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When to Change Your Friends

November 19th, 2008

Reading Level: Leisurely

A reader asked what to do about harmful friends?

The question itself is almost an oxymoron-opposite terms. You usually do not think of calling someone a “friend” who is harmful to you. However, depending on one’s personality, some people tend to repeatedly choose relationships with people who are harmful to them-emotionally or physically. Other times, it may simply be an idiosyncrasy in the friend’s personality that needs to be discussed.
Let’s take a look at how to determine if the relationship is harmful, why you chose the relationship, and when to change friends.

A few simple questions can help you determine if the friendship is healthy for you or not.

Answer each of the following questions either (1) most of the time, (2) about half the time, or (3) rarely.

1. Does the relationship with your friend lessen your self-esteem?

2. Does the relationship hinder you from achieving short and/or long term goals?

3. Does the relationship create various stress-related physical health problems, such as headaches, stomachaches, nervousness, or lack of sleep?

4. Does the relationship cause emotional health issues, such as fear, worry, or intimidation?

If your answers were in the 1 or 2 range, the friendship is showing signs of harmful behavior which is negatively affecting the well-being of your life in significant amounts.

If the friendship is affecting your life mainly in negative ways, ask yourself why you became involved in that relationship.

If you repeatedly choose to be in relationships with people who are not good for you and your life, you need to ask yourself why? Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »

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Posted in Reader's Questions | 2 Comments »

Weight Loss through a Good Night’s Sleep

November 5th, 2008

Reading Level: Leisurely

Your weight gain can be caused by a lack of sleep.

An estimated 50-70 million Americans are suffering mentally and physically from a lack of sleep (1). Though eating habits obviously play a role in weight gain, studies have shown that there is a definite relationship between a lack of sleep and weight gain.

Various hormones released during your sleep regulate your weight and appetite.

Leptin, released during sleep, is the hormone which tells your body that it is full and doesn’t need more food. The lower the levels of leptin in your body, the more of the hormone ghrelin is released to increase your hunger (2). The growth hormone is also released during sleep; while this hormone causes growth in children, it controls muscle mass and fat level in adults (1).

A University of Chicago research found definite relationship between too little sleep and increased appetite/weight gain. The people in the study who slept only 4 hours a night had leptin levels decrease by 18 percent. This caused the ghrelin levels, which stimulate appetite, to increase by 28 percent (2). These results should be motivational in getting a good night’s sleep. Many of us just stay so busy that sleep is the easiest thing to cut back on.

If stress is causing your lack of sleep, not putting into action a plan to deal with stress will only add to your weight problems.

Stress increases your levels of adrenaline and cortisol, mobilizing the body’s sugar supply, for the purpose of quick thinking and action in emergency situations. If you live in a frequent or continual state of stress, Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »

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Macular Degeneration and Eye Care

October 30th, 2008

Reading Level: Leisurely

Simple eye care supplements can improve your eye health and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Age- related macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in people over 50. A hardening of the arteries which nourish the retina deprive the retinal tissue of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function. Cataracts and decreasing night vision are also affected by the result of a loss of nourishment to aging eyes.

The 2 nutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin, are carotenoids which play a vital role in the health of our eyes.

Carotenoids are found in plants such as spinach, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens broccoli, green beans, cabbage, honeydew, and kiwi. A 1995 study showed that eating spinach and collard greens five or more times a week was found to noticeably reduce the risk of MD. (1)

In a 2004 study, lutein has been shown to not only help prevent, but to actually reverse symptoms of ARMD. Immerse Yourself in the Full Healing Contemplation Here »

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Dental Care for Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

October 24th, 2008

This is a quick list of natural tips for improving the health of your teeth and gums.

This list is by Dr. David J. Foreman, Herbal Pharmacist, who writes a monthly newsletter for the Vitamin Shoppe chain of stores. We actually buy all of our supplements there, other than a few we get from our chiropractor. You can find more of Dr. Foreman’s articles at www.VitaminShoppe.com, click on Health Info, then on Herbal Pharmacist.

  • CoQ10 at 50-60 mg per Day
  • Folic Acid 800 mcg per Day
  • Brush with Natural Tooth Paste such as Tom’s of Main, Jason, or Xlear
  • Rinse with a Natural Mouthwash such as Spry Oral Rinse by Xlear or Healthy Gums Daily Oral Rinse by Natural Dentist
  • Chew Gum Containing Xylitol
  • Floss Regularly
  • Drink Green or Black Tea as it May Inhibit Bacterial Growth
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