SUPERFOODS

Superfoods comprise a specific set of edible,incredibly nutritious plants that are not entirely classifiable as foods nor are they entirely classifiable medicines such as herbs.

Superfoods are both a food and a medicine;they have elements of both. They are a class of the most potent,super-concentrated, and nutrient-rich foods on the planet.

Extremely tasty and satisfying,superfoods have the ability to increase the vital force and energy of one's body known as Qi, and are the optimum choice for improving overall health,boosting the immune system,elevating serotonin production,enhancing sexuality,and cleansing and alkalizing the body.

Because superfoods are natural, they provide an abundance of synergistic elements in their natural stat that work together in the human body in ways scientists have not yet begun to fully comprehend.
Here's a list of the top ten superfoods:
Goji Berries also known a wolfberries,lycium fruit or Gou qi)
Cacao(raw chocolate)
Maca(Peruvian ginseng)
Bee products(honey,bee pollen,propolis,and royal jelly)
Spirulina
AFA blue-green algae
Marine phytoplankton
Aloe Vera
Hempseed
Coconuts and coconut products

Healing the Body:A Journey of Consciousness

What are the orgins of illness in life?Was it something we were born with or had a predisposition towards developing?Are illnesses an expression of how we think,what emotions we carry,dreams and memories we hold onto,what we eat,how we digest,eliminate and what sensory experiences we have.

I think an illness can express itself through a sum total of all these interpretations we choose and make in life. Healing occurs at many different levels and it all starts with  awareness.

Something to ponder upon.........

Namaste,
Jeannette

Research study in Chinese Herbal Formula and Colon Cancer

Here's a great article on Dr. Yung-Chi Cheng, an oncology researcher at Yale University, who has been studying a specific herbal formula and it's effectiveness in chemotherapy for patients with colon cancer.
Promising research has shown in early trials of reducing some side effects of chemotherapy such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. It has also been found to restore intestinal cells faster than when chemotherapy was used alone. If interested in reading more about this article, click here (WSJ article).

Cholesterol: the good,bad and.....

There are several different types of cholesterol. The ones we hear most about are often referred to as the "good" cholesterol and the "bad"cholesterol. However, all forms of natural cholesterol, the type normally found in the body, are good and necessary. Whether it is transported as LDL(low-density lipoprotein, aka bad cholesterol) or HDL(high-density lipoprotein , aka good cholesterol), cholesterol provides the body with building blocks needed to manufacture hormones,cell membranes, vitamin D etc.

Cholesterol is absolutely vital to good health. It is when cholesterol becomes oxidized that it's bad side comes out. The vast majority of the cholesterol circulating in our blood is manufactured in the liver. Only a small amount comes from the diet.It is fair to say that cholesterol manufactured by the liver is obviously not oxidized likewise nor are fresh, natural foods oxidized.

 The foods that are likely to contain oxidized cholesterol are animal products that have been dehydrated, dried or powdered such as dried cheese, powdered whole milk, powdered eggs and butter, hard meats. Theses types of ingredients are often used in packaged prepared foods such as boxed cakes,pepperoni,
and powdered Parmesan cheese, to name a few.A start to  avoiding oxidized cholesterol is to  read the ingredients on food labels,avoid processed,packaged foods and only eat fresh,whole foods as much as possible.

Cancer Care: Relief for common side effects

I have just started doing some volunteer work at the Cancer Center and have noted a list of common side effects that patients seem to deal with.

Nausea: Better prescriptive drugs are available for nausea and vomiting before,during and after  chemotherapy sessions. Some other things to consider are ginger root in a capsule form or brewed as a tea,candied ginger,hypnosis or even medicinal marijuana to selected patients. Acupuncture either offered by a practitioner or self-acupressure applied with a thumb to acupuncture points or devices such as the Sea-Band wristband(to learn more visit www.reliefband.com).

Fatigue:Have your doctor first check for medical causes such as anemia.After chemotherapy and radiation are finished,consider traditional Chinese medicine in helping to restore a balance to your body. Things I have suggested to patients are trying a daily tonic such as cordyceps or ginseng, improving your sleep habits and maintaing a regular exercise program to help overcome fatigue. Sometimes there could be and underlying stress or anger about the cancer that may be draining your energy.Seeking emotional and spiritual support is advisable. Start by surrounding yourself with positive people.

Weight loss: Poor appetite may cause you to veer off the perfect diet and add enough foods that seem appealing so that you keep a healthy weight during treatment.Omega-3 fatty acids found now in ProSure made by Ensure may help prevent weight loss.

Mouth Sores: Lozenges of slippery elm or chewing tablets of DGL(deglycyrrhiznated licorice)may soothe the lining of the mouth.A mouthwash of L-glutamine powder and water or a homeopathic remedy called Traumeel may be helpful. Acupuncture treatments can also be helpful.

Burns:Applying aloe vera gel or vitamin E gelcap can soothe reddened or burned skin post radiation treatment.

GOJI BERRY

Lycium fruit, more commonly known as Goji berries or wolfberry grows mainly in Northwestern China and Tibet.

Research has proven that lycium has an extremely high concentration of vitamins B1and B2,vitamin C, chemical compounds including betaine,sodium,potassium,magnesium,copper,zinc,iron,valine,glutamine, taurine,carotene and more than a dozen sterols.

Lycium fruit also contains polysaccharides. These are sugar molecules that boost the function of the immune system. Polysaccharides are a source of probiotic fiber. Probiotics in the intestines help the body better digest and utilize the nutrients from food. I add a handful to our smoothies in the morning.

The antioxidant content in Lycium fruit is very important as a free radical fighter. Antioxidants protect the cells from damage and are believed to slow the aging process,combat disease and ailments like cancer,heart disease,stroke and even alzheimer's disease.

Goji berries are also a rich source of zeaxanthin,a carotenoid that when consumed becomes concentrated in the macular pigment of the eye and may help protect the retina.

PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS:
Immunostimulant:Research shows an increase in phagocytic activity of the macrophages and the total number of T cells.

Hematological:Increase production in red blood cells and white blood cells.

Cardiovascular: Can lower blood pressure because the effect it has on the liver breaking down some medication.

Uterine stimulent:Avoid use in pregnancy as it stimulates contractions in the uterus.

Antineoplastic:Known to enhance the immune system and suppress the growth of cancer cells.

Jelly Belly

Many of my patients have asked me on suggestion of getting rid of their "jelly belly" and in my research I have found advice from a fitness expert,nutritionist and a naturopathic doctor. Here are a few of their suggestions:

Tailor workouts to belly fat. Burn visceral fat with interval training. Spend between 10% and 20% of cardio time doing high--intensity bursts. After a warm-up walk or run at an accelerated speed for about 90 seconds. Slow down until you recover;then do another burst.I do this myself to help increase my running speed.

Strengthen the core. Muscles between your ribs and pelvis support the abdomen,keep you upright,and maintain a flat stomach.These muscles weaken with age;as ribs sink toward the pelvis,the belly pushes out.
Pilates, balance ball exercises, and yoga are things I incorporate into my routine. Try variations of crunches and plank exercises with pilates,balance ball and yoga. There are some great DVD's you can acquire through Yoga Journal or GAIAM.

Balance metabolism with diet. Processed foods cause improper metabolism. They increase blood sugar and insulin levels,raising diabetes risk. Eat five or six small, whole-food meals a day,with no more than 4 hours between eating. Skipping meals sends your body into "starvation mode" causing metabolism to slow and fat-cell production to increase.I also taylor herbal formulas to help improve digestion and absorption of food.

Focus on portions. Soluble fiber-rich foods,like beans,oatmeal,bananas,and citrus tend to absorb water, making you less likely to overeat. Fiber also helps absorb toxins. Half your plate should contain nonstarchy veggies like broccoli,green beans,cauliflower,bok choy etc. The other portions of the plate should be one-fourth lean protein and one-fourth complex carbs such as quinoa, brown rice or sweet potato. Avoid more than 2 alcoholic beverages per week.

Support hormones. Sixteen hormones affect weight gain!To balance hormones, avoid artificial sweeteners and hydrogenated oils;eat protein,fiber,and healthy fats.Exercise,but don't lift weights excessively,which can increase production of cortisol,the stress hormone that fosters belly fat.


Sleep tight. Deep slumber boosts melatonin and stimulates growth hormones,which help skin,bone, and muscle regeneration and cut down on belly fat.Sleep no fewer than 7 hours nightly in a pitch-black room between 68 and 70 degrees,which allows for optimal production of recuperative hormones.Getting enough sleep also lowers cortisol levels.

Listen to your liver. Excess estrogen can cause belly fat. Manage estrogen levels by optimizing liver function. Turmeric,calcium D-glucarate,magnesium,and B vitamins aid in estrogen detox.Fiber binds and eliminates excess estrogen. Aim for 35-40 grams daily from ground flaxseed,chia seeds or oat bran.