Health-Essentials.info Newsletter | June 2010

Greetings again from Lincoln, Nebraska.  I hope you are well and enjoying your summer, so far.  Here in Lincoln, we've been transitioning out of a very pleasant spring into an early summer that is already hot and muggy (think "Rear Window").  (We came very close to 100° today, with humidity to match.)  A little unusual, but not unusual enough (I really miss Estes Park, where Linda and I lived for two years, a lifetime ago . . . ).

This newsletter may have come to you a bit sooner, but I've been spending way too much time watching the three-ring circus in my front yard.

We have Service Berry tree in our yard, and every spring, it bears maybe tens of thousands of little red berries, about half the size of a small cherry.  The birds are nuts for them, and for a month before the flowers blossom and the fruit begins to set, they are already trying to stake out their claim.  This year, the winner seemed to be a pair of robins.

For weeks before the berries were ripened, these two robins took their positions to defend their treasure against all interlopers, large or small.  Anything that came near was viciously attacked.  I really didn't know that robins had it in them.  They can be quite frightening . . .

Once the berries were ripe, the games began.  Most of the berries were fairly easy pickings; but nearly half grew out on the end of branches that are not quite strong enough to support the weight of a bird.  To reach these berries, the birds had to be quite inventive.  They'd hang from the branch above or pop up from the ground below, trying to hover long enough to snatch a prize.  Possibly my favorite was when a bird would launch from our roof, swooping down low and then up again into a branch of the tree, snatching a berry as it went by.  All of these gymnastics and aerobatics were amazing to watch; all with the added feature of air-to-air combat with the alpha birds.

It was also fun to watch this robin pair's young, when they had grown enough to fly to the tree.  When they first arrived, they were dumb as rocks.  One would sit there with a berry practically banging on its head, and it wouldn't make a move to pick it.  The mom had to come, pick the berry and shove it down the youngster's throat.  But, within a few days, the young ones were happily eating on their own.

It was all so much fun to watch, I hope to do a video of it next spring.

 

---

Extreme Health: Managing metabolism, toxins and inflammation for optimal health

On June 10, 2010, Dr David Hill, Chief Medical Advisor and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board at dōTERRA^®, presented a webinar entitled "Extreme Health".  During his presentation, he talked about metabolism (not just in terms of burning more calories for weight loss; but the fuller understanding of it as energy production and processing wastes), the importance of proper metabolic function and the problems associated with compromised metabolism, such as pre-mature aging and other issues related to inflammatory response and oxidative stress.

In presenting this overall perspective on what it means to be healthy, Dr Hill focused his remarks around the many benefits you will receive from a few core products from dōTERRA^®, formulated to support proper metabolism.  You can read my notes on this webinar at Extreme Health: Managing metabolism, toxins and inflammation for optimal health.

 

---

Power Plate^®: Reap the benefits of weight-bearing exercise, without lifting weights

Despite my Fibromyalgia and disability, I have always wanted to stay in shape (a goal I've miserably failed at over the years).  I've tried all sorts of things that offered some promise of enabling me to get a good workout without killing myself; something that I could actually use more than once or twice a month.  For more than 30 years, my search for an answer to my "exercise resistance" (as one doctor called it) was largely unfruitful.  But, with the Power Plate^®, I'd say that I've definitely found my answer.

I first heard of the Power Plate^® about 10 years ago.  It sounded interesting, like something I should definitely look into; but the price, at that time (in the neighborhood of $10,000), was way out of my range.  Then in the Alternatives' Health Technology Report of September 2009, Dr David Williams gave a write-up on it.  Best of all, he told about a model, the my3™, that was actually (marginally) affordable.

Dr Williams focused a lot on keeping bones, muscles and joints strong and healthy, as a way for older people to stay active and independent.  Besides these benefits, the Power Plate^® is also helpful for improving circulation and joint flexibility.  Another benefit is the reduction of fat storage in the body, especially visceral (belly) fat.  It also works something like a mechanical massage, assisting in lymph drainage and supporting detoxification and your immune system.

The Power Plate^® works by standing on a vibrating plate (with handlebars), which forces your body to "catch its balance" about 25-50 times per second.  By working the body's postural muscles through "stretch reflex" in this way, you set up, not only a muscular response, but a neuromuscular response, amplifying the benefits many times over what the actual exertion would be.

Although I had believed for several years that the Power Plate^® would be of significant benefit to me, the thing that pushed me over the purchase threshold was my dad.  He was about 82 at the time and had just come out of something like his fourth hospital stay in a year (strangely incongruent with his actual overall state of health).  The last stay, for some minor surgery, seemed to age him almost 15 years.  His legs had gotten so weakened from not being able to take his daily walks that his balance was quite bad.  So, I bit the bullet and ordered a Power Plate^® my3™.

After using the Power Plate^® for only a week or so, my dad seemed to have regained all the strength that he had lost.  He was strong enough to get out for walks, as well as work in the yard and garden.  It was simply amazing.

I've been using the Power Plate^® about 2-3 times per week.  I've lost about 10 pounds (don't know if that's why, but it couldn't have hurt) and have gained a lot of strength.  Doing a workout is really quite easy, because the machine does most of the work.  (It does make me sweat a lot, though.)  I've not only gained a lot of strength, but my muscles have a decidedly more chiseled appearance.  Before, with other exercise, it was easy for me to bulk up; but my muscles lacked definition.  That is certainly not the case with the Power Plate^®.  I've also found that doing the Power Plate^® has made it much more effective to use the other equipment I've accumulated over the years.

In terms of exercise, I feel that the Power Plate^® is about the best thing that's ever happened to me.  I'd encourage you to give it a try.

 

---

Far-Infrared (FIR) Sauna: Powerful detoxification solution

Imagine yourself standing outside on a cool and cloudy day.  Then suddenly, the sun breaks through the clouds and you're washed in warmth.  It feels great, but the temperature hasn't really changed . . . at least, not much.  Or think about sitting inside, during the winter months, in a room heated to 70°.  It feels rather chilly, so you grab a sweater or sweatshirt.  Then think about how, in the summer, you can sit in the same room, at the same temperature, in a short-sleeved shirt, and it feels just fine.  Why is that?

What you are feeling in these situations is the effect of far-infrared (FIR) radiation from the sun, warming you from within.  But, the sun doesn't just warm the body; it activates many essential body functions, as well.

Far-infrared (FIR) rays are part of the light spectrum, invisible to the naked eye.  These rays have a vibrational wavelength that is the same as our body's, which makes our bodies very receptive to this energy.  As FIRs penetrate into our tissues, cellular vibration quickens, creating internal heat; light energy is converted into thermal energy.  As these thermal effects are felt within the deeper layers of tissue,

• Blood vessels and capillaries dilate, increasing circulation and removing metabolic waste and toxins through sweating.
• Vibrating water molecules become more "active", as they are ionized into hydrogen and hydroxide ions that release gases and other toxic materials.
• Cell mitochondria increase energy production, raising metabolic rate.

While there are many uses for FIR, from warming socks to hair driers to healing treatments, I'd like to focus on the use of FIR in saunas.

FIR saunas and detoxification

One of the more beneficial uses of FIRs is in a sauna, which provides you with a simple, yet powerful, tool for detoxification.  Our bodies are bombarded with toxic substances every day, and there are many toxic waste byproducts of metabolism that must be cleared from the body to regain or maintain health.  But, because of overload, many people have difficulty in clearing all of the toxins from their bodies.  For us, a great answer is a FIR sauna.

FIR saunas work by heating your body from the inside out, penetrating the deeper tissues of the body and significantly increasing the detoxification effect, compared to conventional saunas.  In a FIR sauna, the actual air temperature can be 60°-80° lower than in a conventional sauna, but your sweat volume will be 2-3 times higher.  Even more amazing is that, with a conventional sauna, your sweat is about 2% toxins and 98% water.  In a FIR sauna, the ratio increases to 20% toxins and 80% water.

Other benefits of FIR saunas

Regular use of a FIR sauna provides you with other health benefits, as well.

• A 30-minute session in a FIR sauna can increase your metabolic rate, so that you will burn anywhere from 200-600 calories.
• It can give you the cardiovascular benefits of exercise, without the effort, by increasing blood flow from the normal 5-7 quarts a minute to as much as 13 quarts.
• Regular FIR sauna use can help in lowering blood pressure.
• It promotes deep relaxation.
• Can ease the pain of conditions like Fibromyalgia.
• It supports the immune system.
• Studies have shown that FIRs inhibit the growth of breast cancer tumors in mice, and may prove to be a non-invasive method of treating certain cancers.
• FIRs can also increase blood flow in bones, helping you to recover from fractures more quickly.
• FIRs can improve sleep patterns, and may be helpful in treating insomnia and other sleep disorders.

Other considerations

I've read a discussion about FIR saunas in which concerns about EMF emissions were stated.  As someone who is very sensitive to EMFs and has used a FIR sauna, I'd say that, if you get the right sauna, there is no problem with this.  The "coils" are well shielded and safe for use.

I would say that my FIR sauna was one of the better purchases I've ever made, in my pursuit of health.  It definitely helps me to relax more deeply, which also reduces the pain I feel from my Fibromyalgia.  It helps me to get more rigorous exercise without feeling like I'm going to die from it.  And, when my muscles are sore from exercise, the sauna helps me to recover much more quickly.  It leaves me feeling energized, without over-stimulation — it's a very calm energy.  Even more, it leaves me feeling clean — inside and out — as my body releases the toxins through sweat.  A quick rinse off and my skin is even improved.

I love this sauna, and recommend it to you.

Where to get your FIR sauna

With a far-infrared sauna, it is very important to get the right one.  Many on the market simply aren't worth the money.  Their heating elements are two few, too small or too under-powered to give you any actual benefit.  The sauna I use is from Sunlighten Sauna.  It is one of the Signature Series models (the Solo System, with Solo Pad).  It is comparatively economical and is perfect for those with limited space.

 

---

Zona Plus: Isometric grip exerciser that can lower your blood pressure

About a year ago, I saw in a health newsletter that there was a special type of hand-grip exerciser that clinical trials showed could lower blood pressure.  But, while the writer said there was such a device, he never said what it was called or where to get it (I suppose he was waiting until he could set up an affiliate arrangement, so he could gain some financial benefit from it).  Over time, I kind of lost track of the whole matter.

Then, this past year, after 10 years of pushing myself way too hard and not taking the right measures to guard my own health, I found myself facing a couple of new challenges: 1) my mom was diagnosed with lymphoma and 2) my dad had to go in for cataract surgery.  Besides the natural concern for my parents, I was faced with the added responsibilities of shopping, cooking, cleaning, nursing and taxiing.  After a few months of this, my adrenal glands decided it was time to send me a message: My blood pressure spiked and was resistant to coming back down.

With this wake-up call, I made some changes in my lifestyle and lost 10 pounds and such; but my blood pressure and pulse would not come down.  I went to my doctor (something I try to avoid) and — big surprise — he put me on a beta blocker.  Even at half dosing, by the third day, it was very clear that I could not tolerate that medication.  So, I went back to the doctor and he prescribed an ACE inhibitor.  Within a very short time, it was clear that I could not handle that medication, either.

During this time, I found a medical doctor in town who does medical acupuncture.  He's been working to balance out my autonomic nervous system (after years of unremitting stress, I'm way out of balance toward the sympathetic side) and support my adrenal glands.  We've had some success with this but, since I can't just stop everything I'm doing and summertime in Lincoln doesn't invite spending time outdoors for walking, biking or running, I've needed something else to get my blood pressure under control.

On one of my office visits, my acupuncturist reminded me of the hand-grip exerciser called the Zona Plus.  He gave me a copy of his Harvard Heart Letter, with the lead article "Squeezing your way to lower blood pressure".  The article included the Zona Health website address, www.zona.com.

Originally designed as a training device for fighter pilots, to help them withstand high G-forces, the inventor (Dr Ronald Wiley) found that the pilots who used his device for a few weeks actually lowered their resting blood pressure.  Several years of tinkering with this device resulted in the Zona Plus.  Small, short-term studies have shown an average reduction in the systolic blood pressure (the top number of a blood pressure reading) of about 14 points, with changes ranging from 55 mg Hg to the rare, small increase.  If these results hold up in larger, longer studies, it would suggest that the Zona Plus would be as effective as a first-line anti-hypertension drug.

No one really knows why the Zona Plus provides these results.  One theory is that it turns down the sympathetic nervous system, which increases heart rate and blood pressure, while turning up the vagal system, which has a calming effect.  It works by:

1. Retraining your arteries to dilate, expand and become more flexible, like they were when you were younger; that is, it reverses endothelial dysfunction.
2. Reducing any excess "fight or flight" signals being sent from your brain, which can result in your kidneys producing too many hormones, your cardiovascular system not functioning properly, with your arteries ultimately contracting; that is, switching vagal tone from sympathetic to parasympathetic.
3. Triggering the production of more Nitric Oxide (NO), which has been shown to have antioxidant properties, and helps to fight oxidative stress, as well as the stiffening of the arteries.

Using the Zona Plus

The Zona Plus takes a total of 12 minutes to use, including rest periods.  It can be done while you're relaxing watching TV, sitting at your desk . . . basically anywhere, anytime!  To do a session you simply:

1. Do a brief (1-2 second) handgrip strength test by squeezing the Zona Plus as hard as you can.  The microcomputer inside of the Zona Plus measures your handgrip strength and sets a target grip at 30% of that.  This is done for each hand.
2. Squeeze the device with your right hand for 2 minutes, trying to keep the "Hold" indicator on the Zona Plus screen as much as possible.  Rest for 1 minute, then do the same thing in the left hand.
3. Rest for 1 minute and repeat step 2.

When you're done, the Zona Plus will give you a grade on your performance.  To be effective, you need to keep your score above 80%.

I haven't been using the Zona Plus long enough to be achieving "real" results yet, and the results I've seen, so far, have not been consistent.  However, I believe I'm seeing benefits from using this device.  On one occasion, using the Zona brought my systolic pressure down by 10 points and my diastolic pressure down by 3.  My pulse also came down by 2 bpm.  On another occasion, using the Zona actually raised my systolic pressure by 4 points, but brought my diastolic pressure down by 14 points and my pulse down about 12 bpm. 

Although I've been using my Zona Plus almost every day, I haven't been monitoring my blood pressure as closely as I should, or I would have more data to show you.  One thing I can add, however, is that using the Zona has definitely helped my guitar playing.

It should be noted that the Zona Plus is not a substitute for other regular exercise.  It's simply a tool that you can use in addition to other healthy things.  I don't have the time to write about it now, but something else I've found that has had remarkable effects is Spring Forest qigong.  I hope to tell you about this next time.

 

---

Update on my parents

I mentioned before the things my parents were going through.  To update that, my dad is doing just great following his cataract surgery.  His vision is better than it's been in years.  My mom had a PET scan around Christmas that showed three tumors.  She chose to approach things naturally, instead of doing chemo.  She started taking a mushroom complex from Jarrow, some added vitamins C, E and caroteen complex; and, twice a day, she did a capsule with 5 drops each of frankincense, myrrh and wild orange oils.  Just last week, she had another PET scan.  It showed that two of the tumors are completely gone and the third is all but gone.  We're truly thankful for this great blessing.

Well, that's it for this time.  Hope you found something interesting and helpful in this newsletter.  Feel free to share it with others and to contact me with your questions or comments.  I really enjoy hearing from you.

Until next time, take good care and keep a happy heart.

Tom

Tom Anson | Health-Essentials.info
Health information you can use … from an alternative perspective

301 Glenhaven Dr | Lincoln, NE  68505
Phone: 402-489-5064 | http://www.health-essentials.info