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Wheat Free and Fat Free

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:00:52 +0000

Wheat elimination continues to yield explosive and unexpected health benefits.

Dr. Davis talks about the importance of wheat free dieting and its affect on modern disease and the overall changes that occur when patients move away from wheat as a dietary staple:

I initially asked patients in the office to eliminate wheat because I wanted to help them reduce blood sugar and pre-diabetic tendencies.
A patient would come to the office, for example, with a blood sugar of 118 mg/dl (in the pre-diabetic range) and the other phenomena of pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high inflammation/c-reactive protein, low HDL, high triglycerides, small LDL), and the characteristic wheat belly. Eliminate wheat and, within three months, they lose 30 lbs, blood sugar drops to normal, blood pressure drops, triglycerides drop by several hundred milligrams, HDL goes up, small LDL plummets, c-reactive protein drops.

People also felt better, with flat tummies and more energy. But they also developed benefits I did not anticipate:

Improved rheumatoid arthritis I have seen this time and time again. Eliminate wheat and the painful thumbs, fingers, and other joints clear up dramatically. Many former rheumatoid sufferers people tell me that one cracker or pretzel will trigger a painful throbbing reminder that lasts a couple of hours.

Improved ulcerative colitis People incapacitated with pain, cramping, and diarrhea of ulcerative colitis (who are negative for the antibodies for celiac disease) can experience marked improvement. I’ve seen people be able to stop all their nasty colitis medications just by eliminating wheat.

Reduction or elimination of irritable bowel syndrome

Reduction or elimination of gastroesophageal reflux

Better mood Eliminating wheat makes you happier and experience more stable moods. Just as wheat is responsible for a subset of schizophrenia and bipolar illness (this is fact), and wheat elimination generates dramatic improvement, when you or I eliminate wheat, we also experience a “smoothing” of mood swings.

Better libido I’m not sure whether this is a consequence of losing a belly the size of a watermelon or improvement in sex hormones (esp. testosterone) or endothelial responses, but more interest in sex typically develops.

Better complexion I’m not entirely sure why, but various rashes will often dissipate, bags under the eyes are reduced, itching in funny places stops.

It’s also peculiar how, after someone eliminates wheat for several months, re-exposure of an errant cracker or sandwich results in cramping and diarrhea in about 30% of people.

Obviously, people with celiac disease, who can even die of exposure to wheat, are even worse. What other common food do you know of that makes us sick so often, even occasionally with fatal outcome?

Find more great heart and health related information here: http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/

Sustain Community Acupuncture offers wellness for all, naturally. Located in San Diego between the Hillcrest and North park Neighborhoods, Sustain Community Acupuncture offers affordable Acupuncture, Herbal Therapy and Medical Massage. For questions about this article or for a consultation please call 619.358.9508 or contact us here.

Over consumption of vegetable oils lead to inflamation

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:00:23 +0000

In Dr. Barry Groves’ Second Opinion blog. He reviews a study which links consumption of linoleic acid to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (such as Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Linoleic acid is an omega-6 (n-6) essential fatty acid. “Essential” in this context means that humans can’t make it internally and need to eat it in the diet. However, we only need a tiny amount – about a teaspoonful per day – and eating too much of it can cause serious problems. Eating too much linoleic acid dramatically increases oxidized LDL cholesterol levels, which as I just explained in the last section significantly elevates our risk of heart disease. Linoleic acid is also pro-inflammatory, and inflammation is a major contributor to modern diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and, you guessed it, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Tragically, linoleic acid has become one of the primary sources of calories in the American diet. Vegetable oils containing linoleic acid (such as soybean, corn, safflower, sunflower, cottonseed) are found in nearly all packaged and processed foods and all foods cooked in a restaurant. Almost all fried foods are extremely high in linoleic acid.

Is it any wonder, then, that Irritable Bowel Syndrome has reached such epidemic proportions? It is now the #2 leading cause for people missing work, behind only the common cold. It affects millions of people in the U.S. and abroad. There is no known “cure”, and the medications prescribed for it are largely ineffective.

This is yet another example of how toxic and harmful our modern diets are. If you want to avoid these conditions, eat traditional, saturated fats like butter, lard and coconut oil instead of industrially-processed vegetable oils. You’ll feel better, and you’ll enjoy your food a lot more too!

Thanks again to thehealthyskeptic.org fr turning me onto this information.

Too many carbs can increase your Cholesterol score

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:00:20 +0000

In a recent post on Dr. William Davis’s blog, The Heart Scan. Dr. Davis reviews a study demonstrating that consumption of excess carbohydrate can raise cholesterol.

Many know that normal LDL cholesterol isn’t a risk factor for heart disease. However, small, dense LDL cholesterol is a type of cholesterol that signifies a significant risk factor for heart disease: .

Small, dense LDL particles are more likely to become oxidized, and oxidized LDL are one of the strongest risk factors for heart disease we know of.

Dr. Davis clearly explains how eating too many carbs can increase your levels of small, dense LDL and he also explains why so many doctors and researchers don’t make this crucial connection. Check out the full article here.

thanks to thehealthyskeptic.org for turning us onto this useful information.

Acupuncture and Cholesterol

Sustain Staff — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 22:17:27 +0000

While high cholesterol can be treated by a variety of western medical approaches, such as statin drugs, there are often unwanted side effects and unclear benefits. Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a safe, natural alternative form of care than can be used in conjunction with regular checkups to manage your cholesterol levels.

A study published in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture investigated the effects of acupuncture on losing weight and lowering cholesterol levels. Researchers enrolled 50 subjects with simple obesity (accumulation of excess energy (calories) when not used are stored as fat resulting in excess weight). The subjects were all overweight and had higher than normal cholesterol levels – this would include serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipid protein. Results were the acupuncture treatment decreased body weight and cholesterol levels in varying degrees but even after the treatment stopped, there continued to be decreases in all areas. In conclusion, the researchers determined that acupuncture is effective immediately and it also continues to have a stable long-term effect on weight loss and lowering cholesterol.

Liu Y, et al. Acupuncture as the Main Therapeutic Methods to Treat Simple Obesity. Int J of Clin Acupuncture.2007;16(3):187-189.

For further information about this article and treating High Cholesterol with acupuncture, click here.

Sustain Community Acupuncture offers wellness for all, naturally. Located in San Diego between the Hillcrest and North Park Neighborhoods, Sustain Community Acupuncture offers affordable Acupuncture, Herbal Therapy and Medical Massage. For questions about this article or for a consultation please call 619.358.9508 or contact us here.

San Diego Acupuncture: Affordable Health Care For Help With A Variety Of Health Problems

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 20:58:42 +0000

Acupuncture has been practiced in China for over two thousand years. It has a history of relieving a wide variety of disease and pains while providing comfort to the patient. In San Diego Acupuncture is easy to find. There are many clinics and practitioners to help with your problems. In particular, Sustain Community Acupuncture and Wellness offers a highly effective method of acupuncture and a wellness model that is healing for the patient and conscious of their time and resources.

Sustain Community Acupuncture and Wellness offers

Local San Diego Acupuncture
A relaxing healing environment
Private intakes and evaluations
Group treatment lounge where only distal (arms & legs) are treated
Compassionate practitioners
High purity herbal supplements
Affordable health care at 1/3 the cost

Research into the benefits of the treatment has been carried out by the World health
Organization. It found that there are many diseases, conditions and disorders which acupuncture can help. They have produced a list of those health problems to inform the public. The list includes eye ears nose and throat problems, respiratory disorders, depression and other emotional problems, nerve disorders, stomach problems, muscular pain and disorders and much more. If you have a problem with addiction acupuncture can also help with withdrawal and emotional matter associated with substance misuse.

For a complete list of conditions acupuncture will effectively treat as recognized by the W.H.O. Click here.

Seaweed soup for mothers, students and weight loss:

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:31:52 +0000

Kombu seaweed is rich in protein, calcium, iodine, magnesium, iron and folate. Lower rates of breast cancers have been reported in Japanese women eating a diet high in kelp. Lignans, which help fight cancer are found in high quantity in kelp and may provide protection against certain cancers. In many asian cultures, seaweed soup is considered a must for pregnant and nursing women, as eating seaweed is an effective way of stimulating healthy breast milk production.

Seaweed is also given to students, usually without fail on the night before an important exam, as seaweed is believed to support optimal brain function. Also, because of its high protein, essential nutrients and chinese medicinal qualities it can help support healthy weight loss.
In Korean, this soup is called mi-yuk gook. and can be purchased at most Asian markets and health food stores. Dr. Kim provides a delicious recipe at his website here.

Ingredients:
1 package of dried seaweed (1 ounce is fine for four servings), available in all Korean food markets – ask for the kind used to make seaweed soup, or mi-yuk gook (you don’t want the thin kind used to make sushi rolls.) 6 cups of vegetable broth or organic chicken broth 2 teaspoons of sesame oil Naturally brewed soy sauce or sea salt, to taste 1 teaspoon of minced garlic (optional)

Directions:
Soak seaweed in water for two hours or until soft. Drain and rinse really well, as dried seaweed can come with a lot of dirt, just like spinach does.

Put all ingredients, including seaweed, into a large pot and bring to a boil, then simmer for five minutes to allow all the flavors to come together.

Koreans traditionally enjoy this seaweed soup with a bowl of white or brown rice, sometimes together in the same bowl.

Acupuncture and Weight Loss II

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:30:41 +0000

Acupuncture and Weight Loss:

Weight loss is a lifestyle obsession for many Americans where the focus is fixated on calories, carbs and cardio and the goal is always to cut pounds and get sexy abs. For successful weight loss that lasts a lifetime the focus needs to be on the following 4 key elements.
1. A diet rich in lean proteins, green leafy vegetables, nuts, berries and colorful vegetables.

Why it works: Lean protein is thermogenic and encourages a higher metabolism. Green leafy vegetables and nuts contain healthy fats and lots of fiber that help lower cholesterol and detox the Liver. Excess refined sugars and starchy carbohydrates trigger an exaggerated insulin response, slowing metabolism, and promoting systemic inflammation and fat accumulation.

2. An active lifestyle of many different physical activities including about 60 minutes of walking a day. We like to take a morning and evening walk of 20 – 30 minutes each.

Why it works: Walking oxygenates the blood, lowers stress and aiding in digestion. This gives us more energy, better focus and works out the kinks from sitting at a desk all day.

3. Establish a regular and adequate sleep schedule.

Why it works: Sleep is the essential element missing in a majority of our patients’ lives. Many people who have chronic low energy, fatigue and early signs of adrenal insufficiency need more sleep rather than more energy or stimulants. Sleep allows the body to reset itself, get out of the “flight or fight” mode of our daily lives and replenish its resources. Inadequate sleep promotes an adverse cortisol response leading to increased hunger, especially sugar cravings, and accumulation of belly fat.

4. Relax! A daily practice of stress relief is the fourth essential element of a healthy body weight and a healthy life. Some people meditate, others read or take a few minutes to watch the clouds.

Why it works: Stress elevates cortisol, which signals the brain to overeat and encourages fat storage. Setting aside personal time that is only yours gives you a mental and physical break that lets the body, mind and spirit give a sigh of relief before you head back into your daily duties. Some people find guided meditation is best while others find sitting in the sun and enjoying the day is ideal.

Where Acupuncture is beneficial for weight loss is that it had been shown to have a beneficial effect on the function of the nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, food cravings, and metabolism. All of which can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety. Patients also report sleeping better, feeling more rested and less stressed after each treatment.

Patients also find that while working with a practitioner as a coach to encourage them in their goals that it is easier to stay on track and focused through stressful times when they might be prone to overeating or skipping a daily walk.

Body Image is also a crucial factor when considering weight loss. Many patients don’t like the body they have or feel inadequate when compared to models and actors on T.V. In fact, a Psychology Today survey found that 56% of the women and about 40% of the men who responded to their survey in 1997 were dissatisfied with their overall appearance. We can not all fit into the heroine sheik ideals of fashion magazines or get those bronzed (airbrushed) abs of the fitness magazines but it is possible through simple good habits and daily practice to achieve a lean healthy body that we feel comfortable in and that will be healthy, attractive and functional for a long time.

How Sustain Community Acupuncture and Wellness can work for you.

admin — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:10:42 +0000

The Sustain Wellness Promise:

At Sustain Community Acupuncture and Wellness we promise to work with you to correct your condition, restore you to a state of wellness and help maintain your health. The services we provide are holistic and focus on returning balance to the body, mind and spirit. We encourage proper diet, exercise and rest while using natural medicine that is both effective and affordable to return the body to a state of wellness. That is why we believe in “Wellness for all, naturally.”

What We Provide:

Experience: Our staff of highly trained and compassionate professionals have the experience and commitment to take you from a state of pain, anxiety, fatigue and depression to a state of vivid health and wellness. (for a list of all conditions treated, please click here)
Knowledge: Each licensed health care practitioner has extensive training to address your special needs. Our clinic can help with general health and wellness as well as pain, injury, emotional disorders, stress, fertility issues and in the management and treatment of many chronic conditions including cancer treatment support and fibromyalgia.
Unique protocol of therapies designed for you: At Sustain community acupuncture and wellness we have developed therapeutic protocols found in no other clinic in San Diego that are focused to quickly and painlessly restore your health.
A High Rate of Success: Our patients see an almost immediate response to the therapies they receive and after following the prescribed protocol report an improved quality of life and the cessation of many of their symptoms.
An affordable approach to healthcare: We believe in healthcare that is effective as well as affordable. That is why we charge a low rate of $30 for acupuncture after the initial consult of $45 dollars. This allows our patients to follow the prescribed protocols and see the results they deserve.
Unique healing environment: Group or community therapies promote a collective healing experience. With private intakes and community treatments in our Acupuncture Lounge, patients can experience the comfortable, meditative and restorative energy of an open treatment space. Massage and certain protocols are performed privately.
Whole body therapies: Many Doctors and other therapists look at only a single area of a patient’s health. At Sustain Wellness we look at the patient as a whole entity and prescribe therapies that will quickly restore the patient to a balanced health.
A commitment to wellness: Having a commitment to wellness allows the practitioners at Sustain provide the best healthcare available. Making it affordable allows our patients to commit to that wellness.

Is Sustain right for you?:

We encourage all our potential patients to call in for a free consultation and to try Acupuncture, Herbal Therapy, Massage and/or Wellness Counseling to see if it is the right fit for them. We also believe that a commitment to wellness comes from both practitioner and patient. Patients who see the greatest results are.

Ready to make a change: Making a commitment to your health and working with a caring professional will ensure you see the results you want.
Willing to adopt a healthy lifestyle: Many patients see results from treatment. However, those that adopt simple lifestyle changes will see optimal and lasting results
Commit to consistent and regular treatments: Holistic health, Acupuncture Herbs and Massage are therapies and require regular treatments to achieve lasting results. Patients may be seen as often as two to three times a week in the beginning and only monthly or quarterly once the therapeutic results are achieved.
Take back control of their personal health: We have been conditioned to give away our control of our own health by Doctors and Pharmaceutical companies. At Sustain we educate our patients and help advocate for them so they can make informed decisions and have options before surgery or harsh medication.
Work with individuals committed to helping you find your optimal health: Our patients are part of the team, working with the practitioners for customize and fine tune the treatments to fit their personal needs.
Learn strategies for your best lifestyle and wellness: We teach our patients how to be healthy without medicine. Our ideal patient gets well and stays well, returning only for relaxing massage, occasional stress relief and maintenance.

Acupuncture for Weight Loss

Sustain Staff — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:15:30 +0000

Wouldn’t it be great to decrease the amount of food that you take in, and increase the amount of energy you expend? It’s entirely possible, thanks to acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Acupuncture and TCM address both the physiological and psychological aspects of weight loss. A comprehensive therapy for weight issues rooted in TCM promotes better digestion, smooths emotions, reduces appetite, improves metabolism, and eliminates food cravings.

A 2003 study published in The Journal of Medical Acupuncture found that participants receiving acupuncture lost more than three times more weight than the control group.

In a study conducted by the University of Adelaide in Australia in 1998, 95 percent of the participants receiving electro-stimulation on acupuncture points reported appetite suppression. The results showed that the acupuncture group was more likely to experience a reduced appetite and to lose weight than the control group.

Asthma and Bronchitis

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:56:51 +0000

Asthma and Bronchitis are common medical conditions seen in our clinic. While some cases are difficult to treat, we often see good results using simple treatment protocols and herbal therapies.

Asthma Symptoms

Bronchitis Symptoms

Acupuncture and Herbal Therapies

Asthma Symptoms

People with asthma experience symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus. Common asthma symptoms include:

Coughing, especially at night
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness, pain, or pressure

Still, not every person with asthma has the same symptoms in the same way. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms of asthma at different times. Your symptoms may also vary from one asthma attack to the next, being mild during one and severe during another.

Some people with asthma may go for extended periods without having any symptoms, interrupted by periodic worsening of their symptoms called asthma attacks. Others might have asthma symptoms every day. In addition, some people may only have asthma during exercise or asthma with viral infections like colds.

Mild asthma attacks are generally more common. Usually, the airways open up within a few minutes to a few hours. Severe attacks are less common but last longer and require immediate medical help. It is important to recognize and treat even mild symptoms to help you prevent severe episodes and keep asthma under better control.

WebMD

Bronchitis Symptoms

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease in which the mucous membrane in the lungs’ bronchial passages becomes inflamed. As the irritated membrane swells and grows thicker, it narrows or shuts off the tiny airways in the lungs, resulting in coughing spells accompanied by thick phlegm and breathlessness. The disease comes in two forms: acute (lasting less than 6 weeks) and chronic (reoccurring frequently for more than two years). In addition, people with asthma experience an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes called asthmatic bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis signs and symptoms:

Hacking cough and
Yellow, white or green phlegm usually occuring 24 – 48 hours after cough
Fever, Chills
Sore or tight chest
Pain below breast bone
shortness of breath

Chronic bronchitis is a serious long-term disorder that often requires regular medical treatment. Signs and symptoms include:

Persistent productive cough for at least three months of the year for the last two years
Wheezing and some breathlessness

WebMD

Acupuncture and Herbal Therapies

Treating Asthma with Acupuncture therapy is relatively simple and is effective for both acute and chronic attacks. Short term, acupuncture may be able to shorten or end an acute attack and through extended therapy may reduce the frequency and severity of the condition. Points on the forearm that are associated with lung function and on the leg associated with reducing phlegm and improving the ability to take deeper breaths are often used.

Herbal therapy is used for acute cases in conjunction with acupuncture therapy and are best for long term care in cases of chronic conditions and immune support. Common formulas are Xiao Qing Long Tang, used when asthma which is worse when lying down; there are chills; clear phlegm; cough; difficult to expectorate phlegm; emphysema; fever; frothy phlegm; heaviness of the body; a lack of sweat; and profuse phlegm, or Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan is more for continuous cough with thick yellow phlegm. Of course these are common formulas and may not be suitable for your condition. It is always recommended you consult a licensed acupuncturist before beginning an herbal regimen.