Chinese 5 elements for oil blends

Aromatic Massage Oil Blends for the Chinese 5 Elements
The Five Element Theory utilized in Chinese Medicine stems from ancient Chinese philosophy. The five elements are symbolic for the different phases, or primal forces within the universe, nature, and our bodies. Each element is also attributed to a certain personality archetype. Knowing which element(s) predominates our personalities can help further insight into our lives and relationships.

The massage blends below were formulated with TCM 5 Element Theory in mind.  As you may know essential oils have a direct effect on the limbic system thereby altering the emotional and mental qualities of the body mind. In TCM it is believed that emotions relate to different organs in the body and through herbs, oils, color and scents (in addition to acupuncture and other bodywork modalities) we are able to help rebalance.

Prepare the blends below and either choose your scent intuitively (works very well) or take the 5 elements questionnaire online listed at the end of this article.

Enjoy!!


Wood: Yin Meridian Liver and Yang Meridian Gall Bladder. Color geen, a sour taste and a feelings of anger or rage.

1.5 tbsp olive oil
5 drops Lemongrass essential oil
10 drops Ginseng essential oil

Fire: Yin Meridian Heart, Yang Meridian Small Intestines. Color red, a bitter taste and feelings of happiness joy or shock.

1.5 tbsp olive oil
5 drops Rose essential oil
10 drops Cinnamon essential oil

Earth: Yin Meridian Spleen, Yang Meridian Stomach. Color yellow, sweet taste and worry or thoughtful feelings.

1.5 tbsp olive oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
5 drops fennel essential oil

Metal: Yin Meridian Lung, Yang Meridian Large Intestines. Color white, spicy taste, and feeling of sorrow.

1.5 tbsp olive oil
5 drops peppermint
10 drops eucalyptus

Water: Yin Meridian Kidneys, Yang Meridian Bladder. Color black, salty taste and feeling of fear.

1.5 tbsp olive oil
5 drops Jasmine essential oil
10 drops chamomile essential oil

Let them drink juice?

Two bills proposing a ban on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging were introduced in France last year by the French Socialist party at the National Assembly. Slated to be approved by the end of this month, following an examination by the French senate, the bills would require that manufacturers operating in France alter their packaging at a high cost.

The pending legislation has American companies worried, given that the ban would also affect exports of food products to France, such as beer and juice. And since the French are the second largest purchasers of Florida juices, the BPA proscription would have an adverse impact on the sale of plastic containers of such products. Unlike large food producers such as Coca Cola, smaller companies may not have the financial resources to reformulate their plastic packages.

“This is an excellent example of how stubborn adherence to the precautionary principle harms consumers and the economy,” says ACSH’s Dr. Gilbert Ross. “BPA's safety has been confirmed by a multitude of objective evaluations; yet the fear promoted by activist groups has led to needless regulatory actions, such as this misguided French ban.”

Not to mention the fact that the majority of French consumers will be quite unhappy once they learn that they will be deprived of many of the products they love, adds ACSH’s Dr. Elizabeth Whelan. “It’s only a very small, vocal group of people who are against BPA and are forcing such legislation through. Most folks don’t realize the harmful effects of such a ban — this measure helps no one, but will hurt many.”
 
When, and if, the proposed bills pass, France will require that all food packaging be BPA-free by January 1, 2014. “But if BPA is so dangerous,” Dr. Whelan half-jokingly asks, “then why are government officials in France willing to wait so long to phase it out?”

Aromatherapy and Massage

Aromatherapy, a process utilizing the purest essence of a plant, is a 4,000-year-old technique that has enhanced the health of everyone from modern-day pop divas to the scholars of ancient Greece. The art of massage has its own deeply rich roots, with even Plato and Socrates touting the value of hands-on bodywork for good health.

Separately, these two therapeutic traditions hold individual prowess in the realm of personal health and well-being. Together, however, they become a formidable health alliance that can address not only a person's physical health, but the health of the mind and spirit as well.


A Natural Complement
Our senses were designed to work best in conjunction with one another. Our sense of taste would not be as acute without our nose lending its support to the process. Our auditory senses might seem hollow if we weren't gifted with sight as well. Indeed, there exists a quiet partnership between all our five senses that's built on synergy.

Balancing oils
Bay Laurel
Cedarwood
Geranium
Myrrh

Clarifying oils
Cypress
Juniper
Lemon
Peppermint

Comforting oils
Bergamot
Frankincense
Melissa
Rose

Energizing oils
Eucalyptus
Grapefruit
Lemongrass
Rosemary

Focusing oils
Angelica
Basil, sweet
Jasmine Samboc
Lime

Sedating oils
Chamomile
Clary Sage
Marjoram
Patchouli

Uplifting oils
Lavender
Orange/Mandarin
Pine
Tea Tree
And so it is with touch and smell. This is why aromatherapy is such a natural complement to massage and why more and more therapists are pairing the two as they see how the partnership nurtures body, mind, and spirit.

Let's see how it works. Essential oils are extracted from herbs, flowers, and plants with the intent to improve a person's health and well-being. Addressing everything from arthritis to whooping cough, effects of the approximate 3,000 oils found globally can range from sedative to stimulating and antibacterial to antispasmodic. The benefits derived from aromatherapy during a massage come in part from the contact the essential oil has on our skin, but even more so how it affects us when it's inhaled and absorbed through the soft-tissue linings of our nose and mouth.

The scientific explanation suggests that the essential oil's molecules, when inhaled, lock onto receptor cells at the back of the nose, sending an electrochemical message to the brain's limbic system. This message appears to trigger memory and emotional responses, causing messages to be sent to other parts of the brain and body. "In this way," says aromatherapist Danila Mansfield, "the production of euphoric, relaxing, sedative, or stimulating neurochemicals is stimulated."

Judith Fitzsimmons and Paula Bousquet, authors of , say the use of essential oils creates a multiAromatherapy Through the Seasonsfaceted effect: "The real beauty of aromatherapy is that it works on a cellular and physical level and also in the emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and aesthetic areas of your life."

It's really quite amazing when you think about it. Imagine an area the size of a small apricot pit, a 1-inch square area, filled with millions of sensory neurons that can capture, process, and store 10,000 odors. This is our olfactory system at work, and part of its job is to create a personal history for us based on scent, says clinical aromatherapist va-Marie Lind-Shiveley. "None of our other senses so well establishes a memory database." She says our response to scent is both physiological and psychosomatic. "Within an instant of smelling an aroma, we can be sent back to the first moment we were introduced to it."

By enabling us to recognize, revisit, and/or reclaim these various emotions and memories, aroma-therapy allows another avenue of access for healing during a bodywork session. It creates a path through which the somatic experience can find its full strength.

When the powerful effects of aromatherapy are combined with massage, it can take us to another level, says aromatherapy educators Shirley and Len Price. "When, during a massage, the touch of the therapist is combined with the mental and physical effects of the essential oils, the client is helped to achieve a temporary separation from worldly worries, somewhat akin to a meditative state." Helping clients reach this level of relaxation is a primary goal of massage therapists and aromatherapists alike, so it makes sense that a partnership could beautifully exist.


A Scent Journey
Scent is not simplistic," Lind-Shiveley says. "It is voluminous." She illustrates this point with a quote from Helen Keller: "Smell is a potent wizard that transports us across thousands of miles and all the years we have lived. The odors of fruits waft me to my Southern home, to my childhood frolics in the peach orchard. Other odors, instantaneous and fleeting, cause my heart to dilate joyously or contract with remembered grief."

If you decide to do some personal exploration into the world of scent therapy, proceed with due caution in both the quality of the oils you buy and how you dose and administer them. There is a dichotic nature inherent in aromatherapy. It is gentle, yet powerful, subtle, yet intense. There are essential oils strong enough to cause miscarriage, but there also are many oils safe enough to use on infants. The key is knowing how to utilize nature's gifts to provide the best, most effective therapeutic collaboration possible.

Grapefruit Juice and Medicine May Not Mix

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Too High or Too Low Drug Levels How Grapefruit Juice Affects Some Medications Tips for Consumers

Grapefruit juice can be part of a healthful diet—most of the time. It has vitamin C and potassium—substances your body needs to work properly.

But it isn’t good for you when it affects the way your medicines work.

Ovarian cancer risk from endometriosis

Women who have a history of endometriosis may be at risk of certain types of ovarian cancer, suggests a new study in The Lancet Oncology. Endometriosis occurs when cells from the lining of the uterus grow in other parts of the body — a relatively common condition that occurs in about 10 percent of women during their childbearing years. It can lead to pain, difficulties conceiving, and irregular bleeding.

Led by Dr. Celeste Leigh Pearce at the University of Southern California, researchers used data from over 23,000 women, obtained from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium. They found that women who had endometriosis were three times more likely to develop clear-cell ovarian cancer and had double the risk of endometrioid tumors. “Our data, taken with the other published data on the link between ovarian cancer and endometriosis, strongly suggests a causal relationship,” says Dr. Pearce.

Ovarian cancer was diagnosed in an estimated 22,000 women in the U.S. in 2011 and causes about 15,000 deaths each year, although clear-cell ovarian cancer accounts for just under 5 percent of all ovarian cancer cases. While the large majority of women with endometriosis will never develop ovarian cancer, the study authors note that this is still a link that doctors and patients should be aware of.

“Since endometriosis is not uncommon, this study suggests that women and their doctors need to be aware that the condition seems to confer a higher risk,” notes ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross. “Women with endometriosis would be good candidates for screening for ovarian cancer.”

Why Do People Use Tobacco? Looking for Answers

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What They’ll Be StudyingA Unique Collaboration

Much is known about the use of tobacco products, especially their effects on the health of those who smoke cigarettes. What’s known includes two grim facts: Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable, premature death in the United States. And thousands of kids start smoking every day in the United States, many starting a lifetime of addiction.

But what federal regulators and researchers know less about is exactly why people start using a specific tobacco product such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes and/or chewing tobacco. They also want to know why and when people stop smoking or using other tobacco products, and why they start up again.

To find some of the missing pieces of that puzzle, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have launched a major, nationwide study of more than 40,000 smokers and non-smokers, including about 7,000 youths age 12 to 18.

The $118.3 million “Population Assessment on Tobacco Health Study (PATH)” will recruit these participants from across the country and study them over the course of five years.

“The launch of this study signals a major milestone in addressing one of the most significant public health burdens of the 21st century,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “The results will strengthen FDA’s ability to fulfill our mission to make tobacco-related disease and death part of America’s past and will further guide us in targeting the most effective actions to decrease the huge toll of tobacco use on our nation’s health.”

Scientific experts at NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse and FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) will coordinate the effort. CTP is the FDA center that regulates the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of tobacco products to protect public health and to reduce tobacco use by minors.

What They’ll Be Studying

The study participants will be interviewed annually by researchers from Westat, a company in Rockville, Md. that specializes in health surveys and public health research. These investigators will examine such issues as

susceptibility to tobacco use;frequency of use patterns;characteristics of smoking cessation and relapse;effects of regulatory changes on the perception of risk and other tobacco-related attitudes;differences in attitudes, behaviors and key health outcomes in racial-ethnic, gender, and age subgroups.

“Data we obtain from the PATH study will provide us with important information that will inform our future regulatory options to protect the public health, including setting tobacco product standards and communicating the risks of tobacco use,” says Cathy Backinger, Ph.D., M.P.H., deputy director for research in CTP’s Office of Science at FDA.

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A Unique Collaboration

Researchers will visit homes nationwide in all nine census regions. The resulting data will help inform FDA’s future regulatory actions and assess the impact of the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which granted FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products. CTP oversees its implementation.

This study is the first large-scale collaboration of the two federal agencies since the landmark legislation became law.

According to CTP, approximately 20 percent of U.S. high school students currently smoke.  Additionally, data shows an increase in use of other tobacco products such as hookah (water pipes used to smoke tobacco), small cigars, and smokeless tobacco among teens. And the smoking rate among adults has been stalled since 2004, the center reports. 

The Tobacco Control Act provided FDA with broad new authority to reduce initiation of tobacco use among young Americans. FDA’s  activities include banning the manufacturing and sale of fruit or candy flavored cigarettes, restricting the use of “light,” “low,” or “mild,” or other similar descriptors in the labeling and advertising of tobacco products, and developing new graphic health warnings for cigarette packages and advertisements as well as requiring health warnings on smokeless tobacco.

FDA has also been working with state and territorial authorities to require proof of age in the sale of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.  As part of its ongoing effort to reduce tobacco use among children, FDA has issued more than 1,750 warning letters to retailers, the majority of which are for violations related to selling cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to kids under the age of 18.  If the violations persist, the retailers will be fined.

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

Feb. 23, 2012

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-For More Information

Retailers That Don't Sell Tobacco to Kids Help Build Stronger Communities Break the Chain of Tobacco Addiction- -Related Consumer Updates

Why is the Great American Smokeout Important? FDA Unveils New Cigarette Health Warnings-

This website has been translated to Spanish from English, and is updated often. It is possible that some links will connect you to content only available in English or some of the words on the page will appear in English until translation has been completed (usually within 24 hours). We appreciate your patience with the translation process. In the case of any discrepancy in meaning, the English version is considered official. Thank you for visiting esp.fda.gov/tabaco.

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Using Massage Therapy , Keep your doctor informed

Do not use massage therapy to replace your regular medical care or as a reason to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.


If you have a medical condition and are unsure whether massage therapy would be appropriate for you, discuss your concerns with your health care provider. Your health care provider may also be able to help you select a massage therapist. You might also look for published research articles on massage therapy for your condition.


Before deciding to begin massage therapy, ask about the therapist's training, experience, and credentials. Also ask about the number of treatments that might be needed, the cost, and insurance coverage.


If a massage therapist suggests using other CAM practices (for example, herbs or other supplements, or a special diet), discuss it first with your regular health care provider.


Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will ensure coordinated and safe c

Using Scents to Lose Weight?

A Answer (Published 2/16/2012)

Sensa is one of several products said to reduce appetite - and thus the amount you eat - through the use of appetizing aromas to fool you into feeling full. The Sensa approach involves buying sugar-free, calorie-free food flakes that you sprinkle on your food. The flakes come in a number of flavors ranging from cheddar and parmesan cheese, onion, and taco, as well as sweet flavors including cocoa, spearmint, banana, strawberry and raspberry.

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Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging for Healthy Eating - Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging for Nutrition - Want to change your diet? The Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging online guide is your anti-inflammatory diet headquarters. Start your free trial and get access to an exclusive version of Dr. Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid, hundreds of recipes, eating guides, and more.

Sensa's developer, Alan Hirsch, M.D., founder of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, has presented results of a study showing that of more than 1,400 overweight men who participated, those who stayed with the program for six months lost an average of just over 30 pounds by sprinkling the flavored flakes on their food. The study has not been published in a peer-reviewed journal. And I've seen no follow-up on the study participants to show whether or not they succeeded in keeping their weight off.

Despite the lack of evidence that scent can promote weight loss, the idea is apparently catching on. You can now get a nasal spray to be used before meals to tamp down your appetite with scents. Another scent-related weight loss product is the Aroma Patch, a new twist on aromatherapy. You wear the patch on your skin and the scent it gives off is supposed to remind you to stick with your diet and exercise program.

Dr. Hirsch has explained that his decision to explore this approach to weight loss was rooted in the knowledge that people who lose their sense of smell and taste due to head injuries often gain weight rapidly. Since that is true, could the opposite be true - could heightening the scent and flavor of food make you feel full faster and eat less? As of now, in my view we have no good evidence for that possibility.

These products may not cause any harm, but there are no short-cuts to weight loss. Shedding extra pounds takes effort and planning. You have to cut back on what you eat - focus on the right amount of the right kind of food - and try to burn calories through stepped up physical activity.

To lose weight while maintaining or improving your health, I recommend my anti-inflammatory diet coupled with mindful eating, calorie-consciousness and daily physical activity.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Essential Oils Safety

If you are pregnant avoid: Basil, Cedarwood,Clary, Coriander, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper,Marjoram. Oregano, Myrrh,Peppermint (which should also be avoided while nursing), Rockrose, Rosemary,Sage and Thyme.

Please note, the above oils are listed as contraindicated during pregnancy by most Aromatherapy authors. However, Martin Watt, the source that I respect the most regarding the safety of aromatic materials used in aromatherapy has this to say: "There are NO essential oils that used externally are proven as harmful to a developing foetus. The vast majority of oils you have listed are common food additives. This is all stuff from the aromatherapy novel writers."

If you suffer from a seizure disorder it's best to avoid Basil, Fennel, Hyssop, Rosemary and Sage.

To which Martin Watt states: "There is not a shred of evidence that the oils you mention have any adverse effect in epileptics and again most are common food additives."

If you have Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) avoid Geranium.

To which Martin wrote "Total and utter B-S."

If you have High Blood Pressure avoid Pine, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme.

And Martin replies "There is no evidence that the stated essential oils of themselves can increase blood pressure. Of course if someone does not like their smell that might marginally increase it, but probably not.."

Those with kidney problems should approach Juniper, Sandalwood and Coriander with caution.

"No evidence and unlikely if the oils are only used externally," says Martin

The following oils can cause severe sun damage (photosensitivity.): Bergamot, expressed Lime and Rue, very strong, Cumin, Mandarine, Lemon, Tangerine, Orange, Verbena (moderate), Angelica, Caraway, Cassia,  Cinnamon Bark, Grapefruit, Honeysuckle absolute, Laurel Leaf Abs., Patchouli (mild), Virginia Cedarwood, Dill weed, and Petitgrain (very mild.)

Consider any cold pressed citrus oil a potential photosensitizer.  Steam distilled citrus oils, on the other hand, do not carry this risk. St. John's Wort CO2 and infused oil are also photosensitizers.

Clary should not be used when consuming alcohol, because it can greatly increase its effects. Marjoram and Chamomile can cause drowsiness.

If you are anti-coagulant therapy (blood thinners) avoid oils high in Eugenol (clove, cinnamon leaf and bay laural (pimenta racemosa).

Two oils with almost identical components that are too dangerous to use lightly, if at all, are Birch (Betula lenta) and Wintergreen.  They have their own page.

Sensitizing oils:  Essential Oils with a proven or suspected history of causing sensitization (allergies):  Aniseed, Bay, Benzoin (indeed, any Styrax oil), Balsam of Peru (VERY HAZARDOUS), Calamus, Cardamon (suspect), Cassia, Cinnamon Bark & Leaf, Citronella, Clary Sage (suspect), Costus, Dill Seed (not Weed), Fennel, Bitter,  Fig Leaf Absolute, Galbanum Resin (cross sensitizing with Peru Balsam),Hyacinth abs. (suspect), Jasmine Abs. Junipers (suspect)  Laurel (bay laurel), Lemon (suspect), Litsea Cubeba (suspect) Lovage (suspect), Mimosa Abs., Oakmoss Concrete (suspect), Orange (suspect),  Pines (suspect) Rose Abs. (if used in high concentrations.) Spearmint, Tolu (balsam, VERY STRONG?)  Tagetes, Tolu Balsam, Turpentine,Lemon Verbena (The IFRA strongly advises against the use of Verbena oil in cosmetics or perfume products.)Ylangylang (in very high concentrations.)



Read more: http://www.naturesgift.com/warnings.htm#ixzz1me2Xw0Ss

Massage Therapy Aspects

Introduction to massage therapyWhat is the history of massage therapy?What are the health benefits of massage therapy?What is massage therapy, and what are the types of massage?What do massage therapists do in treating patients?How does massage therapy affect the body?What are side effects and risks of massage therapy?Who provides massage therapy?What are some other points to consider about massage therapy as complementary and alternative medicine?Massage Therapy Index

Defining Massage Therapy

The term "massage therapy" encompasses many different techniques (see box for examples). In general, therapists press, rub, and otherwise manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. They most often use their hands and fingers, but may use their forearms, elbows, or feet.

Types of Massage Therapy: A Few Examples

In Swedish massage, the therapist uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration, and tapping. Sports massage is similar to Swedish massage, adapted specifically to the needs of athletes. Among the many other examples are deep tissue massage and trigger point massage, which focuses on myofascial trigger points -- muscle "knots" that are painful when pressed and can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body. Body Rubs of Raytown knows how to address this issue.


The Practice of Massage Therapy

Massage therapists work in a variety of settings, including private offices, hospitals, nursing homes, studios, and sport and fitness facilities. Some also travel to patients' homes or workplaces. They usually try to provide a calm, soothing environment.

Therapists usually ask new patients about symptoms, medical history, and desired results. They may also perform an evaluation through touch, to locate painful or tense areas and determine how much pressure to apply.

Typically, the patient lies on a table, either in loose-fitting clothing or undressed (covered with a sheet, except for the area being massaged). The therapist may use oil or lotion to reduce friction on the skin. Sometimes, people receive massage therapy while sitting in a chair. A massage session may be fairly brief, but may also last an hour or even longer.

Body Rubs of Raytown knows this an our average massage is about 50 mins.

Research Status

Although scientific research on massage therapy -- whether it works and, if so, how -- is limited, there is evidence that massage may benefit some patients. Conclusions generally cannot yet be drawn about its effectiveness for specific health conditions.

According to one analysis, however, research supports the general conclusion that massage therapy is effective. The studies included in the analysis suggest that a single session of massage therapy can reduce "state anxiety" (a reaction to a particular situation), blood pressure, and heart rate, and multiple sessions can reduce "trait anxiety" (general anxiety-proneness), depression, and pain. In addition, recent studies suggest that massage may benefit certain conditions, for example:
A 2008 review of 13 clinical trials found evidence that massage might be useful for chronic low-back pain. Clinical practice guidelines issued in 2007 by the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians recommend that physicians consider using certain CAM therapies, including massage (as well as acupuncture, chiropractic, progressive relaxation, and yoga), when patients with chronic low-back pain do not respond to conventional treatment.


A multisite study of more than 300 hospice patients with advanced cancer concluded that massage may help to relieve pain and improve mood for these patients. Body Rubs of Raytown knows how to address this issue as our clients health is of utmost importance to us.


A study of 64 patients with chronic neck pain found that therapeutic massage was more beneficial than a self-care book, in terms of improving function and relieving symptoms.
There are numerous theories about how massage therapy may affect the body. For example, the "gate control theory" suggests that massage may provide stimulation that helps to block pain signals sent to the brain. Other theories suggest that massage might stimulate the release of certain chemicals in the body, such as serotonin or endorphins, or cause beneficial mechanical changes in the body. However, additional studies are needed to test the various theories. Body Rubs of Raytown often takes several visits to find the perfect match between the utmost beneficial treatments but they are well worth it!

5 Benefits of Massage!

The newest cure-all may be an ancient one: simple touch. The Chinese have been using massage for all kinds of medical conditions for centuries. Now, Western research is confirming that massage isn't just for muscle pain. One of the most surprising findings: massage may help premature babies gain weight. When Tiffany Field, a professor of pediatrics, became a new mother, she massaged her premature infant daughter and was so impressed with the results she later founded the Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Massage, it turns out, may boost immunity and help people with a range of conditions from premenstrual syndrome to high blood pressure. It also seems to help soothe pain from arthritis, burns and even surgery. Here are five surprising facts about massage from the research findings at TRI and elsewhere that you can put to use:

1. Pick Your Spot: You don't have to massage the part of the body that hurts most. If you're shy about letting a friend touch your aching lower back, for instance, she could help by massaging your shoulders instead. This is because massage creates chemical changes that reduce pain and stress throughout the body. One way it does this is by reducing a brain chemical called substance P that is related to pain. In a TRI study, for example, individuals with a form of muscle pain called fibromyalgia showed less substance P in their saliva (and they reported reduced pain) after a month of twice-weekly massages.

2. De-Stress, Stay Healthy. Massage may boost immunity. Several studies have measured the stress hormone called cortisol in subjects' saliva before and after massage sessions, and found dramatic decreases. Cortisol, which is produced when you are stressed, kills cells important for immunity, so when massage reduces your stress levels and hence the cortisol in your body, it may help you avoid getting a cold or another illness while under stress.

3. Blood Pressure Benefits: Massage reduces hypertension, suggests a good deal of research. This may be because it stimulates pressure receptors that prompt action from the vagus nerve, one of the nerves that emerges from the brain. The vagus nerve regulates blood pressure, as well as other functions. In a 2005 study at the University of South Florida, hypertension patients who received 10 massages of 10 minutes each over three weeks showed significant improvements in blood pressure compared to a control group who simply rested in the same environment without any massage.

4. Technique Tactics: There's little evidence to support one kind of massage over another, says Field, so don't worry about whether your therapist is schooled in Shiatsu, Swedish or some other technique. The key is pressure firm enough to make a temporary indentation in the skin. If you try massage with a partner, use massage oil, which you can find in a health-food store or pharmacist, but test a little on your skin first to make sure you are not allergic.

5. Self Help. You can massage yourself. Although you don't have to massage the part of the body that hurts to relieve pain, targeting that area does tend to help more. One example is massaging the arms. If you're in danger of developing inflamed nerves in your hands or arms from repetitive movements (like typing on a keyboard, or even gripping a steering wheel for hours at a time) try massaging your arms for 15 minutes a day. Stroke from the wrist to the elbow and back down on both sides of the forehand.

No Cancer Benefit From Vitamin B, Omega-3 Supplements in Heart Patients

MONDAY, Feb. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with a history of heart disease will most likely not reduce their risk for developing cancer by taking vitamin B and/or omega-3 fatty acid supplements, a new French analysis suggests.

"In the population we studied, we found no beneficial effects of either B vitamins or omega-3 fatty acids taken over five years on cancer occurrence or cancer-related death," noted study author Valentina Andreeva, who is with the nutritional epidemiology research unit at the University of Paris XIII in Bobigny, France.

Andreeva and her colleagues report their findings in the Feb. 13 online edition of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

To explore the protective potential of B vitamins and fatty acid supplements, the authors did a secondary analysis of data that had been collected in a previous study involving almost 2,000 French men and 500 women.

All were between 45 and 80 years of age, and all had experienced cardiac trouble (heart attack, unstable angina or ischemic stroke) in the year leading up to the start of the study.

In turn, the participants were divided into one of four different groups that consumed a daily supplement regimen involving various types of vitamin B and omega-3 fatty acids at "relatively low supplementation doses."

By the end of the original five-year study, 7 percent of the participants had gone on to develop some form of cancer, and just over 2 percent ultimately died of cancer. The vast majority of cancer cases (including prostate, lung, bladder and colorectal cancer) and deaths occurred among men (81 percent and 83 percent, respectively).

The team unearthed no evidence that any form of vitamin B or omega-3 fatty acid supplement improved cancer outcomes in any way.

The investigators noted that there were some indications that cancer risk might have actually gone up, specifically among women taking vitamin B and/or omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. However, the authors stressed that this observation was based on too few cases to substantiate a firm conclusion, and called for further research involving a larger pool of participants.

"The results of our study suggest that individuals should exercise caution when deciding to take dietary supplements, especially over a long period of time and without a physician's advice," advised Andreeva. "Such supplements constitute active substances and might have adverse effects in some populations. To be on the safe side, individuals should strive to achieve dietary recommendations via healthy, balanced diets."

Joseph Su, the Washington, D.C.-based program director of the division of cancer control and population science within the U.S. National Cancer Institute's epidemiology and genomics research program, said that nothing about the findings struck him as surprising.

"So far, study findings have been very inconsistent," he noted. "But most supplement studies, if anything, have shown no beneficial effect whatsoever. Just like this one. So, I don't think there's anything that can really back up the idea that these supplements can prevent cancer."

However, Vicky Stevens, strategic director of laboratory services at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, expressed some reservations about the French analysis.

"Compared with other trials, they used much lower levels of supplements," she noted. "From the B-vitamin point of view, dramatically lower. So, it could be argued that they just weren't using high enough levels of supplements to see any effects," Stevens suggested.

"And they used a natural form of folate

Science Shows How Massage Eases Sore Muscles

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Having a massage after strenuous exercise not only feels good, it reduces inflammation in muscles at the cellular level, researchers have found.

Massage also appears to promote the growth of new mitochondria in skeletal muscle. Mitochondria are cells' energy-producing "powerhouses," explained the researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

For the study, the investigators conducted genetic analyses of muscle biopsies from the quadriceps of 11 men after they exercised to exhaustion on stationary bicycles. After the workout, one of each participant's legs was massaged. Biopsies from both legs were taken before exercise, immediately after 10 minutes of massage, and 2.5 hours after the end of the workout.

The researchers found that massage reduced the activity of inflammation-inducing proteins called cytokines in muscle cells and promoted the growth of new mitochondria, according to the study published in the Feb. 1 online edition of the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Many people find that having a massage after exercise reduces muscle pain. This pain reduction may involve the same mechanisms as those targeted by common anti-inflammatory drugs, explained Simon Melov, a Buck Institute faculty member.

"There's general agreement that massage feels good; now we have a scientific basis for the experience," Melov said in an institute news release.

The findings provide validation for massage, which is growing in popularity, said lead author Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, of the pediatrics and medicine department at McMaster.

"The potential benefits of massage could be useful to a broad spectrum of individuals including the elderly, those suffering from musculoskeletal injuries, and patients with chronic inflammatory disease," Tarnopolsky said. "This study provides evidence that manipulative therapies, such as massage, may be justifiable in medical practice."

More information

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has more about massage therapy.

Irradiate and SmartWash before you spin your salad

Following several recent outbreaks of foodborne illness from salad greens in the U.S., the fresh produce industry is looking for ways to more reliably ensure that its lettuce and spinach are safe for consumption.

A recent study published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology examines one such method: electron-beam irradiation. Researchers from the collaborative study that included Texas A&M University inoculated samples of iceberg lettuce and baby spinach with either poliovirus or rotavirus — two viruses that humans can contract from contaminated food. Electron-beam irradiation was then applied to the greens, successfully inactivating the viruses and significantly reducing the risk of infection from the contaminated samples. In fact, the risk of infection from a lettuce sample containing poliovirus was reduced from 20 percent to 6 percent, while the risk of rotavirus infection from contaminated spinach decreased from about 30 percent to 5 percent.

“This is definitely a step forward,” says ACSH’s Dr. Ruth Kava. “Before, it had only been possible to kill bacteria with irradiation; the dose necessary to kill viruses was just too high to use on leafy greens. So it’s important to know that irradiation can kill viruses as well as bacteria — without making the lettuce wilted and inedible.”

However, ACSH’s Dr. Josh Bloom points out that norovirus  — also known as the “cruise ship virus” — was not included in this study, even though it is the leading cause of viral foodborne illness. “There are vaccines for rotavirus,” he says, “and polio gastroenteritis is rare, at least in this country. Norovirus is the real problem to be addressed, and researchers will be publishing these data shortly.”

And while some researchers are investigating the efficacy of irradiating viruses, others continue to look for more effective ways to eradicate bacteria from leafy greens. E. coli and salmonella are the most common concerns. Currently, most companies rinse their salad greens — especially bagged salads — with water that includes an antimicrobial agent, such as chlorine. But although these washes can remove most contaminants, some pathogens can remain and even spread.

Food companies are now looking for the “perfect wash,” and one new alternative that’s shown promise is called T-128, or SmartWash. Studies have demonstrated that this compound enhances the power of chlorine when added to salad wash. Other options include “biofilm disruptors” that pull pathogens off of leaves, ultrasound, gaseous washes, and even cold plasma. Clearly, the damage a foodborne outbreak can do — both in terms of public health and public relations — has motivated industry researchers to explore a variety of possible methods.

“It will be important to see what works best, and also what is the most cost-effective, because a lot of these methods are expensive,” Dr. Kava observes. While certain new methods are promising, she notes, it's still a good idea to take precautions and wash fresh produce — even when eating “triple-washed” bagged salad, since current methods to remove contaminants still are not 100 percent effective.

Fighting Alzheimer’s for aging Baby Boomers

As the country’s population ages, Alzheimer’s disease is becoming a greater concern for Americans. And the National Institutes of Health has decided to emphasize the research community’s focus on the disease with an additional $50 million of spending on Alzheimer’s research, on top of the $450 million it currently allotts annually. Simultaneously, President Obama is asking Congress to contribute $80 million for Alzheimer’s research in 2013.

Alzheimer’s has already taken a devastating toll on the country; over 5 million people have the disease or a related dementia, and this number is expected to at least double by 2050. At that time, the projected cost of Alzheimer’s disease, including paying for medical and nursing home care, will be $1 trillion.

“This is a devastating disease,” says ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, “and right now there really isn’t anything available to help those who suffer from it. The evidence is close to zero to suggest that any of the available treatments work. We can’t expect any big changes immediately, but Alzheimer’s research is certainly a priority.”

Unfortunately, however, ACSH's Dr. Josh Bloom points out that $50 million of funding is not likely to make much of a difference. “This amount is a drop in the bucket, “ he says. “It sounds like it’s being offered mostly for show." In fact, some government advisers have suggested that an investment closer to $2 billion is necessary to make an actual impact on the research on this disease. Dr. Bloom, too, feels that the recent funding increase is far from enough. “Drug companies put many times this amount into Alzheimer’s research and drug development,” he says, “and they still have little to show for it.”

Some salient facts about salt

What’s the largest source of salt in our diets? Is it potato chips? French fries? Neither of these, says a recent report form the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Actually, bread and rolls provide us with the greatest amount of salt in our diets.

This answer may come as a surprise to many Americans who are used to being told to avoid snacks like chips and pretzels because of their high sodium content. But these snacks were actually at the bottom of the CDC’s list of the top 10 sources of sodium in the American diet. The top five sources, on the other hand, were bread and rolls, cured meats and cold cuts, pizza, poultry, and soups. The CDC collected this data through surveys of over 7,000 people in 2007 and 2008, including almost 3,000 children. Researchers obtained detailed information about what the participants ate, then categorized these responses and assigned sodium levels to each category.

“This is just another part of nutrition that people need to be aware of,” says ACSH’s Cheryl Martin. “Most of us don’t know how much sodium is in the products we consume on a daily basis.” Indeed, while the CDC does not necessarily recommend that people cut down on bread and rolls, they are advising consumers to be mindful of sodium content and to read labels, since the results of the agency’s study show that the greatest amount of sodium we consume may come from sources we don’t expect.

ACSH's Dr. Ruth Kava comments, “People have been told before that most of their salt does not come from the salt shaker, but that it’s already present in the foods they buy. This report is just further evidence that there are many sources of salt in our diets that may not be obvious.”

But ACSH’s Dr. Elizabeth Whelan reminds us that, while it’s important to be mindful of nutrition labels, “most of us do not need to be concerned with following a very low-sodium diet. This type of diet has not been shown to help many people; in some cases, it can actually be detrimental.”

Ditch Disinfectants?

A Answer (Published 2/10/2012)

Along with many other physicians, I believe it is unhealthy to use disinfectants on a routine basis at home. The long-term danger is that the chemicals in disinfectants stimulate the development of resistant bacteria, a growing health threat worldwide.

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Technically, the disinfectant products designed for home use are antibacterials, and their purpose is to interfere with the growth and reproduction of bacteria. Of the ingredients that are common in these products, the one of greatest concern is triclosan, a long-acting compound that leaves residues on disinfected surfaces and as a result has prolonged action. According to the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (APUA), more than 1,000 commercial products contain triclosan or other biocide agents. Among these products are clothing, toys and disinfectant soaps.

While triclosan does kill bacteria, it is building up in the environment and potentially making germs tougher and more harmful to us:

Triclosan has been recovered from lake sediment, rivers, streams, wastewater, seawater and has been found in fish bile, aquatic biota, human breast milk, and blood plasma. We don't yet fully understand the consequences of all this.Along with other residue-producing antibacterials, triclosan has been shown to contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in the lab.Some evidence suggests that infants and children who grow up in a biocide-laden environment may not develop as strong an immune response as they would otherwise.

The AUPA also reports that studies comparing families who use antibacterial soaps to those that don't have not shown that users have a reduced risk of colds, flu or stomach bugs.

I agree with the APUA's recommendations on the use of antibacterial products in the home:  use them only bwhere there are individuals with depleted immune systems who are more susceptible to infection.

I have said many times on this site and elsewhere that I have never thought that antibacterial products were necessary except in nursing homes, hospitals, and other healthcare settings where there is a high risk of spreading infections from person to person. There's no proof that the antibacterial soaps and washes marketed for home use serve any useful purpose. Soap and water do just as good a job of cleansing.

To clean kitchen surfaces, the APUA recommends using a 70 percent solution of ethyl or isopropyl alcohol or a three percent solution of household bleach or hydrogen peroxide, all of which are effective against a wide range of disease-causing organisms and don't leave troublesome residues. As an alternative, you can make your own cleaning products from such household items as white vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, tea tree oil, and baking soda. To learn how to do this, I recommend reading the book Clean & Green: The Complete Guide to Non-Toxic Environmentally Safe Housekeeping, by Annie Berthold-Bond, published in paperback by Ceres Press. For a short primer on using common household products for cleaning, see: Natural Household Cleaning Products.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Ginger Root and Nausea Control

Ginger root is a favorite among herbalists, used in a variety of situations. The spicy root, or rhizome, of the ginger plant can either be eaten raw, powdered, made into tea, juiced, tinctured, or even candied. One of the most common uses for ginger root is for nausea and vomiting. Placebo-controlled, double-blind studies have proven that ginger root effectively reduces nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness, surgery, and morning sickness during pregnancy. Because organic ginger root is completely safe to use during pregnancy, the herb is especially treasured by pregnant women around the world.

Ginger root is an effective antidote for motion sickness while at sea

A Danish study published in 1988 tested the effects of ginger root powder on 80 new Naval cadets who were out on the high seas in stormy weather for the first time. The sea-sick cadets were either given a placebo or 1 gram of ginger root powder, then measured every hour for symptoms of motion sickness for four hours. During this time, the control group of cadets experienced cold sweats, dizziness, and vomiting. The group of cadets who had taken ginger root powder had measurably fewer symptoms.

How Massage Helps Sore Muscles

A massage after vigorous exercise unquestionably feels good, and it seems to reduce pain and help muscles recover. Many people — both athletes and health professionals – have long contended it eases inflammation, improves blood flow and reduces muscle tightness. But until now no one has understood why massage has this apparently beneficial effect.

Now researchers have found what happens to muscles when a masseur goes to work on them.

Their experiment required having people exercise to exhaustion and undergo five incisions in their legs in order to obtain muscle tissue for analysis. Despite the hurdles, the scientists still managed to find 11 brave young male volunteers. The study was published in the Feb. 1 issue of Science Translational Medicine.

On a first visit, they biopsied one leg of each subject at rest. At a second session, they had them vigorously exercise on a stationary bicycle for more than an hour until they could go no further. Then they massaged one thigh of each subject for 10 minutes, leaving the other to recover on its own. Immediately after the massage, they biopsied the thigh muscle in each leg again. After allowing another two-and-a-half hours of rest, they did a third biopsy to track the process of muscle injury and repair.

Vigorous exercise causes tiny tears in muscle fibers, leading to an immune reaction — inflammation — as the body gets to work repairing the injured cells. So the researchers screened the tissue from the massaged and unmassaged legs to compare their repair processes, and find out what difference massage would make.

They found that massage reduced the production of compounds called cytokines, which play a critical role in inflammation. Massage also stimulated mitochondria, the tiny powerhouses inside cells that convert glucose into the energy essential for cell function and repair. “The bottom line is that there appears to be a suppression of pathways in inflammation and an increase in mitochondrial biogenesis,” helping the muscle adapt to the demands of increased exercise, said the senior author, Dr. Mark A. Tarnopolsky.

Dr. Tarnopolsky, a professor of pediatrics and medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, said that massage works quite differently from Nsaids and other anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce inflammation and pain but may actually retard healing. Many people, for instance, pop an aspirin or Aleve at the first sign of muscle soreness. “There’s some theoretical concern that there is a maladaptive response in the long run if you’re constantly suppressing inflammation with drugs,” he said. “With massage, you can have your cake and eat it too—massage can suppress inflammation and actually enhance cell recovery.”

“This is important research, because it is the first to show that massage can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines which may be involved in pain,” said Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School. She was not involved in the study. “We have known from many studies that pain can be reduced by massage based on self-report, but this is the first demonstration that the pain-related pro-inflammatory cytokines can be reduced.” she said.

Getting a massage from a professional masseur is obviously more expensive than taking an aspirin. But, as Dr. Field points out, massage techniques can be taught. “People within families can learn to massage each other,” she said. “If you can teach parents to massage kids, couples to massage each other. This can be cost effective.”

Dr. Tarnopolsky suggests that, in the long run, a professional massage may even be a better bargain than a pill. “If someone says “This is free and it might make you feel better, but it may slow down your recovery, do you still want it?” he asked. “Or would you rather spend the 50 bucks for a post-exercise massage that also might enhance your recovery?”

Volunteer Outreach Opportunities

ABMP Members, if you’re seeking volunteers for an event you’re organizing, log in to the ABMP Members section and under Marketing Center select “Outreach and Volunteer Opportunities – Do you have an event you would like posted?” 

Join the Massage & Bodywork Community of Giving!
Sponsor: Massage & Bodywork Community of Giving (MBCG)
Date: Every day!
Location: Across New Jersey
Contact Name: Valerie Inzinna
Contact Phone: (732) 895-4869
Contact Email: Contact

If you currently have less than 250 hours of massage education and you intend to become certified by the California Massage Therapy Council, you need to act now.

After January 1, 2012 you will need proof of at least 250 hours of massage education in order to apply for statewide certification. Between now and the end of the year you
can still apply with only 100 hours or by taking an exam

EveryBody Deserves a Massage 2012 Materials Available

EveryBody Deserves a Massage 2012 Materials Available

ABMP is proud to sponsor EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week every July. During this event, ABMP members give their time, money, and effort to help those less fortunate, while raising the profession’s visibility. In 2007, the program won a silver award from the Colorado Healthcare Communicators for its overall excellence. The 2012 EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week will be held July 15-21, 2012. Massage therapists can order free materials from 877-208-7546.

In this community effort, ABMP encourages and supports members in donating time to such community-spirited activities as offering complimentary massages while collecting cash or canned-food donations to charity. Other efforts include making special offers and discounts to senior citizens, students, police and firefighters, as well as charity telethon work and health fair participation.

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MTs to Try for Massage World Record

Calling all massage therapists in the Kansas City area! On September 17, event organizer Massage Envy is looking for 500 MTs to break the World Record for

Busy Body Workouts

Photo Credit: Guillaume Reynaud/Folio-ID.ocom

Special Offer

THE CLASS:
ZenCore at Reebok Sports Club/NY and The Sports Club/LA
FOR LOCATIONS:thesportsclubla.com
THIS ONE'S FOR YOU IF: You want a yoga body without the meditation and chanting — or the 90-minute time commitment.
THE WORKOUT: A fast-paced series of yoga poses, strength movements, and cardio drills that works your whole body and targets the abs, glutes, and lower back. ZenCore's creator and instructor, Maryanne Blake, developed the class for type A's who'd never be caught in a yoga class. "Some people don't see yoga poses as the dynamic, strength-building moves they are — warrior pose as a lunge, chair pose as a squat, or plank as the beginning of a push-up. We'll go from plank to jumping the legs to the hands and back

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The Best Cold-Weather Comfort Foods

marieclaire 72,168 followers Sign up for Marie Claire's Free Newsletter! Advertisement .module .content, .module .tab_content

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Aromatic Massage Oil Chinese 5 Elements

Aromatic Massage Oil Blends for the Chinese 5 Elements
The Five Element Theory utilized in Chinese Medicine stems from ancient Chinese philosophy. The five elements are symbolic for the different phases, or primal forces within the universe, nature, and our bodies. Each element is also attributed to a certain personality archetype. Knowing which element(s) predominates our personalities can help further insight into our lives and relationships.

The massage blends below were formulated with TCM 5 Element Theory in mind.  As you may know essential oils have a direct effect on the limbic system thereby altering the emotional and mental qualities of the body mind. In TCM it is believed that emotions relate to different organs in the body and through herbs, oils, color and scents (in addition to acupuncture and other bodywork modalities) we are able to help rebalance.

Prepare the blends below and either choose your scent intuitively (works very well) or take the 5 elements questionnaire online listed at the end of this article.

Enjoy!!


Wood: Yin Meridian Liver and Yang Meridian Gall Bladder. Color geen, a sour taste and a feelings of anger or rage.

1.5 tbsp olive oil
5 drops Lemongrass essential oil
10 drops Ginseng essential oil

Fire: Yin Meridian Heart, Yang Meridian Small Intestines. Color red, a bitter taste and feelings of happiness joy or shock.

1.5 tbsp olive oil
5 drops Rose essential oil
10 drops Cinnamon essential oil

Earth: Yin Meridian Spleen, Yang Meridian Stomach. Color yellow, sweet taste and worry or thoughtful feelings.

1.5 tbsp olive oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
5 drops fennel essential oil

Metal: Yin Meridian Lung, Yang Meridian Large Intestines. Color white, spicy taste, and feeling of sorrow.

1.5 tbsp olive oil
5 drops peppermint
10 drops eucalyptus

Water: Yin Meridian Kidneys, Yang Meridian Bladder. Color black, salty taste and feeling of fear.

1.5 tbsp olive oil
5 drops Jasmine essential oil
10 drops chamomile essential oil

5 New Ways to Stay Slim this Holiday Season

One fried hors d'oeuvre.
A small sweet treat (such as a brownie square or tartlet)

RelatedLinks A to Z of Healthy Holiday Habits Have a Very Healthy Holiday Guide The Ultimate Holiday Survival Guide Healthy Foods That Make You Fat Big Girl in a Skinny World: Best Holiday Dresses

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Is Your High-Tech Life Making You Sick?

smart phone, cell phone, iphone, texting, phone, phone call smartphones The situation: Just as we were chatting on our iPhones about our Memorial Day weekends, the news broke: The World Health Organization had just classified radio frequency waves — the radiation we know most from cell phones — as "possibly carcinogenic." No new studies were hatched, just a review of existing relevant research, which led to a conclusion of "limited evidence" for certain brain tumors from cell phones — meaning there "could be some risk" and we should "keep a close watch. "Oh, and, by the way, coffee and gas exhausts are also WHO-classified as "possibly carcinogenic." To many of us, this was infuriating and confusing in an orange-terrorist-alert kind of way. But alas, the ongoing wishy-washiness stems from the existing studies' being too small, too outdated, and too ill-designed to be definitive, explains Michael Wyde, Ph.D., of the National Toxicology Program — like the one based on human recall, reporting a 40 percent increased risk among those who used their mobiles 30 minutes a day over 10 years. In hopes of clearing up the confusion, Wyde's team has launched a comprehensive study intermittently exposing rodents to electromagnetic radiation levels mimicking human cell-phone use; final results are slated for 2015. The strategy: Minimize exposure. Smartphones often emit more radiation than simpler varieties, so if you're shopping for a new one, check out Environmental Working Group's cell phone radiation database, consider Pong's cell case, which reduces exposure to radiation by 60 percent, go hands-free by using a headset or speaker, and use landlines for long conversations. iTunes Alert

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How Good Is Your Gut Instinct?

1. Which of the following does not affect your instincts and intuition when judging people and potentially dangerous situations?Your personalityYour dietary preferenceYour past experiencesThe movies you watchPersonality and experiences are the most important factors that affect the way your instincts and intuition behave in dangerous situations, but the movies and entertainment you consume can also bias your behavior.Personality and experiences are the most important factors that affect the way your instincts and intuition behave in dangerous situations, but the movies and entertainment you consume can also bias your behavior.Continue

Page 2 of

Correct!

ContinueSorry! You Got Wrong!

Continue

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Drug addiction may be hereditary, study suggests

TweetPrint Your friend's email address Your email address Note: We do not store your email address(es) but your IP address will be logged to prevent abuse of this feature. Please read our Legal Terms & PoliciesAAAEmailLatest in Health NewsSenior Tories begin to get cold feet as health Bill is defeated in LordsHealth Bill poll by Royal College of GPs 'did not represent all members'Male gene increases risk of hereditary heart disease for one in fiveLandmark ruling over suicide battlePM denies NHS bill 'disaster'Fragmented care system is failing elderly, MPs warnWomen seeking abortion will be shown image of unborn childLast-ditch fight to save Lansley's health reformsWhy Health Bill's biggest critic has a lot to lose from reformsPIP doctors 'needed to warn women'On FacebookLife & Style blogs

Two glasses of wine a day triples risk of mouth cancer

TweetPrint Your friend's email address Your email address Note: We do not store your email address(es) but your IP address will be logged to prevent abuse of this feature. Please read our Legal Terms & PoliciesAAAEmailLatest in Health NewsSenior Tories begin to get cold feet as health Bill is defeated in LordsHealth Bill poll by Royal College of GPs 'did not represent all members'Male gene increases risk of hereditary heart disease for one in fiveLandmark ruling over suicide battlePM denies NHS bill 'disaster'Fragmented care system is failing elderly, MPs warnWomen seeking abortion will be shown image of unborn childLast-ditch fight to save Lansley's health reformsWhy Health Bill's biggest critic has a lot to lose from reformsPIP doctors 'needed to warn women'On FacebookLife & Style blogs

Cold Weather Mood Shock: Avoid the Winter Blues

This year’s deep freeze sets the stage for a long and potentially difficult winter. On the eating side, the cold triggers “hibernation metabolism” and the desire to eat more sweet food. This urge is helped along by the holiday season.  Invariably, the lower your energy the more food you will crave.
Additionally, the combination of cold and longer periods of dark causes your body’s internal clock to stress out – otherwise known as the winter blues. Melatonin is the primary hormone that governs your body’s clock. Melatonin does its work at night, synchronizing repair and getting you ready for the next day. During winter months peak levels of melatonin are not produced at the right time of night. Instead, your body can try to keep making more melatonin even after you’ve woken up – all in an effort to reach the “proper level.” This can make your daytime feel like nighttime. It can get so bad it feels like you are dragging a 100 pound lead ball around with you. This is a distinctly different kind of low energy feeling – you just feel as if you are dragging and can’t get in gear.  You will crave sugar to spark your energy (a genetic urge), but eating it produces only a short term benefit before you return to the state of sluggishness (along with weight gain).
Supplemental melatonin can markedly improve this problem.*  I recommend Melatonin in 0.5 mg capsules, as this way you can easily control for the exact amount you need. 3 mg capsules can also be used, especially when the higher amount is needed.  many use a combination of the two sizes to get the exact amount that is just right.
Some people take melatonin all year long (usually 0.5 to 1.5 mg per day), as the proper levels of melatonin decline with age. Many individuals past age 40 are lacking around 0.5 mg of melatonin and notice they sleep much better when taking some before bed, even in the summer.*  Many other people only need melatonin when it is darker and colder.*  In general, the colder and darker it is the higher the dose that is needed. The right dose of melatonin helps you to go to sleep better and wake up feeling more refreshed – as well as not having that dragging feeling during the day. A dose that is too high gives a mild headache or groggy feeling, more or less producing the symptoms that it is supposed to be getting rid of.
Melatonin is normally taken before bed.  Start out with lower amounts and work your way up as needed until you find the right amount for you. The number may change if the temperature drops 20-30 degrees and stays there for a while. A small percentage of people have the symptoms of needing melatonin but it either doesn’t seem to help or doesn’t seem to feel right on any dose. These people should try taking melatonin first thing in the morning. Doing so may signal to the brain that levels are now adequate; the brain stops trying to make more – thus the “sleep hormone” will no longer be produced in the day. 
The energy of the sun is poorly understood by modern science and Western medicine. In fact, the industry of surgery-promoting cosmetic specialists want you to think that being in the sun will kill you unless you have toxic sunscreens on.  The sun’s interaction with your skin produces vitamin D, a nutrient woefully lacking in the winter in northern climates. Vitamin D is vital to calcium metabolism, proper immunity, good mood, and breast or prostate health.*  During the winter at least 2,000 IU of vitamin D should be consumed in the form of dietary supplements. This level can be reached by taking our common levels of bone support nutrition (5 Daily Bone Xcel and 3 Bone & Joint Helper per day).  We also have 1000 IU of plain vitamin D.
Additionally, the sun also produces photon energy.  Photon energy is stored in cell membranes. Your ability to do so is based on the amount of omega 3 fatty acids in your diet.  For example, along the equator there is plenty of sun and very little omega 3 fatty acids in the food. There is no winter blues. In the north, the traditional Eskimo diet was very high in omega 3 oils all year long (whale blubber and other deep sea fatty fish).  There was no winter blues until Eskimos started eating the omega 3-lacking Western diet.  In the traditional Eskimo diet the high concentration of omega 3 oils in summer months would store up photon energy of the sun adequately to get them through the winter months. This is of course why every person likes a winter vacation in the sun – to get some photon energy back into the brain.
Knowing this information, I routinely tell my clients who I know are prone to the winter blues to increase their essential fatty acid intake during the fall, so as to prepare for the winter.*  This would mean taking 6 of our DHA Docosahexaenoic acid Essential omega 3 fatty acid integral to the health of all cell membranes, nerve and brain function. Must be gotten through the diet via cold water oceanic fish or some very limited plant sources or taken as a supplement. capsules a day or 3 Leptinal capsules per day. Boosting up these essential fatty acids in the winter is also a good idea and will generally help boost mood.*
The fastest way to get photon energy back into your brain in the winter months is with an oil called squalene.*  Squalene is an ideal winter-time supplement.  It is the very best product for reducing dry or cracking skin.* A dose for this purpose is 3-6 per day.  It is undesirable to have cracking skin in the winter – as germs can simply march right on in to one’s body.  Squalene is also one of the best supplements to help a person warm up, especially in the extremities.*  A person whose hands are always cold or whose extremities react poorly when exposed to cold typically notices dramatic improvement on 3-6 Squalene per day.*
The unique structure of squalene enables it to hold and deliver oxygen and photon energy.*  Like an essential fatty acid, squalene has many unsaturated bonds. However, unlike an essential fatty acid, these unsaturated bonds form 3 stable rings of 6 isoprenoid units that are not prone to oxidation.  This means that squalene can carry oxygen and photon energy without being damaged.  This unique “transporter property” of squalene enables it to deliver lacking nutrients vital to brain function.*  Not only does squalene help skin and circulation, I have seen it routinely boost mood in the winter months.*  The common dose is 3-6 per day.
Many nutrients help your body make energy and any of these can be boosted up in the winter, as needed, to support a better energy level. A better energy level will invariably produce a better mood, since your brain uses energy as a communication molecule to produce neurotransmitters.  The above energetic suggestions are based on the unique stress that colder and darker days pose to your mood and metabolism.*  Enjoy the winter!

Healing touch is just as effective on lower back pain

Is it conceivable that massage can provide more effective relief from low back pain than medication? A new study published in theAnnals of Internal Medicinesuggests this therapy might indeed alleviate back pain better in the short term than traditional interventions of medicine, bed rest or exercise:Healthdayreports.

The investigation conducted by the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle involved 400 patients who had low back pain, the majority of which were middle aged, Caucasian and female. Researchers found those who were given a series of relaxation massage or structural massage were better able to work and be active than those who were given traditional medical care, such as pain pills, muscle relaxants or physical therapy.

According toThe New York Times, the study's participants were randomly divided into three groups: structural massage, relaxation massage and traditional care. Patients in the massage groups received one hour of therapy weekly for 10 weeks.

At the conclusion of the 10 week period, over one-third of the patients who were given massage therapy reported their pain was much improved or eliminated completely, as opposed to only one in 25 patients who were given traditional care. Furthermore, patients in the massage groups were twice as likely to have spent fewer days in bed rest, used less pain pills and participated in more activity than the traditional care group.

Lead author Daniel Cherkin was surprised by the fact that structural massage did not prove superior to relaxation massage in relieving pain. Structural massage involves manipulating specific back pain related muscles and ligaments, while relaxation massage, otherwise known as Swedish massage, involves inducing body-wide relaxation.

The beneficial effects of the massage seemed not only to be experienced during the 10-week therapy period, but also to linger for a time following the cessation of therapy. Evidence of this lingering effect was manifested by the fact that the massage groups continued to display improved function six months after the study's onset. At the one year mark, however, no significant differences were found in the three groups.

Although the researchers were uncertain of massage therapy's exact mechanism of action for easing back pain, they voiced several theories. One suggestion was that it either stimulated tissue locally or produced a general central nervous system response. Another speculation was that merely spending time in a relaxing environment and feeling cared for might have been responsible for the improvement. An additional factor to consider is the subjectivity that is impossible to eliminate in such studies. Patients in the control group were aware that the other groups were receiving massage and this knowledge may have caused them to discount their own progress.

It should be reiterated that the study suggests rather than proves the benefit of massage for back pain. Also, some members of the American medical community not associated with the research have expressed reluctance to accept the suggested benefits as being valid.

Conversely, the study's authors offered their assessments of its import. Cherkin characterizes the results as being "pretty strong." He states the massage was tested on patients who did not improve using the standard medical approach to back pain treatment. He feels that massage therapy is a reasonable thing to try for anyone getting insufficient relief from this malady. The coauthor, Dr. Richard Deyo, feels that massage appears to provide clinicians with another choice for managing the challenging medical problem of chronic low back pain.

Healing Touch not accepted by most insurance

As more and more people are discovering, massage therapy and healing touch therapies are proving to be extremely good medicine for treating those with chronic diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis, depression, and even circulatory disorders. There are several good reasons for this, such as the fact that massage therapy helps move lymph fluid around the body and oxygenate organs and tissues. Plus, there's probably something healthy going on in the fact that human touch is taking place. However, there is a widespread belief, especially among the leaders in Western medicine, that massage therapy can't possibly be considered a medical treatment. Most insurance companies still refuse to pay fo rmassage therapies, and few doctors prescribe it, although the number of doctors recommending it has been increasing over the last few years.

Massage Therapy Massage therapy has a long history in cultures around the world. Today, people use many different types of massage therapy for a variety of health-related purposes. In the United States, massage therapy is often considered part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), although it does have some conventional uses. This fact sheet provides a general overview of massage therapy and suggests sources for additional information. Massage Therapy Benefits According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a comprehensive survey of CAM use by Americans, an estimated 18 million U.S. adults and 700,000 children had received massage therapy in the previous year. People use massage for a variety of health-related purposes, including to relieve pain, rehabilitate sports injuries, reduce stress, increase relaxation, address anxiety and depression, and aid general wellness. Key points Scientific evidence on massage therapy is limited. Scientists are not yet certain what changes occur in the body during massage, whether they influence health, and, if so, how. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is sponsoring studies to answer these questions and identify the purposes for which massage may be most helpful. Massage therapy appears to have few serious risks if it is used appropriately and provided by a trained massage professional. Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.