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Crosser Chiropractic & Natural Health Center Think-Wellness Newsletter November 2007 Edition
Vitamin D ~ An Amazing Vitamin You Aren't Getting Enough Of Will 2008 Bring a Stronger, Healthier You??? Common Childhood Food Allergies
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Vitamin D ~ An Amazing Vitamin You Aren't Getting Enough Of As I read more about Vitamin D in its relationship to Osteoporosis, I learned it is valuable to all areas of your health. There have been numerous studies on Vit. D showing that we just don’t get enough of it in our diet. There are doctors like Ron Hoffman, MD (drhoffman.com) who write and talk a lot about Vit. D deficiencies in conditions that may surprise you. The Journal “Archives of Internal Medicine” just published its article on Vit. D. It stated that people with low Vit D are at more risk for developing chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis. Dr. Holick of Boston University Medical Center's vitamin D lab has noted that vitamin D has other roles besides preventing osteoporosis. It may help to prevent cancer, specifically colon, prostate, breast and lung. It also certainly plays a role in preventing psoriasis and other skin problems. Others have noted changes in multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as mood, and Fibromyalgia. It has become clear that receptors for vitamin D are present in a wide variety of cells, and that this hormone has biologic effects which extend far beyond control of mineral metabolism. It has also been implicated in regulation of immunity, mood, and metabolism. Dr Julian Whitaker in his Oct. 07 newsletter wrote about our lack of Vitamin D. He talks about the founder of the Vitamin D council (www.vitamindcouncil.com), discovered inadequate levels of Vit D make us vulnerable to the flu and other infectious diseases. He notes that Vit D turns on genes that boost production of antimicrobial peptides which destroy viruses, bacteria and other germs. Those of us in New England get so little sun in fall and winter, we just can’t make enough vitamin D naturally. The Linus Pauling Center at Oregon State University also has written about the benefits of Vit. D. They have found it is beneficial to those with colon, breast and prostrate cancers, as well as, autoimmune diseases, weak immune systems, muscle weakness and pain. It also helps with blood pressure regulation and insulin secretion. By the way, vitamin D3 is the form you want. Vitamin D2 is also sold and prescribed by Medical Doctors, is not used well by the body. Current FDA levels are around 200-400mg’s per day, but Doctors who use it and study it recommend 2000mg per day of D3. So you can see we are rarely getting enough. So, get some vitamin D, you will get less colds and your body will build up its immune system. Go to the web sites I have noted and read to educate yourself. Next time you have a physical, have them check your Vitamin D levels, even though your doctor may think it doesn’t need to be done. You may be very surprised at the results!
Beans and Legumes/Lentils There are over 1000 legumes species. Legumes are in the class of vegetables that includes beans, peas, lentils and garbanzo beans, or chickpeas. Beans and Lentils have been found in 5,000 year old settlements in the Eastern Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, in Egyptian pyramids, Hungarian caves, Britain and Switzerland, in even earlier civilizations like Peruvian Indians, Middle Eastern and East Indian civilizations. Beans and Lentils are thought to have originated from the wild lentils that still grow in India, Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries. Even now peas, chickpeas and lentils are produced and consumed mainly in Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey and the Middle East but because of the interest in international cuisine, healthier diets and the desire to use herbs, spices and seasonings and low amounts of fat there is a new interest in beans and lentils. Legumes are wonder foods as they are low in fat and absorb the flavor of spices and herbs, making them fun and tasty to eat. People have been eating legumes for thousands of years and these foods are the main source of protein for people in many cultures all over the world. Lentils and other legumes have all the nutrients now recognized as important in preventing heart disease, cancer and obesity. They are high in complex carbohydrates, protein and fiber and they are extremely low in fat.
Lentils
(referred to as “Dal”) are the staple food in every Indian home. Both
the rich and the common person who lives on the street enjoy it. It is
what chicken is to the west – it is India’s comfort food and usually the
starter of every meal eaten with hot steaming rice or with freshly made
chapati (leavened bread) straight off the griddle. Lentils are one of
the healthy dishes in an otherwise red hot-chilly pepper Indian diet.
The world of lentils or dal in India is truly one of India's culinary
gems. Most lentils do not need soaking. They may be boiled with turmeric and ginger and then seasoned with sautéed onion and tomatoes. Roasted or oil sizzled cumin seeds adds an extra dimension to lentils and aids in their digestion. They are delicious added directly to soups! You can also cook them and add to cold salads or eat as a side dish with shredded carrot and other vegetables. Lentils are one of the easiest legumes to sprout, too, and these can be added to salads or to your favorite morning smoothie! Call or email Diane for more information! Here’s a healthy, delicious salad to enjoy, loaded with minerals and fiber!
CALCIUM RICH LENTIL, KALE AND SEA VEGGIE SALAD
Org Kale – 4-5 big leaves ¼ c. sea vegetable (laver, dulse, or kelp) 2 med size carrots shredded EV Olive Oil (extra virgin) ¼ head shredded red cabbage pinch sea salt 1 c. cooked and cooled lentils (2:1 ratio w/water) Tear kale leaves into small pieces and put in bowl. Cut bite size pieces of sea veggie with scissors over kale leaves. Sprinkle with org olive oil and generous pinch of sea salt - toss well to tenderize and make more digestible; about 5-10 minutes. Shred carrot, and red cabbage. Add remaining ingredients to kale and sea veggie and mix well. Toss with your favorite homemade dressing! An incredibly healthy salad and an easy way to get more calcium and minerals into your diet through whole foods and sea plants! (Also great with Annies Sea Veggie/Sesame Dressing if not making your own dressing.)
Will 2008 Bring a Stronger, Healthier You??? By, Kara Hayes In Traditional Chinese Medicine Spring and Fall are optimal times to consider cleansing. However, in our culture, I have found January and February also work well for cleaning and strengthening the body too. Our culture views these months as a time for new beginnings, new commitments and a time to clean out the old, remove what isn’t working, and implement new, healthy habits. Ahhh…a time for New Year’s Resolutions! I encourage you to consider participating in a wonderful experience (in a group or individually) to strengthen and support all the organs of your body. As you improve your overall health through a safe, supervised, 28-day detoxification process, intestinal movement, hormone balance, liver, kidney, and lymphatic function, and toxicity will be addressed. The result of your 28-day resolution? A stronger, healthier you! In about one month issues such as, poor & uncomfortable digestive patterns, headaches, chronic pain, allergies (environmental & food), poor nutrition, inadequate absorption, depression, PMS, fatigue, food cravings, sleep disturbances, and much more will dramatically improve or disappear! Most of us, regardless of how well we eat and how well we take care of ourselves, suffer from some level of toxic overload. Our genetic make-up, age and lifestyle are factors that help determine how toxicity will manifest. It is different for everyone. This incredible program uses unsurpassed products and is one of the best opportunities to nurture yourself, create a new beginning, and feel better fast! Let this be the solution to your resolution! Embark on a wonderful experience of self discovery and healing. For more information or to determine if this program is a good fit for you please contact Kara Hayes, our Natural Health Consultant and Lifestyle Advisor at 603-312-8036 or Kara@think-wellness.com
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By, Janette Sheehy Thank you to all of you that have paid me such wonderful compliments regarding my weight loss. They are very much appreciated and always surprising, as my intention was not related to weight loss. Last March I decided to do the “Metagenics UltraClear Plus” detoxification program. I had been ill through most of the winter with various viruses and respiratory ailments. I tried a variety of things to get better, but just couldn’t seem to shake it completely, leaving me susceptible to whatever might come along next. It was very discouraging to never feel well. I met with Kara to learn what was involved and what I would have to do. Needless to say, I was a bit anxious about this undertaking! Would I be hungry? How would I handle any food cravings I might have? Would I feel okay enough to go about my daily activities? But, if I was going to go through this and maintain a state of wellness, wouldn’t it be worth it? Well, I wasn’t sure, but I was sure that I had to become healthier and had tried a lot of things that didn’t work, so what did I have to lose? My concerns were pleasantly relieved. I found I wasn’t hungry. The UltraClear shakes, supplements, and vegetables I ate really did satisfy my hunger. My cravings? Up to the point that I started the detox, most of my cravings were for some bread or sweet sugary laden treat, guaranteed to momentarily make me feel great, only to end up feeling awful. Surprisingly, I found I wasn’t having those cravings. What I did discover was that there was a pattern to my wanting to eat those things I had craved. When my eating choices were limited to either UltraClear shakes or vegetables, I realized I wasn’t actually hungry, but was trying to feed (or more accurately, mask) something I was feeling. It was related to emotional eating. The detox also gave me the opportunity to break the sugar addiction I had developed, and was living with for years. I found I was able to manage my daily routine, but I was tired. At times I felt weak, but took that as an indication that I needed some nourishment and would have a shake. Weight loss was not my goal, but it was certainly a great bonus. It only added to how much better I felt and now, nearly a year later, I still feel much better. I have developed a healthy diet that works for me and has enabled me to maintain my weight loss.. One of the most impressive things to me was when I was only a day or two into the detox, my sinuses were so much clearer. My energy level increased. My mind felt clearer and calmer. Overall I felt better and continue to. I can honestly say this is one of the best things I have ever done for my health and wellbeing. Common Childhood Food Allergies This article is excerpts from Claudia Anrig, DC. She is on the board of directors of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association What is a food allergy? When a child is exposed to a food source, the body responds by activating the immune system, creating immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to the food. When these antibodies react with the food, histamine and other chemicals cause hives, asthma or other symptoms of an allergic reaction. An allergic histamine response may cause the following symptoms; irritability, fatigue, headache, nasal congestion and skin discoloration. Some health care professionals also link learning and behavioral issues (including ADD/ADHD) with poor food selection.
I can remember many times in my life when wise people would remind me how important it is to “give back to myself,” “fill up my bucket at the end of the day,” or “take time for myself.” Does any of this sound familiar? Never in my life has this lesson become so glaringly obvious as it is right now. As I am more than half way through my first of four semesters of nursing school, I have come to realize how essential it is to my health to take a few minutes to myself each day. It seems the lives of people around me (including my own) have lives that are full, busy, and frenetic. We should all be very happy, fulfilled people, right? Well, why then, I ask, are so many people on antidepressants? Why does time seem to pass so quickly? Why do so many of us struggle with our memory? I have come to the conclusion most of us work too much, play too little, and barely take care of ourselves in any way. We are busy, over-extended people consumed by stress and “to do” lists. Stress is the number one reason for doctor visits and the number one cause of chronic illness, resulting in most Americans being on at least three prescription drugs. As I began to make time for myself, the most difficult aspects seemed to be: creating the habit, finding what works (something enjoyable), and releasing the guilt. Realizing that you don’t have to feel guilty for taking a moment of time each day to be joyful, peaceful, and relaxed is truly the key to giving of yourself to others. I would be willing to bet most of you are thinking, “terrific, one more thing I need to cram into my schedule!” or “I am so overwhelmed there is no way joy, peace and relaxation will ever come to me in a quick moment of my day.” Surprisingly, when happy, healthy holistic practitioners are asked to identify the single most beneficial piece of their healing regime, their answer is their commitment to daily meditation or solitude. I know and realize many of you are uncomfortable with the word, “meditation”. I am not sure why the word has to conjure up so much discomfort for some of us. What I do know is “meditation” takes many forms. Prayer, deep breathing, imagery, journaling, focusing your thoughts on a particular word or phrase, concentrating on the flame of a candle, even a peaceful walk through the woods can be considered “meditative”. The idea really is to remove yourself for five to thirty minutes from the regular, whirlwind activities of daily living to “refill your bucket” and regain a sense of stability (not control, stability). So as we approach one of the most stressful times of the year, I invite you to tune out the commercialism, tune out the daily demands, and tune into your heart, tune into your soul. Bring back the beauty, the wonder, the awe, and the real meaning of this special, magical time. Be patient, practice, and have fun….you just might be surprised at the joy and peace you feel in the midst of all the chaos! For additional information on relaxation techniques or to discuss any concerns you may have, please call Kara Hayes @ 603-312-8036. Have a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!
Remember your family and friends are welcome to purchase their vitamins at our office. We have very high quality vitamins that can only be sold through professional offices. We can always special order vitamins we don’t stock on the shelves too!
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