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| IVL Products Health Watch - December, 2007 |
| The Official IVL Products Health Blog |
Dear Reader,
Although
menopause is a natural phase of life, it can bring with it some
hormonal changes that cause unpleasant side effects for many women.
Menopause marks the end of menstruation and fertility and is a natural
biological process. While many people joke about the menopausal
symptoms, they are not at all funny to the women who experience them. Common
menopause symptoms include night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness,
fluctuations in sexual desire, forgetfulness, sleep disturbances,
increased abdominal fat and fatigue. The age at which a woman begins
menopause varies widely, with the average age being 51. However, it can
occur as early as the mid 30s or as late as the 60s. The
drop in estrogen levels can lead to depression, anxiety and fear in
some menopausal women. A diet rich in soy products (tofu, soy milk and
soy powder) can be helpful because it has ample amounts of
phytoestrogens, which can help achieve balance when hormones are
fluctuating. Sleep
disturbances are very common among menopausal women. Research has shown
that some women begin to experience restless sleep as many as five to
seven years before entering menopause. Valerian can be useful in
treating sleep disturbances and is also helpful in relieving anxiety
and tension. Women approaching menopause
often complain of memory loss and an inability to concentrate.
Misplaced car keys, skipped appointments, forgotten birthdays and other
memory lapses are a normal symptom of menopause. The memory loss is
associated with low levels of estrogen coupled with high stress levels. One
of the universal complaints among menopausal women is the weight gain
that seems to come along with it. During menopause, your body does not
burn calories as efficiently as it once did. Foods high in potassium,
including most fruits, promote healthy water flushing throughout your
body.Natural alternative supplements are also very helpful for many
women. Some fortunate women do not
experience hot flashes at all during menopause, but most women do. The
number and severity of hot flashes varies from woman to woman. In some
women, estrogen production decreases gradually, producing only a few
hot flashes. But for others, the ovaries stop estrogen production
abruptly, causing frequent and extreme hot flashes. Black Cohosh is
believed to be effective in the treatment of hot flashes. It
is important for menopausal women to get 30 minutes of
moderate-intensity physical activity at least five days a week to
protect against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and
other conditions associated with aging. Exercise can also help reduce
stress. One of the most important things you
can do during menopause is to be good to yourself. Schedule regular
massages, take a yoga class, learn a new dance step, plant an herb
garden, listen to soothing music and read inspirational poetry. Make
some time for you and remember that the best years of your life are
just beginning. Yours in good health,
Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch |
| | Brought to you by Institute for Vibrant LivingTM To learn more about IVL, call 1-800-720-1245 or visit http://www.IVLProducts.com |
Contact us by mail at:
Institute for Vibrant Living
P.O. Box 3840
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
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Dear Reader, Our beloved pets enrich our lives every single day so it is only natural to want to include them in holiday festivities. While it’s fine to include them, it is important to be aware of pet safety hazards that loom during the holiday season.
Don’t allow guests to feed human food to your pets. There are many holiday foods, including fatty meats, gravies and deserts that can pose dangers. Poultry bones are particularly troublesome because they can splint, form sharp points and lodge in the roof of an animal’s mouth leading to a choking episode or infection. Uncooked meat, fish and poultry can contain disease-causing bacteria, such as E.coli and parasites. These uncooked foods should not be given to dogs or cats. For your own health as well as your pet’s be sure to wash utensils that have been in contact with raw meat.
Chocolate contains a substance called “theobromine” which can cause serious problems for dogs ranging from diarrhea to seizures and death. Unsweetened baking chocolate and dark chocolate are the worst culprits.
Here are some additional tips to keep our four-legged friends happy and healthy during the holidays:
- An influx of holiday guests can cause a pet to become frightened or upset. If your pet seems nervous, take him to a quiet room so he can feel secure. Dogs typically pant more when they feel stressed. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water to drink.
- Bear in mind that pets can easily slip out through an open door when guests come and go. Be sure that your pets are wearing their identification tags.
- Christmas trees are tempting to dogs and cats. Dogs love to chew on trees and cats love to climb them. Make sure holiday trees are well-secured. If you have a live tree, make sure your pets do not drink the tree water.
- Holiday ornaments should be kept out of pets’ reach. Pets are attracted to shiny ornaments and are likely to break them and ingest the glass, which can lead to serious medical emergencies. Pets, especially cats, often want to eat tinsel, which can block the intestines.
- Avoid toxic decorations. Bubbling lights contain fluid that can be inhaled or ingested, snow sprays can cause reactions when inhaled and water in snow globes may contain toxic organisms.
- When you are not home, make sure that all tree lights are out and unplugged. If a pet bites into a live wire serious shock can occur.
Each year, millions of people buy Christmas gifts for their pets. Make sure any toy that you select for your pet has no small parts that can come off and be swallowed. If you buy your pet a sweater, make sure it doesn’t have buttons, rhinestones or other small embellishments that could be harmful if swallowed.
Make sure you spend plenty of time with your pet during the hectic holiday season. They will need some quiet time with you. With a little planning the holiday season can be happy and healthy for you and your furry friends. Yours in good health,
Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch |
|
|
Brought to you by Institute for Vibrant LivingTM
To learn more about IVL, call 1-800-720-1245 or visit http://www.IVLProducts.com/ |
|
Contact us by mail at:
Institute for Vibrant Living
P.O. Box 3840
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
|
Dear Reader,
Let's face facts. Santa is obese, elderly and has some decidedly serious occupational hazards (such as climbing down chimneys in the winter, lifting heavy bags of toys and flying across the sky in a sleigh). On Christmas Eve he eats thousands of cookies left for him by children from all over the globe and he washes them down with several thousand glasses of milk. And when does the man sleep? Despite it all, he appears to be in remarkably good health.
Most of us, however, are not like Santa. He does, after all, have some Christmas spirit and magic working to his advantage. For most of us mere mortals, obesity, getting older, sleep deprivation and risky hobbies can pose significant health risks. Obesity, in particular, has reached dangerous epidemic proportions in our country. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 58 million people in this country are overweight, 40 million are obese and three million are "morbidly obese." The prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States has risen dramatically in the past two decades. Although 25 to 30 percent of children are overweight, the condition is under diagnosed and under treated.
Because obese children may suffer life-long physical and emotional consequences, it is essential that parents, teachers and physicians take steps to help children overcome this problem. Plans should include reasonable weight loss goals, more physical activity, behavior modification and family involvement. Get your children involved by letting them help you plan and prepare healthy meals.
Here are some traps to avoid during the holidays and throughout the year:
- Don't reward your child for good behavior by giving him sweets or try to stop bad behavior by withholding treats. Find ways to modify your child's behavior that do not involve food "treats."
- Don't make your child clean his plate. If kids are satisfied, don't force them to continue eating. Reinforce the idea that they should only eat when they are hungry.
- Don't talk about "bad foods" or completely eliminate all sweets and favorite snacks from overweight children's diets. Children may rebel and overeat these forbidden foods outside the home or sneak them in on their own.
- Cut down on TV, computer and video game time and don't allow children to eat while watching television.
- Encourage your children to be physically active every day. Make sure your child's holiday gifts include jump ropes, balls and other sports equipment. Spend time being active with your child. Go on family walks and play active outdoors games together.
Make sure you help your child get through the holidays without weight gain by offering low-calorie holiday treats and fruit at parties. Fill their stockings with coloring books, puzzles and small games instead of sweet treats. Volunteer to help with your child's school Christmas party so you will have some input as to what treats are served. With a little planning and imagination you and your child can have a healthy, happy, low-calorie holiday and still make magical Christmas memories that will last a lifetime. Yours in good health,
Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch |
|
| Visit our Health Forum and ask a question of one of the country's leading experts in nutritional medicine. |
Dr. Mikles is a Board Certified Internist, and is the Medical Director of Choices Integrative Healthcare Clinic in Sedona, Arizona. For more than 30 years, Dr. Mikles has been engaged in the study and practice of the therapeutic effects of diet and nutrition, making him one of the country's leading experts.
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|
|
Brought to you by Institute for Vibrant LivingTM
To learn more about IVL, call 1-800-720-1245 or visit http://www.IVLProducts.com |
|
Contact us by mail at:
Institute for Vibrant Living
P.O. Box 3840
Camp Verde, AZ 86322 |
|
Dear Reader,
As more and more people become disenchanted with traditional modern medicine, the notion of herbs for healing is gaining popularity. From ancient medicine men to modern holistic healers, people from every culture have recognized the potent healing properties of plants and herbs. Many traditional medicines have their roots in herbal remedies. As studies continue to validate the benefits of herbal medicine, more and more people are choosing to augment or even substitute herbal remedies for traditional medicines.
The use of herbal remedies often focuses on long-term health and treating the underlying causes rather than the symptoms. Beyond everyday herbal remedies, herbal medicine can treat many problems and diseases such as high cholesterol, arthritis pain, weight loss, colds, flu and other common health concerns. Following are some ingredients you will need to have a well-stocked herbal medicine cabinet:
- Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is applied topically for relieving sunburn, minor burns and other skin inflammations. It is obtained from the fresh leaves of plants or is available as a commercially prepared gel or lotion. It is also available in a juice form that will boost the immune system and help relieve digestive distress.
- Valerian: This is a natural sedative that can be ingested in tea form.
- Garlic: One of the best known and most widely used herbal remedies. Garlic helps prevent infection and is a natural antibiotic.
- Arnica: Derived from the flowers of the arnica plant, this natural remedy is available as an oil, ointment, or tincture. It is used for treating bruises.
- Calendula: Calendula has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat rashes and minor abrasions such as razor nicks. It is available in tinctures, oil, lotions and creams. Lotions and creams should contain at least 10% calendula to be effective. It is for topical use only and is made from the flowers of the calendula plant.
- Chamomile: When taken internally in the form of tea or a tincture, chamomile promotes relaxation and decreases stress. It is also an anti-spasmodic so it works well for gastrointestinal problems.
- Echinacea: This is available in extract, tincture or capsules. It is made from the roots and leaves of the plant internally. It works by strengthening the immune system to prevent upper respiratory infections, such as colds. Many people use this during the winter months to help ward off colds and flu.
- Ginger: The medicinal properties of ginger come from the rhizome (similar to the root) of the plant. Ginger alleviates nausea and motion sickness and relieves chest congestion associated with colds. USE 100% ginger only in the form of fresh rhizome, crystallized, extract, ginger syrup or capsules.
- Lavender: Essential oil of lavender is distilled from the flowers of the plant and promotes emotional well-being and relaxation primarily through the sense of smell.
- Rosemary: The rosemary plant has properties that can calm the digestive system. It is also available in an oil form that helps relieve sore muscles and can help increase circulation.
- Slippery elm: This comes in the form of lozenges, powders, capsules and extracts and is made from the inner bark of the elm tree. It is used to alleviate coughs and soothe sore throats due to colds or bronchitis.
- Tea Tree oil: The leaves of the tea tree are distilled into oil and contain antifungal properties effective in getting rid of athlete’s foot and yeast infections. It also has anti-bacterial properties and can be used to treat acne and relieve irritation from insect bites or mild sunburn. Use 100% tea tree oil full strength or dilute with water. Do not use tea tree oil internally.
Bear in mind that you should only use herbal remedies that are sold by reputable companies. The potency of herbs can vary from company to company. Talk to your holistic practitioner about reliable sources for your herb purchases. Many of these herbs can be easily grown in your garden. Stock up your herbal medicine cabinet and let Mother Nature take care of you.
Yours in good health,
Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch |
|
| Visit our Health Forum and ask a question of one of the country's leading experts in nutritional medicine. |
Dr. Mikles is a Board Certified Internist, and is the Medical Director of Choices Integrative Healthcare Clinic in Sedona, Arizona. For more than 30 years, Dr. Mikles has been engaged in the study and practice of the therapeutic effects of diet and nutrition, making him one of the country's leading experts.
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|
|
Brought to you by Institute for Vibrant LivingTM
To learn more about IVL, call 1-800-720-1245 or visit http://www.IVLProducts.com/ |
|
Contact us by mail at:
Institute for Vibrant Living
P.O. Box 3840
Camp Verde, AZ 86322 |
|
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