Wellness Nurse, Nutritional Consultant

Raising HDL levels...Safely & Naturally

2011-11-10T08:25:00.001-08:00

I was recently asked for safe, natural recommendations for Raising the HDL level (a component of the cholesterol panel). HDL helps remove the excess cholesterol from the heart's arteries and carries it back to the liver, where it is passed from the body--that's a good thing---so we want 'good' healthy levels of it (women: 50-60 mg/dl & men 40-50 mg/dl)! Below are the recommendations I shared...let me know if you have specific questions since these are general recommendations.

*Keepingtriglycerides in the healthy low range--Omega-3 fattyacids from fish oil are crucial for this effect—Also focusing on veggies, complexcarbs & some fruit in our diets, minimizing processed foods

*Trans fats—Reducing/eliminating in diet--found in many processed foods

*Omega-3 fatty acids--Lower triglyceridelevels, increase HDL cholesterol and help minimize inflammation and bloodclotting. (Study June 2004--American Journal of ClinicalNutrition--statistically significant decrease in serum triglyceride levelsalong with a significant increase in HDL cholesterol)
*Red wine--Although all alcoholic beverages raise HDL, redwine provides additional benefits, such as reduction in blood sugar and bloodpressure, provided no more than 2 glasses per day are consumed.
*Dark Chocolate--Preferably 70% cocoa or greater--approximately 2inches square, per day.

*Soluble fiber--Oat bran,nuts, barley, psyllium seed, flax seed, oranges, apples, carrots
*Green tea--Brewed only, never instant or pre-mixedbottles. Several cups per day are required for full effect.

*Garlic--Powerful antioxidant—used to reduce bothcholesterol and blood pressure levels. Also raises ‘good’ cholesterol levels,particularly HDL-2 cholesterol. Inhibits LDL oxidation and platelet aggregation(stickiness).
*Vitamin D--Restoration of vitamin D levels to normalcan yield increases in HDL of 10, 20, even 30 mg/dl, though it may require upto a year for the full effect to show. (Vitamin D3 supplementation)
*Exercise--Aerobic is best

*CoQ10--Clinically shown to provideprotection for the inner lining of the arteries by inhibiting LDL cholesteroloxidation and increasing HDL. CoQ10 and omega-3fatty acids work synergistically to provide enhanced protection againstcardiovascular disease.

*Niacin--Vit B3—Increases HDL by decreasing removal ofits major lipoprotein, apoAl--also shown to lower total cholesterol, LDLcholesterol, triglycerides and raise HDL-2 levels. It can raise HDL levels asmuch as 20-30%. Avoid non-flushing version—not as effective.

*Calcium--Helpful in raising HDL levels. (Studiedmore in women at this point) Calcium citrate orcalcium amino acid chelate is best absorbed*Magnesium—Raises HDL cholesterol, prevents heart muscle spasm, keeps bloodflowing smoothly, maintains normal blood pressure and keeps the heartbeatregular.

*Vitamin C--Antioxidant clinicallyassociated with increased HDL and HDL-2 cholesterol levels. Also reducesarterial stiffness and inhibits platelet aggregation—two factors known topromote atherosclerosis.

*Vitamin E--Powerfulantioxidant—protects against the formation of atherosclerotic plaques andreduce total cholesterol levels.

Be well & stay well--
Sana

2011-11-02T18:06:00.001-07:00

Time for another ‘Info-byte’ on an herb---one you’re allfamiliar with: Garlic. How cool…that something that the majority ofus think tastes really good in many, many foods is actually good for us…WooHoo!

A quick note before we begin---as I share information onspecific herbs, please keep in mind that no herb or herbal supplement is meantto be a ‘Quick Fix’ which is what our society, as a whole, has gotten used to…and,for the most part, has come to expect. Just as important as taking a specific herb or blend of herbs is finding out the cause of the healthchallenge (pain, inflammation, allergies, bloating, poor sleeping, etc…) andtaking appropriate action.

There are some herbs that are just so good for us, that it makes sense to include them into ourdaily diet. Something as common as theherb, garlic fits in this category. Here’s the ‘short list’ on the benefits of garlic:

Lowers blood pressure, blood cholesterol & triglyceride levels
Aids in digestion of fats & oils
Is a powerful antioxidant (cancer fighter) with additional cancer-fighting properties
Has great antibacterial, antifungal & antiviral properties
Strengthens immune system, in part by increasing white blood cells (phagocytes) that surround & digest foreign cells
Activates T-cells (T-cells ‘search & destroy’ bad cells in our body)
Remedy for diarrhea caused by poor digestion or worms
Can be mixed with sesame oil & applied topically to skin for fungal infections

Even one clove of garlic a day can be beneficial, with 2-6 clovesa day recommended when fighting infections & other health challenges. Garlic supplements are available, althoughthere is conflicting information as to their effectiveness in a pill/capsuleform.

DID YOU KNOW?? If garlic is tossed directly into hot oil,or a whole garlic clove cooked without crushing (or at least cutting off thetop), it will still give the great garlic taste you’re looking for, but little or no health benefits. Garlichas active agents called allyl sulfide compounds which are produced when theclove is chopped or crushed. This breaks the cell walls and starts a series ofchemical reactions (which also produce garlic’s wonderful smell). Heating thegarlic immediately after chopping inactivates a crucial enzyme in the process. Once the compounds develop, they are quitestable and can withstand the heat of cooking. So crush or chop the cloves--then let them sit for 10 or 15 minutes whilepreparing other ingredients.

Garlic purchased in jars,already chopped, may be just as healthful, as well as garlic stored in thefreezer.

Just got my ND license plate---it says ‘HEALTHY’---mygoal is to get others thinking more & more (esp. those on the road behindme!) about being healthy---and about simple & safe things they can do toget Healthy & stay Healthy!

To YOUR Continued Health---Blessings!

Sana

The Elderberry Solution for Flu

2011-10-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

Now that I’m in a state of a bit of ‘overwhelm’ in my MasterHerbalist program component of my PhD, I thought it would be helpful to me(& possibly to you!) if I take some of the most commonly used herbs &give you the ‘Down & Dirty’ info you need to decide if it would be ofbenefit to you and/or your family.

The use of herbs has been a part of people’s lives forcenturies, although falling out of the current health track due in part topharmaceutical drugs, ‘high tech’ medicine & our love, as a society, for a‘Quick Fix.’ I consider the use of herbsas a simple and SAFE way to target health challenges as well as buildingprevention into our busy lives---being proactive is a good thing! It’s not an either/or issue with westernmedicine practices. Herbs can be usedquite safely along with medications, although accurate information from aqualified practitioner is critical. Onequick reminder: the use of herbstypically doesn’t provide the ‘Quick Fix’ solution (although sometimes resultsare pretty darn quick!)…rather, they provide your body with what it needs tofunction in a healthy way again.

So here goes…

Since we’re being inundated withFlu Vaccine promotions everywhere we look, I thought I’d start with a great,safe herb that has great benefits especially during the flu season: Elderberry(sometimes called Black Elderberry or Sambucus). The berries contain more vitamin C than any other herb exceptrosehips and black currant, which means it’s a great antioxidant as well (thinkcancer-prevention when you read antioxidants).

Elderberry strengthens the immune system to fight viralinfections (flu is a viral infection… ‘colds’ are as well). It prevents theflu virus from attaching to our cells thus shortening the duration and severityof the flu. It is used around theworld to enhance immune function and increase antibody response duringinfections. It also has ananti-inflammatory effect, which is yet another cool benefit since inflammationcan have short-term and long-term effects on our bodies.

Elderberry is available as a liquid, syrup, tincture,capsules, and lozenges. There are no known safety issues when taking---a verycool benefit! In addition to the yearsof use around the world, there are solid studies to support what so many peoplehave found with using Elderberry. I’veincluded two references below with their brief conclusion:

Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use ofrescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extractcompared with placebo. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe andcost-effective treatment for influenza.

JInt Med Res. 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):132-40.

Noadverse effects were observed in either group indicating that the proprietaryelderberry extract is safe and highly effective in treating flu-like symptoms. Kong F, Pilot Clinical Study ona Proprietary Elderberry Extract: Efficacy in Addressing Influenza Symptoms,Online J Pharmacol Pharmacokin 5:32-42, 2009.

Elderberryis widely available at health food stores, most commonly found as a syrup(great for kids!), capsules and lozenges. Even if you live in the boonies, it’s quite easy to order online! This is a staple in our home. It's great to be able to ‘nip it in thebud’ if we ever feel a cold or the flu coming on…or if we’ve been in closecontact with ‘sickies’!

Letme know if you have questions…or if there is a specific herb that you wouldlike discussed…in the meantime, enjoy this beautiful Autumn season!

Toyour long-term health…

Sana

Yes, Vitamin E is good for you!

2011-10-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

Guess what? Yet another study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA. 2011;306 (14):1549-1556) found that taking vitamin E may raise the risk of prostate cancer. The study also reported that the men in the study taking just vitamin E (and not selenium) were at a 17% increased risk of developing prostate cancer. It was noted that the COMBINATION of vitamin E and selenium did NOT increase cancer risk. How does that work?? Hmmm….Let’s check out a few things about the study before we make any decisions on this, OK?

First of all, there were 21 authors that contributed to this study, of which SEVEN had Conflict of Interest Disclosures all dealing with major pharmaceutical companies such as Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline…including one author who is a board member of the Merck pharmaceutical company. Realize that those with conflict of interest issues have been given grants and research support, travel support, payment for lectures, grants for the institutions they work for, consulting fees & payment for presenting educational sessions to pharmaceutical companies---all this from huge pharmaceutical companies who have much to lose and nothing to gain if a study shows that vitamins and basic nutrients reduce the risk of cancer.

Secondly, this study used a synthetic form of vitamin E (rac-alpha-tocopherol or dl-tocopherol) which is less available for use by our bodies & considered half as potent as the natural form (RRR-natural-tocopherol or d-alpha-tocopherol). Hmmm…one would think (obviously in a perfect world) that the best quality products would be used to provide the best data for the study…’Not So Much’ in this case!

Lastly (I could go on, but I want to keep this as brief as possible): vitamins weren’t meant to be taken alone…as in just taking some vitamin E…or even vitamin E and selenium. The ‘whole foods’ we eat (meaning not-processed foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, high-quality meats…) provide a wide array of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are designed to WORK TOGETHER—in synergy. That’s the value of taking a daily Multivitamin/mineral supplement as we realize the real-life challenges in consuming the appropriate amounts of high-quality foods to provide our bodies what they need each day. And that’s why it’s surprising (& frustrating!) to see ‘medical’ studies that continue to pull out one or two specific nutrients to test their value when studies have repeatedly shown the effectiveness high-quality blends of nutrients (as in a Multivitamin/mineral supplement). Holford, P: The New Optimum Nutrition Bible

Hopefully this is helpful in deciphering just what this last study is telling---or not telling us: there was/is great potential for personal interests to cloud some of the authors’ objectivity in the study…using a product that is poor quality will probably lead to poor results…and, most importantly, nutrients are not meant to be taken in isolation, rather as balanced blends that are easy for our bodies to use and benefit from. There are specific cases where additional nutrients can be beneficial in addition to a solid Multivitamin/mineral foundation----we’ll keep that for another posting!And speaking of postings…I plan on regular posting once again, now that I’m in my Master Herbalist Program, giving a ‘nutshell’ version of various herbs…Stay tuned!To your long-term health—Sana

The 'Biggies'---2 Lab Tests That Are Worth It!

2011-05-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

If there were two lab tests that provided critical information about your health, wouldn’t you want to know what they are? I realize there are an enormous number of lab tests available in the ‘Prevention’ realm of health care…making it fairly easy to become overwhelmed & just do whatever!

FYI: ‘Whatever’ is NOT an option when it comes to our health. As I continue in my health studies, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that the concepts and understandings of Health, Wellness & Prevention are not completely black & white…meaning that NOT every health reference & study will have the exact same information and/or recommendations.

One of the goals in my studies has been to gather data, looking for common threads and the repetition or duplication of significant results. I also analyze the source of the information, checking for potential conflict of interest on the part of the author(s) of the studies.

There are two lab tests that continue to gain notoriety in the realm of preventive health: Homocysteine and Vitamin D3 levels. Below is basic information about them---well worth learning about!

Homocysteine:
Homocysteine is produced from methionine, an amino acid, found in normal dietary protein. Your body turns homocysteine into glutathione (the body’s most important antioxidant) and SAMe (an important ‘intelligent’ nutrient for the brain & body). If your body doesn’t have optimal amounts of B vitamins, the enzymes that turn homocysteine into these useful substances can’t to their job & homocysteine isn’t converted, causing the homocysteine level to rise to potentially dangerous levels. About 10% of the population has an inherited genetic tendency which makes them more likely to have a higher homocysteine level than the rest of the population.
When the homocysteine level rises (BAD!), the SAMe and glutathione levels fall (BAD!). As this is occurring, the rising homocysteine level causes damage to the arteries, brain & even DNA.
Studies: (Just a few of the numerous ones done…Note the dates of these studies--this is not new information!)
British Medical Journal 325:1202 (2002) & Journal of the American Medical Association 288:16, 2023-31 (2002)-- A review of 92 studies found that high a homocysteine level isn’t just associated with a higher risk, it actually causes heart disease.
New England Journal of Medicine 343:2, 135-6 (2000)-- Cancer is triggered by damaged DNA. High homocysteine levels make DNA more vulnerable to damage & harder to repair. The homocysteine level rises when tumors grow and falls when they shrink.
New England Journal of Medicine 346: 7, 476-83 (2002)--Studies are showing that if you lower homocysteine levels you can significantly lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. An elevated homocysteine level is strongly linked to neuronal damage in the brain.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 74:1, 130-36 (2001)—Homocysteine levels of 4766 men & women ages 65-67 in 1992 were measured. This group was then followed for deaths over the next 5 years, during which 162 men & 97 women died. They found (reconfirmed, actually) the relationship between heart attacks, strokes & elevated homocysteine levels as well as a strong relation between homocysteine and all causes of mortality, meaning that homocysteine is an accurate predictor of how long a person is going to live, whatever the eventual cause of death may be.
There is no ‘official’ safe level for homocysteine, but experts believe that a level below 6 units is ideal.
-->What to do?? Basic healthy dietary recommendations are highly encouraged: Eating at least 5 servings of fruits & veggies/day, cutting down on fatty meats & focusing more on fish & protein from vegetables, incorporating garlic into your daily diet (or supplement), minimizing salting of food, minimizing coffee, tea, & alcohol, stopping smoking, correcting estrogen deficiency, supplementing with a high-strength & good quality multivitamin daily AND specific homocysteine-lowering supplements, such as vitamins B2, B6, B12, folic acid, trimethyl glycine (TMG) & zinc.

Vitamin D3:
Vitamin D plays a major role in metabolism, along with muscle, cardiac, immune & neurological functions, as well as in the regulation of inflammation. As Dr. Michael Holick states in The Vitamin D Solution, “If I had to give you a single secret ingredient that could apply to the prevention—and treatment, in many cases—of heart disease, common cancers, stroke, infectious diseases from influenza to tuberculosis, type 1 and 2 diabetes, dementia, depression, insomnia, muscle weakness, joint pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and hypertension, it would be this: vitamin D.” Holick goes on to say that 3 out of 4 Americans are deficient in vitamin D, up from 1 out of 2 twenty years ago.
Holick presents a plan for rebuilding & maintaining optimal levels of vitamin D in 3 basic steps: Sensible sun exposure, Ensuring adequate calcium intake along with good dietary sources of vitamin D, and Supplementing.
As an aside (for clarification), the UVB rays are what stimulate the production of vitamin D. Remember it this way: UVA rays are ‘Aging’ (Bad---cause wrinkles!) and UVB rays are ‘Burning’ (Potentially burning---if exposed too long---but beneficial in sensible exposure).
The vitamin D that is made in your skin is vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 is made from yeast & is used to fortify foods & supplements & is not as effective in maintaining 25-vitamin D levels.
Studies: (Just a few of the numerous ones done…)
Neurology 62:1, 60-65 (2004): Munger, KL et al. Vitamin D intake and incidence of multiple sclerosis.
Annals of Epidemiology 19:7, 468-83 (Jul 2009) Garland, CF et al. Vitamin D for cancer prevention: Global perspective.
Archives of Internal Medicine 168:11, 1174-80 (2008) Giovannucci, E et al. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and risk of myocardial infarction in men.
New England Journal of Medicine 354:21, 2285 (2006) Terris, S. Calcium plus vitamin D and the risk of fractures.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention 13:9, 1502-8 (2004) Feskanich, JM et al. Plasma vitamin D metabolites and risk of colorectal cancer in women.
The only test for vitamin D status is 25-vitamin D or “serum 25(OH)D.” The recommended zone of healthy 25-vitamin D: 40-60 nanograms/ml.
-->What to do? Unless you’re one of those who can get daily (or near daily) sensible sun exposure & not living in a northern location, Dr. Holick has found that healthy adults taking 1000 IU of vitamin D/day usually reach their peak blood level within 5-6 weeks.

One more thing…Remember that just taking a vitamin D supplement or a good B complex supplement isn’t the entire picture. NEVER forget the importance of the basics that should be in place every day in our lives: a quality Multivitamin/mineral supplement, good quality water, quality sleep, heart-pumping exercise…these provide the foundation for good health---but you knew that, right? :)

Blessings on your health!
Sana

References:
Holford, P: The New Optimum Nutrition Bible: 2004, Crossing Press
Holick, M: The Vitamin D Solution: 2010, Plume Press

Game On! Eye of the Tiger---Whatever It Takes!

2011-05-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

I have a certain group of amazing friends who are an inspiration to me on a daily basis. They vary in age, in gender, in hair color, in size…pretty variable I would say…except they all have two things in common: they have a diagnosis of cancer—and they are fighters. You may know some of them…I know I am so blessed by knowing them!

I’ve learned so much from them. I sincerely hope I’ve been a good friend… and possibly shared some beneficial information with them. I’m also blessed with an amazing faculty with great wisdom & insight to bless me on my journey to a PhD in Holistic Health. My reasons for pursuing further education at this point in my life are not because I’m bored…definitely not! The need for sound research in Integrative Medicine practices for cancer prevention, support during conventional cancer treatments, natural cancer treatments, and ‘after-cancer’ treatments has become of great interest to me---with the ultimate goal of getting solid, non-biased information out ‘to the masses’ so they can make educated decisions instead of agreeing to questionable treatments out of fear or pressure.

Several things have become clear to me over the past few years. As you read this short list, I hope that you will gain greater insight into the challenges of those you know who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis and be better able to support & encourage them. I say this most humbly, since I have not walked in their shoes…

Point #1: A diagnosis of cancer is not a death sentence---it’s a diagnosis---and we all know there are many diagnoses out there, like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and congestive heart failure, to name just a very few. I think most of us would acknowledge that our reaction to someone we know telling us that they were just diagnosed with cancer is usually quite different to someone we know telling us that they have one of the other diagnoses listed above. Question to ask ourselves: How can I best respond to this in a positive & supportive way?

Point #2: A person’s mindset is critically important throughout life---and becomes even more so in times of crises and challenges. For many people their faith also plays a significant role in their mindset. Question to ask ourselves: How can I be of help in this area?

Point #3: When a diagnosis of cancer is made, one way of ‘dealing’ with the challenge is to consider the treatment plan like going into training for an intense athletic event (ie. a marathon), which may involve several hours every day. That’s because there’s more to fighting cancer than going for chemotherapy treatments or radiation. Similarly, there’s more to fighting diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis… (insert diagnosis here) than taking a medication or giving ourselves an injection. Other factors that need to be addressed include nutrition, water intake, sleep and exercise. Imagine how well a diabetic would do if they didn’t make lifestyle changes (including diet & exercise) after being diagnosed with either Type I or Type II diabetes---not very well! Question to ask ourselves: How would I support this friend/family member if they just told me they were going into training for a marathon (instead of starting chemo treatments)?

Point #4: There are so many sound, researched integrative medicine options available that can be incorporated into any and all treatment plans. These options may provide relief of chemo side effects, support the liver, and enhance the effects of other treatments, along with many other positive results. Health care providers are NOT dictators of anyone’s health and should NOT be making statements like, “No, that won’t work”---or “No, I don’t want you to do that” unless they have sound documentation to back up their statement (which would not include a biased study by a pharmaceutical company). Question to ask ourselves: How can we best support our friend/family member in this education process & not let our personal advice/judgment take over?

Point #5: Once the wonderful words ‘remission of cancer’ are heard, the training/challenge is NOT over. Think about it, when a diabetic hears their blood sugar is in the normal range, do they just ‘forget about it’ and go back to their former lifestyle habits? I hope not! Keeping up with healthy lifestyle habits are CRITICAL for long-term success in maintaining the best health possible. Question to ask ourselves: How can we encourage them in this healthy lifestyle journey?

So…some possible answers for Questions to ask ourselves to encourage those we know who have a cancer diagnosis:
• My first & foremost answer is to pray for them. I realize this is a very personal aspect---though, honestly, it is at the very top of my list.

• One of the most important ways (again, in my humble opinion) to support them is to get our ‘Game Face’ on and let them know we’re there for them…NOT with looks of pity but with the ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and a ‘Whatever It Takes’ attitude.

• Think of the positive difference we could potentially make in their lives as we greet them with a smile (& ‘the ‘Eye’)…check in on them…’hang’ with them…with an attitude of, “Hey, you’ve got this”…”you’re doing everything you can do”…”you can do this”…GAME ON!>”

Let’s be that person to others---Thank you for being a blessing!
Sana

Multivitamins---THE Powerful First Step Lowered Heart Attack Risk is only the Beginning!

2011-04-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

Definitely not 'rocket science' here, but definitely worth reminding ourselves (if we've gotten off-track) about the HUGE difference a simple (SAFE!) daily step can make in our long-term health. The study referenced below followed a group of over 30,000 women of varying ages for 5 years

Daily Multi Vitamin Use Lowers Heart Attack Risk by 41%
The results of a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition provides evidence that taking a multi vitamin can have a critical impact on heart disease risk. Women who took a high potency multi vitamin over a 5 year period were found to lower their risk of a heart attack by 41% compared to women who didn`t supplement.
http://www.ajcn.org/content/92/5/1251.abstract

Multivitamins are to be taken Every Day---just like we eat and sleep Every Day. "Since the 1980's, proper scientific studies using Multivitamin supplements have shown that they boost immunity, increase IQ, reduce birth defects, improve childhood development, reduce colds, stop PMS, improve bone density, balance moods, reduce aggression, increase energy, reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, and basically promote a long & healthy life." The New Optimum Nutrition Bible: P. Holford, 2004.

So...it's fairly obvious that it's not a question of 'Should I take a Multi' -- rather 'How on earth do I figure out which Multi to take when there are endless choices?'

A few pointers:
->Cheap vitamins AREN'T worth it---and usually contain multiple 'fillers' of things you would NEVER consider consuming, like sand, cork, polyethylene glycol (antifreeze!), chemical dyes, glue, shellac... So the next time you see a 'Sale' for a bottle of 100 Multivitamins for $10, just say 'no'! The vast majority of 'drugstore' bottles of multivitamins are inferior, with some being manufactured by the same pharmaceutical companies that make all the medications that abound. They have no reason to make a superior nutritional supplement, since that would potentially lower the need for the medications they manufacture. (I know that sounds harsh, but that's the reality).

->RDA Values were developed to help avoid vitamin deficiency diseases, like scurvy & rickets. The current RDA values were NOT designed to provide Optimal Nutrition. That's why quality 'Multi's' will often contain way over 100% of the specific vitamins & minerals.

->A Multivitamin supplement should provide a balanced source of vitamins and minerals. This provides the foundation for our bodies to run on. Once the foundation is there, a person may then want to individualize with specific supplements for a health concern such as CoQ10 for heart challenges.

->The 'Multi' manufacturer should be reputable, providing pure products. Check them out online--learn what you can about the company & their manufacturing practices.

->Newer formulations of Multivitamins now contain extracts of organic vegetables and herbs to add even greater benefits of phytonutrients and antioxidants.

->If you haven't been taking a Multivitamin & start taking a good quality one, you should notice a difference in how you feel in 1-3 months. Multi's are meant to be taken Long-Term---not when you're feeling a bit run down...or 'feel a cold coming on'...or have an upcoming Dr. appt. :)

My husband and I have been taking a quality Multivitamin daily for over 18 years (that's how long we've been married!)---and that means taking them when on vacation & away from home.

Let me know if you have specific questions about a good Multivitamin---Thanks, my friends, for building such a simple & powerful action into your lives.
Now we're talking TRUE Health Insurance!

Blessings on your health!
Sana

The Many Faces (Names) of MSG

2011-02-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

MSG (Monosodium glutamate) is known by many of us as a 'bad guy' or 'something to avoid' -- AS IT SHOULD BE!

Here's why...
Side effects (according to the FDA) include: Numbness--Burning sensation--Tingling--Facial pressure or tightness--Chest pain--Headache--Nausea--Rapid heartbeat--Drowsiness--Weakness & Difficulty breathing for asthmatics.
According to Russell Blaylock, author the book “Excitotoxins the Taste that Kills”, MSG is an excitotoxin (a chemical substance that excite your neurons/brain cells and that may cause death of these cells. Blaylock proposes that excitotoxins, like MSG, may aggravate many neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. His list of MSG side effects includes the list above, along with seizures, allergies, obesity, rashes and brain tumors.

Just so we're clear...Glutamic acid --found in protein foods--is an amino acid--(That's a good thing). When we eat glutamic acid bound as part of whole, unprocessed proteins, it helps nourish us as it has for centuries. Glutamic acid bound as part of whole, unprocessed protein does not cause problems in people who react to the free glutamic acid in manufactured food, where it is hidden in ingredients with about 40 different names, which are listed below.

MSG (Free Glutamic Acid) greatly enhances the flavor of many bland and tasteless foods, such as low-fat and vegetarian foods, snack foods & a great percentage of processed foods. It is also very inexpensive. Manufacturers want to continue using it and don't want the public to realize any of the problems. Think of the 'Umami' commercials---that's what they're talking about!

These ALWAYS mean MSG: Glutamate, Monosodium glutamate, Monopotassium glutamate, Glutamic acid, Calcium caseinate, Sodium caseinate, Gelatin, Textured protein, Hydrolyzed protein (any protein that is hydrolyzed), Yeast extract, Yeast food, Autolyzed yeast, Yeast nutrient, Senomyx---Now how many of these even sound remotely like "MSG"?

These OFTEN contain MSG (or create it during processing): Flavor(s) & Flavoring(s), Natural flavor(s) & flavoring(s), Natural pork flavoring, Bouillon, Natural beef flavoring, Stock, Natural chicken flavoring, Broth, Malt flavoring, Barley malt, Malt extract, Corn syrup, High fructose corn syrup, Caramel flavoring (coloring), Seasonings (the word "seasonings"), Carrageenan, Soy sauce, Soy sauce extract, Soy protein, Soy protein concentrate, Soy protein isolate, Pectin, Maltodextrin, Whey protein, Whey protein isolate, Whey protein concentrate, anything Protein fortified, Protease, Protease enzymes, anything Enzyme modified, Ultra-pasteurized products...
WOW---these are long lists!!

Now STOP...before you get depressed on me & think the only left are carrot sticks...let's use this info instead to make better choices for ourselves and our families...even though we probably won't be avoiding it completely...a significant decrease in MSG intake can make a significant improvement in our long-term health!

The biggest keys:
*Read labels---usually the fewer ingredients, the better---and be on the lookout for some of the above 'MSG ingredients'
*Use fresh as much as possible (frozen fruits & veggies are good, too--without added sauces or liquids)
*Minimize processed foods
*Opt for healthier snack choices the majority of the time

And of course, there is a 'Glutamate Association' website that promotes the benefits of MSG...Seriously?? Ehhh...we're smarter than that!! :)

Blessings on your long-term health!
Sana

Flu vaccines---Stay educated!

2011-02-08T19:22:00.000-08:00

Eeks (as one of my nieces would say!)---it's been a long time since a blog posting---something that is scheduled to change, now that a major project that I've been working on is winding up. I thought I would share some news from around the world re: flu vaccinations once again. I know it's been discussed at length---yet, the pressure continues to mount for mandatory vaccinations without solid research showing effectiveness and without long-term research showing safety!

***Did you realize that....Flu shots are heavily recommended to pregnant women despite the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) statement: "Influenza vaccines are Category C drugs, which means that animal reproduction studies have not been conducted and it is not known whether these vaccines can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or if they can affect reproduction capacity."

***This year's seasonal flu shot is a combination vaccine that contains 2 regular strains of influenza and the 2009 pandemic H1N1 "swine flu" vaccine, with no choice being given for taking the seasonal and swine flu vaccines separately.

***This is the same type of flu vaccine that Australia suspended during its most recent 2010/2011 flu season for use in children under the age of 5 because it caused a surprisingly high number of reports of children suffering high fevers, vomiting and febrile convulsions. By June of 2010, more than 1,000 adverse reactions in children under the age of 5 had been reported.

***Dr Hugh Fudenburg, world’s leading immunologist, has said that anyone who has had more than two flu vaccines between 1970 and 1980 has a far higher chance of having Alzheimer’s in old age. “This is because of the aluminum and mercury, which almost every flu vaccine contains. The gradual accumulation of aluminum and mercury in the brain leads to cognitive dysfunction”, said Fudenberg. He explains this way: the flu vaccine contains many toxic chemicals, so instead of boosting immune system, they make it weak, increasing the chances of getting affected with flu.

***In the UK, intensive care beds are full to bursting point, with a record number of flu patients occupying those critical care beds. There is little point wasting valuable resources advertising and administering a vaccine that is ineffective.

***The UK senior government advisers recently ruled against the flu vaccine for children under five. This decision being made despite a flu epidemic.

***The news that New Jersey has passed a law requiring all children attending daycare or pre-school to get an annual flu shot should send a chill down every American citizen's spine.And to realize that some health care workers are being fired if they refuse to get an annual flu shot---yet another chill---crazy!!

***The UK government has decided to bring back last years Swine Flu ads with the caption ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’. with a message that the best way to combat the flu is practicing in good hygiene.

Hmmm....good hygiene...sounds pretty simple...IS extremely safe...is affordable to the vast majority...Sounds like a solid plan!!

To your continued health...
Sana

'Exercising' Your Antioxidants

2010-09-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

I realize that most of us are aware of at least some of the health benefits of antioxidants. My blog posting from 4/26/10 gives an overview of the importance of antioxidants and includes a recommendation at the end for when it's best to take antioxidants, including right after vigorous exercise. A bit more about that...since so many of my friends & family members are really getting into serious exercise routines & training for marathons---you're my inspiration!

Dr. Kenneth Cooper (considered the 'father' of aerobics---founded The Cooper Institute in Dallas at the Cooper Aerobics Center) states that "antioxidant supplements are mandatory for adults who exercise." (Dr. Kenneth Cooper's Antioxidant Revolution: 1994; Thomas Nelson Publishers) This is due in part to the increase in oxygen reactions in our bodies that occur with exercise, especially high-intensity exercise. These oxygen reactions can lead to free radical production, which can, as the April blog posting explains, damage cells and accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease and age-related diseases.

Dr. Russell Blaylock echoes Dr. Cooper's recommendation by explaining it this way: "The important thing to remember is that the number of free radicals generated during exercise depends on the intensity of the exercise and its duration...Unless antioxidants in the diet are proportionately increased, intense exercise can actually do more harm than good." (Health & Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life: 2006; Health Press)

Now don't even think about using this as the perfect excuse to avoid exercising---there are WAY too many health benefits derived from regular exercise. :) The key is to give your body what it needs to 'deal with' the effects of exercising---and it's as simple as eating afoods high in antioxidants or taking a comprehensive antioxidant supplement (preferably an organic, whole food version).

Foods high in antioxidants: raisins, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, plums, spinach (raw is highest), kale, broccoli, avocado, alfalfa sprouts, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas...most fruits & veggies have antioxidants...these are some of the 'heavy hitters.'

My family & I incorporate many of these fruits & veggies into our diet (juicing helps!) and take a whole-food, organic antioxidant juice blend as well. Very inexpensive 'health insurance' we have built into our daily lives.

Back to the books---God's blessings on your health!
Sana

No, High Fructose Corn Syrup is NOT a 'Sweet Surprise!'

2010-08-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

A new study from Cancer Research [70(15); 6368–76] reports that cancer cells can readily metabolize fructose to increase proliferation (which means that one way cancer cells are fed is from fructose). This has major significance for cancer patients given dietary high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) consumption, and indicates that efforts to reduce HCFS intake may disrupt cancer growth. That’s great news!!

Today, 55% of sweeteners used in food and beverage manufacturing are made from corn--and the #1 source of calories in America is soda--in the form of High Fructose Corn Syrup. It’s challenging to find bottled drinks, beverages, packaged/processed foods without it! (Yet it’s totally worth the effort as you learn more about the many negative effects of HFCS).

This isn’t new information--Among the many studies which have uncovered the negative effects of HCFS, a 2004 study (already 6 years old) in Nature (5/12/2004) credited the significant rise of diabetes cases to the growing consumption of refined carbohydrates (HFCS). The researchers found that the drop in fiber consumption and heavy consumption of corn syrup found in most processed foods were at the root of the problem--not the number of proteins, fats or carbohydrates.

Dr. Richard Johnson, a professor of Medicine at the U of CO, has been heavily involved in researching the effects of fructose on the metabolic system in animals and cell culture, as well as in clinical studies. Much of his research has concentrated on how fructose might cause obesity, high blood pressure, and other health-related problems (like cancer). His book, The Sugar Fix, explains how HFCS can increase a person’s risk for liver & kidney diseases, premature aging and certain types of cancer.

Most conventional cancer programs still do not adequately address healthy eating habits or the benefits of avoiding or at least minimizing sugar intake (before, during & after cancer treatments). All forms of sugar have negative effects on our health in general (as well as promote cancer)--but in slightly different ways & to a different extent. Fructose, however, obviously seems to be one of the overall most harmful.

One of the ways that HFCS has been found to promote weight gain is related to 2 hormones called ghrelin & leptin. Glucose suppresses the hunger hormone ghrelin and stimulates leptin, which suppresses your appetite. Fructose has no effect on ghrelin and interferes with your brain’s communication with leptin, resulting in overeating.

The 'corn industry' has been working hard (under the guise of the innocent title of 'Sweet Surprise') to misinform the public---and, when you think about it, to promote major diseases, in the name of financial gain. It takes educated people making healthy choices to get the message across that we are taking charge of our health and will be avoiding HFCS products in the future. Let's make sure 'they' get the message...are you with me?

Blessings on your health--
Sana

Rules For Food---Check Them Out! :)

2010-08-13T13:50:00.000-07:00

Author Michael Pollan has a great (small) book out called, "Food Rules." It's one of those books that just has a few words per page---a very quick read---very witty/funny---and very true! We, as a nation, should honestly NOT need a book like this. Since Michael has gone to the work of writing it, though, I feel we should check it out, smile, and take heed to his sound advice.

I'll share a few to give you an idea of what Michael means by "Food Rules":
*Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.
*Avoid foods you see advertised on TV.
*Eat only foods that will eventually rot.
*Eat only foods that have been cooked by humans.
*It's not food if it arrived through a window in your car.
*The whiter the bread, the sooner you'll be dead.
*Don't eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk.
And...My favorite:
*It's not food if it's called by the same name in every language. (Think Big Mac, Cheetos or Pringles)

Pretty basic stuff...great reminders when we're shopping, thinking of what to eat and teaching our kids and grandkids about healthy eating choices.

"Food Rules" also offers simple explanations to go along with the 'rules' given.
Yet another way to build health into your life...

May you be blessed with great health--
Sana

Bottled Water Blues...Definitely NOT Green!

2010-07-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

It’s hot out there! (For most of us, that is!) Spending time outside this time of year can quickly remind us of how much water our bodies need to stay hydrated, as our thirst mechanism kicks in. Water is still at the top of the list for hydration and always will be…although occasional drinks of various assortments hit the spot as well!

If you’re still uncertain about tap water vs. bottled water/filtered water, check out my two blog entries from 6/10/2009 and 6/23/2009---they’re archived in the list to the left of the main articles. Hopefully that info will make a solid case in your mind for the need to avoid tap water. Distilled and reverse osmosis waters are also discussed with emphasis on the fact that both types of water are acidic, which we don’t want!

As we ‘wade’ through all the information on bottled water…and try to keep our head from ‘swimming’ as we search for quality bottled or filtered water…here are some facts that may be helpful:

-->A study by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) tested more than 1,000 bottles of 103 brands of bottled water. About one-third of the waters tested contained levels of contamination -- including synthetic organic chemicals, bacteria, and arsenic. At the national level, the Food & Drug Administration is responsible for bottled water safety, but the FDA's rules are completely exempt for all bottled water that is packaged and sold within the same state, which accounts for 60-70% of all bottled water sold in the US---and about 20% of the states don’t regulate these waters either.

-->Standard water bottles are composed of a plastic called PET which is made from crude oil. Estimates are as high as 17 million barrels of oil being needed for water bottles in the US each year. Over 85% of these water bottles are tossed in the trash instead of being recycled. Not exactly ‘green’ since these bottles take 400-1000 years to degrade!!

-->All plastic bottles leach synthetic chemicals into water, some more than others. Even the popular refillable polycarbonate water bottles are known to release BPA (Bisphenol A) into the water. The best and healthiest solution is a quality home water filter and refillable non-BPA plastic bottles or glass water bottles.

-->Estimated costs for bottled and filtered water:
$400-$500/year for bottled water (conservative estimate)…year after year…plastic bottle after plastic bottle…
$250-$450 one time cost for a good quality water filter…with once/twice a year filter change ($20-$40)

-->If you choose to go the route of a water filtration unit, look for an activated carbon filtration component (0.5 micron filter if possible) in the unit with the end-resulting water being slightly alkaline. Well-filtered, slightly alkaline water is what our bodies are looking for and are thirsty for!

I admit there are times (ie. travelling) when I will buy bottled water. Tap water is not an option in my humble opinion. I look for slightly alkaline versions and always look forward to returning home to the great filtered water we have in our Wellness Home! So simple, so green, and, most importantly, so very good for our health and the health of our precious families!

Remember...drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water every day--more when working out and when you're out in hot weather. Please let me know if you have questions---I love 'em!

Happy Summer! Blessings on your health--
Sana

Nutritional Supplements + Chemo/Radiation = ?OK?

2010-05-23T16:25:00.000-07:00

I started my last blog posting with The Question of the Day re: surgery and taking nutritional supplements. Next question: How do cancer treatments (chemo/radiation) and nutritional supplements fit together? Here’s the rhetorical question from the last post one more time (just changing a few words): As we continue to learn about the powerful benefits of basic nutritional supplementation when we’re (fairly) healthy, wouldn’t it make sense to maintain those benefits when our bodies are under even greater stress as during times of chemotherapy and radiation?
Things that make you go ‘Hmmm…..’

I feel the need to include this paragraph as well from my last posting as well since it fits perfectly in this context as well (with just a few word changes): What is a person to do…if a health care provider instructs patients to avoid all vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements before/during/after chemotherapy or radiation? How about asking the health care provider for the specific ‘why’ behind their instructions…and the ‘reference’ where a person could access the studies/research their instructions are based on. If these two requests aren’t met with satisfaction, how about pursuing additional, evidence-based advice? “Because I said so” or “That’s just how it is” are NOT acceptable answers.

First on the agenda is the reminder to us all that each of us are uniquely created (by an amazing Creator, I might add!)—thus, there is no simple cookie-cutter piece of advice that fits all situations. Second on the agenda is one other very important reminder that nutritional supplements are NOT created equal! ‘Whole food’ and ‘Organic’ are two of the most important factors to look for when deciding on supplements. ‘Whole food’ means that the various nutrients are being provided as they would be found in nature—with just the water & fiber removed—no mega-dosing, just proper balance (as opposed to singling out certain nutrients, hoping our body will be able to use them appropriately, which usually doesn’t happen). ‘Organic’ means that you’re getting pure product, without pesticides/herbicides/fillers, etc. that can be harmful to us.

Below are just a few examples of research (from multiple textbooks & sources in my studies) that attest to the many benefits of basic nutritional supplementation, tailored to a person’s individual needs:

*CoQ-10 (an antioxidant) has been found to help alleviate many toxic effects of cancer drugs. It has also been found to reduce the risk of breast & prostate cancers---as well as the rate of tumor growth once the cancer has begun.
*Protease (a digestive enzyme) promotes healing and recovery from cancer—and can also dissolve the fibrin coating on cancer cells, allowing the body’s defenses to function better.
*Acidophilus (a probiotic) has been found to kill pathogens that contribute to cancer. A 1997 study showed the growth of breast cancer cells slowed by up to 85% after exposure to acidophilus.
*Indole-3-carbinole (powerful phytonutrient) prevents cancer in 2 ways: by improving enzyme pathways for our bodies to get rid of cancer-causing agents & by inhibiting certain cancer-causing materials from binding to DNA.
* Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) can inhibit growth of some cancer cells, including melanoma.
*Maitake (mushroom) is highly effective against hormone-driven cancers like breast, prostate & endometrial---and even high mortality cancers like lung, liver, pancreas. It has also been found to be helpful in lessening the side effects from chemo (nausea & loss of appetite). It also appears to protect healthy cells from becoming cancerous & prevent spread of cancer once it has taken hold.
*Shiitake (mushroom) enhances the body’s natural ability to eliminate a tumor.
*Royal Agaricus (mushroom) is a rich source of beta glucan---a powerful cancer-fighting agent.

Realize that these few examples are also designed for PREVENTING big, bad diseases & health challenges, such as cancer. My family & I take a ‘whole food’ organic mushroom blend every day for that very reason, along with a few other foundational nutritional products----to me, THAT’S true ‘Insurance.’

Thanks for reading…for taking time to stretch your knowledge…for continuing the journey we’re all as ‘Owners’ of our own health—

Here’s to a most healthy you—
Sana

Nutritional Supplements + Surgery = ?OK?

2010-05-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

Wow, the weeks fly by (in between blog postings!) as I continue on with my studies---All is well---just limited time and so much to learn! :) My goal in posting blogs like this is to potentially stretch your current knowledge in specific areas related to health. I encourage you to learn as much as you can, as you continue to ‘Take Ownership of your Health.’ Let’s get started…

The Question of the Day: How do surgery, pre & post-op recovery and nutritional supplements fit together? This is definitely becoming an ‘FAQ’ (frequently asked question) in my conversations –– and rightly so! As more and more of us are learning about the powerful benefits of basic nutritional supplementation when we’re (fairly) healthy, wouldn’t it make sense to maintain those benefits when our bodies are under even greater stress as during times of surgery and recovery?
Things that make you go ‘Hmmm…..’

Some examples of what can occur in the body during and after surgery: Vitamin B12 deficiency from anesthesia---reduced oxygen to cells & decreased blood flow from blood loss (both causing an increase in free radicals)---a profound suppression of the immune system from surgery and anesthesia---liver stress from anesthetic agents and medications---magnesium depletion from steroids and diuretics---impaired wound healing from vitamin C & zinc depletion and low protein intake. These are just a few examples…to emphasize the importance of appropriate nutritional supplementation during this critical time in anyone’s life. Just the trauma of surgery increases the body’s metabolic rate, which increases the production of free radicals-->not a good thing!
(Learn more about free radicals & antioxidants in my 4/26 blog entry).

Next Question: What is a person to do…if a health care provider instructs patients to avoid all vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements for several weeks before and after surgery? How about asking the health care provider for the ‘why’ behind their instructions…and the ‘reference’ where a person could access the studies/research their instructions are based on. If these two requests aren’t met with satisfaction, how about pursuing additional, evidence-based advice? “Because I said so” or “That’s just how it is” are NOT acceptable answers.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of a nutrient does NOT apply to surgical patients or those with significant injuries since the stress of the situation dramatically increases nutritional needs. RDA’s were developed to provide healthy individuals with adequate nutrient intake to avoid diseases of deficiency, like rickets and scurvy (not to promote optimal health).

According to Dr. Eldon Haas in his textbook, Staying Healthy with Nutrition, ‘Vitamins A & C and the mineral zinc help tissue repair after surgery and lessen chance of infection.’ What a simple step to take to increase your healing ‘odds.’ Dr. Haas thoroughly covers nutrients that can be of benefit before and after surgery. Quick examples: B vitamins (especially B2-riboflavin) help with tissue repair…Magnesium activates multiple enzymes that promote the healing process.

Dr. Russell Blaylock (in Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life) refers to several studies which report that maintaining adequate levels of the mineral magnesium in the body tissues can reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism after surgery. Studies abound… revealing the benefits of nutritional supplementation before, during and after all types of surgery. Another example: Using a combination of flavonoids (antioxidants), magnesium, selenium, zinc and the antioxidant vitamins helps protect the brain during and after neurosurgery. Sounds like that would be a good idea…

In case you’re remembering past media reports pertaining to studies investigating the use of specific vitamins, antioxidants, etc. and finding them ineffective or even harmful, realize that those studies used single vitamins…single antioxidants, not vitamins and antioxidants found in ‘real food’ or in whole food supplements. Honestly, I’ve noticed multiple news stories recently about elevated infection rates in hospitals…making this information even that much more important!

Thanks for reading--I look forward to your comments and questions. :)
Blessings of wellness to you...
Sana

The BIG Kid on the Block: Antioxidants

2010-04-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Antioxidants may not be the ‘new kid on the block’ – but they could well be described as the ‘big kid on the block’ – that is, if you want to be healthy…stay healthy…minimize your risk of major diseases…minimize the aging process…you get the picture!

Here’s the deal (just a little chemistry---it’s OK!):

A Free Radical is an atom or molecule with an unpaired electron in its outer orbit. Often described as nasty… or angry…they’re produced by our bodies any time our metabolism increases (think stress, trauma, inflammation, infections, burns, exercise, x-rays, UV radiation…). Electrons like to hang out in pairs, so they will ‘steal’ an electron from wherever they can (called oxidation). This process can damage cells and accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and age-related diseases.
Now before you start thinking that this gives the excuse to avoid exercising (because exercise is a major key to good health), let’s take a look at antioxidants.

Antioxidants do their job by supplying electrons to the free radicals to neutralize or stabilize them, which, in turn, protects our cells from damage. Anti (against)-oxidants (oxidation)…antioxidants help protect against oxidation. Ignoring this daily occurrence of free radical production in our bodies can lead to the ‘big, bad diseases’ we hear about every day…cancer, heart disease, stroke…just to name a few.

A few examples of Antioxidants: Vitamins C & E, beta-carotene, magnesium, zinc, selenium, glutathione, garlic, milk thistle…just a few…it’s a long list. Each antioxidant has its own area of defense, which emphasizes the fact that antioxidant nutrients and herbs are needed in balance to adequately defend our cells.

Important Point: Taking single antioxidant supplements can actually lead to the formation of free radicals---which is what we’re trying to avoid! We weren’t designed to depend on the antioxidant from the juice of one amazing berry only found in a remote mountain range for all of our antioxidant needs. Combined antioxidants (found in whole food supplements) have a much greater effect than single antioxidants—a powerful example of synergy in our body. This combination of antioxidants creates an antioxidant network, providing powerful protection against free radical damage (oxidation). Everything in balance…just as God intended it to be. My family and I take a ‘whole food’ organic juice product that has 21 juices, herbs & extracts…no water, no sugar, sweeteners or preservatives…just wonderful antioxidant goodness. Our diet is heavy in veggies, fruits and whole grains as well.

Set a life-time goal of making sure your antioxidant-defense system stays strong… through plenty of fresh, organic veggies & fruit—and a balanced, whole-food, organic antioxidant supplement. Critical times to supplement antioxidants: after exercising, after injuries, with inflammation & during times of high stress.

Blessings of good health and antioxidants to you…
Sana

Asthma...Natural Solutions

2010-03-25T20:42:00.000-07:00

I’ve been asked to share information pertaining to natural health solutions for asthma---thanks for asking, Sharon & Colleen! This information has been a work in progress from my studies…from accomplished leaders in the field of natural medicine, like Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Russell Blaylock and Dr. Eldon Haas. It’s so confirming to see how in agreement these leaders are in so many aspects in natural medicine, focusing on true evidence-based medicine.

This information is for your education. You may be aware of some of the content, which is good! Work with your health care provider to see what parts, if any, are a good choice for you. Always keep in mind that YOU are the 'Owner' of your health. If your health care provider isn’t interested in working with you, don’t be discouraged---and don’t give up! If a health care provider isn’t willing to work with you except in writing prescriptions, it could be time to look for someone who is willing to work with you. Good for you in being open to learning about natural, safe options for your health!

You’re probably well aware of all the advantages---for EVERYONE---of a diet high in veggies and fruit. Some studies suggest that apples, carrots, tomatoes & leafy vegetables can be especially beneficial for people with asthma.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease. Free radicals increase (not a good thing) in your body whenever there is inflammation. Vitamins A, C, E and the mineral selenium are among the many antioxidants that help fight free radicals. Magnesium has been found to be helpful in relaxing muscle, including the muscles in our airways. Potassium and zinc assist with cell hydration. A well-rounded, whole-food multivitamin/mineral supplement can provide this nutritional support we need in addition to our healthy eating.

Bromelain is an enzyme in pineapples believed to have an anti-inflammatory effect. The herbs ginkgo biloba and licorice root help decrease inflammation in the lungs. Ginger and turmeric have great anti-inflammatory qualities as well.

Asthma control is very dependent on a proper fatty acid profile. Asthmatics can greatly benefit from a proper balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in their diet. For most of us, that means increasing omega-3 intake and decreasing omega-6 intake. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA have been found to be helpful in controlling asthma and inflammation. EPA and DHA are found in cold-water fish, such as salmon and trout as well as walnuts and flax seed. It can also be obtained from good quality fish oil capsules. Vegan versions of EPA & DHA are available as well. Using extra virgin olive oil for cooking is one way to keep the healthy omega-3’s in balance.

A fatty acid known as arachidonic acid (an omega-6 that is found in egg yolks, shellfish and meat) may increase the risk for asthma and asthma symptoms. Replacing animal protein with plant protein as much as possible can prove beneficial for some asthmatics.

Sometimes a specific food can trigger asthma attacks. Eliminating wheat, corn, soy and sugar (one at a time) for 6-8 weeks to watch for changes in asthma status can identify certain problem foods/food groups. Using a quality mineral salt (RealSalt) instead of standard table salt is beneficial for overall health and has positive implications for breathing challenges.

Increasing water intake can decrease asthma attacks. Water keeps ALL of our cells hydrated. Drinking ½ our body weight in ounces is a standard goal, increasing the amount with exercise and during very warm weather. This should be good quality water---not tap water. Slightly alkaline water is best---both reverse osmosis and distilled water are quite acidic and not well absorbed. (More info in my archived blogs)

Installing a good air filtration system in the home can dramatically reduce the levels of respiratory irritants such as smoke, dust, molds and harsh chemicals. Air filtration systems that produce ozone should be avoided. Ozone is a respiratory irritant. The EPA is undergoing further analysis as to whether ozone should labeled as a toxic gas. Negative ions are good, ozone is not--except way up in the ozone layer! (More info in my archived blogs)

Magnetic technology in the form of thin magnetic pads, necklaces, etc. has been found beneficial by many in easing asthmatic symptoms. (More info in my archived blogs)

Thousands of former asthmatics have found chiropractic adjustment to work for them. A chiropractic adjustment can remove interference to the nervous system, allowing your body to heal itself and minimize symptoms. Manipulative work done on the chest can help in breaking up restrictive patterns in nerves and muscles that develop in chronic asthma (ie. osteopathic manipulation, especially from a practitioner of cranial therapy, deep-tissue massage).

As you can see, there are many avenues of safe, effective options to explore. Thanks for reading and learning---and keeping an open mind to safe options for a significant health challenge.

May you be blessed with wellness...
Sana
PS: I look forward to your comments!

What It Takes For Health...Cardiovascular and Overall Health

2010-03-05T16:35:00.000-08:00

Another class completed---two more are waiting for me: Nutritional Influences on Health and Basic Herbology. Then it's on to Elements of Traditional Naturopathy...and yes, I'm a nerd...I think they sound very interesting and I can't wait to dive in! Oh, well, someone has to play the nerd role/I love to study & read huge books...and apply all this amazing knowledge in what I do! And it's only by God's grace that I'm moving forward with this---yes, He answers prayers!

This will be a short entry (yeah, right!) being I'm soon ready to head out the door to meet my sweet husband in Phoenix--then leave in the AM for a week! Yes, I'm taking my textbooks with me...and my highlighters...and our laptop. :)

In the middle of one of my chapters in 'Staying Healthy with Nutrition' the author ends a segment in the Special Supplements section with the following statement:

Ultimately, we'll see that maintaining alkalinity and lowering inflammation in the body with consistent good nutrition and regular exercise is going to be our best program for ensuring (and insuring) cardiovascular health.

Hmmmm.....He didn't mention a single medication or treatment for cardiovascular health...Hmmm...
I would take his statement one step further and change the words 'cardiovascular health' to 'overall health.'

The KEY is NOT waiting until something big/bad happens healthwise. Time for building prevention and a true feeling of wellness into our lives is NOW.

Taking small steps in changing what we eat...in the quality of our water...in the quality of our sleep...in making sure we get regular exercise...will pay off immensely in the long run. Remember his mention of 'alkalinity' -- check out some of my previous blogs if you're not familiar with it and how important it is to our health.

One last pointer when it comes to what we eat. Ditch the "I'm going on a diet" or "I'm on a diet" -- we're ALL on some type of diet (obviously some tremendously more healthy than others)! How about saying, "I'm changing my diet" or "I'm changing my diet for the better" (making one small change at a time, like adding a green salad every day).

May you each be blessed with great health--
Sana

This Could Save Someone's Life: Do You Know Anyone Taking Avandia for Diabetes?

2010-02-20T09:49:00.000-08:00

A bit different focus today---jumping to the 'other side' for a moment---because a big part of WELLNESS involves knowing what NOT to take and finding SAFER, HEALTHIER options. Please share this with anyone you know who may be taking Avandia, a popular diabetes medication.

Check out these excerpts from an article in today's New York Times(2-20-2010):
Hundreds of people taking Avandia, a diabetes medicine, needlessly suffer heart attacks and heart failure each month, according to confidential government reports that recommend the drug be removed from the market.

Avandia, intended to treat Type 2 diabetes, is known as rosiglitazone and was linked to 304 deaths during the third quarter of 2009. “Rosiglitazone should be removed from the market,” one report, by Dr. David Graham and Dr. Kate Gelperin of the FDA, concludes. Both authors recommended that Avandia be withdrawn.

The internal FDA reports are part of a fierce debate within the agency over what to do about Avandia, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. GlaxoSmithKline said that it had studied Avandia extensively and that “scientific evidence simply does not establish that Avandia increases” the risk of heart attacks.

Avandia was once one of the biggest-selling drugs in the world. Driven in part by a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign, sales were $3.2 billion in 2006. But a 2007 study by a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist suggesting that the drug harmed the heart prompted the FDA to issue a warning, and sales plunged. A committee of independent experts found in 2007 that Avandia might increase the risk of heart attack but recommended that it remain on the market, and an FDA oversight board voted 8 to 7 to accept that advice.

Hundreds of thousands still take the medicine, although some top endocrinologists say they have sworn off the drug.

The bipartisan multiyear Senate investigation — whose results are expected to be released publicly on Monday but which were also obtained by The Times — sharply criticizes GlaxoSmithKline, saying it failed to warn patients years earlier that Avandia was potentially deadly.

“Instead, G.S.K. executives attempted to intimidate independent physicians, focused on strategies to minimize or misrepresent findings that Avandia may increase cardiovascular risk, and sought ways to downplay findings that a competing drug might reduce cardiovascular risk,” concludes the report, which was overseen by Senator Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat, and Senator Charles E. Grassley, an Iowa Republican.

Mr. Baucus said of the report, “Patients trust drug companies with their health and their lives, and GlaxoSmithKline abused that trust.”

In response, GlaxoSmithKline said that it disagreed with the Senate investigation’s conclusions. The company said that it could not comment on internal FDA documents but that “the official ruling from FDA is that Avandia remain on the market.”

Safer, healthier options are available for those with type 2 Diabetes, involving simple lifestyle changes. I look forward to your comments and questions.

May you be blessed with true wellness...
Sana

Nutrition Trends...Part 2

2010-02-08T21:03:00.001-08:00

A few more trends that seem to keep 'popping up' in the news...in work-related emails...in health & cuisine magazines...on the web...
Just think--when a friend mentions one of these, you can say, "Yeah, I already heard about that." :o)

**Changes in Nutritional Labeling! This includes 'Front-of-package' labeling and major changes in serving size (meaningful portion sizes) that is more in line with how Americans are eating. Unless consumers study the label carefully they may think they are getting fewer calories or other nutrients than they are--as they are pouring 1 1/2 cups of cereal into a 'typical' American cereal bowl---when the serving size for most cereals 3/4 cup.
->TIP: Pay attention to serving size of your favorite foods---do the measuring & see how close you are to an actual 'serving' -- so you'll know if you're actually consuming 120 calories...or 240 calories!

**Green Tea Rising Up In Ranks! The research is revealing the amazing benefits of green tea (decaf as well)...from prevention of skin cancer, powerful antioxidant effect, antibacterial effect, heart health protector, promotion of fat-burning, regulation of blood sugar and insulin...to promoting fertility (a recent study showed that women who had 1 cup of green tea a day got pregnant faster).
->TIP: Opt for a green tea at your favorite coffee place at least once per week (more often, preferably)--it's less expensive than the latte's & so good for you. Check out the 'tea' section of your grocery store as well--with a goal of an organic green tea.

**Herbs and Spices to 'Kick Things Up A Notch' (Sorry, Emeril!) Many of the herbs that make foods taste amazing (and can decrease the amount of salt/sodium needed) have great health benefits. Turmeric (that's what's in curry) has great antioxidants & anticancer agents--as well as anti-inflammatory & antibiotic effects. Oregano is a strong antioxidant. Cinnamon is a powerful antimicrobial, found to kill E. coli (bad bacteria) & other bacteria--along with having anti-inflammatory effects. Ginger has powerful antibiotic & anti-inflammatory effects. Garlic has been proven effective against some resistant bacteria, along with yeast and parasitic infections---and it has great anti-inflammatory effects.
->TIP: If the spices in your spice rack have been around for over a year, it's time to start over with fresh...dried is OK...organic is best. Start experimenting with these great spices that make your house smell SO good!

**Having FUN Cooking At Home! Whether you're involving your little ones...or inviting a few friends over to make a meal & then enjoy...the benefits are many! It's a great way to teach kids very basic nutrition concepts (yes, there are many older elementary kids that have no idea what protein is...or that it is something that should be included with each meal) -- a great way to cut down on use of processed foods with all the preservatives and other harmful ingredients -- and low budget entertainment!
->TIP: Watch a few episodes of a Food Network show (Giada is my favorite) to get some ideas...or just go on one of the 'food' websites: www.foodnetwork.com www.cookinglight.com to get some ideas. Some of the websites even generate grocery lists for specific recipes.

Back to the books---I have several pages marked with a sticky-note in my current textbook as 'great blog ideas' -- Stay tuned!

May You Be Blessed With Good Health...
Sana

Nutrition Trends To Pay Attention To

2010-02-03T15:50:00.000-08:00

Wow, studying is really consuming my time---my apologies for the long lapse in blogging! I'm deep into nutrition at this point, learning about Gac juice, ipriflavones, policosanol, gentian & codonopsis (no, I didn't realize any of these existed either, until a few weeks ago). :o)

I'm receiving nutrition-related emails and updates regularly now, with articles on what's new in research, what people are paying attention to, etc. I'm finding that certain trends seem to keep popping up...I'll share a few now & then more in my next blog in a few days.

**Fresh fruits & veggies galore! Consumers are choosing more fresh veggies & fruit, especially the pre-packaged, ready-to-eat versions carrots, broccoli, celery, apple slices. Such a great trend with great potential for our health.
->TIP: Choose organic whenever possible to minimize toxin intake. Wash all produce when you first bring it home so it's always ready to use or munch on. A few TBSP of white vinegar in water kept in a spray bottle works well for cleaning produce.

**Comfort foods are back! I've heard the word meatloaf more in the past year than in the past 10 years---due in part to more cooking happening at home rather than eating out as well as Baby Boomers getting back to their 'roots.' Home-cooked meals like these tend not to be loaded with preservatives and processed ingredients, which is a good thing!
->TIP: Use fresh ingredients whenever possible, opting for low-fat cheese, leaner cuts of meat---and as FEW processed ingredients (think Bisquick baking mix, cream of chicken/mushroom soup, instant white rice...)

**Greener living which extends into our food world as we buy locally-grown produce when possible (a new word coined for this: locavores!) and buy produce in season. Citrus is in season now---as are root vegetables. Strawberries and tomatoes are not. You'll still see them (strawberries & tomatoes, for example) in the grocery store, typically not organic - and with minimal nutrition left in them being they were picked way before they were ripe.
->TIP: Check out local farmers markets and coops in your areas. There are some creative ideas coming from them, like being able to get baskets of produce in season for a set price (a mix of fruits & veggies) to take home for the week & plan your meals around--Cool!

**Low sodium options are becoming more available---taste can be a bit 'missing' or 'off' as I'm sure you've experienced. Attention does need to be paid to this area, though, as sodium consumption in the US is higher than it has ever been. Limiting sodium intake may benefit about 30-50% of those with high blood pressure (it's not the magic bullet, though---great info for another blog!)
->TIP: No WHOLESOME FOOD has a high sodium content, so again, limiting the processed foods helps immensely. Switching to RealSalt is a great change to make, too. It's a sea salt loaded with minerals---a much better option.

More trends to follow soon---
Here's to good health that we can enjoy...for a long time!
Sana

The Vitamin/Mineral BALANCING Act

2010-01-13T12:31:00.000-08:00

Who would have thought there would be enough information on just Vitamin A....or just Vitamin B1 (thiamin) to fill a textbook with 8 pages of information (no pictures, 8.5x11" pages, small print)--I sure didn't before I opened my current textbook on nutrition (Staying Healthy with Nutrition)!

I listed some examples below to emphasize the importance of BALANCE in our nutrition. Grabbing a specific vitamin or mineral (that you just read about in your favorite magazine) off the shelf of your nearest drug store is not in your best interest! The 'nutrition bytes' below are NOT meant to drive you crazy & throw up your hands in frustration---they are there just to make my point that BALANCE in nutrition (as in just about everything else) is one of the major keys to health.

This info was taken from my recent notes from a class I'm in. Be happy knowing that you can just read through them if you like & that you don't have to commit them to memory (like I'm doing---I hope my brain has enough 'file space!'). Did you know there was a 'Vitamin P'? :o) Read on!

*An excessive intake of iron can block the absorption of Vitamin A.
*Protein & zinc are needed in adequate quantities in order for Vitamin A to function as it should in our bodies.
*Taking more than 2000 mg of Vitamin C per day increases your need for folic acid.
*The average American's diet is deficient in Vitamin A.
*Along with Vitamin D, Vitamins A & C help support the transport of calcium in our bodies.
*Vitamin D & Calcium can help minimize menopausal symptoms.
*Large amounts of calcium can decrease the absorption of magnesium, zinc & phosphorus.
*Calcium in our diet improves the absorption of Vitamin B12---but too much calcium can interfere with the absorption of magnesium, zinc & iron.
*Protein intake helps with the absorption of calcium---yet too much protein may reduce absorption.
*Low magnesium can contribute to high blood pressure and has been linked to heart attacks.
*High amounts of calcium & Vitamin D in the presence of magnesium deficiency can lead to calcification of the soft tissues or kidney stone formation.
*Vitamin D is best utilized in the presence of Vitamin A.
*A high intake of Vitamin E or Calcium may decrease Vitamin K absorption.
*Vitamin B1 (thiamin) deficiency is still fairly common today with symptoms of fatigue, poor memory, depression, insomnia, GI disturbances (to name a few).
*Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is claimed by several authorities to be the most common nutrient deficiency in the US.
*High-dose B3 (niacin) can cause elevated homocysteine levels in the body (not good--cardiac implications!)
*Adequate magnesium in our bodies is necessary for Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) function
*Vitamin P (bioflavanoids) is found naturally with Vitamin C. That's why natural forms of vitamin C are so much more effective than synthetic forms of Vitamin C in similar amounts.

Sorry, I got carried away---Enough already! I think you get my point. As you can see above, just adding a lone vitamin or mineral to your daily routine will probably NOT provide you with the benefit you're hoping for--and may lead to other problems. A better idea: Look for a high quality multivitamin with a balanced formula (not a standard 100% RDA of each of the vitamins/minerals), organic, a whole food component (usually vegetable---an extra source of veggie power!) That's what my husband and I have been doing for years---a very inexpensive & cost-effective form of insurance!

May this New Year find you blessed with good health--
Sana

Happy Realistic New Years!

2010-01-01T12:59:00.000-08:00

New Year's resolutions can be inspiring & energizing...for at least a few days...until 'real life' sets in once again & we start questioning ourselves about how we can ever keep the goals we set for ourselves on January 1st...to lose weight...exercise 5 days a week...eat 5 servings of veggies a day...OK--I'll stop!

Instead of trying to eat the elephant (or start on a Total Wellness plan), start with 'one bite' (one step) and feel good about accomplishing it. Then move on to the next 'bite' (next step) & master that one.

You can start by make a list of HEALTHY CHOICES that you would like to incorporate into your everyday life---these are 'lifestyle changes'---they work because they are NOT something you plan to do for a limited time for a certain result---they are long-term changes that will continue to benefit you throughout your life.

Once you have your Healthy Choices list, PICK ONE to focus on--just one for now---make some sticky note reminders for the fridge, other handy spots in the kitchen, your bathroom mirror, your desk...
You CAN handle just one of these...of your choosing...and, after several weeks, when it's part of your daily routine to drink 8-10 glasses of water daily or any other option you've chosen, THEN move on to the next one on your list...and just keep moving through your list this way. If you get off track, brush yourself off & get started again.

A list of Healthy Choices may include:
*Drinking at least 8-10 8oz glasses of water daily (filtered, alkaline water if possible--check previous blogs for info on this)
*Taking a good quality (organic/whole food) multivitamin/mineral supplement daily
*Exercising at least 3 times/week for 30 minutes (if you haven't exercised in a while)--with a goal of at least 5 times/week. Make it something you enjoy...walking, working out with a friend, tennis, workout DVD...
*Adding at least 1 more serving of veggies into your day. One of my favorite ways is keeping a small bowl of carrot sticks in the fridge (kept fresh in 'good' water) so every time my family or I open the fridge we can grab a carrot. Celery works well this way, too. I don't use the bags of mini carrots being they have been soaked in a bleach solution, even the organic ones. I buy a bunch of organic carrots, scrub them up quickly & cut them into small carrot sticks to last the week. Try experimenting with squash, green beans, asparagus, spinach---'Google' new recipes for them, like roasted green beans with olive oil & garlic--quick & simple...and so good! Keep a bag of organic salad greens in your fridge at all times to easily add a serving of veggies to a meal with a quick salad.
*Adding a good quality, whole food antioxidant into your daily routine for powerful cancer prevention.
*Prioritizing adequate sleep on a regular schedule to give your immune system a chance to rebuild each night.
*Investing in a good quality air filtration unit for your home (multi-stage filtration with negative ions but NO ozone). The air in our homes is filled with toxins we can't see--toxins that can have negative health effects over time.
*Planning weekly dinner menus so there is less temptation to grab less-than-healthy choices or catch the local drive-in specials.
*Keeping your fridge & cupboards stocked with healthier options for munching...string cheese, yogurt, deli meat, fruit & veggies (cut up for even easier access), baked chips (if chips are a necessity!), organic non-sugared cereals, popcorn (not microwave type!)...

ALWAYS REMEMBER why you're doing this...making healthy choices: for your own health and sense of well-being...AND for those you love...who depend on you...and want you around for the long-term...they are the ones who will keep you moving forward & successfully adding Health Choices to your lifestyle!

I welcome your questions & comments. My past blogs contain info on many of the above topics, including sleep, water, air quality...check them out!

I wish for you a joy-filled and healthy New Year...Wellness Blessings to you!
Sana

Fluoride---NOT what we want in our water or toothpaste!

2009-12-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

I've had some questions lately about fluoride in water so I thought I would share what I've found in my recent studies (& what I've been aware of for many years).

The controversy over fluoride began around 1945. Prior to then, fluoride was properly regarded as an environmental pollutant mostly from the aluminum & fertilizer industry. Fluoride was somehow transformed from an environmental pollutant to an essential nutrient necessary for producing healthy teeth (with very poor scientific support).

Over time, most developed countries have banned fluoride in their water, including Japan (the healthiest country in the world). Europe is 98% fluoridation-free...and it is opposed in England, Australia among other countries. In the US, it is in almost all commercial toothpastes and regularly added to ~75% of public drinking water. For years the FDA has required warning labels to keep toothpaste out of the reach of children under age 6 and, if swallowed, to get medical help or contact a poison control center right away. In 2005, more than 22,000 people did. Hmmmm....Why is fluoride in our water & toothpastes in the US?

In 1997, the union representing toxicologists, chemists, biologist & other professionals at the EPA in Washington DC went on record against adding fluoride to public drinking water, stating that the health & welfare of the public is not served by the addition of fluoride to the public water supply. This was after an 11 year review of evidence showing that fluoride was linked to cancer, nerve impairment, bone changes & low IQ scores in kids. The November 2008 Journal of the American Dental Association reported that, "There is weak and inconsistent evidence that the use of fluoride supplements prevents dental caries in primary teeth" after conducting a systematic review of fluoride supplement research.

Many pediatricians who have taken the time to learn about the health effects of fluoride stress avoiding the use of fluoridated toothpastes under the age of 3 and avoiding drinking fluoridated water (or making baby formula with it). Maybe this is why: Fluoride is more poisonous than lead and just slightly less poisonous than arsenic. It is a cumulative poison that accumulates in bone over the years (Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products).

Why is our water being fluoridated when the most recent studies do not even show that water fluoridation is effective in reducing tooth decay? In the largest US study of fluoridation and tooth decay, the US Public Health Service dental records of over 39,000 school children, ages 5-17, from 84 areas around the country showed that the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth per child was virtually the same in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. A similar study in New Zealand of 60,000 school children showed the same.

Fluoridation effects don't pertain to just children. Back in 1993, the US Dept. of Health & Human Services reported that "postmenopausal women and elderly men in fluoridated communities may be at increased risk of bone fractures." Fluoride has also been found to reduce thyroid and metabolic activity.

It usually takes me a day or two to get one of these blog entries written---and over the past 2 days I've had 2 additional articles re: fluoridation of water supplies in the US cross my path---Yes, I'm thinking this IS a BIG DEAL!

One was a bulletin that listed 7 new research studies focused on assessing the effects of consumption of fluoridated water in humans. Some of the effects found include impaired glucose tolerance, DNA damage, memory impairment, decreased capacity for learning & memory and preterm births. The website with this info: www.fluoridealert.org

The other article included this statement: This chemical (fluoride) in the US water supply has been linked to lower fertility rates, hormone disruption and low sperm counts. Wow---as you can see, this issue really does affect all age groups.

What To Do?
Get informed, stay informed & share this information with others. Solid carbon filters do not remove fluoride. Reverse osmosis & distillation both do, at the cost of making the water quite acidic and very poorly absorbed by our bodies. You can learn more about this in some of my posts from June related to pH and water.

Our family uses a simple water filtration unit that filters the majority of fluoride out, with the end result of purified water with minerals intact (making it slightly alkaline) that is well absorbed by the cells in our bodies.

I look forward to your questions and comments!

Thanks for taking the time to be a well-informed 'Owner of your Health'!
Sana

Healthy, Anti-Aging Foods...The Day After Thanksgiving!

2009-11-27T11:05:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...the thought of 'food' still brings back memories of yesterday (Thanksgiving Day in the US) & that stuffed feeling many of us left the table with...

How appropriate (at least in my thinking) to have a quick refresher course in healthy foods--foods that have 'Anti-Aging' properties--to guide us in our eating choices during this most challenging time of year.

I have a goal of eating healthy at least 75% of the time, realizing that it's a 'real world' out there, with time crunches...holiday get-togethers with few if any 'healthy eating choices'...and the whole Christmas baking/cookies arena... :o)

Keep this list in mind when grocery shopping, eating out, and preparing menus & meals for the week (if you're one of those organized people I'm jealous of!).

->Fresh fruits & vegetables: Keep handy in the fridge or basket on the counter for healthy munching options. Get organic if possible--be sure to include dark green veggies!. The nutrients in fresh fruits & veggies are huge in keeping you healthy & slowig the aging process.

->Whole grains, nuts & beans: These will keep your fiber intake up, along with providing great protein, minerals and essential fatty acids (EFA's).

->Cultured foods: Good quality yogurt, kefir (like drinkable yogurt--very good!), miso (soup), & tempeh are in this category. They help keep your digestive system working as it should, which keeps your immune system strong (the good bacteria/bad bacteria benefits--see past blog from 7/26/09).

->Sea greens: These are amazing 'superfoods of the ocean' that are loaded with protein, vitamins, minerals chlorophyll, enzymes, fiber...and are very helpful in regulating thyroid function. You can buy the dried version of them & 'get used' to them by crumbling a few on green salads & adding to soups. I'll post a blog about Sea greens in the near future as well.

->Fish & fresh seafood: Choose ones with lower mercury levels & ecofriendly, like cod, halibut, pollock, salmon... (http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=15890 This website gives a great listing of good fish/seafood choices). Fish & seafood are a great protein source, with many of them a great source of essential fatty acids (EFA's) as well.

->Whole grain pasta & rice: A great source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins (esp. B vits) & iron. There are many 'brown rice' options to choose from---they have so much flavor!

->'Good' fats (monounsaturated): Our bodies need small amounts of healthy fats each day...olive oil, peanut oil, almonds, avocados & pumpkin seeds are some great sources of 'good fat.'

->Filtered, pure water: (I know...water is not a FOOD, but it is THAT important!) Drinking at least 8 8-oz glasses/day is a good start. An more precise guideline for water consumption is drinking half your body weight in ounces/day. I weigh 140lb, so I should drink at least 70 oz/day (about 9 8-oz glasses). Being well-hydrated has a powerful effect on your entire body, not to mention providing energy & a greater sense of well-being. For information on the various types of water & how they affect our bodies, check out my blog post from June 10th.

Here's to a Healthy & Joy-Filled Christmas Season...so we can all start out the New Year on the right foot (instead of the 'I wish I hadn't eaten so much over Christmas' foot!)

Blessings on your health...
Sana

What A Strong Immune System? Mushrooms To The Rescue!

2009-11-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

I'm still working on a regular study routine---I admit it's still pretty random at present, but I'm getting it done. Maybe my study routine is just supposed to stay in the random quadrant for now. I look forward to the time I have each day to move ahead in my classes--pretty nerdy, I know--but someone's gotta love it, right? :o)

I think many of us are now aware that mushrooms aren't just for pizza or steaks anymore...they have amazing health properties. Once again, from my current textbook, Healthy Healing, by Page---here's a brief overview of Medicinal Mushrooms:

*Maitake mushrooms are the strongest tumor growth inhibitors of all mushrooms. Considered highly effective against hormone-driven cancers like breast & prostate--& even lung, liver, pancreatic & brain cancer. It also has a synergistic effect with chemo, with reports of a lessening of the side effects (nausea, poor appetite...).

*Reishi mushrooms are the most famous mushrooms (being they used to be reserved for the royal Chinese families). It is known for promoting longevity (that's why they kept it for the royal families!), great antioxidant activity, helpful in normalizing high blood pressure & relieving allergy symptoms, also beneficial in lowering cholesterol & triglycerides & increasing resistance to infections. That's the short list---now you know why the royal families wanted it!

*Shiitake mushrooms can protect the body from cancer risk, showing strong anti-tumor powers. Like the reishi, it is helpful in lowering cholesterol levels & reducing high blood pressure. It fights viruses & bacteria & is helpful with candida yeast overgrowth. A certain component in the shiitake is proving to be more effective in preventing the spread of the HIV virus in the body than AZT---imagine a SAFE option! Once again, that's the 'short list'---moving on...

*Agaricus or Royal Agaricus is the richest source of Beta Glucan, which make T-cells function at top level, kicking the immune system into maximum efficiency. It is also helpful in regulating blood sugar and lowering high blood pressure & cholesterol. Rainforest researchers in Brazil found that the natives who lived where Agaricus grew were much healthier then the rest of the population & had especially low cancer rates.

*Tremella mushrooms enhance calcium absorption & provides vitamin D (Hello, Osteoporosis!) It's commonly used in Chinese medicine in herbal cough syrups for asthma & coughs. It ALSO helps with lowering cholesterol, balancing blood sugar & has anti-tumor activity. Anti-tumor activity means reducing your cancer risk--HUGE!

*Cordyceps mushrooms provide dramatic oxygenation & energy---that's why the Chinese runners broke 9 world records in 1993! Increased lung capacity & stamina and shorter recovery times make it a huge support to athletes. Cordyceps also increases immunity by increasing activity of the good immune worker cells.

My family & I have been taking a 'Medicinal Mushroom' whole food product, appropriately named 'Immunity'---it includes a few more mushrooms:

*Phellinus Linteus--anti-tumor
*Trametes Versicolor--anti-cancer drug in Japan
*Hericum Erinaceus--helps with digestion & boosts energy
*Pleurotus Tuber-regium--anti-tumor with beta glucans
*Oyster--anti-tumor & cholesterol lowering
*Chaga--immune modulator (helps keep immune system on track)
*Lepiota Procera--powerful beta glucans
*Enoki--anti-tumor

The astragalus, shiitake & reishi mushrooms are all considered herbal antioxidants (antioxidants are crucial in our fight against free radicals which can lead to cancer and accelerated aging).

Mushrooms are naturally probiotic in nature--yet another wonderful benefit of these powerful, sometimes quite homely looking fungi!

I honestly meant for this to be a shorter post---but there's so much good info to share--thanks for hanging in there!

May you be blessed with great health...
Sana

Barley Grass (Jades) Details--Straight From My Textbook!

2009-11-16T18:45:00.000-08:00

I know...I know...I already have a post/blog about the benefits of barley grass (back in July)---but it's so cool reading about it from a total 3rd party perspective (ie. my current Naturopathy textbook, 'Healthy Healing' by Page). And it honestly is that important for great health!

Barley grasses fall under the category of 'Nature's Superfoods.' They are one of the lowest-calorie (Yay!) & most nutrient-rich foods on the planet.

Here's what my text has to say about barley grass ('Jades' to some of us)...
Barley grass has:
*10X more calcium than cow's milk
*5X more iron than spinach
*7X more vitamin C & bioflavonoids (anti-inflammatory part of Vit C) than orange juice
*80 mcg of Vitamin B12/100 Gm of powdered juice---that's huge!
*antiviral activity (flu & 'colds' are caused by viruses)
*neutralizes heavy metals like mercury
*an ideal anti-inflammatory
*richest food source of the antioxidant isoflavone 2-0-GIV (works with DNA repair)

Once more from my text by Linda Page:
Studies on barley grass show that it has the capacity to aid a wide range of health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers, liver disease, asthma, eczema, anemia, burns & even cancer.

Another major reason that most people who take a barley grass supplement do so is to maintain a healthy slightly alkaline pH in their body. According to Dr. Robert Young (one of many health experts writing on the benefits of alkalinity), 'Overacidification of body fluids & tissues underlies ALL disease...for one thing, it is only when a body is acidic that it is vulnerable to germs. In short, good health requires a body on proper pH balance: slightly alkaline.' (excerpts from his book, 'The pH Miracle).

My family & I take 'Jades' or Jade Greenzymes, a whole food, organic green barley supplement. I honestly don't consider it a supplement---it's a basic food for every day that 'builds disease prevention into our lives' ... simply, safely & effectively.

Let me know if you have questions about barley greens -- or any other questions/requests for blogs--

May you be blessed with true health...
Sana

My studies--Info on 'Magnet Therapy' from my textbook

2009-11-03T19:19:00.000-08:00

After being a user of magnetic technologies for over 13 years, it was great to read a section in my Naturopathy textbook (Healthy Healing) devoted to 'Magnet Therapy.' Our family has benefitted greatly from this simple technology--better sleep, relief of a wide range of discomforts, relaxed muscles, rapid recovery from sports injuries (think kids...football, hockey, golf, baseball, gymnastics...)---who would have thought?? :o)

The main points from the book:
*The 1st recorded use of therapeutic magnets dates back to 600BC! (Nothing new--it's been around a long time).
*Modern science has known since the 1950's that a magnetic field is critical to normal body function and coordination. In fact, immune deficiency syndromes (like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis...) were first identified as magnetic field deficiency syndromes.

What we know so far---Magnet therapy (Again from my book):
*increases blood flow
*balances pH
*helps break down scar tissue & realease toxins
*speeds up the migration of calcium to help heal nerve tissue & bones
*stimulates enzyme activity
*enlarges blood vessel diameter & reduces inflammation
*reduces pain by modulating pain receptors
this is a partial list...

Studies abound--solid studies performed by non-pharmaceutical sources--validating the positive, SAFE benefits of magnetic technology for our health. Other countries have been enjoying the benefits of safe, natural & proven energy technologies like this for years--we're just catching up! For further information, check out earlier posts from June & July...

Be well & Stay well!
Sana

My 1st Assignment--Why I'm Doing What I'm Doing

2009-10-31T11:00:00.000-07:00

I'm quickly figuring out 'how things work' as I jump in with both feet into my coursework toward my Doctor of Education in Holistic Health & Wellness degree---Here is my first 'project' that I submitted this past week that gives an idea for why I'm doing what I'm doing----I know there are many out there who truly are wondering WHY I'm doing what I'm doing!
May you and your families be blessed with great health!
Sana

My Philosophy of Natural Health
Imagine a nation in which being healthy and truly feeling well was the norm…with illness being an uncommon occurrence for which there were simple, safe and effective measures to take. While we’re at it, let’s also imagine a prevailing mindset of personal responsibility for our health. I realize that the general public would be rolling their eyes in unison after reading the above two statements. That’s okay, though. That’s why I’m embarking on this journey of education with a destination of a Doctor of Education in Holistic Health and Wellness degree.

The reason I say it’s ‘okay’ at present for the public to roll their eyes in disbelief at the thought of a healthy nation is because the majority of people aren’t aware of the sound research and information available in the natural health arena that can impact our health in positive ways. The barrage of pharmaceutical-driven health information from multiple media sources that the public is subject to, even if they aren’t looking for information, is a formidable mess of misinformation often designed to intimidate and alarm.

Many of us were raised under a Western medicine influence with a skewed view of health being ‘the absence of disease.’ Little, if any, emphasis was placed on disease prevention. The average health care consumer is growing increasingly frustrated and confused with conflicting reports and myriads of health care choices. This frustration and confusion is creating a wonderful window of opportunity in the natural health field. I believe that sound, pertinent education is the key in changing the face of our nation’s health for the better.

This ‘sound’ education can only happen with knowledgeable natural health consultants and practitioners standing up and speaking out, armed with unbiased, unequivocal research. This is what it will take in a country overridden with a medical (sick care) system driven for the most part by financial greed. I’ve been a part of both sides (Western medicine and natural health) in my 28 year nursing career and I know which side needs to win the battle. A true victory will be a cooperative force of health practitioners and consultants practicing integrative medicine that actually endorses and follows the ‘Do no harm’ credo.

I know that I will benefit personally from the knowledge gained on this journey of natural health education. My goal is to take this invaluable information and utilize effective ways to educate others in ways that make sense to them, empowering them to incorporate healthy behaviors into their lifestyles. I look forward to the journey.

A SAFE Alternative to Tamiflu If You Get The Flu

2009-10-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Even healthy people can be hit with a flu bug (not necessarily the swine flu!)--especially when traveling (think poor air filtration on planes...), when sleep-deprived or around a bunch of other 'sickies'. Tamiflu (or some pharmaceutical variation) is quickly prescribed with urgency to start it right away for best effects.

There are definite concerns for taking Tamiflu---read the package insert! Tamiflu is only partially effective,very expensive, and the side effects are so bad (& dangerous) that it has been banned in Japan. (I wonder if our FDA is aware of this...)

Several years ago, the New York Times (2/5/05) stated that the World Health Organization (WHO) admitted that Tamiflu is not as effective as previously believed. So why is it still being promoted so heavily? Hmmm...$$ to be made? Hmmm...

The Sydney (Australia) Herald (4/20/09) reported that a Japanese study had been completed on the side effects of Tamiflu with negative results. A major reason for the study was to determine if Japan should lift its ban on Tamiflu, which, the Herald article stated, was very unlikely because of the of the conclusion of that study. Out of 10,000 test cases of Tamiflu used by young people under 18, over half exhibited unusual behavior after taking Tamiflu, with some behavior as extreme as attempting or committing suicide. Eighteen deaths among young Japanese were associated with taking Tamiflu!

The 1918 flu pandemic reached such a high death toll primarily due to secondary bacterial infections. There is evidence that the use of Tamiflu creates an invitation to secondary bacterial infections. The 'normal' side effects include fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, headache and coughing. The only positive of this very expensive medication is symptom relief for 1 1/2 days out of a 6-day flu. (The side effects mimic the flu symptoms anyway!)

There is an alternative for several flu viruses---a natural remedy that has no side effects and is inexpensive. (How cool is that?) It's been around for quite some time as a cold cure, but more recently has proven effective against flus. It is Black Elderberry extract.

In 1992, a team of Israeli scientists studied the effect of elderberry on flu patients. During a flu epidemic at an Israeli Kibbutz, half of the flu patients were given an elderberry syrup, the other half a placebo. The results: within 24 hours, 20% of the patients receiving elderberry had gotten significantly better. Within 2 days, 75% of the elderberry group were much improved; within 3 days 90% were completely cured. Among the placebo group, only 8% of patients improved within 24 hours and it was a full 6 days before 90% of the patients were cured.

Elderberry has a very high ORAC, or oxygen radical absorption capacity: over twice as much as blueberry. In addition, antioxidants called flavonoids stimulate the immune system. Other compounds in elderberry, called anthocyanins, have an anti-inflammatory effect; which would explain the effect on aches, pains, and fever.

Elderberry is an herb that has a long history of use as a remedy for colds, sinus infections and flu. In preliminary lab studies, elderberry extracts have been found to fight off viruses. Researchers believe that anthocyanins, compounds found naturally in elderberries, may be the active component that strengthens the immune system and blocks the flu virus from sticking to our cells.

Health food stores carry elderberry juice, syrup and capsules. Only commercially prepared extracts of the berry should be used, because the fresh leaves, flowers, bark, young buds, unripe berries and roots contain cyanide and could potentially result in cyanide poisoning.

For recommendations on keeping your immune system strong during this flu season (as well as info on flu vaccines), check out information on my August 9th blog.

May you be well & stay well--as an informed health care consumer!
Sana

Where's the syllabus? --&-- Serious Cancer Screening Info

2009-10-21T21:27:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to be fully registered & ready to move forward on my journey toward a Doctorate of Education in Holistic Health & Wellness---I have my books & am ready to start! I promised to share information with you as I'm learning--hopefully you'll find some of it relevant and helpful for yourself and your family.

So first of all, I started looking for the syllabus that lists what to read, the assignments...I still remember the basics...and I know I won't get very far without the syllabus! After searching the website, I finally called my advisor to find out how to access the syllabus (I actually needed 2...). She left a voicemail describing the syllabus, which is actually what I thought was one of my books. Obviously I hadn't actually opened the books yet (not that one, anyway)---I thought I needed the syllabus first! My recollection of a class syllabus was 1-3 pieces of paper, not a bound book--Yikes! Now that I've figured out that pretty basic piece of information, I'm really ready to get started--and yes, I admit, I am blonde! :o)

On a much more serious note, here are some excerpts from an article in today's New York Times on cancer screening. To me, the message is clear---we can't rely totally on screening to keep us healthy---various screenings play important roles in our health care. (Yes, I get regular mammograms & Pap smears--& soon I'll be old enough to start the screening colonoscopies--Yay!).

Here are excerpts from today's article:
"The American Cancer Society, which has long been a staunch defender of most cancer screening, is now saying that the benefits of detecting many cancers, especially breast and prostate, have been overstated.

It is quietly working on a message, to put on its Web site early next year, to emphasize that screening for breast and prostate cancer and certain other cancers can come with a real risk of overtreating many small cancers while missing cancers that are deadly.

“We don’t want people to panic,” said Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the cancer society. “But I’m admitting that American medicine has overpromised when it comes to screening. The advantages to screening have been exaggerated.”

Prostate cancer screening has long been problematic. The cancer society, which with more than two million volunteers is one of the nation’s largest voluntary health agencies, does not advocate testing for all men. And many researchers point out that the PSA prostate cancer screening test has not been shown to prevent prostate cancer deaths.

In it, researchers report a 40 % increase in breast cancer diagnoses and a near doubling of early stage cancers, but just a 10 % decline in cancers that have spread beyond the breast to the lymph nodes or elsewhere in the body. With prostate cancer, the situation is similar, the researchers report.

If breast and prostate cancer screening really fulfilled their promise, the researchers note, cancers that once were found late, when they were often incurable, would now be found early, when they could be cured. A large increase in early cancers would be balanced by a commensurate decline in late-stage cancers. That is what happened with screening for colon and cervical cancers. But not with breast and prostate cancer.

Still, the researchers and others say, they do not think all screening will — or should — go away. Instead, they say that when people make a decision about being screened, they should understand what is known about the risks and benefits."

It's me again...thanks for taking time to learn about your health and how to take ownership of your health...I look forward to sharing what I'm learning with you!

Blessings on your health--
Sana

The 'Good' Negative (Ions) & The 'Bad' Ozone

2009-10-09T17:09:00.000-07:00

This article is designed to provide information about air filtration units for homes & offices. Many produce negative ions, which is a great benefit, as you'll learn about below. The majority of these air filtration units that produce negative ions also produce ozone, which is NOT a benefit & can be harmful. Read on....

News about ozone can be confusing. Basically, the ozone layer found high in the upper atmosphere called the stratosphere. This is beneficial because it shields us from much of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Ozone air pollution at ground level where we can breathe it--the troposphere--is harmful. It can causes serious health problems. Ozone is capable of causing inflammation in the lung, shortness of breath,
chest pain, wheezing, coughing, asthma attacks & increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. People who inhale ozone during repeated exposure may permanently damage their lungs or suffer from respiratory infections.

Negative ions are good for you. They are found in abundance in places like waterfalls, seashores and rainstorms. Negative ions are water molecules that break apart and take on a negative electrical charge. Most particles in the air have a positive charge, while negative ions have a negative charge. Negative ions are drawn to these positively charged particles by a magnetic attraction. When negative ion concentration in the air is high enough, they will attract floating particles (positive ions) in large numbers. This causes the particle to become too heavy to remain airborne. As a result, the particle will drop out of the air, dramatically reducing their ability to be breathed in.

The more negative ions in the blood, the more efficient the cell can function. The more positive ions (free radicals) there are in the blood, the slower and less efficient the cell's metabolism, which causes the body's cells to become weak resulting in a greater increase in sickness and aging.

The Journal of Applied Microbiology found that the use of negative ions was even found by scientists to reduce the presence of airborne viruses by about 40%. A study featured in the 1987 issue also showed the negative ions are free from any adverse side effects.

Many scientific studies have been conducted over the years (mostly in Europe and Russia) showing how exposure to high levels of negative ions drastically or significantly reduce asthma and allergy symptoms, as well as respiratory-related illness. Studies have also shown a link between negative ion treatment and benefits for migraine headaches, depression, fatigue, sleep, mental performance & concentration, physical performance among athletes & improved burn healing.

Lo-o-o-ong story/article/blog short: Good air filtration units in our homes and offices are definitely powerful ways to build prevention and wellness into our busy lives. Now you're equipped in what to look for: solid air filtration (including a HEPA filter for best filtration), negative ion generation WITHOUT the production of ozone. You will need to check the fine print to make sure your unit doesn't produce ozone, as the majority still do.

Blessings on your health---and on the air you breathe!
Sana

Slow Down & Expect Great Health!

2009-10-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

Taking steps to improve your overall health doesn't have to be time-consuming, painful or expensive---Check out these SIMPLE ideas below! You may want to make a sign/reminder for yourself to 'Slow Down'! :o)

Slower breathing is one of the simplest ways to better health. Deep breathing lowers stress and reduces systolic blood pressure (the top BP number). It allows oxygen to get down to the smallest airways in our lungs, where the oxygen exchange is most efficient. Quick, shallow breathing causes our bodies to be less oxygenated (not a healthy state to be in).

Slower eating is one of the simplest ways to eat less. This is because of the 'lag time' between when the stretch receptors in your stomach signal it is time to stop eating ('I'm full!') and when your brain gets the message. Researchers at the University of Rhode Island discovered that people who eat slowly consume around 70 less calories/meal. Multiply that by 3 meals a day and you could lose 20 pounds over the next year.

Slowing down in general is one of the simplest ways to prevent accidents. It's impossible to calculate the number of motorists killed or injured each year because they were in a rush. Insurance companies have found that the overwhelming majority of job-site accidents are traceable to hurrying. You actually save time, do better work and prevent more injuries by slowing down.

The last simple step for this blog is to simply Expect To Be Well, no matter what age you are! Obviously we need to take an active role in our health---being 'Owners of our Health' and making good decisions. Couple that along with positive expectations for good health---and you're way ahead of the average American who entertains thoughts like, 'Well, I'm almost 50, so I suppose I'll have a heart atack before long'...or 'Cancer runs in my family, so I suppose I'm next'...What?? Really?? We can't afford to have thoughts like that--We get what we think about!

How about 'changing the tape' and reminding yourself throughout the day of positive messages like 'I take good care of myself and am so blessed to be healthy' and 'I am grateful for my ever-improving health'?

Here's to Continued Great Expectations for your great health!
Sana

Flu Vaccines---One More Time

2009-09-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

At the risk of 'beating a dead horse' I'm 'going there' once more with important information about flu vaccines. I encourage everyone to become fully informed before deciding to get any flu vaccines. Please don't let the media hype (and there is a ton of it) guide your decisions. Please share this with those you love and care about.

Flu & Flu vaccine facts:
**The flu virus rarely causes death. Most “flu deaths” are due to bacterial pneumonia, which can occur with a weakened immune system.

**Serious reactions to the flu vaccine include, but are not limited to:
Life-threatening allergic reactions, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (a severe paralyzing disease), brain inflammation & other nervous system disorders, blood disorders

**Studies keep coming to the same conclusion: Flu vaccines do not work--and can cause harm. Before the CDC promoted vaccinating children under age 5, the number of children dying from the flu was very low (& declining). In 2003, children age 5 & under started getting vaccinated, resulting in a dramatic increase in the number of flu deaths in this age group.

**Check out this quote taken directly from the 2009-2010 flu vaccine FLULAVAL’s package insert--(which most people never read): " FLULAVAL is an influenza virus vaccine indicated for active immunization of adults 18 years of age and older against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine. This indication is based on immune response elicited by FLULAVAL, and there have been no controlled trials demonstrating a decrease in influenza disease after vaccination with FLULAVAL.” NO CONTROLLED STUDIES TO CHECK EFFECTIVENESS?? Hmmmm....

Some studies (boring, I know, but very revealing):
**October 2008 Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine: Vaccinating young children against the flu had no impact on flu-related hospitalizations or doctor visits during 2 recent flu seasons

**The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2006 (reviewed 51 studies): No evidence found to support that the flu vaccine is any more effective than a placebo in children (Studies involved 260,000 children, age 6 to 23 months)

**2008 study, The Lancet (medical journal): Flu vaccination was not associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia in older people

**American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine: No decrease in deaths from influenza and pneumonia in the elderly, even though vaccination coverage has increased in this age group from 15% in 1980 to 65% presently

**Early each year, 'vaccine experts' travel to Asia to assess which strains of the flu virus are currently active, assuming that the same virus strains will spread to the US by Fall. The US vaccine manufacturers start making that season’s flu vaccine, based on the virus strains found in Asia. If the viral strains circulating in the U.S. that season are not the same as the Asian strains, the vaccine is useless--(and potentially harmful).

**Ingredients found in flu vaccines: Thimerosol (mercury), Aluminum (neurotoxin linked to Alzheimer’s disease), Triton X-100 (detergent), Phenol, Ethylene glycol (antifreeze), Betapropiolactone (disinfectant)

Thanks for being an informed health care participant and taking ownership of your health. Our health is too valuable for anything less!

Blessings of health to you...
Sana

Sweet...With Side Effects: Artificial Sweeteners

2009-09-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

So here's the deal...on artificial sweeteners and how they can affect your health. If you’re clutching your diet soda or other artificially-sweetened product tightly, then this may not be the article for you…or maybe it is…if you’re truly concerned about your health. It may be one of those things that Rachel Ray, from Food Network calls 'Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...'.

Nearly a decade ago, studies were already revealing that artificial sweeteners can stimulate your appetite, increase carbohydrate cravings & stimulate fat storage and weight gain. Hmmm…why are people using artificial sweeteners???

Splenda is the brand name for sucralose. Splenda is a chemical substance and not natural sugar. The makers of Splenda have purchased over 211 domain names, like SplendaKills.com, SplendaPoison.com, SplendaVictims.com. It is their elaborate attempt to prevent any negative information being written on-line. Hmmm…if their products are safe as they say, why are they doing this?

The inventors of Splenda admit that about 15% of sucralose is absorbed by the body, but they cannot guarantee us (out of this 15%) what amount of chlorine stays in the body and what percent flushes out. Wait a minute…chlorine is a cancer-causing agent…Hmmm…

As of 2006, only 6 human trials had been published on Splenda. Of these 6 trials, only 2 of the trials were completed and published before the FDA approved it for human consumption. The 2 published trials had a whopping total of 36 human subjects, of which only 23 total were actually given sucralose for testing. The longest trial at this time had lasted only 4 days, & looked at Splenda in relation to tooth decay, not human tolerance.

The absorption of Splenda in the human body was studied on a whopping total of 6 men-—and based on that 1 human study, the FDA allowed the findings to be generalized as being representative of the entire human population, including women, children, the elderly, and those with any chronic illness. The FDA claims they reviewed over 100 studies conducted on Splenda. The part they don't mention is that most of the studies were on animals.

The web site www.truthaboutsplenda.com lists a variety of consumer complaints from Splenda consumption, such as gastrointestinal problems, migraines, seizures, dizziness, blurred vision, allergic reactions, blood sugar increases, & weight gain. Hmmm…why is this considered a weight loss option---and recommended for diabetics?

Equal and Nutrasweet are brand names for aspartame. The FDA approved aspartame as an artificial sweetener for use in solid form during 1981, and in soft drinks during 1983. It is a synthetic chemical consisting of two amino acids, phenylalanine (50 %) and aspartic acid (40 %), and a methyl ester (10 %) that promptly becomes free methyl alcohol (methanol; wood alcohol). Free methyl alcohol is considered a severe poison.

Some side effects of aspartame: decreased vision, headaches, seizures, confusion, drowsiness, tremors, depression, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, heart pounding, aggravated allergies, the initiation or aggravation of diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, depression, other psychiatric states, hyperthyroidism, arthritis & the simulation of multiple sclerosis. There are more---this just gives you an idea of what it can do in your body!

Senior FDA scientists and consultants strongly objected to the release of aspartame products because of the disturbing findings in animal studies (especially the frequency of brain tumors), questionable experimental data, and the absence of extensive pre-marketing trials on humans using real-world products over appropriate research time frames.

The link between aspartame and associated symptoms has been shown by stopping the intake of aspartame-containing products and having the symptoms quickly disappear—as well as restarting aspartame product intake and noting the return of symptoms. Studies have found that around 2/3 of aspartame users with symptoms experienced symptomatic improvement within 2 days after avoiding aspartame. With continued avoidance, their symptoms usually disappeared.

So…are you convinced that artificial sweeteners are not the best option out there? I used to drink diet soda---I looked forward to it every day. That was over 10 years ago—and I honestly don’t miss it. I check food labels to make sure my family & I aren't getting these artificial sweeteners in other forms of food as well.

Safer options are out there: Stevia (Truvia) and agave nectar or syrup are 2 examples. Another step in the right direction of Total Wellness for you and your family. I look forward to your comments!

Be well and Stay well—
Sana

What's The Scoop On Calcium Supplements?

2009-09-07T21:07:00.000-07:00

It could be a game show question---or a trivia question: How many types of calcium supplements are there? It would take a while to count them all—as manufacturers continue to capitalize on the growing market of aging Americans concerned about osteoporosis. Actually, the big question should be: Which type of calcium will benefit me the most?

I think most of us realize the need for calcium supplements, especially as we get older---and especially if our bodies tend to be ‘acidic.’ Calcium not only helps keep our bones strong---it is also needed for proper function of the GI tract (gut), the liver & kidneys, the neurologic system, the heart…Yes, it qualifies as one of the ‘Biggies!’

Just taking calcium supplements doesn’t seem to be the answer, however, being the US leads the world in taking the most calcium supplements---and also leads the world in osteoporosis rates. What gives?

Here’s what I’ve found in my calcium detective work---hopefully it will help you decide what is best for you. Go check your calcium supplement & see what the main calcium ingredient is called---then read about it below:

Calcium Carbonate (Tums/OsCal/Caltrate/Viactiv) is made from limestone & requires extra stomach acid for absorption. It is the most common type of calcium used in supplements, yet only contains a small amount of usable calcium (~40%), so a large amount may be needed to meet the recommended calcium requirements.

Coral Calcium supplements are also made from limestone, a form of calcium carbonate.

Calcium Citrate (Citracal) provides less usable calcium per pill than calcium carbonate (~21%).

Dolomite, Oyster Shell, and Bone Meal are naturally occurring calcium carbonate sources which may contain heavy metals, including lead.

Another key factor to consider is that many calcium products are sold in tablet form--hard packed tablets that often pass through the entire digestive system without being completely dissolved.

After reading this list, is it any wonder that the US ranks so highly in osteoporosis even when taking the most calcium supplements?

There is a very effective calcium supplement called Hydoxyapatite Calcium (Calcium Plus---what I take!). It is one of the most absorbable and effective forms of calcium for the prevention of bone loss & is considered the preferred storage form of calcium. The surface of hydroxyapatite helps attract & hold in reserve key nutrients that are required along with calcium for healthy bone maintenance. These nutrients include magnesium, boron, phosphorous, and vitamins B6, B12, D & K. The majority of calcium supplements don’t provide these key components necessary for calcium absorption, resulting in a large proportion of the supplement being excreted (or forming kidney stones!). Some supplements add large amounts of a few of these components, with the theory that ‘more is better’—which we know isn’t the case! Nutrients are best absorbed when they are in ‘normal’ proportions that the body easily recognizes.

There you have it---an effective calcium source for those wanting to maintain strong bones.

Check out my blog article from July 20, 2009 (Strong Bones for All) for information on ‘osteoporosis drugs’ for SAFE options for those with osteopenia & osteoporosis who DON’T want to risk the incredible side effects of ‘Sally Fields’ drugs. You’ll learn about a totally safe & effective supplement that helps get the calcium where it needs to be, resulting in not only decreased bone loss but also increased bone mass.

Thanks for taking time to learn---and for taking care of you! Please share this with your friends and family---
Sana

Not Another Ear Infection---What To Do??

2009-08-24T19:58:00.000-07:00

I’m sure many of you can relate to that middle-of-the-night scenario when your baby wakes up screaming, tugging on one ear, a bit feverish...Ugh---here we go again---another ear infection (and another sleepless night)! The above scenario sometimes continues with the parent making a quick trip to the ER, where the ear infection would be confirmed & a prescription for an antibiotic would be given.

Antibiotics may get rid of the infection a bit more quickly (see studies referred to below), but there are potential side effects as most of you know, like diarrhea---as well as a bigger risk that the bacteria causing the infection will become resistant to commonly used antibiotics, creating 'superbugs' that can't be easily treated. (MRSA is a ‘superbug’).

In recent years, the CDC and medical societies have put great effort into trying to convince parents (& health care professionals) that antibiotics often don’t help with children’s colds and ear infections, particularly for the common ear infection. Studies like those in the next 2 paragraphs clearly show why there is a need for moving away from antibiotics as a first resort.

A clinical study in the United Kingdom compared providing immediate antibiotic therapy with delaying antibiotic therapy for 72 hours in children aged 6 months to 10years. 76% of children in the delayed-treatment group never required antibacterial agents. 70% of the delayed-antibacterial group were symptomatically better at 3 days, whereas 86% of the immediate-treatment group were better. (Washington Post 8-4-09).

Another study showed that children who took antibiotics for an ear infection had a higher risk of further infections over the next 3 years.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians published an updated set of guidelines for the treatment of acute ear infections in 2004. These new guidelines recommend limiting the majority of antibiotic treatment for ear infections (acute otitis media) to children under 2 years of age. They adopted an antibiotic-free approach for most older children with ear infections as well. In these guidelines, they recommend treating with pain relievers and initial observation in otherwise healthy children. Antibiotics are recommended for these children only if they do not improve on their own in 48 to 72 hours, or if they develop severe symptoms (high fever or moderate to severe ear pain).

I consider this a BIG step in the right direction. We’re allowing the body to heal itself instead of immediately hitting it with antibiotics that can totally upset the normal GI (gut) bacterial balance & have long-lasting effects.

SO, WHAT ABOUT THE VERY UNHAPPY BABY THAT IS SCREAMING WITH EAR PAIN?
Warm compresses to the ear may be soothing.
Your health care provider will probably recommend some sort of pain relief option.
Magnetic pads (thin/small) placed behind the ear have been found to be helpful.
Other forms of magnetic technology can be beneficial as well.
Chiropractic adjustments in the cervical spine may be helpful with ear infections as well.

Keeping the immune system strong will decrease the overall likelihood of ear infections, which is the main goal. We do this by ensuring adequate amounts of good quality sleep, solid nutrition (whole food supplements are a great option), adequate intake of good quality water and clean air (air filtration in the home).

May all of you sleep well during this upcoming season of colds, flu & ear infections---Be Well!
Sana

Sports Drinks...Are You Sure??

2009-08-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

Most of our kids and grandkids are bombarded daily with cool commercials and amazing ads for the 'Sports Drink of the Moment.'
Questions we should be asking:
Are sports drinks really better for us than water? Do they really 'hydrate' us better than water? Can they have negative effects on us or our children?

First, let's check out the sweeteners used in the majority of sports drinks: High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a commonly used. The reason it is so popular is that it's cheaper and sweeter than sugar and extends the shelf life of foods. Many experts blame increased consumption of HFCS for the growing obesity problem and adverse health effects such as diabetes. A report from the University of California-Berkeley found that students who drink one 20-ounce sports drink every day for a year could gain about 13 pounds. The typical sweet-tart taste of sports drinks doesn't quench thirst, so a person is more likely to keep drinking sports drinks long after water has lost its appeal, which can lead to increased calorie consumption.

Sucralose is an artificial sweetener, originally sold under the trade name Splenda. It is about 600 times sweeter than household sugar and when metabolized does not produce any energy (or calories). Now why would you want to have something in your sports drink that makes it sweet and does not give you energy? In addition, recent studies suggest that artificial sweeteners have been clearly linked to the rise in obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Next, a quick discussion re: sodium. A 20-ounce bottle of Gatorade contains about 27 milligrams of sodium, almost 12% of the recommended daily allowance for kids ages 14 to 18. The Institute of Medicine reports that over 75% of children consume more than the recommended daily allowance of sodium each day (due in large part to processed foods). Endurance and high intensity athletes may benefit from the extra sodium---the average person does not!

Another interesting finding: A study done at the University of Iowa showed that the common sports drink, Gatorade, eroded teeth faster than Coke---Yikes!

Now for the BIG question: Do our kids really need sports drinks? After all, they are in sports...sometimes...so don't they need the extra electrolytes? Not Exactly! Studies have shown that the loss of electrolytes is not extremely prevalent unless a person is sweating profusely for over 60 minutes. Until that time, water is able to replenish what the body loses in sweat. Sports drinks are only necessary in the context of serious sports...endurance and high intensity sports(like marathons & the Arizona Cardinals' preseason training camp).

What to do??
Honestly, the answer is water. Water hydrates better than any other liquid, both before and during exercise. Water tends to be less expensive and more available than any other drink. Juice may be nutritious, but it isn't the best choice for hydration. The fructose, or fruit sugar, reduces the rate of water absorption so cells don't get hydrated as quickly. Sports drinks are fancy sugar/ sucralose water. These 'cool-looking' drinks are becoming a popular beverage of choice, even when sports are not involved. Kids having them with their pizza at lunch is not a healthy scenario!

What to do with kids who don't like to drink water??
Big problem, I know! Explaining why you're not going the route of sports drinks any more is the first step (you don't want your child gaining extra weight, or being at increased risk for diseases like diabetes--as well as dental cavities). Offer the best quality water you can---most tap water tastes BAD (and is BAD for us! *). Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge for a cold drink, which usually goes down better than room temp water. Add a few slices of lemon, lime, orange, strawberry, etc. to the pitcher of water for flavor--it's so good! Just a few slices---cut them in quarters for more taste in the water---experiment with combinations. You may want to start out with alternating sports drinks with the fruit-flavored water. Going from drinking at least one sports drink a day to 3 in a week is great progress! And set a good example for your kids by drinking adequate amounts of water yourself (while avoiding sports drinks!)

One last recommendation: Invest in 'BPA-free' hard plastic water bottles for you & your family---to keep this 'good water' (filtered--flavored with fruit of your choice) in for school & on the road. They're easy to find--I got ours at Target. It's very 'green'---no plastic bottle recycling and much more cost-efficient.

*Several of my June blog entries focus on quality water, pH of water, water filtration & more--please refer to them for further information.

I look forward to your comments and feedback!
Be Well...
Sana

Mass Flu Vaccinations? Who Really Benefits?

2009-08-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

I realize this is a longer blog entry---I encourage you to read it & share it with those you love---especially families with school-age children.

One of the biggest 'take-home' messages I hope to convey through these blog messages is to get fully informed on health-related issues that impact you and your family. Take for example, the news coming out about the government considering making the H1N1 flu vaccinations mandatory for our kids from USA Today-June 16,2009:
Schoolchildren could be first in line for swine flu vaccines this fall — and schools are being put on notice that they might even be turned into shot clinics. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday she is urging school superintendents around the country to spend the summer preparing for that possibility, if the government goes ahead with mass vaccinations.

Wait a minute---Check out what's happening in Australia, where the winter season has begun. Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon is reassuring parents the swine flu is no more dangerous than regular seasonal flu. "Most people, including children, will experience very mild symptoms and recover without any medical intervention," she said. Hmmm...why such a discrepancy between countries?

It's crucial to understand that these vaccines are experimental, untested, potentially toxic and can be extremely dangerous to the human immune system. Flu vaccines can also contain a number of chemical toxins, including ethylene glycol (antifreeze), formaldehyde, phenol (carbolic acid) and even antibiotics like Neomycin and streptomycin. In addition to the viruses and other additives, many vaccines also contain immune adjuvants like aluminum and squalene. Squalene-based adjuvants can cause a multitude of health challenges, including auto-immune disorders.

The purpose of an adjuvant added to a vaccine is to boost your immune response to the vaccination. They make your immune system overreact to the introduction of the organism you’re being vaccinated against and are also supposed to get the job done faster, reducing the amount of vaccine required per dose & the number of doses given to each person.

Less vaccine required per person means more individual doses available for mass vaccination campaigns. This is exactly the goal of government and the pharmaceutical companies who stand to make millions (?billions) from their vaccines.

Not all squalene is bad--it depends on whether you ingest it naturally (as in olive oil which provides antioxidant effects) or whether it is unnaturally injected into the body. Injection of squalene provokes the immune system to attack all the squalene in the body, not just the vaccine adjuvant, including in places where it occurs naturally, and is vital to the health of our nervous system. Gulf War veterans with Gulf War Syndrome received anthrax vaccines which contained squalene, which has been linked to the devastating autoimmune diseases suffered by numerous Gulf War vets.

Many vaccine researchers are very concerned about this upcoming swine flu vaccination program, especially in light of the fact that the Washington Post has confirmed that the swine flu vaccine WILL contain mercury. U.S. health authorities are actually recommending that kids get FOUR flu shots this fall. Four shots that contain mercury?? Really??

According to the CDC, approximately 36,000 people die each year in the U.S. from the regular flu. That averages to about 100 people a day. The total number of confirmed mortalities in the U.S. from the swine flu since the virus was identified in March is less than 200, less than the number of people who die in two days from the regular flu. Yet don't be surprised if you soon start to see propaganda for mandatory vaccination, starting with our children. Mandatory vaccines bring billions of dollars to big pharmaceutical companies and more control to politicians.

What a lot of people don’t know is that true type A or type B influenza only causes about 20 percent of all flu-like symptoms that people experience during any given flu season. 80 percent of all flu-like illness in a normal flu season is NOT caused by the type A and B strains of influenza for which annual flu shots are given. And vaccine acquired immunity is temporary, while immunity gained after recovering from influenza is longer lasting.

In some states, like Massachusetts, public health doctors have persuaded legislators to quickly pass pandemic influenza legislation that will allow state officials to enter homes and businesses without the approval of occupants; to investigate and quarantine individuals without their consent; to require licensed health care providers to give citizens vaccines and to ban the free assembly of citizens in the state. Wow, where do we live? Is this the US, the home of the Free, home of the Well-Informed?

There is virtually no science to support the safety of vaccine injections on our long-term health or the health of our children. Follow-up studies last on average about two weeks, and look only for glaring injuries and illnesses. The presumed intent of a vaccination is to help a person build immunity to potentially harmful organisms that cause illness and disease. However, our body’s immune system is already designed to do this in response to organisms which invade your body naturally.

Realize that you can say NO to vaccines that you don't believe are in your best interest (or your family's!). This is what my family & I are doing to keep our immune systems strong and greatly minimize our risk of getting the flu:
Good quality sleep each night
Healthy eating (minimize sugar intake, which really 'hits' the immune system)
Adequate water intake (1/2 body weight in ounces/day)
Regular exercise (Walking!)
Basic nutritional supplements, including an Immunity whole food product to daily 'feed' our immune systems

May you and your family be blessed with health that YOU are in control of and informed about--
Sana

The Difference Between Jill & Sue...

2009-08-06T17:26:00.000-07:00

I gave a speech in Toastmaster's yesterday---poor guys---they have to endure all my 'health' related speeches. They give me great feedback before I take my speeches 'to the masses!' Here's how my talk went, in a nutshell:

Please join me in my Virtual Time Machine as we follow 2 women over a 20 year span of time. Jill, from Dallas and Sue, from Chicago. Both women are quite similar: married, 2 teenage children, part-time jobs, very busy with community activities, relatively 'healthy'...and both were raised in a typical 'Western Medicine' lifestyle (have a symptom, take a medication, etc). There is one major difference between Jill & Sue. Sue has watched several family members, friends & coworkers deal with both major & minor health challenges over the past several years and has recently made the decision to 'not go that route'---to take some ownership in her health and health-related decisions.

Our journey starts with Jill & Sue in their early 40's. The first health challenge they both encounter is poor sleep. Jill tells her Dr. about it & is given a sleeping pill prescription. She finds that it helps somewhat, but she's still waking up tired with low energy. Meanwhile, Sue decides to take control. She minimizes her caffeine intake, starts walking a few days/week, settles into a regular bedtime routine & begins using safe, clinically-proven sleep technologies with great success.

The second health challenge is heartburn. Jill has heard all about the 'purple pill' and finds it very easy to get. She has some concerns about being on another medication, knowing that there are side effects---she just hopes she doesn't get the side effects. Meanwhile, Sue had read about heartburn being a symptom of dehydration, so she now drinks at least 1/2 her body weight in ounces of water each day and works on adding more vegetables to her diet, which have an alkalinizing effect. She finds her heartburn gone within a few days!

Next come achy knees. Both Jill & Sue were runners in their early 20's--and now arthritic changes have set in. Jill is given 'NSAIDS' (anti-inflammatories) by her physician. The first one didn't work--neither did the second one--the third one seemed to help (although it had a 'black box' warning on the bottle). When the pain got worse, Jill was given steroid injections in her knees, which, again, helped for a while. Meanwhile, Sue learned that adequate water intake helps with joint health, so she continued on her water drinking plan---along with a safe, clinically-proven joint health supplement, and magnetic & far-infrared technologies with great success: no more pain!

At age 50, Jill & Sue had a DEXA scan (bone density scan) & were both told they had osteoporosis. Yikes! Jill joined the 'Sally Fields Team' taking one of the biphosphonates (even though she has heard about the major side effects, including cancer and deterioration of the jaw bone)--she wasn't aware of any other options, so she just hoped & prayed she wouldn't get the side effects. Meanwhile, Sue learned about a totally safe & clinically-proven bone density-building nutritional product, which she started taking, along with calcium. DEXA scans 2 years later showed Jill with continuing osteoporosis and Sue with normal bone density.

The last two challenges 'popped up' together: high blood pressure and weight gain. Jill has been 'trying' various diets with minimal success & maximum frustration. She decided to 'go for it' with gastric bypass surgery. The thought of surgery scares her--along with the potential complications she was told about, but ultimately decided that this would be the quickest, easiest route to go. The Dr. also prescribed a new medication for her high BP. Meanwhile, Sue is already sleeping well & is drinking adequate amounts of water. Her BP is elevated, but not to the point of Jill's. She makes the decision to make exercise a priority EVERY day (she loves walking---and how it makes her feel!) She also makes a 'deal' with her Dr. to take a BP medication for the short term (no more than 4-6 months) while she ramps up on her exercise and diet, increasing her fruits & veggies to become the main part of her diet. Both women have normal BP readings after 6 months---the difference being that Sue's BP is normal without medication!

Let's take a tally after the 20 years:
Sue is now on 5 regular medications for her health challenges and 2 meds to counteract side effects from the regular medications. She has had 4 knee steroid knee injections & her knees still frequently bother her. She has had 1 major surgery and 1 minor surgery (for gastric bypass complications). She really doesn't feel health--low energy, painful knees, over 1/2 her weight that was lost with gastric bypass has returned--not quite what she was looking for!
Meanwhile, Sue sleeps well at night, has no heartburn or achy knees, is close to her ideal weight and has a normal Blood Pressure---all without meds or surgery. She has great energy & is enjoying this stage of her life, not even feeling like she's 60 years old!

Most of us end up in a 'box' (like Sue) created by Western medicine (pharmaceutical companies, to be exact) where we are led to believe that the only way of treating health challenges is with drugs or surgery. Sue chose to 'step out of her box'...her 'comfort zone' and be in charge of her health.

I leave you with this challenge: Choose your boxes carefully--Get rid of boxes that aren't serving you well--and may you be blessed with great health and long life!
Sana

Who's Writing the Medical Research? Hmmm....

2009-08-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Who's writing the medical research? The answer should be very straight-forward and simple: by the authors (often physicians) listed in the published article. Not necessarily so...as you read the excerpt below from the August 5, 2009 New York Times. (The definition of a 'ghostwriter' is a writer who gives the credit of authorship to someone else). Just another powerful reminder of how important it is for us to 'Take Ownership of our Health.' One of the best ways to do so is by minimizing or eliminating the amount of drugs/medications we take---replacing them (working with your healthcare provider to do so) with SAFE, natural, clinically-proven options.

Medical Papers by Ghostwriters Pushed Therapy 8/5/2009 NYTimes.
Newly unveiled court documents show that ghostwriters paid by a pharmaceutical company played a major role in producing 26 scientific papers backing the use of hormone replacement therapy in women, suggesting that the level of hidden industry influence on medical literature is broader than previously known.

The articles, published in medical journals between 1998 and 2005, emphasized the benefits and de-emphasized the risks of taking hormones to protect against maladies like aging skin, heart disease and dementia. That supposed medical consensus benefited Wyeth, the pharmaceutical company that paid a medical communications firm to draft the papers, as sales of its hormone drugs, called Premarin and Prempro, soared to nearly $2 billion in 2001.

But the seeming consensus fell apart in 2002 when a huge federal study on hormone therapy was stopped after researchers found that menopausal women who took certain hormones had an increased risk of invasive breast cancer, heart disease and stroke. A later study found that hormones increased the risk of dementia in older patients.

The ghostwritten papers were typically review articles, in which an author weighs a large body of medical research and offers a bottom-line judgment about how to treat a particular ailment. The articles appeared in 18 medical journals, including The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and The International Journal of Cardiology.

The court documents provide a detailed paper trail showing how Wyeth contracted with a medical communications company to outline articles, draft them and then solicit top physicians to sign their names, even though many of the doctors contributed little or no writing. The documents suggest the practice went well beyond the case of Wyeth and hormone therapy, involving numerous drugs from other pharmaceutical companies.

“It’s almost like steroids and baseball,” said Dr. Joseph S. Ross, an assistant professor of geriatrics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, who has conducted research on ghostwriting. “You don’t know who was using and who wasn’t; you don’t know which articles are tainted and which aren’t.”

Wyeth faces about 8,400 lawsuits from women who claim that the company’s hormone drugs caused them to develop illnesses.

Blessings of Health and Wellness---
Sana

A Healthy Cause And Effect

2009-07-28T20:53:00.000-07:00

Remember learning about 'cause & effect in school? Simple concept: An action or event occurs, resulting in a certain effect. You drive over the speed limit-->you get a ticket...you eat a pint of ice cream every evening-->you gain weight...you forget to take your puppy outside-->he poops on the floor (personal experience with that one!)

How about applying that simple concept to our health---especially when we're looking at common health challenges? Standard protocol (ie. Western Medicine) often tends to overlook this step, with a prescription or procedure being recommended for specific symptoms or complaints. Examples include pain pills for an aching back, antacids for heartburn, antidepressants for poor sleep, laxatives for constipation, steroid injections for inflammed joints/body parts, high blood pressure medications for high blood pressure...the list goes on. A person can get some relief with these measures, as long as the medication continues---

Here's a thought: How about figuring out the cause of the health challenge & addressing that as a way to get rid of the symptoms?
Below are examples of what it could look like:
Aching back: Chiropractic adjustment for alignment, massage therapy for muscle relaxation, magnetic technology to help with relaxation & minimize the ache, & specific back exercised to strengthen the affected muscles & prevent further problems
Heartburn: Drinking half your body weight in ounces each day of good quality (slightly alkaline is best) use of far-infrared comforter at night when sleeping (Remember, heartburn is a symptom of dehydration)
Poor sleep: Counseling on bedtime routines that promote good sleep, reducing/avoiding caffeine, good quality calcium supplement at bedtime, magnetic sleep technology for deep, quality sleep
Constipation: Nutrition counseling on high fiber diet that minimizes processed foods, adequate water intake, encouragement of regular exercise, probiotics/prebiotics to help restore 'flora' of the gut
Inflamed joints: Adequate water intake, use of safe & natural technologies such as far-infrared and magnetics to work with the body in healing itself, Bio-replenishment products to help the body heal itself
High blood pressure: Nutrition counseling on healthy eating with focus of reaching & maintaining ideal weight, regular exercise, adequate water intake, good quality sleep (BP meds may need to be a short-term 'fix' while lifestyle issues like these are addressed)

I realize this requires a whole new way of thinking for some of us---and isn't it about time to look at some new (SAFE & EFFECTIVE) ways of thinking, especially when we're talking about our health and our family's health! Food for thought, hmmm? I look forward to your comments. I have previous blogs that explain some of the technologies mentioned in this one if you have questions.

Be Well!
Sana

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly...Bacteria, that is...

2009-07-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

My sweet husband is a Clint Eastwood fan & is trying to impart his enjoyment of Clint's old western classics on our son, age 13...not sure it's working, though! One of my husband's favorites is 'The Good, The Bad & The Ugly'---and as they (husband & son) were watching it last night, my quirky brain started thinking about bacteria (strange, I know!)---specifically the bacteria that lives in our GI tract (our gut, in other words). I realize many of you have heard of the 'good bacteria' and the 'bad bacteria' in our gut---and no, I honestly don't think there is a category of 'ugly' bacteria, but I'm sure some of it has to be not that pretty...hence, ugly!

God created our amazing bodies to have a certain balance of bacteria in our GI tract. The 'good' bacteria help us absorb food and minerals, along with manufacturing vitamin K & some B vitamins. Some names of these beneficial bacteria you may have heard of include acidophilus and bifidobacterium. When our gut is healthy, the growth of good bacteria helps to crowd out disease-causing bacteria and make conditions unfavorable for their growth. A very important function they perform is helping the colon maintain a proper pH or acid-base balance. (Wow, it seems like pH balance is HUGE! See related articles on body pH and alkalinity in my past blogs).

Unlike the good bacteria, we don't want the 'bad' (disease-causing) bacteria, like certain strains of E. coli, C. diff. and streptococci-to take up residence inside our bodies. Besides making us sick, bad bacteria can also act to putrefy meat and other food left waiting to be digested in the colon. The 'bad' bacteria can produce enzymes that convert chemicals to carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). They also create free radicals (which can promote cancer growth). People who eat diets that are high in meat and low in fiber are at increased risk for colon cancer due in part to this fact.

One of the most common ways for our good/bad bacterial balance in the gut to become out of balance is with the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are prescribed for dozens of common ailments, which, in the process of killing the bacteria for which they are prescribed, also kill off the friendly bacteria in our intestines. This can severely impair digestion and absorption of nutrients at a time when our body needs them most. I fully realize that antibiotics are necessary at times--even life-saving at times. The key is appropriate use of antibiotics, since increasing numbers of studies are showing that antibiotic treatment, especially when prolonged or repeated, can have a negative impact on beneficial bacteria that live in the gut.

The 'good' bacteria in our gut are called probiotics (meaning 'for life'). 'Bad' bacteria are harmful to our health. These are the bacteria that often require the need for antibiotics (meaning 'against life').

Lactobacillus acidophilus, commonly called acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium bifidum are 'good' bacteria found in our gut. They are also the most common types of probiotic supplements. Probiotics are also found naturally in fermented foods, like yogurt with live cultures, kefir, miso and sauerkraut. Probiotic supplements (available in capsules, liquids and powders) provide a large dose of bacteria beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract, and therefore, overall immunity. These 'good' bacteria crowd out disease-causing microorganisms and often improve bowel regularity.

Prebiotics are substances that feed and promote the growth of friendly probiotics. The two most common prebiotics are whey and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). Whey is the liquid that remains after the curd is removed from milk when making cheese. Primarily water, whey also contains minerals (potassium, calcium and phosphorus), lactose, fat and water-soluble vitamins. Fructo-oligosaccharides or "FOS" are naturally occurring short chains of fructose (fruit sugar)--found in small amounts in fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, onions, barley, wheat, rye, chicory root, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, bananas, and honey.

A powerful, natural occuring prebiotic is lactoferrin. Lactoferrin also has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effects. My family & I take Lactoferrin Gold, a natural product designed to help balance the gut's bacteria as well as provide great immune support. Just another very simple easy step toward wellness...as you 'build' prevention into your lives.

Be Well---And STAY Well!
Sana

Strong Bones For All--Safely!

2009-07-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

Concerns over 'bone health'...osteopenia...osteoporosis...continue to mount in the US. It's hard to understand why, being the US consumes more calcium supplements than any other country in the world---and even more hard to believe the US leads the world in rate of osteoporosis!

Osteoporosis does not occur overnight. It takes years and years to be detected clinically and even longer to become incapacitating to the individual. It is estimated that half of the people in the US over age of 50 have low bone density. This leads to over 1.5 million fractures a year, with some requiring surgery for repair (which comes with inherent risks of complications). Of those in this category that fracture their hip, 30% end up in long-term nursing care.

Routine treatment for osteopenia & osteoporosis has been calcium supplementation in various forms, vitamin D of different types, as well as bisphosphanates (like Fosamax ) which has been linked to abdominal pain, esophageal ulcers, jaw joint destruction and cancer.

Bones serve as the support framework for the body, the other main function of our bones is to as well as acting as a mineral bank for calcium, phosphorous, etc. Up to 1 Gram of calcium is needed each day for multiple functions in our body, like heart & nerve function and the GI tract. The calcium is withdrawn from your bones each day. Just like in any money bank account, both men and women need continuous deposits of calcium to keep the reservoir full when there are regular withdrawals.

The key is prevention and providing a mechanism for the oral calcium we take to be better absorbed and transported to where it is needed. Medications (like biphosphonates) do not serve this purpose. Their goal is to stop or slow bone resorption, and, as we're hearing more and more about, they pose serious health concerns in the process.

That's why I take a revolutionary 'bone health' product, designed to decrease bone resorption (that's good!) and increase new bone formation (that's even better!)--clinically proven & without any side effects. Contact the person who forwarded this blog site to you---or contact me if you have questions or concerns about your bone health---or the bone health of someone you love.

Here's to strong bones...our whole life through...just like God meant it to be!
Sana

Barley Grass...Not just for cows anymore!

2009-07-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

Great---now we're talking about eating 'cow food'! I can just about imagine the look on many of your faces :o) Let me explain...and take a deep breath, knowing that something so incredibly good for you doesn't require grazing or any other 'cow-like' activity---it's much more convenient than that.

So just what is barley grass?
Organic barley grass is highly alkaline (very good for us!) and is rich in enzymes (helps with digestion), especially Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). Research is showing that the human life span of humans is directly proportional to the SOD content in the heart, brain and liver. Barley grass contains large amounts of potassium, calcium and magnesium as well as beta-carotene and chlorophyll. It is seven times richer in vitamin C than the equivalent weight of oranges, and five times richer in iron than spinach. It also has a purifying effect that enables the body to eliminate many toxins that would otherwise accumulate (we can all benefit from this detoxifying effect).

Barley grass is one of the green grasses - the only vegetation on earth that can supply sole nutritional support from birth to old age. Before green grasses undergo the reproductive cycle that creates the grains, they are in the grass stage, and the grasses contain about the same vitamins and minerals as dark green vegetables. When grasses are harvested at a young age, they have a different chemical makeup from their adult counterparts. For example, wheat grass has 32 g of protein per 100 g, while wheat flour has only 13 g per 100 g. Wheat grass has about 23,000 International Units (IUs) of vitamin A per 100 g, while wheat flour has none. Great nutrition!

Green barley grass has a great alkalizing effect, which helps balance the acidity and alkalinity in our body fluids. Our cells cannot adequately function if the pH (which measures acidity and alkalinity) is not in a narrow range. Most processed foods are acidic, and when we consume too many of them, the acidity-alkalinity balance is upset. Green barley grass contains buffer minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Buffer minerals neutralize acidic materials and can help maintain a healthy acidity-alkalinity balance.

Some benefits of regular barley grass supplementation:
*Alkalizing effect
*Increased energy & alertness
*Less craving for junk foods
*Relief of muscle and joint aches
*Lessened allergy & heartburn symptoms
*Improved digestion
*Improved blood sugar balance
*Improved cholesterol maintenance

Barley grass leaf extract has also been found to inhibit the growth of human prostatic cancer cells grown in tissue culture---powerful! And it's a 'Whole Food' which means our bodies quickly & easily absorb it & put it to use.

My family & I have been taking a certain barley grass extract (simple powder or capsule form) for several years now. We've learned that all barley products are NOT created equal! I truly believe barley grass is the one foundational nutritional supplements that can (and should!) be taken by everyone.

Yet another simple, effective way to build wellness into our lives.

To your ever-improving health & wellness--
Sana
PS: Let me know if you have questions about any of these topics!

Making The Most Of Your Health Care Dollars

2009-07-10T17:30:00.000-07:00

I know statistics are boring--Please hang with me--I promise to be brief with them, OK? I've found that they can impact on our thinking...which can in turn impact our actions...and ultimately our health!

Here we go:
**Americans spend twice as much per person, on health care, as any other country--yet we still have some of the world's highest rates of heart disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and mental illness. We should, by all rights, be the healthiest country in the world with this kind of spending! NOT the best use of our health care dollars. This fact alone is evidence enough that our current medical system is broken and in need of a complete overhaul--which, as we've been learning starts with each of us taking Ownership Of Our Health.

**Today in the US, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men will get cancer. And that's after pouring more than $50 billion dollars over the past 30 years into fight against cancer. This research has resulted in a 13% increase in the incidence of cancer and a 7% increase in the overall death rate of cancer. Not quite the results one would expect after $50 billion dollars, huh? Are our health care dollars hard at work?? A more effective approach: Learning and incorporating SIMPLE & EFFECTIVE ways to minimize our cancer risk--of which there are plenty! I've addressed some of these in my past blogs--and will continue to do so.

**Over 100,000 people die from adverse reactions to drugs each year in the US, which means taking a prescription drug is the number 4 cause of death, after heart disease/stroke, cancer and diabetes. More current data is showing that it may be actually 2nd or 3rd in cause of death, instead of 4th. Bottom line? We need to take Ownership Of Our Health NOW and minimize the need for prescription meds as much as possible. Think of the impact that would have our health care dollars!

Let's end on a positive note, knowing that our frame of mind impacts our health as well! Did you know that not one American has died from vitamin use (or abuse) in the past ten years---yet 17,000 die from OTC (over the counter) pain killers? Obviously the quality of vitamins (nutritional supplements) makes a huge difference. I have some blogs referencing this---and again, more to come!

The world is becoming divided into health care professionals who prevent disease and promote wellness and health care professionals who treat sickness. Which category does your health care provider/professional(s) fall into? Are they advising you on health and long-term wellness? Do they fit into the category of 'healthy individuals'? Great food for thought---after all, we only get one body for this lifetime--no trade-in's! What a great common goal: making the most of our health care dollars--let's do it!

Blessings on your health--
Sana

Which Do You Prefer...Exercise or Physical Activity?

2009-07-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

It seems as though the media (along with other entities) is trying to soften or 'pretty up' the concept of regular exercise by calling it 'physical activity' (which it is, obviously). So call it whatever you choose---to make it sound appealing---then just DO IT! Below is some serious ammunition (health reasons) to spur you on:

Exercise helps prevent obesity, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hormone imbalances, depression and some forms of cancer.(This is actually a US law: 103-417!)

The CDC reports that 70% of Americans are not active enough to benefit their health. Not a surprise to the majority of us---A definite 'wake-up call' though!

Medical studies have shown that 90 minutes of exercise a week controlled depression better than tri-cyclic antidepressant drugs. The benefits took 8 weeks to reach this level. WOW!

By combining exercise with nutritional supplementation you get exponential benefits to the immune function:
*Humans that took nutritional supplements increased NK cells 18% for 6 hours. (Natural Killer cells--they're good guys! They destroy fatal viruses, cancers, and bacteria)
*Humans that exercised increased NK cells 13% for 6 hours.
*Humans that did both increased NK cells 255% for 20 hours!!

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. Take out your calendar and schedule it in your day. What a great investment to make in your health...and...yup...it's FREE as well! (Unless you need a new pair of walking shoes---or opt for a pair of weighted fitness shoes like I wear each morning!).

The benefits are TOO GREAT to ignore. Start your regular exercise plan TODAY--don't wait for a new month, a new season, a new walking outfit---just DO IT!

Blessings of health to you--
Sana

Preventive Maintenance---For YOU!

2009-07-08T22:02:00.000-07:00

Ask anyone who recently purchased a new car if they plan on getting the oil changed regularly--and following the preventive maintenance plan found in the Owner's Manual. The typical answer is, "of course!" When asked why, their answer would be something on the order of, "to make it last longer and work more efficiently." It's not a hard concept for the vast majority of car owners to grasp---that's why we see the 'Grease Monkeys' and 'Oil Can Harry's' around---to make it convenient for necessary vehicle maintenance.

The car analogy is not new...it's just a great way to 'wrap your mind' around the idea of 'Personal Preventive Maintenance.' We realize the benefits of regular oil changes, fluid checks, tire rotations, filter changes, etc for our vehicles---so we make sure it gets done. And no, insurance doesn't pay for it! We know we'll end up paying much more in the long run, though, if we forego the preventive maintenance.

If we're making sure this happens for our vehicles, why on earth are so many people not doing the same for their bodies?? At least we can get a new vehicle if the current one breaks down completely. We can't get a new body! And if we wait until our bodies break down, we know that it will cost more and take longer to get 'back to normal'---and sometimes normal is not even an option.

What does Personal Preventive Maintenance look like? Biggies on the list include:
*Getting good quality sleep in adequate amounts nightly
*Drinking 1/2 our body weight in ounces each day--good quality drinking water
*Using an air filtration system in our home (that doesn't produce ozone)
*Eating a balanced diet with an emphasis on veggies and fruit (minimimizing processed foods)
*Taking basic whole food supplements to make sure our bodies are getting the nutrition they need
*Getting regular exercise (walking 30 minutes a day)
*Regular health screenings, depending on age (mammogram, colonoscopy, BP checks...)

As you can see, none of it is rocket science. If you're serious about 'getting healthy' and taking Ownership of your Health' choose one of the above and make it a priority---'build' it into your daily routine.

I have ideas and recommendations to help make this process easier as well. My family and I have been enjoying the benefits of 'personal preventive maintenance' for years.

Time to go get my oil changed on my vehicle (thank goodness there are no muffler bearings to grease!) :o)

Be Well...
Sana

Smoke Detectors & Sickness Detectors

2009-07-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

You know the feeling...after a busy day...looking forward to falling into bed for a great night's sleep...the end to a great day, right?

Now imagine a most annoying sound...the chirping/beeping noise of a smoke detector in need of a new battery! The chirp/beep noise broke the quietness of the evening around 10:15PM---just as I was getting ready for bed. My husband was out of town last night (how does that work?), so I figured out which smoke alarm it was (not hard--just follow the annoying chirp/beep to where it is the loudest) & hauled the ladder in from the garage (10 foot ceilings--step stools don't work!). I even had extra 9 volt batteries (from the last time this happened in the middle of the night), so I put one in my pocket & climbed up. OK, now...let's balance on the ladder...try to unscrew the smoke detector unit from the ceiling overhead & pull the battery out...all while balancing...Hmmm. Easier said than done! I finally wiggled the battery out & finally wiggled the new one into place & climbed down the ladder---only to hear the annoying chirp---AGAIN!

Long story short---after about 10 more trips up & down the ladder, reinserting the battery a few times, putting yet another battery in, waiting to see if the chirping stopped---Mission Accomplished--around 11PM! The chirping was intermittent--- everything seemed fine after inserting the battery, so I would climb down the ladder, wait a few minutes, only to hear it chirp/beep again! I admit I resorted to Googling in my frustration...using the key words of 'smoke detector chirping'---only to find that millions of others had dealt with similar challenges---all seeming to take place during the night! One gal had posted a question on one of the websites, wondering why 'they' couldn't make the alarms (chirp/beep noise) go off during the day instead of night-time. That would be convenient, wouldn't it? (I'm thinking she was blonde--but then so am I!) :o)

All I really wanted to do was drop into bed (my wonderful sleep system) & go to sleep, but the chirp/beep was something not to be ignored---and no, the chirping/beeping doesn't stop just by taking the battery out---the problem has to be taken care of!

Now imagine once more...an annoying chirp/beep noise that went off whenever our bodies started developing a sickness or disease...with the annoying noise continuing until we corrected the problem. A 'Sickness Detector' of sorts...what a concept!

Most diseases take several years to show up with symptoms--and then it's often a huge challenge to get back to total health. A person doesn't just 'catch' heart disease one day...or high blood pressure...or diabetes...or cancer, to name a few of the 'biggies' out there. An alarm that wouldn't stop until we addressed the problem by making simple lifestyle changes---things would look a bit different around here, I would say---we'd be looking at a lot more healthier people!

That's what building prevention into our lives is all about---except for the annoying chirping/beeping part! We've learned that good health doesn't just happen. And being proactive can make a huge difference in keeping those alarms from sounding. It's called Taking Ownership of our Health, instead of waiting for 'something bad' to happen...or letting your health care practitioner 'call the shots.'

I know I can avoid the annoying late night/middle of the night chirping/beeping of the smoke detectors with preventive maintenance of changing the batteries regularly---which we're going to start doing!

Isn't it time for each of us to make sure our 'Preventive Maintenance Plan' is in place for ourselves and our families? Watch for upcoming blogs on this---and email or post your questions!

Sleep Well with no chirp/beeps, knowing you're on the track to Total Wellness....
Sana

Showering Basics: No Chlorine!

2009-07-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

If you were worried about a boring blog outlining the basics on how to take a shower---No Worries! Let's just assume that we all have that 'basic' down. :o)

What you may not realize is that drinking water (tap water) is not the only way to absorb toxic substances including chlorine. Chlorination of municipal water systems produces by-products which can cause serious health concerns. These byproducts have been associated with a variety of serious health challenges, like cancer, birth defects, kidney & liver damage, immune system suppression and neurologic problems.

These chlorine byproducts can be absorbed through our skin when bathing and showering. Certain byproducts, like trihalomethanes, enter our lungs when we inhale the steamy air during bathing. The amount of byproducts absorbed through our skin and lungs during bathing may be even greater in amount than one would ingest in a normal day of drinking tap water.

We realize that water disinfection with chlorine-type products decreases the level of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and cysts in the water. Chlorine is a reasonably inexpensive disinfectant, not too difficult to use and serves a variety of other purposes, including controlling color and odor. It does a pretty good job at cleaning up our water sources.

Just remember---our bodies were not designed to absorb chlorine (or any chlorine derivative)! An easy solution our family uses is a simple showerhead designed to filter out chlorine. It's great taking a shower without smelling the chlorine, having it dry out our skin and potentially causing significant health challenges.

Some of you may be wondering about swimming in a chlorinated pool...a way to minimize absorbing chlorine is to take a shower before jumping in. This decreases the amount of chlorine absorbed.

Be Well---and Be Thankful for Good Health!
Sana

The Freedom To Take Ownership Of Your Health

2009-07-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

We are very blessed as a nation to live in a country with such ready access to healthcare. We know that most people in the world don't have this luxury. But...would you agree that good access to healthcare DOES NOT ALWAYS EQUAL good health to those it serves?

American medicine sometimes causes more harm than good. The number of people having adverse drug reactions to prescribed medications while hospitalized is 2.2 million. The CDC reported the number of unnecessary antibiotics prescribed annually for viral infections in 1995 was 20 million. That number has now grown into the tens of millions of unnecessary antibiotics. (I'll explain in an upcoming blog about what frequent/unnecessary antibiotics can do to our 'gut' or GI tract).

The number of unnecessary medical and surgical procedures performed annually is 7.5 million. The number of people exposed to unnecessary hospitalization annually is 8.9 million.

As you read about these huge numbers, it may appear that the American medical system is the leading cause of death and injury in the United States! This may be a surprise to some---appalling to others---and extremely obvious to yet others.

I'm not saying that healthcare in the US is all bad...there's just great room for improvement. The first step is the decision to take OWNERSHIP of our health, not leaving our health up to chance...or in the hands of others (even healthcare providers). Don't get me wrong---I'm a healthcare provider...a Registered Nurse. My point is that it is that each of is is responsible for working with trusted healthcare providers, taking the time to learn about various options that are available, and then making the best decision based on solid information.

This is a totally different scenario from showing up for a medical appointment, telling where it hurts, being handed a few prescriptions & driving on the the pharmacy to get them filled---without first learning what is causing the health challenge or symptoms, discussing various options for treatment (including potential side effects), and focusing on simple lifestyle changes that will have longlasting effects.

We have the FREEDOM to take ownership of our health. We often don't realize what a gift our health is until it is threatened or gone.

Enjoy your many freedoms this 4th of July holiday---including your freedom to take back ownership of your health!

In Health...
Sana

Choose Joy!

2009-07-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

A little different topic, I realize---but just you wait!

A new friend of mine--a most amazing woman--included a 'tip' in her recent blog about pain being inevitable...misery being optional...and how we can all choose joy.

There's actually research about this...and...joy is FREE! It requires no prescription! It won't interfere with anything else in your life (oh, except maybe misery). And...there are no side effects (oh, except for being infectious around others...but that's a good thing...just more joy!)

A researcher from Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found the level of joy to be the second best predictor of survival time among patients with recurring breast cancer. How powerful is that??

Researchers have also found a high correlation between a person's level of assertiveness and fighting spirit (Game On!) and their immune levels. (The greater the fighting spirit and assertiveness, the higher functioning of the immune system--this is good!)

A researcher from Harvard conducted a 10-year study of 1,300 men that considered themselves optimists. They were found to have only half the incidence of heart disease compared to non-optimists (that would be the pessimists, right?) :o)

So...especially as we head into a wonderful holiday weekend where we celebrate our independence in the great USA, choose joy. Even when we may not be at a point where there is much joy in the current situation, we still have the choice to choose what we focus on and think about. Choose joy---Every time!

May you be blessed with great joy...and great health!
Sana

No More Percocet & Vicodin...How About Some Safe Options?

2009-07-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

The news headlines this morning probably took a few people by surprise..."Ban Percocet and Vicodin"...two of the most commonly prescribed pain relievers.
High doses of acetaminophen (main ingredient in pain relievers like Tylenol and Excedrin) are a leading cause of liver damage. Acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of liver failure in the US, sending over 56,000 people to the Emergency Department. About 200 people die yearly as a result.

A committee of experts assembled by the FDA voted recommended that the FDA eliminate prescription drugs Vicodin and Percocet and reduce the highest allowed dose of acetaminophen in over-the-counter pills like Tylenol to 325 milligrams (from 500 mg). Members also voted to reduce the maximum daily dosage of acetaminophen to less than 4,000 milligrams.

Acetaminophen is combined with different narcotics in at least seven other prescription drugs, like Vicodin and Percocet. All of these combination pills will be banned if the Food and Drug Administration heeds the advice of its experts. Vicodin and its generic equivalents alone are prescribed more than 100 million times a year in the United States.

Dr. Lewis S. Nelson, a toxicologist from the New York University School of Medicine who served as the panel’s acting chairman, said experts had been warning of the dangers of combination painkillers like Percocet and Vicodin for years.

This recommendation is likely to come as a shock to many patients, who may be unaware of the dangers of high doses of acetaminophen — even if they know the drugs contain the ingredient.

This action has the potential of leaving many chronic pain sufferers with yet another challenge: finding a new way to reduce or eliminate their pain.

SAFE options would be a great starting point, don't you think? Maybe it's time to 'think outside the box'...the 'box' that most of us have grown up with: Pain? Take a pain pill. It that doesn't work take more pain pills or a combination of them.

How about this: Pain? Let's figure out the cause of the pain & address that. In the meantime, how about using totally safe and clinically researched technologies like far-infrared and magnetics for relief? I realize it may sound unusual---different---unlikely---that's because most of us have been brought up in the Western Medicine philosophy of treating symptoms, where pharmaceutical companies are earning billions of dollars, often at our individual great expense.

Safe, effective options---definitely worth checking out!

I look forward to your feedback....Let me know if there is a particular topic you would like addressed.

Be Well...
Sana

Omega 3's & Pregnancy---Even If You're NOT Pregnant

2009-06-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

I fully realize that most of you reading this are not (& may not ever plan on being) pregnant. That's OK! :o) I ask that you would share this with young women you know who could benefit (along with their future children!) Thank you for doing so...

I'm writing this message as if talking to a young woman planning on having a child in the near future.

A quick review from the last blog: Omega 3 fatty acids are often referred to as essential fatty acids. They cannot be produced by your own body, but instead need to be obtained through essential foods.

It is known that Omega 3 actually plays a large role in the development and growth of your baby when it is in your uterus. Omega 3's helps to build the brain, form the retinas & develop the nervous system.

Studies are showing that infants born to mothers with higher blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at delivery had advanced levels of attention spans well into their second year of life. During the first six months of life, these infants were two months ahead of those babies whose mothers had lower DHA levels. How wonderful is that?

Omega 3 is also necessary for your own pregnancy to reduce your chances of developing preeclampsia, reduce your risk for postpartum depression & minimize the chance of preterm labor.

Omega 3 oils are especially important during the final trimester. It is during this time that your baby uses Omega-3 to form approximately 70% of his/her brain system, as well as the rest of his/her nervous system.

Omega 3's are found in oily fish like salmon, as well as non-aquatic sources like dark green vegetables, canola, sunflower, and flaxseed oils & walnuts.

Make sure that your Omega 3 supplements are not made from fish livers. The liver can contain high amounts of retinol vitamin A, which has been linked to birth defects.

It honestly is challenging to find good quality forms of Omega 3 supplements. I recommend (and personally take) a vegetable formulation, not made from fish oils.

Blessings on your health!

Sana

Omega 3's...Amazingly Powerful & Extremely Beneficial!

2009-06-28T20:26:00.000-07:00

How about a 'Cliff Note' version of Omega 3's? A lot of information is out there, which can get confusing as we try & keep the 'alphabet soup' straight with EPA, DHA, ALA, Omega 3, Omega 6...XYZ!

What are they??
Omega 3's are one of the 'fatty acids' that are essential for maintaining optimal health. They are a type of unsaturated fats, or “good” fats. These fatty acids are not naturally produced by the body but can be derived from our diet. They provide structural & metabolic functions in the brain & retina (eye) & assist in overall cell function in the body, for starters. A deficiency in Omega 3's may play a role in accelerated cerebral (brain) aging.

What's the difference between Omega 3's & Omega 6's??
Omega 6 fatty acids are also essential for optimal health and are found in eggs, cereals, breads, poultry, processed foods, margarine & most vegetable oils. The average American's diet is typically too high in Omega 6's. Sixty years ago, the ratio of Omega 6's to Omega 3's was a healthy, balanced 1 to 2. That ratio today is 25 to 1 (Carcinogenesis, Sept.2005).

What are the best sources of Omega 3's??
Salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, albacore tuna, wild game, flaxseed, wheat germ, soybeans, walnuts, vegetable oils & green leafy vegetables.

What are the health benefits of regular intake of Omega 3's??
Reduced incidence of heart disease and strokes--lowered blood pressure & triglyceride levels--reduced incidence of depression, dementia & anxiety--prevention of migraines--prevention of diabetes complications--reduced cancer risk---anti-inflammatory effect, reduced stiffness and joint pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis--improved bone density--improved lung function in asthmatics--reduced the symptoms of ADHD in young children and improvement in children's cognitive development.

What to do?? :o)
Focusing on adding the great Omega 3 foods to our diet is a great place to start, although some types of fish have contaminants in them and should be avoided. You may want to consider a quality supplement as well. Supplements purchased in drug stores & grocery stores vary extremely in quality and may have toxins such as mercury in them.
My family & I take a vegetable source of Omega's---a scientifically balanced, pure formulation. Let me know if you would like me to pass on info about it to check out. Another great example of a Totally Safe, Effective, Easy way to build wellness into your life!

Be Well & Enjoy Each Day--
Sana

Labels: nutrition, Omega 3 fatty acids, wellness draft 9:33:00 AM by Sana

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Magnetics ...102?

2009-06-24T21:04:00.000-07:00

Another little 'chunk' or byte of information on magnetics to hopefully assist you in understanding a bit more about why they work so well. I understand if you're wanting information about this technology---especially you analytical minds out there! (That was me, 12 years ago...)

Several points:
*Magnetic health products/devices have been around for hundreds of years in Europe and for thousands of years in Asia.

*The earth's magnetic field has been decreasing over the past years. In addition, we often 'insulate' ourselves from this natural, healthy magnetic field with our homes, our cars, for example (concrete, steel...any other materials that block, weaken or interfere with the earth's magnetic fields). This decreased exposure to natural magnetic fields can lead to 'Magnetic Field Deficiency Syndrome' with symptoms of fatigue, discomfort & overall worsening of health. Symptoms disappear when the body is exposed to naturally occurring magnetic fields.

*The use of AC (alternating current) wreaks havoc with normal magnetic fields in the body. Cell phones cause interference as well.

*To demonstrate the power & benefit of magnetic technology, Dr. N. Nakagawa conducted a study on 11,000 patients with muscle spasms---mainly in the neck & shoulder region---also going down the back. With magnetic technology, 90% were painfree.

*Studies like this abound--I'll share just one more: Dr. Antenucci treated 222 patients with acute & chronic muscle & joint pain with magnetic technology. 90% reported less pain within 5 days. The placebo group (control group) had only 14% with improvement.

*Magnetic technologies can help the body fight off bacteria, viruses and fungi. This occurs with the increased immune function by strengthening the white blood cells. A magnetic field can also act like an antibiotic by lowering the body's acidity (raising the pH). Check out other blogs about how extremely important this is! Those little microorganisms have a much harder time surviving in an alkaline environment.

*Magnetic technology (well-designed technology) enhances our energy levels by maintaining the correct polarization of the cells, allowing them to function most efficiently, providing us with greater energy.

Enough for now! The blog posts will be a bit sporadic over the next week or so with travels. Keep checking back for new info! I look forward to your comments and questions.

Take good care of you...
Sana

Chlorinated Water Consumption Does NOT = Health

2009-06-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking you may have seen articles/commercials/news clips about how tap water is now the way to go for drinking water...I fully agree that bottled water has huge challenges in purity & quality (for starters!)---But chlorinated (tap) water is NOT the answer!

The prime reason for water disinfection is to decrease the level of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and cysts in the water. Chlorine is a reasonably inexpensive disinfectant, not too difficult to use and serves a variety of other purposes, including controlling color and odor. Chlorine is used as a disinfectant because it is extremely chemically reactive.

It is becoming increasingly clear that chlorinated water and many of the chlorination by-products pose serious human health and environmental concerns. Chlorines rarely occur naturally so most living creatures, including humans, have not developed the means to detoxify them.

To date, chlorinated water & various chlorination by-products have been linked to numerous health challenges, including: CANCER, BIRTH DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS, IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPRESSION, NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS AND DAMAGE TO THE LIVER, KIDNEYS AND EYES. Drinking water is not the only way of absorbing toxic chlorine substances. It is also absorbed through the skin when bathing and showering. Trihalomethanes enter the lungs during showering. In comparison to ingested chemicals (like chlorine) which go through the liver, chemicals absorbed through the skin or inhaled enter the circulation immediately.

Many people believe that chlorine is effective at killing all disease-carrying organisms--actually it is not. Cryptosporidium, Giardia and various amoebae are capable of entering a cyst stage, which makes them extremely resistant to chlorine. The list of pathogens, which have caused disease outbreaks in chlorinated water systems, includes also enterovirus, hepatitis A, Norwalk agent and rotaviruses.

Bottom line? Chlorine (or derivatives) do a fair but not complete job of 'cleaning' our municipal water supplies. Chlorine was NEVER meant for us to drink/ingest or absorb during bathing.

My family & I are blessed to be using safe, effective filters for our drinking water and for showering. A very simple way to 'Build' wellness into our busy lives!

Blessings for good health and total wellness...
Sana

Artificial Sweeteners--Just Not Worth The Risk!

2009-06-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

I know some of you may not want to read this, as you clutch your favorite diet drink of choice (I know...I was there!!). I challenge you to read it---so you're fully informed---this information can have a huge impact in your health or the health of someone you know & love.

Artificial sweeteners (like Splenda/sucralose) are added to hundreds of foods and beverages. Currently there are no long-term studies that explore how this synthetic substance reacts in the human body. Even with this lack of research, fake sweeteners (like Splenda) are showing up in many products, even those that claim to be 'healthy.' The media is doing a great 'snow job' with Americans, convincing them that these artificially sweetened products are somehow better than those with sugar.

Splenda/sucralose is essentially chlorinated table sugar--a chemically altered version of sugar that replaces naturally found hydrogen and oxygen with chlorine. Chlorine is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Some chlorinated molecules serve as the basis for pesticides such as DDT and accumulate in body fat and tissues---Ewhhh---what not to put in our bodies!. Although it is commonly thought that sucralose passes through the body unabsorbed, FDA research has found that 11% to 27% of sucralose is absorbed by humans. Tests by the Japanese Food Sanitation Council show that up to 40% may actually be absorbed.

Sucralose has been the subject of fewer scientific studies than any other non-nutritive sweetener. The Splenda site states that Splenda causes "no known side effects." In Sept.of 2008, James Turner, chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health expressed shock and outrage after reading a new report from scientists at Duke University. "The report makes it clear that the artificial sweetener Splenda and its key component sucralose pose a threat to the people who consume the product. Hundreds of consumers have complained to us about side effects from using Splenda and this study, published this past week in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A, confirms that the chemicals in the little yellow package should carry a big red warning label," said Turner.

Below are symptoms that have been experienced by those ingesting sucralose/Splenda. Although many of these symptoms could indeed have other contributing causes, most people stated that the symptoms began around the same time they started using Splenda--then disappeared when Splenda was removed from their diet.

Splenda Reaction Symptoms:
Flushing or redness of the skin--Burning feeling of the skin--Rash--Itching--A panicky or shaky feeling--Swelling--Blisters on the skin--Nausea--Stomach cramps--Dry heaves--Becoming withdrawn--Loss of interest in usual activities--Forgetfulness--Moodiness--Dulled senses--Unexplained crying--Acne or acne-like rash--Anxiety/Panic attacks--Feelings of food poisoning--Headache--Seeing spots--Mental/emotional breakdown--Altered emotional state--Pain (body/chest)--Bloating--Diarrhea--Trouble concentrating/staying in focus--Depression--Seizures--Shaking--Feeling faint

Safe alternatives to Splenda/sucralose: stevia, using small amounts of regular sugar if needed, honey...

Safe alternatives to diet drinks: How about chilled, (filtered) water with a few lemon slices---lime slices---orange slices---strawberries? Brew some tea using a chai flavor or other favorite of yours & drink chilled. Honestly---the BEST alternative: Good Water (filtered, alkaline water).

Be Well & Stay Well...
Sana

Energy from the Sun---Far Infrared, that is...

2009-06-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

The term 'energy' tends to pique peoples' curiosity, especially as we get older---or start raising a family! Who wouldn't like more energy throughout their day? :o)

Far-Infrared (FIR) energy comes from the sun (a different wavelength from ultraviolet, visible light and radio waves). FIR penetrates beyond the skin level and is absorbed efficiently by the cells (visible light bounces off the skin surface).

Without going into the more complicated aspects of physics, Far-Infrared is able to penetrate more deeply than other parts of the light spectrum (to a depth of about 1to 1.6 inches) -- and stimulate your body cells in a beneficial way.

Benefits of Far-Infrared light include:

*Temporary relief of muscular pain and spasm...
*Relief of mild and occasional joint aches and stiffness...
*Providing a comforting feeling of penetrating warmth...
*Stimulating blood flow and circulation...
*Promoting a healthy immune system & metabolism...
*Elimination of waste from the body (detox), reducing the acidic level in our body & improving the nervous system

Additional benefits:
Prevention of bacterial growth
Softening of hard water
Purification of water
Speeding up repair of body cells
Balancing of the acid level in our body
Normalization of blood cholesterol
Maintenance of body warmth and better sleep

Sang Whang, the author of "Reverse Aging" claims that excess acids (potentially very harmful to our bodies) can be eliminated with the use of far infrared products, along with consuming certain alkaline minerals and foods. The far infrared technology heats up the internal temperature of the body, increasing circulation, thus enabling the blood to melt out the acidic toxins.

Some ways to receive infrared light rays includr infrared LED light devices, FIR comforters & FIR wraps for aching joints. Millions of people have used these devices to achieve comforting heat and some measure of temporary relief from pain and stiffness.

Wow---another Simple, SAFE & Effective way to build wellness into our lives...
Our family has benefitted from this technology for years!
I'm waiting for your questions and comments--

In good health...
Sana

Magnetics 101

2009-06-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

I thought it may be helpful to list some of the more common uses of magnetic therapy to help in your process of becoming educated about this pretty amazing technology.

Below are some general uses for magnetic technology--as listed in Dr. Gary Null's book, Healing With Magnets:

*Relief from Hurt and Discomfort. The Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation publised a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with results confirming the effectiveness of magnet in relieving the pain of post-polio syndrome.
*Reduction of Inflammation and Improved Circulation
*Antimicrobial Effects
*Stress Reduction
*Correction of Central Nervous System Disorders
*Energy Enhancement
*Quicker Healing
*Increased Athletic Endurance and Performance

What an incredible list! Especially when you factor in that there are no side effects when using magnetic technology from a reputable company, as my family & I have done for the past 12 years.

More to come---to help with your understanding of this ancient (yet so new to so many of us!) technology. Just one bite at a time!

Blessings of Total Wellness to you...
Sana

Such A Simple Thing To Make Such A Big Difference--Insoles!

2009-06-17T22:12:00.001-07:00

I'm sure everyone who reads this knows at least one person with diabetes, being it now affects over 8% of the American population (23.6 million people). A common long-term complication of diabetes is Diabetic Neuropathy, which affects 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes. Diabetic Neuropathy causes pain, burning, tingling & loss of sensation in the feet (most commonly) and other areas of the body. Medications have historically not proven effective in relief of symptoms---and as we well know, they have their own 'laundry list' of side effects to deal with.

Enter a Simple, SAFE, Effective Solution: Magnetic Insoles. Now before you click the little 'X' in the corner to end your reading of this article, check out the findings from the research article below. This research was performed by a noted neurologist who initially set out to prove that magnetic insoles do not make a difference in Diabetic Neuropathy. This information can be truly life-changing and life-enhancing to so many others...please share this with others. You never know whose life you might bless!
May you enjoy a summer of great wellness---
Sana

The following is a summary of Third Phase of the Weintraub STUDY on the effects of NikkenTM Magnetic Insoles on Diabetic Neuropathy.

* Approximately 260 patients with Diabetic Neuropathy took part

* The Longitudinal Study was carried out at 83 different hospitals by their Dept. heads, according to strict randomized double-blind/placebo design

* The lead researcher was internationally known Michael Weintraub, M.D., FACP

* The results of this study (which have been tabulated and reviewed by NIH)
were reported as the Keynote Address for the annual meeting of the American College of Neurology and were published in: Archives of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation. 2003;84:736-46

RESULTS:
* 90% OF THE PATIENTS REPORTED A POSITIVE OUTCOME, I.E. REDUCTION IN DIABETIC NEUROPATHY SYMPTOMS ( numbness, tingling, burning).
* REPORTED INCREASE IN MICROCIRCULATION (foot warmth).
* REPORTED INCREASE IN BALANCE and COORDINATION.

CONCLUSIONS:
* All Magnetic Insoles are NOT created equal !
* Nikken EQL(tm) Design was THE ONLY insole that provided consistent
results.
* Use of these insoles can slow the progression of Diabetic Neuropathy and conditions related to compromised Microcirculation (Diabetic Ulcers, Gangrene) and potentially provide a reduction in foot amputations (approximately 54,000 done annually).

Whole Food Nutrition, Page 2

2009-06-16T21:44:00.000-07:00

I really don't like beating a topic to the ground, but some topics are pretty huge---and rather than having an extremely long blog entry, my goal is to give more 'bite-size' pieces of information.

So...a bit more on nutrition & supplements---NOT the boring stuff---just the stuff that is VERY important for you to know to help you in your decision-making processes for you and your family.

A powerful reference book that I never loan out to anyone (and I loan out alot of books!) is "Your Blood Never Lies" by Ted Aloisio. Ted is a Nutritional Microscopist and renowned lecturer on solid nutrition information. He bases his info on over 10,000 nutritional assessments. Pretty solid, I would say!

His book covers a variety of topics, including the world of nutritional supplements. A few facts from Ted:
*Supplements can be way off on active ingredient amounts" which means that we may think that we're getting a good amount of a supplement, when we're actually not. (Study from University of Toronto.)
*Ineffective blending of ingredients in many supplements can render them basically useless in the body. (Example: Vitamin B12 costs the most of B vitamins so it is usually supplied in lower than optimal quantities in supplements. This imbalance not only effects B12 levels, but also affects the utilization of the other B vitamins.)
*Questionable manufacturing techniques by some companies include the use of substances like shampoo, polyethylene glycol, cork & sand (to name a few). These may be used as binders to hold the pills together or to make them 'pop' out of the molds more easily.
*The amount of pressure used to compress some pills is sometimes hundreds of pounds. (I wonder how well those would dissove in the body!)
*The Journal of Chiropractic Economics reported a few years ago that 250,000 pounds of undigested multi-mineral and vitamin tablets and pills are pulled out of the Seattle, WA sewage filters every 6 weeks, many of them with the brand names still readable.

All this adds to the case for Whole Food Supplements, by which we can avoid 'all of the above!' Couple that with a healthy diet of 'whole foods' and your body will be smiling and saying Thank You in many different ways--

Be Well....
Sana

Whole Foods---Aren't All Foods Whole Food??

2009-06-15T22:04:00.000-07:00

Good question---about whole foods. One would think that 'whole foods' would refer to most, if not all, foods we eat.

Let's check it out:
Whole foods are defined as those that are unprocessed and unrefined, or processed and refined as little as possible before being consumed. They typically do not contain added ingredients, such as sugar, salt, or fat. They're also defined as natural foods and especially unprocessed ones (as vegetables or fruits).

A whole-food supplement, is one comprised of foods--not extracts, but entire foods, that have been concentrated into supplemental form. Isolated supplements are singular (or groups of individual) vitamins, minerals and/or amino acids.

Here's the BIG difference--that can make a BIG difference in our health: Whole foods contain vitamins, but vitamins never contain the rest of the whole-food "complex." Most of the nutritional supplements people are buying at their local drug store or grocery store fall into the 'vitamin/mineral' category---the synthetic version that has quite limited benefit in our bodies. That's not what our bodies are designed to benefit from. Our bodies most easily recognize 'whole food' supplements that have enzymes, cofactors, antioxidants, etc. that make it a complete source of nutrition.

Take the time to learn about synthetic vitamins/supplements vs. whole food supplements. Take the ultimate test and give your body a 3-month trial of whole food supplements and notice the difference. You won't switch back---and your body will thank you!

To your Total Wellness...
Sana

Swine Flu Pandemic--Digging Even Deeper

2009-06-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

How does a series of 3 shots sound as a way to possibly keep you from getting the flu? According to a 'Swine Flu' article in the June 12, 2009 Arizona Republic, people would need more than one shot & possibly as many as 3 to 'fully protect' them. Two shots of the swine flu vaccine may be needed because the vaccine's development is still in early stages. That basically means that it's not a solid solution at this point---and it could have problems and side effects associated with it.

Please take the time to learn about vaccines such as these before consenting to them for yourself and for your family members (including small children!)
Some points to consider:

**Two years ago (in 2006) a study in the British Medical Journal concluded that the effectiveness of annual flu shots has been exaggerated, and that in reality they have little or no effect on influenza campaign objectives, including reducing the number of hospital stays, time off work, and death from influenza and its complications.
**Another study from 2005, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine also could not find support for the use of flu vaccine to prevent deaths in the elderly. The report highlights that although immunization rates in people over 65 have increased dramatically in the past 20 years, there has not been a consequent decline in flu-related deaths.
**A study published in the October 2008 issue of the 'Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine' found that vaccinating young children against the flu had no impact on flu-related hospitalizations or doctor visits during two recent flu seasons. The researchers concluded that "significant influenza vaccine effectiveness could not be demonstrated for any season, age, or setting" examined.
**A recent study published in the Lancet found that influenza vaccination was NOT associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia in older people. Vaccination coverage among the elderly increased from 15 percent in 1980 to 65 percent now, yet there has been no decrease in deaths from influenza or pneumonia.
**A similar study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, concluded that vaccination against pneumonia does not reduce your risk of contracting the disease.
**Research published in the American Journal of Respiratory Care and Critical Care Medicine also confirmed that there has been no decrease in deaths from influenza and pneumonia, despite the fact that vaccination coverage among the elderly has increased from 15 percent in 1980 to 65 percent now.
**A large-scale, systematic review of 51 studies, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2006, found no evidence that the flu vaccine is any more effective than a placebo in children. The studies involved 260,000 children, age 6 to 23 months.

Why am I still on my soapbox about this? Because there are SAFE and EFFECTIVE ways to protect yourself and your family from viruses like this. Keeping our immune systems strong so they can fight off infections like this is the simple, logical, most cost-effective longterm approach out there. We impact our immune systems through our sleep, basic nutrition, the air we breathe...just what we find in a Wellness Home!

I look forward to your questions and comments---
Be well...
Sana

Swine Flu Pandemic--EFFECTIVE Measures To Take

2009-06-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

The New York Times' headline today is that the World Health Organization has declared that the swine flu outbreak is a pandemic. According to the article, this announcement does not mean that the illness, which has been mild in most people, has become any worse. The term pandemic reflects only the geographic spread of a new disease, not its severity. Pandemics typically infect about a third of the world in a year or two, and sometimes strike in successive waves.

It also means that the health organization is asking drug makers to start making vaccine as quickly as possible, with the hope of having some batches ready by September. Efforts to make a vaccine are under way, and stockpiles of antiviral drugs have been opened.

Let's stop right there and dig a little deeper...

Vaccines are big business for many pharmaceutical companies. Vaccines will generate $21.5 billion in annual sales for their makers by 2012. Time magazine published an article (4/27/2009) reminding us of the huge problems that resulted from vaccines given during the 1976 swine flu fiasco. After several soldiers at Fort Dix had gotten the flu, the Ford administration attempted to use 'flu scare' at Fort Dix as a good reason for a mass vaccination of the entire country. Within a few months, claims totaling $1.3 billion had been filed by victims who had suffered paralysis (Guillain-Barre Syndrome) from the vaccine. Healthy young people ended up as paraplegics. The vaccine was also blamed for 25 deaths. The swine flu epidemic never materialized.

I'll have more info on the effectiveness of specific swine flu vaccines very soon. For now, let's look at one of the highly touted medications recommended for those who may possibly have the flu: Tamiflu.

The timing of this swine flu pandemic is quite convenient for governments that would soon have to dispose of billions of dollars of Tamiflu stock, which they bought to counter avian flu (H5N1). The US government ordered 20 million doses, costing $2 billion, in October, 2005, and the UK government ordered 14 million doses. The shelf life of the anti-viral, Tamiflu is three years.

Tamiflu is NOT a safe drug Serious side effects include convulsions, delirium or delusions. Tamiflu is blamed for 14 deaths in kids. Japan banned Tamiflu for children in 2007. This is when the FDA began investigating over 1,800 adverse (bad) reactions to the drug. When Tamiflu is used as prescribed, it can only reduce the duration of symptoms by 24-36 hours, according to the official data---with a cost of over $100.

Wouldn’t it make more sense to practice basic health measures, such as getting adequate sleep each night, supplementing our healthy eating with basic nutrition that promotes a healthy immune system (like the whole food mushroom blend I described yesterday!), drinking adequate amounts of filtered water, and frequent hand washing? As “Owners” of our health, it’s our responsibility to gather adequate information before making decisions that can have a big impact on our health.

Thank you for taking time to learn how to best protect yourself and your family. Here's to a 'flu-less' season...a 'flu-less' year!
Sana

Mushrooms...Not Just For Dinner Any More!

2009-06-11T22:19:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought that mushrooms would be good for more than making a good steak great---or adding that extra goodness to a tossed salad? Hmmm....the Chinese (for the last 4000 years), for starters!

Mushrooms are probiotic in nature (probiotic means “for life." They are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts, provide a beneficial health effect). They help our bodies keep strong and fight off illnesses. Mushrooms tend to have pretty cool, hard to pronounce names as well: Agaricus Blazei, Phellinus Linteus, Lepiota Procera...to name a few!

When I was first introduced to the concept of mushrooms for health, I looked up the mushrooms listed in the 'whole food' preparation of the 14 mushroom blend I was checking out. Look at the functions of these mushrooms:

MAITAKE--Stimulate T-cells 2000-3000%
AGARICUS BLAZEI--Stimulate NK cells 5000-6000% REISHI---Longevity—Tonic for Cholesterol/Liver
CORDYCEPS SINESIS---Strength—Endurance—Oxygenation
SHIITAKE---Licensed as anti-cancer drug by Japanese FDA—Anti-viral
PHELLINUS LINTEUS---Anti-tumor
TRAMETES VERSICOLOR---Used as anti-cancer drug in Japan
HERICUM ERIANCEUS---Digestive Tonic—Energy boosting
TREMELLA MESENTERICA---Anti-tumor
PLEUROTUS TUBER-REGIUM---Anti-tumor—Beta Glucans (anti-cancer/anti-tumor)
OYSTER---Anti-tumor—Cholesterol lowering
CHAGA---Immune system modulator
LEPIOTA PROCERA---Beta Glucans
ENOKI---Anti-tumor

Whole-food mushroom blends are designed to 'feed' our immune systems to keep them strong. My family & I take this blend every day---to help keep our immune systems as strong as possible AND to build prevention of disease into our daily lives.

Something so simple...so safe...with potential to make such a difference in our lives and in the lives of those we love. Reply/Comment back if you have questions---That's what I'm here for!

Stay well & enjoy your summer...

Sana

Water Basics

2009-06-10T21:12:00.000-07:00

Now that you've learned about the importance of drinking adequate amounts of water from yesterday's post (1/2 your body weight in ounces each day), let's check out some of the more common types of water that we may have access to.

*Tap water has chlorine (or some derivative of it), along with a multitude of other chemicals that were never intended for our bodies. Chlorine is a cancer-causing agent---we need to make sure it's out of our water before drinking!
*Well water doesn't have chlorine, but may have disease-causing organisms as well as chemicals and other contaminants from the ground around it.
*Bottled water is often nothing more than water from a municipal (town) supply that has been run through a simple carbon filter. Articles abound with test results showing the multiple contaminants found in random water bottle testing. And that doesn't even take into account the huge problem of plastic bottle waste.
*Distilled water can still contain heavy metals, including arsenic as well as organic chemicals. The alkalinizing minerals are removed, leaving the water acidic (not what our bodies are looking for!)
*Reverse osmosis water can still contain organic chemicals. The process is slow and wastes water. It also removes all of the minerals from the water, leaving it acidic.

My family & I use a filtration method that incorporates carbon filtration, along with magnetic and mineral components in an easy to use system that provides us with filtered, energized, mineralized water. I encourage you to do your homework and research to find the best filtration for you and your family. The end-resulting water should be slightly alkaline. Then invest in some inexpensive "BPA-free" plastic bottles (I found ours at Target) for your family's water bottles. We each have our own color (mine is blue) to minimize confusion. With this setup, we don't buy bottled water, which is a great way to save some $$---along with being "green"!

Remember...1/2 your body weight in ounces each day---more when you're working out!
Stay well...
Sana

The Heartburn-Dehydration Connection

2009-06-09T21:13:00.000-07:00

Heartburn is 'big business' in the pharmaceutical world , with magical little purple pills...or green ones...I'm sure there are pink ones as well! We know that is one way to treat the symptom of heartburn.

What if heartburn could be managed in a much simpler, much less expensive & much SAFER way? Hmmm....Let's look at what heartburn is, first. Heartburn is a signal of dehydration in our body. It's one of the body's ways of signaling thirst. Heartburn is NOT a disease, which most related commercials would lead a person to believe.

The use of heartburn medications and antacids obviously doesn't correct the dehydration and can ultimately lead to inflammation of the esophagus, stomach & rest of the GI tract.

A good rule of thumb for adequate water intake is drinking half your body weight (lbs) in ounces each day (more when working out & sweating). Example: a person weighing 140 lb should drink at least 70 ounces of water daily.

Some tips to increase your water intake: Take a glass of water into your bedroom or bathroom at night and drink it first thing when you wake up in the morning---Drink a glass of water before each meal---Keep a notepad handy to track the number of glasses of water consumed each day until you reach your goal---Imagine a water tank in your body that gets empty on a regular basis each day (just like your car's gas tank) so as you are drinking water during the day you can visualize 'filling your tank' and keeping it filled!

I'll have information on water quality and the difference between various types of water, including distilled and reverse osmosis water in upcoming blogs.

Reference to information in this blog:
"Water Cures: Drugs Kill--How Waer Cured Incurable Diseases" F. Batmanghelidj, MD. Global Health Solutions, Inc. Nov. 2003.
"Water-The Ultimate Cure: S. Meyerowitz. Book Publishing Co. Oct. 2001.
www.watercure.com

May you be blessed with wellness...
Sana

What's Up With Magnets...Besides the Fridge?

2009-06-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

I know I'm not addressing the 'water and heartburn' issue in this blog---that will come tomorrow. I wanted to share a website with you that I just learned about today!

Here is a website of several news reports from major networks (like NBC) regarding the use of magnets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKRtkUMElQc

It's interesting to watch peoples' reactions when the use of magnetic technology for health and relief of discomfort is mentioned for the first time. A skeptical 'raised eyebrow'---a smirk---a slight shaking 'no' of the head... I know, because I think I did them all at once--and then laughed (12 years ago). I'm glad my mind was open enough to 'just check it out.' My health and my family's health (along with thousands of others) has been blessed as a result.

When concerns are raised about FDA approval with our technologies, my mind quickly raises questions about the hundreds (if not thousands) of prescription medications that were fully approved by the FDA---before being pulled off the market because of major side effects, including death. The wellness technologies I work with are completely safe--NO side effects. Hard to imagine, after growing up in the world of Western Medicine, where everything has potential side effects---but absolutely true.

Whether exploring the use of magnetic technology to make your hurts go away...to sleep better...to build prevention into your life---it's definitely worth exploring to find out how it can be of benefit to you and those you love.

There is much more to cover with magnetics--watch for future blogs! In the meantime, check out the website above. I look forward to hearing from you---
Be Well,
Sana

The pH Balancing Act

2009-06-05T21:17:00.000-07:00

Now that we've learned a bit about why it's crucial to keep our bodies slightly alkaline, how about finding out how to do just that?
My family and I, along with millions of others around the world have found simple, SAFE & effective ways to promote an alkaline environment in our bodies. The 3 basic areas where we impact the pH of our bodies are Sleep, Water and Nutrition. All three are part of the whole wellness picture or wellness home environment.
We impact our body's pH during sleep by using specially designed sleep pads, pillows and comforters with magnetic, far infrared and negative ion technologies. The water we drink is filtered, energized and slightly alkaline, after passing through a specialized filtration unit. (Distilled water and reverse osmosis water are both quite acidic---more on that later!) We also take a certain green barley extract (mixed in water or juice) that promotes alkalinity. That's the nutrition component.
Very simple, easy to incorporate into our busy lifestyles---and powerful in their effects.
Tomorrow: The link between heartburn (the body being too acidic) and water intake.
To your health...
Sana

Think Alkaline---pH REALLY Matters!

2009-06-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, please hang with me just a bit longer as I give a bit more info on the powerful impact that the pH level in our body has on our overall health. I know it can get a bit boring or technical---I apologize for that---The 'rest of the story' (effective ways to promote an alkaline environment) is coming tomorrow!
Major take-home point: Virtually all degenerative diseases including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, kidney and gall stones, and tooth decay are associated with excess acidity in the body. Cancer cannot exist in an alkaline environment. All forms of arthritis are associated with excess acidity. Acid in the body dissolves both teeth and bones.
The body has a homeostatic (regulatory) mechnaism that maintains a constant pH of 7.4 in the blood by depositing and withdrawing acid and alkaline minerals from bones, soft tissues, body fluids and saliva. This can cause the pH of these tissues to fluctuate greatly. The pH of your saliva provides an overall look at the pH of your body. While there can be a wide range of pH values for the saliva and urine, the value for the blood is maintained within narrow bounds.
pH of Various Body Tissues:
Skeletal muscle 6.9 - 7.2
Heart 7.0 - 7.4
Liver 7.2
Brain 7.1
Blood 7.35 - 7.45
Saliva 6.0 - 7.4
Urine 4.5 - 8.0
Biology class dismissed. :o) Thanks for hanging in there---This is powerful information!
Be Well...
Sana

Remember This...pH Matters!

2009-06-03T14:57:00.000-07:00

I realize that you're bombarded every day with Wellness-related information on what to do, what not to do, what to eat, what not to eat, how to exercise, now not to exercise....the list goes on!
One of the most key pieces of information that I've learned over the past 12 years is the importance of keeping our bodies in a slightly alkaline state. It's encouraging to see that this topic is getting some press in women's magazines. These articles tend to focus on the issue, but offer little if any information in HOW to keep our bodies in this pH-balanced environment.
Over acidity in our bodies can weaken all of our body systems. It can make the internal environment of our bodies more prone to developing diseases, as opposed to a pH-balanced environment (slightly alkaline) which allows normal body function necessary for the body to resist disease.
A healthy body maintains adequate alkaline reserves to meet the emergency demands of our bodies often brought on by stress (of any kind). This stress causes an excess of acids in our body, which must be neutralized, which in turn depletes our alkaline reserves, leaving the body in a weakened condition.
The concept of acid alkaline imbalance as the cause of disease is not new. William Howard Hay published a ground-breaking book in 1933: A New Health Era in which he maintains that all disease is caused by autotoxication (or "self-poisoning") due to acid accumulation in the body.
Some reasons that our bodies are too acidic include the typical American diet, which is way too high in acid-producing animal products like meat, eggs and dairy, and way too low in alkaline-producing foods like fresh vegetables. Processed foods like white flour and sugar produce acidity in our bodies as does drinking acid-producing beverages like coffee and soft drinks. Most medications are acid-forming. Artificial chemical sweeteners are extremely acid-forming. One of the best things we can do to correct an overly-acid body is to make simple changes in our diet, focusing MORE on fresh vegetables and LESS on processed foods and large amounts of animal proteins.
Be watching for future postings on specific wellness measures that help keep the body slightly alkaline as well.

What's a Wellness Nurse?

2009-06-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

Does the term 'Wellness Nurse' fall into your category of oxymorons (the use of contradictory terms like 'jumbo shrimp' and 'plastic glass')? Fifteen years ago, it would have been right up there in my books with 'boneless ribs'!

My nursing career dates back to 1981 (yes, that makes me 47!). I chose a nursing career because I wanted to 'help people.' It didn't take me many years to realize that, although I was helping people/patients in an acute care setting, many of these patients continued to be challenged with deteriorating health. Just 'adding another pill' or 'trying' a new treatment didn't provide longterm health that people were looking for. The overall health of Americans---of all ages---was falling apart right in front of me. I didn't have any answers to this ever-growing problem until I was introduced to the concept of Wellness and the use of Wellness Technologies.

I've been on a Wellness learning path for the past 12 years. It's taken a change in mindset...from one of waiting until I got sick & then seeking treatment...to one of expecting to feel healthy, full of energy, with full expectations of staying well longterm.

The most rewarding piece for me in these past 12 years has been sharing what I've learned with others---showing them how to get their health back safely & effectively---as well as showing them how to 'build wellness' into their daily lives. My family & I also enjoy great health, high energy levels and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that we're being proactive with our health (without any medications!).

I look forward to sharing what I've learned with you, so that you and your family may be blessed with True Wellness.

More tomorrow!
Sana