunch instead of after supper, this way, the body is not forced to conserve the sugar while I am sleeping.

Since I have started this today, we will see what the results are by the end of this school semester.  I am hoping to keep the office-chair butt syndrome from appearing.  We will have to see what happens.          

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Treating ADHD Naturally

ADD, ADID, and ADHD are growing problems in the United States.  Although Colorado remains to have one of the lowest incidence rates in the nation for these disorders, the overall growth of these disorders are growing at an alarming rate. Being a developmental, psychiatric disorder in children, and now adults, it affects about 5% of children world wide.
Diagnosing these disorders may be difficult as the symptoms may mimic other disorders, such as PTSD, OCD, ODD, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression, among others.  Symptoms may be masked, overlooked, and even unrecognized if other disorders are present.  Caretakers, clinicians, teachers, or counselors who are not properly trained may also have difficulty differentiating the symptoms of these disorders from other disorders.  Often times, diagnosing males is often easier than females, however there is some argument as why this phenomenon occurs.  
In the U.S. medications are commonly used for behavior modifications.  Some children receive counseling and may undergo lifestyle changes as well to cope with the disorder.  In families where these disorders are not recognized, severe punishments, ridicule, and even abuse can be found.
The exact cause for these disorders is unknown, and actually may be a combination of factors which produce the symptoms of these disorders.  It is found, however, that there is a genetic component in most cases; where dopamine transmitters and receptors are less active.  One theory suggests that these genes played a part in human evolution where a nomadic lifestyle, hunting and gathering were an essential part of life.  Studies have recently concluded that the genes responsible for ADHD have been found in some nomadic tribes in Africa and offer an advantage over other more stationary tribes.
Treating ADD, ADID, and  ADHD naturally is under debate.  Although allopathic treatments, such as methylphenidates offer noticeable results, academic performance is not necessarily enhanced and often side-effects of the medication prohibits a normal lifestyle.  Addiction to medication is common.  Counseling may or may not help, but can't hurt in most cases.
Hypersensitivity to chemicals may be another cause to some of the symptoms.  Residues of cleaning agents, pesticides, and synthetic chemicals may enhance or aggravate these disorders.  Chemicals put in foods, bath and body products, and cosmetics also may aggravate or heighten symptoms.  Sodium Hyperchloride, for example, used in over 95% of American households as a cleaning agent, has been shown to disrupt brain functioning and aggravate pulmonary-respiratory diseases.
Common natural treatments for ADD, ADID, and ADHD, include diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.  Limiting food dyes, preservatives, sugars, and synthetic chemicals helps tremendously.  Stabilizing blood sugar throughout the day makes a noticeable difference in attitude, focus, and hyperactivity. Eliminating poisons and toxic chemicals  from the environment by switching to naturally derived cleaners and detergents also may help.  By increasing the amount of exercise/activity throughout the day makes a difference in most individuals; enrolling in sports, martial arts, dance, improv theatre, clubs, or other activities promotes camaraderie and allows for hyperstimulation which has a calming effect on many individuals with the disorders.
Treating ADD, ADID, and ADHD with supplements is another effective route.  Super-absorbent vitamins and phytonutrients provides the brain with supportive nutrients.  Proanthocyanidin, found in some plants including grapes, is an essential bioflavonoid necessary for eslastin and collagen production as well as proper blood vessel elasticity, and has been linked to more efficient brain functioning, including memory and mental focus.  Omega-3 fatty acids also help with cognitive brain function, as well as stabilizes mood patterns.  Valerian root has a calming effect on most with the disorders.  Ginkgo biloba has been shown to maximize cerebral circulation and enhance focus.
Other lifestyle changes, such as behavioral modification and discipline help.  "1. 2. 3. Magic" (http://www.parentmagic.com/)  and "ADDitude" (http://www.additudemag.com/topic/parenting-adhd-children/parenting-tips.html) are fantastic disciplinary programs geared toward troubled and difficult children.  Other programs, such as "Love & Logic" (http://www.loveandlogic.com/) and other traditional parenting strategies may or may not be as effective on impulsive and defiant behaviors.  Trial by error may be in order to find the perfect balance of discipline response and self preservation.
Maintaining health and happiness is best for any child, but it is extremely important for one with ADD, ADID, or ADHD.  Just remember, every moment counts.  Keeping a positive attitude is essential.  Moreover, love and respect can defy all possibilities.     

             

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Protein

I recently read that the Center for Disease Control claims that Americans eat way too much protein.  But is this the case, or are we just eating too much altogether?  Nutritionists recommend that the average person eat about 60 grams of protein daily.  But which protein?  There are many different types of proteins, and the body metabolizes each type of protein differently (not to make it more confusing).  In early med school, I was taught that lean meat the size of a deck of cards, cooked vegetables about the size of my palm, and large spoonful of whole grains was a satisfactory dinner.  However, I must argue that not all people eat like this.  I sure as hell don't!  I enjoy a plethora of cuisine, including wild game, different salads, BBQ, and exotic palates such as sushi and calamari.  I can honestly say that I have tried some exotic dishes that would have the normal American's stomach turn upside-down.  
With that said, I also want to emphasize that eating for disease prevention must be an important attribute to anyone's diet, however, many Americans face the diet intervention as a consequence of obtaining a preventable disease.  I should know, I was pre-diabetic and I was put on a regimen of pills to choke on and was put on a low calorie diet to lose weight (may I add that it didn't work because calories are not the cause of obesity). 
But I digress.  Through many years of research and experimentation, I have figured out how much protein to consume and what types my body prefers.  I don't measure, I don't count, and I don't restrict my intake of protein.  Most importantly, I listen to my body's needs instead of listening to a "professional" telling me how much I need.  These are my personal rules, which can be personalized by anyone looking to slim down, prevent disease, and feel awesome.   

1. Eat protein in the morning.  Eating a plate-full of protein will level out blood sugar and help the body stay fuller - longer.  I personally like a ham & cheese omelet with fresh vegetables, or a protein shake on the go.  Limiting sugar, starches, and fruit in the morning will help your energy levels stay up throughout the morning.

2.  Eat legumes and lentils everyday.  These plant-based proteins do not cause cancer like animal-based proteins do.  Satiating a meal with a few spoonfuls of plant protein will help the body feel better in the afternoons.

3. Eat holistic meats and wild game when possible.  It is really important to eat the best meat possible from animals which are holistically raised and harvested, free from hormones, immunizations, synthetic chemicals, harmful by-products and pesticides, and only naturally fed on an open range. Wild game, which has been properly harvested can offer the best choice of meat, and help decrease cancer risk, cholesterol, and obesity.

4. Avoid animals with mercury.  Unfortunately, high levels of heavy metals can interlace with protein structures in fish and other amphibious-type animals (including some fowl, frogs, alligators).  These types of meats should be avoided since mercury and heavy metals can cause brain and central nervous system damage, liver and kidney troubles, and other damaging effects.  

5. Eat holistic meat as rare as possible.  Meats with char marks, cooked at high temperatures, can develop carcinogens within the meat.  When cooking meat, it should be cooked as low as possible for the least amount of time as possible.  A guideline for red meat is about 160 degrees on the inside, and 180 for poultry.   

     

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Once More Linked to Technology

I tried being internetless.  It really didn't work out for me.  I missed the conveniences it created, from online banking to blogging, and the interaction I had between friends on mediums such as Facebook and Skype.  I did not mind, however, the amount of time I had for other things, such as gardening, walking the dogs, and domestic chores. What happened, though, the time that was created by having no internet was used up through daily activities which had to be done the old fashioned way.  Instead of logging into my bank account to pay a bill, I had to wait until the paper version came in the mail, write a check for it, put the bill stub and check in the envelope, stamp it, and take it to the post office drop box.    
In the end, I did succumb to the demands of the fast-paced internet world.  No more traveling to the library or my parents' house to use the internet.  I can pay my bills without checks and order pizza without a telephone.  I can search for things I need to find, words I don't know, and useless trivia on a whim.  I can now talk to people without speaking and speak to people without talking.  Sure, going without internet was a bit more natural, but it certainly was not going completely green.    

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