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Healthy Weight Loss--June 28th, 2016

6/28/2016

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Food as Medicine—For Weight Loss

Americans are not the most obese people in the world. That dubious title goes to the people of Nauru. After the environment of this small country was destroyed by mining operations they were unable to grow any food so imported processed food, high in fat and sugar, now makes up the diet of these islanders.

European Meals
The French eat food high in fat; in Germany and England meat is eaten at every meal; Italians enjoy a diet rich in wine, bread and pasta, yet all four countries have low rates of obesity. American weight gain has accelerated in the past 20 years. Why is it that Europeans don’t have this problem?

One answer may be that American culture focuses more on what to eat with little attention on when and how to eat. The practices of counting calories, reducing fats, increasing proteins, eating less, cutting out carbohydrates and experimenting with every new diet has not resulted in healthy Americans. The National Institute of Health reports that 99 percent of those who go on a diet gain all the weight back in three to five years. 
 
When we compare our eating habits with those of Europeans we find some similarities to the Ayurvedic philosophy of dining. Ayurveda is India’s traditional system of medicine based on living a balanced life in harmony with the changing cycles of nature. In this system it is recognized that there are many factors contributing to a healthful diet. The simplest are to consider what, when and how you eat. There may be other reasons for being overweight of course, such as a weak digestive system, thick bile, low thyroid or dehydration.

Eating With the Seasons    
In Ayurveda it is suggested that our best medicine is food harvested in season. In Europe, and many other countries, people buy foods at local farmers markets, which ensures that these foods are seasonal.
 
In the winter Nature provides us with an antidote to the cold weather — soups, stews, meats, grains and fats. It is the time of year to eat more protein and healthy oils.

In the spring we can eat foods that are low-fat and mucous-reducing such as leafy greens, sprouts, berries, root veggies and grapefruits. These foods are fat-burning and detox foods.

In hot summer months, we can harvest cool fruits and veggies to help keep us from getting overheated and dried out.

To begin the weight loss process, try eating three substantial meals a day without between-meal snacks. This will begin to nudge your ability to make energy last from one meal to the next. In between meals, your body burns fat, which is your stable, non-emergency fuel. If you are stressed, your body sends the signal to store fat and crave sugar — our cultural epidemic.

Before 2:00 pm the digestive process is strongest. So having your most substantial meal in the middle of the day can help afternoon cravings to disappear. As your blood sugar becomes more stable, notice how your hunger level in the evening will become less voracious. You can begin to eat an earlier and lighter supper.

How to eat
Eating while driving, in front of the TV, or on the phone, creates a stressful situation for digesting food. When you are relaxed, the digestive process is more effective. The mind and body are nourished, and you can experience the taste of the food and assimilate the mental, physical and spiritual benefits of a balanced meal. In slimmer countries people sit down for every meal. They relax, dine and enjoy well-prepared food in a relaxed social setting. Try making meal time a sacred event.
 
Herbal Supplements

Ayurveda recommends a couple of formulas to help those that already have an unhealthy amount of weight. This package of Shardunika, Optimum Weight formula and an Ayurvedic Determination of Constitution, can empower you to gradually change your diet and lose weight in a healthy way.  http://www.curanderahealing.com/store/p12/Weight_Loss_Program.html 
 
This herbal formula used to balance the blood sugar should only be used with the supervision of your health practitioner. http://www.curanderahealing.com/store/p12/Weight_Loss_Program.htmlhttp://www.curanderahealing.com/store/p22/Diabetes%2C%C2%A0Ayurvedic_Tradition%C2%A0cert._organic.html
 
Athena Wolf is an Ayurvedic physician practicing in Mimbres. You can contact her with questions at curanderahealing.com.
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Skin creams

6/1/2016

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Gastroparesis

6/1/2016

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This is an imbalance in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. The stomach usually has regular contractions to move food down into the small intestine. When the vagus nerve is damaged, the muscles of the stomach and intestines don’t work normally and food moves slowly or stops moving through the digestive tract. This can cause lack of appetite, feeling full after a couple of teaspoons of food, heartburn, pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting of undigested food (sometimes hours after a meal), weight loss due to poor absorption of nutrients or low caloric intake, abdominal bloating, fluctuating blood sugar levels, gastroesophageal reflux, and abdominal spasms.
Diabetes is the most common cause of gastroparesis. The high blood sugar of diabetes can cause damage to the vagus nerve. People may also develop gastroparesis from some medications, after surgery on the stomach, from viral infections, from eating fast foods frequently, thyroid problems,  anorexia or bulimia. Sometimes though, a cause is not apparent.
The American College of Gastroenterology advises that “At the present time there are few medications available or approved to treat gastroparesis and their use can be limited by undesirable side effects and limited effectiveness.” These are those medications.
Metoclopramide acts on dopamine receptors in the stomach, intestine and in the brain. Use of this medication often causes agitation, restlessness, insomnia, depression, painful breast swelling and nipple discharge in both men and women. It is not recommended that this medication be taken long term.
Erythromycin is a commonly used antibiotic that binds to receptors in the stomach and small intestine. The beneficial effect of erythromycin can be short lived as individuals who use it frequently develop tolerance to it. There are side effects from most antibiotics that disturb the digestive system.
Cisapride can improve gastric emptying. It was taken off the market in the 90’s due to heart and kidney problems that developed in patients who were using this drug. It has been made available again anyway.
 
Natural Treatments
Diet changes are essential, along with the help of herbs, homeopathic remedies, and cell salts. Be sure to eliminate tobacco, alcohol, coffee, black tea and sodas as well as fast food. Drinking aloe vera juice (just the inner fillet) 20 minutes before meals is very helpful.
Herbs for Gastroparesis
Peppermint – stimulating and improves digestion
Ginger – stimulates digestion and helps nausea
Lavender – digestive stimulant as well as nerve calming
Melissa – digestive stimulant as well as nerve and cardio protective
 
Cell Salts to Help Gastroparesis
#3 Calc sulph 6X – pain, burning, weakness in stomach
#9 Nat mur 6X – feels empty, burning, belching
#10 Nat phos 6X – over acidity 
#12 Silicea 6X – pressure in pit of stomach, sour vomiting
Gastroparesis Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic natural medicines safe for everyone including infants and pregnant or nursing women. Most remedies will have a description of symptoms on the bottle so that you can match them with your symptoms.
Acupuncture has been shown in randomized trials to be effective for gastroparesis. A study published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology in May, 2008, found that ginger accelerates gastric emptying. Another natural remedy that may prove useful is Swedish bitters - an herbal concoction. Sometimes hypnosis and music therapy can be helpful.

The Ayurvedic formula for gastroparesis includes these herbs prepared in a specific way: Ajamoda, Marica, extract of lemon, Jiraka, black salt, Jangha Haritaki, and Hingu. This formula is not on my website because people need counseling with the diet, not just the herbs. 

Many people do not know there are natural ways to bring the body into balance from gastroparesis. Since you know now it may seem worthwhile to try some of these more gentle treatments before resorting to drugs.
 
Athena Wolf is an Ayurvedic physician practicing in New Mexico. You can contact her with questions at curanderahealing.com. Please see your health practitioner for health problems. These brief articles are not meant to be used to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease.

 
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    Athena lives in the Gila Wilderness with gratitude and awe for the power of Spirit,  and channels ceremony and healing for community. 

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