Tag Archives: health

Is Instant Energy Bad For Your Health?

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are energy drinks bad for your health?Available everywhere and promising instant energy, energy drinks have grown in popularity over the last decade. They allow us to get more done faster, but at what costs? The largest population they are pitched to is the “under 30” group. This includes high school and college students as well as athletes, both school age and professional.

Our over-worked culture is moving beyond coffee for its morning wake up and afternoon pick-me-up to the energy drink solution. This product comes with it’s own health concerns. Energy drinks contain significant amounts of caffeine and sugar and can include other stimulants such as ephedrine, guarana, and ginseng, which have all been shown to have potential health concerns. Here are some points of consideration you may want to be aware of before gulping down a can or two of the elixir.

Things To Consider:

  • Energy drinks contain as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. Consumed quickly, the caffeine and sugar provide a jolt of energy by stimulating your stress system. This can also raise your blood sugar and blood pressure levels, causing your heart to beat faster and work harder.
  • The contents of these energy drinks can produce symptoms that may include anxiety, insomnia, irritability and nausea that can be severe enough to require medical attention or hospitalization.
  • Energy drinks, if taken during exercise, can dehydrate the body and deplete much needed calcium and potassium.
  • Because of the energy provided by the caffeine and sugar in energy drinks, they have become popular as mixers with alcohol. This can lead to an individual not being aware of the level of intoxication, which might allow them to drive under the influence.
  • Bad reactions to energy drinks have been reported to U.S. poison control centers published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
  • In a report of nine cases of adverse reactions to the energy drink Redline, patients reported nausea and vomiting, high blood pressure, tremors, dizziness and numbness.

There is the impression that because these drinks are available over the counter and can be bought in any retail store, they are not a “substance” that we should use carefully. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

While energy drinks can be part of a balanced lifestyle when consumed sensibly, as with all things related to health and lifestyle, we need to exercise moderation and good judgement to avoid the problems that can arise from inappropriate or excessive use.

For more whole health discussions, listen to Dr. Georgianna Donadio’s radio show Living Above The Drama.

 

The Mediterranean Diet Is About More Than Just Food

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In Annia Ciezaldo’s April 1st article in the “New York Times Magazine,” she asks, “Does the Mediterranean Diet even exist?“ She suggests that since half of Spain, Portugal and Italy’s populations are overweight — with Lebanon rapidly following suit — then, contrary to popular belief, the Mediterranean people now have the worst diets in Europe.

She states that the Greeks “are the fattest: about 75 percent of the Greek population is overweight.” From Ciezaldo’s perspective, the Mediterranean Diet research, which spanned over 50 years, was in fact — flawed.

Research on the whole health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet has been well-documented and includes the Harvard School of Public Health and many esteemed medical researchers. Among them are Ancel Keys and Paul Dudley White, who later became Dwight D. Eisenhower’s cardiologist.

Shortly after World War II, Keys and his colleagues set out to examine whether or not the Mediterranean dietary and lifestyle patterns were directly connected to improved health outcomes identified in Crete, Greece and southern Italy during the 1960s. These outcomes recorded the lowest rates of chronic disease in the world, and the life expectancy of adults in these regions was among the highest. This was particularly remarkable given the limited amount of medical care and services that were available to this population and the poverty these regions experienced.

Keys then began the long running Seven Countries Study and monitored the lifestyle and dietary habits of 12,700 middle-aged men in the U.S., Finland, the Netherlands, and then Yugoslavia, Italy, Japan and Greece.When the data was examined, the people who were the healthiest ate a diet where fruits and vegetables, grains, beans and fish were the basis of daily meals and valued vigorous physical activity and high social interaction. At the top of the list were the residents of Crete.

Scientists have intensely studied the eating and lifestyle patterns characteristic of the Mediterranean Diet for more than half a century. And with dozens of research studies, the evidence is that this way of eating and living results in an across-the-board reduction of chronic disease and increased longevity.

This evidence confirmed that certain Mediterranean lifestyles and dietary patterns were connected with good health. As a result, in the 1990s, Old Ways, an internationally respected nonprofit organization, joined in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health to provide global education and information on this important disease-preventing evidence.

What the article has apparently overlooked is that the Mediterranean Diet is not just about what people eat. It is about the values, habits, relationships, quality of how food is grown and the quantity of how food consumed by these particular groups — not just how or what they eat. A point that is often missed by the media is that health is not isolated to one’s diet. The whole health of an individual is about the physical, emotional, nutritional, environmental and even spiritual components that create our overall state of health. Our dietary choices and habits can be seen as a metaphor of what the overall or whole picture of that individual’s health is expressing. We eat how we think, feel, work and behave, all of which are influenced by our environment, values, age, financial and education levels and even by our gender.

Beyond just nutritional health, the Mediterranean Diet promotes a way of living that includes the following components, which could explain the positive health benefits.

Intense physical activity that includes work and all its forms of movement; farming, building, planting, gardening, dancing, sports, house work, child care or any activity that provides a non-sedentary daily routine.

Consuming many types and varieties of food in moderation as a form of nourishment — both physically and socially, as well as sharing with others.

  • Meals are a part of the social and family fabric and are not taken alone.
  • Time spent eating is relaxing, nourishing and pleasurable.
  • Foods choices often include fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds.
  • Olive oil is an important monounsaturated fat source in the diet.
  • Dairy products, fish and poultry are consumed in low to modest amounts, and little red meat is eaten.
  • Eggs are consumed zero to four times a week.
  • Wine, a component of social family sharing and bonding, is a dietary staple this is consumed in low to moderate amounts.

Is it any surprise that Europeans, who now have McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, electronic messaging that is replacing relationships and high credit card debt (none of which were there when the Seven Countries Study began), are becoming as obese and unhealthy as Americans are?

What is missing from many “nutrition books of the week” is the organic, common sense understanding that the food we eat is just part of a multi-faceted set of choices we make in how we choose to live and behave. Many of these choices are based on our personal and collective social values.

I was recently asked, in a conversation with an advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General, what I thought was the solution to health care cost reduction. I stated and firmly believe that until we as a nation return to the values we embraced and lived by up until the mid-1980s, a time when the “The Lifestyles of The Rich and Famous“ became the national obsession, we will remain a nation of countless individuals who feel in many ways marginalized from contributing our skills and talents — who are hungry to be seen, heard and valued.

This lack of belonging leads to poor nutrition and behavior choices, which serve in our efforts to self-sooth and self-medicate, as the world we inhabit continues on its trajectory of financial and societal misdirection. Yes, the Mediterranean Diet does exist, but the values that make it a healthy way of life are rapidly fading.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my radio show Living Above The Drama.

Is Bisphenol A (BPA) Still Hiding in Your Food?

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Most of us engaged in health professions are already aware that there are lots of dangerous materials like additives, dyes, pesticides and carcinogens in our foods. What many of us are not aware of is that in the containers that our foods come in, especially take out, there are chemicals in the materials that may be even more harmful than the additives, dyes and pesticides.

By now you have probably heard of the dangers of the toxic chemical Bisphenol A (BPA). This chemical can be found in polycarbonate plastic food containers, bottles and takeout food containers. Numerous articles have been written on breast cancer and prostate cancer that result from exposure to the BPA contained in packaging and containers that carry food stuffs.

Recent, important environmental health study findings pertinent to health coach certification were published in March in the online journal Environmental Health Perspectives. A study was conducted by two organizations concerned with the environmental causes of breast cancer, the Breast Cancer Fund and Silent Spring Institute. The study was on the dangers of BPA.

The organizations identified and followed five (5) families who frequently used packaged food and drinks which were made for microwave preparation. The BPA levels of these families, which both consisted of a mother, father and two children, were measured and recorded.

Then, these same families ate fresh, organic food cooked only in glass or stainless steel containers. The immediate results on the level of BPA in their bodies with  the packaged food and fresh food was measured via urine collection, at varied intervals of the testing.

The outcomes were significant with all participants having lowered BPA levels in 72 hour period after the BPA rich packaging was exchanged with glass and stainless steel containers. The average decrease in the BPA was approximately 60%.

The study demonstrated that as quickly as six (6) hours after exposure, half the BPA is eliminated through the urine. However, if the prior use of the BPA rich packaging is resumed, the BPA levels demonstrate a return to the pre-intervention level on urine analysis. When the families resumed their normal diets, their BPA levels returned to pre-intervention levels by the next urine sample.

What is important about this study is that it demonstrates that we can easily reduce the levels of BPA our bodies are exposed to by eliminating the use of the packaging it is found in and by cooking and preparing our foods more naturally. It is important not to use these BPA rich containers to microwave in as this increases the amount of BPA exposure.

Using glass or ceramic containers in the microwave is healthier and most importantly, they contain no BPA.  By also avoiding canned foods (unless the cans are BPA free) you will cut down on this dangerous exposure for both you and your family.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my radio show Living Above The Drama.

 

A Holistic Approach To Fibromyalgia

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A Holistic Approach To Treating Fibromyalgia Patients By Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD

Fibromyalgia is a condition that millions of Americans suffer from. Translating from the Latin and Greek roots, it means “pain in the fibrous muscle and connective tissues.” The major identifying symptom is intense, chronic pain in the muscles tissues, which are highly sensitive to pressure. The sensitivity is often located throughout the body and can move and shift without any apparent rhyme or reason. Let’s explore whole health approaches to bring relief.

It has been observed that fibromyalgia is often accompanied with a host of other symptoms such as joint pain and difficulty with movement, fatigue and exhaustion, difficulty sleeping or getting restful sleep, as well as headaches and other symptoms.

What can be frustrating for sufferers is that even after many decades of clinical research on fibromyalgia, medical experts refer to this condition as a “medically unexplained syndrome.” As learned in health coach certification, we know the condition is clinically defined as a history of widespread pain in the connective tissues that persist for over 12 weeks and which affects both sides of the body, including regions both above and below the waist.

The prevailing medical course of treatment offered includes muscle relaxants, anti-depressants, and even anti-seizure medication. The onjective of prescribing these drugs is to affect the nervous system function and thereby reduce pain. Unfortunately, one of the side affects of these medications is that they can also produce lethargy and fatigue, creating a “dog chasing tail scenario” for the sufferer.

Holistic treatment plans have been shown to be very effective in alleviating both the pain and other related fibromyalgia symptoms. The available holistic and alternative medicine approaches from health coach certification incorporate medication, patient education, aerobic exercise, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Here is how connective tissue and muscle fibers function in normal conditions as well as in fibromyalgia state: Energy is produced in each muscle cell, which in turn allows the muscle fiber bundles to move. When energy is produced through the Krebs Cycle inside each cell, crystal-like acids are produced. Lactic and pyruvic acids can build up in the spaces between the muscle fibers if there is a lack of proper blood flow or if the muscles are so tensed that these by-products cannot be removed with normal circulatory function.

The more tense the muscle, the more diminished the circulation, and the greater the tissue build up of these highly irritating acids. Over time, the surrounding tissues become highly inflamed and a chronic, painful syndrome is established.

This means that Fibromyalgia is a stress-fueled condition. As a result, it has been found that any options related to reducing stress and muscle tension, along with increasing circulation and relaxation, can be highly effective.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my hit radio show Living Above The Drama.

 

Aloe Vera – a Star of Holistic Healing

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In the field of holistic medicine and Whole Health Care aloe vera is rightly famed for its impressive skin healing properties, as many of us who’ve suffered sun burns can attest! This wonder plant has proven to be one of the most versatile remedies found in Nature’s pharmacy. Derived from the leaves of the succulent perennial Aloe barbadensis miller – one of 420 species that make up the genus Aloe – the vitamin and mineral rich gel is applied for a wide array of medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic purposes. Aloe vera has even been tested by the United States government as a potential treatment for radiation burns in the event of nuclear warfare. Let’s take a closer look at aloe’s amazing attributes, and how it can help in achieving greater holistic health.

Aloe comes in two forms: gel, the most used variant, is extracted from the inner part of the leaf while aloe latex, which can be ingested orally, is taken from under the plant’s kin. As mentioned above aloe has a trove of vitamins and minerals, with up to 75 potentially active components being identified, all vital for insuring proper functioning of all the major body systems. Among them are Vitamins A, C, E, and B12, all 8 essential amino acids, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, as well as the anti-inflammatory hormones called auxins and gibberellins which aid in wound healing. It also provides 4 anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids, including cholesterol. All of these components contribute to aloe’s renowned skin treating capabilities; on record as far back as Ancient Egypt (the queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra utilized it for cosmetic purposes). It is highly esteemed in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, two of the oldest systems of practice in the world. In 1820 Aloe was formally listed by American pharmacopeias, before being clinically tested in the 1930s in the treatment of radiotherapy burns.   In addition to its time tested role in treating burns, its antiseptic properties have proven beneficial for conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, herpes, and cold sores, as well for wound treatment.

Aloe’s antibacterial elements also make it a good treatment option for dry scalp and dandruff, helping to eliminate dead skin cells and insure healthy skin growth on the scalp. It has also been shown to treat constipation, due to its high content of anthraquinones, compounds that act as natural laxatives. Coupled with its strong anti-inflammatory agents, Aloe’s laxative properties make it a potential treatment for digestive problems, helping to balance acid/alkaline levels, stimulate digestive bacteria, heal stomach ulcers, and normalize bowel function. A study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences suggests Aloe could potentially be used to aid in alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): 33 patients who were instructed to drink 30 milliliters of aloe juice twice a day reported noticeable improvement in their IBS related pain, as well as a reduction in their flatulence levels.

Enzyme laden aloe can help maintain optimal cell health, transmuting proteins into amino acids and enzymes into energy utilized by cells. Its high zinc content also contributes to maximum immune function helping to combat disease, promote immune enhancing hormone receptors, and destroy harmful bacteria. As mentioned previously aloe’s high vitamin and mineral levels can assist in lowering inflammation, the underlying “silent killer” behind many of today’s medical conditions. Its rich antioxidant properties help to reduce damage by free radicals, maintain cell health, and shield the skin from cancer inducing damage from UV rays. Some interesting evidence seems to indicate that aloe can be a potential remedy for diabetes, as it appears to positively influence chronic hypoglycemia.

While no major side effects have been reported for topical use of Aloe gel, taking large amounts of Aloe latex orally can be potentially hazardous. Symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, loss of vision, muscle weakness, and nausea. Doses of 1 gram per day or more can lead to kidney damage and stomach ulcers. Women who are pregnant or nursing are advised not to take aloe orally, as it may generate a miscarriage or premature birth. It can also lead to problems if ingested by children under 12 such as cramping, nausea, and diarrhea. People diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, colitis, and other intestinal disorders should also avoid it, as it is a powerful bowel irritant.

When it comes to selecting aloe, not all products are created equal. Mass commercial practices of grinding, crushing, pressing, and filtration of aloe extracts can remove most of not all of the active properties. To get the greatest bang for your buck be sure to verify the product labels carefully, and look for the International Aloe Science Council certification mark. And, as with all dietary and herbal supplements, consult your healthcare provider before incorporating aloe vera into your self-care and Whole Health regime.

For more whole health discussions, visit Living Above The Drama and tune in to Dr. Georgianna Donadio's hit show on iHeartRadio.

Can One Drink A Day Prevent Dementia?

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dementia and alcohol consumption, dr. georgianna donadio

Research reveals that one drink per day may reduce the onset of dementia in elderly people. Having one drink per day may impede the progress of cognitive impairment for seniors. A study at the University of Bari, Italy, involving 1,445 people between the ages of 65 through 85, suggests that those who routinely consume one alcoholic beverage per day developed dementia and Alzheimer's disease at a slower rate than those who didn't.

Of those in the drinking group, only 121 had developed mild cognitive impairment, which included mild memory or mental problems. The trend was revealed while tracking participants in the the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging who were followed for three and a half years. It is still unclear how small alcohol consumption protects against dementia but researchers believe that it is possible that alcohol is good for circulation and may slow the hardening of arteries that supply the brain.

Despite this discovery, many experts believe that alcohol use alone won't stop the onset of dementia and that adopting a whole health lifestyle is  the best way of protecting yourself. This would include a healthy diet, exercise, and social stimulation. Other health studies have already shown that wine contains natural compounds that have an antioxidant effect, which is good for circulation.

Alzheimer's organizations continue to investigate the possible benefits of fruit juice, red wine, and oily fish in efforts to determine ways to help offset the expected numbers of people who may develop dementia in the coming years.

Moderate alcohol consumption (one or two glasses of wine, or other alcoholic drinks, per day) has shown a long and consistent association with a reduced risk of morbidity and mortality from a number of common chronic diseases. In addition to antioxidants in wine, stress reduction by alcohol, may be the common denominator behind these benefits.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama available on iHeartRadio.

Should You Consider Adding Aloe Vera and Aloe Vera Juice To Your Daily Routine?

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While aloe vera is rightly famed for its impressive skin healing properties (as many of us who’ve suffered sun burns can attest!) this wonder plant has proven to be one of the most versatile remedies found in Nature’s pharmacy. Derived from the leaves of the succulent perennial Aloe barbadensis miller – one of 420 species that make up the genus Aloe – the vitamin and mineral rich gel is applied for a wide array of medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic purposes. Aloe vera has even been tested by the United States government as a potential treatment for radiation burns in the event of nuclear warfare. Let’s take a closer look at aloe’s amazing attributes, and how it can help in achieving greater whole person health.

Aloe comes in two forms: gel, the most used variant, is extracted from the inner part of the leaf while aloe latex, which can be ingested orally, is taken from under the plant’s kin. As mentioned above aloe has a trove of vitamins and minerals, with up to 75 potentially active components being identified, all vital for insuring proper functioning of all the major body systems. Among them are Vitamins A, C, E, and B12, all 8 essential amino acids, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, as well as the anti-inflammatory hormones called auxins and gibberellins which aid in wound healing. It also provides 4 anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids, including cholesterol. All of these components contribute to aloe’s renowned skin treating capabilities; on record as far back as Ancient Egypt (the queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra utilized it for cosmetic purposes). It is highly esteemed in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, two of the oldest systems of practice in the world. In 1820 Aloe was formally listed by American pharmacopeias, before being clinically tested in the 1930s in the treatment of radiotherapy burns.   In addition to its time tested role in treating burns, its antiseptic properties have proven beneficial for conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, herpes, and cold sores, as well for wound treatment.

Aloe’s antibacterial elements also make it a good treatment option for dry scalp and dandruff, helping to eliminate dead skin cells and insure healthy skin growth on the scalp. Holistically trained nurses and physicians recommend it for many skin conditions. It has also been shown to treat constipation, due to its high content of anthraquinones, compounds that act as natural laxatives. Coupled with its strong anti-inflammatory agents, Aloe’s laxative properties make it a potential treatment for digestive problems, helping to balance acid/alkaline levels, stimulate digestive bacteria, heal stomach ulcers, and normalize bowel function. A study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences suggests Aloe could potentially be used to aid in alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): 33 patients who were instructed to drink 30 milliliters of aloe juice twice a day reported noticeable improvement in their IBS related pain, as well as a reduction in their flatulence levels.

Enzyme laden aloe can help maintain optimal cell health, transmuting proteins into amino acids and enzymes into energy utilized by cells. Its high zinc content also contributes to maximum immune function helping to combat disease, promote immune enhancing hormone receptors, and destroy harmful bacteria. As mentioned previously aloe’s high vitamin and mineral levels can assist in lowering inflammation, the underlying “silent killer” behind many of today’s medical conditions. Its rich antioxidant properties help to reduce damage by free radicals, maintain cell health, and shield the skin from cancer inducing damage from UV rays. Some interesting evidence seems to indicate that aloe can be a potential remedy for diabetes, as it appears to positively influence chronic hypoglycemia. As recently noted by Jackie Kai Ellis during an interview on Living Above The Drama: Food, apart from its actual function, can also be a metaphor for the nourishment we all need in life. Many users report feeling rejuvenated not just physically, but emotionally—a byproduct effect of taking good care of ourselves.

While no major side effects have been reported for topical use of Aloe gel, taking large amounts of Aloe latex orally can be potentially hazardous. Symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, loss of vision, muscle weakness, and nausea. Doses of 1 gram per day or more can lead to kidney damage and stomach ulcers. Women who are pregnant or nursing are advised not to take aloe orally, as it may generate a miscarriage or premature birth. It can also lead to problems if ingested by children under 12 such as cramping, nausea, and diarrhea. People diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, colitis, and other intestinal disorders should also avoid it, as it is a powerful bowel irritant.

When it comes to selecting aloe, not all products are created equal. Mass commercial practices of grinding, crushing, pressing, and filtration of aloe extracts can remove most of not all of the active properties. To get the greatest bang for your buck be sure to verify the product labels carefully, and look for the International Aloe Science Council certification mark. And, as with all dietary and herbal supplements, consult your healthcare provider before incorporating aloe vera into your self-care and Whole Health regime.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama available on iHeartRadio.

*To listen to the full interview with Dr. Georgianna Donadio and Jackie Kai Ellis, visit Living Above The Drama.

Feel Your Best With Holistic Healing

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fell better with holistic healing approach

 

This week, we are taking a closer look at holistic healing. What is it? And how can it benefit you long term? At the core of holistic healing, or whole health, is the idea that body, mind, spirit, and emotions all effect your state of being. Good health relies on balance and wellness in all of these areas, which are intimately linked. Therefore, holistic healing is fostered by a whole health approach that encompasses all of these field.  In order to look and feel your best, in addition to reducing your risk of cancer or heart disease, you should start by considering each of these facets.

Eat Well

Many of us fall into the trap of eating the same foods the majority of the time. So, it’s easy to slip into eating habits you aren’t even aware of. There are basic rules that we should live by. We should aim to drink an eight-ounce glass of water first thing in the morning, which helps to rehydrate and make us more alert.  Throughout the say we should drink a total of at least 64 ounces of water daily to hydrate our body and skin.

At every meal, we should sit down — and eat slowly. Not only do we enjoy the food more this way, but we consume less. Breakfast is still the most important mean of the day. It should be the biggest meal of the day, filled with whole foods and whole grains. For example, half a grapefruit, one slice of whole-grain toast with butter and two scrambled eggs. A balanced lunch might include turkey or chicken with a complex carbohydrate, such as sweet potatoes, and veggies or half a tuna sandwich on whole-grain bread. Dinner should be light for easy digestion before bedtime. A healthy dinner example is salmon, tomatoes and vegetables. This should be consumed no later than7 pm. Snacking throughout the day should be limited to fruit, especially apples, or protein drinks made with whey. Going too long between meals or snacks will cause us to get hungry. That’s when we overeat.

Opt for natural carbohydrates, the ones that come from the ground, such as rice, yams, sweet potatoes and beans… and whole-grain breads and cereals in moderation. And when eating carbohydrates, add some fat or protein. When you eat a carbohydrate by itself, you get a bloated-belly feeling.

Move Often

Think of working out as the secret weapon that provides the stamina for everything else we want to do in life. Try to include a 30- to 45-minute routine every day. A nice balance would include 30 minutes on a treadmill or elliptical trainer, or walking outdoors, followed by 15 minutes of weights for the shoulders, biceps and upper body.

To find an exercise regimen that works for you: Do something you like enough to stick with. Try daily power-walking, join a class at your gym, play tennis, do Pilates. Or go back to what was fun when you were a kid, such as bicycling and/or swimming.

 

Sleep More

Try to get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep a night. Sleep is how your body repairs itself from the day’s activity. Our bodies are a chemistry lab, not a bank account. When you shortchange your sleep patterns, you’re not only tired the next day — you’ve also lost out on critical healing.

Good Communication

Look people in the eyes and smile when you talk to them. When you greet someone, focus on sending out positive energy, and this energy will translate through your own eyes. People will experience you as radiating warmth — and, yes, youth.

Positive Attitude

Think positively all the time. According to the National Science Foundation, we have more than 65,000 thoughts per day, nearly 95% of which are the same thoughts we had the day before. We have the ability to create and shape our life experiences through our thoughts. This is essential for older people because it’s downright rejuvenating to believe that there is still plenty of time left to create positive experiences in life.

As you go through your daily exercise routine, practice turning every negative or fearful thought you have into a positive one.

In Summary

These basic guidelines affect your body, mind, emotions, and spirit to elicit holistic healing. Everything you do daily affects your health, and how you look and feel overall. From the foods you eat, to the thoughts you think, everything encompasses the realm of whole health.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama available on iHeartRadio.

Can Better Relationships Improve Your Health?

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can better relationships improve your health? georgianna donadio

A report in the Harvard Women’s Health Watch notes that research supports the benefits of relationships for overall well-being and longevity. The newsletter notes that “dozens of studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with family, friends, and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer. [A] lack of social ties is associated with depression and later-life cognitive decline, as well as with increased mortality.” 

A study of more than 309,000 people demonstrates that folks who lack satisfying relationships with family, friends and community experience an increased risk of premature death from all causes of 50 percent. While this alone is an amazing statistic, the same study shows that you face greater threat to your mortality from social isolation than from a lack of exercise, obesity or even smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day.

Having enjoyable, fulfilling companionship with others reduces stress levels and keeps cortisol (a stress hormone) under control. If cortisol rises, it can adversely impact insulin function, suppress the immune system, clog the arteries and wreck digestion.

can healthy relationships improve your health?Other studies demonstrate that women in their 40s who endure difficult or negative marital-type relationships experience a higher risk for cardiovascular disease than women with fulfilling relationships.

A Swedish study of people 75 years and older shows that dementia risk is lowest for people who maintain satisfying relationships and have a large group of friends and family they enjoyed.

The foundation of all relationships is good communication. Most people are unaware of how their lack of communication skills adversely affect the quality of their relationships.

Working to improve your communication skills may be easier than you imagine. It requires only desire and a few simple, proven steps to make a big change in the quality of your interactions.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama available on iHeartRadio.

 

 

 

Are You Using Integrative Medicine For Better Healing?

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Are You Using Integrative Medicine For Better Healing?

There is no doubt that today more and more people are turning to integrative medicine and alternative modalities for their health concerns and disease prevention. This popular movement, winning one out of every two American consumers as converts, may seem to some like a new idea or a “health revolution.” In reality, it is a return to a period in time, over 400 years ago, when health was seen from a more whole person, integrated and even spiritual perspective.

Until the early 1600’s, the realm of human health was believed to represent a person’s spiritual state. If one was healthy, that meant they bore no demons. If one was sick, that meant they needed to purge sickness, which was seen as a “possession” or a spiritual incorrectness that had to be remedied. The prevailing church of the day, ruled by the Vatican, exerted a huge influence over the medical community and how people viewed the cause and cure of their disease.

In 1612, Rene Descartes, a powerful, influential physician and scientist, declared “I think, therefore I am.” He held that the mind and body were two separate, unrelated parts of a human being. Descartes led the political movement to separate the body from the soul, a separation in which he and his peers literally brokered a deal with the Vatican, which was reluctant to give up control over its flock. However, the “scientific revolution” was gripping the culture and the church knew it was prudent to agree. Thus, the division of the mind and body began and the practice of medicine started down the slippery slope to where we find ourselves today.

Since this division set up a medical system that treated only physical health, it became considered, by the mass majority, that this form of medicine was the only legitimate form of healthcare. However, over the course of the past 50 years people have grown sicker and increasingly dissatisfied with the medical system. This led to an increase in the use of “untried” remedies and treatments, which offered success and often cures for varied ailments. This “alternative medicine” attempts to address the whole person rather than just the physical body. Because of the success of alternative medicine, and the resultant popularity, we are currently experiencing a renaissance of the “whole-person” body, mind and spirit approach to healing.

Today, thanks to the internet, we have more information about every aspect of health than ever before. Still, there exists confusion between allopathic medicine and integrative medicine regarding how their treatment approaches differ and how one can discern what is right for their particular need or condition. By comparing and contrasting both approaches individuals can be empowered with information to make an educated decision about how they would like to address their personal healthcare and what forms they would like to incorporate.

Often called modern medicine, conventional or traditional, allopathic medicine defines health as the absence of disease, disorder or problem. This is most often attained by administering drugs or surgery that produce the opposite effect of the problem.

In allopathic medicine, the main cause of illness is considered to be viruses or bacteria. Scientific tests are used to diagnose before drugs or surgery are prescribed. Furthermore, the emphasis here is more on “attacking the problem,” which is seen as an invader or enemy outside the self, rather than exploring the cause and effect of the problem and working to identify what needs to be changed or altered to bring about the return of health.

On the opposite spectrum, alternative, natural, complementary or holistic medicine addresses the problem or condition from a focus of identifying what particular choices or behaviors the individual might be making that are leading to the expression of symptoms collectively called their “disease or diagnosis.”

In contrast, because integrative medicine bridges the gap between traditional and alternative medicine, an integrative physician or practitioner would evaluate not only the patient’s physical health, but also the other aspects of their life that may be influencing their health. Scientific evidence and ancient teachings have proven that there are multiple components to health that make up a whole person, therefore, illness cannot be cured or wellness realized without taking multiple aspects into account.

For example, a traditional allopathic approach to a sore throat could include a drug substance or over the counter aspirin and possibly a cough and sore throat medicine. The integrative medical practitioner trained to stimulate the body’s healing potential, may prescribe nutritional changes, herbs, aromatherapy, gargling with various natural extracts, vitamins, garlic, broths, vegetable juice or extracts, calcium sources or homeopathic remedies.

The options we are offered today through Integrative Medicine invite us to become more proactive and better informed as health care consumers. This empowers us to take greater control over our health outcomes and longevity. That’s a prescription for good health we can all live with.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama available on iHeartRadio.