Sunday, March 27, 2011

Environmental Toxins and Our Health

As a result of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan there is elevated concern over the health and environmental consequences that may result from the damaged nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.  While the full impact of this ongoing crisis is not fully understood, experts seem to agree that the United States is not susceptible to significant health risks at this time.  While that is positive news; it brings an urgency to understand the seriousness of environmental and industrial pollution and the potential health risks.

 The complex affects of a nuclear disaster and the human body’s ability to reverse the damage of high levels of nuclear radiation are not very optimistic.  It raises the question about the cumulative effects of the toxic chemicals that we come into contact in our everyday lives.  Our bodies are under constant assault from pollutants in our environment.  Most of us are aware of the dangers of lead, mercury, asbestos, mold, cigarette smoke, radiation and other hazardous materials. What we need to be especially concerned with is the toxins we come in contact with in our daily lives through the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe and the consumer products we use.

What are the cumulative effects of low level toxins that accumulate in our body tissues over time?  As environmental research advances it is becoming more apparent that the environmental toxins we come in contact with could be a threat to our health and longevity.  Environmentally triggered illnesses are becoming more widely recognized.  Chronic multi-symptom illnesses such allergies, autism, ibs, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and other immune disorders have been linked to environmental sensitivities.

There are a number of things we can do to help strengthen our bodies to better cope the toxins in our environment.  Eating a highly nutritious diet, getting sunshine, exercise and performing routine metabolic cleansing to detoxify the body may help to reverse the cumulative affects of environmental toxins.  It’s also important to recognize possible hidden food allergies that can act as source of internal toxicity that can weaken our body’s natural defense and ability to tolerate external toxins.  Most importantly, we need recognize the risks and make a conscious effort to avoid adding chemicals to our lives and strive to live a natural, non toxic lifestyle.

http://www.davidniblack.com/

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Live Global Healing Meditation for Japan



Deepak Chopra to Lead a Live Global Healing Meditation for Japan This Monday, March 21

Everyone throughout the world is invited to participate in the healing meditation, which will be broadcast live from Atlanta, Georgia.

People throughout the world will join Deepak via live streaming for the global healing meditation to unite in support of Japan.
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) March 18, 2011
The images and stories from Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami have moved us all beyond measure. This Monday, March 21 at 8:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), Chopra Center co-founder Deepak Chopra will guide people throughout the world in a powerful live meditation with the collective intention of sending love and healing energy to everyone affected by the recent and ongoing tragic events in Japan.
Deepak’s meditation will be broadcast live from Georgia, where the participants at the Chopra Center's Seduction of Spirit meditation retreat in the Atlanta area will be joined by hundreds of thousands of meditators around the globe.
“Our individual intentions truly do make a difference,” said Deepak Chopra.
“We know that when a large group comes together to meditate and experience inner silence, the world shifts a little. We are inviting everyone throughout the world to unite in our collective intentions for healing and positive changes for our friends in Japan,” Deepak Chopra said.
For more information and free registration for the global healing meditation, please visit http://www.chopra.com/globalmeditationjapan.


Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Our Connection to Earth: The Crisis in Japan

  






Our connection to the Earth has become very apparent in the wake of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.  On top of this catastrophic disaster, we are collectively faced with an unprecedented nuclear emergency.  Despite the devastation, the people of Japan have demonstrated exemplary calm and kindness throughout this crisis.  As our hearts go out to the people of Japan and we pray for the healing of the people and our beloved Earth we should also take action in regard to our environmental concerns.  It’s time that we act collectively to have greater influence and more of a positive environmental impact.  The following organizations help inform and create positive environmental change.

The Earth Charter
World Watch
National Resources Defense Council

In addition, the links below will provide up to date information on the crisis in Japan as well as links to organizations that are providing assistance to the devastated area.

CNN-Latest News
CNN-How to Help
International Atomic Energy Agency
World Health Organization
Union of Concerned Scientists


Sunday, March 13, 2011

Spring is in the Air

Spring is in the air!  As changes in the earth begin to emerge so it stirs change within each of us.  The spring season brings with it potential for growth and change. Springtime inspires us to seek out what we need to nourish our minds, nurture our hearts and replenish our spirit.  Life is once again in motion and our lives are awakened with the promise of a new beginning. 

With the gradual changing of the seasons our lives begin to take on a new shape and develop new character as we shift gears and  begin recognize potential. The changing season, however gradual, seems to create a subtle shift in our lives at just the right moment.  Like a breath of fresh air and an opportunity to look out and expand our horizons.  The spring season creates a wind of change allowing us to free our spirit, explore possibility and embrace growth .

 The days of dwelling in introspection are dwindling as the winter season draws to a close. The seeds of our subconscious hopes and dreams begin to grow and manifest into reality.  Springtime brings  hope and illumination.  Hope that all we have held so closely and nurtured in our hearts, minds and dreams during the reflective solitude of winter now have the chance to blossom out of the grasp of winter's darkness and spring fourth into the expansiveness and vast potential of Spring!


Monday, March 7, 2011

Immune System Support



Having a strong immune system is the foundation for good health.  The immune system is a complex system that can be supported by healthy living strategies.  Making nutritionally sound dietary choices such as eating a diet high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and low in saturated fat is an excellent place to start for supporting immune function.  A variety of fresh whole foods  containing an abundance of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients as well as getting plenty of sunshine, exercise, water  are all contributing factors in maintaining a healthy immune system.  

There is ongoing research investigating the immune boosting function of a number of different nutrients which most commonly include the following:  Vitamins, A, B2, B6, C and D as well the minerals Selenium and Zinc.  While supplementation is an option, obtaining these nutrients from whole foods would be the best nutritional strategy.

Micronutrients for Immune Support
Food Sources
Vitamin A 
Sweet potato , carrots, pumkin, spinach, broccoli, kale, parsley,apricots, mango, papaya, cantaloupe, fortified cereal.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Legumes, nuts,brown rice, milk, bread products,nutritional yeast, fortified cereals, blackstrap molasses, psuedograins (amaranth, buckwheat,quinoa, wild rice).
Vitamin B6
Bananas, brown rice, walnuts, avacados, oats, fortified cereals, pseudograins.
Vitamin C
Red and green peppers, kiwis, oranges, strawberries, broccoli
Vitamin D
Fish liver oils, fatty fish, fortified milk products, fortified cereals; also, formed naturally as a result of sunlight exposure
Selenium
Seafood, brazil nuts,walnuts, brown rice, nutritional yeast
Zinc
Red meats, some seafood, fortified cereals, psuedograins, pumpkin seeds, nutritional yeast.

Precisely which nutrients and strategies work best for supporting the immune system is not scientifically proven.  Using the basic guidelines for healthy living will provide a multifaceted approach to maintaining strong immune function.

Source:  Excerpted from The Truth About Your Immune System, a Special Health Report from Harvard Health Publications.

Super Immunity Foods, a book written by Frances Sheridan Goulart,CCN, focuses on foods that strengthen the immune system.  She refers to foods that are thought to strengthen the immune system as Super Immunity Foods.  The book also identifies the immune system to have six centers; the cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, musculoskeletal and respiratory centers.  Different, organs, structures and substances are involved.  In general, what causes immunity to stumble and leave us vulnerable to disease is the over activity of one or more of the centers.  The charts below allow for a clear understanding of what foods to use to strengthen the body’s six immune centers.


Immune Center
Super Immunity Foods
Cardiovascular Center
Oranges, citrus, flaxseed, onions, garlic, tomatoes, olives and olive oil, sea vegetables, tea.
Nervous Center
Berries, dark leafy greens, green foods, mushrooms, apples,
Potatoes, herbs and spices.
Digestive Center
Tomatoes, broccoli, nuts and seeds, yogurt, berries, squash, apples.
Musculoskeletal Center
Broccoli, carrots, dark leafy greens, oats, whole grains, yogurt, sea vegetables, soy foods, apples.
Respiratory Center
Carrots, tomatoes, squash, herbs and spices, mushrooms, tea.



Top 25 Super Immunity Foods
Super Immunity Centers
Apples
Cardiovascular, glandular, digestive/detoxification.
Berries
Cardiovascular, nervous, glandular, digestive/detoxification.
Broccoli/Brassica Family
Cardiovascular, nervous, glandular, digestive/detoxification, musculoskeletal, respiratory.
Carrots
Cardiovascular, glandular, digestive/detoxification
Citrus Fruits
Cardiovascular, glandular, digestive/detoxification, musculoskeletal
Dark Leafy Greens
Nervous, digestive/detoxification, and musculoskeletal
Green Food Powders
Glandular, digestive/detoxification, musculoskeletal.
Figs and Dates
Digestive/detoxification, musculoskeletal, respiratory.
Garlic
Cardiovascular, glandular, digestive/detoxification.
Flaxseed
Cardiovascular, glandular, musculoskeletal.
Legumes
Cardiovascular, glandular, musculoskeletal.



Olives and Olive Oil
Cardiovascular, nervous, glandular.
Herbs and Spices
Nervous, glandular, respiratory.
Mushrooms
Glandular, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive/detoxification.
Potatoes
Cardiovascular, nervous, glandular.
Sea Vegetables
Cardiovascular, glandular, musculoskeletal.
Squash
Cardiovascular, digestive/detoxification, musculoskeletal.
Soy Foods
Nervous, glandular, digestive/detoxification, musculoskeletal.
Nuts and Seeds
Glandular, digestive/detoxification, respiratory.
Whole Grains
Digestive/detoxification, musculoskeletal, respiratory.
Yogurt
Nervous, digestive/detoxification, musculoskeletal.


The above list has been adapted from the book: Super Immunity Foods by: Frances Sheridan Goulart, CCN