by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
With Labor Day upon us, it's time once again to consider the upcoming winter and the cold and flu season.
Every year we are inundated with reports of possible flu pandemics and cautioned to get our flu shots early. For those of us who are staunch devotees of the annual flu shot, the sooner the better.
For those of us concerned about putting provocative proteins, such as flu shots, into our body there are alternatives that can be utilized to prevent from getting the flu.
The number one determining factor as to whether or not you get a cold or flu is how resilient your immune system is. The healthier and more resilient your immune system, the least likely you are to get sick, get a cold or the flu.
What is the best way to keep your immune system health and resilient throughout the flu season?
> Hygiene - sounds too simple to be important ,but hand washing is the number one prevention tool in avoiding colds and flus
> Proper rest - getting enough sleep is essential to your nervous and immune system functioning at optimal levels. Being sure not to "run yourself down", as grandma might have told, is REALLY good advice.
> Proper nutrition - vitamin C, B, A, D, E, enough protein, essential fatty acids and calcium rich foods are all important in keeping your body functioning well and having the resilience to fight off colds and the flu
> Keeping stress under control - stress suppresses your immune function. By keeping stress at bay you will allow your body its best advantage to stay healthy.
> Relax and have fun - laughter and pleasure have been shown in clinical trials to inhance Immunoglobulins which increase immune function activity and keep us healthy. By creating time and opportunity for regular fun and pleasure you will help your body to help you stay well.
> Protection from the elements - many people don't realize that the weather and temperature have a significant impact on their stress adaptation and immune system. Being properly dressed against all forms of weather helps to prevent colds and flu.
These very simple yet essential tips for staying well can help, whether you choose to have a flu shot or not, to give your body the best advantage against flu season.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
About Face - Getting Rid of Acne
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
Any teenager will tell you one of the worse things that can happen in high school is to develop a face full of acne. Clear, unblemished skin is reported by cultural anthropologists as the universal number one, most important aspect of a person's appearance with regard to attracting others.
Is it any wonder tens of millions of dollars are spent every year on blemish creams and cover-ups? Skin appearance is important to overall sex appeal. Our skin tells a story about our internal health and about our hormone function, both of which are tied into our sex appeal.
In my integrative nutrition practice, one of the conditions I enjoy working with is assisting adolescents in clearing up their skin problems. When you can understand where acne and pimples come from, you can choose to do the things that can change the outbreak.
Androgens are reproductive hormones that are secreted into the blood stream by the reproductive organs and our adrenal glands. You might remember these from our discussion on stress adaptation.
Androgens are also potent chemicals our liver must deal with by reducing their potency. The liver is the detoxifier of the blood and in the case of androgens, the liver produces blood plasma proteins which bind up and inactivate the majority of androgens, so that only a small percent of androgens are free to enter our cells.
In adolescence, the body needs time to adjust to and regulate hormone secretions and a young body can become physically and emotionally overwhelmed by the effect of androgens on the cells and on the brain.
Once androgens get inside the cell, a specific enzyme converts the androgens into a more highly active form. The active androgens then enter into the nucleus of the cell, where it interacts with genetic material. This can lead to highly stimulated oil glands, which creates acne.
The manifestion of acne depends on:
a) the amount of androgens available to enter the cells
b) how well the liver is controlling the active androgens
c) the nutrition of the person and its effect on liver metabolism
d) the amount of waste and/or toxins being re-absorbed into the liver from the bowel fluids and - THIS IS THE KEY -
e) the amount of exercise the adolescent is doing that will utilize the androgens to build and create muscle tissue (rather than acne), thus reducing the amount of androgen that might be absorbed into the cells.
The fastest and easiest way to clear up adolescent acne, especially in males as they lay down muscle very quickly, is have the person exercise vigorously. In just a short period of time, the androgens are utilized to build lovely muscle and the skins clears up so well, the parents (and the adolescent) think it's a miracle!
Of course healthy eating, which includes vegetables and fruits to keep the bowel clean, drinking plenty of water, skin hygiene and proper amounts of sleep all help the liver, bowel and adrenals to function properly, thus supporting the proper functioning of the androgens and the resultant healthy, attractive skin.
The expression "it's more than skin deep" truly applies to acne and blemishes. If you have, are or know an adolescent (or someone who is even a bit older) experiencing acne issues, pass this information on to them. If they use it, they'll see a difference and they will thank you!
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Any teenager will tell you one of the worse things that can happen in high school is to develop a face full of acne. Clear, unblemished skin is reported by cultural anthropologists as the universal number one, most important aspect of a person's appearance with regard to attracting others.
Is it any wonder tens of millions of dollars are spent every year on blemish creams and cover-ups? Skin appearance is important to overall sex appeal. Our skin tells a story about our internal health and about our hormone function, both of which are tied into our sex appeal.
In my integrative nutrition practice, one of the conditions I enjoy working with is assisting adolescents in clearing up their skin problems. When you can understand where acne and pimples come from, you can choose to do the things that can change the outbreak.
Androgens are reproductive hormones that are secreted into the blood stream by the reproductive organs and our adrenal glands. You might remember these from our discussion on stress adaptation.
Androgens are also potent chemicals our liver must deal with by reducing their potency. The liver is the detoxifier of the blood and in the case of androgens, the liver produces blood plasma proteins which bind up and inactivate the majority of androgens, so that only a small percent of androgens are free to enter our cells.
In adolescence, the body needs time to adjust to and regulate hormone secretions and a young body can become physically and emotionally overwhelmed by the effect of androgens on the cells and on the brain.
Once androgens get inside the cell, a specific enzyme converts the androgens into a more highly active form. The active androgens then enter into the nucleus of the cell, where it interacts with genetic material. This can lead to highly stimulated oil glands, which creates acne.
The manifestion of acne depends on:
a) the amount of androgens available to enter the cells
b) how well the liver is controlling the active androgens
c) the nutrition of the person and its effect on liver metabolism
d) the amount of waste and/or toxins being re-absorbed into the liver from the bowel fluids and - THIS IS THE KEY -
e) the amount of exercise the adolescent is doing that will utilize the androgens to build and create muscle tissue (rather than acne), thus reducing the amount of androgen that might be absorbed into the cells.
The fastest and easiest way to clear up adolescent acne, especially in males as they lay down muscle very quickly, is have the person exercise vigorously. In just a short period of time, the androgens are utilized to build lovely muscle and the skins clears up so well, the parents (and the adolescent) think it's a miracle!
Of course healthy eating, which includes vegetables and fruits to keep the bowel clean, drinking plenty of water, skin hygiene and proper amounts of sleep all help the liver, bowel and adrenals to function properly, thus supporting the proper functioning of the androgens and the resultant healthy, attractive skin.
The expression "it's more than skin deep" truly applies to acne and blemishes. If you have, are or know an adolescent (or someone who is even a bit older) experiencing acne issues, pass this information on to them. If they use it, they'll see a difference and they will thank you!
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
An Unhealthy Work Environment
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
When most of us think of an unhealthy work environment we think "sick building syndrome", difficult co-workers or the classic "boss from hell".
Recently, after attending a conference which was populated by a number of staffing agency directors, I received an insight into the latest unhealthy work issue that is getting the attention of a lot of organizations. OFBTM - Obsessive Face Book and Text Messaging while on the clock.
It is becoming such a concern to some employees, that more and more companies are having their computer networks re-tooled to block Facebook from being accessible from the office computers.
How much of a problem is it that a significant number of those raised on electronic communication and networking cannot stop checking their Facebook and Text Messenging while they are being paid to do the job tasks required of them.
That employees are noticing and concerned about this trend affecting their productivity and even their bottom line, says something important about immediate communication impulse and what is being called "the narcissistic tendency" we are developing as a culture.
The focus and integrity to attend to the job we are expected to perform as well as the ability or willingness not to pay attention to ourselves when we are getting paid to be working, seems to be lacking today more than ever before.
Cell phones, e-mails, text messages, social networking, Facebook and other electronic forms of communication have begun to hold our attention prisoner, even when we are on the job. Not only is this unfair to the individual or organization paying our salary, but it also sends up a red flag about how we are growing more and more self absorbed as a culture.
Can someone be healthy when they are overly concerned about the moment to moment activities of their lives? There are (most commonly in humor columns) reported Facebook posts by individuals who literally record every minor thought and event of their day, posting them publically for all their friends and fans to read.
Is it true that we are becoming a narcissistic society, unable to pull ourselves away from the details of our lives and that we no longer put in "an honest day's work"?
Health is made up of many things. Being productive, making a contribution, working hard and enjoying what you do is all part of a healthy lifestyle. If social networking and electronic communication is pulling you further away from a balanced and healthy work life, it may be time to unplug and unlink.
Finding fulfillment and feeling commitment about what we do in our work, as well as how we do the work, is an important part of being a productive, contributory, healthy, happy individual.
Excessive electronic communication can not only be self-centering but can also distract us from other essential aspects that are part of a balance life. Something to consider ~
With all good wishes,
G
Copyright 2010 National Institute of Whole Health
When most of us think of an unhealthy work environment we think "sick building syndrome", difficult co-workers or the classic "boss from hell".
Recently, after attending a conference which was populated by a number of staffing agency directors, I received an insight into the latest unhealthy work issue that is getting the attention of a lot of organizations. OFBTM - Obsessive Face Book and Text Messaging while on the clock.
It is becoming such a concern to some employees, that more and more companies are having their computer networks re-tooled to block Facebook from being accessible from the office computers.
How much of a problem is it that a significant number of those raised on electronic communication and networking cannot stop checking their Facebook and Text Messenging while they are being paid to do the job tasks required of them.
That employees are noticing and concerned about this trend affecting their productivity and even their bottom line, says something important about immediate communication impulse and what is being called "the narcissistic tendency" we are developing as a culture.
The focus and integrity to attend to the job we are expected to perform as well as the ability or willingness not to pay attention to ourselves when we are getting paid to be working, seems to be lacking today more than ever before.
Cell phones, e-mails, text messages, social networking, Facebook and other electronic forms of communication have begun to hold our attention prisoner, even when we are on the job. Not only is this unfair to the individual or organization paying our salary, but it also sends up a red flag about how we are growing more and more self absorbed as a culture.
Can someone be healthy when they are overly concerned about the moment to moment activities of their lives? There are (most commonly in humor columns) reported Facebook posts by individuals who literally record every minor thought and event of their day, posting them publically for all their friends and fans to read.
Is it true that we are becoming a narcissistic society, unable to pull ourselves away from the details of our lives and that we no longer put in "an honest day's work"?
Health is made up of many things. Being productive, making a contribution, working hard and enjoying what you do is all part of a healthy lifestyle. If social networking and electronic communication is pulling you further away from a balanced and healthy work life, it may be time to unplug and unlink.
Finding fulfillment and feeling commitment about what we do in our work, as well as how we do the work, is an important part of being a productive, contributory, healthy, happy individual.
Excessive electronic communication can not only be self-centering but can also distract us from other essential aspects that are part of a balance life. Something to consider ~
With all good wishes,
G
Copyright 2010 National Institute of Whole Health
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