Category Archives for "health"
January 13, 2017
- in guest/interview , health by allan
The heart is more than just a pump with Dr. Thomas Cowan
Dr. Thomas Cowan is the author of a new book entitled Human Heart, Cosmic Heart, which introduces a new perspective on the role of the heart within the human body and how heart disease can be prevented.
Dr. Cowan explains that more than 90% of heart attacks are caused by a decrease in the tone of the parasympathetic nervous system. Too much stress, high blood pressure, and diabetes are just a few factors that can also diminish the parasympathetic nervous system. When this is combined with a buildup of lactic acid in the heart, acidification of tissues or a breakdown of cells occurs, creating a heart attack.
In the book, Dr. Cowan has included the six principles within the Cowan Heart Diet, which will influence the three causes of heart disease: plaque, deterioration of microcirculation, and an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system.
- Quality matters – Toxins can interfere with mitochondrial function. Eat fresh, local, and organic foods containing the best quality with the most minerals possible.
- How to eat vegetables – Eat proteins from animals, seeds and nuts for calories and fiber, and as wide a variety of vegetables as possible.
- Intermittent fasting – An overfed state leads to too much insulin, which can lead to inflammation. Instead, try intermittent fasting, which will put your body in an efficient state of hormonal balance.
- Macronutrients – Do not eat too much sugar in your diet. Eat a high amount of healthy fats and modest protein.
- Structured water – The structure of non-moving water starts to degrade. Using simple vortex devices with your drinking water can possibly improve your health.
- Trust your instincts – No expert can tell you what works the best for you. If you feel good, look good, and are performing well, you are likely on the right track.
To connect with Dr. Cowan, or to learn more about the book or heart disease, visit www.humanheartcosmicheart.com.
Another episode you may enjoy
January 6, 2017
- in guest/interview , health by allan
- |
- 2 comments
Your doctor may be a drug dealer with Anna Lembke
Dr. Anna Lembke is the chief of addiction medicine and an assistant professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is also the author of the new book, Drug Dealer MD, which examines the layers of issues surrounding the prescription drug epidemic.
Dr. Lembke explains that the number of prescriptions for opioid prescription drugs quadrupled between 1999 and 2010. While attempting to better treat pain, the risk of overprescribing was underestimated, causing an epidemic involving a complex web of both patients and doctors.
Once addicted, the patient’s behavior is driven by a physiologic craving to use, causing them to go to great lengths to obtain the drug. Dr. Lembke describes several techniques that patients can use:
- Psychfance – Flattering the doctor and abusing the doctor-patient relationship.
- Senators – A filibuster technique where patients wait until the last 30 seconds of an appointment to ask for a prescription.
- Exhibitionists – Using dramatic displays of emotion or pain to communicate the need for the medication.
- Losers – Those who claim they lost their prescription or bottle of pills.
- Weekenders – Those who call in for an early refill on the weekend when their regular doctor is not around.
- Doctor shoppers – Patients who visit multiple doctors to get a similar or same prescription.
- Impersonators – Those who pretend to be different people to get multiple prescriptions.
- Dynamic Duo – Two against one, typically a patient and his/her mother.
- Twins – Anyone in the healthcare field with an addiction and who can navigate the system more cleverly.
- City Mice and Country Mice – Medically savvy patients and those who act unknowledgeable.
- Bullies – Patients who threaten to sue or call patient relations.
- Internet Copycats – Those who get advice on the internet about deceiving doctors.
- Little Engines That Could – Those who want to get off the medication, but continue to have excuses as to why they need to refill.
Another episode you may enjoy
January 4, 2017
- in guest/interview , health by julie
- |
- 4 comments
Your cholesterol matters with Dr. Richard Furman
Dr. Richard Furman is a retired vascular surgeon and the author of the new book, Your Cholesterol Matters.
Dr. Furman explains that our total cholesterol is made up of LDL, bad cholesterol, and HDL, good cholesterol. If we’re not doing something about the high levels of LDL in our blood, this will negatively impact our arteries and our overall quality of life. This is because LDL acts as tiny splinters that get into the walls of arteries. On the other hand, HDL acts as a small police car that travels through arteries and plucks out and disposes of the LDL. Ideally, one would have a total cholesterol below 200, with LDL being below 100 and HDL being above 50.
If you’re trying to reach ideal cholesterol numbers, you should first try to reduce LDL through eating healthy. Medical literature has shown that there are bad fats that cause damage to arteries through LDL found in red meats, dairy, and fried foods. Studies show that if you cut out bad fats, but substitute sugar for those bad fats, that also hurts your arteries. Instead, you must substitute bad fats with good fats, such as fish, nuts, and olive oil.
In addition to reducing LDL, you can also increase HDL levels. This is achieved through losing weight if you are overweight and exercising regularly. These activities, when combined with eating an appropriate diet, will help to bring your cholesterol numbers into the ideal range.
The more you know about managing your cholesterol, the easier it is to adopt the lifestyle that will add years and quality to your life. To connect with Dr. Furman, you can email him at dfurman@samaritan.org.
Another episode you may enjoy
11 best sleep tips
We know sleep is important, yet many of us are not taking the appropriate steps to ensure we are getting the best sleep possible. This is critical, as our bodies use sleep as a time to rebuild, repair, and perform other basic functions to maintain our health. Why is quality sleep so elusive for some people? It really comes down to your lifestyle. Here are 11 great sleep tips:
We know sleep is important, yet many of us are not taking the appropriate steps to ensure we are getting the best sleep possible. This is critical, as our bodies use sleep as a time to rebuild, repair, and perform other basic functions to maintain our health. Why is quality sleep so elusive for some people? It really comes down to your lifestyle. Here are 11 great sleep tips:
1. Avoid caffeine – Do not drink caffeine prior to bedtime, as it can take your body hours to process the caffeine, which may keep you awake longer.
2. Avoid alcohol – Consuming alcohol keeps you from reaching deeper layers of sleep.
3. Avoid sleeping medications – These drugs make you fall asleep, but you are not getting the quality rest and repair needed during that sleep. For some, these medications can also cause a dependency.
4. Avoid screens – Almost all screens use blue light as their source, which tells your body that it’s still daytime and interrupts your natural cycle. Turn off devices 30 minutes before bedtime.
5. Set a bedtime and keep it a ritual – This will make it easier for your body to adjust.
6. Read fiction – This will allow you to relax and not stress about tasks.
7. Dark room – Cover up any lights and don’t use a television.
8. Cold room – 63 to 68 degrees is optimal for better sleep.
9. Quiet room – Use a box fan to provide a neutral sound to cover up any outside noise.
10. Go to bed early enough to wake up without alarm clock – Work with your natural sleep cycles.
11. Sleep alone – Stirring during the night can disturb sleep. Consider sleeping alone for a few nights if this is an issue.
By adopting these 11 tips for better sleep, you will surely see a positive impact on your quality and quantity of sleep, as well as your overall health.
Other episodes you may enjoy
A better way to do new year’s resolutions
At the beginning of a new year, many people will set New Year’s resolutions. However, 92% of people who make these resolutions don’t stick to them. Why is this? It is likely because the resolution is not yet a commitment.
In order to be successful in meeting any goal, you must be committed. To get clear on your level of commitment, you must first ask yourself why you are making this resolution. What is your why?
When you know why you want to achieve this goal, couple that why with a vision for what your future will look like when you reach your goal. What is your vision of what health and fitness looks like? When you keep your why and vision top of mind, you then have a vow or commitment to do these things for yourself because you know exactly why you are doing them and are driven to achieve your desired end result.
However, having the vision is only have the battle. If you’re not willing to do the work to make your vision a reality, you won’t be successful. Do you love yourself enough to make this vow? If so, create a plan and stick with it.
This year, don’t just make new year’s resolutions. Make a commitment to become a better version of yourself. If you need help, check out the Surefire Results for Weight Loss Program. This is a program that provides real results through focusing on three lifestyle changes. You’ll also have access to me as your trainer and a private Facebook group for accountability. This program has a money-back guarantee, so don’t delay!
Another episode you may enjoy
December 28, 2016
- in fitness , guest/interview , health by julie
Fight sitting disease with Joan Vernikos
Dr. Joan Vernikos is a well-known expert in stress and healthy aging, a former NASA researcher and administrator, and the author of the new book Designed to Move.
Dr. Vernikos explains that as our lives have become easier, we have been lulled into an abnormal existence of sitting, as our bodies are biologically designed to move. In the last five years, analyses from data show a relationship between sitting and a variety of health issues including cancer, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.
Here are several tips on how to increase your movement and add to your overall health:
- Alignment and upright posture – A correct alignment spares your body. Don’t slouch when sitting.
- Change in posture often – Interrupt sitting often and work to improve your balance.
- Activities such as housework and gardening – These are activities with a purpose that will keep you moving and feeling accomplished.
- On the go – Opt to walk, bike, or take public transportation to reduce sitting time.
- At the office – Take the stairs and encourage standing up.
- Play – Swinging and juggling are good for balance.
- Stretching – Stretch at your desk and be sure to push your shoulders back.
- Relax completely – Totally let go and free your mind.
Awareness is the key. You can structure your life to incorporate new habits in the course of your day. Stand up in meetings, get up to get a drink of water, or walk over to someone instead of sending an email. Focus on frequency and consistency.
Designed to Move gives a basis of understanding of what our bodies should be doing, and what we can do to get back to that level of health and enjoyment. To connect with Dr. Joan Vernikos, visit www.joanvernikos.com.
Another episode you may enjoy
11 Best stress reduction tips
Though there are good and bad types of stress, there is no way to avoid all stress.
So, what is stress? Stress is a reaction of our body when it senses that something is not right. The body reacts to stress by releasing the hormone cortisol. Cortisol activates the adrenal glands, which prepares the body to react—fight or flight mode—to survive.
When we are constantly faced with stressors in our lives, our body does not have the opportunity to find balance. This can wear on your health and shows exactly why you need to learn to deal with bad stress in a healthy way. To reduce stress:
1. Avoid it – Stop overcommitting. Recognize your physical limitations. It’s better to under-promise and over-deliver.
2. Run away – Physically get up and move your body. Allow your body to burn off the cortisol and be productive.
3. Nature – This will help you relax and lower your stress threshold.
4. Sleep – Quality sleep primes your body to deal with stress.
5. Meditation – Focus on your current state and who you are, rather than what is happening around you.
6. Avoid stimulants – Alcohol, tobacco, and coffee can affect cortisol levels, particularly in times of high stress.
7. Take a break – Take a vacation or do something you enjoy.
8. Hobbies – Find regular time to do things that add value to your life, but are also stress-free.
9. Practice gratitude – Build an inventory of things for which you are thankful. Choose a positive response to stress.
10. Breathe – Breathe in a slow, controlled way to find a more relaxed state.
11. Talk to someone – Don’t keep it bottled up. Find someone you trust. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.
By following these tips, you will be able to reduce your stress level and live a happier, healthier life.