Health Info Newsletter September 4, 2012: EFT Workshops, Osteoarthritis, Diabetes, Flax Seed

You can  order any and all of the products that are mentioned in this email from Emerson Ecologics.
To buy products use the link below:
http://tinyurl.com/wellevate-me-nick-soloway

EFT WORKSHOPS
Here’s a reminder about our Helena EFT workshops this fall:
Level 2 – Saturdays – September 8 and 15
Level 3 – Saturdays October 27, November 3, and November 10

For more information contact CJ Puotinen at:
PO Box 5714
Helena MT 59604
914-523-3063
www.taptheworldEFT.com
CJ@taptheworldEFT.com 
taptheworld@aol.com 

KeepThat Runner Running
from Jonathan Wright, MD

Q: My husband was devastated when his doctor gave him a diagnosis of severe osteoarthritis in both hips. He’s an avid runner, and can’t imagine having to give it up. Is there anything we can do?

Dr. Wright: My first suggestion to all osteoarthritis sufferers is to eliminate nightshade vegetables — such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, paprika, and eggplants — from the diet. I also suggest 500 milligrams of glucosamine sulfate three times a day — but stay away from chondroitin, since it may increase the risk of prostate cancer. A separate note of caution, in people with diabetes, glucosamine may elevate blood sugar.

Along with the glucosamine, I recommend 1,000 milligrams of niacinamide three times daily. Many people report complete relief of their pain and swelling within three or four weeks of taking niacinamide.

Also quite effective, yet largely unknown to many, is boron. I advise taking 3 milligrams twice daily. As an added bonus, boron also is a treatment for osteoporosis and aids in cancer prevention.

If adjusting the diet and these supplements don’t bring relief, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) may be worth trying. It can be expensive, but some patients — though not all — have been helped by it. I usually recommend 400 milligrams once or twice daily. These supplements are all safe and natural, and I have been recommending them for years to relieve arthritis pain with great success.

Curcumin May Prevent Diabetes

Curcumin is a derivative of turmeric, a common spice in South Asia and a standard component of curry powders. It has numerous healthful properties. Consumption of curcumin is associated with a decreased incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, and it has anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet effects. A new study shows that it can also help prevent diabetes.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 240 subjects with pre-diabetes, researchers gave either curcumin or placebo capsules for nine months. They assessed the progression of their condition to diabetes and also did other testing. This included changes in beta-cell function (the cells that produce insulin), insulin resistance, C-peptide levels, and anti-inflammatory cytokines. (Chuengsamarn S, et al., Curcumin extract for prevention of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2012 Jul 6. [Epub ahead of print])

After nine months, 16.4 percent of the placebo group were diagnosed with diabetes, while none of the curcumin treatment group developed the disease. The curcumin group also had lower insulin resistance, better beta-cell function, and lower C-peptide levels. Curcumin is one of many natural treatments for diabetes and its prevention. These include high-fiber diets and exercise, and supplements of chromium, alpha-lipoic acid, cinnamon, milk thistle (with standardized amounts of silymarin), and coenzyme Q10.

Why you need to eat flaxseed, not just the oil  from…
SecondOpinionNewsletter.com

Flaxseed oil is one of the few oils I recommend you take on a regular basis. But, as you may know, I’m a huge fan of the whole food. And new research gives us ample reason to eat the actual flaxseed. It can significantly reduce your cholesterol.

In a recent study, researchers conducted a randomized controlled study on 30 men with high cholesterol. They found that flaxseed lignans significantly reduced their LDL and improved their LDL/HDL ratio.

While that’s impressive enough, the lignans did even more. They also improved their liver enzymes count. This suggests that these plant compounds can and will protect your liver.

In my book, flaxseed is a superfood. Lignans are phytoestrogens, which have significant healing and preventive properties when ingested. They are found in the hull of the flaxseed, not in the oil. So if you’re just taking the oil, you’re missing out.

Men, don’t worry, the estrogen won’t grow breasts on you. In fact, phytoestrogens activate the beta estrogen receptor in your prostate and other organs (like your brain). This can be incredibly beneficial for preventing prostate disease and preserving your brain.

And women? You don’t have to worry either. Phytoestrogens are not likely to stimulate breast cancer. In fact, they seem to actually prevent it. Many of my colleagues use phytoestrogens, especially from soy, to treat breast and other cancers as well.

In addition to eating flaxseed, you can get flax lignans in supplement form at http://www.lignans.net.Their product contains 33 mg per capsule and the dose in this study was 100 mg. So, you’ll need three capsules per day.

Health Info Newsletter January 4, 2012: Injury/surgery, Zinc lozenges for colds, EFT workshops

You can order any and all of the products I have mentioned from Emerson Ecologics. To buy products use the link below:
http://tinyurl.com/wellevate-me-nick-soloway

INJURIES AND SURGERY

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO TREAT AN INJURY OR SURGERY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MOST PEOPLE WILL JUST WAIT UNTIL THINGS FEEL BETTER WHICH MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS OR MONTHS. AND THEN IF AFTER THAT TIME IT’S NOT GETTING ANY BETTER OR ITS NOT RESOLVED THEY MAY SEEK TREATMENT. I HAVE FOUND OVER THE YEARS THAT IF PEOPLE ARE TREATED FOR THEIR INJURIES OR SURGERIES CLOSE TO THE TIME THAT THEY OCCUR, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT SYMPTOM REDUCTION AND REDUCTION OF THE TIME FOR COMPLETE RECOVERY. JUST RECENTLY I SAW SOMEONE WHO HAD FALLEN ON THE ICE ON THEIR TAILBONE, MOVING AND SITTING WAS PAINFUL. THE DAY AFTER THE INJURY I TREATED THIS PERSON AND WITHIN ABOUT 30 MINUTES THERE WAS AT LEAST 80 TO 90% REDUCTION OF ALL SYMPTOMS. I’VE ALSO MADE HOUSE CALLS TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD EITHER A KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY OR HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY. A VERY SHORT TREATMENT OF HALF AN HOUR OR 45 MINUTES MADE SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN PAIN AND MEDICATION USAGE. I HAVE ALSO RECEIVED CALLS FROM PEOPLE CALLING ME FROM THE SKI SLOPE SAYING THEY HAVE JUST HAD AN INJURY. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HOBBLED IN USING CRUTCHES AND LEFT WITHOUT NEEDING THE CRUTCHES.

MANY TIMES PROLONGED PAIN WILL CAUSE A COMPENSATION PATTERN IN THE BODY AS WE TRY TO DEAL WITH THE PAIN. IF THIS PAINFUL SITUATION IS NOT DEALT WITH EARLY ENOUGH THE COMPENSATION PATTERN CREATES NEW DIFFICULTIES. WHAT I HAVE SEEN IS THAT USUALLY PEOPLE CAN COMPENSATE FOR THE PAIN FOR 6 TO 18 MONTHS AND THEN “OUT OF THE BLUE” THEY DEVELOP A NEW PAIN. FOR THE MOST PART, TREATING THE ORIGINAL INJURY WILL ACTUALLY CAUSE THE NEW PAIN TO DISAPPEAR. SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEEK TREATMENT WHENEVER YOU HAVE AN INJURY OR SURGERY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THINGS WILL HEAL FASTER AND YOU’LL FEEL BETTER.

BEAT BACK THE COMMON COLD WITH AN ORDINARY MINERAL…BUT BE SURE YOU’RE GETTING THE RIGHT KIND BY JONATHAN V. WRIGHT, MD. HTTP://WRIGHTNEWSLETTER.COM

Preventing the common cold is always best, but if you do start to get one, there’s a research-proven treatment available that can help you get over it fast. The treatment uses zinc acetate lozenges, which dissolve rapidly in the mouth and throat where they kill the common cold virus by direct contact. Then—in a classic example of a “two-fer”—the zinc is swallowed, becoming a zinc supplement!

I’ll tell you exactly how you can get the original proven lozenges in a few moments, but first let me explain a bit more about how they work.
Zinc slashes your “under-the-weather” time almost in half!

You’ve read about zinc acetate lozenges before (see the May 2009 issue of Nutrition & Healing), but since then there’s been even more research published. Dr. Ananda Prasad, Ph.D. of Wayne State University in Michigan, has led much of that new research.

Dr. Prasad is the most prominent zinc researcher in the United States and likely the world. Seven years ago, Dr. Prasad published study results in the Annals of Internal Medicine that showed that zinc acetate lozenges both shortened the duration of the common cold and relieved its symptoms.1 Within 24 hours of the onset of cold symptoms 50 volunteers took either 12.8 milligrams zinc acetate lozenges or a placebo, every two to three hours while awake.

The zinc group experienced shorter overall duration of cold symptoms (4.5 vs. 8.1 days), cough (3.1 vs. 6.3 days), nasal discharge (4.1 vs. 5.8 days), and decreased total severity scores for all symptoms compared with placebo.

Later, in 2008, Dr. Prasad completed a second study that supported his findings that zinc has cold-busting abilities.2 Again, within 24 hours of the onset of cold symptoms, 50 volunteers took either zinc acetate lozenges (containing 13.3 milligrams each of elemental zinc this time) or placebo every two to three hours while awake.

Again, in the zinc acetate lozenge group, the volunteers experienced shorter overall duration of cold symptoms (4.0 days vs. 7.1 days), coughs (2.1 days vs. 5.0 days), and nasal discharge (3.0 days vs. 4.5 days) compared to the placebo group. In essence, the zinc cut the amount of time the subjects spent sick by nearly half—that’s quite a significant reduction (just ask anyone suffering a cold).

In addition to symptoms and cold duration, Dr. Prasad’s team measured four parameters of immune function, all of which showed significantly more improvement…or a trend towards more improvement…in the zinc group than the placebo group.

While the research volunteers did report some common side effects, including nausea (a known side effect of the sulfate form of zinc), constipation, diarrhea, taste problems (excessively sweet, sour, bitter, or just “bad”), dry mouth, and mouth irritation, these adverse effects were not significantly different between the zinc and the placebo groups.

But the evidence of zinc’s ability to fight the common cold doesn’t end there. Two research trials involving 394 children investigated the prevention of colds with zinc supplementation. They concluded: “When supplemented for at least five months, [zinc supplementation] reduces cold incidence, school absenteeism and prescription of antibiotics in children.”

In addition, in 2011 the independent Cochrane Database Systemic Reviews published a meta-analysis of 13 clinical trials concerning zinc and treatment of the common cold.3 In it the authors acknowledged that, “Trials conducted since 1984 investigating the role of zinc for the common cold symptoms have had mixed results. Inadequate treatment masking and reduced bioavailability of zinc from some formulations have been cited as influencing results.”

Despite this, the authors concluded: “Zinc administered within 24 hours of onset of symptoms reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people.”

Getting the right form of zinc is the key to success

So we now know that zinc can slash the time you are suffering with a cold by almost half, but, according to further research, it turns out that the type of zinc you use is important.4,5 When a deeper analysis was done on the Cochrane research, it was found that the forms that were 0% ionizable… zinc gluconate citrate, zinc citrate, and zinc orotate… didn’t help at all, and the intermediate ionizable forms… zinc gluconate and zinc glycinate gluconate… only shortened colds by a median four days. It was the most ionizable form, zinc acetate, that had the greatest effect, shortening colds by an average of five to seven days.

The form of zinc that does the job of killing the common cold virus the best is the “ionized” form. In other words, zinc all by itself and not attached to any other molecules. It turns out that when zinc acetate is introduced to the pH (the acid-alkaline balance) of the mouth, the zinc molecule detaches or “dissociates” from the acetate molecule by 100 percent, making all of it available to kill viruses and other germs.

In contrast the other forms of zinc found in the majority of lozenges on the market…including zinc gluconate, zinc citrate, and zinc orotate… release less of the ionized form and as a result kill fewer germs.

You can get the “right” kind of lozenges at Emerson Ecologics (see the top of this email for ordering info.) The product to order is the following:

ZINC LOZENGES (EBY’S ORIGINAL) 30 LOZ (ZIN18)

UPCOMING EFT WORKSHOPS

LEVEL 1: INTRODUCTION TO EFT ($50)
SATURDAY JANUARY 21, 2011
9:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.
6 CLASSROOM HOURS

LEVEL 2: INTERMEDIATE TRAINING ($50)
SATURDAY JANUARY 28, 2011
AND SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2011
9:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. EACH DAY
12 CLASSROOM HOURS

LEVEL 3: ADVANCED LEVEL TRAINING ($50)
SATURDAYS MARCH 17, 24, AND 31, 2011
9:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. EACH DAY
18 CLASSROOM HOURS

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO

https://sites.google.com/site/taptheworld/

HTTP://WWW.TAPTHEWORLDEFT.COM/

TO REGISTER CONTACT:

CJ PUOTINEN
PO BOX 5714
HELENA MT 59604
914-523-3063
TAPTHEWORLD@AOL.COM

Colostrum Outperforms Flu Vaccine

Bovine colostrum supplementation prevents influenza more effectively than flu vaccination, according to a 2007 Italian study. Colostrum, a substance produced in mammary glands within 48 to 72 hours after a female mammal gives birth, abounds with nutrients, growth factors, and immune-supporting compounds, including antibodies. Bovine colostrum has a similar composition to human colostrum.

Researchers, led by M. R. Cesarone, at San Valentino Spoltere Vascular Screening Project in Pescara, Italy, compared the effectiveness of an oral colostrum tablet (900 mg, once in the morning) with anti-influenza vaccine in healthy subjects, ages 30 to 80, They divided the subjects into four groups: those who received vaccination alone, those who received vaccination and colostrum supplements, those who received only colostrum, and those who received no flu-preventive treatment. The researchers looked at the number of influenza episodes during the two-month treatment period plus the month after (three months total) and the total days of illness. Both colostrum-receiving groups experienced significantly fewer cases of flu than either the untreated or the vaccination-only group: “The number of days with flu was 3 times higher in the non-colostrum subjects. The colostrum group had 13 episodes versus 14 in the colostrum + vaccination group, 41 in the group (with) flu vaccine prophylaxis, and 57 in nontreated subjects.”

A second part of this study involved 65 very high-risk cardiovascular patients, all of whom received influenza vaccination. Again, the colostrum group had fewer cases of influenza and fewer complications that required hospital admission. Cesarone et al. conclude: “Colostrum, both in healthy subjects and high-risk cardiovascular patients, is at least 3 times more effective than vaccination to prevent flu and is very cost-effective.”

Nick: I have used colostrum with great effectiveness. In the past few years I have diagnosed several cases of appendicitis and used acupuncture, colostrum and another anti bacterial herb formula to help those people avoid surgery. In China, appendicitis is typically treated in this way with herbs and acupuncture. Approximately 20% of cases progress to needing surgery. I use Pure Encapsulation Colostrum with 40% IgG. It is quite useful for any intestinal infection. You can get it at Emerson Ecologics. See the top of this email for access information to their site.

BPA

Receipts covered in hormone-like chemical from www.healthiernews.com

Here’s a reality check for those of you who think you can avoid the toxic chemical bisphenol A: It turns out this toxic chemical has even been found in cash register receipts. That’s right: It’s not just cans and plastic bottles, friends — this poison is literally everywhere.

Researchers from the Environmental Working Group found this dangerous estrogen-like substance in 40 percent of receipts from places like Safeway, Wal-Mart, McDonald’s, CVS, and KFC.

Even the Whole Foods had BPA in its receipts. You just can’t trust anyone these days!

But if you think handling receipts with BPA is no big deal, think again. Swiss scientists say that two hours after exposure, 30 percent of the BPA from a receipt remained on the skin — and could no longer be washed away.

Nothing like a hormone boost with each purchase — and they don’t even charge extra for it.

That’s what the feds will do with it, because they don’t care about you or me. The dangers of BPA are well known and well documented — it’s been linked to everything from obesity and cardiovascular problems to reproductive harm and early puberty — and they’re deliberately ignoring all that evidence every single day they fail to act.

But don’t let me bust your bubble. If you enjoy a good exercise in futility, you can send your thoughts to consumer@fda.gov.

If you want to do something more productive with your time, get rid of everything that might contain BPA: Cans, bottles, jars with lids — if it doesn’t say “BPA free,” assume it’s BPA full.

There’s not much you can do about those receipts. I’d say leave them right there at the cash register, but in some places they’ll tackle you at the door if you don’t show a receipt on the way out. You might also need those receipts for warranties, returns and the taxman.

Shopping has officially become a dangerous activity — bring disposable gloves.

For more information go here:

http://www.ewg.org/new-study-confirms-BPA-exposures-from-receipts

Better Memory

Here is a site that shows you how to develop a better memory. I have tried some of the methods and they do work.
http://www.buildyourmemory.com/index.php

More for Gingivitis (See my previous email for a more complete overview)

I read this about lycopene, the lycopene used is a brand name Lyco Red but any lycopene should work the same.

Lycopene Shows Promise in the Treatment of Gingivitis
“Efficacy of lycopene in the treatment of gingivitis: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial,” Chandra RV, Prabhuji ML, et al, Oral Health Prev Dent, 2007; 5(4): 327-36. (Address: Department of Periodontics, Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, Hunasamaranahalli, Yelahanka, Bangalore, India.

E-mail: viswachandra@hotmail.com ).

In a randomized, double-blind study involving 20 healthy subjects showing clinical signs of gingivitis but otherwise healthy, supplementation with 8 mg/day lycopene (LycoRed) for a period of 2 weeks was found to statistically significantly reduce bleeding index and scores on non-invasive measures of gingivitis. A strong negative correlation was found between salivary uric acid levels and percentage reduction in gingivitis at 1 and 2 weeks among subjects who were taking lycopene and receiving oral prophylaxis with scaling and root planing, and among those who were taking lycopene and not receiving oral prophylaxis, as compared to subjects receiving placebo. The authors conclude, “The results presented in this study suggest that lycopene shows great promise as a treatment modality in gingivitis. The possibility of obtaining an additive effect by combining routine oral prophylaxis with lycopene is also an exciting possibility, which deserves further study.”

Vitamin D

A while back I sent an email about osteoporosis with a link to an article about Vitamin D. Over the past few months I am continuing to read about the importance of Vitamin D. So once again I encourage you to get enough of it which should be 1000-2000 IUs

IN PRAISE OF AVOCADOS

 CancerDecisions.com 
Newsletter #427 01/24/10

The Hass avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is a great American success story. A California mailman named Rudolph Hass discovered this cultivar, which turns purplish-black upon ripening, and patented the tree in 1935. Every Hass avocado tree in existence is derived from a single tree that Hass planted in La Habra Heights. (The tree was finally cut down in 2002.) While Hass avocados today constitute a billion dollar business, Hass himself made only $5,000 from his patent.

Hass avocados are often shunned by the health conscious because of their high fat content. But most of the fat in question is monosaturated, and thus is similar to olive oil. Other than its potential for adding poundage, avocados are a great source of nutrients, such as potassium and fiber. They have an abundance of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, folic acid, etc. Hass avocados contain the highest content of lutein among all commonly eaten fruits, as well as other carotenoids such as zeaxanthin, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene.

In the past few years, there has been a steady stream of research on the anti-cancer potential of avocados. Scientists at Ohio State University (OSU) found that an extract of Hass avocado selectively induced apoptosis in cancer but not normal, human oral epithelial cell lines. Apoptosis is the most common form of programmed cell death (PCD) and is the way that most drugs actually kill cancer cells.

OSU scientists believe that consuming avocados may help prevent oral cancer (Ding 2009). “As far as we know, this is the first study of avocados and oral cancer,” said Dr. Steven M. Ambrosio of Ohio State. “We think these phytochemicals either stop the growth of precancerous cells in the body or they kill the precancerous cells without affecting normal cells. Our study focuses on oral cancer, but the findings might have implications for other types of cancer” (Science News 2007).

Another promising study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) showed that an extract of avocado inhibit the growth of both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines in the laboratory. This caught the attention of many patients, since there are few treatments that will work on prostate cancer that is no longer responding to hormone therapy. The mechanism of action was an arrest of the cell cycle accompanied by increased expression of the p27 protein. P27 helps regulate the normal cell cycle.

Many colorful fruits and vegetables also contain carotenoids. But UCLA scientists speculate that it is precisely because of the high monosaturated fat content that the carotenoids in avocado are absorbed into the bloodstream, “where in combination with other diet-derived phytochemicals they may contribute to the significant cancer risk reduction associated with a diet of fruits and vegetables” (Lu 2005).

So, yes, avocados can be fattening, but the monostatured oil in this case may be serving a very good purpose. Depending on your weight, adding avocados to the diet could be an excellent idea.

In addition, avocados are considered to be among the foods that have the least amount of pesticide residues. They therefore made the “Clean 15” list of the Environmental Working Group. Fewer than 10 percent of avocado samples had detectable pesticides, and fewer than one percent had more than one pesticide.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

I was sent some information by an acupuncturist of mine.  The information is about Cannabidiol or CBD.  Medical Marijuana is legal in Montana and 20 other states and legislation is pending in 15 other states.  I know several people that use medical marijuana with benefit to them.  One of the common complaints is that marijuana helps greatly with their symptoms but most of the time they prefer not to get “high”.
Cannabidiol is the answer.  It is up to 40% of the active components in marijuana, but it has no psycho active properties, so no getting “stoned”.  It is considered to have a wider scope of therapeutic activity of any of the other 60+ compounds in marijuana.

A literature review from 2009 recapped CBD’s documented capabilities as an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), antipsychotic, antiepileptic, neuroprotectant, vasorelaxant (lower blood pressure), antispasmodic, anti-ischemic, anti-cancer agent, antiemetic, antibacterial agent, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and even as a means to stimulate bone growth.[4] CBD has also been shown to strengthen and improve the efficiency of mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of your cells that are responsible for ensuring that your cells work the way they should.

I have many CBD products available in my practice.

CBD available here..Great prices and high potentcies.

http://bit.ly/2ILsETI

HEARTMATH/EMWAVE 2

The heart at rest was once thought to operate much like a metronome, faithfully beating out a regular, steady rhythm. Scientists and physicians now know, however, that this is far from the case. Rather than being monotonously regular, the rhythm of a healthy heart-even under resting conditions—is actually surprisingly irregular, with the time interval between consecutive heartbeats constantly changing. This naturally occurring beat-to-beat variation in heart rate is called heart rate variability (HRV).

Heart rate variability is a measure of the beat-to-beat changes in heart rate. This diagram shows three heartbeats recorded on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Note that variation in the time interval between consecutive heartbeats, giving a different heart rate (in beats per minute) for each interbeat interval.

The normal variability in heart rate is due to the synergistic action of the two branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)—the part of the nervous system that regulates most of the body’s internal functions. The sympathetic nerves act to accelerate heart rate, while the parasympathetic (vagus) nerves slow it down. The sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the ANS are continually interacting to maintain cardiovascular activity in its optimal range and to permit appropriate reactions to changing external and internal conditions. The analysis of HRV therefore serves as a dynamic window into the function and balance of the autonomic nervous system.

Scientists and physicians consider HRV to be an important indicator of health and fitness. As a marker of physiological resilience and behavioral flexibility, it reflects our ability to adapt effectively to stress and environmental demands. A simple analogy helps to illustrate this point: just as the shifting stance of a tennis player about to receive a serve may facilitate swift adaptation, in healthy individuals the heart remains similarly responsive and resilient, primed and ready to react when needed.

HRV is also a marker of biological aging. Our heart rate variability is greatest when we are young, and as we age the range of variation in our resting heart rate becomes smaller. Although the age-related decline in HRV is a natural process, having abnormally low HRV for one’s age group is associated with increased risk of future health problems and premature mortality. Low HRV is also observed in individuals with a wide range of diseases and disorders. By reducing stress-induced wear and tear on the nervous system and facilitating the body’s natural regenerative processes, regular practice of HeartMath coherence-building techniques can help restore low HRV to healthy values.

In general, emotional stress—including emotions such as anger, frustration, and anxiety—gives rise to heart rhythm patterns that appear irregular and erratic: the HRV waveform looks like a series of uneven, jagged peaks (an example is shown in the figure below). Scientists call this an incoherent heart rhythm pattern. Physiologically, this pattern indicates that the signals produced by the two branches of the ANS are out of sync with each other. This can be likened to driving a car with one foot on the gas pedal (the sympathetic nervous system) and the other on the brake (the parasympathetic nervous system) at the same time—this creates a jerky ride, burns more gas, and isn’t great for your car, either! Likewise, the incoherent patterns of physiological activity associated with stressful emotions can cause our body to operate inefficiently, deplete our energy, and produce extra wear and tear on our whole system. This is especially true if stress and negative emotions are prolonged or experienced often.

In contrast, positive emotions send a very different signal throughout our body. When we experience uplifting emotions such as appreciation, joy, care, and love; our heart rhythm pattern becomes highly ordered, looking like a smooth, harmonious wave (an example is shown in the figure below). This is called a coherent heart rhythm pattern. When we are generating a coherent heart rhythm, the activity in the two branches of the ANS is synchronized and the body’s systems operate with increased efficiency and harmony. It’s no wonder that positive emotions feel so good – they actually help our body’s systems synchronize and work better.

Coherence: A State of Optimal Function

The Institute of HeartMath’s research has shown that generating sustained positive emotions facilitates a body-wide shift to a specific, scientifically measurable state. This state is termed psychophysiological coherence, because it is characterized by increased order and harmony in both our psychological (mental and emotional) and physiological (bodily) processes. Psychophysiological coherence is state of optimal function. Research shows that when we activate this state, our physiological systems function more efficiently, we experience greater emotional stability, and we also have increased mental clarity and improved cognitive function. Simply stated, our body and brain work better, we feel better, and we perform better.

The Quick Coherence Technique will help you reach the optimal state.

Step 1: Heart Focus. Focus your attention on the area around your heart, the area in the center of your chest. If you prefer, the first couple of times you try it, place your hand over the center of your chest to help keep your attention in the heart area.

Step 2: Heart Breathing. Breathe deeply, but normally, and imagine that your breath is coming in and going out through your heart area. Continue breathing with ease until you find a natural inner rhythm that feels good to you.

Step 3: Heart Feeling. As you maintain your heart focus and heart breathing, activate a positive feeling. Recall a positive feeling, a time when you felt good inside, and try to re-experience the feeling. One of the easiest ways to generate a positive, heart-based feeling is to remember a special place you’ve been to or the love you feel for a close friend or family member or treasured pet. This is the most important step.

You can do the Quick Coherence® Technique anytime, anywhere and no one will know you’re doing it. In less than a minute, it creates positive changes in your heart rhythms, sending powerful signals to the brain that can improve how you’re feeling. Apply this one-minute technique first thing in the morning, before or during phone calls or meetings, in the middle of a difficult conversation, when you feel overwhelmed or pressed for time, or anytime you simply want to practice increasing your coherence. You can also use Quick Coherence whenever you need more coordination, speed and fluidity in your reactions.

Inner Balance is a free app for IOS and Android that lets you know how you are doing with the technique. The bluetooth pulse sensor that pairs with the app can be bought here.

http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=xcGYRQp8As0&offerid=181219.10000069&subid=0&type=4

from Health Info Newsletter April 1, 2018: Irritable Bowel and meditation and Heart Math

FATTY ACIDS

Essential fatty acids and GLA

Dietary fats include saturated and unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are generally liquid (oils) and saturated fats are solid. Mono-unsaturated fats (such as olive oil) may be liquid or solid depending on the storage temperature. Artificially saturated fats (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils) contain damaging substances called “trans” fats, which do not occur naturally.

Some fats are required in the diet, as they are essential for health but they are not made in the body. They stimulate hair and skin growth, are important for bone health, control metabolism, and support reproductive function. Most people consume far too much fat, but unfortunately, in addition to the health risks from too many calories, it is often highly processed and lacking in adequate amounts of the essential fatty acids.

The essential dietary fats include those called omega-3 and omega-6. They are also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Flaxseeds, walnuts, and soybeans are rich sources of the omega-3 oil “alpha-linolenic acid” (ALA) which is a precursor to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). EPA and DHA are found naturally in oily fish such as sardines and salmon, and they are also made in the body from the ALA, assuming that your enzymes are active. These omega-3 byproducts can reduce inflammation.

The omega-6 fatty acid (cis-linoleic acid, or cLA) is found in many nuts and seeds (such as flax, sunflower, and sesame) as well as corn and soybeans. Again, many of the commercial oils are highly processed, rendering the oils less nutritious. In the human body, cLA is converted to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). The conversion process depends on enzymes (just like the EPA and DHA conversion), but with age, disease, nutritional deficiencies, and other conditions these enzymes may be less active, impairing the production of all of these substances and the regulatory molecules into which they are made.

Recent research has confirmed some of the earlier work on the specific benefits of supplemental GLA, a precursor of the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (including PGE1and others). GLA is found in evening primrose seed oil, borage seed oil, and black currant seed oil, and these are all available as dietary supplements. These can be helpful in treating or preventing chronic inflammation, eczema, dry eye syndrome, asthma, diabetes, and arthritis. Chronic inflammation itself is suspected of contributing to causing diseases such as atherosclerosis, dementias, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer.

The anti-inflammatory action of GLA supplements helps in the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and eczema. Related effects help to dilate blood vessels to improve circulation and decrease the adhesiveness of platelets (for which some people take aspirin or other drugs). GLA can also improve nerve conduction in diabetics, reducing paresthesias (numbness and tingling). (Kapoor R, Huang YS, Gamma linolenic acid: an antiinflammatory omega-6 fatty acid. Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2006 Dec;7(6):531-4.) Earlier studies have shown benefits of GLA supplements for asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

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GLA helps atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Evening primrose oil contains about 40 mg of GLA per 500 mg capsule. In a study of atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema) 21 subjects were given 320 to 480 mg of GLA as 4000 to 6000 mg of evening primrose oil. They received treatment for 12 weeks, and they were assessed for symptoms at the start of the study and at 4 and 12 weeks using a rating scale called SCORAD. The researchers also measured the plasma levels of GLA and one of its metabolites, DGLA.

At both the 4- and 12-week evaluations, plasma levels of GLA and DGLA were increased. These levels correlated with a significantly reduced symptom score. This was only a pilot study, as there was no control group, but the results are similar to what had been found previously (I first learned about it in 1982). However, not all studies have supported this conclusion. It is possible that the response to GLA varies from person to person, accounting for the variability in the studies. Essential fatty acids are required for healthy cell membranes, including skin cells. (Simon D, et al., Gamma-linolenic acid levels correlate with clinical efficacy of evening primrose oil in patients with atopic dermatitis. Adv Ther. 2014 Feb;31(2):180-8.)

Practical guidelines;

GLA from any source is a valuable supplement, especially for those with a variety of chronic conditions. Essential fatty acid deficiency replicates the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. I often recommend 240 to 360 mg of GLA per day, most commonly from borage oil, as it is more concentrated than evening primrose oil so you can take just one capsule to get the same dose as six capsules of evening primrose oil.

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EPA/DHA and GLA in acne patients

Korean researchers designed a study to evaluate the effects of a combination of EPA/DHA or GLA in the treatment of acne. In this study, 45 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris were randomized to take either omega-3 fatty acids (2,000 mg of combined EPA and DHA), gamma-linolenic acid (borage oil containing 400 mg of GLA), or a control group. They were followed for 10 weeks.

After 10 weeks, both the EPA/DHA and the GLA groups showed a significant reduction in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions. The patients’ own evaluation of their improvement showed a similar result compared with the control group. In addition to the subjective evaluations, tissue examination with cellular staining showed reductions in inflammation and lower levels of inflammatory chemicals. No adverse effects were noted in any of the subjects. (Jung JY, et al., Effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid and gamma-linolenic acid on acne vulgaris: a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial. Acta Derm Venereol. 2014 Sep;94(5):521-5.

Practical guidelines:

For any inflammatory disorders GLA and EPA/DHA would be beneficial, usually in the doses listed in this article. For those who prefer to avoid animal products, consuming flaxseed oil and walnuts will provide some omega-3 oils, but with the caution that the conversion to EPA/DHA might be inadequate to provide the desired benefits. Acne is particularly distressing to young people, and it is usually partly the result of inadequate nutrition. When I first traveled to Japan in 1999, I saw hardly anyone with acne or acne scars. On subsequent trips, and especially my last trip 10 years later, I noted both the dramatic expansion of fast-food chains and an increase in the prevalence of acne.

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EPA/DHA and GLA for dry eye syndrome

Another study of combined GLA plus EPA/DHA showed benefits for post-menopausal patients with dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). Dry eye is also seen with age and some inflammatory autoimmune conditions. In this study, 38 patients with tear dysfunction were randomized to receive either a combination of GLA and EPA/DHA or a placebo for six months. At the start of the study they were evaluated with a number of tests, including the Ocular Surface Disease Index, the Schirmer test (for tear production), and corneal smoothness. They were then assessed again at 4, 12, and 24 weeks.

After 24 weeks, the Ocular Surface Disease Index score improved (was lower) with the supplementation, with a score of 21, compared to the placebo group, with a score of 34. In addition, the surface asymmetry index was significantly lower in the supplement-treated group (0.37 versus 0.51). Neither treatment had any effect on tear production or the staining tests of the cornea or conjunctiva. (Sheppard JD Jr, et al., Long-term supplementation with n-6 and n-3 PUFAs improves moderate-to-severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Cornea. 2013 Oct;32(10):1297-304.)

Practical guidelines:

Dry eye is seen with a condition called Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune inflammatory disease, but also as an independent problem. Supplementing with these essential fatty acids may well help reduce symptoms because of their anti-inflammatory effects. GLA also helps immune function through its effects on prostaglandins. Again, the typical dose of GLA is 240 to 360 mg per day, and common doses of omega-3 fatty acids are 1000 to 2000 mg daily.

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GLA+ALA for back pain and neuropathy

Compression of spinal nerves by collapsing vertebral discs can lead to back pain and neuropathy. Sometimes after a precipitating accident, the inflammation can lead to chronic syndromes that become disabling. In a study of 203 patients, all were treated with a physical rehabilitation program and half were also treated with oral doses of 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) plus 360 mg of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). They were examined at the start of the study and again at 2, 4, and 6 weeks.

They were evaluated with a Low Back Pain Disability questionnaire, the Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale, and a quality of life questionnaire (SF36), as well as other disability questionnaires. They were also evaluated for the level of paresthesias (numbness and tingling), and stabbing and burning pain. At the end of the study, the researchers noted significant improvements in symptoms as well as all of the specific measurement scales. The combination therapy with GLA plus ALA provided significantly better outcomes than the rehabilitation program alone. (Ranieri M, et al., The use of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and rehabilitation in the treatment of back pain: effect on health-related quality of life. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009 Jul-Sep;22(3 Suppl):45-50.)

Practical guidelines:

Alpha-lipoic acid is known to help with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, usually in doses of 1000-1200 mg per day. Adding GLA to the treatment may help by improving nerve conduction velocity and acting as an anti-inflammatory. The usual dose is 240 to 480 mg of GLA per day.