Have you guys ever checked out the website Vital Juice Daily?
Well, I just contributed to their site.
Check out the article.. and then be sure to browse the site.. it's great!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Acupuncture Reduces Heartburn
A recent study, published in the jounral, Acupuncture In Medicine concluded that acupuncture is effective in significantly reducing heartburn during pregnancy.
After an eight week study period, participants who underwent acupuncture once or twice weekly (in addition to taking antacids and undergoing dietary counseling) saw a 75 percent reduction in their heartburn. On the other hand, less than half of women who received only antacids and dietary counseling saw a 50 percent drop in their heartburn. That's a pretty big difference!
And, get this: women in the acupuncture group also took less antacids, had better eating habits and slept more soundly than women in the non-acupuncture group! Wooo!
Hey, even if you're not pregnant, but you do suffer from heartburn this study offers promising news-- acupuncture has been scientifically shown to reduce heartburn! And, while your heartburn is being treated, you'll also have sounder sleep! Can't beat that.
Happy Tuesday!
After an eight week study period, participants who underwent acupuncture once or twice weekly (in addition to taking antacids and undergoing dietary counseling) saw a 75 percent reduction in their heartburn. On the other hand, less than half of women who received only antacids and dietary counseling saw a 50 percent drop in their heartburn. That's a pretty big difference!
And, get this: women in the acupuncture group also took less antacids, had better eating habits and slept more soundly than women in the non-acupuncture group! Wooo!
Hey, even if you're not pregnant, but you do suffer from heartburn this study offers promising news-- acupuncture has been scientifically shown to reduce heartburn! And, while your heartburn is being treated, you'll also have sounder sleep! Can't beat that.
Happy Tuesday!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
French Press Coffee Can Raise Cholesterol!?
Hey guys... long time no blog. Life has been a little more than hectic. Sorry!
Anyway, lets get on with it....
Oh, how I love my french press. And, then, just like that a patient emailed me the following blog posted on lime.com...
Im going to be lame and do a bit of cutting and pasting here... but, in all honesty, this blogger, Su Avasthi, says it just as well as I could:
"A couple days ago, a friend emailed me an article in the New York Times about how various beverages affect our health.
I dutifully skimmed it, expecting to find the same old, same old. You know, water is good for us, soda is not, cut back on sugary drinks, and caffeine and alcohol are healthy in moderation.
But a few paragraphs down (and in parenthesis), I discovered a bombshell. Apparently, drinking coffee brewed in a French press -- as well as espresso machines -- raises cholesterol and harmful LDL levels.
A French press, also known as a press pot or coffee plunger, is my very favorite way to achieve the perfect cup of coffee. The flavor is yummier and the texture is thicker and more sediment-y (some of us appreciate this quality.) And apparently, the process leaves behind some essential oils.
And that is where the trouble starts. Unlike a drip machine, coffee made in a French press or espresso machine doesn't require a filter. As a result, chemical compounds, including Cafestol and Kahweol remain in the coffee, and seem to cause our cholesterol levels to spike. It seems that Cafestol is the most potent cholesterol-elevating compound known in the human diet.
The same loyalty sent me to Google the situation, just to see how dangerous this method really is. Unfortunately, what I found wasn't especially encouraging. Several sites, including MSNBC, Wikipedia, CoffeeGeek, and, of course, Lime.com note that the French press or European brewing methods are linked to higher cholesterol. Somehow, though, I'd never registered this information."
After reading this, I am definitely inclined to do some fact-finding myself, but for now I've surrendered to the fact that I may need to go out and buy some filters for my beloved french press.
Filtered coffee, schmiltered coffee!
Anyway, lets get on with it....
Oh, how I love my french press. And, then, just like that a patient emailed me the following blog posted on lime.com...
Im going to be lame and do a bit of cutting and pasting here... but, in all honesty, this blogger, Su Avasthi, says it just as well as I could:
"A couple days ago, a friend emailed me an article in the New York Times about how various beverages affect our health.
I dutifully skimmed it, expecting to find the same old, same old. You know, water is good for us, soda is not, cut back on sugary drinks, and caffeine and alcohol are healthy in moderation.
But a few paragraphs down (and in parenthesis), I discovered a bombshell. Apparently, drinking coffee brewed in a French press -- as well as espresso machines -- raises cholesterol and harmful LDL levels.
A French press, also known as a press pot or coffee plunger, is my very favorite way to achieve the perfect cup of coffee. The flavor is yummier and the texture is thicker and more sediment-y (some of us appreciate this quality.) And apparently, the process leaves behind some essential oils.
And that is where the trouble starts. Unlike a drip machine, coffee made in a French press or espresso machine doesn't require a filter. As a result, chemical compounds, including Cafestol and Kahweol remain in the coffee, and seem to cause our cholesterol levels to spike. It seems that Cafestol is the most potent cholesterol-elevating compound known in the human diet.
The same loyalty sent me to Google the situation, just to see how dangerous this method really is. Unfortunately, what I found wasn't especially encouraging. Several sites, including MSNBC, Wikipedia, CoffeeGeek, and, of course, Lime.com note that the French press or European brewing methods are linked to higher cholesterol. Somehow, though, I'd never registered this information."
After reading this, I am definitely inclined to do some fact-finding myself, but for now I've surrendered to the fact that I may need to go out and buy some filters for my beloved french press.
Filtered coffee, schmiltered coffee!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Are Anti-depressant's Effective? Hmmmm....Not Really!
This month, the American Journal of Psychiatry published a research article that concluded that anti-depressant medication's are not nearly as effective as they claim to be.
The first baffling thing that the reporting research scientists found was: the testing done to determine the ability of anti-depressants in treating depression is carried out on groups of people who are not at all like the typical every day person prescribed an anti-depressant.
Whoa! Huh?
Let me explain.
Basically, to get a drug approved and out to the general population, it must go through what are called phase III clinical trials. These trials determine a drug's efficacy on a group of individuals who meet certain criteria determined by the researchers. The study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry has determined that the chosen group of individuals used to test anti-depressants like Celexa is not a true representation of the general population who are prescribed these drugs.
Here's another thing the researchers uncover: the efficacy of antidepressants in those who did not meet phase III inclusion criteria - meaning the majority of the real world people who take antidepressants - are not nearly as effective as once thought.
Probably because they are being tested on the wrong people!?!
Bottom line: antidepressants aren't very effective at all.
Check out the science behind this research: Can phase III trial results of antidepressant medications be generalized to clinical practice?
The first baffling thing that the reporting research scientists found was: the testing done to determine the ability of anti-depressants in treating depression is carried out on groups of people who are not at all like the typical every day person prescribed an anti-depressant.
Whoa! Huh?
Let me explain.
Basically, to get a drug approved and out to the general population, it must go through what are called phase III clinical trials. These trials determine a drug's efficacy on a group of individuals who meet certain criteria determined by the researchers. The study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry has determined that the chosen group of individuals used to test anti-depressants like Celexa is not a true representation of the general population who are prescribed these drugs.
Here's another thing the researchers uncover: the efficacy of antidepressants in those who did not meet phase III inclusion criteria - meaning the majority of the real world people who take antidepressants - are not nearly as effective as once thought.
Probably because they are being tested on the wrong people!?!
Bottom line: antidepressants aren't very effective at all.
Check out the science behind this research: Can phase III trial results of antidepressant medications be generalized to clinical practice?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Laptops and Infertility
Great! Yet another environmental factor that can hamper both male and female fertility.
Of course, the theory that the radiation emitted from your laptop (or any host of household electrical appliances like your alarm clock, dishwasher and TV) affects fertility is not new. I just think its a topic that's important to revisit as I just heard an intriguing stat: the average person spends more time on their computer than they do with their spouse or significant other. Jeez!
Supposedly the EMF's (electromagnetic fields) that are given off by ones laptop (or any other household electrical appliance) decreases as the distance between you and your laptop increases. Hmmm... I don't know about you, but I find it kinda hard to sit more than arms length away from my laptop. But here's the real kicker: a laptop should never be placed on your lap! The heat and EMF's given off by your spiffy new MacBook can cook your reproductive organs and render you infertile-- and, ladies beware, some studies even show it may cause ovarian cancer!
So, what can we do?
Well, you can get yourself an EMF protection device for your laptop. They're inexpensive and easy to use and could make a huge difference in your quality of life. Oh, and here's another way to really cut down on your radiation exposure: try spending more time with your loved ones and less time with your favorite electrical appliances.
Have a great day!
Of course, the theory that the radiation emitted from your laptop (or any host of household electrical appliances like your alarm clock, dishwasher and TV) affects fertility is not new. I just think its a topic that's important to revisit as I just heard an intriguing stat: the average person spends more time on their computer than they do with their spouse or significant other. Jeez!
Supposedly the EMF's (electromagnetic fields) that are given off by ones laptop (or any other household electrical appliance) decreases as the distance between you and your laptop increases. Hmmm... I don't know about you, but I find it kinda hard to sit more than arms length away from my laptop. But here's the real kicker: a laptop should never be placed on your lap! The heat and EMF's given off by your spiffy new MacBook can cook your reproductive organs and render you infertile-- and, ladies beware, some studies even show it may cause ovarian cancer!
So, what can we do?
Well, you can get yourself an EMF protection device for your laptop. They're inexpensive and easy to use and could make a huge difference in your quality of life. Oh, and here's another way to really cut down on your radiation exposure: try spending more time with your loved ones and less time with your favorite electrical appliances.
Have a great day!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Breast Feeding Benefits Mom Too!
Of course, we all know that breast feeding--even for only a few months--is a great boost for a babies' overall health. Now, research indicates that it's beneficial for the mothers' longterm health as well!
A recent study analyzed data from nearly 140,000 post-menopausal women and found that those who breast-fed-- for even a month-- had lower incidences of hypertension, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. And, what's even more exciting is that those benefits seems to increase in proportion to the length of time a women breast feeds!
The data compiled suggests that:
Similar studies indicate that breast feeding also reduces mom's risk of developing osteoporosis, breast and ovarian cancer.
Wowsers. Breast feeding rules.
Ladies, get your babies to latch on!
If you want to read more, check out this CNN article: Breast Feeding may protect mom's Heart after Menopause.
A recent study analyzed data from nearly 140,000 post-menopausal women and found that those who breast-fed-- for even a month-- had lower incidences of hypertension, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. And, what's even more exciting is that those benefits seems to increase in proportion to the length of time a women breast feeds!
The data compiled suggests that:
Women who reported a lifetime history of more than a year of breast-feeding were 20 percent less likely to have diabetes, 12 percent less likely to have hypertension, 19 percent less likely to have high cholesterol and 9 percent less likely to have had a heart attack or a stroke than their counterparts who did not breast feed.
Similar studies indicate that breast feeding also reduces mom's risk of developing osteoporosis, breast and ovarian cancer.
Wowsers. Breast feeding rules.
Ladies, get your babies to latch on!
If you want to read more, check out this CNN article: Breast Feeding may protect mom's Heart after Menopause.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Safe and Healthy Cookware
I know you're all cooking fresh, wholesome and organic foods at home... Right???
This is where you're supposed to nod your head and say, "Yes! I love, love, love cooking fresh, wholesome and organic meals!"
Great!
Next question: What type of cookware do you cook with?
I hope your answer is: stainless steel and/or cast iron.
Cast iron or stainless steel cookware is far superior to the popular teflon coated, non-stick or aluminum families of cookware because, unlike the latter, they do not allow toxic chemicals to leech into your fresh, organic and wholesome foods! I mean what's the point in buying organic, pesticide-free foods if your gonna cook them in noxious pots and pans???!
Just be sure not to clean your cast iron or stainless steel cookware with anything that will scratch up its surface. And, replace any pots and pans that have pitting or cracking as this increases the chances of heavy metals creeping into your foods.
Personally, my two favorite cookware brands are: Le Crueset and All-Clad. Check them out.
I know, I know... this whole getting healthy thing is work. But, you know your health is worth it, right?
This is where you're supposed to nod your head and say, "Yes! I love, love, love cooking fresh, wholesome and organic meals!"
Great!
Next question: What type of cookware do you cook with?
I hope your answer is: stainless steel and/or cast iron.
Cast iron or stainless steel cookware is far superior to the popular teflon coated, non-stick or aluminum families of cookware because, unlike the latter, they do not allow toxic chemicals to leech into your fresh, organic and wholesome foods! I mean what's the point in buying organic, pesticide-free foods if your gonna cook them in noxious pots and pans???!
Just be sure not to clean your cast iron or stainless steel cookware with anything that will scratch up its surface. And, replace any pots and pans that have pitting or cracking as this increases the chances of heavy metals creeping into your foods.
Personally, my two favorite cookware brands are: Le Crueset and All-Clad. Check them out.
I know, I know... this whole getting healthy thing is work. But, you know your health is worth it, right?
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