Navigating Your Path to Health

Posted by admin in Wednesday, July 23rd 2008

Many new cars today are equipped with automotive navigation systems. These systems use satellite technology to locate the car and provide directions to a location of our choice. The directions are often provided by voice prompts, which describe the path to follow in order to reach our destination. Thanks to the wonders of modern science, we receive this information immediately. The voice prompts can also inform us that we have missed a turn or even taken a wrong turn. Again, we obtain this feedback right away. We have, in many ways, become a society of immediacy. We often expect immediate feedback or immediate gratification and anything less is seen as unfulfilling, slow, or outdated.

Now lets consider navigating our way to a different type of destination, a destination that most of us find vague and elusive. That destination is health. Imagine a health navigation system implanted in our bodies that is capable of directing us toward that goal. Perhaps it would notify us if our dietary choices are a deviation from the path we should follow. Perhaps it would inform us that our lack of exercise or our need for relaxation are thwarting our efforts to reach our ultimate goal. It may provide prompts in its monotone, mediocre, matter-of-fact voice such as, “To arrive at your destination, put that cookie down.” It may also remind us of activities that we have neglected, such as, “You overlooked exercise again today. Engage in physical exercise at the next possible opportunity.”

But alas, there is no health navigation system available at present. So, how can we find and follow our all-important path to health One such approach makes use of an age-old, antiquated system. That is, we can measure our proximity to destination health by examining how we feel–physically, mentally, and spiritually. Yet, most of us rarely notice the feedback from this system immediately. It may take days, weeks, or even years before we see or feel the effects of our lifestyle choices, positive or negative. We may need to be hit over the head with a hammer before finally hearing the message. Thus, it would be wise to examine if we are listening to what our bodies have to say, while at the same time exploring how we can become better listeners.

One approach to increasing awareness and listening to our bodies is through receiving acupuncture treatment. As an acupuncturist, I am told by many patients that with regular treatment, they become more aware of their bodies and the way in which their bodies communicate with them. Many patients begin to see patterns that were previously not recognizable. These patterns may include vague low back pain due to lack of exercise, constipation during highly stressful situations, abdominal pain related to not expressing emotions constructively, or energy levels that spike and crash as a result of specific dietary habits. Even though patterns such as these may exist for years, many individuals fail to notice the connection. Once they finally choose to slow down and listen to their bodies, they begin to hear the subtle messages.

In many cases, acupuncture can help to treat these imbalances, but in some cases it may not. And when it cannot, most patients find that their problems are far more manageable with the knowledge of specific causative factors. They are pleased to learn that their lifestyle choices can directly affect how they feel, and that by making different lifestyle choices, as difficult as that may be, they can proactively choose to be healthier. I dont mean to imply that acupuncture is the only approach to increasing awareness and becoming a better listener. There are many such approaches. I believe that receiving massage or practicing meditation can be helpful for this purpose, as well as meditative activities, such as reading, conscious walking, gardening, or yoga. All of these modalities can help us learn to listen to the messages that our bodies are sending, until the day when we have our health navigation system implanted.

About the Author

Peter Games is a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Idaho. Peter practices acupuncture and alternative medicine in Boise, ID with his wife who is also a Licensed Acupuncturist. They specialize in the treatment of pain and infertility in Boise. To learn more about their clinic or the acupuncturists, please visit www.AcuBoise.com.

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Is Fish Oil Really Better Than Flaxseed Oil

Posted by admin in Wednesday, July 23rd 2008

categories: Alternative Medicine

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Fish oil or flaxseed oil That is the question posed by millions of health-conscious people each day. But what is the main reason why millions of people are reaching for either fish oil or flaxseed oil If you said omega-3 fatty acids then youre correct.

But what if I told you that one of these oils doesnt present us with a viable or usable source of omega-3s in the body Pretty shocking, eh

Well the truth of the matter is that fish oil offers you a much better omega-3 bang for your buck. Why It all boils down to two important compounds known as EPA and DHA.

We need EPA and DHA to protect our heart, for healthy brain and eye development, prevention and treatment of skin diseases, arthritis, for immune function and more.

Why Not Just Eat Flax

For decades a debates have been fought about whether flaxseed oil could provide adequate levels of EPA. The verdict - flaxseed should never be used for its EPA producing ability.

Flaxseed oil is a wonderful healing oil but it is not a source of EPA.

Having said, I will often add flaxseed oil to many of my salad dressings and other foods but it is not the oil I use for EPA and DHA.

Research shows that flaxseed oil is poorly converted to EPA and that it provides absolutely no DHA. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition evaluated 45 healthy men and post-menopausal women 18 to 65. They all had normal cholesterol and were asked to eat olive oil as their oil source. They were divided into 3 groups. One got ALA alpha linolenic acid - from flax and the other two with a supplemental form of EPA.

Each was given 750mg for 3 weeks and then 1,500mg for 3 weeks in a supplement. Both the EPA groups had significant increases in EPA in red blood cells however there was no increase in EPA in the ALA flax group. Neither the ALA nor EPA group showed significant increases in DHA; which, means that we should also supplement with DHA.

The reason why the flax ALA group did not witness an increase in EPA in red blood cells is because of an enzyme in the body that is needed to convert ALA to EPA.

This enzyme called the Delta-6-desaturase if not working properly stops the conversion of ALA to EPA. The Flax Council of Canada states that flaxseed has a limited conversion to EPA in healthy people of up to only 8 However, new very sophisticated studies are showing that this is even rare.

The reasons why the Delta-6-desaturase enzyme does not work as well as why we cant convert ALA to EPA are as follows:

Anyone with diabetes has a faulty delta-6 enzyme
Viral infection
Allergic disease
High cholesterol
Stress hormones
Aging
Menopause menopausal women have been found to have an inactive enzyme
Alcohol
Smoking
Arachidonic acid
Saturated fat
Trans fatty acid consumption in the diet
Nutrient deficiency of Zinc, B6, vitamin C

DHA for the Brain

Perhaps you may have seen recent commercials promoting white bread now infused with DHA and then claiming that this white bread is now essential for the healthy development of our childrens brains and nervous systems.

Well, besides the fact that these artificially-enhanced foods provide no nutritional value whatsoever, the point still remains that DHA is essential for the proper functioning of the brain, and for the development of the nervous system and visual abilities. It is essential for smart babies too. DHA research has also shown it reduces the risk of heart disease.

The human brain is about 60 fat, and DHA is one of the crucial structural fatty acids in both the brain and the retina. Many vegetarians, vegans, and raw foods dieters are also at risk of insufficient DHA unless they supplement with DHA.

Studies have also shown that North American babies have much lower levels of DHA than babies born in Asian countries. DHA plays a role in our babies IQ. So if you want
a super smart and healthy child you may want to consider supplementing with fish oil not flaxseed oil for its high content of readily available DHA and EPA.

But what about vegans who are adamant about getting their omega-3s from plant sources Well, for the answer youll just have to stay tuned for the next article where Ill talk about one of the worlds most incredible superfoods that even blows fish oil out of the water no pun intended

About the Author

Nutrition Expert, Yuri Elkaim and his groundbreaking book, Eating for Energy, have helped thousands of people in over 80 countries regain control of their health and weight. Watch his new You Tube Video and discover a delicious GREEN smoothie recipe that will keep you energized, nourished, and provide a significant source of omega-3s. For more on his revolutionary healthy eating book visit http://www.EatingforEnergy.ca.

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Why Most Diets Go Wrong and Fail

Posted by admin in Wednesday, July 23rd 2008

categories: Alternative Medicine

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Strictly speaking, diets don t fail, people fail to stick cloak a diet. Following any reduced calorie diet will result in weight loss. The problem is sticking with it. Unfortunately, most diets have built - in failures which trip up the dieter.

Diets go wrong by being too restrictive.

Many conventional diets demand a somewhat low calorie intake in organization to lose weight. They are based on a fairly simple concept: in order to lose weight one must eat less. Although kosher, for people who have a large amount of weight to lose, reducing their usual daily intake by 1000 - 2000 calories a day is a depressing task. Such dieters feel deprived before even starting a new diet.

Even for people with small amounts to lose, cutting their usual intake from 2200 or 2500 to 1200 calories, can put on a shock to the system. A quick glance at any womens magazine reveals at least one sample menu for weight oblivion. Upon comparison, the amounts of grit seem sure-enough small and usually include uninteresting foods such considering yogurt, cottage cheese and chicken breasts.

Diets go wrong by requiring the dieter to change the type of food eaten.

Humans are creatures of habit and usually eat the same foods over and over. Granted, overweight humans are eating too much of the wrong foods. But, in an effort to promote eating a variation of healthy foods, conventional diets induce new dishes which often include exotic and hard to bonanza foods or decent plain tiresome foods. Using a sample weeks menu of meals can development in buying abnormal ingredients, using a small amount for one system, then often wasting the rest.

Diets go wrong by creation it difficult to eat.

Most diets suggest using fresh foods, cooked from scratch at home. This requires more meal planning, shopping and preparation time. Its easier and quicker to rely on hastily food or convenience foods. The drawback with fast food is in controlling exactly what is eaten since the ingredients are not easily known. Even with the new improved labeling on convenience foods, theres no guarantee the totals at the end of the day will be within maroon ranges. And who has the time to keep track

But strenuous to eat less and prepare strange new dishes guilt be discouraging. New recipes can take longer to set about, forging it tempting to revert to old eating patterns and simply give up. Eating at a favorite restaurant or at social gatherings is difficult at cool. The required food is not available and making substitutions is tricky.

Diets go wrong by feeling like a punishment.

Diets require the reduced intake of nutriment, cutting out favorite foods, learning to like new foods, spending more time planning and preparing food. All these changes can make the dieter feel punished by the very process which is supposed to improve life.

However, people usually approach a diet with the attitude: this is just until I lose touch number pounds. This is stage people fail diets. Any change required to lose weight will need to continue neighboring the pounds are gone. When dieters revert to old habits, the weight creeps back on.

Diets go wrong by creating a repeated failure record.

Every time a dieter fails at a diet, stops trying and returns to old eating habits, the chances of succeeding at the next attempt is reduced. The dieter becomes fatalistic about the possibility of ever losing weight.

How to win the diet battle

The real answer to the shortcomings of diets seems to be: eat the foods you are accustomed to, but reduce the appraisal of everything eaten. Rather than wisdom new ways of cooking, suffering through painful shopping trips for subsistence you dont like, spending hours cooking and tracking the amounts eaten, simply fill your plate as usual, put part of it back and eat the rest with a clear conscience.

A reduction of only 500 calories a day will result in a weight cessation of one punch a week which adds up due to pace. When was the sustain time you lost 52 pounds a year This way automatically cuts the amount of fat consumed as well as reducing the intake of sodium, sugar and firm calories commensurate over tuck and carbohydrates.

So, rather than lodge yourself on a diet, make moderate changes. Omit one large meal or dessert, and all second helpings each trick. Eat a little less meat and high fat foods. Add a salad or extra serving of skinny vegetables every day, you know which ones. Go for a walk after supper. Give it time.

And, never say diet again.

About the Author

How To Lose Unwanted Stomach Fat and Get Six Pack Abs: Abs IQ is a revolutionary fitness and nutrition program developed by Bogumil Gizewski, a renowned master trainer. To learn more about the Abs IQ program please visit www.absiq.com. Bogumil Gizewski can be contacted through his official website which is www.bogumilgizewski.com.