Benefits of Fish Oil for Fitness and Health

When the words oils and fats are mentioned, health-conscious individuals tend to run for cover. What they fail to realize is that there are good fats and bad fats. Complete avoidance of intake of oils and fats would actually be detrimental – rather than beneficial – to their health.

The Truth about Fish Oil
Essential fatty acids must always be part of our daily diet – without them, we take one step closer to our deaths. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs and omega-3 EFAS.

Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth. The good news, however, is that the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils while omega-3 EFAs can be found in fish oils among other foods.

Omega-6 vs. Omega-3
Physicians and scientists are of the same opinion that the cause behind increasing cases of heart disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain kinds of cancer is none other than an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.

As mentioned earlier on, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to corn oil and soy oil, both of which contains high amounts of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs on the other hand can be found also in marine plankton and walnut and flaxseed oils. It should be significant to take note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids that have been observed to provide many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970’s, a study on Greenland Eskimos have revealed that one of the major reasons why they rarely suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish).

The two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplemented food have also proven to be useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Other Benefits of Fish Oil
There are a lot more illnesses and situations in which intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial.

Making the Heart Healthier
The heart is inarguably one of the most important parts of our body and having an unhealthy heart means having to suffer a rather limited lifespan. Naturally, it’s in our best interests to keep our hearts happy and healthy and one way of doing that is eating food that contains fish oil.

In Athens, Greece, for instance, a study was made to show if there was a direct relationship between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results revealed that those who ate more fish than the others had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, factors that are commonly used to measure likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with high fish diet were taken into account.

Fish to Become Thin
In Perth, Australia, a study had revealed that fish consumption can be used against hypertension and obesity. Researchers of the UWA (University of Western Australia) have discovered that a weight-loss diet which includes a regular amount of fish consumption can be quite effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.

Fish Oil to Combat Asthma
People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma tend to be perceived as unfit and unhealthy. They should now be pleased to learn that certain studies have revealed the benefits of fish oil for asthma-burdened-individuals. Statistics show that approximately 20 to 25% of children today suffer one form of asthma or another at a certain point in their lives. And certain evidence reveals a regular diet of food with high linoleic acid content as the reason behind it.

Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study by subjecting a number of children to a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. Results revealed that the participants who ate more fish were less prone to asthma attacks and were able to breathe more easily as well.

Consult Your Nutritionist Now
Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful as well. Ask your nutritionist for the right amount of fish intake for your age and health status.

Why Muscles Get Sore

As people age, they begin to complain more of pains in their muscles and joints. They seem to stiffen up with age, and such commonplace activities as bending over for the morning paper can make them wince.

Such pain can grip so fiercely that they are sure it begins deep in their bones. But the real cause of stiffness and soreness lies not in the joints or bones, according to research at the Johns Hopkins Medical School, but in the muscles and connective tissues that move the joints.

The frictional resistance generated by the two rubbing surfaces of bones in the joints is negligible, even in joints damaged by arthritis.

Flexibility is the medical term used to describe the range of a joint’s motion from full movement in one direction to full movement in the other. The greater the range of movement, the more flexible the joint.

If you bend forward at the hips and touch your toes with your fingertips, you have good flexibility, or range of motion of the hip joints. But can you bend over easily with a minimal expenditure of energy and force? The exertion required to flex a joint is just as important as its range of possible motion.

Different factors limit the flexibility and ease of movement in different joints and muscles. In the elbow and knee, the bony structure itself sets a definite limit. In other joints, such as the ankle, hip, and back, the soft tissue—muscle and connective tissue—limit the motion range.

The problem of inflexible joints and muscles is similar to the difficulty of opening and closing a gate because of a rarely used and rusty hinge that has become balky.

Hence, if people do not regularly move their muscles and joints through their full ranges of motion, they lose some of their potential. That is why when these people will try to move a joint after a long period of inactivity, they feel pain, and that discourages further use

What happens next is that the muscles become shortened with prolonged disuse and produces spasms and cramps that can be irritating and extremely painful. The immobilization of muscles, as researchers have demonstrated with laboratory animals, brings about biochemical changes in the tissue.

However, other factors trigger sore muscles. Here are some of them:

1. Too much exercise

Have you always believed on the saying, “No pain, no gain?” If you do, then, it is not so surprising if you have already experienced sore muscles.

The problem with most people is that they exercise too much thinking that it is the fastest and the surest way to lose weight. Until they ache, they tend to ignore their muscles and connective tissue, even though they are what quite literally holds the body together.

2. Aging and inactivity

Connective tissue binds muscle to bone by tendons, binds bone to bone by ligaments, and covers and unites muscles with sheaths called fasciae. With age, the tendons, ligaments, and fasciae become less extensible. The tendons, with their densely packed fibers, are the most difficult to stretch. The easiest are the fasciae. But if they are not stretched to improve joint mobility, the fasciae shorten, placing undue pressure on the nerve pathways in the muscle fasciae. Many aches and pains are the result of nerve impulses traveling along these pressured pathways.

3. Immobility

Sore muscles or muscle pain can be excruciating, owing to the body’s reaction to a cramp or ache. In this reaction, called the splinting reflex, the body automatically immobilizes a sore muscle by making it contract. Thus, a sore muscle can set off a vicious cycle pain.

First, an unused muscle becomes sore from exercise or being held in an unusual position. The body then responds with the splinting reflex, shortening the connective tissue around the muscle. This cause more pain, and eventually the whole area is aching. One of the most common sites for this problem is the lower back.

4. Spasm theory

In the physiology laboratory at the University of Southern California, some people have set out to learn more about this cycle of pain.

Using some device, they measured electrical activity in the muscles. The researchers knew that normal, well-relaxed muscles produce no electrical activity, whereas, muscles that are not fully relaxed show considerable activity.

In one experiment, the researchers measured these electrical signals in the muscles of persons with athletic injuries, first with the muscle immobilized, and then, after the muscle had been stretched.

In almost every case, exercises that stretched or lengthened the muscle diminished electrical activity and relieved pain, either totally or partially.

These experiments led to the “spasm theory,” an explanation of the development and persistence of muscle pain in the absence of any obvious cause, such as traumatic injury.

According to this theory, a muscle that is overworked or used in a strange position becomes fatigued and as a result, sore muscles.

Hence, it is extremely important to know the limitations and capacity of the muscles in order to avoid sore muscles. This goes to show that there is no truth in the saying, “No pain, no gain.” What matters most is on how people stay fit by exercising regularly at a normal range than once rarely but on a rigid routine.

Quick Tips to Boost Your Metabolism

There are a lot of people who would give a lot to increase their metabolism. Having a high level of metabolism enables one to maintain burn fat and lose weight fast with the least amount of activity. Metabolism is the rate by which the body produces and consumes energy and calories to support life.

There are several factors that affect the metabolism of a person, such as the amount of muscle tissue, the frequency of the meals one consumes, genetics, stress levels, personal diet and activity levels. Metabolism slows done due to the following: loss of muscle because of not enough physical activity, the tendency of the body to cannibalize its own tissue because there is not enough food energy to sustain it, and the decrease of physical activity that comes naturally with old age.

Here are several ways to fire up one's metabolism:

1. Build up on lean, mean body mass. It is only natural that metabolism decreases along with age, but it is possible to counter the effects. The amount of muscle a person has is a very strong determinant in the ability to burn calories and shed fat. So it goes without saying that exercise is essential. Build strength and resistance by working out at least twice a week, preferably with weights. Do easy exercises in between workouts. Simple tasks such as walking the dog and using the stairs in place of the elevator can already take off calories. The key is to match the amount of eating to the amount of activity one has. Here are some guidelines in getting the right exercise:

For strength training

-Increase the amount of repetitions of a particular exercise.
-Add the level of resistance
-Utilize advance exercise techniques if possible

For cardiovascular training

-Insert intervals between exercises
-Perform cross-training and combine the exercises
-Add up on resistance and speed


2. Eat breakfast. A lot of people are ignoring the fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Surprisingly, the ones who eat breakfast are thinner than the ones who do not. Metabolism can slow down considerably if breakfast is taken during mid-morning or if one waits until the afternoon to eat.

3. Avoid sugar. Sugar enables the body to store fat. It is recommended that a person consumes food that helps sustain an even level of blood-sugar. Additionally, progressive execerise 2-3 times a week should be in order to stabilize blood sugar.

4. Eat spicy foods. Hot cuisine with peppers can increase metabolism.

5. Sleep more. According to research, it is riskier for people who do not get enough sleep to gain weight. Also, muscles are regenerated during the last couple of hours of slumber.

6. Increase water intake. Water flushes out toxins that are produced whenever the body burns fat. Majority of bodily functions involves water, and lack of water causes the body system's operations to decrease its speed, and produces unneeded stress as a result.

7. Eat smaller meals. It is advisable to consume 4 to 6 small meals that are timed 2 to 3 hours apart.

8. Never skip meals. People tend to skip meals in order to lose weight, which is a big mistake since it slows down metabolism.

9. Plan meals in detail. Always prepare the right amount of food to be consumed at the designated intervals. Do not commit the mistake of eating meals in sporadic patterns.

9. Ditch the stress! Stress, be it physical or emotional, triggers the release of a steroid called cortisol, which decreases metabolism. Also, people tend to eat excessively when stressed.

10. Guzzle up on green tea. It can be used as a substitute for coffee. Tea has the ability to stimulate metabolism, and unlike coffee, it has no undesirable side effects when too much is consumed.

11. Include more energy foods in the diet, such as fruits and vegetables, beans and whole grains.

Achieving the desired body weight is never impossible if one has the determination and patience needed to stabilize the metabolism level, which plays an important role in weight loss. A person needs to realize that eating right and working out is not just a passing fancy, but a way of life.

How to Read Food Labels

You cannot measure every morsel that passes your lips, but it is a good idea to measure most foods and beverages until you get a feel for portion sizes.

It is a supersized world out there, and most people are surprised to find that their idea of a single serving is actually two or three.

If you are into bells and whistles, there are food scales that are preprogrammed with nutritional information, as well as scales that will keep a running total of your daily food and nutrient intake for you. The only tools you really need, however, are a simple and inexpensive gram scale, dry and liquid measuring cups, and idea on reading food labels.

Among all of the mentioned tools, reading food labels seem to be the most effective way of determining the right kind of food to be bought in the supermarket. It lets you make sensible food selections. Through the “Nutrition Facts” section in a particular item in the grocery, you can identify the amount of serving sizes provided in that product.

With food labels, you can clearly understand the amount and kinds of nutrients that are provided in the item. Usually, it contains the information on saturated fat, sodium, total fat, fiber, and cholesterol amount “per serving.”

However, understanding and reading these food labels can be very perplexing. A typical consumer would definitely ask what those numbers mean and how it will affect her diet intake if ever she will religiously follow the serving guide as stipulated on the food label.

To further have a clear and more comprehensive understanding of the items stated in the food label, here is a list of things that you need to know:

1. Serving size

This is the primary item you will see in a food label.

The amount of servings stated in the food label refers to the quantity of food people usually consume. However, this does not necessarily mean that it reflects your very own amount of food intake.

Moreover, serving size determines the amount of nutrients that enters the body. This means that if you will follow strictly what the serving size is, you will obtain the same amount of nutrients according to the serving size that was given in the label.

For instance, if the serving size says one serving size is equal to 54 grams, that would mean you have to measure 54 grams and eat that and you have just eaten one serving. So to speak, the amount of nutrients stated in the food label is the same amount that has entered your body considering the fact that you have just eaten 54 grams.

However, if you have eaten everything, and the food label says that each pack is equivalent to 4 servings, you have to calculate the amount of nutrients that have entered your body. This means that if the food label says 250 calories per serving that means you have to multiply it to four to get the total amount of calories you have taken.

2. Nutrients

This refers to the list of available nutrients in a particular item. It is also where the nutritional claims of the product based on the recommended daily dietary allowance are stated. Usually, the nutritional amounts are based on both the 2,500-calorie diets and the 2,000 recommended dietary allowances.

In order to understand the numeric value of each item, you should know that the “% daily value” that the food label indicates is actually based on how a particular food corresponds to the recommended daily dietary allowance for a 2,000 calorie.

If in the event that you have purchased an item that has a dietary allowance different from the 2,000-calorie diet, you just have to divide the stipulated amount by 2,000 and you will be able to identify the “%daily value” for the nutrients.

3. Ingredients

This refers to the list of the ingredients that were used to manufacture the product. The listing is usually arranged from the main ingredients that have the greater amount by weight up to the smallest quantity. This simply means that the actual quantity of the food includes the biggest quantity of the main ingredient or the first item and the minimum amount of the very last ingredient.

4. Label claim

This refers to the kinds of nutritional claims of a particular food item. For instance, if an item says it is sodium-free, it has less than 5 milligrams per serving or a low fat item actually contains 3 grams of fat or less.

Indeed, reading food labels can be very tedious and confusing. Nevertheless, once you get the hang of it, it would be easier for you to watch your diet because you can already control the amount of food that you take.

Multivitamins – A Ticket to Daily Health

An increasingly number of the world’s population is now eager and interested in looking after their health and in keeping tune with their well-being. It is important to note that this awareness is progressively contributing to the creation of several health supplements to benefit both the adults and the young ones. Dietary and vitamin supplements have constantly proven their worth to health conscious individuals.

An excellent daily multivitamin supplement does not only develop your general bodily functions but also improves your mental and physical condition and well being. Occasionally specification is needed in appropriately supplementing nutrients to deal with any individual needs. An example would be in heart disease patients, they would have to take in CoQ10 in preventing the said condition. Alzheimer’s disease can be effectively prevented by a regular combination of Vitamin C and E intake.

Multivitamin supplements necessarily include all the vitamins and nutrients essential for recommended daily dosage. Multivitamin supplements may also be formulated to meet the needs of individual conditions like pregnancy and specific age brackets. It is a well settled fact that multivitamins in liquid form are more efficient than the ordinary pill forms. This is due to the fact that the body can easily absorb liquid nutrients five times more than ordinary multivitamins in tablet or capsule form.

Basically, the body needs 13 essential vitamins to function properly. In regulating the crucial performance of the body, it has to have vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, B12, and the 7 B-complex vitamins. Majority of these vitamins are obtained by our body through the food that we eat. The danger of illness or even mortality is in the deficiency of some of the essential vitamins. This is where vitamin supplementation comes in. It counteracts the illness caused by such deficiency. With this fact, it is very unlikely for someone to refuse vitamin supplementation on a daily basis. So the question now is, why is it necessary for individuals to take multivitamins when majority of our daily diet can provide us with the basic nutrients we need? It may not be compulsory, but everyone can profit from daily multivitamins.

As previously mentioned, the clear benefit of daily intake of multivitamins it to prevent vitamin/nutrient deficiency. Some personal circumstances may increase dietary needs. Pregnant women, during their first trimester, are recommended by their doctors to take multivitamins. This does not only provide the mothers with sufficient nutrition but also proper vitamins to benefit the unborn child inside their womb. Taking multivitamins everyday reduces the risk of transmitting malnutrition from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby. Other conditions such as old age, alcoholism, smoking, and exposure to excessive pollution have long-term detrimental effects to the body system which can be successfully counteracted by multivitamins.

Stress is also one risk factor which needs serious supplementation that multivitamins can provide. Especially with people who have so much to do and have a hard time in keeping up with their health needs, multivitamins are a must to keep them always on the go without any health complications in the long run. Stress formulations benefit both your mental ability and daily endurance. Aside from the mentioned benefits, daily multivitamins also minimize the risk of cancer or any cardiovascular disease.

Several people, if not all, testify to have a feeling of comfortable health in regularly taking in multivitamins. This is due to the synergistic or combined effects of the supplemental ingredients found in multivitamins. A fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin, like the Vitamin E, works to neutralize probable harmful free agents in the body. This vitamin also maintains healthy skin through protection of cell membranes, blood circulation, heart, nerves, red blood cells, and muscles. Another antioxidant is the Vitamin C which effectively fights blood cell infection and is vital in collagen formation, wound healing, and formation of bone structures, capillaries, and teeth. Vitamin is also helpful in the iron absorption from plant sources. Vitamins A, D, K and other supplemental nutrients found in multivitamins have specific functions that benefit the bodily functions.

While daily intake of multivitamins may have proven beneficial, it is not a 100% guarantee to be free of serious illness attributed to other factors. It is often a misconception that symptoms of disease may always be cured by taking multivitamins. Health experts have the better opinion of immediate medical assistance rather than resorting to multivitamins alone.

Your Thyroid and Weight loss – The Connection is Real

Your thyroid dictates much of your metabolism, any malfunction or disease afflicting this area may cause you to have problems in metabolism leading to a drastic problem with your weight – you may either gain weight, lose weight, or may find that losing weight is harder than usual.

Those that plan diets do not take into consideration how their thyroids and metabolism may affect their weight loss program. Most experts and even the media pitch in and recommend that the best way to lose weight is cut calories.

Those with a condition called hyperthyroidism suffer from an overactive thyroid leading to one having his or her metabolism skyrocket. If this is the case, then you will probably lose weight fast. This is a nice proposition for some who wish to lose weight. However, this is actually hazardous to the health.

Aside from the medical difficulties such a disease brings, one will also notice weight problems as a result. These people have trouble keeping on weight and may notice weakness and bulging of the eyes. This disease may need special treatment from doctors.

Hypothyroidism on the other hand works in the other direction – slowing metabolism until the body gains weight at an incredible rate. Like hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism causes a general weakness in the body. It too may need special treatment and may cause serious health problems if left unattended.

While cutting calories in itself can be very hard for most people – imagine, the people involved in life and death struggles at the supermarket regarding whether to buy that extra box of sweets, some have exactly the opposite problem.

Instead of eating too much calories – which is a problem in itself, they eat too little calories instead.

Problem? What Problem
The problem with some is that they believe that since the experts say that they have to cut calories, cutting calories to an inordinate amount will reap greater results. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. While cutting calories helps diets, consuming too little calories pushed the body into a hoard mode, the body’s metabolism slow to adapt to the lesser amount of available energy.

If your body enters this mode, your body will work at such slow metabolism that losing weight becomes impossible. The technique here should be to reduce calories without the body slowing its metabolism. Only then can losing weight become easier.

Another problem that can arise from decreased metabolism is that when your metabolism slows due to a drastic reduction in metabolism, and then you suddenly eat a good, hearty, calorie-filled meal, you are bound to gain more weight owing to the increased surplus of energy.

This is why an imbalanced meal is highly discouraged among those that seek to lose weight. The sudden loss and increase of calories will cause an imbalance in one’s energy consumption directly affecting fat deposit.

Here is a simple computation to help you get to the right amount of calories you will need per day so that you get your nutrients in the right balance.

First of all, multiply your weight in kilograms by 30. If you only know your weight in pounds, divide it by 2.2 to get to its English equivalent. We divide this number by 30 because that is the number of calories you need to maintain your weight per pound of weight.

For example if your weight in pounds is 150, divide it by 2.2. That will give you a figure of 68.18. This is your weight in kilograms. Multiply this by 30 and you will arrive at the amount of calories you will need per day to maintain 150 lbs.

You may consult a nutritionist to help you come lose weight. In the end it all comes down to math. If you consume more that your body needs, it stores it as fat. Now is probably a good time to start studying the back of those grocery cartons.

Try to keep your diet at a 40% protein, 25% fat, and 35% carbohydrate meals at 300 calories per meal. Spread out these meals in a day for optimum results.

While it may be simple computation to get at numbers, do not forget the earlier mentioned fact that the body adapts to its condition. Expose it to extreme ones and you may find yourself getting results you never wanted. Consult a nutritionist for more advice.

7 Diet Secrets of the Stars

Celebrities always look fabulous. Whether appearing in television or films or strutting down the red carpet during movie premiers and awards, they never cease to fascinate us with their larger than life presence. The truth is, it takes a lot of effort to look the way they do, and being the public figures that they are, they cannot afford to slack off when it comes to taking care of their physical appearances. Their livelihood largely depends on how they look. Aside from the clothes, the hair and the makeup, celebrities have to take good care of their bodies.

So it is no surprise that these stars have their own secrets when it comes to staying fit and gorgeous. Their health agenda can range from extreme workouts to well-planned meals. Who doesn't want to know their secrets in staying absolutely sexy? Here are some of the diet secrets of seven women celebrities.

1. Jennifer Aniston
The star of the phenomenal television show Friends not only mesmerized audiences with her adorable comic sense and her famous hairstyle, she was also known for having one of the sexiest bodies in Hollywood, as she appeared in countless magazine covers. To stay trim, Jennifer follows the 40:30:30 diet method. The diet consists of:

40% Low glycemic carbohydrates
-Foods such as beans, fruits and vegetables, legumes

30% lean proteins
-Tofu, fish, chicken, turkey, beef and low fat dairy products

30% essential fats
-nuts and seeds, fish and olive oils

It is essential that every meal should contain macronutrients to attain the balance of hormones and maximum weight loss.

2. Kate Hudson
The gorgeous daughter of actress Goldie Hawn gained 60 pounds during her pregnancy, which she needed to shed quickly before commencing on her next film. From her previous eating plan, she switched to a higher protein diet. She consumed high protein meals in smaller portions, and she combined this diet with an exercise program that includes weight training and cardiovascular workouts. After getting a lot of flak because of her post-pregnancy figure, Kate removed all that baby weight in only four months and has gained abdominal muscles that gained the envy of many in Hollywood.

3. Oprah Winfrey
As one of the most successful talk-show hosts in the world, there is no question that Oprah needs to maintain her physical appearance for her millions of audiences. Known as one of those celebrities who are constantly battling weight gain, she has recently toned up her figure and has never looked figure in age 50 by combining a regular exercise regime and diet plan. Oprah works out five days a week, spending 30 minutes on the threadmill and doing free weights. Her eating plan consists of legumes, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables, chicken and dairy products that are lowfat. She limits her consumption of white sugar and flour. Oprah also credits her trim figure to her habit of not eating anything after seven in the evening.

4. Gwyneth Paltrow
A lot of people may find it hard to believe that the perpetually slim Academy award-winning actress actually needs to diet. Gwyneth actually follows a healthy eating plan that resembles Oprah's, avoiding sugar and white flour. She usually follows a macrobiotic diet, eating foods like vegetables, brown rice, and lean meat. She also eliminated dairy from her diet, and does yoga everyday.

5. Madonna
The pop star known as the Material Girl has always flaunted a body that is to die for, and has become a true fitness paragon over the years. She keeps herself in tip-top shape by having Ashtanga Yoga, and follows a strict diet that mostly shuns junk foods. She adopted a macrobiotic eating plan that includes organic foods rich in lean protein.

6. Claudia Schiffer
The bodacious German supermodel eats salad and steamed vegetables for dinner and eats only fruits before the afternoon. While on locations, she prefers to eat black grapes and drinks tomato juice and herbal tea.

7. Christie Brinkley
Long-time supermodel maintains her all-American good looks by being a vegetarian. She does not keep junk foods of any kind inside her home to make sure that she does not eat them when cravings occur. She snacks on sweet potatoes in place of candy bars, and she adopts a liquid juice diet when she needs to slim down fast.

Celebrities are just like ordinary people. They need to maintain their figures just like anyone else, and there is more pressure on their part since they are constantly in the public eye. Ordinary folks can have celebrity-like bodies, too, and by following these diet and fitness plans, they can also look like red-carpet worthy.

Why Your Doctor Should Know If You Choose a CAM System

Should you take black cohosh to alleviate hot flashes and night sweats? Are you considering adding a nutritional supplement to your daily routine to help lower your blood pressure? Have you decided to take up yoga to maintain your flexibility and balance as your rheumatoid arthritis progresses?

Have you talked to your doctor?

If you’re taking medication prescribed by a doctor, or under treatment for a medical condition like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, asthma or any other chronic condition, your doctor should know of any complementary or alternative treatments that you try. Nutritional supplements, exercise routines and other alternative treatments may affect the treatments that your doctor prescribes in a number of ways.

1. Drug interactions that reduce effectiveness of medical treatments.

o Did you know that vitamin B6 can interfere with tetracycline? Or that it may reduce the effectiveness of drugs used to treat cancer or depression? Or that it makes certain birth control pills ineffective? Your doctor or pharmacist should know those things – but if you don’t tell them that you’re taking a vitamin supplement with B6 in it, you may end up with an unwanted pregnancy, or sabotaging your treatment for a medical condition.

Many vitamins and other nutritional supplements have similar interactions, which is why it’s vital for your doctor to know everything that you’re taking before he prescribes treatment for you.

2. Interactions that INCREASE the effectiveness of medical treatments.

o This could only be a good thing, right? Think again. If your doctor has prescribed a blood thinner like aspirin, coumadin or wafarin, you shouldn’t take ginkgo biloba since it also has blood thinning properties. The end result could be tiny bleeds in the brain or other systems.

There are also many herbal and vitamin supplements that may affect how your body uses insulin or sugar if you’re diabetic. If your doctor is aware that you’re taking them, he can adjust your dosage or your schedule to take advantage of the difference.

3. Always check with your doctor before beginning a new fitness or exercise routine.

o If you’re being treated for any medical condition, a change in your activity level can also change your requirements for medication. In addition, your doctor may have some concerns about the type of exercise that you choose. If you have arthritis, for example, taking up aerobics could exacerbate the problem – but a low-impact workout could actually help maintain and even improve your joint function and flexibility.

4. It may help others.

o One reason for your doctor knowing isn’t mentioned often, but it’s one more good reason to keep your doctor in the loop when you decide to try aromatherapy to help control your migraines. It can help him treat other patients with the same problem. Anecdotal evidence is not approved research by any means, but anecdotal evidence is often where research begins. When a doctor sees a positive result from a therapy in one patient, he’s far more likely to suggest it as a possibility to another.

The bottom line is that you and your medical care provider are partners in your treatment. If you withhold important information from him, you’re taking chances with your health – and your life.

Who Uses Alternative Medicine

Exactly who uses alternative medicine? If you believe the odds, about one of every two of the people reading this right now use or have used some form of alternative medicine in the past twelve months. In 2003, an Australian researcher estimated that ‘about half the general population in developed countries use alternative and complementary medicine” (Ernst 2003). Other studies by other researchers have shown that:

1. 36% of Americans used some form of alternative therapy in the past years
2. 62% had used some form of alternative therapy in the past year if prayer was included as an alternative or complementary therapy
3. A 1998 survey found that 40% of Americans had used some form of alternative medicine in the past year
4. A 1997 British report found that the use of alternative medicine had increased from 34% to 42% since 1990

There are many reasons suggested for the increased use of complementary and alternative therapies in the past 25 years. Among them are:

5. Increased medical education for doctors
6. Growing awareness of therapies among the public due to the Internet and other information sources
7. A more educated and sophisticated population who explore their choices
8. The acceptance of patient-centered treatment
9. Patients demanding more of a say in their own treatments

According to those that support the use of alternative and complementary therapies, alternative medicine offers a number of things to patients that they don’t find in conventional medicine. These include:

10. Patient empowerment
11. Alternative (non-pharmaceutical) methods of pain control
12. Palliative care (aimed at increasing the patient’s comfort rather than curing disease)
13. Stress reduction methods to help the patient deal with illness
14. Preventive health services including nutritional consultation, therapeutic massage and physical fitness training

Those who choose some form of alternative therapy come from all walks of life and all income levels. This is a marked contrast from just a quarter of a century ago, when those who opted for alternative therapies (usually dismissed as quackery in those days) were seen as less educated and less well-heeled than the patients of conventional doctors. If anything, today’s alternative medical practitioners appeal to a sophisticated consumers who demand the best treatment for their illnesses and are prepared to pay for it. That attitude has trickled down as the insurance companies and health maintenance organizations realize that yes, indeed – patients with sciatica recover more quickly and require less therapy when therapeutic massage and water therapy is included in their treatment, regardless of scientific studies.

As traditional medical systems from other cultures become better known here in the United States, and doctors see for themselves that they are effective in helping patients with various illnesses, the number of alternative and complementary therapies that are accepted by mainstream medicine will increase. At the same time, the unwavering focus of the public eye on those therapies will encourage research to weed out those that are useless or harmful.

What You Should Know About Alternative Medicine

Before you decide that an alternative treatment is right for you, there are a number of criticisms that you should take into account. These criticisms range from ‘it doesn’t work’ to ‘it can kill you’. Some of the criticisms have more basis in support than others. Among the charges leveled at the purveyors of alternative and complementary medicine are:

1. Alternative therapies aren’t tested properly.
The criticism leveled at alternative therapies most often is that there is no proof that they work. Even when therapies that have been in use for thousands of years, or that have been widely studied both here and abroad, critics point out that there are few studies that meet the test of rigorous science. While population based studies or small group studies may support claims that a particular alternative therapy is effective, the test of efficacy (effectiveness) is randomized, double-blind studies on a large group. Without that testing – which is most often applied to new pharmaceutical products and surgery – it’s impossible to state without doubt that improvements noted by patients were due to the therapy being studied or to some other factor.

2. Ineffective studies
Many studies that support alternative therapies are biased, or report findings in a way that diminishes the negatives. As an example, a therapy may be proven not to work to cure an illness, or to be no more effective than a conventional treatment – but patients report less pain and more mobility when using the alternative therapy. Rather than reporting that the therapy doesn’t work, the study will cite that it is more effective in relieving pain.

3. Some alternative therapies are unsafe
The safety of many alternative therapies is another major point of criticism. Particularly where it concerns nutritional supplements or health tonics, there is a concern that their safety for use as directed is not established by research. Because many people equate ‘natural’ with ‘safe’, there’s a danger that they may not realize that some herbs and minerals can have toxic effects. In addition, some nutritional supplements may interact with drugs commonly used to treat illnesses and make them less effective – or in a situation that can be just as dangerous – increase their effectiveness.

Another criticism leveled at alternative medicine is that people who use it may put off seeking conventional medical treatment until a condition is too far advanced to be helped by treatment.


4. Alternative medicine is unregulated, leading to unqualified practitioners.

This criticism is often advanced in the case of nutritional supplements, which are not regulated by any government body in the United States. As long as the manufacturer makes no claims to cure or treat a disease, nutritional supplements are considered ‘food products’. As food products, they don’t have to offer any proof that they’re effective, and only have to pass the most basic of safety testing. The most important qualification that they must meet is a ‘truth in labeling’ test – the bottle must contain what it says is in it.

A well-known example of the dangers of using untested, unregulated nutritional products is the deaths attributed to ephedra, a nutritional supplement sold as an energy booster and weight loss aid.

You should know that the onus is on YOU to research and find what you can about the therapy you’re considering. Read all you can, and draw your own conclusions. Keep your doctor in the loop – in many cases, he may have to adjust the dosages or timing of other medications based on any other supplements that you’re taking. And be aware that there is little or no regulation of the extravagant and outrageous claims that can be made by practitioners of many types of alternative therapy. Discuss with your doctor, choose a provider carefully, and know your risks.

The History of Reiki

Many people believe that Reiki was started in the 19th century in Japan by Dr. Mikao Usui however many other people believe that Reiki has a much older history than that and was actually developed in Tibet several thousand years ago.

It is thought that wise men in Tibet studied the different energies surrounding us and developed a series of symbols to symbolise these energies as universal healing energies. It is thought that most cross cultural healing systems actually emerged from this ancient art of healing.

Dr. Mikao Usui is credited as the person who rediscovered Reiki in the late 1800's. Dr Usui was a Christian educator who was conducting extensive research into a history of the world's greatest spiritual healers and leaders. He discovered many different ancient symbols which are directly linked to the human body which when used correctly activate the universal life energy. This can then be used for healing.

Reiki can be used for all types of injury as well as serious illness and disease. This includes cuts and bruises, strains and sprains as well as other more severe injuries.

Dr. Usui became a total devotee of this form of healing which he called Reiki. He taught it throughout Japan for the rest of his life where it became very popular.

Reiki symbolises tradition and has been passed down through "grand masters" of Reiki through the intervening years. Many of these grand masters such as Dr. Chujiro Hyashi, Hawayo Takata, and Phyllis Lei Furumoto have become as famous and revered as Dr Usui himself.

There is no "mumbo jumbo" as such associated with Reiki. However an initiation process is recommended to ensure the new "practitioner" to access the universal life energy rather than just using their own energy. An initiation also ensures the practitioner is able to use the powers correctly so they can be used as a protective device against the person becoming overtired.

Reiki became popular in western society from the time of the 1970's. It soon caught people's imagination and spread throughout western culture.

For those people who use and benefit from Reiki, it is found that they have a more "joyful" existence. They are livelier, less prone to disease and more content. Their batteries are literally recharged with any existing problems and conflicts resolved. The natural processes of healing are enhanced and people find they recover from illness much more quickly than they would normally do.

Questions to Ask At Your First Visit with an Alternative Health Provider

Your first meeting with a prospective practitioner is important. It will give you a chance to ask questions and gauge your comfort with them, as well as allow you to evaluate their credentials and knowledge. Being prepared with a list of questions can help you be sure to get all the answers that you need to evaluate whether this therapy – and this practitioner – are right for you.

1. What benefits will I get from this therapy?

o Ask for specifics. Will it strengthen muscles, improve balance, improve immune system function? Evaluate the answers that you get in light of your own research. Beware a practitioner that makes extravagant claims for the therapy he practices.
o What are the risks associated with this therapy?
o Again, evaluate in light of your own research. Do they seem knowledgeable and open even when discussing risks?

2. How can this therapy affect my particular condition?

3. How often do you treat people with my medical history?

4. Are the benefits great enough to outweigh the risks for my particular situation?

5. Will there be side effects? What are they? What are the chances that I’ll experience them?

6. Will I have to change my daily activities?

7. How many patients do you see in a day? How much time do you spend with each one?

8. How long is the treatment expected to last? How often will you assess my progress?

9. Can you point me to research about this treatment and my condition?

10. Do I need to be concerned about the treatment interacting with conventional treatment?

11. Are there any contraindications for using this therapy?

12. What insurance do you accept?

Pay attention not only to the responses that you get, but the demeanor of the practitioner as he answers your questions. There are some warning signs to watch out for:

1. The practitioner is rushed and in a hurry to get the interview over with.

2. He or she doesn’t have the certifications and credentials that your local professional board recommends.

3. You feel that he’s being evasive in his answers.

4. He doesn’t ask questions about your condition, and your attitudes toward treatment.

5. He doesn’t seem knowledgeable about your conditions and implications of treatment.

6. He can’t cite any research or studies to support the use of the therapy with your condition.

7. He’s adamant that this be your ONLY form of treatment.

8. He doesn’t ask if you have any questions.

The interview is a two-way process. If you’re not satisfied with the answers that you receive, push for clarification. If you still don’t understand, consider whether this is the right practitioner for you. If you’re not comfortable asking questions, again, this might not be the right care provider. Your comfort with the health care provider that you choose can be the deciding factor in how successful the therapy or treatment is.

Qigong

According to the Chinese Theory of Qigong, everything is energy at various levels no matter what it is, be it light, water, body, thought and spirits. Many describe this energy as water comes in its many forms such as steam, water, ice cube, humidity or ice cube.

Every life form or matter is energy also has an energy fields around it to some degree. The energy radiates out in all directions from each being and the further away from its central source it gets, the fainter it becomes.

The longer we practice the art of Qi Gong the more be can begin to field the field of energy around us. This is known as a feeling of qi. It is firstly between our hands and as we continue to practise Qi Gong, our vitality and awareness of the energy increases.

As our qi begins to build with our awareness, we become aware of our own qi and the qi that is around us.

When we are stressed our qi is decreased. When our minds are busy and we struggle to calm down, the qi is used up by the thoughts and nervous energy expenditure. Our minds use up much of the energy in it’s functioning which is why the basic Qigong mediations along with learning how to calm down and focus the mind is very important. We can begin to build up our qi reservoir as our health improves and our mind learns to centre.

Should we develop an internal disease or sickness, we practice the qi to be directed to heal the illness or weakness instead of building up our reservoir of qi.

Qigong and its therapeutic effects on various illness and diseases has been researched and analysed. Due to our conventional medical backgrounds, fact and fiction can be scientifically separated. Some refer to the beneficial aspects of Qigong as ‘Qigong Tai Chi Healing Science.’

Qigong Tai Chi is usually practiced in five steps.

- Meditating
- Cleansing via breathing
- Building Qi the energy
- Circulating Qi
- Dispersing Qi

This therapy consists of medical consultations and evaluations, specific meditations, specific breathing exercises, specific movements, specific tai chi technique, specific oriental diet. Other Chinese techniques such as meridian therapy and magnetotherapy.

Qigong has been found to be beneficial in the following illnesses:

- Addiction
- Angina & Heart Disease
- Anti-aging & Youth preservation
- Anticoagulation & Blood thinning
- Anxiety & Stress
- Asthma
- Atherosclerosis & Coronary blockades
- Back pain, Sciatica, Spondylosis
- Cancer prevention and treatment
- Cardioprotection & Preventing Heart disease
- Congestive heart failure
- Diabetes
- Chronic illness
- Gastritis & Peptic Ulcers
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Headache
- Heart attack prevention
- Heart rate variability
- Immune system stimulation
- Improved sleep
- Improved workplace efficiency
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Renal disease
- Mental illnesses
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neurologic disorders
- Orofacial pain, Chronic headache
- Parkinson's disease
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Psychosis
- Stress reduction
- Stroke prevention
- Suicide prevention
- Many other uncommon diseases.

Popular Alternative Medicine Systems

Acupuncture has been used in China for over 2,000 years. It involves stimulating points on the body by pressure or puncture. It’s a part of traditional Chinese medicine that is based on the flow of blood and life force, and involves balancing the forces in the body.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils and fragrances to treat various illnesses and conditions. It is often used as a complementary procedure for control of pain, nausea and side effects of conventional treatments.

Ayurveda is an entire medical system that has been used in India for over 5,000 years. It includes dietary suggestions, herbal remedies and the conditioning of the mind, body and spirit to prevent and treat disease.

Chiropractic is a manipulative therapy system that focuses on aligning the bodily structure to treat and restore health. It is one of the most widely accepted of all alternative health systems in the United States.

Dietary supplements include any substance taken by mouth that contains an ingredient intended to supplement the diet. Supplements may include vitamins, enzymes, herbs, amino acids, minerals, metabolites and other botanicals. While they are not regulated for efficacy or safety, they must meet specific labeling requirements.

Electromagnetic fields surround the Earth and all things on it. Some systems of alternative medicine rely on altering the electromagnetic field around the body.

Homeopathic medicine is an entire system based on the belief that ‘like cures like’. While many think that this has to do with appearance (foxglove is a heart medication because the leaves look like the heart), it actually is based on symptom. The theory behind homeopathic medicine is that minute, dilute doses of a substance can cure symptoms that larger doses would create.

Massage therapies are a diverse subset of alternative medicine. It involves the direct or indirect stimulation of muscle and connective tissue to promote relaxation and health and enhance the function of those tissues.
Naturopathic medicine, or naturopathy, is an alternative medical system that is based on the belief that the body has its own healing power that can be supported by nutrition, lifestyle, dietary supplements, exercise, homeopathy and other treatments.

Osteopathic medicine is actually a conventional discipline that works with diseases arising from the musculoskeletal system. Some osteopathic doctors use a full-body system of hands-on manipulation similar to chiropractic to restore function and promote health.

Qi gong, pronounced ‘chee gong’, is a part of traditional Chinese medicine that emphasizes proper breathing in conjunction with movement and meditation to improve blood circulation, balance the flow of qi (life force) and enhance the immune system.

Reiki massage is part of a belief in a Universal Life Force that can be channeled through a Reiki practitioner. The basis of Reiki is healing the spirit so that the body will follow suit.

Therapeutic Touch is an alternative therapy that is based on the laying on of hands, an ancient healing technique. Healing is promoted when the body’s energies are balanced, which a practitioner of therapeutic touch achieves by passing his hands over the patient’s body.

Traditional Chinese medicine, often abbreviated as TCM, is a 2000 year old system of health care from China. It is based on balancing yin and yang (positive and negative energy) in the body. It includes nutritional therapy, herbal treatments, massage, acupuncture, physical exercise and meditation.

Natural Remedies for Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy

Experts believe that between 50 and 80% of women experience morning sickness or some kind of nausea and/or sickness during pregnancy. Although it is commonly known as Morning Sickness, nausea can last throughout the day for many women. Morning sickness usually peaks around the 9th week of pregnancy and stops around the 20th week.

More and more women are turning to natural remedies to help with their morning sickness. The three most common natural remedies are ginger tea, acupressure wristbands and vitamin B6. Although these are natural remedies, a number of women complain of mild adverse reactions. The most common reaction is intolerability of the strong taste of ginger and irritation due to the wristbands.

It has been found that the following adjustments may help relive morning sickness:

- Try eating frequent, smaller meals so you never feel too hungry or too full.
- Avoid fried or fatty foods.
- Eat crackers, bread, toast, cereal and other bland foods nearby so you can snack throughout the day.
- Eat something from this list before you get out of bed in the morning.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially in between meals.
- Try and identify what triggers the nausea and avoid them.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture sessions, for example twice per week have been found to benefit those women with hyperemesis, a severe form of morning sickness the most.

Acupuncture wrist bands, also known as ‘sea bands’ work by stimulating the pericardium (p6) acupuncture point. This is a recognised Chinese medicine historically used to relieve nausea and usually works immediately. The wrist band consists of a plastic button that places pressure on the p6 point inside the wrist. They are cheap to buy, can be found online or in health food or natural remedy stores.

Ginger
Ginger is a popular, well known remedy for morning sickness. It has been used for this purpose and cooking for centuries. Ginger is generally recognised as ‘safe.’

Many health professionals recommend ginger for morning sickness and many medical trials have supported its use. Ginger can be taken in hot water to make ginger tea.

Many argue that there is not sufficient information regarding the safety of ginger, especially in pregnant women so do not recommend its use. Some suggest that ginger inhibits the enzyme thromboxane synthetase, and although studies have not confirmed this it is thought that this may possibly influence sex steroid differentiation in the foetus’s brain.

Another concern is that ginger can prolong bleeding time and interfere with platelet aggregation although studies formed in the first trimester found no notable difference in the number or miscarriages, stillbirths and malformations.

Peppermint Essential Oil
Nausea can be helped simply by the aroma of peppermint. It is advised to fill a large bowl with hot water and place two drops of peppermint into the bowl placed on a table near you. An aroma therapy diffuser can also be used.

Complementary Healing – Meditation

The myth and misconceptions of Meditation prevent so many people even attempting to meditate. A useful tool in achieving so many helpful health attributes it is a subject learning more about and experimenting with.

There are many, many types of meditation but the main misconception is one that can now be cleared up once and for all. There is no requirement to ‘clear the mind of everything’. For novices and beginners there are numerous CDs and tapes which will assist in helping you switch off from the every day thoughts and pressures and take your mind into a entirely different world of relaxation.

The word ‘journey’ will be one which is used frequently in connection with Meditation. This means listening to someone who leads your thoughts to think of different things away from day to day thoughts.

So many people think they cannot switch off their mind from worries, and other issues. Listening to someone describe a summer meadow or woodland scene for instance, in detail, your imagination fills your mind in such a way that you can envisage yourself there and experience the feelings of the sun shining on your face or you can virtually feel a breeze blowing through the trees. This process when practised a few times replaces your everyday thoughts with more tranquil ones.

For some more experienced meditators the above is not for them as there are several breathing exercises for meditating which people find suits them better. The art of clearing the mind completely is for the more advanced.

Breathing techniques in meditating are very powerful as they oxygenate the blood, boost physical energy aiding thought process. Your breath provides an easier access to focus and concentrate on. For instance, try this simple breathing exercise:-

Close your eyes, take a 2-3 deep breathes from the bottom of your stomach and release energetically (exhale with noise if you prefer), follow this by breathing normally but as you breath in, slowly count each breath and again as you breath out. Once you are used to this method, experiment with holding a single breath for a count of 3 and out for a count of three, increase this as you feel more relaxed.

Once you feel relaxed and stress free you may choose to drift off to a beautiful scene where you can envisage yourself walking or lying on a beach feeling very serene.

Still feel unsure? Why not organise a get together with friends to meditate together. Dim the lighting, add some candles, perhaps burn some lavender oil (not too strong), play a meditation journey CD or tape, close your eyes, let your mind follow the journey and relax…….

You do not have to adopt the lotus position either! Sit comfortable on a chair or the floor, with your back supported and your hands relaxed on your lap or at your side.

It is also quite normal for your mind to wander back to every day matters but don’t worry, let them drift through your mind and return to the meditation journey you are listening to.

Meditation is a powerful healer. Experiment and discover what type suits you best.

New to Complementary Healing?

Welcome! Be prepared to take responsibility for your own health with the assistance of any one of numerous types of complementary healing. Unsure which practise to try? Worried about the effects and safety of complementary healing ? Please, don’t be.

Yes there are so many different ones to choose from but to narrow down the field of choices ask yourself some basic questions.

What exactly are you seeking help for?

A specific health issue
De-stressing
Relaxation
Mental health problems
Re-energising

Do you feel comfortable at the thought of experiencing a massage ?
Swiss body, aromatherapy massage, head massage

Does the thought of the non-intrusive hands on type of healing appeal ?
Reiki, crystals, stones, spiritual healing

Do you enjoy having your feet touched ?
Reflexology

Would you like to try flower remedies or potions ?
Bach flower remedy, herbs, vitamin supplement, health foods

Health magazines and the internet are full of adverts for all the various types of complementary healing on offer. Your local library too may have a stock of books under sections, like Mind, Body and Health issues.

Please do call and explain your problem with a practitioner beforehand before booking an appointment. It may be that you require to change your every day life to incorporate a more holistic attitude and therefore, taking up Tai-Chi, Yoga or Pilates may be of more benefit.

One thing in common with all Complementary Healers is that they work with energies. Those energies both inside us and all around us. When we suffer from physical ailments a complementary healer will work to release blocked energy inside the body.

There are energy centres referred to as Chakras which run from the base of the torso to the forehead, then there are meridian lines which run through the entire body. Several types of complementary healers work closely with the 7 chakra centres and other healers work with the meridian lines.

If you are feeling generally run down or lacking in energy a complementary healer will work with these energies to unblock, replace with positive energy and rejuvenate the entire body.

Take control of looking after yourself. Try meditating, Yoga, Pilates or Tai-Chi which can be done at home or in your lunch-break at work. Make time by rising earlier, switching off the t.v., just by putting time aside for you. All these forms of exercise or relaxation techniques, help release positive energy and a positive frame of mind.

Experiencing health problems, such as headaches, stomach problems, arthritis (and associated symptoms), insomnia, backaches etc ?

Well there are far too many types of complementary healing practises to list here however, using the questions listed above should help narrow down the list. For instance, Reiki provides a more gentle form of healing by a hands-on method relating to the 7 chakra energy centres, whereas Shiatsu is a slightly strenuous form of massage but deals with the meridian energy centres throughout the entire body whilst still offering relaxation.

What Is CAM?

What Is CAM?
CAM is a term used by the conventional medical field to designate treatments that are not considered conventional or mainstream. It stands for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. It comprises any treatment or system of medicine that is not generally proven by rigorous scientific tests as Western medicine traditionally is.

CAM actually includes both complementary and alternative medicine systems and treatments. Complementary treatments are meant to be used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment to extend and complement those therapies. As an example, using soothing music or hypnosis to help a patient control pain after surgery is complementary treatment.

Alternative therapy, on the other hand, is using an alternate therapy instead of a conventional medical treatment for an illness. An example might be the use of a gluten and casein free diet to control the symptoms of autism or ADHD rather than using medication.

CAM includes a third category – integrative medicine. More and more doctors are integrating specific CAM therapies into their practice if there is scientific evidence that the treatment is safe and effective. An example of integrative medicine that has become mainstream practice is the treatment of asthma. Where once – not so long ago – doctors prescribed medication for asthma patients with little other therapy, today’s doctor is likely to discuss diet and household changes that can help alleviate the symptoms of an asthma patient.

As time goes on, it’s likely that more alternative therapies will find their way into integrative medicine and from there into the mainstream as clinical evidence mounts and shows their effectiveness.

Some of those therapies that are already on their way to becoming accepted by conventional medicine include:

- Some herbal treatments like black cohosh for treatment of hormone depletion in menopause.
- The use of vitamins and herbs in the treatment of depression.
- Relaxation and massage techniques to treat arthritis.
- The use of hypnosis for pain reduction.
- The use of acupuncture for the relief of pain and nausea after surgery or chemotherapy.
- Aromatherapy for promoting healing and relaxation in postoperative patients.
- Chiropractic to treat a number of muscular-skeletal problems.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine in conjunction with conventional therapy for chronic illnesses.
- Holistic health techniques in regular practice as doctors become more aware of the interconnectedness of the body’s systems.
- ‘Energy healing’ methods such as Tai Chi, which are being prescribed for patients with arthritis, joint problems and multiple sclerosis to help with balance, strength and fitness.

There are hundreds of alternative medicine claims. Some of them are for the use of a single herb in treating a single condition (Echinacea for upper respiratory infections), while others comprise an entire new lifestyle (Ayurveda, for instance). Some are proven to work to a limited extent, some have shown promising results in preliminary research, some are useless but harmless – and some, unfortunately, can do a great deal of damage.

If you are considering using an alternative therapy method, the NCCAM (and most other experts) suggest that you take the time to research the method. Read the research on the therapy, and look for safety and effectiveness before starting any new health regimen. If you’re under a doctor’s care, be sure to inform him of it. One of the things that goes along with increased choices in health care and treatments is increased responsibility for your own health.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a therapeutic means of treatment which has been in use for over 200 years. It works on the principle that ‘like treats like’ – an illness is treated with a medicine that may produce similar symptoms in a healthy person. To avoid toxicity the active ingredients are highly diluted and are virtually 100% safe. Homeopathy can integrate well with conventional medicines and has been successful in treating a wide range of conditions, usually after conventional medicines have failed.

Homeopathic doctors use examinations, investigations and history taking in the same way that conventional doctors do. Prescriptions are based upon all aspects of the patient’s condition. A patient’s lifestyle and personality should also be taken into account.

During the early 1800’s the two most popular alternatives to the conventional practice of medicine were herbal medicine and Homeopathy. The news of Homeopathy spread when mothers began treating their children’s problems inexpensively and easily. Typhoid, cholera, measles, tuberculosis, mumps and other diseases were all treated successfully with remedies and without doctor’s medical intervention.

Homeopathy’s rise coincided with the sudden decline in allopathic medicine and its methods due to the general and pervasive mistrust. Extreme hatred and economic jealousy arose as a consequence of this.

Homeopathy has historically proven to be more effective than allopathic medicine through its treatment and prevention of diseases. An example of this was the American cholera outbreak in 1849 when there was a 48 – 60% death rate with allopathic medicine whereas the documented death rate in homeopathic hospitals was 3%. Today shows similar statistics for the treatment of cholera. In addition, recent epidemiological studies have shown that homeopathic remedies are as equalling or surpassing the standard vaccinations for disease prevention.

During the Southern States yellow fever epidemic in 1878, the allopaths treated over 96,000 cases and over 12,000 dies. During the same time 3914 people were treated by homeopathic practitioners and 261 died.

Homeopathy is re-emerging as a major healing approach after 200 years, especially during this era of degenerative and infectious disease epidemics and mutated supergerms. Homeopathic practitioners claim that this is happening because it works and it works because it is addressing the energetic realities of health and healing. It is argued that we are energy and can only be brought into balance and wellness by systems that recognise and honour this.

Most healthcare approached focus on suppressing the symptoms whereas homeopathy increases the vitality and the life force that animates us. We risk diminishing our immune function if we weaken and deplete our vitality, therefore becoming more susceptible to disease, both physical and mental. Homeopathy’s goal is to stimulate our body’s own capacity of healing so that the imbalances and weaknesses that allow diseases to emerge are corrected.

Homeopathy, if properly practised stimulates an accelerated immune response whilst releasing underlying energetic blocks and trauma imprints. It provides a non-toxic, natural, safe system of healing.

How to Choose a CAM Provider

Choosing a health care provider can be the single most important decision that you make regarding your health. When you choose a practitioner who practices an alternative medicine discipline, that decision can be complicated by the lack of licensing procedures and governing bodies. The following checklist is adapted from a fact sheet developed by the National Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

Create a list of practitioners.
o Ask your regular doctor to recommend someone if they’re knowledgeable about the CAM you’re considering.
o If you belong to a support group, ask for recommendations from members that you trust.
o If there is a school nearby that teaches the therapy, ask for a list of local practitioners.
o If the therapy is covered by your health insurance, ask if they maintain a list of providers.
o Check with a nearby hospital. Many have lists of practitioners of various types of therapy.
o Check your state’s board or regulatory organization.
o Check the telephone book or the listings at your local hospital.

Do some research to narrow your list. Some questions you should ask:
o Where did the practitioner receive their training?
o What are their credentials?
o What licenses do they hold? Are there certifications that they should hold?
o Do they belong to any professional organizations?
o How much are their fees?

Check with your health insurance to see if the treatment will be covered.
o Are there requirements for coverage?
o Do you need a referral from your primary provider?
o What are the coverage limits?

Interview.
o One of the most important contributors to your relationship with your health care practitioner is your trust in him or her. Don’t make a decision based on research. Once you’ve narrowed your choices down to two or three possibilities make an appointment with each to talk about your expectations.
o Have a list of questions prepared to ask about the type of treatment they recommend, their office policies and procedures, billing and treatment philosophy. (see next article for important questions to ask)

Be prepared to answer questions as well as ask.
o Have a list of everything you take, including prescription medicines, supplements, vitamins and anything else that you take.
o Be prepared to give a medical history, including surgeries, injuries and major illnesses

After the visit, evaluate.
o Did you feel comfortable with the practitioner?
o Did he or she seem rushed or uncomfortable?
o Did he answer all your questions to your satisfaction?
o Is he open to how conventional and alternative therapy can work together?
o Did the practitioner seem knowledgeable about your specific condition?
o Did he have the recommended certifications and credentials?
o Do you trust him?
o Does the treatment plan suggested seem reasonable?

In the end, choosing a massage therapist, nutritionist or other alternative health provider is no different than choosing any other doctor or health practitioner. Do your homework and trust your instincts.

Holistic Treatment for Depression

Holistic treatment for symptoms of depression comprises of a vast number of treatment modalities. Alternative and Complimentary Medicine are now gaining more and more respect in the world of medicine although many mainstream mental health institutions are still slow to accept alternative or holistic treatment for depression, anxiety along with other physical disorders.

Medical establishments and other regulatory bodies tend to disregard alternative medicines as a viable, effective alternative. The argument most commonly used against holistic treatment for disorders such as depression is that there is not enough hard evidence or research to demonstrate their efficiency.

Many drug studies that have so far been published are done so by the very same drug companies that produces the drugs, creating a conflict of interest. There are often cases of manipulation of information by some of the drug companies for a monetary gain, bearing in mind there are millions of dollars at stake.

On the other hand, one must be cautious over the risks involved with alternative medicine. There are a vast amount of alternative remedies on the market, some offering miraculous promises although in reality, some are ineffective and some, even dangerous. However, overall, alternative medicines are generally safer than conventional drugs if taken properly with the help and advice from your general practitioner.

Depressions that are treated by holistic treatments should not exclude any other conventional treatment that works. This may mean that conventional drugs such as anti-depressants, mood stabilisers should be used. You and your doctor should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each form of treatment before making a decision as major depression and Bipolar Disorders are very serious, life threatening diseases.

Holistic treatments for depression and other health problems can treat the person as a whole. This is because holistic medicine is based upon Systems of theory, recognising that anything that is performed on ‘part’ of us affects every part of is. Treatments that are in harmony with life will benefit a person on many different levels, in many cases beyond what the treatment was initially for. By treating depression via holistic symptoms, you are likely to be healed in other areas too.

The Body
Remedies include physical modalities such as body orientated psychotherapies and hands-on healing methods such as massage therapy and Chiropractic therapy. There are many more approaches to the body such as diet and nutritional reviews (for example lack of vitamin B6/B12, D, iron and folic acid are associated with depression.

Other body therapies include:

- Herbal therapies such as St John’s Wort is very often used to treat depression.
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure
- Rolfing

Martial Arts such as Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Aikido
- Chi Gung
- Dance
- Yoga

The Mind
Therapies are mostly psychotherapies. In addition there are:

- Hypnotherapy
- Journaling
- Art therapy
- Music Therapy
- Dream therapy
- Yoga
- Mediation

The Spirit
Spiritual Modalies can involve the body and the mind. Examples include:

- Yoga
- Mediation (Buddhist)
- Shamanism
- Energy Healing
- Prayer
- Tai chi, Kung fu, Aikido

Evaluating Medical Resources About Alternative Medicine

There are literally thousands of medical sites – or those that purport to be about medicine – on the internet, and more everyday. Some of them are created to sell a product, others are created to inform patients, and still others exist as a clearinghouse of information and interaction between patients and practitioners.

When you’re doing research about your medical condition, and especially on alternative medicine and complementary treatments, it’s important to evaluate those medical resources for accuracy and slant. The following ten criteria are standards that are often used to help form an opinion of how trustworthy the information presented is.

1. Who runs this site?
It should be immediately clear who runs the web site on which you find your information. Every page should have a link to a ‘contact us’ or ‘about us’ page, as well as a link to the home page of the web site. If it’s not clear who runs a web site, treat info found on it skeptically.

2. Who pays for the site?
Often the people who run the site are not the people who pay for it, or sponsor it. Sometimes the domain name can give you that information. Addresses ending in .edu, for instance, are educational institutions, and those ending in .gov are sponsored by the U.S. Government. Knowing who’s footing the bill can tell you a lot about the information that’s presented. If the web site is sponsored by a drug company, for instance, it may affect the slant of the information that’s presented on the web site.

3. What is the purpose of the site?
You’ll often find a mission statement or a statement of purpose if there is an “About Us” page. The purpose of the site can help you decide how trustworthy the information on the site is.

4. Where does the information come from?
Many health sites simply repost information that is collected from other web sites. The source of any information that wasn’t created by the organization that owns and operates the web site, it should be clearly marked with its original source.

5. What is the information based on?
All facts and figures given on the cite should have references to articles in medical journals or other sources. Opinion and advice should be differentiated from evidence based information.

6. How do they choose what to publish?
Is there an editorial review board of experts who read information to be sure that it’s accurate? Is it periodically reviewed to make sure that it remains true?

7. Is the information up to date?
Medical information changes frequently. It’s important to know when the information posted on a web site was last updated or reviewed. Even if the information hasn’t changed, the date that it was last reviewed for accuracy should be posted clearly so that you know that it’s been reviewed recently to ensure that it’s still accurate.

8. How does the site choose links to other sites?
Take a look at the links from a web site. Do they link to any other web sites at all? If so, are the sites chosen valid medical resources? Are they linked to anyone that asks – or pays for – a link?

9. What information about you does the site collect, and why?
Any site that collects personal information must have a privacy policy that tells you how they’ll use the data that they collect. Be sure to read the privacy policy to learn what data they collect about you and why.

10. Can you contact the site owners?
Look for contact information. The site should have email addresses that you can use to problems, ask questions and give feedback. If there are chat rooms or message boards, the site should have a terms of service statement.

Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine are a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products not considered to be a part of conventional medicine (Defined by NCCAM).

Complementary medicine and alternative medicines are worlds apart from each other even though many people assume they actually mean the same thing. Complementary medicine is often used in conjunction with more conservative medicine which helps alleviate a person's discomfort following their surgery for instance whilst alternative medicine is used instead of actual conservative medicine. In other words, a deliberate decision is made to stop conservative treatment and follow an alternate route instead.

Alternative medicine often includes treatments such as special diets to treat illnesses instead of the more conventional treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery etc.

Complimentary and Alternative medicines can be defined into five categories,
These are..

· Alternative medical Systems
Which have a foundation built on theory and practice. These types of systems have often evolved away from the conventional method which is usually approached by most western countries. They include therapies such as Homoeopathic therapies and also those such as Indian alternative medicines such as Ayurveda.

· Mind Body Interventions
Use techniques which assist in enhancing the capacity of the mind to take control of their own illness and bodily functions. This type of technique is often used by support groups and can include cognitive behavioural therapy. Many other mind/body interventions can also use the power of prayer and/or mental healing.

· Biologically based Therapies
Herbs, foods and supplements are used in biologically based therapies. This often includes dietary supplements and specific types of herbal remedies. Other natural substances can also be used to treat specific illnesses.

· Manipulative and Body Based Methods
Osteopaths and chiropractors use manipulative body based treatments. These types of treatment involve massage, and manipulation of body parts to ensure relief is given to the person being treated.

· Energy Therapies

Energy fields which are split into two types are used to give treatment in this field.

a) Biofield therapies involve the use of the energy which surrounds our body. Reiki and Gi gong are alternative treatments which uses energy fields to heal the body and clear the mind.

b) Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies use electromagnetic fields, direct current/alternating current fields to assist with healing.

Whatever type of alternative or complementary medicine you do decide to use, it's important to remember that you should always consult your health care provider to ensure you don't put your health at risk. Also you should never stop your conventional treatment unless your doctor has sanctioned it.

Chiropractic Remedies

The profession known as chiropractic care is, in itself a healthcare discipline that supposes to prevent and treat health problems by applying adjustments to correct any spinal dysfunctions.

The practitioners delivering the care are known as Chiropractic Physicians and claim to be effective in the treatment of neck and back pains, headaches and other symptoms that are viewed as spinal related.

Chiropractic remedies are based on the spine’s structure and the ancient art of manipulation. It states that many of its ailments are caused by the vertebrae impinging on the spinal nerves, also known as subluxations.

The practice works by manipulations or adjustments to correct the proper vertebral alignment to ensure that normal brain and nerve transmissions are restored and the body is able to recover from illness.

You can find a Chiropractor in most cities and with most surgeries; you can register and be seen on the same day