Body Image

Most people are aware of the use of photoshop to "improve" the appearance of advertising models. This photoshop failure of Ralph Lauren Model Filippa Hamilton (her real figure here for comparison) led to a new wave of criticism for its extensive use. Unfortunately, not all photoshop edits are as quickly recognized as completely unrealistic. Many advertisements feature photo-edited models at a completely unrealistic level of perfection. The advanced technology we have within our grasp today unfortunately has enabled the media to create monstrous creations of unattainable perfection, or in this case, just monstrous creations.
You may be wondering, what is the connection between Alternative Health and Photoshop? The answer is Body Image. Negative body image is unhealthy mentally. Holistically speaking, a negative mindset is unhealthy for you not only mentally, but spiritually and physically.
The message sent by these advertisements has had a catastrophic effect upon female self-image. "Female undergraduates who viewed advertisements displaying ultra-thin women exhibited increases in body dissatisfaction, negative mood, levels of depression and lowered self-esteem." According to Rick Nauert, Ph.D., Senior News Editor of Psych Central, an online mental health network. This lack of a healthy mentality can lead to unhealthy choices. Females with poor self image are prone to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and other unnatural relationships with food (this can include dieting and skipping meals!). According to the Anne Collins Website, approximately 10% of female college students suffer from a clinical or sub-clinical (borderline) eating disorder, of which over half suffer from bulimia. Unfortunately, an example of the advertising I am denouncing right now, in this case, diet advertisements, are present on this webpage, courtesy of Google. Be certain to ignore them. However, this webpage also contains useful information and statistics.
Although eating disorders are less commonly reported and/or noticed among males, poor self-image is still a common occurence. Men and women alike are objectified and unrealistically portrayed in the media. "Every bit as unattainable as Barbie-doll proportions and the heroin-chic look are the broad shouldered, narrow-waisted, fat-free, and muscle-sheathed male physiques littering today's media." Says Seed Magazine article The Media Assault on Male Body Image. Eating disorders can occur in males suffering from poor body image, but even more likely to occur is Muscle Dysmorphia. According to the article The Man Behind the Mask: Male Body Image Dissatisfaction, those with this disorder "want to increase their size with muscle mass. Even if a person has above average muscle mass, a patient with muscle dysmorphia can believe they are chronically underdeveloped to the point of being frail." Males are far less likely to seek help when struggling with any sort of eating disorder or negative self-image.
Harmful media messages are impossible to avoid; they appear in television commercials, in magazines and on the covers, and in internet advertisements which are absolutely everywhere. It is very important not to allow these advertisements and media messages to influence how you see yourself. These advertisements promote the desire to be perfect, which is not within our power. We can only work to attain good health, and enjoy the benefits thereof, but we can not expect ourselves to look anything like these people and be healthy at the same time.

Holistic Therapy

I've been reading this book on acupuncture, and it really does an amazing job of describing what is meant by Holistic Therapy, its purpose, and how it works. The book is called "Is Acupuncture Right for You? What It Is, Why It Works, and How It Can Help You" and is written by Ruth Lever Kidson.
The underlying principle of much of alternative health care is Holism - "the treatment of the patient as a whole".
Examples of nonholistic treatments include surgery and the use of drugs. Surgery is "based on the principle that if a part of the patient is diseased, that part is removed." This flies in the face of Holistic Therapy. The same is true of prescription drugs. They are meant to target one or two specific ailments, without taking into account the rest of the patient. This is one reason why drugs so often have side effects - because they disrupt parts of the patient that were not taken into account by the doctor, and also because the drugs were not designed to be beneficial to the entire body. Antibiotics are not holistic in nature. While they may kill harmful bacteria, they also kill the friendly flora present in the digestive tract which is crucial to digestion.
Holism is really why homeopathic remedies are so different from over-the-counter drugs. Homeopathic medicines are meant to take into account all aspects of a patient - their temperament, their eating habits, etc., rather than just the symptoms they are experiencing. By looking at all these aspects, a homeopathic can be prescribed that will resolve the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Western Medicine makes a diagnosis which describes "the end result of the disease process" rather than looking at causes. It is very specific to the part of the body which is showing disease, but leaves out the rest. We can look at the names of certain diagnoses and see evidence of this approach - "heart attack, gallbladder disease, kidney stones, varicose veins, slipped disk" etc.
Acupuncture is a holistic therapy - it doesn't just focus on the manifestation of a disease. (example - "heart disease does not mean there is a problem heart in an otherwise healthy body") They look at the disease manifestation and, taking into account many other aspects of the patient, trace the cause from that.

Organic Connections Magazine

Here's a great site I found over twitter: http://organicconnectmag.com/wp/
Organic Connections is a magazine that focuses on food, health, agriculture, and business as they relate to organics. The publisher has a blog page at http://organicconnectmag.cin/wp/publishers-blog
When I visited, I was really interested in this article about Marc Koska, a man who invented something revolutionary to help fight against the HIV epidemic in third world countries.
http://organicconnectmag.com/wp/2010/03/marc-koska-the-man-who-saved-9-million-lives/
Nell Newman, who created the line Newman's Own Organics talks about the definition of "natural" on food labels, about genetically modified foods, and the growing interest in organic foods here: http://organicconnectmag.com/wp/2010/03/nell-newman-defining-natural-and-organic/
(also, if you want to visit her site, it's http://www.newmansownorganics.com/)
And when you visit, don't forget to give your input on this poll!
Poll: What is the biggest problem with America's school lunch program?

Tell me, if you have a favorite Newman's Own Organic product, what is it?
I personally LOVE their Newman-O's, a much healthier version of Oreo's (what's more - they taste much better!).
How about you?

Best Soup Ever

Anytime I have ever been sick, I have always enjoyed the chicken soup recipe that Jordan Rubin has in his book The Great Physician's Rx for Health and Wellness. Jordan Rubin is a proponent of alternative health, and he believes the best guide for our health can be found in the Bible.

To learn more about Jordan Rubin and his philosophy, you can check out this site:

http://www.transformyourhealth.com/webnewsletters/may06/nl0506md7keys.htm


And this is his AMAZING chicken soup recipe:

Chicken Soup

Yield: 6-10 servings

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (free range, pastured, or organic chicken)

3-4 quarts cold filtered water

1 tbsp. raw apple cider vinegar

4 medium sized onions, coarsely chopped

8 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped

6 celery stalks, coarsely chopped

2-4 zucchinis

4-6 tbsps of extra virgin coconut oil

1 bunch parsley

5 garlic cloves

4 inches grated ginger

2-4 tbsps Celtic sea salt

Directions:

If you are using a whole chicken, remove fat glands and the gizzards from the cavity. Place chicken or chicken pieces in a large stainless steel pot with the water, vinegar, and all vegetables except parsley. Bring to a boil and remove the fat that rises to the top. Cover and cook for 12-24 hours. The longer you cook the stock, the richer and more flavorful it will be. About five minutes before finishing the stock, add the parsley. This will impart additional mineral ions to the broth. Remove from heat and take out the chicken. Allow to cool and remove the chicken meat from the carcass (mmm, appetizing. ^^).

Of course, the chicken is still yours to put back in the soup if you so prefer - I usually do.

This soup is excellent for if you have a cold, a fever, or if you just like soup. The flavors are very rich. I usually like to add spinach - and you can add other vegetables to this soup for your preferences as well.

Stress!!!

Stress greatly influences one's health. It can interfere with concentration, sleep, and depending on how well you deal with stress, it can negatively affect your relationships with friends, family, teachers and/or coworkers. The following is a questionairre meant to show you the amount of stress you experience and your vulnerability to the negative aspects thereof. It is "The Susceptibility Scale of the Stress Audit" created by Lyle H. Miller, Alma Dell Smith, & Larry Rothstein of Boston University Medical Center.

Do you:

1. Eat at least one hot, balanced meal a day?
2. Have seven hours of sleep at least four nights a week?
3. Give and receive affection frequently?
4. Have a relative within 50 miles(80 km) on whom you can rely?
5. Exercise to a perspiration at least twice a week?
6. Smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day? (Hopefully, you don't smoke any.)
7. Drink alchohol less than 5 times a week?
8. Keep within the appropriate weight for your height?
9. Have an adequate income for you needs?
10. Get strength from religious, philosophical, or some other deeply held beliefs?
11. Regularly attend social gatherings?
12. Have a network of friends and acquaintances?
13. Have a close friend to confide in?
14. Have good health?
15. Express feelings of anger or worry?
16. Have regular domestic discussions with those you live with?
17. Do something for fun at least once a week?
18. Organize your time effectively and have some quiet time to yourself every day?
19. Drink fewer than three cups of caffeine (tea, coffee, or soda) a day?
20. Have an optimistic outlook on life?

Scoring

Yes/Always - 1
Probably/Usually - 2
I suppose/It depends - 3
Rarely/Not a lot - 4
No/Never - 5

Add up your score. Less than 50 total means you are probably good at coping with stress. A higher score shows more vulnerability to stress. Please, answer according to how you really feel, not just to get a good score. Otherwise, it won't really help you.

Tinctures

The remedial properties of plants are better harnessed in different ways. Some forms are more convenient than others. Some are more effective. Tablets, though convenient to buy and swallow, may not transfer all the benefits of the remedy, due to dissolving time. Powders are easy to take, but can lose their effectiveness if not properly stored. I will be addressing tinctures.
You can prepare your own tinctures at home, or purchase them from your health practitioner, or at a health food store. Be certain you understand the purpose of whatever herbal tincture you choose.
This is how to prepare your own tincture:
1. Tinctures are standardly composed of 1 part dried herbal substance to 3 parts alchohol solution. This is because alchohol can best absorb possibly water-insoluble elements of the plant. Put the chopped herb material (can consist of flowers, buds, leaves, roots, seeds, etc. as these different plant components have different qualities present) in a clean glass jar (the lidded kind) and stir in the alchohol. Every four ounces of herbs requires 1 cup of alchohol (preferably organic vodka. The strength of the alchohol keeps the material from decaying.) Stir until all the plant matter is covered. Seal the jar.
2. For the next ten days, take a few minutes to shake or stir the liquid.
3. When the ten days are up, strain the liquid into a clean glass bottle (plastic will leach into the tincture) and seal. Label it accordingly.

Your tincture is shelf-stable for at least three years. It is highly concentrated, and thus effective in tiny amounts. The most effective way to take a tincture orally is by putting the drops under your tongue. It will quickly absorb into your blood stream. Unfortunately, tinctures are not prized for their flavor - but they are worth the few seconds of bitter taste.
For more information on herbal tinctures and remedies, Eyewitness Companions has a comprehensive book on the subject, creatively labeled "Herbal Remedies".

A retraction!

I mentioned in one of my replies that one must wait at least 30 minutes to eat after having consumed anything sugary. In order to effectually avoid the effects of insulin (storing fat) one should wait two hours for blood glucose levels to return to perfectly normal levels. I apologize for this misinformation.
Thank you,
-AltHealthGuru

Dehydration

Having enough water is essential to your body's proper functioning. When you are well-hydrated, your body can process and eliminate wastes and carry nutrients to the cells that need it. Dehydration leads to a whole array of problems related to these functions.
Often, we are dehydrated and don't even realize it. It is very easy to mistake the symptoms of dehydration for other problems. Your first response to any symptom should be to drink plenty of water. Even if your ailment isn't directly caused by dehydration, being properly hydrated will help your body to effectively combat any issues.
These are direct signs that you are dehydrated, sometimes severely so:
-Dark urine
-Dizziness
-Inability to urinate
-Weakness and fatigue
-Dry mouth and tongue
Your first reaction should be to drink water - not coffee, not soda, but water.
Many of symptoms of dehydration are mistaken as other issues, often easily resolvable. Of course, if your problem is not solved by this measure, be sure to seek additional means of treatment.
-Often, we mistake thirst for hunger. When you feel hungry, have a glass of water first, then see if you are still as hungry.
-Exhaustion. Many times we feel terribly in need of some coffee, or a nap, when we really just need a drink of water. If you still feel exhausted after a glass or two, you may have low blood sugar, or truly be in need of a nap....or caffeine, if you really must.
-Acne, to some extent, can be caused by dehydration. Dehydration stresses the body, which leads to breakouts. The inability to process and expel of wastes leads your body to desperate measures - expelling waste through the skin. Also, when you are dehydrated, your skin can get too dry. The body will feel the need to respond by excreting oils, which can build up and contribute to skin problems.
-Headaches often stem from dehydration as well, as well as many other muscle aches.
Watch out for causes of dehydration. It is easy to become dehydrated due to the following:
-Heat exhaustion
-Diarrhea
-Exercise
-Swimming (a bit unexpected, perhaps)
-High blood sugar
-Consumption of alchoholic beverages
When you are ill and go to the doctor's office, there is a reason you are told to "rest and get plenty of fluids". Your body is greatly in need of these fluids in order to function optimally.

What are homeopathic remedies?

Most medications you take are meant for the alleviation of symptoms. They get rid of your headaches, suppress coughing, reduce fever, etc, for a few hours of relative relief. While this may not sound bad initially, it could potentially worsen things for you in the long run. This suppression of symptoms merely prolongs the overall illness. Symptoms are the body's way of fighting off an infection or illness. When you suppress the symptoms, you suppress your body's natural immune response - you are fighting your own immune system (not a good idea,considering the job of the immune system is to keep you alive). This means it will take longer for the underlying problem to go away.
Homeopathic remedies are different from allopathic (think drug store) medicines. Definitionally speaking,homeopathic remedies are “a tiny amount of a substance(…) that in large doses would induce symptoms like those caused by the illness”, as referenced by the online article “A Mixed Bag of Alternative Remedies” by Lindsay Lyon and January W. Payne, writers for the Journal U.S. News and World Report.
The purpose of homeopathic remedies is to build the body's immunity. An example of this would be the taking of a dose of Rhus Tox, the homeopathic medicinal form of poison oak, to help your body fight off a rash.
Also, unlike most medicines, homeopathic remedies have no side effects. Side effects are a definite sign that your medication and your body are not friends. They slow the healing process by stressing your body, adding to the already present strain of the illness.
Homeopathic dosages are too small to have a negative effect on the body. Because they are not meant to suppress your body's immunity, the dosages don't need to be large. They simply provide a much-needed boost to your immmunity.
Homeopathic remedies are most effectively taken by placing them under your tongue, and allowing them to dissolve there. This introduces the substance directly into your bloodstream, so that your body is provided with an immediate benefit.
Of course, I'm not telling you to stop taking whatever medicine your doctor has prescribed. But a homeopathic remedy could be of help the next time you think you are coming down with something.

Breakfast!

One of the most important steps to a good day is making certain you eat breakfast. When you wake up, your bloodsugar is low, and it is likely you feel the need for caffeine. Even if you do have a caffeine addiction, the most important thing is to hydrate - with water, not coffee - and to literally feed your brain.
Protein is important - yogurt, eggs, meat, milk - all of these are excellent sources of energy. Try to avoid a sugary breakfast - this will leave you drooling on the desk before too long. You'll need a form of carbohydrate as well, but try to avoid processed, white-flour based breads and pastries. These are just as bad for you, and a void of nutritional content as something sugary. Worse, this can spike your yeast, leaving you drained of energy.
Go ahead and drink your coffee, if you must, but tea is a more than adequate substitute, and is far less acidic, and thus much better for your digestion. Green teas, black teas, and white teas all contain caffeine, but herbal teas can be rejuvenating as well. My personal favorite is any type of chai tea.
It's well worth it to wake up twenty or thirty minutes earlier, when doing this will give you energy to last until lunch time without grabbing a *gasp!* doughnut.