Sustain Community Acupuncture » To your health

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.

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.

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.

Acupuncture on Oprah

Sustain Staff — Fri, 21 May 2010 17:15:14 +0000

Angela, an audience member with shoulder pain explains how she’s seen doctors, had X-rays and tried massage, but nothing has worked. She’s now considering acupuncture but wants Dr. Oz to weigh in.

Just a few years ago, Dr. Oz says, many Western doctors would have written off acupuncture and other “alternative” medicines even though acupuncture could make sense for Angela. “Here’s the irony—acupuncture has been around for 2,500 years in China,” Dr. Oz says. “There are a billion people in another part of the world who use these therapies.”

In this episode of Oprah, Dr. Oz shares the benefits of acupuncture.

To watch the video and read more about it click here.

Pain Relief from Arthritis with Acupuncture

Sustain Staff — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:00:19 +0000

To ease arthritis pain, you do not necessarily have to rely solely on pain pills and steroids; there are a few alternative treatments that may help you find relief, including acupuncture.
Sixteenth century Chinese doctors believed that illness was due to an imbalance of energy in the body. In acupuncture, disposable, stainless steel needles are used to stimulate the body’s 14 major meridians, or energy-carrying channels, to resist or overcome illnesses and conditions by correcting these imbalances.
One benefit to acupuncture is that it is a drug-free way to minimize pain. With drugs, people often develop a tolerance, or the need for an increased dosage to achieve the same required effect. However, this does not happen with acupuncture. In addition, acupuncture allows the doctor to immediately examine a person’s response to the treatment and adjust it if necessary.

Read more about this article and acupuncture here.

Acupuncture can help work performance

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:48:11 +0000

Acupuncture relieves workplace stress by inducing a deep sense of relaxation while relieving many of the ailments that come with a stressful lifestyle.

As the World Health Organization (WHO) states, health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity but a positive state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, A healthy working environment is one in which there is not only an absence of harmful conditions but an abundance of health-promoting ones.

In an article about occupational health the WHO outlines a list of well researched requirements for a healthy workplace. Sadly, many of these are lacking in the workplace thanks to the economy forcing many companies to make due with a smaller work force and a larger work load. (more here)

Many salaried employees don’t know the meaning of “down time.” Nor do they understand the amount of long term damage they are doing to themselves by continuously suffering through long hard stressful hours at work. Those that live the stressful life for too long are at significantly higher risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, impedance and stroke. For those that learn to manage stress by taking breaks, eating well, exercising and receiving preventative health care, a much higher quality of life can be expected. For more on stress signs and symptoms go here.

Acupuncture, classic Chinese herbal medicine and massage can help with stress and its many side effects. A weekly or bi-monthly treatment can be all that’s required to keep the stress low, the body relaxed and our mind free of the nagging voices that keep us up at night or hinder our ability to work. A single treatment can relieve work fatigue and mental exhaustion for up to a week in some patients and the therapies have a cumulative effect. This means that after a time, the patient may only need to come in for the occasional tune up or to help fend off a cold.

A good article on Acupuncture and stress relief can be found here.