Who knew sleep could be so interesting?

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?

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?

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...

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?

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

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?

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

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

What are you putting on your body?

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?

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/