Living Healthy Naturally

I've moved by blog site...

2010-07-01T10:42:00.002-07:00

If you are searching this blog and wonder why there are no new posts it's because I've moved my blog to www.activetcm.com/blog, so check it out and let me know what you think.

Simple exercise #1

2010-06-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

Every morning I bring my dogs downstairs to my building's basement to let them run around crazy. That's their exercise. Easiest thing in the world for me and I used to just stand and watch them. It's fun to see the joy they get chasing each other, jumping over each other, and wrestling. But after awhile, day after day, I noticed I'm staring at the wall more often then not, so I decided to find an easy exercise I could do myself.

Because I spend all day leaning over people doing acupuncture (most of you spend all day leaning over a computer or something else too), I thought I should work on my posture.

So, I started pilates wall exercises. This is an example of one: http://pilates.about.com/od/pilatesmat/ss/WallRollDown.htm

Do you have simple exercise ideas that take 5 minutes or less that you can do anywhere?

Healing--A Taoist Appraoch

2010-06-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

Healing

No matter how extreme a situation is, it will change. It cannot continue forever.

Thus, as a great forest fire is always destined to burn itself out; a turbulent sea will be come calmer. Natural events balance themselves out by seeking their opposites, and this process of balance is at the heart of all healing.

This process takes time. If an event is not great, the balancing required is slight. If it is momentous, then it may take days, ears, and even lifetimes for things to return to an even keel. Actually, without these slight imbalances, there would be no movement in life. It is being off balance that keeps life changing. Total centering, total balance would only be stasis.

All life is continual destruction and healing, over and over again.

That is why, even in the midst of an extreme situation, the wise are patient.

Whether the situation is illness, calamity, or their own anger, they know that healing will follow upheaval.

--Deng Ming Dao, Taoist scholar

Smelly factoids

2010-06-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

I just learned a few interesting factoids about some of the most smell-inducing foods that we eat. I don't know how people can get past the smell of durian to be able to eat it, but it's actually banned in public places in some parts of the world. Others foods that are packed with volatile compounds that can stink up our breath include garlic, onions, and alcohol. Because they circulate in the blood and exit through the lungs, they can cause bad breath for up to 72 hours. Asparagus doesn't cause bad breath, but it does cause your urine to smell awful. Do you think that you're not affected? You're wrong. It affects everyone, but 60 to 80 percent of the population simply can't smell it.

Though coffee breath may not be pleasant, unlike alcohol which encourages the growth of bacteria in the mouth--bacteria that contribute to bad halitosis--coffee actually inhibits their growth and scientists are trying to find ways to use that in breath-freshening products.

Who knew sleep could be so interesting?

2010-06-12T23:41:00.000-07:00

I've never been one to be all that interested in sleep. Some people love sleep. I know many who look forward to sleeping. I'm not one of those people. I sleep because of course we must sleep. I have always felt like I'm going to miss out on something and though I can fall asleep most times at pretty much the drop of a hat, I tend to stay awake way too late.

So, this month's newsletter I've just finished writing is about sleep, why it's so important, how to get more if you can't sleep well, and what to do to change that inner child's voice who still says "Can't I stay up for just a little longer?" I'll post that article once my newsletter goes out later this week.

In the meantime, I thought that these online articles about some other topics surrounding sleep were interesting and downright hilarious.

The first article discusses the ranking of sleep versus sex for hotel guests. In 2009 Westin Hotels and Resorts asked 12,500 frequent travelers of ten countries to rank the importance of things to do when checking into a hotel. On average, 51 percent chose sleep over sex. In 1999, the Westin did a similar study and found only 31 percent chose sleep over sex. http://www.nowpublic.com/health/great-sex-vs-good-sleep

A similar question was asked of new parents, "Is sleep the new sex?" http://lifestyle.ca.msn.com/family-parenting/moms-dads/rogers-article.aspx?cp-documentid=24238022

On an entirely different topic about sleep, this is definitely one of the funniest products I have ever seen advertised: The Better Marriage Blanket. This blanket uses activated carbon fibers, just like the military uses to absorb chemical weapons, to absorb "flatulence molecules" in bed! Yes, you read right. This blanket prevents "offending molecules" (their wording) from being released into the air. They say it makes a great wedding or anniversary present! https://www.bettermarriageblanket.com/

What are your tips on how to improve sleep?

Can't stop that cough?

2010-05-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been treating a lot of coughs. Part of the reason is springtime allergies. Part is as a leftover symptom from a winter cold. But, not all coughs are season-dependant. I found this great article for 8 possible reasons for your chronic cough: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20358279,00.html

So, what can you do if you have a cough that won't go away? TCM has a variety of solutions.

1. Chinese herbs. Yes, they can taste awful, but to borrow from Buckley's "It tastes bad and it works." The key to a successful Chinese herbal prescription is a proper TCM diagnosis. We need to determine if that cough is because of "Phlegm-Heat", "Phlegm-Cold", "Wind-Heat", "Wind-Dryness", or other. Each of these coughs requires a different selection of herbs. It matters if that cough is accompanied by phlegm; if so, what colour is that phlegm, how much of it, and how easy is it to cough up; when the cough happens most; what the sound of the cough is like; what happened to start the cough; what other symptoms there are; and so on.

2. Acupuncture. Once again, the TCM diagnosis needs to be determined, but there are some acupuncture points that will be shared across all patterns of imbalance for a cough. I have had patients come in unable to stop coughing and once we do some needles, that cough stops.

3. TCM food cures. Some foods will produce more phlegm. Some foods will irritate the throat and lungs. Some foods will stress the immune system.We obviously want to choose foods that don't fit into those categories when you are suffering from a chronic cough (or acute cough, for that matter).

4. Lifestyle stuff. If your cough is caused by GERD, i.e. gastroesophageal reflux disease--one symptom of which is heartburn, you will want to consider your diet and stress levels. Lack of sleep can affect the immune system and your body's ability to heal an irritated respiratory system.

Have a cough? Ask me questions. I'm happy to help.

If you're not active, what's your excuse?

2010-05-17T21:12:00.000-07:00

This morning I was invited by one of my patients to watch and try her Qi Gong class. I've taken some Qi Gong classes before, but none like this. I stood out because I was the only one under age 70 and the only non-resident of the retirement home where the class was held. My patient has been teaching Qi Gong for a long time. I expected that she would show that she knows what she's doing. I didn't expect to see how well her students did too.

There were 5 students in attendance today. Apparently there are usually 8 (it was a beautiful day out, so perhaps they were out enjoying it). One woman was seated, but that didn't stop her from showing that she could participate equally well.

There was no speaking during any of the Qi Gong routine. The only sound was the relaxing music. The students all knew the routine well and as I sat and watched the routine for the first round through, I thought how dance-like it was, smooth and graceful. For the 2nd round onward I joined in and did my best to watch and copy.

What I heard during the break halfway through the class was that one of the students has been doing this with this same teacher for the past 6 years. Another of the students said that she would not be able to go out for her morning walk if it were not for Qi Gong. Another was able to pass her driving test because the classes helped her to be able to turn her head and shoulder check.

I saw that it was keeping them limber, physically and mentally. I saw that they were enjoying themselves. I saw that it was proof that none of us have an excuse not to be regularly active in some way.

Think Wikipedia is neutral in allowing real info about nutrition? Not so...

2010-05-15T08:21:00.000-07:00

This article was written in www.hans.org's most recent newsletter.

The Hidden Wikipedia: Find deleted material about nutritional medicine

by Andrew W. Saul, PhD, Orthomolecular Medicine News Service

There is nothing quite like a paper trail, and Wikipedia has one. Consequently, you can read for yourself all the material that has been added, and then deleted.

For example: Wikipedia's page about Max Gerson, M.D., is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Gerson . The doctor is widely known for the nutritional cancer therapy that bears his name. Gerson's principal biographer is his grandson, Howard Straus http://www.doctoryourself.com/gersonbio.htm . Mr. Straus tells the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service of some interesting experiences he has had with Wikipedia bias:

"Some years ago, on seeing that the pages for Dr. Max Gerson and the Gerson Therapy were only stubs (short place-holders with little information on them), I took it upon myself to flesh out the pages. I thought Wikipedia was fairly neutral on balance, so I put in all the information that I could, and kept it factual with references, citations, and literature links.

"Within a month, the following had happened:

"The information was labeled as "biased" and "unreliable" because I am Dr. Gerson's grandson and biographer. There appeared a big red flag at the top of the article labeling the articles neutrality "dubious." The photograph I posted was removed. Provable, referenced facts, with dates and places, all suddenly became "claims," even quotes from no less than Nobel Laureate Albert Schweitzer, M.D., who famously said: "I see in Dr. Max Gerson one of the most eminent geniuses in medical history." Dr. Schweitzer and his wife were patients of Dr. Gerson, making this a first-hand account from a rather reliable source.

"All my links, references and citations were removed. They were replaced by links to the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute, which offer only criticism of the Gerson Therapy. Even quotations from published scientific papers were removed. Attempts to rectify these actions were immediately overwritten.

"It's easy enough to show the progression of the pages, since Wikipedia displays former edits on request, dated and documented. One can verify this by clicking on the "History" tab at the top of the Max Gerson page, and looking at 2005 and before. My editing is archived at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/69.109.140.164 and also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/H...

"A second Wikipedia page, specific to the Gerson Therapy, has been completely removed. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gerson_the... . To see something of what happened, you can click the "History" tab here as well."

The OMNS adds just one other intriguing statement about Dr. Gerson's work that is probably too "unreliable" to be seen on Wikipedia:

"I know of one patient who turned to Gerson Therapy having been told she was suffering from terminal cancer and would not survive another course of chemotherapy. Happily, seven years later, she is alive and well. So it is vital that, rather than dismissing such experiences, we should further investigate the beneficial nature of these treatments." (H.R.H. Charles, Prince of Wales)

Max Gerson is not the only nutritionally-oriented physician whose work is slanted or censored at Wikipedia. Others include Matthias Rath, M.D., and Robert F. Cathcart III, M.D.

For more information about Max Gerson, M.D.: http://www.orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v06n18....

For more information about Orthomolecular.org: http://www.orthomolecular.org/

Could your energy drinks increase your risk of a heart attack?

2010-05-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

This study in The American Journal of Medicine says "yes". http://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343%2809%2900874-2/abstract.

The study showed that when healthy young adults were tested one hour after consuming one 250ml can of a sugar-free energy drink, their endothelial function decreased and platelet aggregation increased. What does that mean? It means that the inner lining of their blood vessel walls became less functional and that their red blood cells started to stick together more. Bad on both counts. Both of these things increase your risk of heart attacks.

Take note that this study was done on healthy young adults. Imagine unhealthy or older adults who have generally have poorer cardiovascular function. And, this was with just one can of an energy drink. I know people who consume more than one in a day. And, people who consume these drinks regularly.

Some energy drinks claim to be healthy. "Sugar-free". So, what's in there to sweeten it? "No caffeine". No extra caffeine added or does is there guarana in there (note that guarana contains caffeine)? What other energy-promoting substances are added then? Some may be healthy. Some may not be. Some may be good for some, but not for you. We're all different.

Think about it...why do you need an energy drink? Are you getting enough sleep? Is your sleep of good quality? Are you actually really bored? Dehydrated? Undernourished? Over doing it?

The Biology of Belief

2010-05-01T19:18:00.006-07:00

I just spent all day today at a forum held at UBC called "It's Time to Heal". It was created by Maple Ridge MD, Dr. Nelie Johnson. As soon as I saw that Dr. Bruce Lipton (PhD in Developmental Cell Biology) would be speaking, I knew that I would have to cancel my busy Saturday clinic day to attend this.

I first saw Bruce at a conference hosted by one of the herbal distributors for my TCM herbs several years ago. I had never heard of him, but after an intro 30 minute talk by him, I immediately called my husband and told him to stop whatever he was doing and get downtown to come see Bruce's lecture slotted for that afternoon. My husband was writing his Masters in Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), the study of how the mind affects the immune system via the nervous system. PNI is based on quantum physics and quantum physics is Bruce's area of expertise.

I, unfortunately, couldn't attend Bruce's lecture that afternoon as I wanted to attend the lecture on Balance Acupuncture and they were scheduled to take place at the same time. I'm still glad I made that choice as I use those acupuncture skills every day. If you've ever had me acupuncture your hand when your lower back is sore or your right wrist to treat your left ankle, you've had balance acupuncture. But, I always wished I could have seen more of Bruce's lecture...especially after my husband spoke on and on and on about him afterward.

Shortly after that weekend I bought Bruce's CD lecture "The Wisdom of Your Cells: How your Beliefs Control Your Biology" and was spellbound with what he had to say. He says it so much better than me, but basically it boils down to the truth that the foundation of what we teach in medical school is WRONG. DNA does NOT control our biology. Genes do NOT control life; life CAN influence and CHANGE how our genes express. We can control our genes! How? Because it's the signals that we get from our environment (energy--good or bad, trauma, toxins, and THOUGHT) that can change how the genes express and how how a cell is created. If you take in good energy (Qi) and thoughts, you can grow new healthy cells. If you take in negative energy and thoughts (e.g. fear, anger, anxiety, etc.), you are in protection mode, i.e. fight or flight. You cannot be in growth if you are in protection. Your body chooses one or the other.

If this makes sense to you, then you must have read some stuff about Quantum Physics and healing. If it doesn't, then you've got to learn more from Bruce or someone like him. Why? Because you can be in control of your own health, wellness, and happiness. And, it's more than just positive thinking.

My husband bought "The Biology of Belief" and I bought "Spontaneous Evolution". We have a lot of reading to do now!

Have you made any changes in recognition of Earth Day?

2010-04-25T20:27:00.004-07:00

Earth Day happened on April 22nd, as it has since 1970. I was happy to hear from many about their regular contributions and commitments to making choices that benefit or minimize the detriment on our environment. But I was surprised about how many people forgot about Earth Day and also forgot about Earth Hour (when we were supposed to turn off all unnecessary power for just one hour on March 27th).

Of course it's never too late and it's really not about that one hour or that one day. It's about making big or small changes that collectively make a difference in lessening each of our negative impacts on our one and only planet Earth.

This year I thought about what I have done so far:
- the 3 Rs: reducing, reusing, recycling
- donations to the David Suzuki Foundation and the World Wildlife Foundation
- having meat-free meal days at least a few times a week
- choosing organic foods and products as much as possible
- choosing local foods as much as possible
- turning off lights and other powered items when not in use
- carry a reusable bag with me, always
- walk to work most days
- I opted out of receiving the Yellow Pages in paper format. I never use it. You can do the same by going to: http://delivery.ypg.com/delivery/

But I have room for improvement. I compiled a list of items that I could do.
- I'm minimizing the printing that I do at the office by emailing receipts as much as possible (many patients find that easier anyway as they can keep their receipts organized more easily and find that they don't need them all printed) and double-siding my printing. I'm also using scrap paper my husband collects from his office to print much of my stuff.
- carry a "Care bag" for my veggies and fruit when I go grocery shopping, so I don't have to use a plastic bag for them
- ask for a mug when I get a hot drink at a cafe (they usually assume I want a paper cup, so I have to remember to tell them) or remember to bring my own
- I already use biodegradable bags to pick up after my dogs, but now I use whatever other plastic bags I get as well, e.g. from bread; might as well reuse them at least
- talked to my strata council about making some small changes to the building that can help
There's more, but...you get the picture.

The point here is, that I'd love for you to join me in my attempt to make as big a difference as possible by working together and inspiring each other. Join the team I started to make your changes and be entered to win a prize! I'll enter everyone who joins for one prize and a prize to the top contributor as well (I will only mail prizes within Canada though). Go to http://calculator.ecoactionteams.ca. Sign up. Click on Join a Team. Join "Active Life".

Acupuncture for Back Pain

2010-04-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

Video on acupuncture treatment for back pain:
Acupuncture for Back Pain

What are you putting on your body?

2010-04-16T07:35:00.004-07:00

This article from the David Suzuki Foundation is a great one. We're polluting our bodies and our environment when we use so many chemicals in our cosmetics, our lotions, our toothpastes, our sunscreens, our shaving lotions, our perfumes, etc.

What are you putting on your body?
By David Suzuki with Faisal Moola

Every day, we slather ourselves with liquids, lotions, and potions – from shampoo and soap to deodorant and makeup. After all, most of us want to look and feel clean and to smell nice. It's not uncommon for a single person to use 10 or more personal-care products daily.

We don’t usually think of our cosmetics as a source of pollution. But U.S. researchers found that one eighth of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal-care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, plasticizers, and degreasers.

Take a look at the ingredient list on your bottle of shampoo or hand lotion. Most of us would have a hard time identifying which chemicals in the typically long list of ingredients may be harmful to human health or the environment.

Chances are your personal-care products contain “fragrance” or “parfum” – often the last item on the ingredient list. Fragrance recipes are considered trade secrets so manufacturers don’t have to disclose the chemicals they include. More than 3,000 chemicals are used to create “fragrances”, usually in complex mixtures. Up to 80 per cent of these have never been tested to see whether they are toxic to humans. These fragrances are not just found in perfumes and deodorants but are also in almost every type of personal-care product, as well as laundry detergents and cleaning products. Even products labelled “fragrance-free” or “unscented” can contain fragrance, usually with a masking agent to prevent the brain from perceiving odour.

The negative effects of some fragrance ingredients can be immediately apparent, especially for the growing number of people with chemical sensitivities. For example, fragrance chemicals can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and migraines. Researchers have even found evidence suggesting that exposure to some of these chemicals can exacerbate or even contribute to the development of asthma in children.

Other chemicals may have harmful effects that don’t show up right away. For example, diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a cheap and versatile chemical widely used in cosmetic fragrances to make the scent last longer. But it is associated with a range of problems. The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has listed it as a Category 1 priority substance, based on evidence that it interferes with hormone function. Phthalates have been linked to early puberty in girls, reduced sperm count in men, and reproductive defects in the developing male fetus (when the mother is exposed during pregnancy).

Some research has also suggested that phthalate metabolites may contribute to obesity and insulin resistance in men. Health Canada has moved to ban six phthalates in children’s toys, after evidence showed that prolonged exposure can cause liver or kidney failure, but it has no plans to regulate the chemicals in cosmetics. DEP is also listed as a Priority and Toxic Pollutant under the U.S. Clean Water Act, based on evidence that it can be toxic to wildlife and the environment.

Fragrance chemicals often harm the environment. Some compounds in synthetic “musk”, which wash off our bodies and find their way into nature, remain in the environment for a long time and can build up in the fatty tissues of aquatic animals. Researchers have found measureable levels of synthetic musks in fish in the Great Lakes (PDF), and they’ve found that levels in sediment are increasing.

In response to the sensitivity many people have to airborne chemicals, a growing number of offices and public spaces are becoming “fragrance-free”. This is a great initiative, but what are these and other harmful chemicals doing in our cosmetics in the first place?

Canada’s regulations don’t measure up to standards in other parts of the world. The European Union restricts many fragrance ingredients (PDF) and requires warning labels on products if they contain any of 26 allergens commonly used as cosmetic fragrances. Europe also prohibits or restricts the use of chemicals classified as carcinogens, mutagens, or reproductive toxins in personal-care products.

The David Suzuki Foundation and other organizations are working for safer products. We’re conducting a survey to raise awareness and to find out what’s in the products people use every day. We plan to present the results in September, along with recommendations for strengthening laws to protect Canadians and our environment from harmful chemicals in personal-care products.

You can help out by becoming more aware of what’s in the products you use and switching to products that don’t contain harmful ingredients.

Ready to make a change? Ask me for options.

What's your excuse?

2010-04-15T23:39:00.001-07:00

Or mine, for that matter? Check out this 91 year old woman who's a yoga instructor and dancer. And, she's not just telling others what to do. She can do it too!

http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/04/12/n_cmr_92_year_old_yoga.cnnmoney/

What do tigers have to do with health?

2010-04-15T12:12:00.005-07:00

It's the Year of the Tiger. A dynamic and powerful year. But how will it affect your health? I found this great newsletter from a TCM:
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/23890/2010-forecast-year-of-the-tiger/

Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?

2010-04-11T13:27:00.001-07:00

Every now and then I’m asked if acupuncture works only if you believe it will work. I won’t refute that the mind is powerful and will influence the body. In fact, I hope that people will use their minds to help their healing.

But, acupuncture works even despite your beliefs. It has been shown to increase the release of endorphins (your feel good hormones), your body’s own morphine (painkillers), and a variety of other chemicals that help in symptom relief and healing.

It has also been shown to increase blood circulation.

And, even change the way that the brain signals. In fact, when the brain has been scanned using a functional MRI during acupuncture, the same point used traditionally to help the eyes lights up the part of the brain that relates to vision. When a different point is stimulated, a different part of the brain lights up.

Western Medicine has about 200 year of scientific methods of observation and testing of hypotheses to prove its effectiveness. Chinese medicine has about 5000 years.

So, to borrow an Olympic phrase, "Do you believe?"

Cannabis linked to schizophrenia?

2010-04-08T08:27:00.002-07:00

Basically, this article writes of a link between marijuana use and (mostly) schizophrenia. Not that pot use will cause psychosis in all users. The study suggests that if you have a tendency for psychosis, then marijuana use could potentiate the illness, e.g. cause it to start at an earlier age. For those who wonder if cannabis use might not cause psychosis, and might instead just be because those with psychoses are more likely to smoke pot to manage their illness symptoms, that may not be the case. Or, at least not the only factor. That's because cannabis use preceded the onset of psychosis by several years. Here's the article:

Evidence Accumulates for Links Between Marijuana and Psychosis
Michael T. Compton, MD, MPH

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/719139?src=mp&spon=17&uac=81951DV

My dog loves lettuce!

2010-04-08T07:57:00.005-07:00

Yes, my dog eats (and loves) lettuce. She holds it between her paws and pulls it apart to chew bit by bit, just as she would a treat. Since I had never seen a dog do that before I wondered if it's ok to give her lettuce...or cucumbers, tomatoes, etc. I never thought to feed her a whole salad, but didn't want to be poisoning her with the bits I did give. After all, I remembered we used to feed grapes to our old dog Pebbles (the people who had her before us named her). I now know that grapes are poisonous to many dogs. Luckily Pebbles was ok and lived for nearly 16 years, but better safe than sorry!

I found this site for what not to feed your dog: http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/slideshow-foods-your-dog-should-never-eat

And, if you have a cat, here's one for your cat: http://pets.webmd.com/cats/slideshow-foods-your-cat-should-never-eat

Dyes in even the most natural-seeming foods...

2010-04-07T21:19:00.002-07:00

...and they might be contributing to health problems.
http://blogs.webmd.com/health-ehome/2010/03/just-say-no-to-blue-green-red-and.html

Oats for your immune system

2010-04-05T08:28:00.002-07:00

Have you eaten your oats today? These grains are immune boosters, rich in B vitamins (stress reliever), E, folate, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and more. They contain flavonoids that help break down cholesterol and are thought to prevent cancer, particularly colon cancer. They are well-known for their high fiber content, but did you know that the silica in them is anti-inflammatory and can help soothe the digestive tract? And, as a bonus, they can help in weight loss as their energy is slowly released, keeping you full longer and staving off hunger pangs.
And, if you are suffering from the itchiness of eczema, psoriasis, Chicken Pox, bug bites, or other, you can tie a muslin bag of oats over the tap when you run a bath. Soaking in that bath will bring you relief.

Olympics and Paralympics Review and Remembrance

2010-04-03T19:07:00.003-07:00

If you would like to add your own story, a friend is trying to create a book to commemorate the Olympics/Paralympics. This is her blurb and the link to her blog where she is gathering stories:

Hello everyone

Laurie Johansen and I are writing a book about the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and Paraolympics.

Throughout the Olympics so many people felt and experienced the incredible, positive energy of the Olympic Spirit, generated by the Olympics. It didn’t matter if you were in Vancouver, or across the other side of the world, the Spirit was felt. But no one could really define what “it” was.. we hope to accomplish this and more through the book.

This book will be a collaboration of people trying to define what “it” was, what “it” means to each one of us in our own worlds and what we can do to maintain that spirit and use “it” in our daily lives.

We invite you to join us in this collaborative process by expressing your thoughts, feelings, insights and experiences on our blog, With Glowing Hearts, http://withglowing-hearts.blogspot.com , or by emailing Sue (sue@suestudios.com) directly with photos and stories.

We would like to gather many perspectives – torch bearers, volunteers, athletes, tourists, Canadians, and international people from around the world – young and old, from all walks of life. Let us record our memories in print before they fade and give expression to the spirit and dynamic of the Olympic essence that touched us all.

Thank you for all of your help, contributions and support.

Susan Chepelsky

Another reason to buy organic and wash your fruits and veggies VERY well

2010-03-31T08:14:00.002-07:00

Check out this video from Australia about 2 chemicals that are sprayed on many fruits and veggies and nuts. The chemicals are endosulfan, an insecticide, and carbendazim, a fungicide. As far as I can find, they are still allowed for use in Canada and the US, though they have been banned in many other countries because of their risks for cancers, birth defects, neurological damage, hormone disruption, and more.
http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_296563/Poisoned_-_New_60_Minutes_Report_On_Pesticides?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=poisoned&utm_content=body&utm_campaign=march-31-2010

Motivating yourself to action

2010-03-29T18:46:00.003-07:00

So often we have things that we want to do, but for whatever reason we don't. Sometimes it's a matter of not having the time. Sometimes it's because we don't WANT do something, even though we know we should or have to do it. Sometimes it's because we keep forgetting that task.

How do you motivate yourself to do the things that you like to do and want to do and actually do do? Is it a feeling you get? Feeling happy to have done something that makes you do that thing? Maybe you picture the completed task? Is it someone else's praise that helps you? Is it because you scheduled it in your iPhone, Blackberry, other PDA, or paper calendar? Did you set everything up the night before to make it easy to accomplish the task the next day, like laying out your clothes or writing out your "to do" list? Is it just a regular part of your routine now?

Find the things that make you successful and use those methods to do something difficult today.

I finally finished my March e-newsletter! That's what motivated me to write this blog. I used a few of these methods to accomplish this task. I had someone remind me to do it. I remembered how good it feels to complete the job. I love checking something off of a "to do" list that I created on my Google homepage. I prepped ideas last night so that I could write it all out today. Now, all I have to do is the same thing in April, just a bit earlier as there are only 30 days in April!

Curious...what do you think?

2010-03-27T20:26:00.002-07:00

What do you think of this video? To those who may be offended, please note that there are crude lyrics in this song.
http://www.cafeoflifepikespeak.com/Videos/Licensed%20To%20Pill.swf

Best Allergy Test? - Dr. Weil

2010-03-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

If you're suffering from allergies and are considering an allergy test, here's an article about that by Dr. Andrew Weil:

Best Allergy Test? - Dr. Weil

What celebrities use acupuncture?

2010-03-17T22:16:00.002-07:00

Many have seen the picture of Gwyneth Paltrow with the cupping marks on her back, but who else uses Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Read here to find out:

http://www.acufinder.com/celebritiesturntoacupuncture

"How I fell in love with a fish"

2010-03-14T23:22:00.002-07:00

That's the title of this video segment. The speaker is a chef. He knows fish. Well, at least how to make it taste yummy. And, how do you get the yummiest fish? By finding healthy fish. Usually healthy fish is not associated with farmed fish. Farmed fish has been recognized as also causing tremendous environmental problems. But, this speaker/chef found a fish that is yummy even when overcooked, that is farmed, and that is good for the environment. Sounds impossible? Listen to this video. He's entertaining as well. http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_barber_how_i_fell_in_love_with_a_fish.html

Must watch!

2010-03-11T23:08:00.002-08:00

Can your kid identify a radish or cauliflower or eggplant when shown it?
The additives put in milk to entice kids to drink more make a carton of milk equal in quantity of sugar to a can of pop. A wheelbarrow of sugar in just 5 years! That's child abuse!
The number one causes of death in America are food-related
Kids are expected to live 10 years less than their parents!

These are just a few things that Jamie Oliver covers in his lecture about food.

Watch this!

http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html

Your thoughts

2010-03-09T23:28:00.002-08:00

I was recently asked if I would accept an article on a health topic for this blog. I hadn't ever considered accepting articles for this blog site, but I've been so neglectful of my blog, so what a great idea! What health tips/ideas/questions/comments do you have?

Even as little as 2 pop per week increases your risk of pancreatic cancer by 87%!

2010-02-09T23:45:00.002-08:00

If you thought pop was bad for you only if you guzzle it by the gallon, you may be wrong. As little as 2 soft drinks per week showed an 87% higher diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The study is relatively small with 140 participants, but it was done over 14 years and there was no increase in pancreatic cancer for those who drank juice (even though that too is high in sugar). It is unclear whether the link is causal, i.e. did those people get pancreatic cancer because of the pop? Or are those people just generally making other poor lifestyle and dietary choices, such as too much meat or smoking? Red meat has also been linked to pancreatic cancer, particulary when the meat is burned or charred.
The rates of pancreatic cancer are relatively low, BUT pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer.
This is just one more reason not to drink the garbage that we call pop or soda. Empty calories. Full of health risks.
And, the diet stuff is no better. Aspartame...yum. (sarcasm included)
Oh, and how about this??? http://www.killercoke.org/

The full article on it: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN07113352
The actual study abstract: http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/19/2/447.abstract

This is your brain on acupuncture...

2010-02-05T19:08:00.002-08:00

Acupuncture has been found to deactivate areas in the brain that are associated with the processing of pain. Check it out: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100204101736.htm

Wow! You've got to check out this artwork!

2010-01-28T09:04:00.004-08:00

I'm always thinking whole health, not just physical, so when I see something that awes me like this, I have to share. Check out what these farmers in Japan have done with their rice fields (oh, and that's not Buddha as this UK site names the image, that's Daikoku, the god of wealth, one of the 7 lucky gods):
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/5965421/Paddy-art-farmers-create-colourful-rice-murals-in-Japan.html

How is this related to health? Well, seeing something beautiful or amazing or inspiring does fire off chemicals in your brain that puts it into a positive frame of mind and that affects your whole body.

This is how the farmers did it: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/5965073/Farmers-create-coloured-rice-murals-in-Japan.html

So, what inspires you? What makes you say "wow!"?

What's the most common question?

2010-01-26T23:17:00.002-08:00

I recently watched a commercial that asked what the most common question is. Can you guess?

It's "What's for dinner?"
The voiceover then goes on to say that the question that's not asked is "What's IN dinner?"

So true! Now, the commercial is for McCain's and I'm not sure I agree that they make the healthiest food options. It's been a long time since I've purchased any McCain's items, so I can't comment either way now, but the only thing I can think of by them are orange juice and frozen french fries.

Anyway, why is it that we don't focus enough on what's actually in the food that we eat? Read the ingredients on the food you eat. Do you know what's in there? How about when you go to a restaurant, or even worse (in most cases), a fast food joint? Many people pay more attention to the labels on their clothing (is it designer? is it a popular label?) than they do on the labels that report on the ingredients in their food!

I sometimes drive my husband nuts because I will put back a food that looks delicious on the package picture, but that has ingredients that are unhealthy. Just because it's labelled as "healthy", doesn't mean it is. It used to be that Captain Crunch and Fruit Loops were sold because of the colours they turned your milk and the toy inside and how yummy they are to kids. Now they sell those cereals with the idea that they are healthy because they contain fibre and vitamins. Too bad that they also contain all sorts of junk. Think Oatmeal Crunch is healthier? Sounds healthier. It's not. More sugar per serving size than Fruit Loops! Sunny D, Wonderbread, Nutella, Chef Boyardee, and more are all jumping on the "healthy" junk food bandwagon. Don't believe what they tell you. Read the labels.

UCLA Basketball player finds his rhythm with acupuncture

2010-01-23T18:16:00.001-08:00

UCLA BASKETBALL: Honeycutt finds his offensive rhythm

By Jon Gold, Staff Writer

Posted: 01/22/2010 10:39:36 PM PST

LOS ANGELES - Trying to find some offense from Tyler Honeycutt has at times this season been like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Maybe all he needed were some needles in his shin - and his back - and his hip.

Honeycutt visited an acupuncturist on Wednesday and it paid off on Thursday in UCLA's 62-61 victory over Washington at Pauley Pavilion.

Honeycutt had 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block in what UCLA coach Ben Howland called his best performance of the season. In scoring double figures for just the third time, the freshman forward hit all four of his shots and both 3-point attempts.

"Body-wise, today was the first day I can remember since I've been here that I haven't had any pain," said Honeycutt, who is averaging 4.9 points and 5.9 rebounds in 12 games. "I've been having hip problems, so yesterday I got some acupuncture. Got it in my calf, my lower back - (Thursday) I woke up and everything is feeling good. I guess it works."

For the full article:

http://www.sgvtribune.com/sports/ci_14251804

Rescue Dog Rescued by Acupuncture

2010-01-22T07:36:00.002-08:00

A search and rescue dog in Iowa able to run and jump and move without pain because of acupuncture treatments. After being nearly lame, they now believe he'll get two more years of rescue work. Check out the video: http://www.kcci.com/news/22308928/detail.html

5000 vs. 200 years

2010-01-20T00:00:00.002-08:00

That's the difference between the number of years that Traditional Chinese Medicine has been in practice versus the number of years that conventional Western medicine has been in practice.

I liked this quote I pulled from an article:

'"To Westerners, scientific method consists of the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses," says Chuang Shih-ming, a Chinese medicine doctor based in Taipei City.

"Chinese medicine also takes the same approach," he argues. "The only difference lies in the fact that Western medicine uses about 200 years of such 'scientific' methods of observation and testing of hypotheses to prove its effectiveness, while the Chinese version uses several thousands of years."'

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1159633&lang=eng_news&cate_img=240.jpg&cate_rss=news_Supplement

President Obama Wants Acupuncture

2010-01-15T19:58:00.002-08:00

Obama stated in a town hall meeting that he could use some acupuncture for a stiff back. When it was mentioned to him that alternative medicine is often more cost-effective and result-positive as conventional medicine, the President said, “it is pretty well documented through scientific studies that acupuncture, for example, can be very helpful in relieving certain things like migraines and other ailments — or at least as effective as more intrusive interventions.”

Obama also noted that the problem with implementing acupuncture and other alternative medicines into health policies is that the policy makers and insurance providers are thinking short-term. They recognize that preventative medicine may not show results immediately while policy makers and politicians are in office or while a person is employed with one company. That is part of the challenge.

http://www.healthcmi.com/index.php/acupuncturist-news-online/222-obamaacupuncturestlouis56398

Happy New Year! Learn how acupuncture can make 2010 even better...

2010-01-14T15:07:00.002-08:00

This article was recently sent to me to show how acupuncture can help you to achieve some of your New Year's resolutions. Or, if you prefer not to make resolutions...how to make 2010 your best year yet...

5 Ways Acupuncture Creates Lasting New Year's Resolutions

An Article About How Effective Acupuncture is in Treating Hot Flashes

2009-12-31T08:31:00.001-08:00

http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20091231/acupuncture-may-help-ease-hot-flashes?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Acupuncture May Help Ease Hot Flashes

Study Shows Acupuncture Offers Relief to Breast Cancer Patients With Hot Flashes

By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Dec. 31, 2009 -- Acupuncture not only cools hot flashes that occur as a result ofbreast cancer treatment but may offer a host of other benefits to boost women's well-being.

A new study shows acupuncture was as good as drug therapy with Effexor (venlafaxine) at easing hot flashes in breast cancer patients, but it also improved sex drive, energy levels, and clarity of thought.

"Acupuncture offers patients a safe, effective and durable treatment option for hot flashes, something that affects the majority of breast cancer survivors. Compared to drug therapy, acupuncture actually has benefits, as opposed to more side effects," researcher Eleanor Walker, MD, division director of breast services in the department of radiation oncology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, says in a news release.

According to the National Cancer Institute, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Typical treatment for breast cancer involves chemotherapy and five years of hormone therapy that often causes unpleasant side effects, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and decreased sex drive and energy levels.

Researchers say these side effects of breast cancer treatment significantly decrease a woman's quality of life and may cause some women to discontinue treatment.

Acupuncture has already been shown to reduce hot flashes in menopausal women, but researchers say this is the first study to compare acupuncture to drug treatment in easing hot flashes in breast cancer patients. The results appear in theJournal of Clinical Oncology.

Fifty breast cancer patients were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or drug treatment for 12 weeks. The acupuncture group received acupuncture treatments twice per week for the first four weeks and then once a week for the remaining eight weeks; the drug group received 37.5 milligrams of Effexor each night for the first week and then 75 milligrams per night for the remaining 11 weeks.

All participants stopped their treatment after 12 weeks and kept a diary to record the number and severity of hot flashes; they were surveyed about their overall physical and mental health for one year.

Both groups experienced a 50% decline in hot flashes and symptoms of depression, but the acupuncture treatment appeared to have more lasting effects with fewer side effects.

For example, two weeks after the treatments stopped, the drug therapy group experienced an increase in hot flashes; the acupuncture group did not experience any increase in the frequency of their hot flashes until three months after treatment.

In addition, the Effexor group reported 18 instances of negative side effects, including nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, and anxiety, compared with no adverse side effects reported among the acupuncture group.

Most breast cancer patients treated with acupuncture also reported an improvement in their energy, clarity of thought, and sense of well-being. About 25% of women in the acupuncture group also reported an increase in their sex drive.

Anti-cancer drug to be added to junk food?

2009-12-22T20:22:00.003-08:00

What do you think about Health Canada's thoughts to add an anti-cancer drug to junk foods that are carcinogenic?

a) Great idea. Try to prevent some self-induced diseases.

b) Do we really know what we're doing? Is this safe?

c) Why do we make excuses to live poorly? Why not just limit our junk foods and eat more healthy foods?

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091222/junk_091222/20091222/?hub=TorontoNewHome

From my friend Desiree

2009-12-02T23:57:00.002-08:00

I liked what she wrote in her first newsletter, so I've copied and pasted it here. This is all part of staying healthy!

My Three Sixty

The way I see it, our lives are becoming too serious. Our daily routines are full of tasks that need to be done and we move mindlessly through each one, just to get it done so we can move right onto the next. Before we know it, we pass through days, then weeks and months, until an entire year has blown right by us. Have you ever heard someone say “This year has gone by so fast!”? Of course, we all say it. We are too busy moving onto the next item on our list rather than being present and enjoying each moment.

I say it’s time to bring back the FUN. We all have tasks, projects, meetings, and work that needs to get done, so why not make them fun? Next time you are in a meeting, tell a joke or a funny story, introduce a bit of laughter and watch your colleagues loosen up. The meeting will be much more enjoyable. Next time you are grocery shopping, make a game out of it: time yourself and see how fast you can get it done. Or if you have time, strike up a conversation with the person picking grapes beside you – why not? Most importantly SMILE at the cashier; take time to speak with them and see how their day is going, I bet it will make you both feel better.

We will all get a lot more work done, teams will be more efficient/productive, and people will be happier if we are having fun. Life is short – take time to make it enjoyable!

A smile is very powerful – it’s even been known to break ice

Desirée Dupuis
778 245 2262
www.threesixtyfg.ca
VP BNI Morning City
www.twitter.com/threesixtyfg

It's your world, let us protect it.

Remember this...

2009-11-28T23:41:00.001-08:00

"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it."
Chinese Proverb.

Humour is good for you...

2009-11-25T22:11:00.002-08:00

My favourite quote of the day:
"Follow your dreams. Except for the one where you fly. That never ends well."

From the Georgia Straight...

2009-11-24T23:52:00.000-08:00

An article worth reading with info from those in the know about H1N1 vaccinations and vaccinations in general...http://www.straight.com/article-270843/vancouver/whats-your-vaccine

Herbal Flu Prevention

2009-11-19T23:20:00.001-08:00

The department of public health of Shenzen, China recently announced herbal formulas to help prevent H1N1. These are their equivalent of flu vaccines. I'm not saying that they are the same as the shots, but these herbs do help boost immune function. There are two formulations. One is for those with a strong constitution and the other is for those with a weak constitution, the elderly, and children. The herbal formulae are consumed as a tea twice a day for at least three consecutive days. All of our Chinese herbs are rigorously tested for quality and safety, and yes they do taste awful. But, you know what Buckley's cough syrup says, "It tastes bad and it works".

Just because this is amazing!

2009-11-16T23:00:00.002-08:00

Check out this video of a National Geographic photographer and an enormous leopard seal:

http://news.ca.msn.com/canada/video.aspx?cp-documentid=c023c28f-0156-483e-8eba-98f84ae32a58,e45b0157-8e3f-45b6-b34e-92a09158b836

Junk Food to be Exempt from HST

2009-11-12T07:35:00.004-08:00

Ontario's finance minister is expected to announce that fast food and beverages cheaper than $4 will be exempt from the new HST. BC, as far as I can see, has not yet made this exemption, but I wonder if they'll follow suit. (http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/harmonizedsalestax/article/724751--fast-food-coffee-to-escape-new-blended-tax)

Please tell me...why does the government think that we should be more heavily taxing, through the HST, healthy (or at least healthier) food bought at a restaurant, but make junk food less than $4 exempt?

I think it's crazy that unprocessed food is generally more expensive than processed junk food. Why are we encouraging people, particularly low income, to make poor food choices? Why are we encouraging people to increase their risk for diabetes and other chronic illnesses?

My idea would be to more heavily tax junk food and apply that directly to subsidize healthy, whole food to make it more affordable and attractive to all consumers. I recognize that that is unlikely to happen, but this move is the exact opposite of that and a big step in the wrong direction.

We're more heavily taxing people wanting to take care of their health using registered massage therapists and registered acupuncturists/Dr.TCM, but we're making it easier for people to slowly poison themselves with trans fats, too much sugar, and too little nutrition. Hmmm...what?!

What do you think?

Sensible advice about food choices

2009-11-11T23:25:00.004-08:00

Copied and pasted from this site: http://lifestyle.ca.msn.com/health-fitness/diet/ee-article.aspx?cp-documentid=22549573

Healthy new grocery products

Rosie Schwartz has a sneak peek of some healthy new grocery products - and healthy imposters

Shopping for food used to be simple. A basic assortment of breads, produce, meat and dairy products were among the available options at the local store. Nowadays, supermarket shelves offer thousands upon thousands of choices. And the numbers seeming to grow every year.

Just how much is new was evident at the recent 2009 Grocery Innovations Canada, a major grocery industry trade exposition in Toronto.

According to the 2009 Tracking Nutrition Trends 20-year Report, a survey conducted by the Canadian Council of Food and Nutrition Health, nutrition continues to be a driver in consumers' grocery selections. Eighty-seven percent of Canadians are somewhat or very influenced by their desire to maintain good health. This greater desire for more wholesome fare was definitely evident at the Grocery Innovations Canada show.

To avoid being tempted (and overwhelmed!) promoters of healthy eating often suggest shopping only in the outside aisles of the grocery store, where fresh foods abound. The centre aisles have traditionally been a haven for less nutritious packaged and processed food. But as Grocery Innovations' sneak peek into new products and trends reveals, there are healthy eats to be found in the centre of the store - though it may take some scrutiny to find them.

Sometimes what is perceived to be a smart choice in terms of nutrition is not necessarily the case, as was demonstrated by my first conversation at the exhibition. For example, when I enquired as to where the healthier fare was being shown, I was told to head to a vitamin water display. Water, sugar and some added vitamins are what make up this beverage. One a day, at around 120 calories per bottle, will yield 43,800 calories per year. That's about 12.5 pounds. You may want to consider a vitamin pill and a glass of water instead.

Juices also seemed to be a hot commodity with many new products being chock full of superfruits like pomegranate and acai. But drinking lots of sugary beverages, whether made of natural or refined sugar, can send waist measures soaring as they don't satisfy hunger the way eating the whole fruit does.

Multi-grain was also a buzzword at the show. Though there were quite a few multi-grain products, closer scrutiny revealed that while they contained a variety of grains, not all were whole grain.

Reading ingredient lists is essential to separate refined from whole grain offerings. While it was a pleasant surprise to see multi-grain perogies, the ingredient list revealed that enriched wheat flour - a.k.a. white flour - was the first ingredient. Another ready-to-bake bread product was also touted as a multi-grain. But again, white flour was first on the list. As ingredients are listed in descending order by amount, from the most to the least, look for the words whole grain as the first ingredient if you're seeking whole grains. Whole grain bars and squares such as Dempster's Healthy Way Fresh Squares, though, offered fibre-packed convenience and taste along with a variety of seeds like pumpkin, sunflower and sesame.

He will be missed...

2009-11-09T07:32:00.001-08:00

An Obituary printed in the London Times - not a joke and makes you
think!

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who
has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was,
since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the
worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more
than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in
charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended
from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for
reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the
job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly
children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental
consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could
not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an
abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses;
and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in
her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents: Truth and Trust, by
his wife: Discretion, by his daughter: Responsibility and by his son:
Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;

I Know My Rights

I Want It Now

Someone Else Is To Blame

I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and
do nothing.

More MD offering vaccine alternatives

2009-11-07T07:44:00.005-08:00

Yes, a flu sucks. But is it killing people? Not as many as the media would have you fear. Would you like to help protect your children against a similar future viral outbreak?
http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/news/h1n1update.asp

My MD's response to the H1N1 vaccine according to a friend of mine who also sees this doc:
"Just saw Dr. K & asked her opinion about the vaccination. Her suggestion was boosting daily Vit D supplements to at least 5000 I.U.& all the other lifestyle suggestions you'd mentioned in your article instead of the shot. I'm still working on getting enuf sleep!"

H1N1 craziness!

2009-11-06T20:48:00.004-08:00

The other day a patient of mine told me about the crazy encounter she had at her doctor's office this week. She went in to ask for some testing and when her doctor entered the examination room she looked so frazzled that my patient asked if something was wrong. The doctor asked her patient if she swore sometimes. The response being "yes" caused the doctor to sigh in relief and say "f$%#, f@#%, f*&%" through gritted teeth! Definitely not a professional thing to do in front of her patient! But she was so exasperated with the demands that were being placed on her and her staff by impatient, rude, and angry patients insisting on being next in line to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

The thing is that those patients are scared. They are being given conflicting information and promises. One moment we are told that there is plenty to go around; then we are told that vaccination clinics are being closed. We are told that this virus is the main flu (some say only flu) of the season, yet testing is not being done. That is a huge assumption. We are told that this one is more virulent than previous seasons, yet the numbers have not reflected that. In countries that have completed their flu season, their numbers are comparable, if not better than previous years. For example, Australia saw fewer deaths from the flu this year than in years past. We are told that the vaccine is safe, but the pharmaceutical companies have been waived of their responsibilities should their drugs go terribly wrong.

I have patients who have received the vaccine. I have patients who have chosen not to have the vaccine. I am not pushing anyone in either direction as that's not my way. I think it is up to each to become informed and to make his or her own decision.

But, PLEASE, if you do seek the vaccine, be considerate of those who are doing their best to provide the service and respectful of those who are put before you to receive it.

I myself am choosing to boost my own immune system with herbs, supplements, food, exercise, sufficient sleep, and acupuncture treatments.

Have you had any experiences like my patient had?

"Mother Grain" to Boost Immunity

2009-11-05T08:43:00.004-08:00

The Incas called quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) the "mother grain" because it is so nutritionally rich. It contains all 8 essential amino acids, vitmain B2, B3, iron, calcium, magnesium, and fibre. It is also a good source of vitamin E and zinc, necessary for a healthy thymus gland which is important for immune cell production.

Quinoa Pilaf
3 3/4 cups water
3/4 lb quinoa
2/3 cup olive oil
1 tb okra, sliced finely
3 Tbsp tomato paste
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

Boil water in saucepan. Add quinoa, bring to boil again and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain. Heat oil in a wok, add okra and stirfry for 3 minutes. Add the other ingredients except cilantro and quinoa and stirfry for 5 minutes. Lower heat and cook for 10 more minutes. Mix in quinoa and cilantro. Serves 4.

From "The Top 100 Immunity Boosters" by Charlotte Haigh

Hinny, AKA H1N1

2009-11-03T23:10:00.007-08:00

Check out these bits of info on the H1N1 virus, fear mongering, and vaccine:
From Rick Mercer: http://www.rickmercer.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/11/3

From an old 60 minutes report on the swine flu of 1976: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9mh9f_swine-flu-1976-propaganda_webcam

Dr. Mercola has a ton of info on H1N1 and has interviewed a number of experts.
Either watch the long video or read the text below the video at this link: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/11/03/What-We-Have-Learned-About-the-Great-Swine-Flu-Pandemic.aspx

Here's an exerpt that's making me correct what I've been saying about how H1N1 is pretty much THE seaonal flu of this season:

"How Many Cases are Really Swine Flu?

CBS, to their credit, conducted a three-month long investigation that indicates that we have all been hoodwinked by the governmental “protection” agency called euphemistically, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.³⁴

What they tried to learn from the CDC was just what percentage of the “flu cases” were in fact H1N1. The CDC did all they could to protect this information and only after filing a Freedom of Information request and waiting 2 months did they finally release the data. Now we know why they wanted it protected and why they stopped testing for the H1N1 virus in late July.

The data revealed that in fact very few cases reported as swine flu were in fact H1N1 variant virus. CBS examined the data in all 50 states. What they found, for example, was that in Georgia only 2% of reported cases were H1N1 (97% negative for H1N1); in Alaska only 1% of reported cases were H1N1 (93% negative for flu and 5% seasonal flu) and in California only 2% of reported cases were H1N1 with 12% being other flu viruses and 86% negative for flu.

A recent release from the CDC found that their survey reported that of 12,943 specimens tested from around the country, only 26.3% of cases tested positive for H1N1 variant virus, but that 99.8% of the specimens tested positive for some type of other flu virus, most of which were regular seasonal flu.

The CDC has now changed all data reporting on the flu effects. They did this by stopping viral typing and subtyping and rolled back all previous numbers based on prior data. The new system for collecting data now started on August 30^th, 2009.

The only reason I can imagine they did this is that the prior data was clearly demonstrating that the H1N1 variant virus was causing a very mild illness in most people (99.99%) with fewer hospitalizations, fewer cases of pneumonia and fewer deaths for all ages and groups than the prior seasonal flu in past years. This was true for the United States and the Southern Hemisphere, which has gone though the worst of its flu season.

Now that they are no longer typing the virus, they can attribute all cases of pneumonia, hospitalizations and deaths to H1N1, even though the majority of cases appear to be from a long list of other causes. In fact, they can classify many cases of primary pneumonia as caused by H1N1."

Several experts and physicians speak out against H1N1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1K74Tnrrok&feature=player_embedded

We're going to PumpKin you up!

2009-11-02T22:09:00.009-08:00

Halloween is now over.
I knew this to be true not just because October is done. Not just because I put my dogs' Halloween costumes (yes, I am one of those people, but only once a year...well maybe once or twice a year). And not just because the kids I see are all hyped up on candy. I knew this to be true because the Christmas commercials started and all the Christmas decorations are being put up.

But, just because Halloween is over doesn't mean that you can't still enjoy pumpkins. Pumpkins are a great source of carotenoids and vitmain C, both of which can help the immune system. With H1N1 news plastered everywhere and every other person coughing, sneezing, and sniffling, all of us could use some extra help with our immune systems, so here's a yummy treat for immune boosting.

Pumpkin Fritters

1 medium pumpkin, cut into thick slices
1 1/2 cups plain wholewheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground cumin
yolk and white of 1 egg
3/4 cup water
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed (also great support for fighting off colds and flus)
2 tsp olive oil

Steam the pumpkin for 10 minutes, then leave to cool. In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and cumin, then add the egg yolk and the water, a little at a time, stirring to form a smooth paste. Add the onion and garlic, then whisk the egg white and fold it ino the mixture. Heat the oil in a skillet, then dip the pumpkin slices in the mixture and fry a few at a time, turning regularly until crisp and brown. Serves 2.

From the book "The Top 100 Immunity Boosters" by Charlotte Haigh

H1N1; no comment, but a great pic

2009-10-29T22:57:00.002-07:00

Pain and the Brain

2009-10-19T23:24:00.002-07:00

Last weekend I was in Phoenix for an Integrative Medicine conference on Pain Management.

One of the biggest lessons for me, however, came the day after I returned home. I spent the holiday Monday out with my husband and my dogs. I noticed that my right knee was a bit limited and I had trouble bending it, but it wasn’t painful and I still chased the dogs and ran around.

It wasn’t until that night when I finally happened to look at my knee that I realized it was hugely swollen. And a funny thing happened. I then started to limp and it started to bug me more.

I laughed at myself and told myself that it was partly in my head, but visually seeing that I had cause to be limited made me more limited!

Pain is physical, but there is so much more to it than that, so when I use acupuncture, herbs, and supplements to treat pain, I keep that in mind.

Words Taken Out Of My Mouth

2009-10-04T18:26:00.006-07:00

This is exactly what I say to my patients. Well, maybe not word for word, but certainly exactly this idea, from Frank Lipman, MD:

"Creating balance rather than just treating symptoms

When you are driving your car and the oil light goes on, you don’t cover the oil light and drive on. You take the car to the garage and see why the oil light has come on. Or when the fire alarm in your house goes off, you don’t (or you shouldn’t) take the battery out so you won’t hear the alarm anymore, you look for what triggered the alarm, where the smoke is coming from.

Similarly, when you have a symptom, for instance heartburn or a headache, it is your body’s alarm going off, it is a cry for help. It is telling you something is off, something needs to change, something needs to be done to see why your body is crying out for help. Unfortunately in Western Medicine, what we do is put a band aid over the oil light or we take out the battery to stop hearing the alarm. We suppress the symptom with a drug. For instance, if we have heartburn, we take Nexium or an antacid, if we have a headache, we take Tylenol, for depression, Prozac. When we do that, we think of heartburn as a Nexium deficiency, a headache as a Tylenol deficiency and depression as a Prozac deficiency.

We usually do not look to see why we have that symptom, what is the cause, what are the underlying imbalances. I learnt in Chinese Medicine that a symptom is a pointer to some imbalance in the system, it is telling us that something needs to be done to create balance again. Instead of suppressing the symptom, we try to create balance. Sometimes you do need to suppress symptoms, for instance if you are in a lot of pain, but it is essential to see symptoms as pointers to some underlying imbalance and try to see why your oil light is on.

In this new model of Medicine, we look for the underlying imbalance or dysfunctions and look for the root causes and address those to treat dis-ease rather than automatically resorting to drugs to suppress the symptoms.

One Love,
Frank"

Standing on the back of an expert...again

2009-09-27T14:47:00.005-07:00

I love getting great information! Even better when it's from an expert. And, better yet, when it's free. This is from the last David Suzuki newsletter and it's about GMOs. Why do we not learn from our past mistakes of the dangers in technology used wrongly and in messing with Mother Nature without sufficiently considering its consequences?

By David Suzuki with Faisal Moola

In gearing up for the 2010 release of its super-genetically modified corn called “SmartStax”, agricultural-biotechnology giant Monsanto is using an advertising slogan that asks, “Wouldn't it be better?” But can we do better than nature, which has taken millennia to develop the plants we use for food?

We don’t really know. And that in itself is a problem. The corn, developed by Monsanto with Dow AgroSciences, “stacks” eight genetically engineered traits, six that allow it to ward off insects and two to make it resistant to weed-killing chemicals, many of which are also trademarked by Monsanto. It’s the first time a genetically engineered (GE) product has been marketed with more than three traits.

Canada approved the corn without assessing it for human health or environmental risk, claiming that the eight traits have already been cleared in other crop seeds – even though international food-safety guidelines that Canada helped develop state that stacked traits should be subject to a full safety assessment as they can lead to unintended consequences.

One problem is that we don’t know the unintended consequences of genetically engineered or genetically modified (GM) foods. Scientists may share consensus about issues like human-caused global warming, but they don’t have the same level of certainty about the effects of genetically modified organisms on environmental and human health!

A review of the science conducted under the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development in 2008 concluded that “there are a limited number of properly designed and independently peer-reviewed studies on human health” and that this and other observations “create concern about the adequacy of testing methodologies for commercial GM plants.”

Some have argued that we’ve been eating GM foods for years with few observable negative consequences, but as we’ve seen with things like trans fats, if often takes a while for us to recognize the health impacts. With GM foods, concerns have been raised about possible effects on stomach bacteria and resistance to antibiotics, as well as their role in allergic reactions. We also need to understand more about their impact on other plants and animals.

Of course, these aren’t the only issues with GM crops. Allowing agro-chemical companies to create GM seeds with few restrictions means these companies could soon have a monopoly over agricultural production. And by introducing SmartStax, we are giving agro-chemical companies the green light not just to sell and expand the use of their “super crops” but also to sell and expand the use of the pesticides these crops are designed to resist.

A continued reliance on these crops could also reduce the variety of foods available, as well as the nutritive value of the foods themselves.

There’s also a reason nature produces a variety of any kind of plant species. It ensures that if disease or insects attack a plant, other plant varieties will survive and evolve in its place. This is called biodiversity.

Because we aren’t certain about the effects of GMOs, we must consider one of the guiding principles in science, the precautionary principle. Under this principle, if a policy or action could harm human health or the environment, we must not proceed until we know for sure what the impact will be. And it is up to those proposing the action or policy to prove that it is not harmful.

That’s not to say that research into altering the genes in plants that we use for food should be banned or that GM foods might not someday be part of the solution to our food needs. We live in an age when our technologies allow us to “bypass” the many steps taken by nature over millennia to create food crops to now produce “super crops” that are meant to keep up with an ever-changing human-centred environment.

A rapidly growing human population and deteriorating health of our planet because of climate change and a rising number of natural catastrophes, among other threats, are driving the way we target our efforts and funding in plant, agricultural, and food sciences, often resulting in new GM foods.

But we need more thorough scientific study on the impacts of such crops on our environment and our health, through proper peer-reviewing and unbiased processes. We must also demand that our governments become more transparent when it comes to monitoring new GM crops that will eventually find their ways in our bellies through the food chain.

More from Dr. Frank Lipman (MD)

2009-09-26T20:55:00.007-07:00

Written by an MD, this newsletter that I have just subscribed to puts conventional medicine in perspective. This is a cut and paste of the last e-newsletter I received. You can check it out yourself by googling his name and signing up for it yourself. Of course, I'll probably post more from him if it keeps of interest to me.

Changing our Disease care system to a Health care system

Although we call our system a health care system, it is actually a disease care system. Doctors are trained to treat disease, not to keep people healthy. Our two primary tools as Doctors of Modern Western Medicine are drugs and surgery. We have no tools to keep people healthy.

We are not trained in nutrition or other lifestyle modalities that keep people healthy, nor other medical systems that have been helping other cultures for centuries. At medical schools, we doctors are taught to treat the symptoms of disease, rather than how to create health and prevent people from getting sick. For example, in our entire training as doctors, we receive very few lectures on nutrition, even though diet is fundamental to good health.

I am not saying there is no place for this disease care model in the new model of medicine I am proposing. I am the first to acknowledge that Modern Western Medicine and science have made phenomenal advances and alleviate much pain and suffering. Surgery is often lifesaving and many new surgical techniques are quite remarkable. Trauma treatment, burn treatment, emergency room management and the management of acute medical and surgical emergencies are incredible. And certain drugs when used appropriately are life saving. We are blessed to have all this as part of our arsenal and we need Modern Western Medicine for all this. I would not encourage someone to see a herbalist or Acupuncturist for any of the above.

But this medical model is not adequately addressing almost 75% of the problems that most people go to their Doctor for, including most chronic problems. It has failed miserably to address the majority of problems people have today and because of this, many people suffer unnecessarily.

Apart from antibiotics where the drug can kill the bug causing the problem, most drugs treat symptoms, not the cause. Similarly with surgery, it usually addresses the symptoms, not the cause. For instance, bypass surgery, (which can be lifesaving!!!), does not address the underlying reason why your arteries are getting blocked in the first place.

And with both drugs and surgery, there are often side effects, which are then addressed with more drugs. Many patients end up on multiple drugs and often it is only the first 1 or 2 which were given for the original problem. The other 5-10 are dealing with the side effects of the original 2 drugs or the interactions of the other drugs.

The tragedy is that for many of these problems, changing lifestyle, behavior, diet and taking some supplements can often deal with the underlying processes causing the problems and no drugs (and therefore side effects) would be necessary. Unfortunately, it does not suit the drug industry to have patients take a drug which cures or eliminates the problem. It is much more lucrative for them if the drug can manage the symptoms, so you have to stay on them for life (eg statins, anti- hypertensives etc)

Modern Western Medicine is a disease care system, it is not preventive nor does it teach patients how to stay well. In fact what we call Preventive Medicine in Modern Western Medicine…Pap Smears, Breast exams, certain blood tests etc are really early detection medicine. They are not teaching patients how to stay healthy.

So the best medicine is using Modern Western Medicine for what it is good at….crisis care medicine, acute medical and surgical emergencies, when you break a bone, when you are acutely ill etc, and using diet, supplements, exercise, stress management and other benign modalities for prevention and initially for most non acute problems.

In this new model of medicine I am talking about or in a true health care system, we look for the underlying imbalances or dysfunctions and the root causes of the problem (to be discussed in a future “pearl”). We are not content with waiting for disease to occur nor with just suppressing symptoms.

One Love,

Frank

To H1N1 Vaccinate or NOT to H1N1 Vaccinate...that is the question.

2009-09-23T22:12:00.004-07:00

This is so well-written, that I suggest you simply click on this site, from MD Frank Lipman: http://franklipman.com/experiences-pediatrician-swine-flu/?blog

Immune boosting food tip of the day

2009-09-23T08:20:00.005-07:00

Betcha Bugs Bunny didn't get sick often. Carrots are one of the richest sources of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene converts in the body into vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen cells against viruses.

Beta-carotene also assists in fighting cancer, preventing heart disease, and helping vision. The vitamin K in it is important for healthy blood clotting and the healing of wounds. The chromium in it helps stabilize blood sugar levels. And, the fibre aids digestion and helps lower bad cholesterol.

Since raw carrots can be hard to digest, you can help your body out by grating them or chopping them finely. Juicing is also a wonderful option. Mix carrots with apples and ginger in a juicer for a healthy, easy, and super-nutritious beverage/snack.

And, even more on the HST

2009-09-10T10:14:00.010-07:00

Thought I'd post a couple more notes on the HST.
Do you remember when the GST was being implemented, i.e. forced on us? In 1991, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney promised an improvement in the Canadian economy as a hidden Manufacturers' Sales Tax (MST) would be replaced with an upfront Goods and Services Tax. With this, he said, we would be more competitive to export our goods and it would benefit all Canadians as prices would eventually drop for us as it would be a lower tax than the 13.5% MST. Prices did not drop at all in some cases or enough, in other cases, to make up for the new tax.

We're Canadians. We're used to being taxed. We complain about it and then forget about it and pay the higher rates like good Canadians. The government had already tried once before to implement the joint tax with the "Blended Sales Tax" with Prime Minister Jean Chretien. It was nicknamed the "B.S. Tax" and it didn't go through.

Now we're being told that the HST will start in July 2010 and that it too will improve our economy. We're being told that manufacturers will drop their prices and save us money in the long run. We're being told that more jobs will make life for all Canadians better. We're being told that it is not a way for the government to raise money as they are calling it revenue-neutral (same as they told us for the GST). The fact is that it is estimated that it will cost an extra $2000 per year for each family or an extra $1250 per year for each elderly couple.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm working on getting informed and I think it important that all Canadians know what is happening with this too because it will affect each and every one of us.

Some sites (both sides) for information:
Fight the HST - Bill Vanderzalm's very informative site http://fighthst.com/
Yes, this is about the GST, but check out the parallels to the HST http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goods_and_Services_Tax_(Canada)
A smarter way to implement the HST as Atlantic Canada did http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=9f7101af-f05c-40bf-a95e-3fb267fc0667
Check out the comments! 441 of them and the commenting was closed off. People are angry! http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/07/23/bc-hst-pst-gst.html
Job losses in the restaurant industry. And, did you know even funerals will be hit by this tax? http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/08/05/bc-hst-restaurant-owners-survey.html
BCBusiness Magazine http://www.bcbusinessonline.ca/bcb/bc-blogs/insider/2009/07/29/hst-high-handed-and-selfish-tax
I could only find one positive site about the HST, and that's the government one http://www.gov.bc.ca/hst/

Things to ponder about the Swine Flu H1N1

2009-09-03T08:40:00.005-07:00

Why are we not figuring out the cause of the swine flu so that we don't repeat it? Mad cow disease, avian flu, swine flu. What causes these animal diseases to cross over to humans? We cause it. How? Poor management of our animals. Actually, more truthfully, cruel and disgusting management of the animals we raise for food. An interesting article on pig farming. It started in Mexico, but check out its possible American corporation connection.
http://www.peacepaint.com/category/green/flying-pigs-tamiflu-and-factory-farms/#more-973

And, if you've got time for a longer read, learn more about the pig industry.
http://www.peacepaint.com/category/green/boss-hog/#more-971

If you do eat meat, don't you think it's worth the change to more humane, clean, and healthy meat?

Seven Ways to Reduce Unnecessary Medical Costs

2009-09-02T11:11:00.007-07:00

It's an American article, but the statements could also be applied to Canadian, especially since we have a public healthcare system. Perhaps we should be using medicine more wisely, rather than more invasively. Hmmmm...
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/707769?src=mp&spon=17&uac=81951DV

I would like to add 8th and 9th options.

8. Start recommending less invasive and more holistic health options more regularly. Rather than fight disease, let's start promoting wellness.

9. Teach people to be responsible for their own health and give them incentives to eat right, exercise regularly, and make healthy lifestyle choices. Or, and people are going to hate this, tax or charge people more for poor lifestyle choices. Why is junk food so cheap and good food more expensive? Tax junk food at a higher rate and give that money to subsidize real, whole foods and exercise programs.

More on the HST

2009-09-01T22:18:00.006-07:00

This is the response sent by email to my letter:
From: "Office of the Premier, Premier@gov.bc.ca"

"Thank you for your email regarding the harmonized sales tax. I
appreciate receiving your concerns.

Since 2001, the government has taken significant steps to improve the
B.C. tax system. We have worked hard to reduce taxes for individuals and
to improve the competitiveness of B.C. business through the reductions
in personal and corporate income taxes and the elimination of corporate
capital taxes.

The HST is the single biggest thing we can do to improve B.C.'s economy.
I believe it is an essential step to make our businesses more
competitive, encourage billions of dollars in new investment, lower
costs on productivity and reduce administrative costs to B.C. taxpayers
and businesses. Most importantly, this will create jobs and generate
long-term economic growth that will in turn generate more revenue to
sustain and improve crucial public services like health care, education
and social services.

With a single HST tax rate, one substantially harmonized tax base, and
one set of administrative rules instead of the duplication that
currently exists with the PST, compliance costs for British Columbia
businesses are expected to fall by about $150 million annually. When
fully phased-in, British Columbia will also save about $30 million
annually in administrative costs due to the fact that the federal
government will administer the HST at no cost to the province. British
Columbia will also receive one-time funding of $1.6 billion from the
federal government which will help maintain vital public services such
as healthcare and education.

We strongly believe that switching to the HST is the most important
change we can make to ensure a strong and growing economy. Although
there will be adjustments required by British Columbians in the short
term, it is a decision which will pay dividends to all British
Columbians over the long term.

If you are interested in more details related to the announcement, you
can find more information at:
http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2009PREM0017-000141.h
tm .. or http://www.gov.bc.ca/hst/ -- on the left side and bottom of
that page, there are separate sections relating to specific groups such
as businesses, individuals, highlighting the benefits of the HST.

If you are interested in knowing more about the Budget that was
presented in the Legislature today, you can find that information at the
following site: http://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/ The Minister's speech
outlines some of the many benefits of the HST as well.

We do appreciate your taking the time to write."

My thoughts in response to that:

I actually did read through most of the HST promo
webpages. All it did was serve to enforce my opinion.
I appreciate that it will save big industry and
government and that that savings is meant to filtre
down to the masses, but I simply don't see that
happening. I don't see this resulting in price
drops that will save the average Canadian.

And, I have already heard from many that they are
planning to cut their spending in areas that will
be increasing in cost by 7%. Just barely out of a
recession, cut spending risks putting us right
back into a bad economic state.

HST

2009-08-27T10:58:00.008-07:00

I emailed off the following letter to my MLA and to the premier. I sent it last week and have received no response. Don't actually expect anything useful anyway, but I do feel it's my duty and responsibility to do something. I think if we all do, something may happen. I recognize that the province needs money, but this is just not the way to do it.

I would like to express my extreme displeasure
and disatisfaction with the decision to enact
the HST. This is not a tax that will bring more
money into the province. It will hurt its citizens.
It will hurt small businesses.

I am a registered Dr. of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. I have to charge GST on all of my services
and products for my patients. I will have to charge
an extra 7% with the HST. That is a huge jump that
will make it harder for my patients to continue with
their health care. Our health care system is already
hugely burdoned by chronic illnesses. My patients
often pay out of pocket for their acupuncture treatments
and supplements. Those who do have insurance coverage
through their extended medical plans will be able to
receive either fewer treatments or pay more out of pocket.

It is not only complementary and alternative health care
providers and our patients that will be hurt by this tax.
Can you please tell me how small businesses, including
hairdressers, restaurants, veterinarians, and health stores
will benefit from the HST? Not only will I be paying more
for the services I use, but I may also be receiving a lower
income and I am the main provider for my family.

How do you propose that this "harmonized" sales tax will
bring more harmony into my--and others like me--life?

Am I missing something?
--
Dr. Melissa Carr, B.Sc., Dr.TCM
Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Active TCM -- Helping You Help Yourself
www.activetcm.com

"The World According to Monsanto"--A Horror Movie

2009-08-23T22:45:00.007-07:00

The sad thing is that this movie is a documentary. This movie exposes the terrifying manipulative, illegal, and dangerous things that Monsanto is doing. They call themselves "an agricultural company" offering "innovation and technology to help farmers around the world be successful, produce healthier foods, better animal feeds and more fiber, while also reducing agriculture's impact on our environment."

I already knew that Monstanto is in actuality a biotechnology company started by a 30-year veteran of the pharmaceutical industry. The company produces genetically modified organisms (GMO). If you buy soy or corn products that are not organic, you are likely getting GMO foods. It is horrifying to me as we know so little about the future impact that our playing with the genetic makeup of our foods will have.

So far Monsanto has created saccharin, DDT, Agent Orange, aspartame, bovine growth hormone, and PCBs. So, what would ever have us believe that this corporation has our health in mind when they rake in their big bucks?

It angered me to watch how they have made it difficult for farmers around the world to continue their farming practices, especially when Monsanto claims to be trying to help farmers and communities.

Know what you are consuming. Recognize that no product in Canada is going to label that their foods contain GMOs because they legally do not have to. So, make wise food choices to protect your health and hit deceitful companies like Monsanto where they hurt--their pockets.

And, watch the movie "The World According to Monsanto" by Marie-Monique Robin.

Thought this was cool :)

2009-08-20T22:52:00.005-07:00

Did you know that yawning may be a way to cool your brain? University of Albany researchers found that our brains work more efficiently when they are cool (like a computer) and that yawning brings in cooler air and increases blood flow to cool the brain and help us to think more effectively.

Recognizing that yawning seems to be contagious, the researchers tested what might prompt a contagious yawn. When test subjects held an ice pack to their head while watching videos of people yawning, they did not yawn as much as when people held a warm pack to their heads. Breathing through the nose rather than the mouth also cools the brain more effectively.

They also proposed that we are biologically hard-wired to yawn to stay alert and protect us from danger. And, when one person yawns, others may feel the need to yawn as well as a way to promote group vigilance in the face of potential danger.

So, if someone yawns when they are talking to you, take it as a compliment because they may just be trying hard to pay more attention to you!

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/12/15/yawn-brain-head.html

Watch this video to the end...

2009-08-09T16:24:00.004-07:00

What does our future hold for us? I hope more people like the 20 year old that created this video:

Youtube Link.
Or cut and paste this to view it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA

World Police and Fire Games

2009-08-05T22:56:00.005-07:00

This past weekend I volunteered as the one and only acupuncturist for the 2009 World Police and Fire Games. The games are held every other year in cities around the world. This year was the largest games they have ever held with almost 11,000 athletes from more than 55 different countries and over 60 different events!

I did acupuncture on athletes all day Sunday and Monday (my clinic days off) and I was kept busy. It was really fabulous because I was able to treat a lot of "newbies". Because many don't know that much about acupuncture, many had asked for massage. There was a line up for the massage therapists, so when I had less than 2 people being treated, we would ask "who wants acupuncture?" It surprised me when a bunch of hands were raised, even though they had never tried it before. To those that were a bit leary of the idea of needles, I was able to explain the benefits of acupuncture and that it would not be painful.

What a great experience it was! The stand out of the bunch were a group of Montreal police officers who were there to play soccer. I will have to check to see how they did/are doing!

This youtube video goes to show you how fun they were. Check out the 2 police officers and you will see 2 of the people that I met. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYVi_6KZyTs

Go check out the games if you are in or around Vancouver. Events are being held all over the place and are FREE! They run until August 9th.

The only downside of that weekend was that my hands are now a peeling mess. A lesson to others: if you are planning on applying a mentholated topical pain reliever gel or lotion like Cryoderm (the one I was using), don't do so for 2-3 people per hour for 7 hours per day for 2 days if you are not gloving. If you do make this mistake, use Rescue Remedy cream. It seems to be helping.

Supplements: To Take or Not To Take...And, Which Ones To Take

2009-08-05T21:02:00.007-07:00

The following very LONG blog is from 2 articles I wrote for a local magazine. I thought some might find it useful here:

Have you ever walked into a pharmacy or a nutrition store and gazed upon the bottle upon bottle of options for supplements? Perhaps you want to buy some calcium, but find it hard to pick out the best one. Price is certainly one thing to consider, but it is definitely not the most important thing to mull over when purchasing. You wouldn’t just pick the cheapest car when auto shopping, just because it’s the cheapest. That $200 deal might just be trash on wheels and what a waste of your money it could be.

To Supplement, or Not to Supplement, That is the Question…

The first question is whether you actually need to buy any supplements. Even the Canada Food Guide now recommends a multivitamin/mineral supplement. There are many reasons why a supplement may be useful or even essential.

1. You don’t eat enough healthy, nutritionally balanced and varied meals. Broccoli, tomato, and lettuce are not good enough to cover your vegetable category. Can you try to guess the most consumed vegetable of North America? Potatoes. Usually in the form of French fries. Really not good enough.

2. You have higher nutritional needs. Illness, stress, medications, and higher activity levels are examples of situations that cause a need for more nutrients. Some medications cause specific nutrient deficiencies. Ask your health practitioner or pharmacist about your medications and their impact.

3. You have poor digestion/absorption. Just because you consume something does not mean that your body uses all those nutrients. We tend to produce fewer digestive enzymes as we age. Those with digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s, colitis, indigestion, and others may not have good digestive absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients. Also, as we age, we produce less stomach acid and fewer digestive enzymes. Even if you have heartburn or acid reflux, you may still have insufficient stomach acid. It may be that the problem is not enough of a protective lining of mucus to shield the stomach tissues or that the valve that stops stomach acid from rising is too loose and allows stomach acid to seep back and irritate the esophagus (the tube that brings food from your mouth to your stomach).

4. Our food is less nutrient-rich than it once was due to nutrient-poor soils from over farming, early harvesting so that foods can be send on long journeys across the continent or from the other side of the world, pollution, and poor quality foods. We used to grow our own food or buy it from our neighbours. We used to pick up fresh foods daily. We now buy foods laden in preservatives. We add artificial or “natural” flavours to try to make them tasty again. We buy foods from the other side of the world. Try eating a banana in Thailand. It tastes totally different than what we eat here. Why? Because we don’t grow bananas here! Those bananas are picked long before they are ripe.

Some Basics

It is impossible for me to list all the supplements that you could or should consider, so we’ll just cover a few fundamentals about multivitamins/minerals in this article and expand on other important supplement categories next month.

Multivitamins/minerals

If any of the four listed issues above are ones that you think affect you then consider a multivitamin/mineral. As mentioned, not all supplements are created the same. When picking up a multi, read the label or ask someone to help you. These are some things to look for:

a) We all have different needs at different stages of our lives. Women are different than men. Age plays a factor. So, if you are over the age of 45 or 50, pick a multi designed for “seniors” or “older adult”.

b) Some nutrients are trickier than others. Looking at a multi, one way to assess quality is to check out the vitamin E. Does it read “dl-alpha-tocopherol”? If so, then that company is using a synthetic vitamin E which is poorly absorbed. Make sure that it reads “d-alpha-tocopherol”. Note the missing “l”. If the multi has “mixed tocopherols” or, even better, includes “tocotrienols”, you are getting a leg up on your vitamin E source and that multi is likely a very good one.

c) Check out the “non-medicinal” list of ingredients. I recommend avoiding supplements that add in extras like aspartame (an artificial sweetener—more likely found in the chewable forms), hydrogenated palm or soybean oils (hydrogenation produces trans fats, that bad stuff you have been hearing more and more about), sodium benzoate (a preservative), and FD&C dyes.

d) Remember, multis are a mix of various vitamins and minerals. If your multi is a single colour (usually a bright reddish orange), then dyes and other coatings have been used. Multis also often smell bad. The B vitamins, in particular, smell bad. That’s normal. If you have to, plug your nose when you take them.

Here’s a hint about swallowing these usually large pills: Have a small mouthful of food, chew it well, and pop in 1 or 2 of the supplement tablets or capsules with the food. You will find it much easier to get down.

Supplement How-To, part 2

Last month I covered some basic things to consider for choosing and taking supplements to optimize your health. This month’s article will cover a few specifics about some particular areas of health, but do remember that these recommendations are still generalized and you may want to discuss your particular needs with your health care provider or qualified natural health practitioner as each individual’s needs will vary.

Bone Supplements

Note that for this category, I didn’t simply label it “Calcium”. Many nutrients are key to good bone health.

a) Calcium: Calcium carbonate is commonly used, but it is generally poorly absorbed. Calcium carbonate is what antacids use to decrease stomach acid. The problem with that as a calcium source is that we need stomach acid in order to absorb calcium and our stomach acid tends to decline as we age (even if you have acid reflux, it does not mean you have too much acid, just likely not enough mucus to protect from the acid). Better options include calcium citrate, calcium chelate, and my preferred, calcium microcrystalline hydroxyapatite complex (MCHC). The last one can not only slow the rate of bone loss, but also reverse bone loss attributed to osteoporosis.

b) Magnesium: More than 60% of the body’s store of magnesium is in the bones. Sufficient magnesium is required for vitamin D and calcium absorption. In addition, magnesium on its own has been shown to slow the rate of bone loss. Magnesium oxide is a poorly absorbed form, so what you are best consuming in supplement form is magnesium citrate, magnesium chelate, or magnesium glycinate.

c) Vitamin D: Vitamin D is essential for optimal calcium absorption. While your body can make this nutrient from exposure to sunlight, many of us do not get enough sun throughout the year to support our needs.

d) Others: Manganese, copper, zinc, strontium, boron, and phosphorous are other key bone nutrients.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)

You’ve likely heard about the importance of essential fatty acids (EFAs). Some best sources are found in flax seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds (yes, of the famously known “Chia Pet” plants), and fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, herring, and mackerel. The merit of EFAs is not overstated. They are “essential” because your body cannot make them on its own and they need to be consumed in foods.

There are some supplements where the cheapest brand may be just as good as the most expensive. That is not the case with EFAs. While you don’t necessarily have to search out the most expensive one, quality of oil is important.

When choosing fish oils, the small fish are best, i.e. sardines, mackerel, herring, rather than the large salmon, tuna, halibut, and cod. This is because the larger fish, being higher up on the food chain, have potential for a higher accumulation of heavy metals such as mercury.

Flax seeds are a great source of omega 3 EFAs (and fibre), but in order to get the oils out, you need to either buy flax oil, flax oil capsules, or grind flax seeds. Once ground, the flax seeds need to be kept in the fridge. Another option is to buy husked flax seeds as the oils are readily accessible and they are shelf stable.

Hemp seeds and chia seeds are great snacks as they can be chewed to access the oils, protein, and fibre.

Digestive support

In order to properly absorb and utilize all nutrients, your digestive system has to be working well enough. You may not need any of these supplements, but if your digestive system is impaired, you can ask me which, if any, might be best suited for you and what others might you include that I haven't written about here.

Some key digestive nutrients include the following:

a) Digestive enzymes: As we age, we produce fewer digestive enzymes, substances that our bodies need to break down the foods that we eat so their nutrients can be absorbed and used. Eating raw or lightly cooked (TCM prefers lightly cooked, steamed, slow cooked, and soups and stews) vegetables, fruits, grains (especially sprouted grains), and legumes will provide some enzymes. Supplemental enzymes in capsule format are also available. If you are lactose intolerant (problems digesting milk and dairy products), make sure your enzyme supplement includes lactase.

b) Probiotics: Probiotics are the “good bacteria” that you hear a lot about in yogurt commercials. Yogurt is a good source, but if you are taking or have taken a lot of antibiotics, or if you have digestive issues (constipation, diarrhea, bloating, cramping, etc.), probiotic supplements are best as they contain much higher dosages of the good bacteria. There are many strains of these bacteria, so it may be best to talk to a natural health care practitioner to determine which is best for you. This is another category where quality makes a difference because if the quality is poor, not enough of the good bacteria will survive and live in your intestines.

c) Fibre: Most of us do not get enough fibre in our diets. Although many people think that we only need to worry about fibre if we are constipated, its benefits are many. Fibre does help with regulating bowel function, will not cause “too many bowel movements” when taken properly, helps keep blood cholesterol in check, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and may even help prevent cancer, kidney stones, and gallstones.

d) Senna: I want to mention this one because it is commonly taken to remedy constipation. Note, however, that it can become habit forming because the body can become dependant on it. Talk with your health care provider for other options so that you can limit your senna use.

“Supplements” is a huge topic and I’ve only covered a very small part of it, but some things to remember are that no supplement should be used to replace a healthy diet and lifestyle, that while generally safe you should make sure that the supplements that you take are suitable for you and in combination with any medications that you take, and that quality of product and an appropriate dosage will impact the effectiveness of any supplement.

Dr. Melissa Carr is a registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncturist with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph in Ontario. In addition to running her own clinic, Dr. Carr also acts as a natural health and nutrition consultant for a several companies and writes for health magazines. Believing that her role is as guide, teacher, and motivator, her goal is to work in partnership with her patients to bring them to their optimal health. www.activetcm.com 604-783-2846

Acupuncture is growing in popularity!

2009-08-02T21:43:00.005-07:00

To me, this is a "no kidding, of course it is" statement, but it was great to read this article about the statistics of alternative medicine in the U.S.
http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20090730/americans-spend-34-billion-alternative-medicine?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Read the second page where they describe a nearly 3-fold increase in acupuncture visits since the last study done in 1997.

So, have you had your acupuncture today?

Do what I say...AND what I do

2009-07-30T21:48:00.006-07:00

I read a story recently as follows:

A mother brought her young son to Mahatma Gandhi. She begged, "Please, Mahatma. Tell my son to stop eating sugar."
Gandhi paused, then said, "Bring your son back in two weeks." Puzzled, the woman thanked him and said that she would do as he had asked.
Two weeks later, she returned with her son. Gandhi looked the youngster in the eye and said, "Stop eating sugar."
Grateful but bewildered, the woman asked, "Why did you tell me to bring him back in two weeks? You could told him the same thing then."
Gandhi replied, "Two weeks ago, I was eating sugar.

I truly believe in leading by example. I try to follow the same principles and recommendations I give my patients. I am not, nor do I strive to be, perfect. But I do do the best that I can. In fact, I have for a long time recommended yoga, tai chi, and/or qi gong. But I had not done any of those things regularly myself for awhile. A month ago I committed to going to yoga class regularly. And now I like it more than I ever thought I would.

I had also been working a lot and not taking enough breather time for myself. Well, yesterday my body told me enough was enough. I came down with the fastest flu of all time (or so I think). It started in the afternoon, forcing me to cancel the remainder of my patients for the day. I had an acupuncture treatment, dragged my sorry butt home, and slept. Made myself sweat it out (not hard to do with our currently very hot weather) and woke up 100% myself again. Lesson heard, lesson learned. I don't think I have ever given up a day of clinic due to illness and I've been seeing patients for about 8 years now! This was my body telling me that it needed a break.

Listen to your body. Do the things that are good for you that you keep promising you'll do, but don't do. And congratulate yourself for the healthy changes you do make. Your body will thank you!

Summer Heat, Cooling off

2009-07-28T19:52:00.004-07:00

Vancouver is in a heat wave now and many are feeling uncomfortable. On the news tonight there was a report about how using ice cream and frappuccinos--or other such high calorie, high sugar, high fat, or all of the above food and drink--is unhealthy and quickly add up the pounds.

So, I looked up some other options. Here's my modification of a healthier recipe I found online:
* 1/2 cup milk (I'd try soy or rice milk)
* 1/4 cup honey
* 1/2 tsp cocoa
* 1 tsp vanilla (may also add a little nutmeg, hazelnut syrup, and/or coconut extract as well to spice it up)
* 2 T. coffee substitute (like Pero or Roma) or 1 tsp instant coffee
Mix all in a blender, then add about 2 cups crushed ice (or 3 cups cubed). As soon as the drink gets thick, like a milkshake, you can stop adding ice, and it should be perfect.

And, this site has lots of healthy options: http://www.wikihow.com/Cool-Yourself-Without-Air-Conditioning

Bitter herbs

2009-07-26T22:18:00.010-07:00

I've read some great books lately. Two of the books I'm likely going to draw some blog topics from are:
"Survival of the Sickest" by Dr. Sharon Moalem
"The Brain that Changes Itself" by Dr. Norman Doidge
In "Survival of the Sickest," I am reminded of the response that my patients give when they first try a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) customized herbal tea. I usually warn my patients to expect to hate me after the first sip. I tell them that it may taste like the worst thing that they have ever tried to drink. Of course, that's not always true--some patients like their herbs from day one--but it's often pretty close.

We've actually evolved to dislike bitter tasting things. It's believed that this is to warn us away from eating plants that contain toxins. For example, there's a compound called scopalamine in jimsonweed that causes temporary madness.

The problem is that many bitter tasting compounds are actually really healthy for us. Most TCM herbs are bitter tasting. Most medicinal herbs, in general, are bitter tasting. Maybe our expanding coffee-drinking culture will actually help us get used to bitter tastes and help us to down those medicinal herbs that can help us get and stay well.

The funny thing is that those same patients who baulk at the TCM teas initially often say that they don't mind the tea as much after their second week of herbs. And sometimes they even say that they LIKE the herbs by the third week and beyond! I'm one of those people. I now like most of the herbal teas that I make.

"2000 B.C. - Here, eat this root.
1000 A.D. - That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.
1850 A.D. - That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion.
1940 A.D. - That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.
1985 A.D. - That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.
2000 A.D. - That antibiotic doesn't work anymore. Here, eat this root"
--Anonymous

Updates after almost 2 years!

2009-07-24T23:04:00.004-07:00

It's been awhile since I last posted, but I've been meaning to get back to this for awhile. So many things to write about!

The most recent thing that comes to mind is the BC provincial government considering merging its sales tax with the federal tax for a "harmonized sales tax", HST, of 12%. I'm NOT happy about this. As it is, my patients have to pay 5% for taxes every time they use my service. We should NOT have to pay tax on health services. If this does go through, that extra 7% will make a big difference!

(The Globe and Mail article)

What do you think?

Acupuncture for Pain

2007-02-18T00:28:00.001-08:00

Some of the tons of research and articles on acupuncture to treat pain:

ARTHRITIS
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/95/103359.htm
Traditional Chinese acupuncture is "effective" at reducing knee osteoarthritis pain and improving function in people with knee osteoarthritis, say the researchers, who presented their findings in San Antonio at the American College of Rheumatology's annual scientific meeting.

Arthritis Responds to Weather, Acupuncture United Press International - Oct. 19Washington Post - Oct. 19
Researchers told attendees at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting that they have compiled valid data indicating changes in temperature or atmospheric pressure can cause increases in joint pain. Marc Hochberg, MD, MPH, a professor in the School of Medicine, says the studies " . . . allow us to conclude that traditional Chinese acupuncture is an effective intervention for the relief of pain and improvement of function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee."

http://www.acupuncture.com/research/kneeosteo.htm
Acupuncture can ease the discomfort while waiting for an operation and perhaps even serve as an alternative to surgery. Seven patients have responded so well that at present they do not want an operation. (USD 9000 saved per operation).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?md=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1288925&dopt=Abstract
Acupuncture to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

ZHEREBKIN, Eastern Europe, conducted a randomised controlled clinical trial to study the efficacy of the multi-modality treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involving acupuncture (A) treatment.Methods: Measures assessed included the number of the inflamed joints, the joint index, duration of morning rigidity and a visual scale of pain.Results: Combining treatment of RA with Acupuncture was found to more effectively lower the values for the joint index and the visual scale of pain.Conclusions: The results of this trial indicated that acupuncture may improve the results of drug treatment.Zherebkin VV.

The use of acupuncture reflexotherapy in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Lik Sprava 6: 175-7. Nov-Dec 1997. Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study With Long-Term Follow-Up. Articles Clinical Journal of Pain. 17(4):296-305, December 2001.Carlsson, Christer P. O. M.D., Ph.D.; Sjolund, Bengt H. M.D., Ph.D. Abstract: Objective: The authors sought to determine whether a series of needle acupuncture treatments produced long-term relief of chronic low back pain. Design: A blinded placebo-controlled study with an independent observer. The patients were randomized to receive manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, or active placebo (mock transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). Subjects were examined and monitored by an investigator who was blinded to the treatment given. Setting: A tertiary-level pain clinic at a Swedish university hospital. Patients: Fifty consecutive patients (33 women, 17 men; mean age, 49.8 years) with chronic low back pain (mean pain duration, 9.5 years) and without rhizopathy or history of acupuncture treatment were included in the study. Interventions: Treatments were given once per week for 8 weeks. Two further treatments were given during the follow-up assessment period of 6 months or longer. Outcome Measures: The independent observer made a global assessment of the patients 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. The patients kept pain diaries to score pain intensity twice daily, analgesic intake, and quality of sleep daily, and activity level weekly. Results: At the 1-month independent assessment, 16 of 34 patients in the acupuncture groups and 2 of 16 patients in the placebo group showed improvement (p <0.05).The authors found a long-term pain-relieving effect of needle acupuncture compared with true placebo in some patients with chronic nociceptive low back pain. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

BACK PAIN
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5345774.stm
Back-pain acupuncture 'effective'

CAR ACCIDENT

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6138957&dopt=Abstract
Acupuncture proved an effective form of therapy for treatment of accident patients with whiplash injuries, representing a valuable supplement to the field of rehabilitation.

http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/37/10/1118
Both physiotherapy and acupuncture treatment groups improved in reduced pain, improved range of motion, and better overall health following treatment for chronic neck pain. Acupuncture was slightly more effective in patients who had higher baseline pain scores.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15732514&dopt=Citation
The high percentage of positive results in whiplash injury patients leads us to advocate acupuncture for balance disorders due to cervical pathology.

HEADACHES & MIGRAINES
http://www.healthy.net/scr/news.asp?Id=7667
Acupuncture as Effective as Drug Therapy for Migraines & Headaches

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/07/050731232901.htm
Acupuncture Cuts Tension Headache Rates By Almost Half

NEUROPATHIC PAIN
ABUAISHA and colleagues, Department of Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, University of Manchester, UK studied the use of acupuncture to determine its efficacy for pain relief for peripheral diabetic neuropathy.Methods: 46 diabetic patients suffering chronic painful peripheral neuropathy participated in the study. 29 (63%) patients were already receiving standard medical treatment. Patients initially received up to 6 courses of classical acupuncture analgesia over a period of 10 weeks, using traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture points.Results: 46 patients completed the study. 34 (77%) showed significant improvement in primary and/or secondary symptoms (P <0.01).

SOFT TISSUE INJURY
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2761282&dopt=Abstract
Acupuncture treatment on soft tissue disease based on TCM syndrome differentiation theory is thus shown to be effective.

Acupuncture Research

2007-02-17T23:38:00.001-08:00

"So, does acupuncture actually work?", they ask me. Even if they don't ask, many people think it. Until you experience the benefits of acupuncture, it's really a fair question to ask. After all, sticking hair-thin needles into various points on the body to heal it doesn't fall within the contexts of our western minds. With that in mind, I thought I'd publish this blog to start adding research links and article links.

http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/333/7569/626?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&amp;amp;amp;fulltext=acupuncture&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT
Objective To evaluate the cost effectiveness of acupuncture in the management of persistent non-specific low back pain.

http://cmbi.bjmu.edu.cn/news/0505/1.htm
Acupuncture has a measurable, if mysterious, effect on the brain, UK scientists have found. The study adds to evidence that patients benefit from acupuncture not simply because of their expectations.

http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2005/12/22/hscout529848.html
How does acupuncture work? "People are still trying to figure that out," Lao said, but there are a few key theories.

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/99/105311.htm
An overview on acupuncture

http://www.acupuncture.com/newsletters/m_feb07/res.htm
Acupuncture enhances generation of nitric oxide and increases local circulation. This may be a possible mechanism of action for how acupuncture treats pain. Another study here shows that acupuncture stimulates specific brain activity during treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. And the last study here shows that Chinese herbs can be used to reduce chemotherapy-induced toxicity.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070128/news_1s28bears.html
What links the Superbowl champions of 1985 and acupuncture? An injured quarterback who was persistent about his treatment of choice.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/01/07/2003343717
Here's a strange one!!! Acupuncture treats plants!

An Inconvenient Truth

2006-08-31T08:04:00.002-07:00

This movie is appropriately titled. To see it forces you to think about your actions and inactions. How can we close our eyes to something that will have such a big impact on our lives? To something that is already having huge consequences on our environment?

The hottest 10 years on record have all been recorded in the last 14 years! People joke that that just provides an opportunity for more beach days, but people are dying as a consequence of global warming.

Does it not seem as if there are more and more hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters lately? That's because there are. The number of category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last 30 years. Glaciers are disappearing. Malaria is spreading. Droughts, floods, and wildfires are increasing. Animals are at risk of disappearing: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/newsletters/Species_Aug2006/default.asp

The impact of global warming is even being felt by Vancouver Island businesses this summer with the closing of tourist-related businesses this long weekend due to a water shortage.

One could read these facts and feel dispair. But, as is said in the movie, there is a step between denial and dispair. That step is action. We took action when the ozone layer was severely damaged and we forced our governments to make the necessary changes. Now the ozone layer is no longer a concern. For what you can do see: http://climatecrisis.org/ and click on "take action", http://www.davidsuzuki.org/WOL/Challenge/

Why do I post something about the environment on my site that is about health? Well, because your environment does affect your health. As much as we have technology to heat or cool our indoor spaces, we don't live in our own personal bubbles. Peoples joints really do ache when the weather turns damp. People do get headaches with weather changes. Environmental allergies are huge! In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we do see the relationship between wind, cold, heat, damp, and dry with health conditions ranging from the common cold, to strokes, to cancers.

Have you seen the movie? What do you think? What have you done?

Stomach Stapling for Kids?

2006-08-25T08:54:00.001-07:00

Apparently more and more hospitals in the U.S. (not sure if it's happening in Canada) are now offering stomach stapling procedures for children. Why is it that when we have to face something that requires long-term healthy lifestyle changes, we feel it will be better to choose the risky quick fix? What are we teaching our kids when we suggest just cutting out parts of our bodies that cause us problems rather than addressing the true causes--unhealthy lifestyles, poor eating habits, and lack of exercise?

Doctors supporting the surgery say that it will help to prevent future diseases associated with obesity, such as heart disease and diabetes. Does it really? Just because a person has a tiny stomach, doesn't mean that they will be healthier!

Is this what we're now calling "Preventative Medicine"? I think that it's time that we started taking responsibility for ourselves and make the right choices. Yes, that can be challenging at first. But once a person gets over the hump of initial changes, it really is not that hard to do!

But that's just my opinion. If you have (or if you don't, imagine) an obese child, would you get the stomach stapling procedure done for him/her?

Oh, and one more thing. I came across this webpage and....this can't be true: "Do-It-Yourself Stomach Stapling Kits!"??? I'm sure it isn't, but take a read anyway: http://weeklyworldnews.com/features/technology/60807?printer=1

Opinions...

2006-08-13T01:42:00.001-07:00

This blog is not just for me to blab on about what I think. It is for others to express their opinions about various health topics. That said, here are some links to interesting polls I thought were thought-provoking:

To what degree do you think clinicians' prescribing practices are or are not influenced by pharmaceutical company advertising?
http://www.medscape.com/px/instantpollservlet/result?PollID=1782&BackURL=/px/instantpollservlet/result?PollID=1782

In May, the top 3 soft-drink companies agreed to a ban on sweetened drinks like Coke, Pepsi, and iced teas in all school cafeterias and vending machines nationwide in response to the threat of lawsuits and state legislation. Sales are not expected to be affected; the sweetened drinks will be replaced by others. Do you favor or oppose this ban?
http://www.medscape.com/px/instantpollservlet/result?PollID=1860&BackURL=/px/instantpollservlet/result?PollID=1782

Recent reports of sleep-driving and behavioral changes (aggressiveness, obliviousness) after taking the sleep aid Ambien have prompted calls for increased FDA warnings on the drug. Do you think Ambien needs more warnings added to its label or are current warnings not to drive or drink alcohol after taking the drug adequate?
http://www.medscape.com/px/instantpollservlet/result?PollID=1723&BackURL=/px/instantpollservlet/result?PollID=1782

What are your opinions?

Welcome!

2006-08-12T23:48:00.001-07:00

This being my first posting, I want to introduce my idea for this blog. I have often thought to myself as I have come across some interesting piece of health information, "I should do something with this info so others can read, hear about, or look at it." I often don't want to publish these tidbits and ideas on my website as the topics can vary quite widely and the amount of information can become unwieldy. Aside from that, I really want to receive comments and I'd like to offer a way for my patients and others interested in their health to communicate with each other. Finally, I am forever a student, always wanting to learn more, and I often find that my patients and the people I meet are a wonderful source of information and inspiration.

This will also be a great opportunity for me to learn what topics "inquiring minds want to know" so I can do a larger focus for magazine articles and e-newsletters I write.

Let's start this off with something inspiring...one of those things you get via email that at first seems like a waste of time (or perhaps a good way to procrastinate from work you should be doing), that you read while hovering the cursor over the "delete" button, and that you then smile at when you finish and send it off because you think it might make someone else smile too.

We can all learn a lesson from this great old girl! The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with her hair fashionably coiffed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.
After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready.As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window.
"I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
"Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room .... just wait."
"That doesn't have anything to do with it," she replied."Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged...it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away ...just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account ...you withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories. Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing. Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less."
Have a happy day!

Let's not wait until we are 92 to learn this great wisdom!