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Wellness Wednesdays - January 28, 2009

Wednesday,                

January 28, 2009           

WELLNESS NEWS

• Fight Back! Detox the Body from Stress with Dr. Steven Arculeo, DC
• Tip of the Week: Work a Room with Great Networking Tips from Julie Murphy Casserly, CFP

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Fight Back! Detox the Body from Stress with Dr. Steven Arculeo, DC

Tip of the Week: Work a Room with Great Networking Tips from Julie Murphy Casserly, CFP

International Networking Week is February 2-6 and with today’s economy, networking is one of the best skills to have when it comes to landing a new job, getting ahead in a current job or earning more money.  ChicagoHealers.com Business Service Owner Julie Murphy Casserly, CFP, emphasizes that it’s not what you know but who you know. When it comes time for new opportunities and career shifts, networking is an important tool to help secure a job and explore new opportunities.

 “Life is about being in collaboration with others,” said Casserly. “It is important to establish very strong relationships that create win/win scenarios in life.” 

Networking is all about advocacy and association which will help to arrive at life’s final purpose. Casserly suggests the following key tips for networking in today’s difficult economic environment:

• Be Authentic – Networking events are very common, especially within today’s economy. Don’t hesitate to attend such events and be yourself in order to attract the right people.
• Trust Your Intuition – While attending a networking event, if something doesn’t seem right while talking to someone, excuse yourself politely and move on. Networking with people who make you feel comfortable will help you get ahead.  
• No Crabs in Your Bucket – Create space in your life by getting rid of what’s not needed. Create space for those that can help you move forward as opposed to those who support you being stuck.
• Time Well Spent – Spend time with those who feed the soul and excite you.  In times like today, there is a lot of negativity so spend your time with those that energize you and know you well, therefore being able to give you proper guidance.

Learn more about upcoming networking events:

• www.mediabistro.com
• www.networkingforprofessionals.com
• www.repchicago.com
• www.networkingmonkey.com

Wellness Wednesdays - January 21, 2009

Wednesday,

January 21, 2009                

Wellness News

• Ditch the New Year’s Diet Anxiety with Malina Chin, OTR/L, LaC
• Tip of the Week: Drink to Better Health for Hot Tea Month with Dr. Helen Lee, DC

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Ditch the New Year’s Diet Anxiety with Malina Chin, OTR/L, LAc

The New Year has just begun and those resolution diets are already making people anxious. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner, Malina Chin, OTR/L, LAc, explains that anxiety, a state of unease and apprehension, is widespread in our society especially when it comes to keeping New Year’s resolutions. Symptoms of anxiety can include shortness of breath, ruminating thoughts, repetitive fears, heart palpations and insomnia. 

“All of the symptoms of anxiety may be related to imbalances within our organ systems and nutrition intake,” said Chin. “Since many people are resolution-dieting anyway, including foods that decrease anxiety will only be beneficial.”

Chin explains that anxiety is often caused by decreased serotonin levels. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, is known to help relax and improve moods. Including serotonin-rich foods in a New Year’s diet will help to decrease anxiety that comes with a new resolution-driven routine. Chin recommends the following foods for avoiding anxiety when dieting:

·         Brave the Crave – When dieting, many tend to crave carbohydrates and it is better to give in to the craving as opposed to ignoring it. Approximately two ounces of pasta, bread, crackers, potatoes or a handful of nuts should take care of it.

·         Don’t Quit on Chocolate – Dark chocolate is a good serotonin producer, helping it earn the reputation for being an aphrodisiac. Eating a small amount will keep the brain from wanting more. 

·         Protein Scene – Protein doesn’t directly increase serotonin but the intake of protein provides the body with amino acids such as tryptophan which is synthesized to form serotonin.

Tip of the Week: Drink to Better Health for Hot Tea Month with Dr. Helen Lee, DC

January is Hot Tea Month making it the perfect time to indulge in a soothing, healthy beverage during these cold winter months. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Helen Lee, DC, explains that hot teas can naturally remedy various ailments ranging from headaches to hypertension.

“In order to get the most enjoyment and benefit from tea, it is important to find the highest quality,” said Dr. Lee. “Not all teas are alike in the way that they are grown, harvested, processed and cared for.”

Dr. Lee says that teas made from various herbs, botanicals, seeds, flowers and fruit will provide the most health benefits. In addition, most teas also contain tannic acid which is great for anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial use perfect for swelling, bee stings and burns. Dr. Lee gives the following tips for using teas as a natural health remedy:

• Green Machine – Green teas are typically less processed and provide increased antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which helps to aid stomach ailments, increase metabolism and boost the immune system.
• Red Ahead – Red and rooibos teas contain minerals including copper, iron, potassium and manganese and increase antioxidants to soothe headaches and stomach cramping. In addition, hypertension and nervousness is known to decrease.
• Cooling Sensation – Peppermint teas contain Vitamin B, calcium and potassium and are known to ease IBS and decrease nausea and vomiting.
• Chamomile Feel – Chamomile tea helps soothe and relax the body while decreasing diabetes complications, suppressing fungal growth and aiding IBS symptoms.

Wellness Wednesdays - January 14, 2009

Wednesday,

January 14, 2009                

Wellness News

• Get the Kids in Shape After the Holidays for Family Fit Lifestyle Month with Dr. Harry Hong, PhD, OMD, LAc
• Tip of the Week: Simple Ways to Keep the Healthy Heart with Dr. Hugh A. Jenkins, ND

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Get the Kids in Shape After the Holidays for Family Fit Lifestyle Month with Dr. Harry Hong, PhD, OMD, LAc

January is Family Fit Lifestyle Month which is a great excuse to get the kids off the couch and whip the whole family into shape. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Harry Hong, PhD, OMD, LAc, explains that there are two types of stress, adrenal and dietary, that are often experienced during the holidays when the kids are on school break. Adrenal stress means too much fun and not enough sleep while dietary stress is simply eating too much of those delicious holiday meals. Both lead to less activity, less sleep and more eating.

“The body has an internal rhythm that follows the typical sunrise to sundown schedule which is accentuated when children are on a daily school schedule,” said Dr. Hong. “When the body moves out of this normal routine, the adrenal system becomes stressed and causes sleeping problems and fatigue.”

Dr. Hong also emphasizes that dietary stress can be caused by eating too much or consuming too much unhealthy food. During the holidays, children often increase sugar intake which causes hyperactivity and overgrowth of Candida, which is yeast produced naturally in the body. Too much Candida produces extra toxins in the body, leading to high inflammation causing symptoms such as sleeping problems, indigestion and problems staying focused in school. Dr. Hong gives the following suggestions for getting the kids back into shape after the holiday break:

• Beat the Sweets – Lower your child’s sugar intake as foods high in sugar are often full of empty calories and end up taking the place of nutritious foods that children need.
• Head to Bed – Have children go to bed earlier and keep a bedtime routine. A consistent bedtime routine will establish good sleeping patterns, thus children will have more energy during the day.

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Tip of the Week: Simple Ways to Keep the Healthy Heart with Dr. Hugh A. Jenkins, ND

February is American Heart Month and according to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the nation’s number one killer. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Hugh Jenkins, ND, says that for many, a fatal or almost-fatal heart attack is the first symptom of a heart condition. In addition, many of the traditional risk factors often times don’t accurately predict whether someone is susceptible to heart disease.

“People need to educate themselves about heart disease by understanding the role of nutrition, exercise and positive lifestyle choice,” said Dr. Jenkins. “Health can be dramatically strengthened and risk of disease can be decreased with simple lifestyle changes.”

Prevention is the best solution when it comes to cardiovascular disease. Focusing on the underlining causes of heart disease is the best place to start to avoid the problem. Many doctors and patients focus on the total cholesterol numbers but it is more important to maintain and pay attention to the proper ratio between the triglycerides (TG) and HDL, also known as the ‘good’ cholesterol. If the TG/HDL ratio is high, risk of heart attack is increased regardless of the total cholesterol number.

Dr. Jenkins offers the following tips for preventing heart disease:

• Plant the Seed – A predominantly plant-based diet can only be beneficial in terms of heart disease. The human body produces all the cholesterol it actually needs and any additional cholesterol comes from animal-based foods.
• Maintain the Weight – Putting on weight in adulthood means you are just gaining fatty tissue which is what can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
• Exercise is Wise – Regular physical activity will increase blood flow to the heart, in turn strengthening it making it easier to pump blood throughout the body.

Wellness Wednesdays - January 7, 2009

Wednesday,

January 7, 2009          

Wellness News

• Kick the Common Cold with Safe Alternative from Dr. Jaena Gonzaga, DC
• Tip of the Week:  Don’t Let Allergies Lead to Infertility with Dr. Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH

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Kick the Common Cold with Safe Alternatives from Dr. Jaena Gonzaga, DC

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, people in the United States suffer 1 billion colds each year. There is no known cure for the common cold but it’s possible to shorten the duration and frequency all together. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Jaena Gonzaga, DC, emphasizes that when trying to kick a cold, it is best to focus on strengthening the immune system and enhancing the cleansing process. 

“There are plenty of ways to avoid the common cold when you first feel the symptoms,” said Dr. Gonzaga. “However, boosting the immune system on a regular basis will help alleviate colds altogether.”

Dr. Gonzaga says that the body’s healing mechanism is powerful and calls attention to the importance of regularly boosting immunity. There are simple ways to incorporate immunity boosters into the everyday diet. Since the body already focuses on getting rid of excess viruses and proteins in the body, it’s important to help the system cleanse by adding digestive enzymes to the diet. Anything from  oregano oil to Echinacea can assist in the cleansing process.

At the first signs of a cold, Dr. Gonzaga provides the following remedies:

• Hint of Peppermint – Place several drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil to a hot tub or a few drops to a bowl of hot water. Inhaling the steam will help clear the sinuses.
• Sinus Success – Using a neti pot, which is used to clear out the sinuses, helps cleanse at the sign of a cold.  
• Sweet Feet – Pressing the acupressure points at the bottom of the feet help to stimulate detoxification, digestive function and the immune system.
• Bury the Dairy – Avoid sweets and dairy because these products usually promote congestion.

Tip of the Week: Don’t Let Allergies Lead to Infertility with Dr. Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 6.1 million women ages 15-44 experience infertility. In addition, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, allergies affect 50 million people in the United States. With both statistics high, many wonder if allergies could be the cause of fertility challenges. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH, claims there is a possibility of an indirect relationship between the two.

“Allergies and hypersensitivities result from a compromised immune system which is the primary cause of fertility issues,” said Dr. Wahl. “Therefore, boosting the immune system should lead to fertility success.”

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, allergies develop when the body’s defenses are weakened, usually during physical or emotional stress, or illness. When the body is not functioning properly, it looks for what is causing its problem and associates that with some substance, food or stimuli. Eliminating allergic reactions and enhancing the immune system will balance the body energetically and hormonally, thus leading to accomplished fertility.

Dr. Wahl suggests the following tips for helping improve allergies and increase fertility:

• Drink Up – Drinking half of one’s weight in ounces of water a day will balance every organ and system in the body. It is the ideal lubricant for the immune system. 
• Ban the Caffeine – Eliminate drinking coffee, eating chocolate and downing energy drinks. Caffeine dehydrates and robs the body of vitamins and minerals. 
• Eliminate Refined Sugar – Sugar lowers immunity, depresses organ function, plays havoc with your energy levels and scrambles any weight management program you may be inclined to pursue.  Stay away from artificial sweeteners—they are worse for you than cane sugar. Agave is a great substitute. 
• Grin for Vitamins - Take a good quality, whole-food based multivitamin with minerals. This is beneficial because it is difficult to get all the necessary nutrients from food. 
• Stay Hormone Free – Eat hormone-free foods such as meat, fish, eggs and poultry. The body naturally produces hormones in the quantities our body requires. Adding more hormones is unnecessary.
• Shoot for Fruit & Veggies – Eat more fruit and raw vegetables as these are the best sources of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber and enzymes. The key is color—always include a variety of colors when eating fruits and vegetables.
• Nourish to Flourish – The more you take care of the mind and spirit, the healthier the body will become. Taking a relaxing bath, getting a massage or finding a good acupuncturist are wonderful ways to nurture yourself and boost the immune system. 

Wellness Wednesdays - December 10, 2008

Wednesday,                

December 10, 2008   

WELLNESS NEWS

• How to Discover Birth Order’s Strengths, Challenges and Influences by Kathryn Andries
• Tip of the Week: How to Floss Your Way to Dental Health with Dr. Kevin Boehm, DDS

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How to Discover Birth Order’s Strengths, Challenges and Influences by Kathryn Andries

According to The New York Times, it is becoming more popular to determine how birth order effects a person’s strengths, challenges and overall intellectual influences.

“Our ancestors always emphasized knowing thyself,” said ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Kathryn Andries. “The first step is to determine your sequence, analyze it  and learn about yourself from there.” 

Andries explains that the father determines the birth sequence, so you need to determine where you fall within his lineage. The first born determines the gender sequence, so if a girl is the first child born, everyone after that, even if its a boy, will be in the girl lineage. If a boy is born after the first girl, he will possess qualities of the second born girl. However, when there is a gender change, that child also will have secondary characteristics.

Once the correct birth sequence is determined, you can find out more about yourself from the reasoning behind intelligence level to certain health conditions. Andries gives the following reasons for learning about your birth order:

• Know Yourself the Best - The more you know yourself, the more chances you have at being successful in life.
• Address Your Weaknesses - Birth order information can save you time, energy, and repeated lessons in life. If you know your weaknesses, you can master them with awareness
• Focus on Strengths - When you know your potential strengths, you can focus on developing those, and then find careers that will showcase them.
• Get to Know the Family - Birth order information can also help improve familial relationships. When we know the birth order of our parents and siblings, we can understand why they act the way they do.

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Tip of the Week: How to Floss Your Way to Dental Health with Dr. Kevin Boehm, DDS

According to the American Dental Association, only 12 percent of Americans floss daily. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Kevin Boehm, DDS, has patients often asking about the significance and importance of flossing. As we’ve learned before, it is extremely important to floss and over the past 10-15 years, a large amount of research has brought systemic reasons for the importance of flossing to light.

“Flossing has obvious benefits including a decrease in tooth decay since floss can reach where toothbrushes cannot,” said Dr. Boehm. “Flossing can be a simple process if done right and can greatly reduce the risk of gum disease.”

Dr. Boehm also emphasizes a lesser known fact in that a lack of flossing can affect the immune system. Gum disease producing bacteria hides in the spaces below the gum line and can enter the blood vessels of diseased gums. An increased risk of heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis and heart valve or muscle damage are possible. Additional risks  can include adult-onset diabetes, thyroid problems and kidney infections.

Dr. Boehm provides the following tips for flossing properly:

• Foot of Floss - Simply take about 12 inches of floss and wrap it around a couple fingers.
• Slide Around - In an up/down sliding motion, floss all the sides of the teeth. Be careful to go under the gum line to break up the bacteria’s  hiding places. 
• More Than Just the Teeth ­– Remember that flossing not only helps save the teeth, but keeps the rest of the body healthy too.

Wellness Wednesdays - December 3, 2008

Wednesday,                

December 3, 2008          

WELLNESS NEWS

• How to Prevent Children from Food Allergies with Harry Hong, PhD
• Tip of the Week: How Good Dental Health can Ward off Winter Sickness with Dr. Andie Pearson, DDS

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How to Prevent Children from Food Allergies with Harry Hong, PhD, OMD

According to a recent study by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, 1 in 17 children under the age of three suffers from a food allergy, making it one of the fastest growing health concerns in the United States. In just five years (1997-2002) the peanut oil allergy doubled among U.S. children and since allergies have continued to increase. Today almost 3 million children are victims of life-long food allergies. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Harry Hong, PhD, offers expertise on how to prevent children from dangerous allergies.

“Food allergies are life altering for everyone involved and require constant vigilance,” says Hong. “Today more than ever, it is important that parents understand that over-vaccination, over-use of antibiotics and over-consumption of sugar are the leading issues causing children to develop dangerous food allergies.”

Hong goes on to explain that too many vaccinations in the first year of life promotes a TH2 immune system in children. TH2 immune systems overproduce antibodies, which can lead to a sensitive immune function causing allergies and other immune system malfunctions. Too much sugar in a child’s diet leads to intestinal Candida problems and eventually Leaky Gut Syndrome. This syndrome causes partially digested food to leak out into the body, triggering immune responses and causing food allergies. Hong offers the following tips to help keep kids safe from these allergy-causing issues:

• Postpone Vaccinations – When possible, postpone vaccinations for infants and toddlers until they have had time to develop a healthy immune system. By the age of three, children have more developed immune systems that can effectively deal with harsh vaccinations.
• Avoid Common Allergy Foods – Staying clear of high-risk allergy foods during early development will give the immune system a better chance to develop a defense before encountering them. The eight foods which account for 90 percent of food allergies are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews, etc.), wheat, soy, fish and shellfish.
• Reduce Food Additives and Antibiotics – Cut foods with additives and antibiotics out of children’s diets. Like vaccinations, these supplements are difficult on a child’s immune system and will cause allergies and infection.

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Tip of the Week: How Good Dental Health can Ward off Winter Sickness with Dr. Andie Pearson, DDS

The holidays are finally here, and so are the illnesses of winter. Not many people can afford to be home with a cold or the flu during this season, so it is important to prepare the body for combating viruses. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Andi Pearson, DDS, explains that something as simple as good dental health can actually help protect against sickness.

“Not many people realize that dental health is connected closely with other areas of human health,” says Dr. Pearson. “The mouth is where the digestive system begins and is the gateway for most nutritional processes. It is the starting place for keeping bacteria out and letting essential oils in.”

Both the American Medical Association and the American Dental Association have done recent studies that illustrate the link between dental health and diseases like diabetes and heart disease. If oral health is not maintained well, the endocrine and immune systems have to work harder to break down foods during the digestive process or fight harmful bacteria, leading to compromised or incomplete efficiency. Dr. Pearson provides the following tips for keeping your dental defense strong during the winter months:

• Brush with Essential Oils – Add a drop of cinnamon oil and a drop of myrrh oil to your toothbrush before brushing. Both oils are antibacterial and antiviral, which can prevent infection and provide extra defense against cold and flu bacteria.
• Get the Whole Mouth Involved – Do not underestimate the power of dental homecare. Make sure to brush at least three times a day to wash away daily bacteria. Also, brush into your gums, tongue and cheeks at the end of a brushing cycle to build resistance against daily illnesses floating around the office and home.
• Keep It Extra Clean – There is nothing more effective than a professional deep clean. Consider seeing a dentist for a cleaning every 3 months in the winter to proactively combat hard-to-reach bacteria. Also, dentists check for gum disease, which can weaken the immunity towards illnesses.

Wellness Wednesdays - November 19, 2008

Wednesday,                

November 19, 2008           

WELLNESS NEWS

• Non-Invasive Muscle Testing Uncovers Allergies with Dr. Melody Hart, ND
• Tip of the Week: Stress Less During the Holidays with Dr. Jim Claussen, DC

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Non-Invasive Muscle Testing Uncovers Allergies with Dr. Melody Hart, ND

According to a recent study by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 11 million Americans suffer from some type of allergy or environmental sensitivity. With the dangerous long-term affects that rare allergies inflict, it is important to understand the body’s limits early on. While traditional allergy testing can be a hassle and sometimes painful, new age muscle testing is an alternative to safely and effectively indentify body ailments. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Melody Hart, ND, offers her expertise on the importance of Muscle Testing as it provides a non-intrusive understanding of a body’s needs based on movements and muscle balance.

“Muscle Testing is effective because it listens to what your body is already telling you,” says Hart. “The body is a giant electrical system that is continually in communication with all of its muscles and organs, whose states can be interpreted with a medically determined stimulus.”

The philosophy of muscle testing is based on applied kinesiology—the scientific study of human movement. Kinesiology has uncovered the correlations between weaknesses in muscles with harmful chemicals, foods and other allergens. Muscle testing identifies these allergies by interpreting muscles responses to applied stimuli at pinpointed meridians of energy and balance. Hart offers the following explanations on why muscle testing is an effective method for identifying allergies or harmful body sensitivities:

• Muscle Testing ‘Quadruple’ Checks Itself – The process of muscle testing involves interpreting muscle balances for each allergen at four different meridian points, not just one, therefore increasing the accuracy of the method.
• Interprets Multitude of Body Complaints – While muscle testing is often used to identify allergies and environment sensitivities, the alternative medical diagnosis can also pick up on organ health and nutritional needs.
• Non-Intrusive and Comfortable – Skin and blood tests can be uncomfortable or even painful, while muscle testing only lightly applies pressure to a series of easily accessible muscles.

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Tip of the Week: Stress Less During the Holidays with Dr. Jim Claussen, DC

The holidays are just around the corner and should be a time of joy as opposed to a time of stress. Shopping and cooking are among the many tasks that can contribute to a holiday-infused headache.  ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Jim Claussen, DC, explains that if everyone thinks ahead a bit, life can be much less stressful.

“Examine the differences between holiday expectations and actual possibilities,” says Dr. Claussen. “Establish realistic holiday goals with family and friends to avoid overextending yourself to a stressful point.”

The holidays are meant to be about family which is sometimes easily forgotten. Dr. Claussen suggests revisiting the importance of family tradition because this offers comfort and security which can lead to a calmer holiday season. Make a pledge for yourself and your family to make the holiday season a memorable one and enjoy everything about it.

Dr. Claussen provides the following tips for staying stress-free during the holidays:

• Live to Give – Doing something nice for someone else is known to increase serotonin levels, which in turn put you in a better mood. Spreading the holiday cheer by donating to a worthy cause or helping a needy family will stretch your grin even further.
• Calm Approach – Take a calming lavender sea salt bath at the end of a long day of shopping or hosting to recover and recharge. Lavender is known to be a calming scent which will help alleviate nerves.
• Strive to be Alive – Eat raw foods such as fruits and vegetables to give you more energy to get through the day.
• Be True to You – Even though the holiday season is often about giving, still take time to think about yourself, your needs and to breathe.