Houses of Healing

Things to know before you use your Microwave

Studies show that when people eat microwaved food that levels of hemoglobin and HDL cholesterol (the good one) decrease. Both going in the not so good direction.

White blood cell levels also decrease (not in a good way).

During microwaving, the actual structure of molecules is torn apart and forcefully deformed. Cell membranes are broken and the electrical potentials of the cell are neutralized. Doesn’t sound like a good thing to me.

Microwaving foods not only results in the destruction and deformation of molecules and but also the creation of new compounds known as radiolytic compounds – which have been previously unknown to man. Sounds tasty?

After eating microwaved foods, blood levels of erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit and leukocyte were at the "lower limits of normal". Wrong direction.

A study shows that microwaving human milk appears to destroy some of its disease fighting capabilities. Microwaving not only breaks down human milk’s antibodies to infectious agents, but also it’s lysozymes or bacteria-digesting enzymes. In case you didn’t guess – this is not advantageous.

Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in microwaved foods are altered so that the human body has difficulty absorbing them - or absorbs their altered forms - and we don’t know what affects that has. But I am thinking it is probably not good.

It seems that minerals in microwaved foods are converted into cancerous free radicals. We know that is not good.

A steady diet of microwaved foods appears to:
• “Short out” electrical impulses in the brain - like some kind of brain damage
• Alter male and female hormone production – and not for the better
• Increase the number of cancerous cells and cancerous tumors in the human body.
• Alter lymph glands and blood serum negatively affecting the immune responses
• Be associated with loss of memory and concentration, mood swings and decreased intelligence.

Does any of this sound healthy to you?

Family Matters

I found these interesting tidbits in an old issue of Newsweek (April 25, 2005)

Did You Know

• In a survey of 3,000 infants and toddlers published in 2004, researchers found that seven-month-olds are drinking soda. Among 15 to 24 month olds, French fries are the most commonly consumed vegetable. And nearly one quarter of 19 to 24 month olds are not consuming a single fruit or vegetable in a day. Pump Up the Family by Claudia Kalb and Karen Springen

• When one spouse has hypertension, depression, asthma or peptic ulcer the partner’s risk increases by 70 percent. Family Matters by Geoffrey Cowley with Claudia Kalb, Anne Underwood and Karen Springen

• Drawing on data from a 13 year study, psychologist and marriage expert John Gottman found that couples who are most likely to remain happy after becoming parents are those in which the husband admires his wife, keeps romance alive and understands his wife’s inner life. (It helps if the woman reciprocates but, according to Gottman, it’s the husband’s behavior that makes the difference.) And Now the Hard Part by Lauren Picker

• Health care that focuses on families can change entire life trajectories. In one program, where nurses checked in on 400 high-risk low-income teenage girls during their first pregnancy and their first two years as mothers the program sharply reduced abuse, neglect, and injuries. Even 15 years later the benefits were still seen. As teenagers, the children in the study group had 81% fewer criminal convictions than peers from similar backgrounds plus fewer sex partners, less substance abuse and fewer instances of running away from home. The nurses in the study counseled moms on nutrition, and helped them cut back on drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. They also offered basic instruction in life skills and infant care and worked to keep fathers and grandparents involved. Family Matters by Geoffrey Cowley with Claudia Kalb, Anne Underwood and Karen Springen

Boomers

Did You Know-

Over the next 19 years an American will turn 60 every seven seconds - resulting in a society with a larger share of elders than any other in human history.

Aging “Baby Boomers” biggest fear is insufficient income in retirement. Concern about staying healthy is second.

The largest group of entrepreneurs in this country today are over age 55 and female.

Thirty percent of boomers don't have kids. That's a big change from today's retirees -- 92 percent of them had children.

Don't talk about institutional care [ie nursing homes]. Boomers are not going to go there.

Boomers will know more about how to stay healthy and clearheaded as they age than their parents did.

New brain research tells us that brain cells regenerate. That gives us good evidence with which to combat ageism.

Boomers have a much broader understanding of what contributes to well-being. They know that mental exercise is important. Social activity and emotional exercise, vocation, having some daily responsibilities, helping each other, creative expression -- all these things contribute to a healthier life. It's much more than medical care.

Source: Lori Sturdevant - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Don't risk burnout - schedule your next vacation now

Did you know:

Europeans typically take a full month off in the summer and the French take all of August off. This has not destroyed their economy.

People who can't seem to relax and renew on weekends have a higher long-term risk of dying from heart disease, a research study in Finland suggests. Men and women who said they "seldom" recovered from work fatigue and stress were about three times more likely to die of heart disease or stroke as workers who "almost always" recovered.

Other studies show that the increased stress and fatigue from working long hours and not taking time off can lead to weight gain, cardiovascular problems, chronic fatigue, depression and addiction to alcohol and depressants.

In the US, more than one-third of workers will take the office with them on vacation, according to a recent CareerBuilder.com survey. Sixteen percent of workers say their supervisors expect them to stay in touch while on vacation and 19 percent plan to check in voluntarily. Of these workers, 61 percent will be checking voicemail or email on a daily basis.

The United States is the only industrialized country that does not have guaranteed four weeks paid vacation. Australia and Italy are the leaders in mandatory vacation with 6 weeks of paid vacation regardless of how long they have been employed.

Workers are expected to give back 574 million vacation days this year. (Expedia.com's annual vacation deprivation survey)

Besides dramatically cutting the risk of heart disease, vacations have a number of other health benefits. Vacations have been shown to cure burnout, the last stage of chronic stress. The time away from stressors helps re-gather crushed emotional resources, such as a sense of mastery and optimism. But it takes two weeks for this process to occur, so you need to have real time off to get the recuperative benefits. Studies have also shown that time off increases positive mood, a sense of initiative, competence, and that the more leisure activities you're involved in the higher your life satisfaction. --Joe Robinson - www.worktolive.com

Only 39% of American families take even a weeklong vacation a year.

It’s not too late! Schedule next year's vacation now!

Trace Minerals and Heavy Toxic Metals

Did You Know?

Trace Minerals are essential in countless metabolic functions in all phases of the life process.

While your body can produce many vitamins, it cannot manufacture necessary trace minerals.

Zinc is involved in the production, storage and secretion of insulin and is necessary for growth hormones.

Magnesium is required for normal muscular function, especially the heart. Deficiency is associated with heart attacks, anxiety and nervousness.

Potassium is critical for normal nutrient transport into your cells. Deficiency can result in muscular weakness, depression and lethargy.

Excess sodium is associated with hypertension, but adequate amounts are required for normal health.

Excessive mineral intake can negate the beneficial effects of vitamins. For Example: Zinc can reduce the beneficial effect of vitamin D.

Calcium can reduce the beneficial effect of vitamin A.

Excessive vitamin intake can negate the beneficial effects of minerals. For example: Vitamin C can reduce the beneficial effect of copper.

Vitamin D can cause a deficiency of magnesium.

Taking too much iron can contribute to such symptoms as arthritis, high blood pressure and tension headaches with dizziness.

Frontal headaches (behind the eyes) are associated with too much copper.

Taking too much calcium alone can contribute to osteoporosis, weight gain and fatigue.

Accute exposure to lead may be undetectable by a blood test after 30 days because the body deposits the metal into such tissues as the liver, bones, teeth and hair.

Toxic metals can contribute to learning disabilities and ADHD in children.

You can test your levels of vital trace minerals and dangerous heavy metals with a simple Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis.

Vacation Deprivation

Did You Know?

People who can't seem to relax and renew on weekends off from work may have a higher long-term risk of dying from heart disease, a research study in Finland suggests. Men and women who said they "seldom" recovered from work fatigue and stress were about three times more likely to die of heart disease or stroke as workers who "almost always" recovered.

Other studies show that the increased stress and fatigue from working long hours and not taking time off can lead to weight gain, cardiovascular problems, chronic fatigue, depression and addiction to alcohol and depressants.

In the US more than one-third of workers will be taking the office with them on vacation this year, according to a recent CareerBuilder.com survey. Sixteen percent of workers say their supervisors expect them to stay in touch while on vacation and 19 percent plan to check in voluntarily. Of these workers, 61 percent will be checking voicemail or email on a daily basis while on vacation.

The United States is the only industrialized country that does not have guaranteed four weeks paid vacation. Australia and Italy are the leaders in mandatory vacation with 6 weeks of paid vacation regardless of how long they have been employed.

Europeans typically take a full month off in the summer. This has not destroyed their economy.

The fastest growing economy in the world, China, offers three weeks off, which they call "Golden Weeks."
-- Joe Robinson www.worktolive.com

One in four workers plans to work while on vacation this year. --CareerBuilder.com

Workers are expected to give back 574 million vacation days this year. --Expedia.com's annual vacation deprivation survey)

The number of vacation days employees are skipping this year increased by one over last year. --Expedia.com's annual vacation deprivation survey

And the Conference Board reported that only 39% of American families are taking a week-long vacation this summer.

Besides dramatically cutting the risk of heart disease, vacations have a number of other health benefits. Vacations have been shown to cure burnout, the last stage of chronic stress. The time away from stressors helps re-gather crashed emotional resources, such as a sense of mastery and optimism. But it takes two weeks for this process to occur, so you need to have real time off to get the recuperative benefits.
--Joe Robinson

Studies have also shown that time off increases positive mood, a sense of initiative, competence, and that the more leisure activities you're involved in the higher your life satisfaction.
--Joe Robinson

Family Health

Did You Know?

In a survey of 3,000 infants and toddlers published in 2004, researchers found that seven month olds are drinking soda. Among 15 to 24 month olds, french fries are the most commonly consumed vegetable. And nearly one quarter of 19 to 24 month olds are not consuming a single fruit or vegetable in a day. (Pump Up the Family by Claudia Kalb and Karen Springen; Newsweek April 25, 2005)

When one spouse has hypertension, depression, asthma or peptic ulcer the partner’s risk increases by 70 percent. (Family Matters by Geoffrey Cowley with Claudia Kalb, Anne Underwood and Karen Springen; Newsweek April 25, 2005)

Drawing on data from a 13 year study, psychologist and marriage expert John Gottman found that couples who are most likely to remain happy after becoming parents are those in which the husband admires his wife, keeps romance alive and understands his wife’s inner life. (It helps if the woman reciprocates but, according to Gottman, it’s the husband’s behavior that makes the difference.) (And Now the Hard Part by Lauren Picker; Newsweek April 25, 2005)

Health care that focuses on families can change entire life trajectories. In one program where nurses checked in on 400 high risk low income teenage girls during their first pregnancy and their first two years as mothers the program sharply reduced abuse, neglect, and injuries. Even 15 years later the benefits were still seen as teenagers the children in the study group had 81% fewer criminal convictions than peers from similar backgrounds plus fewer sex partners, less substance abuse and fewer instances of running away from home. The nurses in the study counseled moms on nutrition, and helped them cut back on drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. They also offered basic instruction in life skills and infant care and worked to keep fathers and grandparents involved. (Family Matters by Geoffrey Cowley with Claudia Kalb, Anne Underwood and Karen Springen ; Newsweek April 25, 2005)

Depression, Stress and Laughter

Did You Know?

Depression was the fourth leading cause of disease burden in 1990 and by 2020 it is predicted to be the single leading cause. (One minute stress management: Freeze Frame by Doc Childre)

Research shows that between 60 and 80% of visits to primary care physicians are for stress related problems that are created by behavioral, lifestyle and psychological and are not disease processes. (DeLeon, P.H., Howell, W.C., Newman, R., Brown, A.B., Keita, G.P., & Sexton, J.L. (1996). Expanding roles in the twenty-first century. In R.J. Resnick & R.H. Rozensky (Eds.) Health psychology through life span. (Pp. 427-453Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.)

Chuckling, giggling, laughing, guffawing increase the overall functioning of the immune system. Research has documented significant increases in IgA, IgM, IgG, as well as helper T cells, natural killer cells and complement. (Feeling Good is Good For You by Carl J. Charnetski and Francis X. Brennan)

100 consecutive laughs is aerobically equivalent to 15 minutes of peddling on a stationary bicycle. It also reduces muscle tension and helps the body relax. (Feeling Good is Good For You by Carl J. Charnetski and Francis X. Brennan)

The head monkey in every group is the one with the highest serotonin. (Adrenaline Junkies and Serotonin Seekers by Matt Church)

Heart Health

Did You Know?

That almost half of the people dying from a heart attack or stroke have low to normal cholesterol levels.

Statin drugs used to lower cholesterol levels have significant side effects such as: elevated liver function tests; interference with the making and use of CoQ 10 (needed by every cell for proper functioning) in the body; increasing the chance of nerve damage 26 times higher than in the general population; measurable declines in cognitive functioning.

Elevated cholesterol levels are certainly an independent risk factor for heart disease and strokes. However, there are other important risk factors that are almost entirely ignored by many physicians and unknown to most of the general public. For instance, levels of C-Reactive Protein were predictive of future heart attacks – even for a subgroup of patients with “low risk” lipid profiles. The risk of heart attack from CRP was independent of total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, Lp(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, body mass index, hypertension, family history, and several other indicators.

The heart sends more information to the brain than the brain sends to the heart.

The heart produces an electromagnetic field that is about 5000 times stronger than the electromagnetic field produced by the brain. This electromagnetic field is one of the key factors that gives the heart the capacity to affect every part of your body. Your heart’s electromagnetic field even reaches out and broadcasts its influence about 5-10 feet beyond your physical body. You feel and come under the influence of a person’s heart centered electromagnetic field as you approach their energy field.