Today there seems to be an explosion of
alternative
approaches to good health and it can be very confusing if you are new to the
idea. Alternative health can cover a
wide variety of topics from supplements to therapies. Mind/body methods intermingle with exercise programs. Some ideas seem to be basic commonsense and
others seem to be from outer space. In
order to bring some order to this topic, I will feature a specific concept from
time to time and explain it briefly to show how it can add to your quality of
life.
I am not a medical person and this is not a
prescription. I urge you to do some
reading and learn about supplements and how they might help you improve your
health. Also, today many doctors are
more aware of the importance of vitamins and can give you guidance. If you have such a doctor, ask for his/her
advice. If your doctor discourages you
from taking supplements, I do suggest that you read up on them and make your
own decision. Taking supplements is not
an instant solution but over the long haul, they can significantly boost your
immune system and help keep you healthier.
It is more important than ever to take responsibility for your own
health and not just depend on your medical doctor who may be biased or
uneducated in natural health issues.
One of the important components
of good health is to keep active. This is especially important as a person
ages. One alternative practice of exercise is Tai Chi. I have worked
with the Taoist Tai Chi Society and found their practice to be very beneficial.
The Taoist Tai Chic Society of the United States was incorporated as a national
charitable organization in 1989 and currently they are represented in 24 states.
Originally introduced by Master Moy back in 1974, branches have spread
throughout the country. What sets this group apart from other Tai Chi
groups is that one of its focuses is to promote good health.
Some of the scientific studies
have shown the following:
Harvard - Tai Chi may be more
effective at improving fitness in older women than brisk walking - improved
aerobic capacity - lower extremity strength, flexibility, balance, quality of
life and emotional status.
American College of
Rheumatology - people with arthritis may have less pain and less trouble with
daily activities - potential to reduce pain and inflammation, stimulate bone
growth and strengthen connective tissue
Atlanta - study fround older
people reduced their risk of multiple falls by 47.5% and had lower blood
pressure.
Various other studies have
found that Tai Chi benefits the heart, lungs and immune system.
Seniors particularly like Tai
Chi because the slow, synchronized movements are easy to learn and to perform,
classes are reasonable and there is no need for special equipment or clothes.
The best way to get any
vitamin is through a good,
well-balanced diet. However, our soil
is not as enriched as it once was and so our food is not as nutritious as it
once was. In addition, because of the
scattered way we eat on the run, taking a supplement makes sense.
A good regime of vitamins
and minerals can supply your body with elements that will fight
free radicals
and augment diminishing vitamin and mineral supplies in your body. They
can also boost your immune system which is the main thing that stands between
you and poor health.
Let’s take a brief look at Vitamin B
and its components. Lack of
sufficient Vitamin B components can cause a number of different health
conditions. The B vitamins are
water-soluble and are involved in cell proliferation and various metabolic
processes. Each nutrient serves a
particular function but it is the synergistic effect of the Bs that is
important.
The best way to ensure that you have
adequate amounts of the various B vitamins is to take a B-complex that includes
all 8 B vitamins. They are B1
(thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid ), B6
(pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), Folic acid (folate), and Biotin, plus Choline,
Inositol and PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
Vitamin B6 supports good immune function and stimulates antibody
response. Vitamin B12 is essential
for cell growth and division. Folic
acid is essential for the production of red blood cells and the development of
the nervous system and blood cells of a fetus.
If you are under a lot of stress, adding a Vitamin B supplement might be
a good idea since stress causes the body to use the BVitamins up faster.
This is also true for people suffering from illness, smokers, drinkers
and drug users.
One word to the wise:
In taking a Complex Vitamin B, you may notice that your urine has turned
bright yellow. That is from Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and is what is excreted
after being processed by your body. It
is not a cause for alarm.
There is substantial medical evidence that
certain B vitamins (specifically B6, B12 and folic acid) lower the risk of heart
disease and stroke by reducing blood levels of
homocysteine. There may also be a link between B vitamins and a lowered
risk of cancer and degenerative diseases. Vitamin B12 deficiencies are fairly common.
Early symptoms can be experienced as a loss of energy, fatigue, memory
loss, confusion, depression and nerve problems so the deficiency can be easy to
misdiagnose.
Previously we looked at another supplement that is important. Vitamin C is a major
antioxidant
which helps prevent the building up of the bad cholesterol (LDL) in
the arteries so it is good for heart health.
It also protects against cancer, heart disease and other chronic
diseases. It is important in wound
healing. I, along with Linus Pauling,
have found it to be a wonderful cure for the common cold if you catch the cold
early enough. Medical studies show that
vitamin C can decrease the risk of cataract formation by 50-70% (along with
Vitamin E). It also boosts our immune
system.
You can’t overdose on Vitamin C because the
body will eliminate any excess.
However, if you take too much, you may have a case of diarrhea, which
will stop once you cut down your intake of Vitamin C.
The new "wonder drug" could
turn out to be dark chocolate. That's right. After years of negative
press, dark chocolate is turning out to be a sweet surprise. At present, a
number of medical studies have been conducted and the findings are very
interesting. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids which appear to raise HDL
cholesterol and act as potent antioxidants protecting cells from free-radical
damage which can contribute to aging, heart disease and certain cancers.
German researchers found that eating dark chocolate lowered blood pressure in
mildly hypertensive subjects. Moderation is the key - don't take this as a
license to indulge or over-indulge. I have tried it and eat 1 oz. of dark
chocolate (82% cocoa and 73% cocoa) every morning on an empty stomach and before
breakfast. I had a significant drop in my blood pressure within 3-4 weeks.
A new study shows that eating
dark chocolate decreases blood pressure and improves insulin sensitivity in
healthy people (I was recently diagnosed with diabetes and am in the process of
reversing it by diet and activity and it worked for me). Researchers say
the results show that the antioxidant-rich compounds found in cocoa and dark
chocolate have a healthy effect on blood vessels as well as glucose metabolism.
These findings were found on
the internet at WebMD and Time Magazine. Again, I am not a doctor but it
may be worth a try. Milk chocolate doesn't have the same effect so stay
away from the light stuff.
Some additional web sites that you might find of interest
follow:
Dr. Andrew Weil
– go to featured articles and links at bottom of first page.
Dr. Susan Lark - click on women’s health issues
Dr. Whitaker – he
has lots for sale but also has good information.
Conscious Choice
– click on health
Bach Flower Essences
– note – click yes on script error warning and go on
Herbs – click on
Richters Herb Letter
Alternatives www.healthwell.com
www.medic-planet.com
www.herbvigor.com
Int'l Tai Chi
IL Tai Chi Feldenkrais Feldenkrais
