tag:www.naturalawakenings.com,2005:/categories/healing-ways?page=79Healing Ways Healing Ways | Natural Awakenings Magazine Page 79Healthy Living Healthy Planet2019-08-28T16:15:34-04:00urn:uuid:8a123795-d738-4ff0-84b3-6347b21a17442019-08-28T16:15:34-04:002019-08-28T16:15:34-04:00Nature’s Viagra: Recent Discovery on Watermelon2009-06-01 03:00:00 -0400Anonymous<p>Watermelon, America’s all-time summer favorite, delivers more than just a juicy cool-down. According to a Texas A&M University study, the summer fruit may enhance libido in much the same way that Viagra does.</p><p>“The more we study watermelons, the more we realize just how amazing a fruit it is, in providing natural enhancers to the human body,” says Bhimu Patil, Ph.D., director of Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, in College Station. Bhimu and his fellow researchers have discovered that a special nutrient in watermelon, called citrulline, has the ability to relax blood vessels, similar to the action of common male sexual enhancement drugs.</p><p>How does it work? When consumed, the body converts the citrulline to arginine, an amino acid that works wonders on the heart and the circulation system by boosting nitric oxide, which in turn relaxes blood vessels, conferring basically the same effects Viagra does in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Although watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, it is still a great way to relax blood vessels. Even better, watermelon has none of the drug’s side effects.</p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:86b2aa5e-8cf7-408c-b242-00ea595c90bf2019-08-28T16:15:36-04:002019-08-28T16:15:36-04:00Phosphates Alert: Dangers of this Inorganic Chemical2009-06-01 03:00:00 -0400Anonymous<p>New research suggests that a diet high in inorganic phosphates, found in a variety of processed foods, including meats, cheeses, beverages and bakery products, might speed the growth of lung cancer tumors and may even contribute to development of such tumors in individuals predisposed to the disease.</p> <p>Source: American Thoracic Society, 2008</p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:621aa73b-e33c-48c5-895a-dac2110b1f982019-08-28T16:15:36-04:002019-08-28T16:15:36-04:00Black Raspberries Fight Cancer: Powerful Berries2009-06-01 03:00:00 -0400Anonymous<p>Not only are black raspberries packed with vitamins, minerals and cancer-fighting phenols and phytosterols, but freeze-drying them concentrates these compounds, increasing the berries’ cancer-fighting properties tenfold.</p><p><br>Source: Ohio State University, 2008</p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:69fa1b8b-e88b-4e80-b52e-d25f5c97bd0e2019-08-28T16:15:40-04:002019-08-28T16:15:40-04:00Lose Anger, Lose Weight: Reduce Rage to Drop Pounds2009-06-01 03:00:00 -0400Anonymous<p>Men who are angry and hostile pack on more pounds over time than women or their less angry, more laid-back peers, suggests a French study, which found that the more hostile a man’s personality, the more his body mass index (BMI) increased during an extended period. The researchers noted that hostility could affect weight in many ways; for example, hostile men may be less likely to follow dietary health guidelines, tend to exercise less and are more likely to be depressed—all factors known to contribute to unhealthy weight gain.</p><p>Researchers reviewed data on 6,484 men and women participating in a U.K. study of socioeconomic status and health. Participants ranged in age from 35 to 55 at the study’s outset. Results culled over a 19-year period showed that, while the relationship between BMI and hostility remained constant for women, hostility seemed to accelerate weight gain over time in men.</p> <p><br>Source: American Journal of Epidemiology, 2009</p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:19a9f335-475f-4b29-8051-768b2c597f322019-08-28T16:15:41-04:002019-08-28T16:15:41-04:00Men’s Health Handbook: Expert Advice for the Male Physique2009-06-01 03:00:00 -0400Vera Tweed<p>We asked top integrative physicians who specialize in heart health, sexual wellness and prostate protection to share their best natural healing tips for men. Here’s what they have to say.<strong><br><br></strong></p> <p><strong>Dr. Stephen Sinatra</strong> is a cardiologist specializing in preventive medicine for more than 20 years. He has authored numerous books on natural health, including <em>Reverse Heart Disease Now</em>, and is co-author of <em>Sugar Shock!</em></p><h3><strong>Building a Strong Foundation</strong></h3><p>When asked about the key to staying healthy, Sinatra doesn’t hesitate: “The most important things are staying trim and eating a diet that is not inflammatory, which means staying away from sugars.” By sugars, he doesn’t just mean what’s on the dessert menu or the white stuff you may put in your coffee. Beer, wine and all alcoholic drinks, breads, bagels, crackers and pastas are all sources of concentrated sugar, as far as the body is concerned; they all disrupt the network of hormones that determines whether or not you like what you see in the mirror. Controlling your sugar intake, advises Sinatra, is the most important thing you can do nutritionally to stay out of intensive care down the road.</p><p>Testosterone, insulin, adrenal and thyroid hormones are some of the key players that determine the health of your heart, the size of your waistline and your ability to function well in the boardroom, as well as the bedroom. “We used to think these hormones were all individual players,” remarks Sinatra. “They’re not. They work collectively.”</p><p>Although the interplay of hormones is complex, there is a simple underlying principle: When levels of one are suboptimal, the others also suffer. Sinatra says the answer to the riddle lies in weight control; not by following fad diets, but by understanding a few key cause-and-effect relationships and acting accordingly.</p> <p><em><strong>Insulin:</strong></em> This hormone holds a key to body weight, diabetes risk, heart disease and other conditions. Here’s how it works: When you eat, food is converted to blood sugar, or glucose. The pancreas then produces insulin to deliver the glucose to cells to be used as energy. High-sugar foods and drinks lead to skyrocketing glucose levels, which shift insulin production into high gear. When this high-sugar/high-insulin cycle repeats frequently, cells become overwhelmed with blood sugar and stop accepting it, a condition technically called insulin resistance. Weight gain, increased risk for heart disease and diabetes are among the results.</p> <p><em><strong>Thyroid:</strong></em> Hormones produced by the thyroid gland regulate metabolism, and iodine is a key nutrient required to produce sufficient amounts of hormones. The combination of toxins in today’s environment and reduced levels of naturally occurring iodine in our food result in many American men and women having an underactive thyroid or slow metabolism, which can contribute to insulin resistance and obesity.</p> <p><em><strong>Adrenal Hormones</strong>:</em> Produced by the adrenal gland, these hormones are necessary for healthy function of the thyroid gland and stable energy levels.</p> <p><em><strong>Testosterone:</strong></em> Excess weight, lack of exercise, insulin resistance and inadequate levels of thyroid and adrenal hormones all contribute to low levels of testosterone. In turn, low testosterone typically leads to further weight gain, low energy, low libido and other sexual difficulties. “Weight loss is the most important factor, because when you lose weight, you improve insulin sensitivity, sparing the burden on your other hormone systems,” comments Sinatra. Cholesterol and blood pressure generally improve at the same time.</p> <p><em><strong>The Heart Solution:</strong></em> Sinatra also recommends taking coenzyme Q10 (coQ10), L-carnitine, magnesium and D-ribose to support energy production in the heart (see sidebar). These supplements feed mitochondria, specific components within our cells that are responsible for generating energy. Mitochondria are more concentrated in the heart than in any other organ, so their optimal function is critical. “When I treat men who have heart disease with mitochondrial support, I hear from them and their wives that their libido and erectile potency improve, as well,” says Sinatra.<span><br></span></p> <p><br><strong>Dr. Jeremy Groll</strong> is the chief of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Ohio. This award-winning researcher specializes in treatment of infertile couples and is the author of<em> Fertility Foods.</em></p> <h3><strong>Having Children</strong></h3><p>“Fertility is perceived to be a female problem, when in fact, a large percentage is due to male factors,” says Groll, who estimates that <img alt="" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/625496/Mens-Health-Handbook-Man-with-Baby.jpg">men are responsible for up to 45 percent of delays in conception. Unlike women, who are born with a fixed number of eggs, men make sperm continuously, so their state of health and lifestyle can continually affect whether or not pregnancy occurs.</p><p>He explains that it takes roughly three months for each sperm to develop and mature, so it may take that long to expect results from supplements or lifestyle changes. He notes how the following key components can hinder male fertility:</p> <p><strong><em>Obesity:</em></strong> Fat cells send signals to the brain that hinder production of sex hormones, thus interfering with libido and sexual performance, as well as fertility.</p> <p><strong><em>Diabetes:</em></strong> This disease damages nerves, causing problems for sexual function.</p> <p><strong><em>Testosterone injections or steroids:</em></strong> Although both raise levels of testosterone in the body, they decrease natural testosterone production in the testes, which is necessary for fertility.</p> <p><strong><em>Too much exercise:</em></strong> Strenuous exercise, 10 hours or more a week, can lower sperm count. But, 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, five days a week, plus strength training twice weekly, can improve fertility.</p> <p><strong><em>Smoking and drinking:</em></strong> More than six drinks per week and any amount of smoking can hinder male fertility. Avoid both.</p> <p><strong><em>Selenium:</em></strong> Too much or too little selenium can decrease fertility. The recommended daily dietary allowance of 55 mcg, in total, from food and supplements, is considered optimal.</p> <p><strong><em>Saw palmetto:</em></strong> This herb can hinder sperm production.</p> <p> To improve a man’s fertility, Groll recommends taking these supplements:<br> • Carnitines: 2 g daily of L-carnitine and 1 g daily of acetyl-L-carnitine <br> • CoQ10: 100 mg twice daily <br> • Lycopene: 2 g twice daily <br> • Zinc: 250 mg twice daily <br> • Vitamin C: 90 mg daily; 120 mg daily for smokers <br> • Vitamin E: 22-23 IU (international units) daily<span><br></span></p> <p><br><strong>Dr. Anil Minocha</strong> is the director of digestive diseases and nutrition at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, in Jackson. A gastroenterologist and nutritionist, he is the author of<em> Natural Stomach Care.</em></p> <h3><strong>Stopping Heartburn</strong></h3><p>“Heartburn is a symptom of reflux,” advises Minocha. “Reflux occurs in everyone, every day,” he adds, although not everyone experiences the unpleasant burning sensation in the center of their chest that may rise up to the throat. He explains that heartburn is usually caused by acidic gastric juices moving up from the stomach into the esophagus.</p> <p>Minocha recommends these remedies:</p> <p><strong><em>After meals:</em></strong> To stop heartburn, chew a mixture of roasted fennel and cumin seeds.</p> <p><strong><em>Between meals:</em></strong> Eat a cup of unflavored yogurt twice daily. Choose yogurt with a high bacteria count and at least three types of live bacteria; look for fresh yogurt carrying the Natural Yogurt Association’s Live and Active Cultures seal.<br>For flavoring, add banana, which feeds friendly bacteria, or sweeten with stevia. Don’t eat the yogurt with other food, fruit or sugar, because their ingredients will stimulate digestive acids that destroy the good bacteria.</p> <p><strong><em>Aloe vera juice:</em></strong> Drink a cup twice daily.</p> <p><strong><em>Chamomile tea:</em></strong> Drink this tea anytime, instead of soda.</p> <p><strong><em>Ginger tea:</em></strong> Brew your own. Cut a one-inch slice of fresh ginger root and boil it for 20 minutes, add honey and drink it twice daily.</p> <p><strong><em><img alt="" src="//cdn3.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/625497/Mens-Health-Handbook-Man.jpg"></em></strong><br><strong>Dr. Omer Kucuk</strong> is an attending staff physician in the Harper and Detroit Receiving Hospitals at the Detroit Medical Center. He was also a medical oncologist and researcher at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, in Detroit.<em><br></em></p> <h3>Ma<strong>intaining Prostate Health</strong>
</h3><p>“Use common sense and have a healthy lifestyle,” advises Kucuk. It turns out that the same diet, exercise and weight control that will keep a man healthy in all other aspects will also reduce the risk of prostate cancer.</p><p>Lycopene, abundant in tomatoes, offers additional protection. “Lycopene is more available in cooked tomatoes, such as tomato sauce, paste or juice,” notes Kucuk, “but fresh tomatoes are also beneficial.” Based on research to date, he recommends eating two servings of tomatoes daily, as well as three other vegetables, plus fruits. Plus, he notes, “Tomatoes also contain other compounds that have a synergistic effect, which makes the lycopene more effective.”</p><p>For benign prostate hyperplasia, saw palmetto and nettle root extracts have been found to reduce nighttime bathroom visits and other symptoms safely. Saw palmetto also has been used effectively by itself to treat the condition. But, if you are trying to have a baby, avoid saw palmetto.</p> <p><strong><em>Reduce risk of prostate cancer:</em></strong> Try 5 mg of a tomato extract, such as LycoMato (sold in supplements and used in some lycopene studies).</p> <p><strong><em>Treat benign prostate hyperplasia:</em></strong> Try 320 mg of saw palmetto extract daily, alone or in combination with 240 mg nettle root extract daily. Expect results in about six weeks.</p> <p><em><br>Vera Tweed is a freelance health journalist and author of User’s Guide to Carnitine.</em></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:097d492e-4c8d-4e39-a3ef-afad0e6e62722019-08-28T16:32:07-04:002019-08-28T16:32:07-04:00Boning Up: Exercise Helps Maintain and Restore Bone Density2009-05-01 03:00:00 -0400Katy Santiago<p>Ten million Americans suffer with osteoporosis and another 34 million have low bone mass and high risk for osteoporosis, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. For anyone who has been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia (low bone density for our age, but not low enough be a risk factor for fracture), it is important to know that most likely, the bones’ ability to develop has not been affected. We have simply stopped “loading” them.</p><p>The good news is that it’s unlikely that bone density is low throughout our body, and we can begin simple weight-bearing exercises at any time. This signals the bone to start growing.</p><p>Ribs, wrists, hips and the spine are the most common places prone to bone loss. The main reason is simply underuse. Contemporary habits in our culture often don’t load these joints to their fullest potential.</p><p>Let’s take hips as an example of a potential trouble zone. Hips are designed to rotate and have a wide range of motion. If we sit more than six hours a day, they don’t get much movement. This sends our body the message that it doesn’t have to maintain as much density as if the hips were moving in all the patterns in which they were designed to move.</p><p>Even if we have been exercising regularly, but are still troubled by low bone density, applying the following tips will help.</p><p><strong>Find new ways and different directions to move</strong><br>Choose exercises that work the body in different directions than usual. If most workouts consist of walking, try a changeup. Getting off a treadmill is one way to work new muscles. Dance classes introduce new steps that challenge joints in novel ways. Just walking sideways for one minute in each direction each day challenges hip muscles.</p> <p><strong>Know the difference</strong> <strong>between using weights and weight-bearing exercise.</strong> Even some exercise professionals confuse these concepts. While using weights can be part of any exercise program, it is weight-bearing exercise that delivers healthier bones.</p><p>Using weights can mean any type of resistance exercise—from weight machines, circuit equipment and hand-held weights to body resistance exercise, like pushups or yogic arm- balance poses. Because the skeleton’s job is to bear the entire weight of the body, lifting three-, five-, or even 20-pound weights is not as beneficial to bone health as being naturally strong enough to carry your own body mass.<img src="//cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/627020/Boning-Up-Exercise-Ball.jpg" alt=""></p><p>Weight-bearing specifically refers to how much body weight we are holding up while exercising. Thus, walking is more weight-bearing than bicycling, while swimming is the least weight-bearing, because water’s natural buoyancy does most of the work.</p> <p><strong>Favor activities that get us on our feet to load up bones.</strong><br>Ditch the exercise bike and go for a walk. Walk the golf course instead of getting a cart. If work requires sitting, take standing breaks, a nice change during long phone calls. Why not create a standing work center for a home or office computer?</p><p>A good way to test our weight-bearing strength is see how long we can stand to stand. If we are looking for a chair by the 20-minute mark, our muscle mass is insufficient to hold up our body. Improve gradually by decreasing sitting time by 10 percent to start. For those who watch television two hours at a stretch, try getting up during commercials and standing on one leg at a time.</p> <p><strong>Think heel-toe to heal too.<br></strong>It’s wise to opt for flats or negative-heeled footwear. Even one-inch high heels and cushioned sports shoes dampen the vibrations that naturally build bone density in the hips and spine.</p><p>How we walk also can signal problems that may be contributing to bone loss. Tight calf muscles, for example, change how a person’s heels strike the ground while walking; this decreases the vibrations moving up the leg, meant to keep the bones of the hip joints and femurs strong.</p> <p><strong>Design a truly well-balanced program.</strong><br>The most significant health risk for anyone with low bone density is the risk of a fracture. Falling is a common cause of fractures, so exercises that improve balance should top the list. Balance or yoga classes are available at many community fitness centers as a ready-made solution to decreasing risks of a spill.</p> <p><em><br>Katy Santiago, a biomechanics expert, has a master’s of science degree in kinesiology and is director of the Restorative Exercise Institute in Ventura, CA. Her Restorative Exercise DVD for Healthy Bones is available at </em><span class="link-external"><a href="http://www.restorativeexercise.com/"><em>www.RestorativeExercise.com</em></a></span><em>.</em></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:94f9bdc9-a63e-49f4-93c4-54103675bcd32019-08-28T16:32:08-04:002019-08-28T16:32:09-04:00Vigorous Exercise Cuts Breast Cancer Risk: Engage in Challenging Workouts to Reduce Your Chances2009-05-01 03:00:00 -0400Anonymous<p>While previous studies have shown that exercise may protect against breast cancer, a new study by the National Cancer Institute of the U.S. National Institutes of Health points out that not all exercise qualifies. In following 32,269 women for 11 years, the researchers discovered that those engaging in vigorous exercise on a regular basis were the ones less likely to develop the disease, regardless of their weight. Their reduced risk amounted to a stunning 30 percent. Activities that qualify as vigorous include heavy housework, like scrubbing floors and washing windows, or heavy yard work, such as digging or chopping wood. Healthful, fun activities included fast jogging, competitive tennis, bicycling on hills and fast dancing.</p><p>The study suggests two possible mechanisms responsible for the benefit measured: enhanced immune function and decreased inflammation in the body. It’s important to note that excess weight is believed to increase the risk of cancer.</p><p><em><br>Source: Breast Cancer Research, 2008</em></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:e16427ae-20a6-453d-a2a5-ff8ac071f35b2019-08-28T16:32:10-04:002019-08-28T16:32:10-04:00Plants Help Heal: The Power of Flowers2009-05-01 03:00:00 -0400Anonymous<p>A recent study published in HortTechnology shows that flowers, especially potted plants, in hospital rooms, can speed the recovery of patients who have undergone surgery. Data took into account the length of hospitalization, use of drugs for pain control and the patient’s ratings of pain, fatigue and anxiety—all of which were reduced when the patient’s room was accented with natural greenery.</p><p>- American Society for Horticultural Science, 2008</p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:f7362dcc-c2c0-42c3-87fb-db8a561c6a542019-08-28T16:32:13-04:002019-08-28T16:32:13-04:00Do Hormones Shrink the Brain?: Dangers of a Common Postmenopausal Treatment2009-05-01 03:00:00 -0400Anonymous<p>Two new studies report that hormone therapy—a still commonly prescribed form of postmenopausal treatment—may slightly accelerate the loss of brain tissue in women 65 and older, beyond what normally occurs with aging. “This is not what we expected to find,” reported one of the researchers. <br> <br> The investigating scientists, using MRI scans to look for increased volumes of brain lesions among women who had taken hormone therapy, discovered their brain volume had shrunk in two critical areas: the frontal lobe and the hippocampus. Both of these areas are involved in thinking and memory skills. Loss of volume in the hippocampus is also a risk factor for dementia. More than 1,400 women ages 71 to 89 participated in the study.</p> <p><br> <em>Source: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, 2009</em></p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>urn:uuid:c5bf7569-8455-47aa-9f56-6a3be9fe9c712019-08-28T16:32:17-04:002019-08-28T16:32:17-04:00Menopause & Depression: A Natural Cure for Menopausal Women2009-05-01 03:00:00 -0400Anonymous<p>Psychological distress and depression are common symptoms experienced by many premenopausal and menopausal women. Now a new study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, indicates that consuming omega-3 fatty acids may offer natural relief.</p><p>At the end of the researchers’ 8-week study period of women ages 40 to 55, those who ingested one gram of omega-3 in capsule form daily, reported considerable reduction of hot flashes and fewer symptoms of psychological stress and depression than those who had taken a sunflower oil supplement. Good to know, especially for women already consuming omega-3s for heart health.</p><p><br>Source: Université Laval, 2009</p><hr /><p><small>Original article published at <a href="www.naturalawakenings.com">Natural Awakenings National</a></small></p>