By Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
The average American consumes around 150 pounds of sugar a year (yes, you read that correctly). As hard as thing is to believe, humans have a natural attraction to sugar that is part of our survival mechanism which dates back to the days when sugars and energy rich carbohydrates were not readily available.
One of my class members in high school was Stephen Sinatra, MD, who is an author, cardiologist,, nutritionist and anti-aging specialist. He was also the consultant for Connie Bennett’s book, Sugar Shock.
Dr. Sinatra explains that it is the over-consumption of sugar that creates a low -grade “silent inflammation” in the body and we know today that inflammation has been implicated in all the leading chronic diseases. Heart disease and of course diabetes are two of the leading conditions that excess sugar consumption contribute to.
Many nutrition experts including Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD, nutrition specialist at the Gold Door Spa and Resort says that the current guidelines of sugar not exceeding 10% of our daily caloric intake is still too much.
Kathleen DesMaisons, PhD, author of The Sugar Addicts Total Recovery Book states that a true sugar addict have a specific syndrome going on – that they tend to have low serotonin levels, unstable blood sugar levels or low beta-endorphin levels.
This means that they are eating sugar as a “medication” to feel better, as sugar creates a temporary increase in all of these levels and creates a true addiction cycle.
Other experts believe that soil mineral deficiencies, emotional hunger, processed foods and a lack of exercise are all culprits in the enormous number of Americans who have constant sugar cravings and addictions.
So, what’s the cure? This is the fun part because we generally tend to come back to the basics and wind up with the same advice we would get from our wise and experienced grandmothers – MODERATION.
Moderation is learning to balance our lives by slowing down, eating natural, organic, home cooked foods and not too much of them; exercising more, working less, enjoying the simple things like laughter, gardening, cooking, reading and just plain BEING.
May-be we crave sugar when our “lives lose their sweetness” and the way to fix it is seeing the sweetness that is already in our lives – enjoying the life we are living instead of being hungry for a life that may appear more exciting or glamorous but may not be as “nourishing” as the one we are living now!
With all good wishes,
Georgianna
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The New Landscape of Chronic Care
by Georgianna Donadio, DC, MSc, PhD
This past weekend was marked by an historical meeting of dozens of representatives from renown colleges, hospitals, medical schools and health care organizations that came together for the purpose of crafting a path for Health and Wellness Coaches to become "the new health professional".
The intent of health coaching is to facilitate an individual's journey in making lifestyle choices that lead to increased health and decreased chronic disease. This of course, is what NIWH pioneered with Whole Health Education 35 years ago, as a patient health education model which also contains a Behavioral Engagement component. This component represents a "way of being in relationship" that creates the space for the client to "self discover" and make organic, discerned and informed lifestyle changes.
NIWH, in serving on the national Professional Health Coaches in Health Care Steering Committee, is fulfilling its long held vision of bringing a significant change to how medicine and health care is delivered through a more patient centered model. This is an amazing time to become a Whole Health Educator as, after 35 years of development and testing, its time has come and now its a health care "rock star".
The NIWH Whole Health programs contain health and wellness coaching competencies to provide a comprehensive, cutting edge training in whole person care.
NIWH is beginning a series of Whole Health Education pilot studies with several outstanding medical facilities and organizations, to be announced shortly. Watch for the Press Releases in our News section.
More updates to follow ~
With all good wishes,
G
Copyright 2010 NIWH All Rights Reserved
This past weekend was marked by an historical meeting of dozens of representatives from renown colleges, hospitals, medical schools and health care organizations that came together for the purpose of crafting a path for Health and Wellness Coaches to become "the new health professional".
The intent of health coaching is to facilitate an individual's journey in making lifestyle choices that lead to increased health and decreased chronic disease. This of course, is what NIWH pioneered with Whole Health Education 35 years ago, as a patient health education model which also contains a Behavioral Engagement component. This component represents a "way of being in relationship" that creates the space for the client to "self discover" and make organic, discerned and informed lifestyle changes.
NIWH, in serving on the national Professional Health Coaches in Health Care Steering Committee, is fulfilling its long held vision of bringing a significant change to how medicine and health care is delivered through a more patient centered model. This is an amazing time to become a Whole Health Educator as, after 35 years of development and testing, its time has come and now its a health care "rock star".
The NIWH Whole Health programs contain health and wellness coaching competencies to provide a comprehensive, cutting edge training in whole person care.
NIWH is beginning a series of Whole Health Education pilot studies with several outstanding medical facilities and organizations, to be announced shortly. Watch for the Press Releases in our News section.
More updates to follow ~
With all good wishes,
G
Copyright 2010 NIWH All Rights Reserved
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Current National Landscape on Health and Wellness Coaching
by Georgianna Donadio DC, MSc, PhD
The reason for an absence of postings this month is due to my participating in one of the most intense, collaborative team efforts imaginable! Integrative Health and Medical experts from all over the country have been invited to Boston for a national Summit focused on facilitating the advancement of Health and Wellness Coaching.
The 12 team members, of whom NIWH is one, have thrashed around the topic discussing the hows, whys and possibilities for over a year. Various points of view, experience, insights and concerned have been voiced and now all of our work is being brought to the best and the brightest in health care and medicine, for review and consensus.
We at NIWH are very pleased that after three decades of advocating for whole person health care, shared decision making between client and practitioner and evidence-based health information for consumers, this effort is being realized.
The first important change in this direction came in 2005, when the NIWH model became the mandate for the "practice of medicine in all settings". Both the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) and hospitals and the Institute of Medicine
(IOM) identified these guidelines as their mandate:
> placing the patient at the center of their health care
> treating the patient as a whole person
> evidence-based health education for prevention and disease management
NIWH is pleased to be a part of what may become a pivotal and historical event in health care.
I will be blogging on this site on a weekly to bi-monthly basis moving forward. The daily Whole Health Living blog can be viewed at http://www.niwh.org/ . We invite you to visit.
After the Summit is concluded, I will be back with an update!
With all good wishes,
G
The reason for an absence of postings this month is due to my participating in one of the most intense, collaborative team efforts imaginable! Integrative Health and Medical experts from all over the country have been invited to Boston for a national Summit focused on facilitating the advancement of Health and Wellness Coaching.
The 12 team members, of whom NIWH is one, have thrashed around the topic discussing the hows, whys and possibilities for over a year. Various points of view, experience, insights and concerned have been voiced and now all of our work is being brought to the best and the brightest in health care and medicine, for review and consensus.
We at NIWH are very pleased that after three decades of advocating for whole person health care, shared decision making between client and practitioner and evidence-based health information for consumers, this effort is being realized.
The first important change in this direction came in 2005, when the NIWH model became the mandate for the "practice of medicine in all settings". Both the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) and hospitals and the Institute of Medicine
(IOM) identified these guidelines as their mandate:
> placing the patient at the center of their health care
> treating the patient as a whole person
> evidence-based health education for prevention and disease management
NIWH is pleased to be a part of what may become a pivotal and historical event in health care.
I will be blogging on this site on a weekly to bi-monthly basis moving forward. The daily Whole Health Living blog can be viewed at http://www.niwh.org/ . We invite you to visit.
After the Summit is concluded, I will be back with an update!
With all good wishes,
G
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Calcium as Fat Burner
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
Information from the Nutrition Institute of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, appears to confirm the "rumor" that calcium rich diets result in lower body fat.
According to a recent study in mice conducted at the University, a diet that includes low-fat dairy products and calcium supplementation can result in significant weight loss through the burning rather than the storing of fat in fat cells. This is explained as being the results of the role that stored calcium plays in the breakdown and burning of fat inside our body's cells.
Here is an excerpt from an article on the study, published on WedMD written by Jeanie Larche Davis:
"The researchers used mice bred to be obese in their current study. The mice were fed a special high-fat, high-sugar diet for six weeks. All had a 27% increase in body fat.
Some were then switched to a calorie-restricted diet. Of those, one group was given calcium supplements (calcium carbonate similar to Tums) and others were fed "medium" and "high" amounts of low-fat dry milk.
Body fat storage was markedly reduced by all three high-calcium diets, say the authors.
Those given calcium supplements had good results, when combined with the restricted-calorie diet.
Mice getting their calcium via supplements had a 42% decrease in body fat, whereas mice eating without supplements had an 8% body fat loss."
The reason this was of great interest to me and it felt important to share is because I have observed over the past 10 years, that during any period of time that I have consistently taken calcium supplementation, in the form of powdered calcium/magnesium, my body weight has definitely decreased.
Within a month or so of not taking the calcium/magnesium powder, the weight starts to creep back on. This article helps to answer the question of why. Thyroxine, secreted by the thyroid, is a critical hormone in intracellular metabolism. Thyroxine also has a significant impact on intracellular metabolism and on the utilization of calcium.
Having a calcium rich diet would allow the thyroxin that is necessary for cellular metabolism to be more effecient in utilizing the fat stored in our cells for energy!
This article has been very clarifying and explains WHY high calcium diets facilitate weight loss. Armed with that information we can enjoy eating our spinach, kale and sardines knowing they are working away to keep our body fat burning.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Information from the Nutrition Institute of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, appears to confirm the "rumor" that calcium rich diets result in lower body fat.
According to a recent study in mice conducted at the University, a diet that includes low-fat dairy products and calcium supplementation can result in significant weight loss through the burning rather than the storing of fat in fat cells. This is explained as being the results of the role that stored calcium plays in the breakdown and burning of fat inside our body's cells.
Here is an excerpt from an article on the study, published on WedMD written by Jeanie Larche Davis:
"The researchers used mice bred to be obese in their current study. The mice were fed a special high-fat, high-sugar diet for six weeks. All had a 27% increase in body fat.
Some were then switched to a calorie-restricted diet. Of those, one group was given calcium supplements (calcium carbonate similar to Tums) and others were fed "medium" and "high" amounts of low-fat dry milk.
Body fat storage was markedly reduced by all three high-calcium diets, say the authors.
Those given calcium supplements had good results, when combined with the restricted-calorie diet.
Mice getting their calcium via supplements had a 42% decrease in body fat, whereas mice eating without supplements had an 8% body fat loss."
The reason this was of great interest to me and it felt important to share is because I have observed over the past 10 years, that during any period of time that I have consistently taken calcium supplementation, in the form of powdered calcium/magnesium, my body weight has definitely decreased.
Within a month or so of not taking the calcium/magnesium powder, the weight starts to creep back on. This article helps to answer the question of why. Thyroxine, secreted by the thyroid, is a critical hormone in intracellular metabolism. Thyroxine also has a significant impact on intracellular metabolism and on the utilization of calcium.
Having a calcium rich diet would allow the thyroxin that is necessary for cellular metabolism to be more effecient in utilizing the fat stored in our cells for energy!
This article has been very clarifying and explains WHY high calcium diets facilitate weight loss. Armed with that information we can enjoy eating our spinach, kale and sardines knowing they are working away to keep our body fat burning.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Monday, August 30, 2010
Food as Pharma
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
Ran across an article that anyone could read and "get it" about what the food we eat can do to prevent disease and enhance our well-being. Functional food; what an appropriate name for food that is good for the function of our bodies.
Food As Pharma
By Alice Park
"Hippocrates once said, "Let food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be food," and doctors now believe that ancient Greek healer may have been onto something. We need food for nourishment, of course. Without it, our cells and tissues would wither away from starvation. But what's becoming clearer is that food is more than just fuel. What you eat can determine how elastic your blood vessels are, how easily you resist cancer-causing toxins and whether or not you will barrel down the road toward heart disease.
"There is an overwhelmingly strong database of studies suggesting that the quality of calories we eat has a huge impact on our well-being and our risk of chronic disease and longevity," says Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life Program at Children's Hospital Boston.
But does food have real power to prevent disease? That's the claim behind functional foods — products that are enhanced or otherwise designed to do much more than simply supply us with needed calories and nutrients.
And the early evidence suggests that the kitchen may indeed contain potent disease-fighting agents, just as the medicine cabinet does. In a groundbreaking 2002 study, researchers found that people at risk of diabetes could delay or in some cases even prevent the disease from developing by eating fewer calories, getting them from the right kinds of foods and exercising more than two hours a week. Even more intriguing, the study revealed that people who were genetically predisposed to diabetes benefited most. In essence, diet and other lifestyle factors altered their genetic destiny.
But before you eat to treat, say experts, remember that not every health claim on a label makes the food a functional food — and not all functional foods help prevent or reverse disease. The Food and Drug Administration does not recognize functional foods as a category, which means that a product's promise to control cholesterol, tame inflammation or protect you from fractures may not be supported by studies. Experts don't even agree on the exact definition of a functional food, but many go by the simple guide that it's something that's often good for you to begin with and that has some added benefit not found in the food's natural state.
Other-than-butter spreads enhanced with plant oils, for example, qualify as functional foods, since they are less likely than animal fats to contribute to plaques in blood vessels, and the added plant sterols help reduce cholesterol even further. Soft drinks with extra vitamins and minerals don't make the cut, however, since soda isn't nutritious to start with.
It's confusing, yes. But the best advice, according to experts: stick with foods that are naturally nutritious, and consider adding functional foods where you can. You have to eat anyway, so you might as well make it count. "
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Ran across an article that anyone could read and "get it" about what the food we eat can do to prevent disease and enhance our well-being. Functional food; what an appropriate name for food that is good for the function of our bodies.
Food As Pharma
By Alice Park
"Hippocrates once said, "Let food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be food," and doctors now believe that ancient Greek healer may have been onto something. We need food for nourishment, of course. Without it, our cells and tissues would wither away from starvation. But what's becoming clearer is that food is more than just fuel. What you eat can determine how elastic your blood vessels are, how easily you resist cancer-causing toxins and whether or not you will barrel down the road toward heart disease.
"There is an overwhelmingly strong database of studies suggesting that the quality of calories we eat has a huge impact on our well-being and our risk of chronic disease and longevity," says Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life Program at Children's Hospital Boston.
But does food have real power to prevent disease? That's the claim behind functional foods — products that are enhanced or otherwise designed to do much more than simply supply us with needed calories and nutrients.
And the early evidence suggests that the kitchen may indeed contain potent disease-fighting agents, just as the medicine cabinet does. In a groundbreaking 2002 study, researchers found that people at risk of diabetes could delay or in some cases even prevent the disease from developing by eating fewer calories, getting them from the right kinds of foods and exercising more than two hours a week. Even more intriguing, the study revealed that people who were genetically predisposed to diabetes benefited most. In essence, diet and other lifestyle factors altered their genetic destiny.
But before you eat to treat, say experts, remember that not every health claim on a label makes the food a functional food — and not all functional foods help prevent or reverse disease. The Food and Drug Administration does not recognize functional foods as a category, which means that a product's promise to control cholesterol, tame inflammation or protect you from fractures may not be supported by studies. Experts don't even agree on the exact definition of a functional food, but many go by the simple guide that it's something that's often good for you to begin with and that has some added benefit not found in the food's natural state.
Other-than-butter spreads enhanced with plant oils, for example, qualify as functional foods, since they are less likely than animal fats to contribute to plaques in blood vessels, and the added plant sterols help reduce cholesterol even further. Soft drinks with extra vitamins and minerals don't make the cut, however, since soda isn't nutritious to start with.
It's confusing, yes. But the best advice, according to experts: stick with foods that are naturally nutritious, and consider adding functional foods where you can. You have to eat anyway, so you might as well make it count. "
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Friday, August 27, 2010
Another Flu Season Ahead
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
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
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
Monday, August 16, 2010
Food and Mood
by Georgianna Donadio MSc, DC, PhD
Just finished an interview for a national magazine on "Food and Mood". It reminded me about how intimately our mood and our food are connected.
The article was about "what foods help our moods", but may-be the larger question is "what do our moods have to do with what we eat".
It's interesting that the emphasis is usually on how things from the OUTSIDE of us affect our insides and in reality so much of what is going on INSIDE of us affects our outsides.
This is really evident in terms of weight loss and weight gain. The way we feel about ourselves, work, life, if we are fulfilled or dissatisfied has more to do with what or how much we choose to eat than how eating a food has to do with how it "makes us feel".
One of the reasons diets don't work is because the "work" is being done on the outside of the problem instead of the inside. I have been a nutritionist for over 30 years and have seen tens of thousands of patients who want to change the way they look or the way they eat.
When we start to "work" on the goal, within a relatively short period of time, they become aware that there are underlying feelings and emotions associated with not eating foods that help them to "medicate" or mask their feelings.
They often become discouraged because the feelings are uncomfortable and sometimes painful. It is our human nature to AVOID pain and move towards pleasure. It takes courage to truly tackle and confront the underlying issues of "food and mood", rather than focusing on the outside of the problem, to focus on the inside instead.
Here is an exercise you may find to be of value. If you are dealing with mood or food issues, keep a journal for 10 days, writing down everything you eat and how you feel when you DON'T eat what you want and how you feel when you DO eat what you want.
Just becoming more aware of what you are putting in your mouth and how it translates to how you feel after you eat a particular food, can be the start of a healthier and happier relationship with food and your mood.
All the best,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Just finished an interview for a national magazine on "Food and Mood". It reminded me about how intimately our mood and our food are connected.
The article was about "what foods help our moods", but may-be the larger question is "what do our moods have to do with what we eat".
It's interesting that the emphasis is usually on how things from the OUTSIDE of us affect our insides and in reality so much of what is going on INSIDE of us affects our outsides.
This is really evident in terms of weight loss and weight gain. The way we feel about ourselves, work, life, if we are fulfilled or dissatisfied has more to do with what or how much we choose to eat than how eating a food has to do with how it "makes us feel".
One of the reasons diets don't work is because the "work" is being done on the outside of the problem instead of the inside. I have been a nutritionist for over 30 years and have seen tens of thousands of patients who want to change the way they look or the way they eat.
When we start to "work" on the goal, within a relatively short period of time, they become aware that there are underlying feelings and emotions associated with not eating foods that help them to "medicate" or mask their feelings.
They often become discouraged because the feelings are uncomfortable and sometimes painful. It is our human nature to AVOID pain and move towards pleasure. It takes courage to truly tackle and confront the underlying issues of "food and mood", rather than focusing on the outside of the problem, to focus on the inside instead.
Here is an exercise you may find to be of value. If you are dealing with mood or food issues, keep a journal for 10 days, writing down everything you eat and how you feel when you DON'T eat what you want and how you feel when you DO eat what you want.
Just becoming more aware of what you are putting in your mouth and how it translates to how you feel after you eat a particular food, can be the start of a healthier and happier relationship with food and your mood.
All the best,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Friday, August 13, 2010
Weight Loss May Ease Hot Flashes
By Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
As someone who has suffered through hot flashes, I found the following article from WebMD to be of great interest. As it is well written and well sited, I thought you might enjoy reading it and possibly it could be of some help to you or to other women you know going through the "power surges" of menopause.
Comments are welcomed!
Intense Diet and Exercise Program Lessened Symptoms in Menopausal Women in Study
By Katrina Woznicki
WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MD
July 12, 2010 -- Losing weight may help modestly reduce hot flashes in menopausal women, researchers say.
Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are common in menopausal women. They typically cause sweatiness and redness in the face and can be disruptive and last for five or more years. Past research suggests that a higher body mass index (BMI) -- a measurement of height and weight -- is associated with more severe hot flashes, but whether losing weight could make a difference has remained unclear.
Study author Alison J. Huang, MD, of the University of California at San Francisco and colleagues randomly assigned 338 overweight or obese women to either an intense, behavior-oriented weight loss program or to a health education program. The women were taking part in a study on urinary incontinence. Participants in the intensive weight loss program had a goal to lose 7% to 9% of their body weight in 6 months. They met with experts weekly and were encouraged to exercise for 200 minutes per week, such as brisk walking, and follow a 1,200 to 1,500 daily calorie diet. The health education program required women to attend four one-hour sessions that addressed nutrition and healthy living.
The women’s average age was 53, they had a BMI of 25 or higher, and had urinary incontinence. At the beginning of the study, 154 women reported that they were bothered by hot flashes. Among this group, a total of 141 provided data about their hot flash symptoms six months after the start of the study.
Sixty-five of the 141 women said they were less bothered by their hot flashes six months after participating in the weight loss program, 53 reported no change, and 23 women reported a worsening of symptoms. Compared with those in the health education program, women who were in the weight loss program and were bothered by hot flashes had more than twice the odds of reporting a measurable improvement after six months.
Improvements were associated with decreases in weight, BMI, and waist size. However, there were no significant associations between changes in flashing symptoms and exercise, calorie intake, blood pressure, and overall physical and mental function.
The findings are published in the July 12 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
"Among women who were at least slightly bothered by flushing at baseline, the intensive lifestyle intervention was associated with significantly greater decreases in weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure relative to the control group,” Huang and her team write. "No statistically significant effect of the intervention on self-reported physical activity, total calorie intake or overall physical or mental functioning was observed. Our findings indicate that women who are overweight or obese and experience bothersome hot flushes may also experience improvement in these symptoms after pursuing behavioral weight loss strategies; however, improvements in weight or body composition may not be the only mediators of this effect.”
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
As someone who has suffered through hot flashes, I found the following article from WebMD to be of great interest. As it is well written and well sited, I thought you might enjoy reading it and possibly it could be of some help to you or to other women you know going through the "power surges" of menopause.
Comments are welcomed!
Intense Diet and Exercise Program Lessened Symptoms in Menopausal Women in Study
By Katrina Woznicki
WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MD
July 12, 2010 -- Losing weight may help modestly reduce hot flashes in menopausal women, researchers say.
Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are common in menopausal women. They typically cause sweatiness and redness in the face and can be disruptive and last for five or more years. Past research suggests that a higher body mass index (BMI) -- a measurement of height and weight -- is associated with more severe hot flashes, but whether losing weight could make a difference has remained unclear.
Study author Alison J. Huang, MD, of the University of California at San Francisco and colleagues randomly assigned 338 overweight or obese women to either an intense, behavior-oriented weight loss program or to a health education program. The women were taking part in a study on urinary incontinence. Participants in the intensive weight loss program had a goal to lose 7% to 9% of their body weight in 6 months. They met with experts weekly and were encouraged to exercise for 200 minutes per week, such as brisk walking, and follow a 1,200 to 1,500 daily calorie diet. The health education program required women to attend four one-hour sessions that addressed nutrition and healthy living.
The women’s average age was 53, they had a BMI of 25 or higher, and had urinary incontinence. At the beginning of the study, 154 women reported that they were bothered by hot flashes. Among this group, a total of 141 provided data about their hot flash symptoms six months after the start of the study.
Sixty-five of the 141 women said they were less bothered by their hot flashes six months after participating in the weight loss program, 53 reported no change, and 23 women reported a worsening of symptoms. Compared with those in the health education program, women who were in the weight loss program and were bothered by hot flashes had more than twice the odds of reporting a measurable improvement after six months.
Improvements were associated with decreases in weight, BMI, and waist size. However, there were no significant associations between changes in flashing symptoms and exercise, calorie intake, blood pressure, and overall physical and mental function.
The findings are published in the July 12 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
"Among women who were at least slightly bothered by flushing at baseline, the intensive lifestyle intervention was associated with significantly greater decreases in weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure relative to the control group,” Huang and her team write. "No statistically significant effect of the intervention on self-reported physical activity, total calorie intake or overall physical or mental functioning was observed. Our findings indicate that women who are overweight or obese and experience bothersome hot flushes may also experience improvement in these symptoms after pursuing behavioral weight loss strategies; however, improvements in weight or body composition may not be the only mediators of this effect.”
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
10 Things Anyone Can Do To Be Healthier
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
Everyone loves "tips", especially when it comes to their health. Here is a short but powerful list of ten things we can all do to be healthier, thinner and more energetic. The best part is they are easy to do and aren't expensive:
> Drink more water - sometimes we over eat because we are actually in need of more body fluid, so drink more water, especially when you are hungry
> Move more. The simple act of physically moving is a great way to get more exercise, improve circulation and reduce calories.
> Eat less starch. Complex carbohydrates are the main culprit in producing excess insulin, which is a major player in diabetes, heart disease, stroke and obesity.
> Enjoy a hobby that relaxes you. People with hobbies have lower blood pressure and are less stressed from being able to redirect their energies and attention into something they love to do.
> Keep plants or have a pet. Statistics show that people who keep pets or take care of plants are less depressed and more social. In nursing homes, residents are given plants to take care of to reduce depression.
> Eat out less. American's are eating 75% of our meals outside the home. The amount of salt, MSG and chemicals in the foods eaten outside the home is unhealthy and preparing food at home is not only healthier but also less expensive.
> Have regular personal quite time. Meditation, prayer, chanting, contemplation are all ways to slow down the nervous system and help improve sleep and digestion.
> Pay down your debt. The amount of debt a person maintains exerts a major influence to the amount of stress they have in their lives. Owe less, live longer.
> Be sure to get 8 hours sleep. You might be able to function on less but for your body to rest and rejuvenate 8 hours is the ideal.
> Eat breakfast. People who eat breakfast live 7 years longer than those who don't because the body functions more efficiently when eating is on an appropriate schedule.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Everyone loves "tips", especially when it comes to their health. Here is a short but powerful list of ten things we can all do to be healthier, thinner and more energetic. The best part is they are easy to do and aren't expensive:
> Drink more water - sometimes we over eat because we are actually in need of more body fluid, so drink more water, especially when you are hungry
> Move more. The simple act of physically moving is a great way to get more exercise, improve circulation and reduce calories.
> Eat less starch. Complex carbohydrates are the main culprit in producing excess insulin, which is a major player in diabetes, heart disease, stroke and obesity.
> Enjoy a hobby that relaxes you. People with hobbies have lower blood pressure and are less stressed from being able to redirect their energies and attention into something they love to do.
> Keep plants or have a pet. Statistics show that people who keep pets or take care of plants are less depressed and more social. In nursing homes, residents are given plants to take care of to reduce depression.
> Eat out less. American's are eating 75% of our meals outside the home. The amount of salt, MSG and chemicals in the foods eaten outside the home is unhealthy and preparing food at home is not only healthier but also less expensive.
> Have regular personal quite time. Meditation, prayer, chanting, contemplation are all ways to slow down the nervous system and help improve sleep and digestion.
> Pay down your debt. The amount of debt a person maintains exerts a major influence to the amount of stress they have in their lives. Owe less, live longer.
> Be sure to get 8 hours sleep. You might be able to function on less but for your body to rest and rejuvenate 8 hours is the ideal.
> Eat breakfast. People who eat breakfast live 7 years longer than those who don't because the body functions more efficiently when eating is on an appropriate schedule.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Friday, August 6, 2010
Reminder: Travel at Your Own Risk
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
The summer is one of the most heavily vacation trafficked periods of the year, when millions of people “take to the skies and roads” for vacation. This is a time to relax, enjoy and re-fuel. Unfortunately, for 3-5% (yes, that is 3-5%) of the people who get off of airplanes, buses, trains or auto transport will develop blood clots, often not detected until many weeks after their trip.
As American health care consumers, we know in today’s environment we must be pro-active and take control of our health through health information and prevention. Staying healthy while traveling is one very important preventative situation that we can all be more aware of to circumvent an unwanted health crisis.
Three years ago, the World Health Organization published the WRIGHT report (WHO Research Into Global Hazards of Travel) which identified the extent of the problem and who was at risk. The report identified the population most at risk are females, over 40 years of age, with a prior history of deep vein thrombosis.
Others at risk include older travelers, obese travelers, pregnant women, anyone with varicose veins or a prior history of venous thrombosis, women taking birth control pills or estrogen, travelers with a history of a major operation, cancer, heart failure, highly trained athletes, and those with recent surgery or injury.
In spite of the evidence, however, there are still airlines in denial over the problem as many fear increased litigation. One major US airline has a published statement on its websites as a response to concerned travels that reads: "There is no epidemiological evidence that air travel causes blood clots."
However, published experts would re-word that statement to read: “It would be more accurate to say, "Every credible scientific study of the subject has found that air travel [and other forms of confined travel] cause blood clots, including all of the most recent large sophisticated studies."
What can you do to prevent blood clots?
1) Do not be immobile for more than 1 hour when traveling by air or in confined transportation
2) Dress in loose-fitting clothes and shoes. No socks or garments should have banded constriction.
3) Stay well hydrated, but avoid alcohol.
4) Exercise your legs and feet every chance you can (e.g. every 20 minutes).
5) Consider fitted, compression stockings - compression of 20 mm. Hg or more is best.
6) It is not a guarantee that taking aspirin to avoid thrombosis will work but as it prevents platelet clumping which causes clots, if you are at risk, it seems reasonable to take aspirin daily, starting a day before departure and continuing for a day after the flight terminates.
7) Sit in an aisle seat - you will have more room and it is easier to stand up and move around the plane, bus or train.
Hope this helps. For more information search for "blood clots and travel". There is an enormous amount of information on the subject and if you are getting ready for that big trip, having this information should be part of your "packing".
Have a wonderful and safe vacation!
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
The summer is one of the most heavily vacation trafficked periods of the year, when millions of people “take to the skies and roads” for vacation. This is a time to relax, enjoy and re-fuel. Unfortunately, for 3-5% (yes, that is 3-5%) of the people who get off of airplanes, buses, trains or auto transport will develop blood clots, often not detected until many weeks after their trip.
As American health care consumers, we know in today’s environment we must be pro-active and take control of our health through health information and prevention. Staying healthy while traveling is one very important preventative situation that we can all be more aware of to circumvent an unwanted health crisis.
Three years ago, the World Health Organization published the WRIGHT report (WHO Research Into Global Hazards of Travel) which identified the extent of the problem and who was at risk. The report identified the population most at risk are females, over 40 years of age, with a prior history of deep vein thrombosis.
Others at risk include older travelers, obese travelers, pregnant women, anyone with varicose veins or a prior history of venous thrombosis, women taking birth control pills or estrogen, travelers with a history of a major operation, cancer, heart failure, highly trained athletes, and those with recent surgery or injury.
In spite of the evidence, however, there are still airlines in denial over the problem as many fear increased litigation. One major US airline has a published statement on its websites as a response to concerned travels that reads: "There is no epidemiological evidence that air travel causes blood clots."
However, published experts would re-word that statement to read: “It would be more accurate to say, "Every credible scientific study of the subject has found that air travel [and other forms of confined travel] cause blood clots, including all of the most recent large sophisticated studies."
What can you do to prevent blood clots?
1) Do not be immobile for more than 1 hour when traveling by air or in confined transportation
2) Dress in loose-fitting clothes and shoes. No socks or garments should have banded constriction.
3) Stay well hydrated, but avoid alcohol.
4) Exercise your legs and feet every chance you can (e.g. every 20 minutes).
5) Consider fitted, compression stockings - compression of 20 mm. Hg or more is best.
6) It is not a guarantee that taking aspirin to avoid thrombosis will work but as it prevents platelet clumping which causes clots, if you are at risk, it seems reasonable to take aspirin daily, starting a day before departure and continuing for a day after the flight terminates.
7) Sit in an aisle seat - you will have more room and it is easier to stand up and move around the plane, bus or train.
Hope this helps. For more information search for "blood clots and travel". There is an enormous amount of information on the subject and if you are getting ready for that big trip, having this information should be part of your "packing".
Have a wonderful and safe vacation!
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The Passion Diet
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
One of the frustrating aspects of health information that we hear the most from consumers is that just when you think you’ve got a handle on what you are supposed to do to be healthy – the information changes.
For example, not long ago those of us who were over 50 were assured that if we moderately cut back our portions, decreasing our calories and exercised for a half hour 4-5 times a week, we could keep the extra body fat that creeps in after menopause, at bay.
How many women dutifully reduced their calories and did their daily half hour exercise routine, only to feel that there was “something wrong with them” because this formula didn’t work for their body, even though the “experts” said it was the right way to control weight after 50.
The weight loss wisdom has now shifted for women past the age when our estrogen is dramatically lower than pre-menopause. Estrogen, as every woman knows, is that amazing hormone that is a metabolic calorie burner as well as a reproductive hormone. It keeps us heart healthy; keeps our skin healthy and it produces “pheromones” for attraction, among other amazing and important body functions
No longer is a half hour of exercise deemed adequate to increase the metabolic furnace that is slowed down by the loss of estrogen and the creeping weight gain around the middle. We now have to exercise a minimum of one hour per day and really watch everything we put in our mouths, especially carbohydrates, which we want more than ever for the serotonin surge they give us. This new information comes from the simple fact that women over 50 generally do not lose the weight they want with just a half hour of exercise.
What is important regarding losing weight and keeping it off after 50 is what our individual body tells us is right for our metabolism and body type. We need to ask ourselves what do we know about ourselves , and our own weight loss and weight gain pattern, that should be more important than the “weight loss expert’s” advice?
The big question is, now that we are past the age of reproduction and our body no longer is protecting us against many of the maladies that come with getting older, what are we willing to make the priority in our lives and what do we know about our own metabolic profile and how food and exercise affects our body weight? What also happens past 50 that can liberate us from this body syndrome and how can we harness it for our health and well being?
After 50, we lose our inhibitions, accept ourselves for who we are more, surprise ourselves with finding new interests and passions and throw off the yoke of being so concerned with success and achievement. We may lose some physical passion, but mentally and spititually we are "off and running" in a whole new way.
Important questions to ask ourselves about what we know about how to lose weight~
1- What do I know about how I gain weight?
2- What do I know about how I lose weight?
3- Do I eat when I’m stressed?
4- Do I lose weight when I’m stressed?
5- Do I use food for emotional soothing?
6- Does eating play a dominant role in my daily routine?
7- Is losing weight more important than eating what I like when I like it?
8- What am I willing to give up, to get the body weight I want?
9- Do I feel my food choices need to improve?
10- What is my personal experience with exercise?
11- What works best for me, what kind of exercise do I enjoy?
12- What do you know how my body responds to exercise?
13- Am I willing to make the time to take care of myself?
14- What are my health priorities?
15- What are my ego priorities?
16- What keeps me from being the weight I want to be- REALLY?
The issue of weight loss is intimately connected with our relationship with our mental, emotional and physical energy. Rarely do we see an energetic, productive, organized individual (man or woman) who struggles with weight issues, even after 50 because they are often focused on their external interests and passions. Ironically, these folks often suffer from not taking the time to eat when or as much as they should.
One of the weight loss “secrets” I have learned over the years from my patients is that when they are excited, creative, interested and passionate about their work, their relationships, learning, doing or being, the issue of a naturally right body weigh solves itself. We are often over focused on the sensory experience and pleasure of food as a main stay for satisfaction and fulfillment.
However, when something else captures our attention and energy, the issue of fulfillment and gratification can come from a totally unexpected and different source. Something to consider ~ Let's find our passion and joyfully burn those calories!
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
One of the frustrating aspects of health information that we hear the most from consumers is that just when you think you’ve got a handle on what you are supposed to do to be healthy – the information changes.
For example, not long ago those of us who were over 50 were assured that if we moderately cut back our portions, decreasing our calories and exercised for a half hour 4-5 times a week, we could keep the extra body fat that creeps in after menopause, at bay.
How many women dutifully reduced their calories and did their daily half hour exercise routine, only to feel that there was “something wrong with them” because this formula didn’t work for their body, even though the “experts” said it was the right way to control weight after 50.
The weight loss wisdom has now shifted for women past the age when our estrogen is dramatically lower than pre-menopause. Estrogen, as every woman knows, is that amazing hormone that is a metabolic calorie burner as well as a reproductive hormone. It keeps us heart healthy; keeps our skin healthy and it produces “pheromones” for attraction, among other amazing and important body functions
No longer is a half hour of exercise deemed adequate to increase the metabolic furnace that is slowed down by the loss of estrogen and the creeping weight gain around the middle. We now have to exercise a minimum of one hour per day and really watch everything we put in our mouths, especially carbohydrates, which we want more than ever for the serotonin surge they give us. This new information comes from the simple fact that women over 50 generally do not lose the weight they want with just a half hour of exercise.
What is important regarding losing weight and keeping it off after 50 is what our individual body tells us is right for our metabolism and body type. We need to ask ourselves what do we know about ourselves , and our own weight loss and weight gain pattern, that should be more important than the “weight loss expert’s” advice?
The big question is, now that we are past the age of reproduction and our body no longer is protecting us against many of the maladies that come with getting older, what are we willing to make the priority in our lives and what do we know about our own metabolic profile and how food and exercise affects our body weight? What also happens past 50 that can liberate us from this body syndrome and how can we harness it for our health and well being?
After 50, we lose our inhibitions, accept ourselves for who we are more, surprise ourselves with finding new interests and passions and throw off the yoke of being so concerned with success and achievement. We may lose some physical passion, but mentally and spititually we are "off and running" in a whole new way.
Important questions to ask ourselves about what we know about how to lose weight~
1- What do I know about how I gain weight?
2- What do I know about how I lose weight?
3- Do I eat when I’m stressed?
4- Do I lose weight when I’m stressed?
5- Do I use food for emotional soothing?
6- Does eating play a dominant role in my daily routine?
7- Is losing weight more important than eating what I like when I like it?
8- What am I willing to give up, to get the body weight I want?
9- Do I feel my food choices need to improve?
10- What is my personal experience with exercise?
11- What works best for me, what kind of exercise do I enjoy?
12- What do you know how my body responds to exercise?
13- Am I willing to make the time to take care of myself?
14- What are my health priorities?
15- What are my ego priorities?
16- What keeps me from being the weight I want to be- REALLY?
The issue of weight loss is intimately connected with our relationship with our mental, emotional and physical energy. Rarely do we see an energetic, productive, organized individual (man or woman) who struggles with weight issues, even after 50 because they are often focused on their external interests and passions. Ironically, these folks often suffer from not taking the time to eat when or as much as they should.
One of the weight loss “secrets” I have learned over the years from my patients is that when they are excited, creative, interested and passionate about their work, their relationships, learning, doing or being, the issue of a naturally right body weigh solves itself. We are often over focused on the sensory experience and pleasure of food as a main stay for satisfaction and fulfillment.
However, when something else captures our attention and energy, the issue of fulfillment and gratification can come from a totally unexpected and different source. Something to consider ~ Let's find our passion and joyfully burn those calories!
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Integrative Overview of the Endocrines Part VI
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
To review the subject of the Endocrine System:
The endocrines are just so perfectly expressed as "everything being connected to everything else in the body" that it is pure joy to share the information.
We will discuss SEVEN aspects of the reproductive glands based on these concepts:
(1) the physical gland
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye's stress model
(5) the five (5) Whole Health aspects
(6) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) "deadly sins"
Called the “Master Gland” by many, the next endocrine gland to discuss is the Pituitary Gland. The Pituitary, in yoga and energy circles is often referred to as “the third eye”. This is because the Pituitary Gland is associated with “higher awareness and higher consciousness”.
As the Pituitary gland is located in the frontal portion of the brain, right behind the space between our eyes, it is called the “third eye” as it also “sees” the world from a different perspective beyond just the physical appearance. The Pituitary sits on its own little throne, called the “Turk’s Saddle”, and holds court as a high ranking endocrine gland. It has been called the Master Gland because the Pituitary acts as a “dispatcher” of sorts, directing the various endocrine gland secretions to function on cue.
These cues come from the nervous system, the emotional center of the brain and the body’s chemical communications. The Pituitary is the interconnectedness component of Maslow's Hierarchy. Just as the Pituitary interconnects all of the endocrine glands to each other, so does it relate to our awareness and consciousness regarding our connectedness to one another.
The endocrine system is a completely inter-dependent system and if there is an abnormal function in one gland it has a direct effect on all of the other glands, each of which adapts to the hormonal change and “pitches in” to try and restore balance to the body chemistry.
This is actually what happens in healthy societies when each member works to serve the common good of all. Physically the Pituitary is connected to our Balance in the world and to the balance of the entire endocrine system.
Regarding Selye’s Stress Model, the Pituitary, holds a place for our “higher self” and responds to and expresses Trust, Acceptance and Integration. The Pituitary is the Spirituality component of the Whole Health Five Aspects. Spirituality being defined literally as "breath or life" or how we live within ourself and with others.
So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects.The last two aspects, as we have seen with all the other endocrines clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of each specific endocrine gland.
The VIRTUE of the Pituitary is Charity which expresses a generosity towards others and a giving of self. The Pituitary works on behalf of all the other glands, doing multiple jobs for the benefit of all. When we are accepting and gracious to all, we express the highest consciousness of the human experience and we are said to be living from our “third Eye Chakra”.
The DEADLY SIN of the Pituitary is the opposite of its virtue. The opposite of this charitable, hard working gland is SLOTH or laziness and self-serving behavior. While the higher expression of the Pituitary is Charity and generosity towards the good of all, the lower expression of the Pituitary is a laziness and uncaring self absorption. When we are too self-centered or narcissistic, we work against the common good and can become destructive.
It is very simple to see the value and importance of understanding how the body works in a whole integrated way. Many meditation and spiritual practices understand the power and potential of awakening the Pituitary or “Third Eye” consciousness. This awakening is not only for the benefit of others, but for our own emotional and physical health, as well as for our own happiness.
Next and final Endocrine Gland: the Pineal Gland
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
To review the subject of the Endocrine System:
The endocrines are just so perfectly expressed as "everything being connected to everything else in the body" that it is pure joy to share the information.
We will discuss SEVEN aspects of the reproductive glands based on these concepts:
(1) the physical gland
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye's stress model
(5) the five (5) Whole Health aspects
(6) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) "deadly sins"
Called the “Master Gland” by many, the next endocrine gland to discuss is the Pituitary Gland. The Pituitary, in yoga and energy circles is often referred to as “the third eye”. This is because the Pituitary Gland is associated with “higher awareness and higher consciousness”.
As the Pituitary gland is located in the frontal portion of the brain, right behind the space between our eyes, it is called the “third eye” as it also “sees” the world from a different perspective beyond just the physical appearance. The Pituitary sits on its own little throne, called the “Turk’s Saddle”, and holds court as a high ranking endocrine gland. It has been called the Master Gland because the Pituitary acts as a “dispatcher” of sorts, directing the various endocrine gland secretions to function on cue.
These cues come from the nervous system, the emotional center of the brain and the body’s chemical communications. The Pituitary is the interconnectedness component of Maslow's Hierarchy. Just as the Pituitary interconnects all of the endocrine glands to each other, so does it relate to our awareness and consciousness regarding our connectedness to one another.
The endocrine system is a completely inter-dependent system and if there is an abnormal function in one gland it has a direct effect on all of the other glands, each of which adapts to the hormonal change and “pitches in” to try and restore balance to the body chemistry.
This is actually what happens in healthy societies when each member works to serve the common good of all. Physically the Pituitary is connected to our Balance in the world and to the balance of the entire endocrine system.
Regarding Selye’s Stress Model, the Pituitary, holds a place for our “higher self” and responds to and expresses Trust, Acceptance and Integration. The Pituitary is the Spirituality component of the Whole Health Five Aspects. Spirituality being defined literally as "breath or life" or how we live within ourself and with others.
So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects.The last two aspects, as we have seen with all the other endocrines clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of each specific endocrine gland.
The VIRTUE of the Pituitary is Charity which expresses a generosity towards others and a giving of self. The Pituitary works on behalf of all the other glands, doing multiple jobs for the benefit of all. When we are accepting and gracious to all, we express the highest consciousness of the human experience and we are said to be living from our “third Eye Chakra”.
The DEADLY SIN of the Pituitary is the opposite of its virtue. The opposite of this charitable, hard working gland is SLOTH or laziness and self-serving behavior. While the higher expression of the Pituitary is Charity and generosity towards the good of all, the lower expression of the Pituitary is a laziness and uncaring self absorption. When we are too self-centered or narcissistic, we work against the common good and can become destructive.
It is very simple to see the value and importance of understanding how the body works in a whole integrated way. Many meditation and spiritual practices understand the power and potential of awakening the Pituitary or “Third Eye” consciousness. This awakening is not only for the benefit of others, but for our own emotional and physical health, as well as for our own happiness.
Next and final Endocrine Gland: the Pineal Gland
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Monday, August 2, 2010
Self-Esteem and Behavior
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
The other day, my 17 year old daughter was watching a reality television show about high school students who were treating each other quite badly. The lack of respect that many of them showed towards other students was stunning. What was even more disconcerting was their lack of awareness that the people they were taunting and verbally abusing had the same range of feeling they did; wanted to be accepted and valued as they did and wanted to belong within their peer groups, just like they did.
The main theme of the program was having a facilitator come into the school and teach the verbally abusive students the basics of how to have appropriate relationships. It was portrayed that these young people had never seen respect or compassion modeled for them at home. They were not "aware" that other students, young people like themselves, had essentially the same need to belong and the same feelings and desires that they did.
My daughter commented that it was obvious that these insensitive high school students were suffering from low self-esteem to be treating other people that way. This started a conversation about "where do we develop health self-esteem from" and why do some people develop it easily and others not at all.
Self-esteem is intimately connected to our health and how we treat ourselves, which is also expressed through how we treat others. The role of a parent is to instruct a child in "how to be in the world" and to provide the training, if you will, to have the skills, tools and awareness to develop a strong sense of self and self esteem.
"Roots and wings" was the expression many years ago, which refers to the stability, discipline and security that allows us to go out into the world and have the confidence in ourselves to "spread our wings" and fly.
As parents we have the profound responsibility of modeling to our children what they need to learn to be both healthy and happy. Children learn with their eyes, their ears and their hearts. It really does not matter what we say to our children, or what we say to others, it is what we do that counts. When we take the easy way out as parents and do not provide our children with a strong example and foundation of learning responsibility, integrity and how to respect others, we fail them and we hurt them.
To teach our children to be healthy and happy we must teach them the number one rule of liking themselves, which leads to liking others:
When our behavior is congruent with our values, with what we know intellectually and intuitively is right and good, we like ourselves. When our behavior goes against our values and what we know is the right way to behave, we have low self-esteem. We don’t like ourselves when we behave in a way that directly or indirectly hurts ourselves or others.
I remember talking one time with one of my children who was complaining that "I don't like myself". I asked them an appreciative inquiry question:
"Do you think that feeling might come from something you know about yourself that the rest of us don't"?
Several days later he shared with me “that was one of the best questions anyone had ever asked him” and that it helped him to stop doing something that he felt really bad about doing.
This is a question to ask ourselves and to model to our children, who learn more from our non-verbal communication than anything we might "tell" them about how to live a happy, healthy life.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
The other day, my 17 year old daughter was watching a reality television show about high school students who were treating each other quite badly. The lack of respect that many of them showed towards other students was stunning. What was even more disconcerting was their lack of awareness that the people they were taunting and verbally abusing had the same range of feeling they did; wanted to be accepted and valued as they did and wanted to belong within their peer groups, just like they did.
The main theme of the program was having a facilitator come into the school and teach the verbally abusive students the basics of how to have appropriate relationships. It was portrayed that these young people had never seen respect or compassion modeled for them at home. They were not "aware" that other students, young people like themselves, had essentially the same need to belong and the same feelings and desires that they did.
My daughter commented that it was obvious that these insensitive high school students were suffering from low self-esteem to be treating other people that way. This started a conversation about "where do we develop health self-esteem from" and why do some people develop it easily and others not at all.
Self-esteem is intimately connected to our health and how we treat ourselves, which is also expressed through how we treat others. The role of a parent is to instruct a child in "how to be in the world" and to provide the training, if you will, to have the skills, tools and awareness to develop a strong sense of self and self esteem.
"Roots and wings" was the expression many years ago, which refers to the stability, discipline and security that allows us to go out into the world and have the confidence in ourselves to "spread our wings" and fly.
As parents we have the profound responsibility of modeling to our children what they need to learn to be both healthy and happy. Children learn with their eyes, their ears and their hearts. It really does not matter what we say to our children, or what we say to others, it is what we do that counts. When we take the easy way out as parents and do not provide our children with a strong example and foundation of learning responsibility, integrity and how to respect others, we fail them and we hurt them.
To teach our children to be healthy and happy we must teach them the number one rule of liking themselves, which leads to liking others:
When our behavior is congruent with our values, with what we know intellectually and intuitively is right and good, we like ourselves. When our behavior goes against our values and what we know is the right way to behave, we have low self-esteem. We don’t like ourselves when we behave in a way that directly or indirectly hurts ourselves or others.
I remember talking one time with one of my children who was complaining that "I don't like myself". I asked them an appreciative inquiry question:
"Do you think that feeling might come from something you know about yourself that the rest of us don't"?
Several days later he shared with me “that was one of the best questions anyone had ever asked him” and that it helped him to stop doing something that he felt really bad about doing.
This is a question to ask ourselves and to model to our children, who learn more from our non-verbal communication than anything we might "tell" them about how to live a happy, healthy life.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Friday, July 30, 2010
NIWH Launched a New Website
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
NIWH launched its new website today! While the domain and address remain the same, the design and presentation is completely new. Now, while this may not seems like a health blog topic, let me say finishing a long term project and finally "having it done" is one of the best stress busters - ever - and something I personally wanted to share with all of you.
The NIWH team has been working for a long time (I think we started the new site in April) and when you are so focused on a project such as this, you loose sight of how much work you are doing and how tense you become as you are completing it and coming closer to the ever looming launch date!
After we launched the site today, we all took a deep breath and were so grateful that we won't have to be up into the wee hours of the night writing and re-writing copy, searching for, buying or editing photos, picking out appropriate quotes for page headers, designing collages or worrying that we forgot something REAL important that needs to be added.
While there is much tweaking that will undoubtedly take place over the next few weeks, what is SO wonderful and worthy of sharing with you is that when you have an END POINT to stress in your life it’s such an opportunity to realize and be thankful for the wonderful feeling of just being rather than being submerged in SO-MUCH-DOING.
So we hope our SO-MUCH-DOING is something you will enjoy looking at and please feel free to give us your feedback. Visit us at www.niwh.org.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
NIWH launched its new website today! While the domain and address remain the same, the design and presentation is completely new. Now, while this may not seems like a health blog topic, let me say finishing a long term project and finally "having it done" is one of the best stress busters - ever - and something I personally wanted to share with all of you.
The NIWH team has been working for a long time (I think we started the new site in April) and when you are so focused on a project such as this, you loose sight of how much work you are doing and how tense you become as you are completing it and coming closer to the ever looming launch date!
After we launched the site today, we all took a deep breath and were so grateful that we won't have to be up into the wee hours of the night writing and re-writing copy, searching for, buying or editing photos, picking out appropriate quotes for page headers, designing collages or worrying that we forgot something REAL important that needs to be added.
While there is much tweaking that will undoubtedly take place over the next few weeks, what is SO wonderful and worthy of sharing with you is that when you have an END POINT to stress in your life it’s such an opportunity to realize and be thankful for the wonderful feeling of just being rather than being submerged in SO-MUCH-DOING.
So we hope our SO-MUCH-DOING is something you will enjoy looking at and please feel free to give us your feedback. Visit us at www.niwh.org.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Relationships and Health
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
Recently, I attended a grief support group for adults who have experienced a significant loss over the past year. All the attendees were at various stages of grief and loss, from a wide range of life altering experiences.
What was so important to me about having the priviledge of hearing their stories is that each and every person talked about how being in relationship and or belonging to their family or loved ones was, in the end, the most important aspects of their life and the their loss was devastating, no matter how much success in other parts of their lives they had experienced.
Many of the attendees had excellent incomes, owned high end homes and lived what would be called abundant, successful lives. But what each of them discovered through the sudden loss of a spouse or family member, or through an unexpected divorce, is that Freud hit the nail on the head when he coined "we are never so hopelessly unhappy as when we lose love."
When it comes to our health, we often do not connect how imperative the experience of loving, being loved and belonging are to our overall well being and immune function. Leaving the support meeting, it felt important that from time to time we remind ourselves about what really matters in our lives, as our health and our relationships are intimately intertwined.
Many of the attendees also suffer from chronic headaches, fibromyalgia, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome or ulcers. All of these conditions can be traced back to the stress they experience from the loss and subsequent grief that comes from the loss of relationship.
Do something good for your self today, and for those you are in relationship with. Take a moment of gratitude for the gift of family, friends, spouse, partner, peers who enrich your life and keep you healthy.
Without the gift of sharing love, our lives and our health suffer.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Recently, I attended a grief support group for adults who have experienced a significant loss over the past year. All the attendees were at various stages of grief and loss, from a wide range of life altering experiences.
What was so important to me about having the priviledge of hearing their stories is that each and every person talked about how being in relationship and or belonging to their family or loved ones was, in the end, the most important aspects of their life and the their loss was devastating, no matter how much success in other parts of their lives they had experienced.
Many of the attendees had excellent incomes, owned high end homes and lived what would be called abundant, successful lives. But what each of them discovered through the sudden loss of a spouse or family member, or through an unexpected divorce, is that Freud hit the nail on the head when he coined "we are never so hopelessly unhappy as when we lose love."
When it comes to our health, we often do not connect how imperative the experience of loving, being loved and belonging are to our overall well being and immune function. Leaving the support meeting, it felt important that from time to time we remind ourselves about what really matters in our lives, as our health and our relationships are intimately intertwined.
Many of the attendees also suffer from chronic headaches, fibromyalgia, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome or ulcers. All of these conditions can be traced back to the stress they experience from the loss and subsequent grief that comes from the loss of relationship.
Do something good for your self today, and for those you are in relationship with. Take a moment of gratitude for the gift of family, friends, spouse, partner, peers who enrich your life and keep you healthy.
Without the gift of sharing love, our lives and our health suffer.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Integrative Overview of the Endocrines Part V
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
To review the subject of the Endocrine System:
The endocrines are just so perfectly expressed as "everything being connected to everything else in the body" that it is pure joy to share the information.
We will discuss SEVEN aspects of the reproductive glands based on these concepts:
(1) the physical gland
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye's stress model
(5) the five (5) Whole Health aspects
(6) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) "deadly sins"
The Thyroid is the next endocrine gland to discuss. The Thyroid, in yoga and energy circles is often referred to as “the throat” chakra. The Thyroid gland is located in the neck. It differs from other endocrine glands in that its hormones are stored for future use, as well as secreted for immediate metabolic needs. The hormones produced by the thyroid, Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3), are responsible for stimulating cellular metabolism throughout the entire body as well as growth and energy. The Thyroid controls how many calories we burn, our body heat, and how much we weigh. If the Thyroid was removed and there was no hormone replacement, the cells would cease to function metabolically and death would occur within a relatively short period of time.
The Thyroid is the personal power and self expression component of Maslow's Hierarchy. This is easily understood when we think about how our throat is “our voice” and when we speak our truth and express ourselves in the world, we own our personal power and experience self-expression. Under functioning Thyroid problems are believed in many healing circles to be caused by “not having a voice” and not expressing ourselves in the world. Physically the Thyroid is intimately connected to our Brain Cortex – and our interpretation of Self.
Regarding Selye’s Stress Model, the Thyroid can express the Fear, Worry and Lack of Trust dynamic. The Thyroid is the mental-cortex-intellect component of the Whole Health Five Aspects.
So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects. The last two, as we saw with the reproductive glands, the adrenals and pancreas and thymus, clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of each specific endocrine gland.
The VIRTUE of the Thyroid is FORTITUDE or strength. Often the force of will of an individual determines their fortitude or strength. The “throat chakras” – which relates to our voice in the world and how we express our WILL in the world, is what the Thyroid represents. People who have Graves disease, where their eyes are bulging from their sockets, is the result of a hyperactive thyroid gland and appears very clearly as a forceful expression of WILL or anger. If you have ever witnessed anyone becoming intensely angry about not getting their way, you can see this eye bulging occur.
The DEADLY SIN of the Thyroid is once again the opposite of its virtue. The opposite of fortitude and strength is weakness, fear and ANGRY WILLFULNESS. When we are too focused on getting our way or imposing our will onto others, we suffer from aggression that ultimately can become expressed through the symptoms of chronic conditions, such as Graves Disease.
Once again we can see the value and importance in understanding how the body works a whole integrated being. The Thyroid is another important gland in the endocrine system, enabling us to function well metabolically to keep us healthy or if malfunctioning can make us sick.
The function of our Thyroid function is in our hands. The way we think, treat ourselves and others play a role in the health and function of our Thyroid gland.
Next Endocrine: The Pituitary Gland
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
To review the subject of the Endocrine System:
The endocrines are just so perfectly expressed as "everything being connected to everything else in the body" that it is pure joy to share the information.
We will discuss SEVEN aspects of the reproductive glands based on these concepts:
(1) the physical gland
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye's stress model
(5) the five (5) Whole Health aspects
(6) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) "deadly sins"
The Thyroid is the next endocrine gland to discuss. The Thyroid, in yoga and energy circles is often referred to as “the throat” chakra. The Thyroid gland is located in the neck. It differs from other endocrine glands in that its hormones are stored for future use, as well as secreted for immediate metabolic needs. The hormones produced by the thyroid, Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3), are responsible for stimulating cellular metabolism throughout the entire body as well as growth and energy. The Thyroid controls how many calories we burn, our body heat, and how much we weigh. If the Thyroid was removed and there was no hormone replacement, the cells would cease to function metabolically and death would occur within a relatively short period of time.
The Thyroid is the personal power and self expression component of Maslow's Hierarchy. This is easily understood when we think about how our throat is “our voice” and when we speak our truth and express ourselves in the world, we own our personal power and experience self-expression. Under functioning Thyroid problems are believed in many healing circles to be caused by “not having a voice” and not expressing ourselves in the world. Physically the Thyroid is intimately connected to our Brain Cortex – and our interpretation of Self.
Regarding Selye’s Stress Model, the Thyroid can express the Fear, Worry and Lack of Trust dynamic. The Thyroid is the mental-cortex-intellect component of the Whole Health Five Aspects.
So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects. The last two, as we saw with the reproductive glands, the adrenals and pancreas and thymus, clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of each specific endocrine gland.
The VIRTUE of the Thyroid is FORTITUDE or strength. Often the force of will of an individual determines their fortitude or strength. The “throat chakras” – which relates to our voice in the world and how we express our WILL in the world, is what the Thyroid represents. People who have Graves disease, where their eyes are bulging from their sockets, is the result of a hyperactive thyroid gland and appears very clearly as a forceful expression of WILL or anger. If you have ever witnessed anyone becoming intensely angry about not getting their way, you can see this eye bulging occur.
The DEADLY SIN of the Thyroid is once again the opposite of its virtue. The opposite of fortitude and strength is weakness, fear and ANGRY WILLFULNESS. When we are too focused on getting our way or imposing our will onto others, we suffer from aggression that ultimately can become expressed through the symptoms of chronic conditions, such as Graves Disease.
Once again we can see the value and importance in understanding how the body works a whole integrated being. The Thyroid is another important gland in the endocrine system, enabling us to function well metabolically to keep us healthy or if malfunctioning can make us sick.
The function of our Thyroid function is in our hands. The way we think, treat ourselves and others play a role in the health and function of our Thyroid gland.
Next Endocrine: The Pituitary Gland
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Monday, July 26, 2010
Integrative Overview of the Endocrines Part IV
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
To review the subject of the Endocrine System:
The endocrines are just so perfectly expressed as "everything being connected to everything else in the body" that it is pure joy to share the information.
We will discuss SEVEN aspects of the reproductive glands based on these concepts:
(1) the physical gland
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye's stress model
(5) the five (5) Whole Health aspects
(6) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) "deadly sins"
The Thymus is the next endocrine gland to discuss. The Thymus, in yoga and energy circles is often referred to as “the heart” chakra. The Thymus is a primary source of all immune cells being formed through the stimulation of “T” (thymus) cells and “B” (bird – because they were first discovered in birds) cells. From the very early stages of our embryology the Thymus is the primary mover in the development of our immune systems. It shrinks after early childhood but still plays a roll in communicating with the early T and B cells it populated back when we were still in our mother’s uterus.
The Thymus is the self-esteem component of Maslow's Hierarchy. This is evident in as much as our immune function is an expression of how we care for and think about ourselves. To see this at work, the observation of HIV positive patients, who have a high self-esteem and self worth, rarely manifest AIDS; sometimes never does it manifest, or only when the individual is confronted with profound stress such as loss or grief which lowers the immune system function. Less than 50% of HIV positive patients ever develop AIDS and much of this is contributed to the individual’s self-esteem level. Physically the Thymus is intimately connected to our Immune System and Neurotransmitters.
Regarding Selye’s Stress Model, the Thymus can express Infections/Compromised Immunity - which is a loss of self protection. The Thymus is the environmental (internal and response to the external) component of the Whole Health Five Aspects.
So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects. The last three, as we saw with the reproductive glands, the adrenals and pancreas, clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of each specific endocrine gland.
The VIRTUE of the Thymus is HOPE – the individual who sees the world as good and holding promise for the future has hope and feels positive about life and what is to come. This also creates a positive sense of self and self-esteem. Hope fills our life with thinking about the future and that we can fulfill our dreams and goals, rather than directing our attention to what others have and we don’t have. With hope comes the belief that we can be valued, loved and belong in this world – which is an important component to being healthy and having a strong immune system.
The DEADLY SIN of the Thymus is very opposite of the virtue of the Thymus - hope and belief in the future, seeing the world as good and abundant; the sin of the Thymus is that of ENVY – resentment towards what others have; feeling diminished and less valued because another may be perceived as having more than us. Envy, jealously and resentment are poison to the heart, the mind and the body. Envious thoughts send messages to the cell membranes of our immune system that are toxic to the body’s health and function.
Once again we can see the value and importance in understanding how the body works a whole integrated being. The Thymus is a major player in the endocrine system, disabling or empowering the immune system to keep us healthy or make us sick.
The outcome of our Thymus function is up to us – out thoughts, behaviors, virtues and negative actions all play a role in this amazing gland’s function.
Next Endocrine: The Thyroid Gland
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
To review the subject of the Endocrine System:
The endocrines are just so perfectly expressed as "everything being connected to everything else in the body" that it is pure joy to share the information.
We will discuss SEVEN aspects of the reproductive glands based on these concepts:
(1) the physical gland
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye's stress model
(5) the five (5) Whole Health aspects
(6) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) "deadly sins"
The Thymus is the next endocrine gland to discuss. The Thymus, in yoga and energy circles is often referred to as “the heart” chakra. The Thymus is a primary source of all immune cells being formed through the stimulation of “T” (thymus) cells and “B” (bird – because they were first discovered in birds) cells. From the very early stages of our embryology the Thymus is the primary mover in the development of our immune systems. It shrinks after early childhood but still plays a roll in communicating with the early T and B cells it populated back when we were still in our mother’s uterus.
The Thymus is the self-esteem component of Maslow's Hierarchy. This is evident in as much as our immune function is an expression of how we care for and think about ourselves. To see this at work, the observation of HIV positive patients, who have a high self-esteem and self worth, rarely manifest AIDS; sometimes never does it manifest, or only when the individual is confronted with profound stress such as loss or grief which lowers the immune system function. Less than 50% of HIV positive patients ever develop AIDS and much of this is contributed to the individual’s self-esteem level. Physically the Thymus is intimately connected to our Immune System and Neurotransmitters.
Regarding Selye’s Stress Model, the Thymus can express Infections/Compromised Immunity - which is a loss of self protection. The Thymus is the environmental (internal and response to the external) component of the Whole Health Five Aspects.
So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects. The last three, as we saw with the reproductive glands, the adrenals and pancreas, clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of each specific endocrine gland.
The VIRTUE of the Thymus is HOPE – the individual who sees the world as good and holding promise for the future has hope and feels positive about life and what is to come. This also creates a positive sense of self and self-esteem. Hope fills our life with thinking about the future and that we can fulfill our dreams and goals, rather than directing our attention to what others have and we don’t have. With hope comes the belief that we can be valued, loved and belong in this world – which is an important component to being healthy and having a strong immune system.
The DEADLY SIN of the Thymus is very opposite of the virtue of the Thymus - hope and belief in the future, seeing the world as good and abundant; the sin of the Thymus is that of ENVY – resentment towards what others have; feeling diminished and less valued because another may be perceived as having more than us. Envy, jealously and resentment are poison to the heart, the mind and the body. Envious thoughts send messages to the cell membranes of our immune system that are toxic to the body’s health and function.
Once again we can see the value and importance in understanding how the body works a whole integrated being. The Thymus is a major player in the endocrine system, disabling or empowering the immune system to keep us healthy or make us sick.
The outcome of our Thymus function is up to us – out thoughts, behaviors, virtues and negative actions all play a role in this amazing gland’s function.
Next Endocrine: The Thyroid Gland
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Autism and the Amish
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
An important health article was sent to me yesterday and even though this week's blog has been about the endocrine glands, this information felt compelling enough that it should be shared with you while it’s fresh. The following quoted information regarding the Amish and Autism was provided by Thomas Corriher who hosts The Health Wyze Report, an internet radio program. Please note: I have made editorial changes indicated with [ ] to keep the tone of the piece as non-political as possible.
"People outside the alternative health community are often confused by the lack of autism in the Amish people. The Amish do not experience autism, or any of the other learning disabilities that plague our technological society. The Amish live in a society that consists of outdated technologies and ideals, by contemporary standards. Their diet consists of eating organic, fresh, locally-grown produce, and they do not follow the established vaccination routines.
This has resulted in a healthier people who are void of our [most common]chronic diseases. Heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are virtually non-existent in Amish villages. Equally non-existent are modern, chemically-engineered medicines, chemically-engineered foods, G.M.O. foods, and of course, vaccines. How is it that those who are without modern orthodox medicine are healthier? The truth about health, medicine, and how they both relate to the Amish is becoming [ever more important].
There have been 3 verified cases of autism in the Amish, and at least two of those children were vaccinated. No information is available for the third. The strong correlation between vaccinations and autism [appears] undeniable, unless you work for [vaccine vested interests]. Proponents [of vaccination] claim that the Amish have a special super gene that makes them immune to autism."
The subject of autism and vaccination is highly controversial and there are many families (you may belong to one of them) who are trying to sort out the facts in order to make the important decision of whether or not to vaccinate or how much and how many vaccines to allow.
I would like to offer, if this is a concern for your family, that you may want to explore this subject of autism in the Amish, as well as autism in those who live within specific communities which follow an organic, natural lifestyle and do not use synthetically produced medications as part of their health care. This information may possibly assist you in making a more informed decision regarding this important matter.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
An important health article was sent to me yesterday and even though this week's blog has been about the endocrine glands, this information felt compelling enough that it should be shared with you while it’s fresh. The following quoted information regarding the Amish and Autism was provided by Thomas Corriher who hosts The Health Wyze Report, an internet radio program. Please note: I have made editorial changes indicated with [ ] to keep the tone of the piece as non-political as possible.
"People outside the alternative health community are often confused by the lack of autism in the Amish people. The Amish do not experience autism, or any of the other learning disabilities that plague our technological society. The Amish live in a society that consists of outdated technologies and ideals, by contemporary standards. Their diet consists of eating organic, fresh, locally-grown produce, and they do not follow the established vaccination routines.
This has resulted in a healthier people who are void of our [most common]chronic diseases. Heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are virtually non-existent in Amish villages. Equally non-existent are modern, chemically-engineered medicines, chemically-engineered foods, G.M.O. foods, and of course, vaccines. How is it that those who are without modern orthodox medicine are healthier? The truth about health, medicine, and how they both relate to the Amish is becoming [ever more important].
There have been 3 verified cases of autism in the Amish, and at least two of those children were vaccinated. No information is available for the third. The strong correlation between vaccinations and autism [appears] undeniable, unless you work for [vaccine vested interests]. Proponents [of vaccination] claim that the Amish have a special super gene that makes them immune to autism."
The subject of autism and vaccination is highly controversial and there are many families (you may belong to one of them) who are trying to sort out the facts in order to make the important decision of whether or not to vaccinate or how much and how many vaccines to allow.
I would like to offer, if this is a concern for your family, that you may want to explore this subject of autism in the Amish, as well as autism in those who live within specific communities which follow an organic, natural lifestyle and do not use synthetically produced medications as part of their health care. This information may possibly assist you in making a more informed decision regarding this important matter.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Integrative Overview of the Endocrines Part III
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
To review the subject of the Endocrine System:
The endocrines are just so perfectly expressed as "everything being connected to everything else in the body" that it is pure joy to share the information.
We will discuss SEVEN aspects of the reproductive glands based on these concepts:
(1) the physical gland
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye's stress model
(5) the five (5) Whole Health aspects
(6) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) "deadly sins"
The Pancreas is the next endocrine gland to discuss. The Pancreas, in yoga and energy circles is often referred to as “the solar plexus” chakra. The Pancreas is one of the hardest working digestive and metabolic organs of the body. Both an endocrine AND exocrine gland, this truly amazing organ/gland is the “end organ” of all digestive activity in the upper intestines. The health and function of your pancreas is of the utmost importance to your overall health and is probably the most abused gland/organ in the body.
The Pancreas works 24/7, deals with digestion as well as stress adaptation, reproduction needs, cellular nutrition needs and brain glucose imperatives. The Pancreas is the belonging component of Maslow's Hierarchy and is evident that it expresses “the sweetness of our lives” (or not) when we look at its function and malfunctions and how intimately it is connected to our body's glucose regulation. Like the adrenals, which we could not live without for long, without a properly working pancreas we would fall into a coma and die within days. Physically, it is intimately connected to our digestion, absorption and assimilation functions.
Regarding Selye’s Stress Model, the Pancreas is "the proper or improper nutrition of our body" and all of its systems. It is the nutritional component of the Whole Health Five Aspects.
So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects. The last two, as we saw with the reproductive glands and the adrenals, clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of each specific endocrine gland.
The VIRTUE of the Pancreas is TEMPERANCE or Balance – not too much or too little consumption. This means not eating too much food, especially carbohydrates, which lead to hypertrophy of the beta cells of the pancreas. This leads to hyper-secretion of insulin which is the main disturbance in many chronic diseases.
The DEADLY SIN of the Pancreas is very similar to that of the adrenals (greed). For the Pancreas the deadly sin is GLUTTONY. Gluttony is when we eat too much, consume too much and create imbalance in our pancreatic function and whole body nutrition and chemistry. It is the act of gluttony, or taking in more than is appropriate or necessary that leads to most of the digestive problems and pathologies we see today.
I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of a comprehensive, whole person understanding of the digestive system. If there was one course and only one I could teach for the rest of my career it would be the Digestive System, because to understand its anatomy, physiology and the whole picture of its function and integration with the rest of the body is utterly magnificent - and absolutely essential if you wish to facilitate authentic Whole Health with your patients or clients.
Next Endocrine: The Thymus Gland
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
To review the subject of the Endocrine System:
The endocrines are just so perfectly expressed as "everything being connected to everything else in the body" that it is pure joy to share the information.
We will discuss SEVEN aspects of the reproductive glands based on these concepts:
(1) the physical gland
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye's stress model
(5) the five (5) Whole Health aspects
(6) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) "deadly sins"
The Pancreas is the next endocrine gland to discuss. The Pancreas, in yoga and energy circles is often referred to as “the solar plexus” chakra. The Pancreas is one of the hardest working digestive and metabolic organs of the body. Both an endocrine AND exocrine gland, this truly amazing organ/gland is the “end organ” of all digestive activity in the upper intestines. The health and function of your pancreas is of the utmost importance to your overall health and is probably the most abused gland/organ in the body.
The Pancreas works 24/7, deals with digestion as well as stress adaptation, reproduction needs, cellular nutrition needs and brain glucose imperatives. The Pancreas is the belonging component of Maslow's Hierarchy and is evident that it expresses “the sweetness of our lives” (or not) when we look at its function and malfunctions and how intimately it is connected to our body's glucose regulation. Like the adrenals, which we could not live without for long, without a properly working pancreas we would fall into a coma and die within days. Physically, it is intimately connected to our digestion, absorption and assimilation functions.
Regarding Selye’s Stress Model, the Pancreas is "the proper or improper nutrition of our body" and all of its systems. It is the nutritional component of the Whole Health Five Aspects.
So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects. The last two, as we saw with the reproductive glands and the adrenals, clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of each specific endocrine gland.
The VIRTUE of the Pancreas is TEMPERANCE or Balance – not too much or too little consumption. This means not eating too much food, especially carbohydrates, which lead to hypertrophy of the beta cells of the pancreas. This leads to hyper-secretion of insulin which is the main disturbance in many chronic diseases.
The DEADLY SIN of the Pancreas is very similar to that of the adrenals (greed). For the Pancreas the deadly sin is GLUTTONY. Gluttony is when we eat too much, consume too much and create imbalance in our pancreatic function and whole body nutrition and chemistry. It is the act of gluttony, or taking in more than is appropriate or necessary that leads to most of the digestive problems and pathologies we see today.
I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of a comprehensive, whole person understanding of the digestive system. If there was one course and only one I could teach for the rest of my career it would be the Digestive System, because to understand its anatomy, physiology and the whole picture of its function and integration with the rest of the body is utterly magnificent - and absolutely essential if you wish to facilitate authentic Whole Health with your patients or clients.
Next Endocrine: The Thymus Gland
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Integrative Overview of the Endocrines Part II
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
To review the subject of the Endocrine System:
The endocrines are just so perfectly expressed as "everything being connected to everything else in the body" that it is pure joy to share the information.
We will discuss SEVEN aspects of the reproductive glands based on these concepts:
(1) the physical gland
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye's stress model
(5) the five (5) Whole Health aspects
(6) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) "deadly sins"
The Adrenals comes next (we are working our way UP the chain from the bottom endocrine gland (reproductive glands) to the top = pineal gland)
The Adrenals, in yoga and energy circles are called the “sacral” chakra. They are specific to adaptation in our environment. They are the safety and security component of Maslow's Hierarchy and are imperative to our own personal survival as they allow us to fight, flight or adapt. We would only live for 24 hours without our Adrenal Glands. Physically they are intimately connected to the nervous and cardiac systems.
Regarding Selye’s Stress Model, the Adrenals are representative of the positive or negative emotional responses that cause either u-stress; (good stress) or distress; (the bad kind), that elicit an adrenal response. They are the emotional component of the Whole Health Five Aspects.
So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects. The last two as we saw with the reproductive gland clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of each endocrine gland.
The VIRTUE of the Adrenal glands is BALANCE (or Justice). This means not being too over stimulated or too non-productive; it means keeping a healthy balance to the nervous system and it is this virtue that is the focus of many practices, such as yoga, meditation, visualization, chanting and other centering practices.
The DEADLY SIN of the Adrenal Glands is Avarice or GREED. It is the greed impulse, or wanting more for one self than is appropriate, that drives people to push themselves excessively and “burn out” their adrenal glands; which are like the battery of our body. When your battery runs down, you run out of the spark that starts your engine and keeps it going.
Understanding the Adrenals is truly critical to understanding how to prevent disease and maintain wellness. As with all of the endocrines, the adrenals are very important when we look at a person's physical presentation or their dis-ease state from a Whole Person perspective. What are the cause and effect factors at play that create disease? What is out of balance in the person's seven aspects that is creating problems in this particular part of the body?
It will be very exciting to understand the Adrenal Glands from a metaphorical perspective. For more details about how the Adrenals function in relationship to the whole body, and their specific effect on the nervous system, heart and immune system, put “adrenal function” into the search box at the top of the blog page, to read the Adrenal
Function blog.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
To review the subject of the Endocrine System:
The endocrines are just so perfectly expressed as "everything being connected to everything else in the body" that it is pure joy to share the information.
We will discuss SEVEN aspects of the reproductive glands based on these concepts:
(1) the physical gland
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye's stress model
(5) the five (5) Whole Health aspects
(6) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) "deadly sins"
The Adrenals comes next (we are working our way UP the chain from the bottom endocrine gland (reproductive glands) to the top = pineal gland)
The Adrenals, in yoga and energy circles are called the “sacral” chakra. They are specific to adaptation in our environment. They are the safety and security component of Maslow's Hierarchy and are imperative to our own personal survival as they allow us to fight, flight or adapt. We would only live for 24 hours without our Adrenal Glands. Physically they are intimately connected to the nervous and cardiac systems.
Regarding Selye’s Stress Model, the Adrenals are representative of the positive or negative emotional responses that cause either u-stress; (good stress) or distress; (the bad kind), that elicit an adrenal response. They are the emotional component of the Whole Health Five Aspects.
So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects. The last two as we saw with the reproductive gland clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of each endocrine gland.
The VIRTUE of the Adrenal glands is BALANCE (or Justice). This means not being too over stimulated or too non-productive; it means keeping a healthy balance to the nervous system and it is this virtue that is the focus of many practices, such as yoga, meditation, visualization, chanting and other centering practices.
The DEADLY SIN of the Adrenal Glands is Avarice or GREED. It is the greed impulse, or wanting more for one self than is appropriate, that drives people to push themselves excessively and “burn out” their adrenal glands; which are like the battery of our body. When your battery runs down, you run out of the spark that starts your engine and keeps it going.
Understanding the Adrenals is truly critical to understanding how to prevent disease and maintain wellness. As with all of the endocrines, the adrenals are very important when we look at a person's physical presentation or their dis-ease state from a Whole Person perspective. What are the cause and effect factors at play that create disease? What is out of balance in the person's seven aspects that is creating problems in this particular part of the body?
It will be very exciting to understand the Adrenal Glands from a metaphorical perspective. For more details about how the Adrenals function in relationship to the whole body, and their specific effect on the nervous system, heart and immune system, put “adrenal function” into the search box at the top of the blog page, to read the Adrenal
Function blog.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Friday, July 16, 2010
Integrative Overview of the Endocrines Part One
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
One of my all-time favorite subjects to teach is the endocrine system. It is the most fascinating and clear example we have of how "everything is everything" in the body. For those of you unfamiliar with the underlying theme of Whole Health Education, the idea that everything in the body is intimately connected to everything else is what our method and model of education and teaching is founded on.
The endocrines are such a perfect example of this interconnectedness of body, mind and spirit that it is pure joy to share the information with understandably eager students!
We begin with the Reproductive Glands and will discuss SEVEN aspects of the Reproductive Glands based on these concepts:
(1) the specific organ name and function
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye's stress model
(5) its Whole Health aspect
(6) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) "deadly sins"
Referred to as the "root chakra" in yoga and energy circles, these powerful glands are in the most primal sense, the SURVIVAL component of Maslow's Hierarchy and in fact, are essential to the survival of the species - which is their primary purpose. They are, of course, part of the organs and system of reproduction which includes various accessory parts that are necessary to support the reproductive function.
That the Reproductive Glands belong to the PHYSICAL aspect of Whole Health is very straight forward and evident. When we look at them in terms of Selye's Stress Model we can see that they are connected to the "survival stressors" of
> reproduction (yes, sadly sex is another stressor for our bodies)
> trauma
> exertion (too much exercise or over work)
> weather (excessive heat, sun, cold)
> surgery (very stressful to the entire body and nervous system but sometimes necessary to save our life)
These stressors have a strong effect on the reproductive system. Stress decreases the drive and impulse to reproduce as the body wisely knows to conserve its energy until there is a well balanced system ready for reproduction.
So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects. The last two are fun because they really clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of these important and influential glands.
The VIRTUE of the reproductive glands is spirituality - seeing the profound divine and unfathomable nature of reproducing and bringing forth, from the co-joining of two human beings, new human life. (If you've had children you know that they really do smell like they just came from "heaven" - what we imagine heaven to be anyway)
The DEADLY SIN of the reproductive glands is - we all know this one - its all around us. Yes, indeed, good 'ol LUST, which of course is about self gratification and not the co-joining of a partnership resulting in a new life.
Understanding this information is important when we look at a person's physical presentation or dis-ease from a Whole Person perspective. What are the cause and effect factors at play that are creating their disease? What is out of balance in the person's seven aspects that is creating problems in this particular part of the body?
When we get to the "Disease as Metaphor" blog, this will take on even greater significance. In the meantime, we will go over ALL the endocrine glands, one at a time, so this will be a seven part series. Hope you're enjoying this because I'm having a great time with my favorite subject!
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
One of my all-time favorite subjects to teach is the endocrine system. It is the most fascinating and clear example we have of how "everything is everything" in the body. For those of you unfamiliar with the underlying theme of Whole Health Education, the idea that everything in the body is intimately connected to everything else is what our method and model of education and teaching is founded on.
The endocrines are such a perfect example of this interconnectedness of body, mind and spirit that it is pure joy to share the information with understandably eager students!
We begin with the Reproductive Glands and will discuss SEVEN aspects of the Reproductive Glands based on these concepts:
(1) the specific organ name and function
(2) the seven (7) virtues
(3) organs and systems
(4) Selye's stress model
(5) its Whole Health aspect
(6) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
(7) the seven (7) "deadly sins"
Referred to as the "root chakra" in yoga and energy circles, these powerful glands are in the most primal sense, the SURVIVAL component of Maslow's Hierarchy and in fact, are essential to the survival of the species - which is their primary purpose. They are, of course, part of the organs and system of reproduction which includes various accessory parts that are necessary to support the reproductive function.
That the Reproductive Glands belong to the PHYSICAL aspect of Whole Health is very straight forward and evident. When we look at them in terms of Selye's Stress Model we can see that they are connected to the "survival stressors" of
> reproduction (yes, sadly sex is another stressor for our bodies)
> trauma
> exertion (too much exercise or over work)
> weather (excessive heat, sun, cold)
> surgery (very stressful to the entire body and nervous system but sometimes necessary to save our life)
These stressors have a strong effect on the reproductive system. Stress decreases the drive and impulse to reproduce as the body wisely knows to conserve its energy until there is a well balanced system ready for reproduction.
So far we have gone over FIVE (5) of the SEVEN (7) aspects. The last two are fun because they really clarify the emotional and behavioral aspects of these important and influential glands.
The VIRTUE of the reproductive glands is spirituality - seeing the profound divine and unfathomable nature of reproducing and bringing forth, from the co-joining of two human beings, new human life. (If you've had children you know that they really do smell like they just came from "heaven" - what we imagine heaven to be anyway)
The DEADLY SIN of the reproductive glands is - we all know this one - its all around us. Yes, indeed, good 'ol LUST, which of course is about self gratification and not the co-joining of a partnership resulting in a new life.
Understanding this information is important when we look at a person's physical presentation or dis-ease from a Whole Person perspective. What are the cause and effect factors at play that are creating their disease? What is out of balance in the person's seven aspects that is creating problems in this particular part of the body?
When we get to the "Disease as Metaphor" blog, this will take on even greater significance. In the meantime, we will go over ALL the endocrine glands, one at a time, so this will be a seven part series. Hope you're enjoying this because I'm having a great time with my favorite subject!
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Female Hormones and Depression
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
Recent research review by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) looked at hormonal dysfunction in women as potential causes for depression.
The focus of the review by the NIWH investigators and their subsequent report was on how the female reproductive system interacts with the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates the body's stress response. This mechanism can set up a biochemical environment for psychological disorders in females. It was noted that females are twice as likely then men to experience depression.
Through the HP-axis, stress in women impacts the reproductive hormones which can upset patterns of ovulation. This upset can contribute to the lost of menses and to infertility. If the inter-relationship of stress and female reproductive hormones becomes chronic, behavior and mood disorders and depression can increase significantly. When oxytocin is suppressed due to excessive stress hormones, fertilized eggs cannot implant into the uterus. This is believed to be a primary cause of infertility in American women, owing to our highly stressful lifestyle.
Depression, eating disorders, alcoholism or other addictions may occur with the estrogen-induced disruption of normal HPA function. The key to preventing or correcting the problem as we find in many physiological conditions is to create a more balanced, less stressful lifestyle. If the body's stress adaptation system becomes overwhelmed, and cannot appropriately adapt to the environment and demands of everyday life, many disorders and conditions can develop, depression being just one of them.
Regarding post partum depression, the investigators identified that chronic hyper secretion of the stress hormone cortisol during a pregnancy creates a temporary suppression of adrenal function following delivery. This coupled with the sudden drop of hormonal levels of estrogen after birth may be a significant factor in post-partum depression or subsequent immune dysfunctions such as post partum thyroid conditions.
It is very important for women, because of our very integrated hormonal and nervous systems to work towards a balanced, low stress life-style. Unlike our male counter part, our hormonal system immediately let's us know when we are "off center" by delivering loud messages through hormonal dys-function.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Recent research review by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) looked at hormonal dysfunction in women as potential causes for depression.
The focus of the review by the NIWH investigators and their subsequent report was on how the female reproductive system interacts with the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates the body's stress response. This mechanism can set up a biochemical environment for psychological disorders in females. It was noted that females are twice as likely then men to experience depression.
Through the HP-axis, stress in women impacts the reproductive hormones which can upset patterns of ovulation. This upset can contribute to the lost of menses and to infertility. If the inter-relationship of stress and female reproductive hormones becomes chronic, behavior and mood disorders and depression can increase significantly. When oxytocin is suppressed due to excessive stress hormones, fertilized eggs cannot implant into the uterus. This is believed to be a primary cause of infertility in American women, owing to our highly stressful lifestyle.
Depression, eating disorders, alcoholism or other addictions may occur with the estrogen-induced disruption of normal HPA function. The key to preventing or correcting the problem as we find in many physiological conditions is to create a more balanced, less stressful lifestyle. If the body's stress adaptation system becomes overwhelmed, and cannot appropriately adapt to the environment and demands of everyday life, many disorders and conditions can develop, depression being just one of them.
Regarding post partum depression, the investigators identified that chronic hyper secretion of the stress hormone cortisol during a pregnancy creates a temporary suppression of adrenal function following delivery. This coupled with the sudden drop of hormonal levels of estrogen after birth may be a significant factor in post-partum depression or subsequent immune dysfunctions such as post partum thyroid conditions.
It is very important for women, because of our very integrated hormonal and nervous systems to work towards a balanced, low stress life-style. Unlike our male counter part, our hormonal system immediately let's us know when we are "off center" by delivering loud messages through hormonal dys-function.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Science of How What We Believe Becomes Our Reality - Part Two
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
Given the way the health sciences have been taught in nursing and medical schools, it is perfectly understandable for physicians and nurses trained more than 25 years ago to think the placebo effect didn’t make sense and was instead a popular explanation for a sudden healing - a “spontaneous remission”. It is a leap for many to accept that a person could think or believe something and that simple act of belief could heal them?
Up until the last twenty or so years, research scientists did not have a grasp on how the brain and our emotions worked to create our reality. The subject of emotions has been and still is very much “uncharted waters” in behavioral science. However, what is well documented today is how the various brain waves function and what part of the brain each of the various brain waves control and stimulate and most importantly what emotions actually are. (This will be discussed in another segment.)
The “beta waves” which are the brain waves that allows us to focus on the words on this blog and comprehend, in the moment, what is intellectually being communicated. These waves are produced in the frontal lobe which is the seat of intellectual functioning. Thinking, analyzing, reasoning and so forth occur in this part of the brain.
The “alpha waves” which are the slower brain waves which originate in the mid-brain are the brain waves that allow us access to our unconscious thinking or what some refer to as the soul. All thought processes, be it from the beta wave or alpha wave region of the brain are actually chemical reactions that produce specific proteins which communicate with our immune cell membranes and other cell membranes of our body.
The specific thoughts we think and the region of the brain they originate in have an identifiable chemistry that has been shown to create dramatic changes in our physical bodies. In Dr Paul Pearsall’s ground breaking book “The Hearts Code” he tell many amazing mind/body stories but one in particular, that is a striking example of how powerful thoughts and images are, is the story he tells about a schizophrenic patient who demonstrated completely different disease states depending on the personality she was exhibiting. Ultra sounds, cat-scans, lab tests all confirmed that one of her personalities had a massive cancerous tumor and yet when she went into a different personality state all of her previous pathology disappeared as well.
Our brains are the ultimate manifestors of matter. The chair you are sitting on was a thought before if became that chair. Thought ARE “things” – that it thoughts in action are what manifest reality. For the woman in the study in Part I of this blog topic, who was cured of her stiffness after the sham surgery, her mind manifested a different set of thoughts through her hope and expectations for the outcome of the surgery. Her brain waves and proteins created positive chemistry which communicated with her immune system through its cell membranes. The results – she became healthier and could “stride across the room”
The idea of mind over matter is a powerful one. This science, and our understanding of its amazing chemistry, is in its infancy stage. In the future we will take the possibility of healing ourselves with thought and imagery for granted just as we now do about people having an organ transplant - which was thought unheard of not that long ago.
In the meantime, we can all improve our health, success and happiness but learning to improve our “self-speak” and reinforce our bodies and minds with positive words, thoughts and images.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Given the way the health sciences have been taught in nursing and medical schools, it is perfectly understandable for physicians and nurses trained more than 25 years ago to think the placebo effect didn’t make sense and was instead a popular explanation for a sudden healing - a “spontaneous remission”. It is a leap for many to accept that a person could think or believe something and that simple act of belief could heal them?
Up until the last twenty or so years, research scientists did not have a grasp on how the brain and our emotions worked to create our reality. The subject of emotions has been and still is very much “uncharted waters” in behavioral science. However, what is well documented today is how the various brain waves function and what part of the brain each of the various brain waves control and stimulate and most importantly what emotions actually are. (This will be discussed in another segment.)
The “beta waves” which are the brain waves that allows us to focus on the words on this blog and comprehend, in the moment, what is intellectually being communicated. These waves are produced in the frontal lobe which is the seat of intellectual functioning. Thinking, analyzing, reasoning and so forth occur in this part of the brain.
The “alpha waves” which are the slower brain waves which originate in the mid-brain are the brain waves that allow us access to our unconscious thinking or what some refer to as the soul. All thought processes, be it from the beta wave or alpha wave region of the brain are actually chemical reactions that produce specific proteins which communicate with our immune cell membranes and other cell membranes of our body.
The specific thoughts we think and the region of the brain they originate in have an identifiable chemistry that has been shown to create dramatic changes in our physical bodies. In Dr Paul Pearsall’s ground breaking book “The Hearts Code” he tell many amazing mind/body stories but one in particular, that is a striking example of how powerful thoughts and images are, is the story he tells about a schizophrenic patient who demonstrated completely different disease states depending on the personality she was exhibiting. Ultra sounds, cat-scans, lab tests all confirmed that one of her personalities had a massive cancerous tumor and yet when she went into a different personality state all of her previous pathology disappeared as well.
Our brains are the ultimate manifestors of matter. The chair you are sitting on was a thought before if became that chair. Thought ARE “things” – that it thoughts in action are what manifest reality. For the woman in the study in Part I of this blog topic, who was cured of her stiffness after the sham surgery, her mind manifested a different set of thoughts through her hope and expectations for the outcome of the surgery. Her brain waves and proteins created positive chemistry which communicated with her immune system through its cell membranes. The results – she became healthier and could “stride across the room”
The idea of mind over matter is a powerful one. This science, and our understanding of its amazing chemistry, is in its infancy stage. In the future we will take the possibility of healing ourselves with thought and imagery for granted just as we now do about people having an organ transplant - which was thought unheard of not that long ago.
In the meantime, we can all improve our health, success and happiness but learning to improve our “self-speak” and reinforce our bodies and minds with positive words, thoughts and images.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Science of How What We Believe Becomes Our Reality - Part One
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
Ten years ago, Newsweek ran an article by Howard Brody, MD, PhD, author of "The Placebo Response: How You can Release Your Body's Inner Pharmacy for Better Health."
He begins the article by telling a story of a patient who experiences "a medical miracle". She was undergoing experimental brain surgery for her Parkinson's disease. She was so stiff before she had the surgery that she could barely take a step. When several months later a TV new magazine filmed the woman, she was striding easily across the room.
Now here is the exciting part of the story – the surgery she had was a fake. She was part of a fetal-cell transplant research study. The procedure consisted of drilling holes into the skull and placing fetal cells into specific targeted areas of the brain.
The woman was placed under anesthesia and holes were drilled into her head. But,she did not have any fetal cells implanted into her brain. This meant that her miraculous recovery was entirely what is called the "nuisance factor" by researchers, or better known as - the placebo effect.
In the conclusion of the study, it was stated that the patients who received the sham operation realized almost the same effects as the ones who received the fetal cell implants. This is a powerfully important piece of information with regard to understanding that we can "tell ourselves" or implant messages into our conscious and unconscious mind about what we want to realize about our health or our lives and can manifest those very messages into reality.
Beliefs are powerful things and what we tell ourselves and others tell us can make us better or worse. We all have "our story" and we tell it over and over again both to ourselves and to others. We believe it, we expect it and we project it. When we change our beliefs and our story, we change the outcomes.
One of the better known studies which demonstrates how changing our stories can change our outcomes (and our lives) is the 1980's breast cancer support group study that was written up in the journal Advances. All of the women had breast cancer that had metastasize before the study began. Their prognosis was poor but they became a group who listened to each others stories, supported each other, cared about one another and helped each other manage their symptoms and disease. They also helped each other change their story. It is not surprising that the women in this support group lived on average 18 months longer than breast cancer patients with the same degree of metastasis.
Tomorrow: Part Two - Understanding HOW THIS WORKS
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Ten years ago, Newsweek ran an article by Howard Brody, MD, PhD, author of "The Placebo Response: How You can Release Your Body's Inner Pharmacy for Better Health."
He begins the article by telling a story of a patient who experiences "a medical miracle". She was undergoing experimental brain surgery for her Parkinson's disease. She was so stiff before she had the surgery that she could barely take a step. When several months later a TV new magazine filmed the woman, she was striding easily across the room.
Now here is the exciting part of the story – the surgery she had was a fake. She was part of a fetal-cell transplant research study. The procedure consisted of drilling holes into the skull and placing fetal cells into specific targeted areas of the brain.
The woman was placed under anesthesia and holes were drilled into her head. But,she did not have any fetal cells implanted into her brain. This meant that her miraculous recovery was entirely what is called the "nuisance factor" by researchers, or better known as - the placebo effect.
In the conclusion of the study, it was stated that the patients who received the sham operation realized almost the same effects as the ones who received the fetal cell implants. This is a powerfully important piece of information with regard to understanding that we can "tell ourselves" or implant messages into our conscious and unconscious mind about what we want to realize about our health or our lives and can manifest those very messages into reality.
Beliefs are powerful things and what we tell ourselves and others tell us can make us better or worse. We all have "our story" and we tell it over and over again both to ourselves and to others. We believe it, we expect it and we project it. When we change our beliefs and our story, we change the outcomes.
One of the better known studies which demonstrates how changing our stories can change our outcomes (and our lives) is the 1980's breast cancer support group study that was written up in the journal Advances. All of the women had breast cancer that had metastasize before the study began. Their prognosis was poor but they became a group who listened to each others stories, supported each other, cared about one another and helped each other manage their symptoms and disease. They also helped each other change their story. It is not surprising that the women in this support group lived on average 18 months longer than breast cancer patients with the same degree of metastasis.
Tomorrow: Part Two - Understanding HOW THIS WORKS
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Monday, July 12, 2010
Genes and Gender
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
It's summer and my apple trees, with their sweet droppings all about the orchard, are producing an enormous population of fruit flies. Apart from being occasionally annoying and making a bit of noise, they would not seem to be a subject to capture one's attention. At least I never thought so, until I read a fascinating study about fruit flies that indicated our gender may be largely connected to our genes.
Geneticist Barry Dickson and graduate student Ebru Demir, of the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, Austria made a small biochemical change to see what might happen. That is - genetically altering a gene that they then engineered into female fruit flies. This very specific gene alteration would always make male fruit fly protein.
These genetically altered female fruit flies behaved like amorous male flies - perusing other female fruit flies and wooing them with the species elaborate courtship display. This gene altering and its subsequent behavioral results were reported in the scientific professional journal Cell. The engineered females rejected males that tried to mate with them and began to imitate the multi-step male courting dance which is truly fascinating but a bit too racy to describe in this blog. (I am not kidding!) The two scientists hypothesize that the altered gene sets into motion a cascade of genetic changes to re-program the female fruit flies sexual behavior.
One of the most spell binding books I have ever read about behavior and gender is Melvin Konner's BRILLIANT, stunning book, "The Tangled Wing". His book is about humans and not fruit flies. So, if you are fascinated by how our amazing hormones and genetics create and effect our thoughts, behaviors and even sexual preferences, this book is a MUST read.
You know when someone asks the question "if you had to be marooned on a desert island for 2 years with someone, who would it be?" - I'd definitely choose Melvin Konner and pick his brain about all his research and amazing findings. Strongly recommended reading, fascinating subject.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
It's summer and my apple trees, with their sweet droppings all about the orchard, are producing an enormous population of fruit flies. Apart from being occasionally annoying and making a bit of noise, they would not seem to be a subject to capture one's attention. At least I never thought so, until I read a fascinating study about fruit flies that indicated our gender may be largely connected to our genes.
Geneticist Barry Dickson and graduate student Ebru Demir, of the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, Austria made a small biochemical change to see what might happen. That is - genetically altering a gene that they then engineered into female fruit flies. This very specific gene alteration would always make male fruit fly protein.
These genetically altered female fruit flies behaved like amorous male flies - perusing other female fruit flies and wooing them with the species elaborate courtship display. This gene altering and its subsequent behavioral results were reported in the scientific professional journal Cell. The engineered females rejected males that tried to mate with them and began to imitate the multi-step male courting dance which is truly fascinating but a bit too racy to describe in this blog. (I am not kidding!) The two scientists hypothesize that the altered gene sets into motion a cascade of genetic changes to re-program the female fruit flies sexual behavior.
One of the most spell binding books I have ever read about behavior and gender is Melvin Konner's BRILLIANT, stunning book, "The Tangled Wing". His book is about humans and not fruit flies. So, if you are fascinated by how our amazing hormones and genetics create and effect our thoughts, behaviors and even sexual preferences, this book is a MUST read.
You know when someone asks the question "if you had to be marooned on a desert island for 2 years with someone, who would it be?" - I'd definitely choose Melvin Konner and pick his brain about all his research and amazing findings. Strongly recommended reading, fascinating subject.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease GERD
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
GERD, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, is one of the top 5 most prevalent gastrointestinal conditions in adults. Considering that digestive complaints comprise the number one emergency room complaint, that is a lot of tummy aches! GERD is typified by heartburn, nausea and regurgitation and is most common when a GERD sufferer lies down at night.
The cause of GERD is the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter or LES mechanism, meaning it does not close properly to keep stomach acid from regurgitating into the upper esophageal region. When acid finds its way there (we've all burped up stomach acid and it hurts!) burning, sometimes nausea and even vomiting can occur. Unfortunately, if it becomes chronic a wide number of conditions can occur, including esophageal ulcer and cancer.
Why do people get this? From a medical perspective it’s a condition caused by a mechanical failure of the LES and the diaphragm (there can be a hiatial hernia involved) to keep the pressure on the esophageal sphincter; or there is "slow stomach emptying" that can be the cause. Using antacids, Prilosec, anti-histamines, eliminating foods that can provoke the GERD (chocolate, mint, alcohol and coffee) or reducing the amount the patient eats and the times they eat are all treatments for GERD. In severe cases, surgery is often recommended.
From a Whole Person Health perspective how would a practitioner support a client with GERD? Let's look at the mechanisms involved to give us clues to the cause and effect of this condition:
> esophageal sphincter is not working properly
> diaphragm is not working properly
> acid is escaping into the upper esophageal area
> obese or significantly overweight individuals have a higher occurrence of GERD
These symptoms suggest that the innervations of nerve stimulation of the esophagus and diaphragm may be under functioning due to either structural/neurological causes or that stress, which constricts the diaphragm and decrease internal muscle function.
In the medical literature, GERD appears to be more related to structure and function than to pathology. Unfortunately, the traditional treatment for GERD is Prilosec, which by suppressing the stomach acid also reducing the body's immune function as stomach acid is a front line immune defense against bacteria and viruses entering the body. This medication comes with a caution for many unpleasant side effects, including cancer, which is a result of the decreased immune function of the stomach acid which kills micro-organisms that can make us sick or even kill us.
How would a Whole Health Practitioner facilitate their client's recovery from GERD?
> educate the patient about HOW GERD occurs and invite them to identify what could be the causes for their dysfunctional digestive system. If you ask most individuals what they think is wrong; 9 times out of 10 they have the answer.
If they understand the role their stress plays in this condition they can do something about it and take greater control over their health.
> provide information about how to relax the diaphragm both manually and thru breathing exercises to assist is reducing the GERD symptoms
> assist the person in identifying how various known foods and over eating of these foods can contribute to the problem
> providing information about calcium as a natural anti-acid
> identify how yoga postures can make a marked difference in GERD symptoms
> offer information about acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathic as options to treating the neurological component of GERD rather than only relying on drugs
> explain how losing weight can greatly enhance recovery
> share exercise information that can help strengthen their diaphragm
> most importantly, let them know they are in charge of their body and they can take control over their symptoms
Even if a person is taking medication, there are many things they can do to improve and even eliminate GERD. I have seen this happen almost miraculously once a person is fully engaged with clear, demystified health information and is empowered to take control, feel better, be healthier and happier.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
GERD, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, is one of the top 5 most prevalent gastrointestinal conditions in adults. Considering that digestive complaints comprise the number one emergency room complaint, that is a lot of tummy aches! GERD is typified by heartburn, nausea and regurgitation and is most common when a GERD sufferer lies down at night.
The cause of GERD is the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter or LES mechanism, meaning it does not close properly to keep stomach acid from regurgitating into the upper esophageal region. When acid finds its way there (we've all burped up stomach acid and it hurts!) burning, sometimes nausea and even vomiting can occur. Unfortunately, if it becomes chronic a wide number of conditions can occur, including esophageal ulcer and cancer.
Why do people get this? From a medical perspective it’s a condition caused by a mechanical failure of the LES and the diaphragm (there can be a hiatial hernia involved) to keep the pressure on the esophageal sphincter; or there is "slow stomach emptying" that can be the cause. Using antacids, Prilosec, anti-histamines, eliminating foods that can provoke the GERD (chocolate, mint, alcohol and coffee) or reducing the amount the patient eats and the times they eat are all treatments for GERD. In severe cases, surgery is often recommended.
From a Whole Person Health perspective how would a practitioner support a client with GERD? Let's look at the mechanisms involved to give us clues to the cause and effect of this condition:
> esophageal sphincter is not working properly
> diaphragm is not working properly
> acid is escaping into the upper esophageal area
> obese or significantly overweight individuals have a higher occurrence of GERD
These symptoms suggest that the innervations of nerve stimulation of the esophagus and diaphragm may be under functioning due to either structural/neurological causes or that stress, which constricts the diaphragm and decrease internal muscle function.
In the medical literature, GERD appears to be more related to structure and function than to pathology. Unfortunately, the traditional treatment for GERD is Prilosec, which by suppressing the stomach acid also reducing the body's immune function as stomach acid is a front line immune defense against bacteria and viruses entering the body. This medication comes with a caution for many unpleasant side effects, including cancer, which is a result of the decreased immune function of the stomach acid which kills micro-organisms that can make us sick or even kill us.
How would a Whole Health Practitioner facilitate their client's recovery from GERD?
> educate the patient about HOW GERD occurs and invite them to identify what could be the causes for their dysfunctional digestive system. If you ask most individuals what they think is wrong; 9 times out of 10 they have the answer.
If they understand the role their stress plays in this condition they can do something about it and take greater control over their health.
> provide information about how to relax the diaphragm both manually and thru breathing exercises to assist is reducing the GERD symptoms
> assist the person in identifying how various known foods and over eating of these foods can contribute to the problem
> providing information about calcium as a natural anti-acid
> identify how yoga postures can make a marked difference in GERD symptoms
> offer information about acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathic as options to treating the neurological component of GERD rather than only relying on drugs
> explain how losing weight can greatly enhance recovery
> share exercise information that can help strengthen their diaphragm
> most importantly, let them know they are in charge of their body and they can take control over their symptoms
Even if a person is taking medication, there are many things they can do to improve and even eliminate GERD. I have seen this happen almost miraculously once a person is fully engaged with clear, demystified health information and is empowered to take control, feel better, be healthier and happier.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Saturday, July 10, 2010
When You Hear Hoof Beats Think Horses Not Zebras
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
It was an interesting week in my practice, as there were an unusual number of patients coming in with extreme symptoms that were addressed and resolved using the "when you hear hoof beats, think of horses and not zebras" practice model. If you are a practitioner and don’t know this one, it’s worth while exploring.
Having been in medicine and healthcare now for almost 40 years, (I’m as old as trees as my children like to tease me), there is no doubt that medicine is focused on looking for the zebras. That is, looking for the pathology, the disease, the exotic condition, something to diagnose instead of recognizing that most "hoof beats" are made by horses. This simple, practical and common sense approach to practicing health care has been lost within today’s fast paced, “expert” based practices and has even begun disappearing from "alternative" health care practices, as well.
Here is an example from one of my recent patient visits. A very gifted, integrative health practitioner called me up after having intractable muscle pain for a week. He could not lie down, could not sleep was in great discomfort and was also concerned about what this could mean. He had spoken to a wide variety of practitioners who normally deal with musculo-skeletal conditions and at the end of his exploration was still in pain and becoming rapidly more concerned.
When this happens to us we start to think, "do I have something really wrong with me?", if you're older you think "this must be what getting old is about", or if you are an active, healthy person who takes care of yourself you might ask, "how could this be happening to me, I take care of myself." This individual said he called me because he "didn't know where else to turn" to understand his pain and condition and isn't this what I did in my practice – figure things out about cause and effect?"
Being a Whole Person Health Care practitioner, I started with the basics:
> what specifically had he been doing prior to this onset?
> where is the specific discomfort?
> what makes it feel better?
> what makes it feel worse?
> did he experience any other symptom along with this pain?
He explained that he just joined a gym and was working out for the past week, but that he wasn't doing that much exercise to cause this discomfort and it wasn't just in one muscle, it was all over his body. He is in very good physical condition so the idea of the mild exercising causing this full body pain didn't resonate.
He reported that he hadn't changed his diet, work habits, taken any unusual supplements, changed beds, changed shoes or had any upset or stress over the past week. He tried a series of natural remedies and treatments to no avail. He was both personally and professionally stumped and so were the practitioners he had spoken with about his pain.
Having been called the "Sherlock Holmes of Whole Health", I knew the task at hand was to find out the missing piece of information that would unlock the cause of the problem. So we discussed his new membership at the gym. Logic told me that there was something connected to his activities at the gym that was the casual factor in his pain experience because it was after joining the gym that his pain began. It was just a matter of putting our finger on it.
After a few minutes of detailed review, one factor that surfaced seemed the right solution to the problem. After his work out, he went for a swim in the gym's pool. Interesting.
Now some of you who are practitioners reading this might think, "Ah ha, he has a virus from the pool water", or " His immune system must have had a toxic reaction to the chemicals in the pool". Sorry, but no cigar - these are all zebras.
Having a comprehensive, evidence-based, whole person health education is critical to truly serving our patients and clients and being able to empower them with the knowledge they need to take control of their health.
What does chlorine do to our body? It leaches minerals, most importantly calcium and magnesium. Because chlorine has double negative bonds it is wildly attracted to double positive bonds, as found in calcium. What minerals are significantly involved in muscle function? Ca & Mg - correct!
I recommended that he go to Whole Foods and purchase A to B Calm calcium and magnesium powder, take a dose and see if that helped. I received an e-mail about 24 hours later with the subject title "WOW" - it completely took away all his discomfort, he got a great night sleep and felt excellent. He is swimming away, but mindful to take his calcium/magnesium after each swim.
This is the perfect example of thinking horses and not zebras in our practices. I do hope you found this helpful ~
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
It was an interesting week in my practice, as there were an unusual number of patients coming in with extreme symptoms that were addressed and resolved using the "when you hear hoof beats, think of horses and not zebras" practice model. If you are a practitioner and don’t know this one, it’s worth while exploring.
Having been in medicine and healthcare now for almost 40 years, (I’m as old as trees as my children like to tease me), there is no doubt that medicine is focused on looking for the zebras. That is, looking for the pathology, the disease, the exotic condition, something to diagnose instead of recognizing that most "hoof beats" are made by horses. This simple, practical and common sense approach to practicing health care has been lost within today’s fast paced, “expert” based practices and has even begun disappearing from "alternative" health care practices, as well.
Here is an example from one of my recent patient visits. A very gifted, integrative health practitioner called me up after having intractable muscle pain for a week. He could not lie down, could not sleep was in great discomfort and was also concerned about what this could mean. He had spoken to a wide variety of practitioners who normally deal with musculo-skeletal conditions and at the end of his exploration was still in pain and becoming rapidly more concerned.
When this happens to us we start to think, "do I have something really wrong with me?", if you're older you think "this must be what getting old is about", or if you are an active, healthy person who takes care of yourself you might ask, "how could this be happening to me, I take care of myself." This individual said he called me because he "didn't know where else to turn" to understand his pain and condition and isn't this what I did in my practice – figure things out about cause and effect?"
Being a Whole Person Health Care practitioner, I started with the basics:
> what specifically had he been doing prior to this onset?
> where is the specific discomfort?
> what makes it feel better?
> what makes it feel worse?
> did he experience any other symptom along with this pain?
He explained that he just joined a gym and was working out for the past week, but that he wasn't doing that much exercise to cause this discomfort and it wasn't just in one muscle, it was all over his body. He is in very good physical condition so the idea of the mild exercising causing this full body pain didn't resonate.
He reported that he hadn't changed his diet, work habits, taken any unusual supplements, changed beds, changed shoes or had any upset or stress over the past week. He tried a series of natural remedies and treatments to no avail. He was both personally and professionally stumped and so were the practitioners he had spoken with about his pain.
Having been called the "Sherlock Holmes of Whole Health", I knew the task at hand was to find out the missing piece of information that would unlock the cause of the problem. So we discussed his new membership at the gym. Logic told me that there was something connected to his activities at the gym that was the casual factor in his pain experience because it was after joining the gym that his pain began. It was just a matter of putting our finger on it.
After a few minutes of detailed review, one factor that surfaced seemed the right solution to the problem. After his work out, he went for a swim in the gym's pool. Interesting.
Now some of you who are practitioners reading this might think, "Ah ha, he has a virus from the pool water", or " His immune system must have had a toxic reaction to the chemicals in the pool". Sorry, but no cigar - these are all zebras.
Having a comprehensive, evidence-based, whole person health education is critical to truly serving our patients and clients and being able to empower them with the knowledge they need to take control of their health.
What does chlorine do to our body? It leaches minerals, most importantly calcium and magnesium. Because chlorine has double negative bonds it is wildly attracted to double positive bonds, as found in calcium. What minerals are significantly involved in muscle function? Ca & Mg - correct!
I recommended that he go to Whole Foods and purchase A to B Calm calcium and magnesium powder, take a dose and see if that helped. I received an e-mail about 24 hours later with the subject title "WOW" - it completely took away all his discomfort, he got a great night sleep and felt excellent. He is swimming away, but mindful to take his calcium/magnesium after each swim.
This is the perfect example of thinking horses and not zebras in our practices. I do hope you found this helpful ~
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Friday, July 9, 2010
Should Doctors Take Back Control of Health Care?
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc., DC, PhD
For those us of old enough to remember Marcus Welby, MD and Dr. Kildare, the beloved TV docs we grew up with, we also remember a time when the physicians ran health care. They set policy, budgets, insurance coverage guidelines and pretty much, back then, "everything healthcare".
The insurance carriers, growing tired of paying for questionable procedures and surgery, warned physician groups running the show that if they did not clean up the medical abuses taking place, the insurance industry would take away their decision making by enforced second opinions and limited pay outs for procedures that were being unnecessarily performed. Back in the 1970's, there were millions of hysterectomies, 66% of all those performed were after the fact deemed "unnecessary" by what has become today's Medical Review Boards.
Now in the U.K., to quote an article in latest English.news.cn "The new British coalition government revealed on Friday that it planned to put doctors in charge of funding for frontline services in England's National Health Service (NHS), in a change hailed as the biggest in 60 years."
This is big! If this were to be enacted in the U.S., we could see a return of physician driven health care that is provided, determined and distributed by the same type of physician groups that were unable to police themselves just 30 years after the establishment of the American Medical Association and the mainstreaming of the pharmaceutical industry.
Granted, we currently have in place excellent peer review boards and medical review requirements, but this works because of the lack of conflict of interest with the way these structures function.
The health care reform bill has yet to flex its muscles and most of us feel pretty much in the dark about what we can expect. No surprise since an overwhelming majority of politicos who voted on the bill had little to no idea what the bill contained!
The issues we see with today's health care delivery simply reinforce the Whole Health vision of taking control of our bodies, preventing disease with common sense health hygiene and limiting the use of acute care medicine that we as Americans are blessed to have available to us when a health crisis occurs.
Every day the news contains articles identifying the long term use of even over the counter medications and cautions us to realize we cannot repeatedly put these chemicals into our bodies (and there are many other chemicals in our environment, food and air) and not experience consequences.
Chronic disease, which is the bulk of what is treated in healthcare today, is preventable and cost effective. Let's create our own healthcare reform with self-directed health-care. This means taking care of our whole health, living well and living long.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
For those us of old enough to remember Marcus Welby, MD and Dr. Kildare, the beloved TV docs we grew up with, we also remember a time when the physicians ran health care. They set policy, budgets, insurance coverage guidelines and pretty much, back then, "everything healthcare".
The insurance carriers, growing tired of paying for questionable procedures and surgery, warned physician groups running the show that if they did not clean up the medical abuses taking place, the insurance industry would take away their decision making by enforced second opinions and limited pay outs for procedures that were being unnecessarily performed. Back in the 1970's, there were millions of hysterectomies, 66% of all those performed were after the fact deemed "unnecessary" by what has become today's Medical Review Boards.
Now in the U.K., to quote an article in latest English.news.cn "The new British coalition government revealed on Friday that it planned to put doctors in charge of funding for frontline services in England's National Health Service (NHS), in a change hailed as the biggest in 60 years."
This is big! If this were to be enacted in the U.S., we could see a return of physician driven health care that is provided, determined and distributed by the same type of physician groups that were unable to police themselves just 30 years after the establishment of the American Medical Association and the mainstreaming of the pharmaceutical industry.
Granted, we currently have in place excellent peer review boards and medical review requirements, but this works because of the lack of conflict of interest with the way these structures function.
The health care reform bill has yet to flex its muscles and most of us feel pretty much in the dark about what we can expect. No surprise since an overwhelming majority of politicos who voted on the bill had little to no idea what the bill contained!
The issues we see with today's health care delivery simply reinforce the Whole Health vision of taking control of our bodies, preventing disease with common sense health hygiene and limiting the use of acute care medicine that we as Americans are blessed to have available to us when a health crisis occurs.
Every day the news contains articles identifying the long term use of even over the counter medications and cautions us to realize we cannot repeatedly put these chemicals into our bodies (and there are many other chemicals in our environment, food and air) and not experience consequences.
Chronic disease, which is the bulk of what is treated in healthcare today, is preventable and cost effective. Let's create our own healthcare reform with self-directed health-care. This means taking care of our whole health, living well and living long.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Thursday, July 8, 2010
NIWH Whole Health Moves Into Health Care
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
If you have been following this blog you may have been wondering where I've been for the past few weeks. I am happy to report that the lack of posting has meant big things are happening at NIWH!
There has been a Whole Health revolution going on across the country. It seems that millions of people and thousands of organizations have caught on to the NIWH vision of Whole Health and what it can mean for all of us.
> NIWH is serving on the national leadership Steering Committee along side members from Duke University, Harvard Institute of Coaching, Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota, HealthCorp - led by Dr. Met Oz, Wellcoaches and others to craft and implement health and wellness coaching standards and a national certification.
> NIWH just signed a collaboration agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital Community Health to provide our Whole Health Education program to staff nurses for the purpose of evaluating how the model enhances their work with patients.
> NIWH has recently been approved by the Department of Defense to provide Whole Health program to over 3 million active military spouses around the globe through the Military One Source, My Caa program.
> NIWH, an endorsed program of the American Holistic Nurses Association, and AsOne Coaching under the direction of Linda Bark, RN, PhD, MCC, which is also an AHNA endorsed program, has partnered to bring health coaching competencies to the Whole Health externship and practicum experience.
> NIWH and Wellcoaches, one of the leading coaching competency organizations in the world, endorsed by the American Academy of Sports Medicine, have partnered to bring Whole Health Education to the coaching community. NIWH will be adding Wellcoach’s courses to the NIWH externship and practicum components.
And, there are more collaborations on the horizon! I will keep you updated on all the most current Whole Health developments.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
If you have been following this blog you may have been wondering where I've been for the past few weeks. I am happy to report that the lack of posting has meant big things are happening at NIWH!
There has been a Whole Health revolution going on across the country. It seems that millions of people and thousands of organizations have caught on to the NIWH vision of Whole Health and what it can mean for all of us.
> NIWH is serving on the national leadership Steering Committee along side members from Duke University, Harvard Institute of Coaching, Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota, HealthCorp - led by Dr. Met Oz, Wellcoaches and others to craft and implement health and wellness coaching standards and a national certification.
> NIWH just signed a collaboration agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital Community Health to provide our Whole Health Education program to staff nurses for the purpose of evaluating how the model enhances their work with patients.
> NIWH has recently been approved by the Department of Defense to provide Whole Health program to over 3 million active military spouses around the globe through the Military One Source, My Caa program.
> NIWH, an endorsed program of the American Holistic Nurses Association, and AsOne Coaching under the direction of Linda Bark, RN, PhD, MCC, which is also an AHNA endorsed program, has partnered to bring health coaching competencies to the Whole Health externship and practicum experience.
> NIWH and Wellcoaches, one of the leading coaching competency organizations in the world, endorsed by the American Academy of Sports Medicine, have partnered to bring Whole Health Education to the coaching community. NIWH will be adding Wellcoach’s courses to the NIWH externship and practicum components.
And, there are more collaborations on the horizon! I will keep you updated on all the most current Whole Health developments.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Leaky Gut Syndrome
by Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD
We don’t often see analogies between our organ function and building maintenance but “Leaky Gut Syndrome” is one familiar exception.
A “leaking gut” is similar to a leaking pipe in our home. It means our gut or intestines have a leak in the wall of the tube that takes our foods, nutrients and wastes from our upper digestive system and moves it along to it's natural conclusion. This is very similar to having a pipe in our home that is leaking waste materials from inside the plumbing system.
We intuitively know this can’t be a good thing if the intestinal lining or inner tubing is leaking materials into the blood stream that don’t belong there. Incompletely digested fats, proteins and starches that pass through these “leaks” in the lining are recognized by the body as foreign substances. All foreign substances in the body trigger immune responses that can effect organs, tissues, the nervous and any all areas of the body.
In the case of Leaky Gut Syndrome symptoms such as ongoing diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, rash, exhaustion insomnia, irritability and more can be, and often are, non-diagnosed or a wrongly diagnosed conditions that can progress to disabling stages of illness.
How does it occur that the walls of our insides can “spring a leak”, potentially poison our blood streams or creating potentially life threatening scenarios? The physiology of this is fascinating and also liberating as once we understand the cause of such a malfunction, we are able to correct for it and prevent it.
Here's the how and why of Leaky Gut Syndrome -
Imagine a series of cells lined up one next to the other that have tiny, flexible rubber bands connecting one cell to the other at the top middle and bottom. These little “rubber bands” are called desmosomes and their job is too bind the cells together tightly so there are no spaces or leaks where materials inside the “tubing” of the intestines can pass through and make their way into the blood stream.
In Leaky Gut Syndrome, irritation by various materials which include alcohol, antibiotics, aspirin, drugs, lack of fiber, food allergies, processed foods, tobacco, extreme stress and other influences can significantly weaken these strong “rubber bands”. They can become lax and allow for spaces to be created between cells, which in turn allow food particles and debris to cross into the blood stream, creating a toxic effect in the body.
By understanding the specifics of this condition and how an individual can take charge of their body can make an enormous difference in recovering from and controlling Leaky Gut Syndrome.
Improving our diet by removing processed foods; adding more fiber; eating more living food adding probiotics; eliminating or reducing the use of over the counter drugs and replacing them with homeopathics or herbs; increasing exercise and activities; reducing stress and supplementing with whole food supplements are all ways to heal and, over time, eliminate this condition by allowing the desmosomes to heal and strengthen and be able to protect and support the intestinal wall cells once again.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
We don’t often see analogies between our organ function and building maintenance but “Leaky Gut Syndrome” is one familiar exception.
A “leaking gut” is similar to a leaking pipe in our home. It means our gut or intestines have a leak in the wall of the tube that takes our foods, nutrients and wastes from our upper digestive system and moves it along to it's natural conclusion. This is very similar to having a pipe in our home that is leaking waste materials from inside the plumbing system.
We intuitively know this can’t be a good thing if the intestinal lining or inner tubing is leaking materials into the blood stream that don’t belong there. Incompletely digested fats, proteins and starches that pass through these “leaks” in the lining are recognized by the body as foreign substances. All foreign substances in the body trigger immune responses that can effect organs, tissues, the nervous and any all areas of the body.
In the case of Leaky Gut Syndrome symptoms such as ongoing diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, rash, exhaustion insomnia, irritability and more can be, and often are, non-diagnosed or a wrongly diagnosed conditions that can progress to disabling stages of illness.
How does it occur that the walls of our insides can “spring a leak”, potentially poison our blood streams or creating potentially life threatening scenarios? The physiology of this is fascinating and also liberating as once we understand the cause of such a malfunction, we are able to correct for it and prevent it.
Here's the how and why of Leaky Gut Syndrome -
Imagine a series of cells lined up one next to the other that have tiny, flexible rubber bands connecting one cell to the other at the top middle and bottom. These little “rubber bands” are called desmosomes and their job is too bind the cells together tightly so there are no spaces or leaks where materials inside the “tubing” of the intestines can pass through and make their way into the blood stream.
In Leaky Gut Syndrome, irritation by various materials which include alcohol, antibiotics, aspirin, drugs, lack of fiber, food allergies, processed foods, tobacco, extreme stress and other influences can significantly weaken these strong “rubber bands”. They can become lax and allow for spaces to be created between cells, which in turn allow food particles and debris to cross into the blood stream, creating a toxic effect in the body.
By understanding the specifics of this condition and how an individual can take charge of their body can make an enormous difference in recovering from and controlling Leaky Gut Syndrome.
Improving our diet by removing processed foods; adding more fiber; eating more living food adding probiotics; eliminating or reducing the use of over the counter drugs and replacing them with homeopathics or herbs; increasing exercise and activities; reducing stress and supplementing with whole food supplements are all ways to heal and, over time, eliminate this condition by allowing the desmosomes to heal and strengthen and be able to protect and support the intestinal wall cells once again.
With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved
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