Arthritis – you really don’t need to suffer so much
There are many theories as to what causes arthritis such as an inherited predisposition, getting older (even though children can have arthritis), obesity or a previous trauma or injury. The various kinds of arthritis have some degree of auto-immune involvement and the mechanism for maintaining healthy joints is compromised. Like most conditions there is an element of both psychological and emotional involvement. It has been known for years to alternative practitioners that in cases of arthritis there is some degree of liver involvement. So treatments will probably involve prescribing herbs that are good for the liver (if the case study reveals there is a need).
Read MoreApples help break down body fat
This fruit is a super star, high in pectin higher than pears, a soluble fiber that helps cleanse the intestines (helps to gently relieve constipation) and helps detox the body. Very important in conditions like arthritis to keep the bowels working well, helping to reduce imflammation, aches and pains.
They lower cholesterol levels. Apples contain a plant compound called malic acid which helps to break down and eliminate fatty deposits in the body’s cells. Apples also help relieve inflammation and the pain associated with arthritic type conditions. Help to stabilize blood sugar levels and are filling. They make a good snack.
Read MoreMS and arthritis may be linked to lack of sun, say scientists
Vitamin D found to exert an influence over genes associated with certain diseases more common in the northern hemisphere
By Sarah Boseley, health editor for the Guardian co UK, Monday 23 August 2010 22.00 BST
Insufficient exposure to sunshine, resulting in low levels of vitamin D, could play a part in a wide-range of diseases, from multiple sclerosis to rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, some cancers and even dementia, scientists say today. A study funded by the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust and others, has succeeded in mapping the points at which vitamin D interacts with DNA. Scientists from Oxford University found that the vitamin exerts a direct influence over 229 genes that are known to be involved with certain diseases. Many of the diseases that are implicated are more common in the northern hemisphere than in sunnier, southern climes. Scotland, for instance, has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world. The disease is virtually unknown in Africa. The study, published in the journal Genome Research, lends substantial support to the hypothesis that the migration of humankind, hundreds of thousands of years ago, to the colder and darker parts of the world had an effect both on skin colour and on susceptibility to certain sorts of disease. Research has previously suggested that the need to make more vitamin D resulted in the lightening of skin and hair of people who migrated to the north. A lack of vitamin D has long been known to have an effect on bones. The theory runs that women who were unable to make enough vitamin D suffered from contracting pelvises, with the result that they and their unborn babies died in labour. “Over a very long period of time, there has been a systematic selection for individuals that can cope with diminished sunshine,” said Prof George Ebers, Action Medical Research professor of clinical neurology and one of the senior authors of the paper. He added: “It may be we have not had enough time to make all the adaptations we have needed to cope with our northern circumstances.” The good news is that – if the scientists are right – diseases such as MS are not genetically predetermined but a mixture of nature and nurture, says Ebers. The work will increase calls for changes in the advice on taking vitamin D supplements, which is not expected to help those already suffering from the disease, but could help future generations. At the moment, authorities such as the Food Standards Agency say that most of us should be able to get all we need from a healthy diet, including oily fish and eggs, and “by getting a little sun”. Pregnant women and older people might benefit from a small daily dose of vitamin D. France already gives pregnant women a large supplementary dose of vitamin D, which is fat-soluble, so it stays in the body for some time. The Scottish government has now agreed to a meeting in September with scientists to review the evidence, largely as a result of the Shine on Scotland campaign launched by 15 year-old Ryan McLaughlin, whose mother has MS, which wants vitamin D supplements for every pregnant woman and child. Susan Polson, 60, who lives in Fife, was diagnosed with MS at the relatively late age of 46, causing her to have to give up her job as head secretary in a big independent school. She is on the committee of the research network of the MS Society in Scotland and takes vitamin D every day even though, she says, she is not expecting a cure. “It is too late for me, but my grand-daughter Catriona is two. I don’t want to think that because we didn’t do anything about vitamin D, she has more risk factors,” she said.
Read MoreTo Your Health: Alcohol May Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk and Symptoms
From the Daily Finance by Melly Alazraki
A British study gave barflies another reason to raise their glasses this week. The study, released Tuesday, suggests that drinking alcohol may reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis. It’s the first study to show that alcohol reduces the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in humans. Even better for those who like to drink, the study found that patients’ risk of developing the disease decreased as the frequency of their alcohol consumption increased — in other words, those who drank most often were least likely to get the arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes painful swelling in the lining of the joints, typically the small joints in the hands and feet, and can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. It’s an autoimmune disorder, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.
Read MoreSmoking ’causes a third of severe rheumatoid arthritis cases’
Smoking is responsible for a third of all cases of severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to a study of more than 2,000 people.In people who are genetically predisposed towards the debilitating condition it accounts for more than a half of cases, the Swedish study found.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the painful swelling of the joints, thought to be caused by the body’s own immune system attacking itself. It often begins to affect people between 40 and 60, and is three times more common in women than in men. About 400,000 people suffer from it in Britain.
Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm asked 1,200 people with RA about their smoking habits, as well as almost 900 people without it. Both sets were matched for age, sex, and other factors.
They found people who had smoked heavily throughout their lives – at least 20 a day for at least 20 years – were more than two-and-a-half times as likely to test positive for a type of antibody, called the anticitrullinated protein/peptide antibody (ACPA), that is now closely associated with the most common and severe form of RA.
Based on this and other figures, they calculated that smoking accounted for 35 per cent of ACPA-positive cases of RA, and a fifth of cases of the disease overall.
Among people who were genetically susceptible to the disease, the researchers concluded that smoking was responsible for more than half (55 per cent) of ACPA-positive cases.
However, they found that in all but the heaviest smokers, the risk of developing RA diminished once a person stopped smoking.
The report is published today (TUES) online in the British Medical Journal’s Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Jane Tadman, from Arthritis Research UK, commented: “We’ve also known for some time that lifestyle factors such as smoking, and also eating a lot of red meat and drinking large amounts of caffeine may also affect the risk of developing the disease.
“As there is little you can do about changing your genetic make-up, it seems sensible to reduce the other risk factors that you actually have some control over. So stopping smoking would be one obvious way of doing this.”
Chinese Face Reading (Observations) used for Centuries
Our skin is the largest organ of the body, protecting us, regulating our body temperature, and helping in the detoxification process. It is said that our shell reflects the inner functioning of the body. For instance did you know that the different parts of the face reflect different areas of the body? Here is just a brief out line of what blemishes, darker colour, a different tone like a yellowish hue, pimples, flaky skin, dry patches, greasy areas, puffiness, redness or itching can indicate a problem in the corresponding area of the face. The area under the eyes – relates to the urinary system, bags or puffiness under the eyes could relate to dehydration. Are you drinking enough water or think about what you are drinking, too much alcohol or sodas? Maybe your lymphatic system is sluggish. Dark circles could mean allergies or lack of sleep or too much stress. Paleness under the eye lids could indicate anemia or poor circulation. The area on the chin relates to the female or male hormones, this area is prone to spots before and during a period. The area of the cheeks relate to the health of the lungs, redness, puffiness, dryness and blemishes in this area could indicate weakness in the lungs, mucus or a problem with dairy products. The area of the lower forehead relates to the health of small intestines. The area of the upper forehead relates to the health of large intestines. The area at the tip of the nose relates to the health of heart and the circulatory system. The area of the upper lip relates to the health of stomach. Having sore red and inflamed lips could indicate digestive problems especially the stomach area. The area above the nose and in between the eye brows relates to the lymphatic system being sluggish and possibly the immune system being weak. The area on the face but to the side of the nose – relates to the bronchial area. The area at the top of the nose – relates to the pancreas. A general greenish hue could indicate a sluggish liver, a general yellowish hue could indicate a digestive problem, whereas a generally red face might indicate a higher than normal blood pressure. The skin in general, when it is healthy, will be clear, smooth, ever-so slightly shiny but not greasy but also not dry. The ‘lotions and potions’ you use play a big part of the health of your skin but they are however, only part of the overall picture.
Anti-aging Disease Prevention and Weight Management
Includes the Anti-aging, Disease Prevention and Weight Management
Objective:-
This program is a voyage of personal discovery that will give you all the knowledge you need for a longer life,( you receive a copy of our Anti-aging and Weight management Twelve Essentials Manual). Many aspect of individual health are covered, we not only look at your lifestyle but also the role of internal inflammation in accelerated aging, the role of enzymes to slow aging and how to use this knowledge to stay younger, protected and healthier longer, these are just some of the topics covered.
You will also receive an individual nutritional and lifestyle plan that is built around your own personal health and physical requirements. The building blocks of your life and indeed your decline comes from the food you eat, an inappropriate diet has two consequences. Firstly too much of the body’s resources goes into digesting foods your body has no use for or even worse foods that are detrimental to your health. This process of understanding is an individual one and each person has different nutritional requirements and some foods that are good for one person can cause internal inflammation in another person. Some people estimate the energy requires to digest an inappropriate diet is as high as 80%, this leaves little energy left to deal with toxic waste matter, the efficient replacing of millions of cells that replicate themselves each day and most importantly keep you fit and young looking. Secondly by replacing foods that age you with those that slow down aging we get an overall positive effect. This part of the program is undertaken by Howard Jones AAc and Sonia Jones ND who is highly experienced in this field and has written several books on the subject including the Anti-aging and Weight Management Twelve Essentials Manual).
As part of your stay we have an in-dept assessment of your current health status and to identify any indicators to future problems. Then your individual nutritional and lifestyle plan is put together with three aspects in mind a) to allow your body to rebuild itself without stressing the system b) as prevention is the key, to give you protection against any serious chronic diseases your body might have a weakness towards and lastly c) help you with any current health issues. During your stay you will also have 2 one to one questions and answer sessions on how to use the different elements contained in the Essentials manual and the opportunity to have treatments as included in the package.
Program includes:-
The Anti-aging and Weight Management Twelve Essential manual (the client receives this prior to arrival so they are familiar with the essentials and can come armed with questions)
Use of all the facilities
7 nights accommodation includes a light healthy breakfast.
An in-depth assessment of your health and nutritional status with a written report
2 question and answer sessions on the anti-aging manual
6 one hour treatments ie massage or facials, acupuncture or remedial therapies.
We recommend the option to do a Detox during the first 4 days to include juices and castor oil packs, cost $75.00.
Additional Options:- more treatments, low level laser face lift treatments and anti-aging facials
Structural assessment (check up for pain relief and joint restrictions) includes advice and treatment options to improve any pain or restrictions and improve flexibility and stability.
Prices:-
Low season $1728 single occupancy and double occupancy is $1334 per person.
High season $1840 single occupancy and double occupancy is $1403 per person.
(programs can be mixed please enquire about the costs)
Read MoreArthritis & Pain Program at The Haven
