Inflammation... deadly?

I read the following article about inflammation and thought you all might be interested in their findings...

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/pain-management/arthritis/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100268278&gt1=31004

The title of the article is "The Hidden Time Bomb Within You" and it talks about the five life-changing facts to know about inflammation.

1. Inflammation is both your body's best friend -- and its worst enemy.
I don't know that I agree with this statement.  Your body knows best how to deal with problems internally and externally.  We are a society of instant gratification - we want everything NOW.  Take a pill - all better now.  Take a pill - lose all that weight now.  Our bodies need time to heal properly.  Inflammation is part of the natural healing process.  If we have chronic inflammation, there is a deeper problem that needs to be addressed.

2. Chronic inflammation contributes to almost every major disease.
I think it is more along the lines of chronic inflammation is the warning sign of every major disease. 

3. It's not the look of your body fat but what's inside it that really hurts you.
Agreed.  One thing that is not addressed along with this comment (because it doesn't relate back to inflammation) is that fat cells tend to hold on to toxins.  As you begin losing that necessary weight, you may find yourself getting sick more often - this is the result of the toxins being released.  Make sure you are drinking lots of water to flush them out. 

4. You can't control everything that trips inflammation -- but you might want to conquer that fear of public speaking.
So, it isn't public speaking but it is long term stress that can trigger inflammation. 

5. Many of us have infections and allergies we don't know about, which send us into a state of constant high inflammation.
Agreed.  Food allergies, environmental allergies, seasonal allergies - they all affect us differently.  I got the "I don't have allergies" from my daughter the other day - and I reminded her that her body changes every seven years - just because you don't have allergies today ... or yesterday.. doesn't mean that you won't have them tomorrow.  Opening windows in your home every month will help remove toxins and allergens from your home.  Taking honey every day will help you with your seasonal allergies.  And paying attention to what you eat - will help you discover what you are allergic to and make the proper changes. 

Now.. these five are good.. but I think that they really missed the most important one - water.  70 - 80% of all adults are CHRONICALLY dehydrated.  One of the first symptoms of dehydration is inflammation.  Ensure that you are drinking enough water to flush out the toxins in your body.

Blessings..., E

"An Itchy Mystery - Solved"

In the April, 2011 edition of Readers Digest, I found a very interesting article.  I wanted to get your feed back on it... As you know, I have horrid allergies... I think, actually, it is more a "sensitivity" than allergies.  Since I don't use medicines or chemicals - I am HYPER sensitive to their effects.  This is why this article caught my eye.

The article is written by Beth Dremer and in it she suggests that if you are allergic to certain types of spring things, you may also be sensitive to certain fruits.  Clifford W. Basset, MD, medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York states, "The immune system sees a similarity between proteins in pollen and in these foods, and that riggers a reaction."

So, my question to you is this - do you have these sensitivities?  I don't, and I am curious if the general populous does or doesn't.

If you're allergic to grass, you might react to peaches, celery, tomatoes, melons, and oranges.  If you are allergic to birch pollen, you might react to kiwi, apples, pears, peaches, plums, coriander, fennel, parsley, celery, cherries, carrots, hazelnuts, and almonds. If you are allergic to ragweed, you may react to bananas, melons, and tomatoes.

Let me know... Blessings - E

Honey & Vinegar

The more I read on both honey and vinegar the more convinced I am that everyone needs to take 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey in warm water three times a day before meals... EVERY DAY. 

The combination helps you maintain a healthy weight, cure allergies, cure any bronchial ailments,  absorb proper amounts of calcium for strong bones, maintain normal blood sugar levels, sleep better, prevent colds / flu, have better focus and energy, and a host of other benefits.

Honey is the purest of sugars - it has already been processed in the stomachs of bees so is absorbed easier into the bloodstream - it causes less stress to the pancreas - and helps create new blood cells.   It also helps your body absorb vital minerals from foods.

Apple Cider Vinegar has a wealth of benefits - aiding in digestion, fighting cancers, curing nausea, helps maintain normal blood pressure, maintain normal cholesterol levels, keep you heart healthy, maintain the proper acidic/alkalinity balance, fight diabetes, and improves memory.

Spring Angst

It started with an occasional cough, and progressed into post nasal drip and congestion.  The trees are blooming and flowers are out in Texas!  While it is my favorite time of the year... spring kills me for my allergies.  While the Yanks are still covered in snow... we in the South have welcomed spring completely!

Growing up I had allergies almost all year round.  Up until about eight years ago (when I embraced Naturopathy completely) I got Bronchitis every fall and usually was out sick for a full week.  Now, I am rarely sick - and only really have issues with my allergies in the fall (mold and mildew).  So... what changed? 

Actually, there were quite a number of things that changed.  I went from eating red meat, pork, chicken, and fish every day - at least once a day to eating primarily fish only once a week or so.  I worked out more, got more sunshine.  I ate more vegetables both raw and lightly steamed.  I paid more attention to WHAT I was eating - preservatives, artificial colors, artificial flavors.  I began taking Omega 3/6/9 daily.  And I also started drinking more water and green tea.  I also have removed all of the carpet in my home - I know that isn't usually a choice we all have, but it was a huge part of my year round allergy problem. 

My allergies were so bad that my doctor told me that I needed to completely close up my house through out the year.  What I didn't know at the time was that by closing up a house and running the AC / Heat year round you never remove the toxins from your home - and your home becomes more toxic than air in a smog filled city.  This is the reason I have recommended you open your home for several hours at least once a month.  Yes, you will be letting pollen and dust in, but more importantly you will be releasing the toxins from in your home - from your carpet, paint, and furniture, from your cleaning products, and from any other potentially dangerous things in your home.  DON'T EVER keep your home closed up for long periods of time. 

I have heard a lot of positive results with Acupuncture.  If you choose to go this route, make sure that you have found an experienced Acupuncturist. I have also heard of good results with Chiropractic adjustments.  Again, be careful whom you choose.  Both sciences have had a lot of bad press - but with the right professional, you will see a lot benefits. 

There are foods and herbs that also help lessen the sensitivity to the environment.  Garlic, echinecea, nettle, butterbur, and zinc are all herbs known to help fight allergies.  Foods that are high in Omega 3 (tuna, salmon, walnuts) help fight allergies.  Local honey has also been shown to reduce sensitivity with allergies, by ingesting honey made with local flowers you are basically ingesting small amounts to build up your resistance to the pollen.  Spicy foods help clear sinuses but don't really have any other benefit to allergies. 

This is from Mother Earth News - the link to the full post is below: Quercetin. A natural plant-derived compound called a bioflavonoid, quercetin helps stabilize mast cells and prevents them from releasing histamine. Quercetin also is a natural antioxidant that helps mop up molecules called free radicals that cause cell damage, which can lead to cancer. Citrus fruits, onions, apples, parsley, tea, tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce and wine are naturally high in quercetin, but allergy sufferers will most likely need to use supplements to build up enough of this compound to prevent attacks. The recommended dosage is about 1,000 milligrams a day, taken between meals. It’s best to start treatment six weeks before allergy season. Those with liver disease shouldn’t use quercetin, so please consult your doctor before using this or any other supplement — especially if you are pregnant or nursing.

Full post: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Natural-Health/2006-08-01/Six-Natural-Allergy-Remedies.aspx?page=2#ixzz1GLklfSeo 

There are also specific foods to stay away from when you are congested, primarily dairy and bread.  Both increase the production of mucus in both the head and chest. 

Again, I caution you - if you are going to use herbs, please read all the details about each before using so you understand the pros and cons of each.  Herbs can be dangerous, if you do not understand how to use them properly. 

Breathe In, Breathe Out... there is more to it than that!

We all breathe right?  It is easy right?  Breathe in.... Breathe out.  Well... it is a little more complicated than that.  Breathing techniques can help you relieve stress, reduce asthmatic attacks, heal you from allergies, live longer, reduce the chance of heart attacks, helps you center your body and release negative thoughts and energy, etc...

As a singer, we are taught HOW to breathe.. you can breathe through your nose or your mouth, from your throat, chest, diaphragm, toes, partially, deeply, aggressively, calmly, cooly... you name it there are many MANY different ways to breathe.  The PROPER way, depends on what outcome you want to have.  Here are some examples:

Strengthening Breathing - Doing strengthening breathing exercises will help expand the lung capacity you currently have - more capacity, better breathing - better brain power - more oxygen into your blood, muscles, etc... Oxygen helps you disperse toxins and grow good healthy cells.  Asthmatics and people prone to lung infections (bronchitis, pneumonia, upper respiratory infections) all would benefit from strengthening breathing. 

Recommended reading: http://www.funnyadult.net/breathing-exercises-%E2%80%93-improve-lungs-strengthening/

Diaphragmatic Breathing - This is concentrated breathing from your diaphragm.  People with lung cancer, COPD, emphysema all could benefit from strengthening your diaphragm and this type of breathing that helps you force air out of your lungs. 

Recommended reading: http://www.cchs.net/health/health-info/docs/2400/2409.asp?index=9445

Deep Breathing - Controlled deep breathing is most beneficial to people that are high strung, have high stress jobs, have a familial history of heart disease and / or stroke, and those that have high blood pressure.  Controlled deep breathing allows you to focus your attention on how and when you breathe - it calms your mind and soothes your body.  Ensure that when you are breathing in you think happy, beautiful, positive thoughts and as you breathe out you are releasing all negativity and tension.

Recommended reading: http://stress.about.com/od/breathingexercises/Breathing_Exercises_for_Stress_Management.htm

The list above is only a start... there are so many ways that breathing properly will help enhance your life.  Here is another list with additional links to other types of breathing.  http://healing.about.com/od/breathwork/Breathwork.htm

This is an AWESOME link on Why it is so important to breathe properly and how we are damaging our bodies with our breathing.  http://www.holisticonline.com/yoga/hol_yoga_breathing_Importance.htm

If you have allergies, or are asthmatic and are working on changing your relationships (see post on Chakras) you may look to some herbs and specific foods to help alleviate the symptoms.  Again, I caution you - PLEASE make sure that you read all you can on herbs before you start using them.  http://www.livestrong.com/article/143453-herbal-remedies-breathing-problems/

Sit up! Take a deep breath - think a happy thought - and let your cares go!  LIVE!  Blessings!  E