The diseases pertaining to life science are neither contagious nor influenced by genetics. These diseases breed in exhausted bodies that are out-of-shape due to unhealthy and frenzied lifestyles. These diseases involve both mind and body and hence holistic approach of Ayurveda is essential in bringing about well being and good health and plays a major role in treating diseases prevalent in today’s world.
The advantages of holistic treatments for combating heart diseases, diabetes and cancer, as in Ayurvedic literature has already been proven and accepted in countries like Japan, Singapore and Finland.
Ayurveda emphasizes that an individual should adopt healthy habits like regular routine schedule for sleep, proper cleansing practices, body massage, meditation, regular physical exercises, yoga, good clothing habits, a balanced diet depending on the weather, adequate intake of fluids, avoiding anger and stress and maintaining healthy relationships, sex life that is socially permissible and self education.
The holistic approach of Ayurveda involves usage of drug, behavioral changes and diet in tackling problems of mind and body to ensure vitality and good health. In Ayurveda, an illness is treated by four main procedures; cleansing (Samshodhana), Palliation (Samshamana), rejuvenation (Rasayana) and spiritual and psychological healing (Satvavajaya). When there is an imbalance of doshas, the lifestyles and dietary managements that are based on these doshas get disturbed.
Showing posts with label well being. Show all posts
Showing posts with label well being. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
AyurGold-Maintain Optimal Blood Chemistry for Good Health
Blood chemistry is regulated by negative feedback in order to keep the body in homeostasis (optimal equilibrium). The levels of glucose in the blood are monitored by the cells in the pancreas.
If the blood glucose level falls to dangerous levels (caused by very heavy exercise or lack of food for extended periods), some pancreas cells release glucagon, a hormone that acts on liver cells to increase blood glucose levels.
Stored glycogen is converted into glucose by a process called glycogenolysis. The glucose is then released into the bloodstream, increasing blood sugar levels.
Blood sugar levels are also increased by "stress" hormones such as adrenalin, steroids, infections, trauma, and the ingestion of food. When levels of blood sugar rise, whether as a result of glycogen conversion, or from the digestion of a meal, a different hormone is released from beta cells found in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.
This hormone, insulin, causes the liver to convert more glucose into glycogen. This process is called glycogenesis and it forces about two-thirds of body cells (primarily muscle and fat tissue cells) to take up glucose from the blood, thereby decreasing blood sugar levels. A breakdown in body homeostasis can lead to dangerously high or low blood sugar levels.
This can become a chronic condition leading to the onset of diabetes. According to the World Health Organization, in 1985, an estimated 30 million people worldwide had diabetes. By 1995, this number shot up to 135 million. The latest WHO estimate for the number of people with diabetes worldwide is 177 million. This will increase to at least 300 million by 2025.
The number of deaths attributed to diabetes is likely to be around 4 million. These projections take into account the fact that there will be more people in the world due to population growth and that there will be more elderly people due to population aging.
They also account for urbanization - the fact that people are moving from rural areas to cities, particularly in developing countries. This migration affects the number of people who are likely to have diabetes, because people living in cities of developing countries tend to be less physically active and have higher levels of obesity than people in rural areas.
In fact, current trends in obesity suggest that these projections are conservative and that the increase in the prevalence of diabetes may be even greater. In developing countries, people in the middle and most productive years of their lives are particularly affected by diabetes.
In these countries, three-quarters of all people with diabetes are under 65 years old and 25% of all adults with diabetes are younger than 44. In developed countries, more than half of all people with diabetes are older than 65, and only 8% of adults with diabetes are younger than 44. Because of its chronic nature, the severity of its complications, and the means required to control it, diabetes is a costly disease, not only for the affected individuals and the families involved, but also for the health authorities.
Studies in India estimate that, for a low-income Indian family, as much as 25% of family income may be devoted to diabetes care. For families in the USA, the corresponding figure is 10%. The total healthcare cost of a person with diabetes in the USA is between two and three times those for people without the condition.
A recent analysis of healthcare expenditure in the Western Pacific region has shown that 16% of hospital expenditure was spent on people afflicted with diabetes. In the Republic of the Marshall Islands, this figure was 25%. The cost of diabetes affects everyone, everywhere, but they are not only a financial problem. Intangible costs (pain, anxiety, inconvenience, and generally lower quality of life) also have great impact on the lives of patients and their families and are the most difficult to quantify.
Direct costs to individuals and their families include medical care, drugs, insulin, and other supplies. Patients may also have to bear other personal costs, such as increased payments for health and life insurance. Recent treatment cost estimates for Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico were US $3.9 billion, US $0.8 billion and US $2.0 billion, respectively.
Each of these is an annual figure and is rising as prevalence of diabetes increases. For most countries, the largest portion of diabetes expenditure is cost of hospital admissions for the treatment of long-term complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and foot problems.
Western medicine relies on aggressive prescription drugs and surgery to deal with many problems related to irregular blood chemistry in the body. Unfortunately, these methods often result in unwanted and even dangerous side effects. And natural pills provide only fleeting, inconsistent results.
Ayurveda, the science of life, prevention and longevity, is the oldest and most holistic and comprehensive medical system available. Its fundamentals can be found in Hindu scriptures called the Vedas - the ancient Indian books of wisdom written over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda applies the inherent principles of nature to help maintain optimum health in a person by keeping the individual's body, mind, and spirit in perfect equilibrium with nature.
India Herbs has a seasoned group of Ayurvedic doctors specialized in Vajikarana, one of the eight major specialties of Ayurveda. Vajikarana prescribes the therapeutic use of various herbal and tonic preparations to address the root cause of irregular blood chemistry, while strengthening your body and overall well-being.
India Herbs' Vajikarana scientists combine a proprietary herbal formula based on centuries' old wisdom with advice on diet, exercise, mental training, and relaxation to help men and women overcome their health concerns through safe and natural means.
Results: The precise combination of ingredients in AyurGold along with a mind-body focus precisely addresses your blood chemistry concerns!
more information:
http://www.india-herbs.com/aff/dreddyclinic/ayurgold
If the blood glucose level falls to dangerous levels (caused by very heavy exercise or lack of food for extended periods), some pancreas cells release glucagon, a hormone that acts on liver cells to increase blood glucose levels.
Stored glycogen is converted into glucose by a process called glycogenolysis. The glucose is then released into the bloodstream, increasing blood sugar levels.
Blood sugar levels are also increased by "stress" hormones such as adrenalin, steroids, infections, trauma, and the ingestion of food. When levels of blood sugar rise, whether as a result of glycogen conversion, or from the digestion of a meal, a different hormone is released from beta cells found in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.
This hormone, insulin, causes the liver to convert more glucose into glycogen. This process is called glycogenesis and it forces about two-thirds of body cells (primarily muscle and fat tissue cells) to take up glucose from the blood, thereby decreasing blood sugar levels. A breakdown in body homeostasis can lead to dangerously high or low blood sugar levels.
This can become a chronic condition leading to the onset of diabetes. According to the World Health Organization, in 1985, an estimated 30 million people worldwide had diabetes. By 1995, this number shot up to 135 million. The latest WHO estimate for the number of people with diabetes worldwide is 177 million. This will increase to at least 300 million by 2025.
The number of deaths attributed to diabetes is likely to be around 4 million. These projections take into account the fact that there will be more people in the world due to population growth and that there will be more elderly people due to population aging.
They also account for urbanization - the fact that people are moving from rural areas to cities, particularly in developing countries. This migration affects the number of people who are likely to have diabetes, because people living in cities of developing countries tend to be less physically active and have higher levels of obesity than people in rural areas.
In fact, current trends in obesity suggest that these projections are conservative and that the increase in the prevalence of diabetes may be even greater. In developing countries, people in the middle and most productive years of their lives are particularly affected by diabetes.
In these countries, three-quarters of all people with diabetes are under 65 years old and 25% of all adults with diabetes are younger than 44. In developed countries, more than half of all people with diabetes are older than 65, and only 8% of adults with diabetes are younger than 44. Because of its chronic nature, the severity of its complications, and the means required to control it, diabetes is a costly disease, not only for the affected individuals and the families involved, but also for the health authorities.
Studies in India estimate that, for a low-income Indian family, as much as 25% of family income may be devoted to diabetes care. For families in the USA, the corresponding figure is 10%. The total healthcare cost of a person with diabetes in the USA is between two and three times those for people without the condition.
A recent analysis of healthcare expenditure in the Western Pacific region has shown that 16% of hospital expenditure was spent on people afflicted with diabetes. In the Republic of the Marshall Islands, this figure was 25%. The cost of diabetes affects everyone, everywhere, but they are not only a financial problem. Intangible costs (pain, anxiety, inconvenience, and generally lower quality of life) also have great impact on the lives of patients and their families and are the most difficult to quantify.
Direct costs to individuals and their families include medical care, drugs, insulin, and other supplies. Patients may also have to bear other personal costs, such as increased payments for health and life insurance. Recent treatment cost estimates for Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico were US $3.9 billion, US $0.8 billion and US $2.0 billion, respectively.
Each of these is an annual figure and is rising as prevalence of diabetes increases. For most countries, the largest portion of diabetes expenditure is cost of hospital admissions for the treatment of long-term complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and foot problems.
Western medicine relies on aggressive prescription drugs and surgery to deal with many problems related to irregular blood chemistry in the body. Unfortunately, these methods often result in unwanted and even dangerous side effects. And natural pills provide only fleeting, inconsistent results.
Ayurveda, the science of life, prevention and longevity, is the oldest and most holistic and comprehensive medical system available. Its fundamentals can be found in Hindu scriptures called the Vedas - the ancient Indian books of wisdom written over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda applies the inherent principles of nature to help maintain optimum health in a person by keeping the individual's body, mind, and spirit in perfect equilibrium with nature.
India Herbs has a seasoned group of Ayurvedic doctors specialized in Vajikarana, one of the eight major specialties of Ayurveda. Vajikarana prescribes the therapeutic use of various herbal and tonic preparations to address the root cause of irregular blood chemistry, while strengthening your body and overall well-being.
India Herbs' Vajikarana scientists combine a proprietary herbal formula based on centuries' old wisdom with advice on diet, exercise, mental training, and relaxation to help men and women overcome their health concerns through safe and natural means.
Results: The precise combination of ingredients in AyurGold along with a mind-body focus precisely addresses your blood chemistry concerns!
more information:
http://www.india-herbs.com/aff/dreddyclinic/ayurgold
Monday, March 03, 2008
Ginger - the spice of life...
Moreover, according to Ayurveda, a patient of any acute disease should never be given plain water to drink. The drinking water should e boiled with dry ginger and then cooled and administered in sips. The 'cold' of the water is thus neutralized and the body's digestive 'fire' is protected.
As a remedy, ginger is unsurpassed in diseased due to Kapha and Pitta. There is nothing like it for the common cold. It has even been found useful in cases of influenza.
Some mix dry ginger with honey and lick it from a spoon. Some mix it with gud (solidified molasses), which has the property of making the urine and feces flow freely.
Since an important cause of upper respiratory congestion is incomplete evacuation of wastes, ginger and gud are often remarkably effective in relieving such congestion.
This combination is good for hiccough also, whether swallowed or inhaled as a snuff. Inhaling it causes a quicker, more direct effect.
As a remedy, ginger is unsurpassed in diseased due to Kapha and Pitta. There is nothing like it for the common cold. It has even been found useful in cases of influenza.
Some mix dry ginger with honey and lick it from a spoon. Some mix it with gud (solidified molasses), which has the property of making the urine and feces flow freely.
Since an important cause of upper respiratory congestion is incomplete evacuation of wastes, ginger and gud are often remarkably effective in relieving such congestion.
This combination is good for hiccough also, whether swallowed or inhaled as a snuff. Inhaling it causes a quicker, more direct effect.
Any sort of cough can be treated with ginger. Dry cough, which is due to Vata, responds well to the juice of raw ginger; productive cough, due to Kapha, is better treated with dry ginger and honey. Even shortness of breath, vomiting and giddiness, all due to vitiated Vata, can be conquered with ginger.
Ginger is good in every disease characterized by the accumulation of undigested or partially digested food, known in Ayurveda as Ama.
Any diarrhea or dysentery can be treated with ginger. There is a school of thought which suggests that an individual suffering from dysentery or colitis follow a diet restricted to lassi , as prepared above with the substitution of / for raw ginger.
Hyperacidity is known in Ayurveda as Amla pitta. As its name suggests, the Pitta of the body becomes 'sour' and leads to trouble. Ginger can cure hyperacidity without the help of any other medication. It returns the Pitta to normal by regulating instead of depressing the production of stomach acid.
Abdominal distention deflates when confronted by ginger, especially when it is mixed with asafetida and rock salt. Trapped gases are evacuated with ease.
Ginger is even useful in cases of piles. Unfortunately, Indians are so fond of spicy foods they often overuse ginger and as a result, produce piles. It seems paradoxical that a single substance can both cure and cause the same illness, but is merely a question of the amount consume. "Ati sarvatra varjayet" (always avoid excess) is the watchword of Ayurveda.
Dry ginger made into a thick paste with water is used as a plaster on the forehead in case of headache; on the chest in case of cold, cor yza, congestion or bronchitis; over rheumatic joints; over any swollen part of the body. In rheumatic fever and syndromes which resemble it, characterized by fever, severe joint inflammation and general systemic complications (suggesting that Vata is being afflicted by Ama), treatment begins with the active purification of the body by purgation.
Decoction of dry ginger is mixed with castor oil in a ratio of 2:1 and is given internally. The castor oil flushes out the digestive tract; the ginger digests any remaining Ama and frees the digestive organs to transform nutrients efficiently again.
Ginger finds a place in many compound medicines. There is Visvabhesaja Vati, which is dry ginger mixed with an equal quantity of the juice o raw ginger; the combination is then rubbed in a special type of mortar and pestle until it becomes dry. This process is repeated up to twenty-one times to fully potentiate the resulting medication. It can be used in any condition which calls for ginger.
The most important compound of ginger, however, is Trikatu, "Three Pungents", which is composed of equal parts of dry ginger, black pepper and long pepper (Piper longum). It is especially useful in dyspepsia, loss of appetite and flatulence.
In addition, ginger is used to potentate, in the manner described above, such drugs as Anandabhairava Vati (fever and teething troubles in children), Gandhaka Rasayana (skin diseases, joint troubles, any condition which involves formation of pus), Catus Bhuja Kalpa (heart disease, asthma), and numerous others.
Perhaps I should mention that ginger is not a cure-all, and that any persistent or serious illness should be treated with the help of a physician. But as you stroll through your food store and see the plump rhizomes of Zingiber officianalis, please do it respect as benefits its position as a proven remedy.
We offer also per email a diet consultation, feel free to contact us for more details. Thank you.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Fixing Poor Vision Boosts Preschoolers' Test Scores
(HealthDay News) -- Preschoolers with poor vision significantly improved their test scores within six weeks of consistently wearing prescription glasses, a new study shows.
"It has been theorized that when young children have early vision problems that are undiagnosed and uncorrected, their development and performance in school are impacted," Stuart I. Brown, chairman of ophthalmology and director of the Shiley Eye Center University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement. "This study shows that children with vision impairment do perform below the norm in visual-motor coordination tests, and that they catch up quickly once they are given corrective [lenses]."
The study, published in the February issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology, followed 70 children, aged 3 to 5, about half of whom had normal vision, and half were diagnosed with ametropia -- abnormal refractive eye conditions leading to poor vision, such as astigmatism.
The children took two standardized tests that relate directly to future school performance: the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R).
Before being given glasses, the vision-impaired children scored significantly lower on both tests, demonstrating reduced ability of the brain to coordinate the eyes with the hands, the researchers said.
That changed after the vision-impaired children were provided with prescription glasses and monitored with the assistance of their families over six weeks to ensure that they wore their glasses consistently.
Upon retesting, the VMI scores of the children with vision problems were at the same level as the scores of the children with normal eyesight. The WPPSI-R scores did not show the same dramatic improvement, but the researchers speculated that the test might not be as sensitive to changes in visual-motor integration skills tested by the VMI tool. The researchers are following the children to test whether the WPPSI-R scores change further over time.
"Amazingly, this is the first controlled study of preschool children to show the cognitive disadvantage preschool children have when they are farsighted and/or have astigmatism, as well as to show the benefit of early intervention with glasses," study co-author Barbara Brody, director of the Center for Community Ophthalmology at the Shiley Eye Center, said in a prepared statement.
More information
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality offers a guide to good health for children.
"It has been theorized that when young children have early vision problems that are undiagnosed and uncorrected, their development and performance in school are impacted," Stuart I. Brown, chairman of ophthalmology and director of the Shiley Eye Center University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement. "This study shows that children with vision impairment do perform below the norm in visual-motor coordination tests, and that they catch up quickly once they are given corrective [lenses]."
The study, published in the February issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology, followed 70 children, aged 3 to 5, about half of whom had normal vision, and half were diagnosed with ametropia -- abnormal refractive eye conditions leading to poor vision, such as astigmatism.
The children took two standardized tests that relate directly to future school performance: the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R).
Before being given glasses, the vision-impaired children scored significantly lower on both tests, demonstrating reduced ability of the brain to coordinate the eyes with the hands, the researchers said.
That changed after the vision-impaired children were provided with prescription glasses and monitored with the assistance of their families over six weeks to ensure that they wore their glasses consistently.
Upon retesting, the VMI scores of the children with vision problems were at the same level as the scores of the children with normal eyesight. The WPPSI-R scores did not show the same dramatic improvement, but the researchers speculated that the test might not be as sensitive to changes in visual-motor integration skills tested by the VMI tool. The researchers are following the children to test whether the WPPSI-R scores change further over time.
"Amazingly, this is the first controlled study of preschool children to show the cognitive disadvantage preschool children have when they are farsighted and/or have astigmatism, as well as to show the benefit of early intervention with glasses," study co-author Barbara Brody, director of the Center for Community Ophthalmology at the Shiley Eye Center, said in a prepared statement.
More information
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality offers a guide to good health for children.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Kama Raja Results
Manufactured in a cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) Certified Pharmaceutical facility, Kama Raja was developed by a team of experienced Ayurvedic Doctors and synergistically formulated to engender optimal benefit. Natural herbal extracts, prepared by proprietary processes and encapsulated in the exact blend and proportions of Kama Raja, have produced superior results in clinical studies!
Ayurvedic Medicine works towards a gradual transformation of bodily functions to superior efficiency while eliminating side-effects.
As you take Kama Raja on a regular basis for an extended period of time, its effects will become more pronounced and the changes in your body will become permanent. Users of Kama Raja report the following benefits while following a balanced diet / exercise program and getting sufficient rest: Stronger not allowed drive.
Stronger, longer-lasting erections. Greater sexual pleasure and more intense orgasms. Increased volume of ejaculate and seminal output. Increased desire to cum on a daily basis. Increased feelings of mental and physical well-being.
Greater confidence and mastery of not allowed life. What results can you expect through regular use of Kama Raja? Here is a timetable which indicates what you can realistically expect to achieve: Week One Through Week Four During this period you will feel calmer while experiencing increased energy levels and strength.
Your libido will increase and you will become easily aroused. Your erection will be stronger and longer lasting. You will develop an urge to cum on a daily basis. Week Four Through Week Eight Now you will start to notice marked improvements in your sexual prowess.
You will enjoy not allowed more frequently, will be able to perform for longer periods of time, and will ejaculate larger amounts of semen during powerful orgasms. Week Nine And Beyond Increased sensitivity of your erogenous zones along with higher not allowed drive, supreme erections, and calm mind will allow you to enjoy more sexual pleasure and intense orgasms than ever before. During this process, your lover will see, feel, and enjoy the difference Kama Raja makes as well!
more information about Kama Raja: http://www.kamaraja.com/index.htm?aff=dreddyclinic
Ayurvedic Medicine works towards a gradual transformation of bodily functions to superior efficiency while eliminating side-effects.
As you take Kama Raja on a regular basis for an extended period of time, its effects will become more pronounced and the changes in your body will become permanent. Users of Kama Raja report the following benefits while following a balanced diet / exercise program and getting sufficient rest: Stronger not allowed drive.
Stronger, longer-lasting erections. Greater sexual pleasure and more intense orgasms. Increased volume of ejaculate and seminal output. Increased desire to cum on a daily basis. Increased feelings of mental and physical well-being.
Greater confidence and mastery of not allowed life. What results can you expect through regular use of Kama Raja? Here is a timetable which indicates what you can realistically expect to achieve: Week One Through Week Four During this period you will feel calmer while experiencing increased energy levels and strength.
Your libido will increase and you will become easily aroused. Your erection will be stronger and longer lasting. You will develop an urge to cum on a daily basis. Week Four Through Week Eight Now you will start to notice marked improvements in your sexual prowess.
You will enjoy not allowed more frequently, will be able to perform for longer periods of time, and will ejaculate larger amounts of semen during powerful orgasms. Week Nine And Beyond Increased sensitivity of your erogenous zones along with higher not allowed drive, supreme erections, and calm mind will allow you to enjoy more sexual pleasure and intense orgasms than ever before. During this process, your lover will see, feel, and enjoy the difference Kama Raja makes as well!
more information about Kama Raja: http://www.kamaraja.com/index.htm?aff=dreddyclinic
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Happy Marriage Eases Wife's Workday Tension
(HealthDay News) -- Coming home to a loving spouse and a good marriage helps working women shake off the stress of the day, new research confirms.
Men, on the other hand, often drop their stress at the door when they come home, regardless of the state of their union, reported psychology researchers.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, followed 30 married, parenting couples, with each partner employed in full-time jobs.
Over a three-day period, each of the 60 spouses completed a single survey about their satisfaction with their marriage and twice-daily questionnaires about their day. The researchers also took saliva samples four times a day (early morning, late morning, afternoon and evening) to test for cortisol, a hormone released by the body under stress.
"At least as far as women are concerned, being happily married appears to bolster physiological recovery from work," lead author Darby E. Saxbe said in a prepared statement. "After a tough day at the office, cortisol levels dropped further among happily married women than less happily married ones. Less happily married women also showed a flatter daily pattern of cortisol release, suggesting that they are rebounding less well from everyday stress."
The researchers found that women in marriages who felt they were happily married saw a greater reduction in cortisol levels when they came home at the end of the work day than women who were less happily married. Cortisol levels in men dropped at the end of the day regardless of their satisfaction with their marriage.
Long-term elevated cortisol levels have been associated with a host of maladies, including depression, burnout, chronic fatigue syndrome, relationship problems, poor social adjustment and possibly even cancer, according to the researchers.
This is the first study to examine daily cortisol levels with respect to marital satisfaction, said the researchers, who called for further research into the link between marriage and physical stress. The researchers suggested that people in happy marriages may have a more even balance of household responsibilities and may generally welcome an evening retreat from the world more than women in unhappy marriages.
The study is published in the January issue of Health Psychology.
More information
For more on stress management, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Men, on the other hand, often drop their stress at the door when they come home, regardless of the state of their union, reported psychology researchers.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, followed 30 married, parenting couples, with each partner employed in full-time jobs.
Over a three-day period, each of the 60 spouses completed a single survey about their satisfaction with their marriage and twice-daily questionnaires about their day. The researchers also took saliva samples four times a day (early morning, late morning, afternoon and evening) to test for cortisol, a hormone released by the body under stress.
"At least as far as women are concerned, being happily married appears to bolster physiological recovery from work," lead author Darby E. Saxbe said in a prepared statement. "After a tough day at the office, cortisol levels dropped further among happily married women than less happily married ones. Less happily married women also showed a flatter daily pattern of cortisol release, suggesting that they are rebounding less well from everyday stress."
The researchers found that women in marriages who felt they were happily married saw a greater reduction in cortisol levels when they came home at the end of the work day than women who were less happily married. Cortisol levels in men dropped at the end of the day regardless of their satisfaction with their marriage.
Long-term elevated cortisol levels have been associated with a host of maladies, including depression, burnout, chronic fatigue syndrome, relationship problems, poor social adjustment and possibly even cancer, according to the researchers.
This is the first study to examine daily cortisol levels with respect to marital satisfaction, said the researchers, who called for further research into the link between marriage and physical stress. The researchers suggested that people in happy marriages may have a more even balance of household responsibilities and may generally welcome an evening retreat from the world more than women in unhappy marriages.
The study is published in the January issue of Health Psychology.
More information
For more on stress management, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Diabetes Group Backs Low-Carb Diets
(HealthDay News) -- For the first time, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has come out in support of low-carbohydrate diets for people with diabetes who want to manage their weight.
The ADA voiced its support of low-calorie or low-carbohydrate diets in its newly published 2008 clinical practice recommendations.
The recommendations are intended to help physicians guide their patients in diabetes prevention and management.
The ADA estimates that more than 20 million children and adults are living with diabetes in the United States. However, about one-third of those people have the disease but have not yet been diagnosed, according to the association.
Prior to the release of the 2008 recommendations, the ADA did not support low-carbohydrate diets for diabetes management due to a lack of evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness.
Whether a person can stick with a diet is more important than the diet's theme, according to the association. Low-carbohydrate and low-calorie diets are equally effective in helping people lose weight over a year. However, the recommendations do also include guidelines for monitoring the lipid profiles and kidney health of people who choose a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet.
The recommendations continue to support sustained, moderate weight loss and increased physical activity for people who are overweight, obese, living with diabetes or at risk for becoming diabetic.
"The risks of overweight and obesity are well-known. We recognize that people are looking for realistic ways to lose weight," Ann Albright, president of health care and education for the ADA, said in a prepared statement. "The evidence is clear that both low-carbohydrate and low-fat calorie restricted diets result in similar weight loss at one year. We're not endorsing either of these weight-loss plans over any other method of losing weight. What we want health-care providers to know is that it's important for patients to choose a plan that works for them, and that the health-care team support their patients' weight-loss efforts and provide appropriate monitoring of patients' health."
Being overweight and physically inactive both increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to the ADA. Being overweight or obese also make the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes more difficult. The 2008 recommendations state that all adults who are overweight and have an additional risk factor for diabetes should be tested for diabetes or pre-diabetes.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who have pre-diabetes can avoid diabetes if they lose 7 percent of their body weight and get more than 150 minutes of activity a week.
Developing and maintaining a disaster kit for diabetes self-management is also included in the new recommendations, along with revised guidelines for care of diabetes in older adults.
More information
To learn more about diabetes, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
more discussion: Forum
· Addiction Forum · Ask the Doctors Forum · Ayurveda Forum · Ayurvedic & Thai Herbs Forum · Colon Cleansing Forum · Dental Forum · Diabetes Forum · Diet Forum · General Cleansing Forum · Hepatitis A, B. C Forum · Integrated Medicine Forum · Live Blood Analysis Forum · Ozone-Oxygen-Forum · pH - Alkaline - Acidity Forum · Weight Loss Forum
The ADA voiced its support of low-calorie or low-carbohydrate diets in its newly published 2008 clinical practice recommendations.
The recommendations are intended to help physicians guide their patients in diabetes prevention and management.
The ADA estimates that more than 20 million children and adults are living with diabetes in the United States. However, about one-third of those people have the disease but have not yet been diagnosed, according to the association.
Prior to the release of the 2008 recommendations, the ADA did not support low-carbohydrate diets for diabetes management due to a lack of evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness.
Whether a person can stick with a diet is more important than the diet's theme, according to the association. Low-carbohydrate and low-calorie diets are equally effective in helping people lose weight over a year. However, the recommendations do also include guidelines for monitoring the lipid profiles and kidney health of people who choose a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet.
The recommendations continue to support sustained, moderate weight loss and increased physical activity for people who are overweight, obese, living with diabetes or at risk for becoming diabetic.
"The risks of overweight and obesity are well-known. We recognize that people are looking for realistic ways to lose weight," Ann Albright, president of health care and education for the ADA, said in a prepared statement. "The evidence is clear that both low-carbohydrate and low-fat calorie restricted diets result in similar weight loss at one year. We're not endorsing either of these weight-loss plans over any other method of losing weight. What we want health-care providers to know is that it's important for patients to choose a plan that works for them, and that the health-care team support their patients' weight-loss efforts and provide appropriate monitoring of patients' health."
Being overweight and physically inactive both increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to the ADA. Being overweight or obese also make the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes more difficult. The 2008 recommendations state that all adults who are overweight and have an additional risk factor for diabetes should be tested for diabetes or pre-diabetes.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who have pre-diabetes can avoid diabetes if they lose 7 percent of their body weight and get more than 150 minutes of activity a week.
Developing and maintaining a disaster kit for diabetes self-management is also included in the new recommendations, along with revised guidelines for care of diabetes in older adults.
More information
To learn more about diabetes, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
more discussion: Forum
· Addiction Forum · Ask the Doctors Forum · Ayurveda Forum · Ayurvedic & Thai Herbs Forum · Colon Cleansing Forum · Dental Forum · Diabetes Forum · Diet Forum · General Cleansing Forum · Hepatitis A, B. C Forum · Integrated Medicine Forum · Live Blood Analysis Forum · Ozone-Oxygen-Forum · pH - Alkaline - Acidity Forum · Weight Loss Forum
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Radiancio
Enjoy Beauty from the Inside Out - Guaranteed!
Try a Proprietary Formula for Health And Beauty based on Ayurveda - the Oldest and Most Holistic, Comprehensive Medical System Available.
If you want to maximize your beauty and eliminate dull and fatigued looking skin tone, acne, dry and lackluster hair, or weak and cracking nails, there is proven help available. India's men and women have been reaping the powerful benefits of Ayurveda for the past 5,000 years!
Radiancio is a natural supplement geared towards optimizing and enhancing the appearance and condition of your hair, nails, and skin while strengthening the body and overall well-being.
It will help you: Increase Keratin Formation. Enhance Collagen Synthesis. Reduce Elastin Breakdown. Improve Cellular Regeneration. Reduce Formation of Sebum. Clear Pores and Eradicate Acne. Renew Confidence and Esteem. Radiancio is a product of: 5000 years of Ayurvedic wisdom. Modern testing and research.
Breakthrough encapsulation technique. Laboratory-controlled potency. Doctor-approved, carefully calibrated formula. http://www.radiancio.com/index.htm?aff=dreddyclinic
more discussion: Forum
· Addiction Forum · Ask the Doctors Forum · Ayurveda Forum · Ayurvedic & Thai Herbs Forum · Colon Cleansing Forum · Dental Forum · Diabetes Forum · Diet Forum · General Cleansing Forum · Hepatitis A, B. C Forum · Integrated Medicine Forum · Live Blood Analysis Forum · Ozone-Oxygen-Forum · pH - Alkaline - Acidity Forum · Weight Loss Forum
Try a Proprietary Formula for Health And Beauty based on Ayurveda - the Oldest and Most Holistic, Comprehensive Medical System Available.
If you want to maximize your beauty and eliminate dull and fatigued looking skin tone, acne, dry and lackluster hair, or weak and cracking nails, there is proven help available. India's men and women have been reaping the powerful benefits of Ayurveda for the past 5,000 years!
Radiancio is a natural supplement geared towards optimizing and enhancing the appearance and condition of your hair, nails, and skin while strengthening the body and overall well-being.
It will help you: Increase Keratin Formation. Enhance Collagen Synthesis. Reduce Elastin Breakdown. Improve Cellular Regeneration. Reduce Formation of Sebum. Clear Pores and Eradicate Acne. Renew Confidence and Esteem. Radiancio is a product of: 5000 years of Ayurvedic wisdom. Modern testing and research.
Breakthrough encapsulation technique. Laboratory-controlled potency. Doctor-approved, carefully calibrated formula. http://www.radiancio.com/index.htm?aff=dreddyclinic
more discussion: Forum
· Addiction Forum · Ask the Doctors Forum · Ayurveda Forum · Ayurvedic & Thai Herbs Forum · Colon Cleansing Forum · Dental Forum · Diabetes Forum · Diet Forum · General Cleansing Forum · Hepatitis A, B. C Forum · Integrated Medicine Forum · Live Blood Analysis Forum · Ozone-Oxygen-Forum · pH - Alkaline - Acidity Forum · Weight Loss Forum
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Kids Who Skimp on Sleep Tend to Be Fatter
(HealthDay News) -- While the connection between a child's weight and the amount of sleep that child gets may not be immediately apparent, new research has found a strong correlation between the two.Sixth-graders who averaged less than 8.5 hours of sleep a night had a 23 percent rate of obesity, while their well-rested peers who averaged more than 9.25 hours of sleep had an obesity rate of just 12 percent, according to a new study.
"We found that children who got less sleep were more likely to be obese," said the study's lead author, Dr. Julie Lumeng, an assistant research scientist at the University of Michigan Center for Human Growth and Development.
Lumeng said that even after compensating for other factors, such as the home environment, the link between less sleep and heavier weight was still apparent.
The study results are published in the November issue of the journal Pediatrics.
Lumeng said there are three likely reasons why sleep might affect weight. First, if children don't get enough sleep at night, they'll be less likely to run around and get exercise during the day.
Second, when kids are tired, they're more irritable and may reach for junk food to help regulate their mood. And, finally, what Lumeng called a "hot area for future research" is the possible connection between sleep and fat metabolism. She said there have been studies done with adults that have shown that a lack of sleep may disrupt the secretion of hormones involved in appetite and metabolism, such as leptin and insulin.
The new study included 785 children who were in third grade at the start of the trial. Most were white -- 81 percent -- and half were female.
Parents were interviewed about their children's sleep habits when the youngsters were in third grade and then again when they were in sixth grade. The researchers also measured height and weight. Obesity was defined as having a body mass index (BMI, a ratio of weight to height) higher than the 95th percentile for age and gender, according to Lumeng. Eighteen percent of the children were obese in sixth grade.
The researchers also took into account maternal education, race, the quality of the home environment and parenting skills to see if those factors affected a child's weight.
No matter what a child weighed in third grade, too little sleep correlated with being obese in sixth grade. And, short sleep duration in sixth grade also correlated with excess weight in sixth grade, according to the study.
Third-graders who got less than nine hours and 45 minutes of sleep a night had an obesity prevalence of about 20 percent, while those who got more than nine hours and 45 minutes of sleep had obesity rates of about 12 percent, Lumeng said.
Those who were short-changing sleep in third grade had 40 percent higher odds of being obese in sixth grade, and sixth-graders who weren't getting enough sleep were 20 percent more likely to be obese, compared to their well-rested counterparts.
Lumeng said the researchers weren't able to find a statistical association between quality of sleep and obesity. But, she said that without a lab-based sleep study, it's difficult to objectively assess the quality of sleep, so there may be an association that this study wasn't able to uncover.
Dr. Stephen Sheldon, director of the Sleep Medicine Center at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, said he would've liked to see sleep studies so the researchers could have known more about the quality of sleep these children were getting, such as how much REM sleep did they get and how fragmented was the sleep?
But, he said, the bottom line is that "pediatricians and parents really need to start paying closer attention to sleep-wake habits. In this society, we put a premium on being awake, and that premium may hurt us in the long run. Sleep may be as important as food to our health and well-being," said Sheldon, who's also a professor of pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Both Lumeng and Sheldon recommended trying to keep a consistent sleep schedule. Bedtimes and wake times are both important -- for children and adults. Sheldon said it's usually OK to vary your sleep times a little bit on the weekend, about an hour or so, but, he cautioned, "Letting you child sleep till noon or mid-afternoon is inviting trouble."
Lumeng also recommended that children not have a TV in their bedroom, because it can make it more difficult to fall asleep.
More information
To read more about the connection between overweight and sleep, visit the National Sleep Foundation.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Cardiofy
Choose a Proprietary Formula for Cardiovascular Care based on 5,000 Years of Medical Research!
DOCTORS AND AYURVEDA SCIENCE AGREE ... Cardiofy's Herbal Formula Gives Safe, Long-Term, and Significant Results. If you want to maximize your lifespan and reduce chance of high blood pressure, raised total cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides, there is proven help available.
India's men and women have been reaping the powerful benefits of Ayurveda Medicine for the past 5,000 years! Cardiofy is a natural supplement geared towards optimizing your cardiovascular health and emotional and physical well-being.
It will: Lower Your Blood Pressure. Regulate Serum Lipids. Strengthen Your Heart and Arteries. Improve Your Blood Circulation. Raise Your Good Cholesterol. Lower Your Bad Cholesterol. Cardiofy is a product of: 5000 years of Ayurvedic wisdom. Modern testing and research.
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DOCTORS AND AYURVEDA SCIENCE AGREE ... Cardiofy's Herbal Formula Gives Safe, Long-Term, and Significant Results. If you want to maximize your lifespan and reduce chance of high blood pressure, raised total cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides, there is proven help available.
India's men and women have been reaping the powerful benefits of Ayurveda Medicine for the past 5,000 years! Cardiofy is a natural supplement geared towards optimizing your cardiovascular health and emotional and physical well-being.
It will: Lower Your Blood Pressure. Regulate Serum Lipids. Strengthen Your Heart and Arteries. Improve Your Blood Circulation. Raise Your Good Cholesterol. Lower Your Bad Cholesterol. Cardiofy is a product of: 5000 years of Ayurvedic wisdom. Modern testing and research.
Breakthrough encapsulation technique. Laboratory-controlled potency. Doctor-approved, carefully calibrated formula.
http://www.cardiofy.com/index.htm?aff=dreddyclinic
Monday, October 22, 2007
Vulnerability to Stress Linked to Brain Molecule
(HealthDay News) -- Researchers have identified molecular mechanisms in the brain that may explain why some people are less vulnerable to the stress caused by difficult situations.
While the research was done with mice, the findings could eventually lead to better treatments for chronic stress, depression and the post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by troops in Iraq and other battlefields, said study co-author Dr. Eric Nestler, chairman of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
"One important lesson we have shown even in previous papers is that a series of genetically identical animals respond differently to chronic stress," Nestler said. "Thirty to 40 percent seemed to be resilient and did not develop bad symptoms. The clinical implications are that the ability to identify mechanisms of resistance can help provide new and novel approaches to stress."
The key lies in a pair of molecules used by some brain cells to communicate with one another, said Vaishnav Krishnan, lead author of the report and a student in a University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center program that leads to simultaneous M.D. and Ph.D. degrees.
"Under stress, vulnerable mice increase the frequency of nerve activity using the neurotransmitter dopamine," Krishnan said. "That subsequently causes release of a nerve growth factor called brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]. Resilient mice overcome these changes by increasing the expression of molecules that prevent the release of dopamine."
A neurotransmitter is a molecule that sends signals from one nerve cell to another.
Mice in the experiments were so inbred that they were genetically identical. Then they were put under stress by being placed in the territory of larger, more aggressive mice. Some of the test mice adjusted well to the stress of the situation, while others avoided contact and showed submissive behavior.
The researchers then made detailed studies of two brain regions -- the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), which are part of the brain's reward area that promotes acts that aid in survival. They found that the excess BNDF production in vulnerable mice occurred in the VTA but not the NAcc region. Chemical signals sent by the protein from the VTA to the NAcc made the mice vulnerable to stress. Experimental compounds that blocked those signals turned vulnerable mice into resistant mice.
The findings, published online Oct. 18 in the journal Cell, raise the possibility of "tools to develop things in the brain that encourage resilience, to help people with stress," Nestler said.
"We have always tried to understand the changes in the brain that lead to such things as the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder," Krishnan added. "This study shows we can increase our understanding and development of new therapeutic measures to overcome those changes."
But new therapies might not be easy to develop, Nestler said, since a decrease of dopamine or BDNF activity might be helpful in one part of the brain but harmful in another area.
Dr. Thomas R. Insel, director of the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, which funded the research, said the findings are "part of a large body of work coming out of Dr. Nestler's laboratory trying to understand what this important neurotrophic molecule, BDNF, does."
"What's exciting here is that it is important for resilience, being able to recover from a traumatic event," Insel added. "One of the great values of this work is to help us understand how mammals, including humans, might be able to recover from the traumas inherent in human existence."
More information
Learn more about the role of stress in sickness and health from the American Institute of Stress.
While the research was done with mice, the findings could eventually lead to better treatments for chronic stress, depression and the post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by troops in Iraq and other battlefields, said study co-author Dr. Eric Nestler, chairman of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
"One important lesson we have shown even in previous papers is that a series of genetically identical animals respond differently to chronic stress," Nestler said. "Thirty to 40 percent seemed to be resilient and did not develop bad symptoms. The clinical implications are that the ability to identify mechanisms of resistance can help provide new and novel approaches to stress."
The key lies in a pair of molecules used by some brain cells to communicate with one another, said Vaishnav Krishnan, lead author of the report and a student in a University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center program that leads to simultaneous M.D. and Ph.D. degrees.
"Under stress, vulnerable mice increase the frequency of nerve activity using the neurotransmitter dopamine," Krishnan said. "That subsequently causes release of a nerve growth factor called brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]. Resilient mice overcome these changes by increasing the expression of molecules that prevent the release of dopamine."
A neurotransmitter is a molecule that sends signals from one nerve cell to another.
Mice in the experiments were so inbred that they were genetically identical. Then they were put under stress by being placed in the territory of larger, more aggressive mice. Some of the test mice adjusted well to the stress of the situation, while others avoided contact and showed submissive behavior.
The researchers then made detailed studies of two brain regions -- the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), which are part of the brain's reward area that promotes acts that aid in survival. They found that the excess BNDF production in vulnerable mice occurred in the VTA but not the NAcc region. Chemical signals sent by the protein from the VTA to the NAcc made the mice vulnerable to stress. Experimental compounds that blocked those signals turned vulnerable mice into resistant mice.
The findings, published online Oct. 18 in the journal Cell, raise the possibility of "tools to develop things in the brain that encourage resilience, to help people with stress," Nestler said.
"We have always tried to understand the changes in the brain that lead to such things as the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder," Krishnan added. "This study shows we can increase our understanding and development of new therapeutic measures to overcome those changes."
But new therapies might not be easy to develop, Nestler said, since a decrease of dopamine or BDNF activity might be helpful in one part of the brain but harmful in another area.
Dr. Thomas R. Insel, director of the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, which funded the research, said the findings are "part of a large body of work coming out of Dr. Nestler's laboratory trying to understand what this important neurotrophic molecule, BDNF, does."
"What's exciting here is that it is important for resilience, being able to recover from a traumatic event," Insel added. "One of the great values of this work is to help us understand how mammals, including humans, might be able to recover from the traumas inherent in human existence."
More information
Learn more about the role of stress in sickness and health from the American Institute of Stress.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Protecting your Skin from the Sun
In our world of ozone holes and SPF-30 sunscreens, most people have come to think of the sun as a formidable enemy of the skin. Many doctors consider visible signs of aging of skin on fair-skinned people -- leathery texture, wrinkles and age-spots, for example -- mainly the result of ultraviolet radiation. Yet the sun, besides being the source of energy for mind and body, also nourishes the skin. It's the best natural source of Vitamin D, which is necessary for calcium absorption and healthy bones. Many doctors today recommend 15 minutes of direct exposure to gentle sun on the hands and face to absorb the minimum daily requirement of Vitamin D.
Over-protecting from sun is not a good idea. The challenge is to maximize the benefit from sun and at the same time protect it from damage.
People with Caucasian skin definitely should avoid direct exposure to strong sun, because their skin makes less melanin, the pigment that acts as a barrier to UV rays. However, short periods of exposure to very early morning sun are soothing and mild on the skin, and allow even very sensitive skin to absorb necessary Vitamin D.
The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians recommends avoiding long exposure to the sun whenever you are angry, hungry or emotionally upset, as these factors increase Pitta -- the fire element -- in the body and make the skin even more sensitive to sun damage. At these times, it's important to protect yourself by wearing a hat, protective clothing (full-sleeved shirts and pants, for example) and sunglasses. People with naturally more Pitta in their bodies should always take care to protect themselves from the midday sun.
Dietary TipsIt's also a good idea to cool the body from the inside if your skin is very photosensitive. Eating green leafy vegetables and fruits such as raisins, sweet juicy pears, sweet apples, and pomegranates, for instance, will help nourish and restore balance to the skin. Amla Berry, available as a supplement and also contained in Amrit, is also an excellent anti-oxidant and rasayana for the skin. Rose Petal Preserve, blended with boiled and cooled milk, is an excellent cooling beverage.
Cooking your food with a skin-protecting spice mixture to stimulate digestion but not overheat your skin helps. Sauté equal parts turmeric, coriander, fennel and cumin in ghee and add it to your vegetables and grains.
Even in winter, people with photosensitive skin should avoid eating too much ginger, garlic, aesofetida (hing), red chillies or any types of hot peppers as hot foods can increase sensitivity to the sun.
Herbs for the SkinWatermelon puree is an excellent mask to cool down facial skin. Apply it evenly, except in the eye area, and rinse off with room temperature or lukewarm water after 10-15 minutes. Cotton pads soaked in rose water can be placed over closed eyes.
Another good way to cool the skin is with a milk bath. Add a couple of drops of rose water to room temperature milk and either rinse your face with it, followed by room temperature water, or apply generously with cotton pads and rinse off after ten minutes with room temperature water.
The Youthful Skin Cream contains Butea monosperma (Flame of Forest), which is renowned in ayurveda for helping to boost the skin's natural long-term resistance to sun damage as well as antioxidants to fight free radical damage. This cream is not a sunscreen or sunblock, but it can help keep skin cells healthy and well-nourished.
Winter Tips -- Beyond SunscreenDrink plenty of water, and avoid very hot water for baths and showers if your skin is photosensitive to keep your skin properly moisturized and to protect it from the sun.
Take a warm bath before and after skiing or exposing your skin to freezing temperatures for a long period of time. Any time it's freezing outside, the pores of the skin freeze shut and heat is retained in the deeper layers. This heat dries out the skin and lowers its resistance to the sun. That is why many people get worse sunburns after skiing than at the beach, and it's also why some people's skin breaks out after a skiing trip. A warm bath before and after tackling the slopes helps dilate frozen channels and supports the skin in its effort to release heat trapped in the deeper layers.
Over-protecting from sun is not a good idea. The challenge is to maximize the benefit from sun and at the same time protect it from damage.
People with Caucasian skin definitely should avoid direct exposure to strong sun, because their skin makes less melanin, the pigment that acts as a barrier to UV rays. However, short periods of exposure to very early morning sun are soothing and mild on the skin, and allow even very sensitive skin to absorb necessary Vitamin D.
The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians recommends avoiding long exposure to the sun whenever you are angry, hungry or emotionally upset, as these factors increase Pitta -- the fire element -- in the body and make the skin even more sensitive to sun damage. At these times, it's important to protect yourself by wearing a hat, protective clothing (full-sleeved shirts and pants, for example) and sunglasses. People with naturally more Pitta in their bodies should always take care to protect themselves from the midday sun.
Dietary TipsIt's also a good idea to cool the body from the inside if your skin is very photosensitive. Eating green leafy vegetables and fruits such as raisins, sweet juicy pears, sweet apples, and pomegranates, for instance, will help nourish and restore balance to the skin. Amla Berry, available as a supplement and also contained in Amrit, is also an excellent anti-oxidant and rasayana for the skin. Rose Petal Preserve, blended with boiled and cooled milk, is an excellent cooling beverage.
Cooking your food with a skin-protecting spice mixture to stimulate digestion but not overheat your skin helps. Sauté equal parts turmeric, coriander, fennel and cumin in ghee and add it to your vegetables and grains.
Even in winter, people with photosensitive skin should avoid eating too much ginger, garlic, aesofetida (hing), red chillies or any types of hot peppers as hot foods can increase sensitivity to the sun.
Herbs for the SkinWatermelon puree is an excellent mask to cool down facial skin. Apply it evenly, except in the eye area, and rinse off with room temperature or lukewarm water after 10-15 minutes. Cotton pads soaked in rose water can be placed over closed eyes.
Another good way to cool the skin is with a milk bath. Add a couple of drops of rose water to room temperature milk and either rinse your face with it, followed by room temperature water, or apply generously with cotton pads and rinse off after ten minutes with room temperature water.
The Youthful Skin Cream contains Butea monosperma (Flame of Forest), which is renowned in ayurveda for helping to boost the skin's natural long-term resistance to sun damage as well as antioxidants to fight free radical damage. This cream is not a sunscreen or sunblock, but it can help keep skin cells healthy and well-nourished.
Winter Tips -- Beyond SunscreenDrink plenty of water, and avoid very hot water for baths and showers if your skin is photosensitive to keep your skin properly moisturized and to protect it from the sun.
Take a warm bath before and after skiing or exposing your skin to freezing temperatures for a long period of time. Any time it's freezing outside, the pores of the skin freeze shut and heat is retained in the deeper layers. This heat dries out the skin and lowers its resistance to the sun. That is why many people get worse sunburns after skiing than at the beach, and it's also why some people's skin breaks out after a skiing trip. A warm bath before and after tackling the slopes helps dilate frozen channels and supports the skin in its effort to release heat trapped in the deeper layers.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Binge Drinking May Be Biggest Alcohol Threat: Survey
(HealthDay News) -- A statewide New Mexico survey suggests that most Americans who drink too much may not, in fact, be full-blown alcoholics but rather binge drinkers.While the poll revealed that 16.5 percent of that state's residents are excessive drinkers, only 1.8 percent of the men and women interviewed met the official definition for alcohol dependence.
In turn, most of these excessive drinkers were found to be engaged in "binge drinking" -- defined as imbibing five or more drinks at one sitting.
"Short-term episodic drinking -- not alcoholism -- is the predominant alcohol-related problem," said study co-author Jim Roeber, an alcohol epidemiologist with the New Mexico Department of Health in Santa Fe.
Reporting in the February issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, the authors referenced 2001 figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlining the tragic impact of serious alcohol abuse.
In that year, an estimated 75,000 Americans lost their lives due to excessive alcohol use, the researchers said.
According to the CDC, men who consume an average of more than two drinks per day are considered "heavy drinkers." For women, that line is drawn at more than one drink per day.
Both the study authors and the CDC pointed out that excessive alcohol use is associated with the development of many serious health problems, including liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, various cancers, high blood pressure, as well as elevating risk for depression and suicide.
Alcohol abuse also promotes a variety of dangerous behaviors, such as driving or operating machinery while impaired.
To gauge the nature of the problem in New Mexico, Roeber and his colleagues analyzed a 2002 telephone survey conducted by the New Mexico Department of Health with CDC assistance.
Focusing on drinking behavior in the month prior to the interview, the researchers asked almost 4,800 state residents over the age of 18 to recall how often they had engaged in binge drinking, heavy drinking, and/or alcohol-impaired driving. Alcohol dependence was also assessed.
People identified as "dependent" were defined as having experienced three or more problems associated with alcoholism over the past year: a build-up of tolerance to alcohol; withdrawal symptoms when deprived; a persistent desire to drink; drinking more than initially intended; devoting undue time to drinking; eschewing other social and job-related activities for drinking; developing alcohol-related psychological problems; or being unable to stop drinking.
Drunk-driving was defined as driving at least once when having "perhaps too much to drink" over the prior 30 days.
Roeber and his team found that while 55 percent of those interviewed were current drinkers, fewer than 2 percent were actually alcoholics. Alcoholism was more prevalent among young males, the college educated, and non-whites.
This was in stark contrast to the nearly 17 percent of those interviewed who engaged in excessive drinking, among whom binge drinking was far and away the most common problem -- evident among nearly 88 percent of this group.
The researchers found that while just two percent of all those interviewed had driven drunk, nearly 12 percent of excessive drinkers and just over 17 percent of alcoholics had done so in the past month.
Nevertheless, the researchers concluded that despite having one of the highest alcoholism rates in the United States, the bulk of New Mexico's alcohol problem was a function of excessive drinking and not, in fact, alcoholism.
Roeber hopes the New Mexico finding will lead to a national shift in public health policy. That policy now directs approximately $4 billion toward alcoholism treatment, while only $1 billion goes toward alcohol abuse prevention.
"There's a whole range of different ways to intervene to try and prevent episodic drinking, which is very different from taking a person who's alcohol dependent and getting them through treatment," he said.
Increasing the price of alcohol, improving enforcement of minimum age drinking laws, and bolstering excessive drinking monitoring in bar environments are some of the specific ways to curtail excessive drinking, Roeber said.
Deborah Dawson, an epidemiologist at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in Washington, D.C., agreed with that stance.
"Our own studies show a very similar picture on a national level, so I would say the New Mexico findings are a representative pattern of the U.S. as a whole," Dawson noted. "So, we need to allocate money ideally for both prevention and treatment and not put it all in one pot or the other."
Dr. Timothy Naimi, a New Mexican public health physician who works as part of the CDC's Alcohol Team, also agreed.
"Do we prevent heart attacks by standing in the ER and waiting for people to roll in with chest pain?" he asked. "No. We treat high blood pressure and cholesterol with the idea of preventing it. It's folly not to do the same with alcohol use. Otherwise, we're a day late and a dollar short."
Naimi said the study was an important wake-up call for drinkers and medical professionals alike.
"A typical defense for someone who might drink in a risky way -- when a loved one or a physician asks them about their drinking -- is to say 'I'm not an alcoholic,' " Naimi noted. "And the point is that while that may be true, that doesn't mean that those people who are drinking too much are not at risk for alcohol-related problems."
"So, we need to recognize that the risks from excessive drinking begin way before people reach the stage of alcoholism," Naimi added. "Because while not all excessive drinkers will become alcoholics, it is one, among many, bad possible outcomes that stem from excessive drinking. And, of course, alcoholics don't just roll out of bed that way. All were once, in fact, excessive drinkers in a milder form."
More information
For more on excessive drinking and alcoholism, visit the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Easing Depression Without a Prescription
(HealthDay News) -- A brisk run, a friendly game of chess, a soothing massage: All these pursuits can help ease mild depression, experts say."These are all things that are certainly worth trying and are generally healthy, anyway," said Dr. Nadia Marsh, an expert in treating depression and chief of the division of geriatrics at Cabrini Medical Center, in New York City.
Marsh stressed, however, that alternative or complementary therapies probably won't do much to ease really serious depression.
"For any form of mild depression, all of these things can help when added together," she said. "But, even then, it's not a form of treatment in and of itself."
Each year millions of Americans are diagnosed with depression, and many turn to their doctors for either professional psychotherapy or an antidepressant medication -- usually widely used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac or Zoloft.
But increasingly, people are also looking for non-pharmacologic relief of illness, including depression. Unfortunately, according to Marsh, the evidence to support the effectiveness of alternative therapies against the disease isn't strong.
"The studies for non-pharmacologic interventions have not been great," she said. "There are relatively few randomized controlled trials, and the ones that have been done are plagued by problems such as too-short follow-up or small sample size."
Still, some research has been encouraging. One study released about five years ago found that exercise could be a major weapon against depression.
"Exercise, at least when performed in a group setting, seems to be at least as effective as standard antidepressant medications in reducing symptoms in patients with major depression," said researcher James Blumenthal, a professor of medical psychology at Duke University.
His team's study found that 10 months of regular, moderate exercise reduced depressive symptoms at a rate equal to that of Zoloft.
Another study, this time by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, found that 30-minute workouts done three to five times a week could cut depressive symptoms in half in young adults.
Even less vigorous activities, such as T'ai chi or yoga, may help lower blood pressure and ease stress, Marsh said. "People who exercise also tend to feel that they have more control over their life," she added. That's important, since a persistent feeling of helplessness is a hallmark of depression.
According to Marsh, the science is much less clear when it comes to the effectiveness of supplements and herbal medicines. For example, there's little good data to support the use of either folate or the B vitamins in warding off the blues, she said.
Perhaps the most talked-about herbal therapy for depression is St. John's wort, but "the evidence that it can help moderate-to-severe depression is very poor," Marsh said. "Even for mild depression, it's unclear what the correct dose should be -- the studies have been all over the map."
Marsh also warned that both St. John's wort and prescription SSRIs get metabolized through the liver. "They both affect the liver, and it affects the metabolism of the antidepressant," she said.
"A lot of people combine antidepressants and alternative medicines -- we see that all the time," Marsh said. It's a dangerous mix, however, because adding St. John's wort to an antidepressant might boost the risk for side effects. The herbal can also trigger photosensitivity in users, causing their skin to quickly turn "beet-red" if they go out in the sun, she said.
"It shouldn't be given during chemotherapy, either, that can be very dangerous," Marsh added.
The bottom line, according to Marsh, is to always let your doctor know what over-the-counter medications -- herbal or otherwise -- you might be taking.
Finally, non-pharmacologic interventions such as massage therapy, acupuncture or aromatherapy are great at easing short-term stress, "but the real issue, when it comes to depression, is what is the effect over the long term?" Marsh said. Right now, nobody really knows, she said.
One thing the science does show, however, is that contact with others -- friends, family, clubs and group activities -- can boost mood and help ease depression.
"If you're socially isolated, especially, just reaching out can help," Marsh said. "It can have a huge impact on how people see themselves and help them to 're-orient.'"
Marsh stressed that most of the interventions listed above certainly won't hurt, and taken together, probably will help boost mood.
"They'll certainly improve your physical well-being and transiently, at least, your mental well-being, too," she said.
More information
Find out more about depression at the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Ayurveda Heart Haelth Balance
Q: In modern medicine, we think of the heart in its physical sense, pumping gallons of blood each hour. What is the perspective of Ayurveda on the heart?
A: This is an excellent question, because it points directly to the difference between Ayurveda and modern medicine. While modern medicine studies and treats the physical heart, Ayurveda does this but much more. Ayurveda recognizes that there are actually two aspects to the heart: the physical organ that pumps the blood and the emotional aspect that experiences joy, love, and sorrow.
In fact, Ayurveda even goes beyond this to the deeper, more subtle elements. For example, the ayurvedic texts say that prana, the life force, is seated in the heart. One ayurvedic text, the Bhavprakash, describes the heart as a lotus flower with the petals pointing downwards.
At night, when you are sleeping, the petals are closed. During the day, when you are active, the petals are open. The lotus petals are reflective of the essential energy of the heart.
The heart is also the seat of the subtle, life-sustaining substances ojas and soma. Ojas is the material equivalent of immunity and bliss. It circulates throughout the body, giving luster to the skin, clarity to the mind and balance to the emotions. A special kind of ojas, known as the essential ojas, is stored in the heart. Eight drops of essential ojas reside in the heart as long as the person lives.
Soma is the first expression of consciousness itself, the first subtle expression of nature's intelligence in material form. Soma sustains the body, mind and emotions from the side of consciousness, while ojas is a more material expression of soma.
For the health of the heart, then, it is necessary to support the intelligence of nature expressed in soma and ojas, and to support the mental, emotional and physical aspects of the heart.
Q: That's fascinating. Can you tell us something about the doshas that govern the heart?
A: Yes. The main subdoshas that govern the health of the heart are Vyana Vata, which is seated in the heart and governs the beating of the heart and the circulation of blood throughout the body; Sadhaka Pitta, which governs the emotions and their effect on heart functioning; and Avalambaka Kapha, which governs the structure, stability and strength of the heart.
Other subdoshas are also involved in heart health, such as Prana Vata, which governs the mind. When, due to mental stress, Prana Vata is out of balance, it can impact the health of the heart. Udana Vata, which governs the chest and throat area, is also involved in keeping the heart healthy.
Q: What are the factors that can cause an imbalance in the heart?
A: To keep the heart running in a healthy way, all of these subdoshas I just described must be kept in balance. You must also do what is necessary to keep ojas in balance and to nourish the production of ojas in the body.
Also, the life energy, or prana, is maintained by a delicate balance between soma and agni. Agni is the principle of nature that governs the digestive and metabolic functions in the body. Because it involves heat, it is associated with the energy of the sun. You could say that the sun's energy takes the form of agni in the human body.
Soma, on the other hand, is cooling and associated with the cooling, nourishing influence of the moon. In terms of heart health, soma soothes the emotions and mind and builds a strong heart.
When you say that a person has a flowing heart, you are talking about the influence of soma.
There needs to be a balance between these two influences for the heart to be healthy.
Unfortunately, our modern, fast-paced life inevitably tips the scale in favor of agni and diminishes soma. The nourishing, soothing influence of soma is diminished when people are under pressure at work, when they are rushing around, when they don't get enough sleep, when they are overexposed to electromagnetic influences, when they drink impure water, breathe impure air, and when they eat "fast" foods or chemical-laden foods. You could say that modern life causes soma to waste away.
This is seen literally in the doshas. The fast pace of life aggravates both Vata and Pitta dosha. In terms of the heart, Sadhaka Pitta, when out of balance, becomes overheated and literally burns soma. Vyana Vata, when hyperactive, dries soma. Both doshas affect ojas in a similar way. Too much aggravation of Vata and Pitta dosha can dry up Avalambaka Kapha also.
Most serious heart imbalance is caused by mental and emotional stress (in ayurvedic terms Vata and Pitta aggravation). If a person consistently eats the wrong types of fats, or a diet that is too high in fat, the likelihood of an imbalance in heart health and function increases.
So to protect the heart, it's important to understand what kinds of dietary and lifestyle choices cause Vyana Vata and Sadhaka Pitta to become imbalanced and the soma and ojas to be diminished. Once you know what these are, you should avoid those things. You should support the production of soma and ojas in the body with your diet and lifestyle.
Q: So mental and emotional stress are really detrimental to the well-being of the heart. Can you elaborate on that?
A: Yes. Mental and emotional stress build up over time, and they cause adrenaline and other toxic hormones to be overproduced and that can damage the fine fabrics of the heart.
It's true that the buildup of cholesterol and plaque in the arteries, due to eating a diet of improper fatty foods, is a major problem. And certainly a Kapha imbalance, when excessive ama is being produced and clogs the arteries, can contribute to heart damage. This type of simple blockage is caused by Kapha dosha.
But what many people don't realize is that mental stress, or Prana Vata imbalance, can cause the digestive agni to be sometimes high, sometimes low. This variability can also lead to the build-up of ama, and eventually plaque in the arteries. Mental stress also affects Vyana Vata, and if it continues over time it can lead to circulatory problems and cardiovascular imbalance stemming from stress.
And if there is an emotional imbalance, that also can cause weakness in the digestion. When Pitta dosha starts to escalate due to emotional stress, a whole imbalanced enzymatic reaction can take place, causing an over-reactive response along with the build-up of amavisha, a more Pitta-related, reactive kind of toxin in the cardio area. This situation creates blockages in the channels of the heart, and can result in quicker, sharper pain as associated with hyperactive anginic reaction.
Q: What is the Ayurveda perspective on the other Major known risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure?
A: According to Ayurveda, high blood pressure is one symptom of an imbalance in the heart, but the underlying causes could be very different in different people. One person may have a Vyana Vata imbalance, aggravated by a Vata-aggravating diet and lifestyle. Taxing the mind with too much mental work or too much mental stress aggravates Prana Vata as well, and the result of both Vyana and Prana Vata aggravation is Vata-predominant high blood pressure and other Vata-related heart problems.
Other contributing factors might be not getting enough sleep, working late at night, watching TV late at night, constantly dividing the mind by doing two things at once (such as talking on the phone and cooking or driving), constantly rushing from one thing to the next, feeling pressure of time, exercising too much for your body type.
Dietary causes might include eating too many dry, light or raw foods, having an irregular meal time, skipping too many meals, eating while standing up, eating while doing business or talking on the phone, and in general not eating enough.
Q: There must be Pitta-related causes for high blood pressure and heart imbalance then.
A: Yes, Sadhaka Pitta aggravation can cause faster, more reactive changes in the heart area. Sometimes it is related to toxins from food that accumulate in the liver (which is also a seat of Pitta in the body).
When Sadhaka Pitta is aggravated, people lose their capacity to cope with emotional challenges, and then their blood pressure also goes up. Some lifestyle habits that might cause this to happen are going to bed late, watching disturbing movies, and exposing their heart to too much emotional stress. As for diet, eating too many spicy, hot foods such as chilies and jalapeno peppers can aggravate Pitta dosha. Too much of sour foods such as ketchup, mustard, vinegar-based salad dressings or sour oranges, grapes or lemons; and highly salty foods such as chips, cheeses and most processed foods should also be avoided. In general, foods that are not "intelligent"--such as processed foods, non-organic foods grown with chemicals and pesticides--overtax the liver and cause Pitta to go out of balance.
Q: Tell us more about Kapha-related causes for high blood pressure and heart imbalance?
A: If digestion is weak and ama, the waste-product of digestion has been present in the body for a long time, it can spread to the fat tissue and mix with Avalambaka Kapha in the heart region. This kind of ama imbalance blocks the pranavahi srotas, the channels that circulate oxygen throughout the body. This causes high blood pressure also.
In this kind of situation, it's extremely important for the person to examine their diet and switch to healthier fats, such as ghee (clarified butter) and olive oil, in moderation. It is the unhealthy fats, the fats found in red meat and the transfats such as hydrogenated vegetable oil found in almost all packaged foods, that cause this kind of ama /Kapha imbalance.
Sugar in the diet is also an important factor. If the person is eating too much refined sugar in packaged sweets, he or she will need to stop. There are healthier sweeteners you can use if you have Kapha-related high blood pressure or heart imbalance. Honey is actually a sweet that reduces Kapha dosha. It's important not to cook it though, as this releases toxins in an otherwise pure and light food.
Other foods to avoid are hard cheeses, whole milk, and butter. In this situation, it's important to monitor your cholesterol levels.
For this person, it's essential to exercise every day (If you have heart problems, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise program). You can start with something as simple and gentle as walking for half an hour and then start to build up. The important thing is to do it every day and as vigorously as you can comfortably sustain.
Be sure not to sleep during the day or late in the morning if you have this type of Kapha-related high blood pressure. Sleeping late clogs the channels further, so make a habit of rising before 6:00 a.m. Sitting too much and not having enough mental stimulation can contribute to this imbalance, so try to keep some variety in your diet and stimulation in your life.
In this case, all three factors are causing the high blood pressure, because Vyana Vata is drying the soma and disturbing the production of ojas, and Pitta is trying to burn both the soma and the ojas, and Kapha is blocking the channels. This person should follow the dietary
recommendations to pacify Kapha dosha and open the channels. It is essential that the arteries be clear of ama and blockage, because even if a Kapha-predominant person has more ojas or soma, the soma cannot reach the targeted areas of the heart to give it support as and when needed if the channels are blocked.
Q: So how do you prevent these problems of heart imbalance and high blood pressure?
A: Of course, if you have high blood pressure, you should follow your doctor's advice. But an Ayurvedic physician could also help you to determine which type of doshic imbalance is at the root of your problem. Once you determine whether your blood pressure is due to Vata, Pitta or Kapha imbalance, then it is important to stop practicing those behaviors or eating that diet.
There is a term in Ayurveda for this: nidaan parivarjan. Nidaan means the causal factors, and parivarjan means "to get rid of. So what I am recommending here is to get rid of the causal factors. I think you can see that until you do that, no amount of medicine that you take is going to help.
I've included a chart that gives the dietary and lifestyle choices to avoid and to favor for each type of imbalance. People who have a certain body type or imbalance will need to be more careful to avoid the things that aggravate their body type or imbalance. It's also important to avoid the aggravating factors during certain seasons. For instance, in summer, or Pitta season, when the weather is hot and humid, it's essential to avoid spicy, sour foods and to avoid getting overheated physically, emotionally and mentally. Drink plenty of water; eat sweet, juicy fruits; eat cooling vegetables such as asparagus, zucchini, yellow squash, lauki squash, and broccoli -- all of these are ideal for cardiac health. In the hot season, keep in mind that you should always be doing something to rehydrate and cool your mind and emotions, such as eating sweet juicy fruits -- watermelon, for instance.
Chart:
Lifestyle Factors that Aggravate Vyana Vata
Too much mental work
Using the mind for things it is unsuited for
Too much TV, especially at night
Working at night
Staying awake after 10:00 p.m.
Sleep problems
Constantly doing two things at once
Rushing around
Feeling pressured on the job or at home
Cold, dry, windy weather
Dietary Factors that Aggravate Vyana Vata
Eating too much if light, dry and pungent foods
Eating at a different time every day
Eating too fast
Skipping meals
Eating while working or talking on the phone
Eating while standing up
Eating while in the car
Cold foods and drinks
Dietary Factors that Pacify Vyana Vata
Eat more unctuous, freshly cooked, warm foods
Avoid cold foods and drinks
Eat more sweet, sour and salty tastes, in moderate amounts
Eat less astringent, bitter and pungent tastes
Eat home-cooked meals
Avoid leftover, packaged, canned, frozen, processed or fast foods
Eat in a settled, quiet atmosphere
Focus on your food when you eat
Turn off the telephone and TV when you eat
Lifestyle Factors that Pacify Vyana Vata
Spend your evenings relaxing with family and friends
Go to bed before 10:00 p.m.
Turn off your cell phone when driving, cooking or eating
Focus on one activity at a time
Spend time enjoying every day
Reduce your mental work load
Stop doing work that strains your mind
Do mild exercise every day, such as taking a walk or stretching exercises like yoga.
Stay warm and use a humidifier during winter
Ayurvedic Products to Pacify Vyana Vata:
Cardio Support
Worry Free tablets and aroma
Blissful Sleep
Vata Churna (use it to cook with) and Vata Tea
Lifestyle Factors that Aggravate Sadhaka Pitta
Exposing yourself to emotional stress
Pressured situations at work or at home
Overexerting or exercising in the hot sun
Associating with people who are habitually angry or critical
Staying awake after 10:00 at night
Exposure to hot weather
Dietary Factors that Aggravate Sadhaka Pitta
Skipping or delaying meals
Eating too much spicy, salty and sour foods
Eating foods that are made with chemicals, preservatives, or were grown with chemical fertilizers
Eating in a hurry
Eating while distracted
Snacking during the Pitta time of night, between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Lifestyle Factors that Pacify Sadhaka Pitta
Avoid emotional confrontations
Associate with people who are loving and uncritical
Go to bed before 10:00 p.m., the Pitta time of night
Plan time to appreciate beauty in your environment
Create a home environment that is pleasing and restful to the senses
Avoid watching TV at night, especially any violent movies or shows
Exercise every day, but avoid exerting in the noonday sun
Choose cooling sports such as swimming
Keep your living environment cool, especially at night
Dietary Factors that Pacify Sadhaka Pitta
Eat more sweet, and moderate amounts of bitter and astringent foods
Eat a cooked sweet, juicy pear for breakfast
Eat sweet, juicy pears as snacks when you feel hungry
Eat organic, fresh foods
Avoid delaying or skipping meals Drink plenty of pure water throughout the day
Avoid ketchup, mustard, salad dressings and other foods made with vinegar
Products to Pacify Sadhaka Pitta
Cardio Support
Blissful Joy tablets (1 tablet a day if taking in conjunction with Cardio Support)
Blissful Heart aroma
Deep Rest
Rose Petal Preserve
Pitta Churna and Pitta Tea
Lifestyle Factors that Aggravate Avalambaka Kapha
Sleeping during the day, after 6:00 a.m.
Not exercising
Lack of mental stimulation
Cool, wet weather
Dietary Factors that Aggravate Avalambaka Kapha
Food that is too rich and high in fat
Food that is too sweet, sour and salty
Cold foods and drinks
Snacking before the previous meal is digested
Eating while standing up
Eating leftovers, packaged foods, processed foods, fast foods
Lifestyle Factors that Pacify Avalambaka Kapha
Wake up early, well before 6:00 a.m.
Exercise for at least 1/2 hour daily
Try new activities in your free time
Stay warm and dry during the rainy season
Dietary Factors that Pacify Avalambaka Kapha
Favor the bitter, astringent and pungent tastes
Eat less of the sweet, sour and salty foods
Avoid heavy desserts. Have a piece of fruit instead.
Eat cooked apples or pears for breakfast
Eat fresh foods cooked with small amounts of ghee or olive oil
Avoid all processed foods as they contain unhealthy fats
Avoid leftovers
Avoid hydrogenated vegetable oils
Eat warm, cooked, light, easily digestible foods
Avoid cold foods and drinks
Products to Pacify Avalambaka Kapha
Elim-Tox-O
Kapha Churna (cook with it) and Kapha Tea
Q: Are there special foods that support the heart?
A: Yes. There are some foods that are especially nourishing to the heart. These include mature pomegranate fruit or juice; asparagus; any sweet, juicy, seasonal fruits; Rose Petal Preserve (especially for pacifying Pitta or Vata-induced heart problems); sweet lassi; avocado; and leafy greens cooked with the Heart Healthy Heart Spice Mixture.
Healthy Heart Spice Mixture
1 part ground turmeric
2 parts ground cumin
3 parts ground coriander
4 parts ground fennel
Mix the spices and store in an airtight jar. When it is time to cook the meal, steam the vegetables. Melt a small amount of ghee in the pan, and add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the spice mixture per serving. Saute the spices until the flavor is released. Add the vegetables, saute lightly, add salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately. If you have constipation, be sure to cleanse the bowels by eating fruits, vegetables and grains with fiber, eating a stewed apple or pear with prunes or figs each morning for breakfast. By cleansing the bowel you maintain the digestive fire and enhance digestion and assimilation. This is an excellent breakfast for people with Sadhaka Pitta imbalance, and Prana and Vyana Vata imbalance. Sweet lassi (a drink made by blending 1/4 c. yogurt and 3/4 c. water along with honey) is also good for people with weak digestion.
Q: Should the pomegranate juice be made fresh?
A: Yes, that is better. In that case take the seeds and put them in a juicer. Whether you eat the fresh fruit or the juice, be sure the fruit is mature.
Or, if you cannot get fresh pomegranate, you can purchase an organic juice that is pure juice, without corn syrup. It is not the same as eating fresh pomegranate juice, which is actually a nectar for the heart, but it has value if you can't get the fresh fruit.
Q: What about the use of green tea to help the heart?
A: Research shows that green tea is good for the heart, due to the flavanoids that it contains. Flavanoids act as antioxidants, and one research study showed that men who drank several cups of green tea had significantly lower total serum cholesterol levels than those who drank two or less cups.
However, you should be sure to drink fresh tea, not bottled or iced tea. Black tea also has some good effects, but green tea has less caffeine and therefore is healthier, especially for people with Vata or Pitta constitutions or imbalances who should avoid caffeine. Green tea also is not processed, and therefore is more natural and safe than processed black teas.
Q: Can you talk about the foods you should avoid for heart health? Obviously, eating too much of fatty foods is a bad idea.
A: Fats are actually essential to smooth and lubricate the channels of the heart and brain. But the important thing is to eat good quality of fat--as I mentioned earlier, you'll want to eat ghee and olive oil in moderation and with spices, as these are the healthiest fats. Ghee, the traditional clarified butter recommended by Ayurveda, is healthy because it contains approximately eight percent lower saturated fatty acids than other oils and fats, which makes it more easily digestible. Its rate of absorption is measured at 96%, which makes it the most absorbable of all oils and fats. Ghee increases the potency of certain herbs by carrying the active components to the interior of the cells where they have the most benefit.
These lower saturated fatty acids are the most edible fat and are not found in any other edible oil or fat. It also contains the antioxidants beta-carotene and Vitamin E. One-half to one teaspoonful of ghee in food increases digestive power and also assists in assimilation of food and antioxidants.
Cholesterol in the blood stream, by itself, actually serves many important functions critical for health. It is only when cholesterol is damaged by free radicals that it becomes dangerous to the heart. Pure ghee actually protects the heart from free radical damage, making it a perfect source of essential fatty acids.
Ghee also balances Vata and Pitta, and is thus good for preventing mental and emotional stress on the heart.Of course, if you are on a low-cholesterol diet prescribed by a doctor, you should check with him or her before eating ghee.
Q: Earlier you mentioned that emotional and mental stress are the main factors in creating a heart imbalance. How can we create a healthy heart by improving our emotional health?
A: Yes, this is an important area to discuss because today a lot of cardiac problems are caused by emotional challenges.
Besides practicing the Transcendental Meditation program to help lower blood pressure, reverse arterial blockage and enhance resistance to all kinds of stress, it's important to follow the Pitta-pacifying dietary and lifestyle guidelines mentioned earlier to increase ojas, which supports bliss, contentment, vitality and longevity. Eating plenty of sweet juicy fruits is important for emotional health. Start the day with a stewed pear for breakfast, and you can even carry a pear with you to eat whenever you start to feel frustrated, angry, or upset.
In addition, it's important to actively seek the positive in life. While ojas creates bliss and emotional balance, there are also behaviors, called Behavioral Rasayanas, that cultivate ojas in the body. Some Behavioral Rasayanas include practicing Transcendental Meditation; staying in the company of wise people; keeping a regular routine and pure diet; getting enough sleep; eschewing alcohol, cigarettes and drugs; cultivating a calm attitude; adhering to the teachings of your religion; and speaking the truth. Each day offers opportunities to enjoy--it is up to you to seek out the activities and people that bring you true happiness and contentment. This is essential for the health of your heart; it's essential for your life.
Q: You've effectively made the point that a person must first change whatever lifestyle or dietary mistakes are causing the problem, otherwise no herb or medicine will work. Assuming that that is being done, what kind of herbal supplements does Ayurveda offer?
A: I'm glad you asked that. We now have a new formula for cardiac health, called Cardio Support. Cardio Support contains three stellar herbs for supporting the heart. The principal herb Arjuna is renowned in Ayurveda for its ability to pacify Sadhaka Pitta, and thus balance the emotions, and to nourish the physical heart as well.
Ashwagandha helps enhance natural resistance to stress and promotes better sleep. Guggul, the third herb, has been shown to help balance cholesterol by purifying the fat tissues.
This Cardio Support formula is especially designed with the modern American lifestyle in mind, to support the heart amidst the challenges of modern life. It protects the life force by enhancing both ojas and agni in the heart, and by enhancing the level of soma. It is particularly targeted to protect the heart against the pressured lifestyle, the impurities in the food, and the electromagnetic overexposure that most people experience in America today.
This formula is excellent for long-term Sadhaka Pitta imbalances, which in turn affect the life-energy of the heart. It also balances the effects of electromagnetic energy from the environment, and helps balance Vyana Vata and Prana Vata. It is designed to help the average person support the heart physically and emotionally.
Q: Can you tell us something about these herbs and their traditional uses?
A: Certainly. Arjuna is a divine herb that has a fascinating history. The herb is named after Arjuna, the archer-hero of the Bhagavad Gita, which is part of the larger epic called the Mahabharata. At the start of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna, the most fully developed and respected man of his age, is faced with a terrible dilemma: whether to fight on the side of good, even if that meant fighting against his own cousins and his beloved teacher. This emotional strain completely immobilizes him, and it is only after Lord Krishna reveals the nature of the eternal, imperishable reality of life that Arjuna is able to recover his emotional strength, to "take heart," so to speak, to save the world from destruction.
Legend has it that Lord Brahma, the Creator, witnessed Arjuna's emotional dilemma, and reasoned, "If this could happen to the great Arjuna, what of the lesser mortals who find themselves unable to cope with emotional strain?" Thus was born the powerful herb Arjuna, which, it is said, can live for several hundred years in ideal conditions.
Arjuna is a great restorative and soothes both the emotional and the physical heart. It calms Sadhaka Pitta and slows down the release of toxic hormones. It is a divine plant that has the special ability to balance all three doshas--Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
It is ideal for the heart because its prabhava (its ultimate action) is to support the heart. This type of heart-supporting herb is known as hridya in Ayurveda, and Arjuna is the foremost hridya herb. Its virya, or energy is cooling and sweet, which supports soma and pacifies Sadhaka Pitta.
At the same time, Arjuna's qualities (gunas) are light and dry, which helps to clear blockages from the arteries. Now usually if an herb has qualities of light and dry it is also pungent, like chilies. But this divine plant has exactly the right combination of qualities to make it the most supportive to the heart--its light and dry qualities help it to clear the blockages caused by Avalambaka Kapha imbalance, but at the same time it is cooling and balancing to Sadhaka Pitta and enhances soma.
This is ideal for modern life, because today so many people are under stress and eating Pitta aggravating food, which diminishes soma and ojas. At the same time they are eating harmful fats, which creates the additional risk factor of ama and clogging of the arteries. All of these factors combined put the heart at great peril. But Arjuna is exactly designed by nature to keep Kapha in balance while also supporting soma production and Sadhaka Pitta balance.
There is one caveat about taking Arjuna. It should never be taken alone as a tablet, because its light and dry qualities make it aggravating to Vata. It needs, instead, to be combined with other herbs that pacify Vata, such as Guggul. This shows the importance of combining herbs in the right proportions, as they are combined in Ayurvedic formulas, in order to avoid negative side effects.
But when Arjuna is taken in Cardio Support with other herbs to balance its effects and to enhance absorption, it enhances fat metabolization, rids the body of toxins and supports the cardiac muscle. By nurturing the cardiac muscle, it provides good flow and rhythm to the pumping muscles and supports the entire cardiac system with its specific hridya effect. It supports and nourishes the heart physically and emotionally. It gives more strength to the heart so people can tolerate emotional challenges. These are the traditional benefits of Arjuna as mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts.
Other herbs in Cardio Support that support the actions of Arjuna in pacifying Sadhaka Pitta are Cabbage Rose, Licorice, Shatavari, Mica Bhasma, Indian Tinospora, Corallium rubrum and Sugar Cane.
Q: That's quite amazing. Can you tell us if modern research has validated these ancient benefits of Arjuna?
A: It's very interesting that modern research has validated the effects of this potent herb. In one research study, Arjuna was given one group of patients, the antioxidant Vitamin E was given another group, and another group received placebo pills.
The results showed that Arjuna had comparable antioxidant action as Vitamin E, but at the same time significantly decreased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. A study showed that Arjuna caused 50% reduction in anginal episodes in patients with stable angina pectoris. The herb had an insignificant effect on patients with unstable angina pectoris.
Q: What are some of the other major herbs in Cardio Support?
A: Ashwagandha helps balance Vyana Vata. Ashwagandha also balances Prana Vata, helping promote happiness in the face of mental or emotional stress. It nourishes the mind-body connection and helps coordinate the mind and sense, which is essential for a good quality of sleep. It also increases the quality and quantity of ojas, the master coordinator of all the actions of mind and body. It helps pure consciousness to "slide" into the physiology. As with all herbs, Ashwagandha should not be taken alone but should be combined with cooling herbs such as licorice to balance its heating effects and protect the heart. Cardio Support does include licorice to balance this heating effect. Other herbs contained in Cardio Support that help balance Vyana Vata are Boerhavia, Mica Bhasma, Licorice, Holy Basil, and Malabar Nut Tree.
Guggul, the third most important herb in Cardio Support, also helps balance Vyana Vata. Its main action, though, is to support Avalambaka Kapha. It is famous for lowering cholesterol and protecting against cardiovascular disease. It rids the channels of ama and purifies the fat tissue. This is, of course, very necessary for keeping the heart healthy.
Some of the modern research studies on Guggul are very interesting. One study published in Cardiovascular Drug Therapy in 1994 showed that in patients with hypercholesterolemia who were fed a diet enriched with fruits and vegetables, the administration of Guggul significantly reduced total cholesterol levels by 11.7%, LDL by 12.5%, triglycerides by 12%, and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio by 11.1%. The placebo group, who ate the same diet but received no Guggul, showed no change. The researchers concluded that the combined effect of diet and guggul at 36 weeks was as great as the reported lipid-lowering effect of modern drugs.Finally, both ojas and soma are supported by special herbs in the Cardio Health formula. Shilajit, Zinc Bhasma, Mica Bhasma and Licorice promote ojas; and the combination of Shatavari, Holy Basil, Corallium rubrum, Indian Tinospora and Sacred Lotus promotes soma.
Q: Who should take Cardio Support?
A: That's a good question. Cardio Support can certainly be taken by someone who already has an imbalance in the heart, as long as your doctor approves. It is also excellent as a preventive for people who have a history of heart problems in their family. Sometimes people just feel uneasy in the heart, but when they have the doctor check it with tests, nothing shows up. In that case no medication would be prescribed, but you could still take this product to help strengthen the heart.
Sometimes an individual is living a high-stress life, with emotional or mental strain, and the person knows it is bad for the heart. But they don't feel they can change. In this case it would be good to protect the heart with Cardio Support.
Q: What are some other products that Ayurveda offers for heart health?
A: In addition to taking Cardio Support, if someone has an Avalambaka Kapha imbalance and has accumulated ama in the fat tissue, it's important to take Elim-Tox-O to help remove it.
If someone is experiencing a lot of emotional upsets, Blissful Joy is recommended to help further pacify Sadhaka Pitta. Blissful Joy is really the best product for emotional heart health and to help create healthier relationships. Blissful Joy also has the heart-supporting herb Arjuna, combined with other herbs that also target Sadhaka Pitta. The rose is very soothing for emotions so anyone with a Sadhaka Pitta imbalance should also take Rose Petal Preserve.
To explain the difference between the two products: Blissful Joy focuses only on the emotional aspect of the heart. Cardio Support also support the emotional heart, but it goes beyond the emotions to also support the deeper, life giving energy of soma. It supports the structure of the heart, protects also from day-to-day mental stress, and gives life-giving strength to the heart. If you have emotional stress on the heart, it would be wise to take both products together.
For day-to-day mental stress, it's best to take Worry Free along with Cardio Support to help balance Prana Vata and create more resilience to stress in daily living. It's very necessary for cardiac health that one's heart and mind work together in a very coordinated way. So if an individual has both problems--imbalance in mind and emotions-- they should take both Blissful Joy and Worry Free. They should also add Elim-Tox-O if ama is present in the fat tissue.
If you are having problems with sleep, choose Blissful Sleep or Deep Rest depending on the kind of sleep problems you are experiencing. Blissful Sleep is for people who have overactive minds and have trouble falling asleep (usually caused by a Vata imbalance), Deep Rest is for people who wake up feeling energetic between two and four a.m. (usually caused by a Pitta imbalance).
Q: Is there any modern research that supports the Ayurveda perspective on cardio health?
A: That's a good question, because there is quite a bit of research on Ayurveda approaches and the health of the heart.
First of all, the Transcendental Meditation program alone is extremely effective in keeping the heart healthy. Research conducted at the NIH-affiliated Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention at University of Management, which has been published in the National Heart Association Journals Hypertension and Stroke, shows that high blood pressure and atherosclerosis can be lowered or reduced dramatically through the Transcendental Meditation program.
Secondly, there is impressive research on the effects of Amrit Kalash on cardiac health. Amrit has been found to be the most effective scavenger of free radicals, the oxidizing rogue molecules that cause oxidized LDL cholesterol and plaques to build up in the artery walls. Research shows that Amrit Kalash strongly protects low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from free radical attack. One clinical study at Ohio State University showed that Amrit Kalash increased resistance to oxidation of LDL in hyperlipidemic patients.
Q: Thank you. That was very enlightening. Do you have anything you'd like to add?
A: The heart is the home of the vital life force in the body. The enemies of the healthy heart all work silently: you don't see the effects of mental and emotional stress tearing at the fibers of your heart. You don't see the arteries clogging up with ama. And by the time you do become aware of it, much damage has already been done. So it's very important that you always take care of your heart, emotionally and physically. Try to always maintain your heart in peak condition, to enjoy a long and happy life.
REFERENCESResearch on Arjuna and Its Effects on Cardiovascular Health
Gupta R, Singhal S, Goyle A, Sharma VN., "Antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects of Terminalia arjuna tree-bark powder: a randomized placebo-controlled trial," J Assoc Physicians India, 2001 Feb;49:231-5
Dwivedi S, Agarwal MP, "Antianginal and cardioprotective effects of Terminalia arjuna, an indigenous drug, in coronary artery disease,"
Research on Guggul and Its Effects on Cardiovascular Health
Singh RB, Niaz MA, Ghosh S., "Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of Commiphora mukul as an adjunct to dietary therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia,"Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 1994 Aug;8(4):659-64.
Nityanand S, Srivastava JS, Asthana OP. Clinical trials with gugulipid, a new hypolipidaemic agent," J Assoc Physicians India, 1989 May;37(5):323-8.
Research on the Transcendental Meditation Technique and Cardiovascular Health
R.H. Schneider, M.D., et al., "A Randomized Controlled Trial of Stress Reduction for Hypertension in Older African Americans," Hypertension, vol. 26 (1995), pp. 820-827.
A. Castillo-Richmond, M.D., et al, "Effects of Stress Reduction on Cartoid Atherosclerosis in Hypertensive African Americans," Stroke, vol. 31 (2000), pp. 568-573.
C.N. Alexander et al., "A Trial of Stress Reduction for Hypertension in Older African Americans (Part II): Gender and Risk Subgroup Analysis, "Hypertension, vol. 28 (1996), pp. 228-237.
R.H. Schneider, M.D. et al., "Lower Lipid Peroxide Levels in Practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation Program," Psychosomatic Medicine, vol. 60 (1998), pp. 38-41.
Research on Amrit Kalash and Its Effects on Cardiovascular Health
H.M. Sharma et al., "Inhibition of Human Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidation in Vitro by Amrit Kalash and Coffee Substitute," Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, vol. 43 (1992), pp. 1175-1182.
Sundaram V, Hanna AN, Lubow G, Falko J, Sharma HM, "Increased resistance of human LDL to oxidation in hyperlipidemic patients supplemented with oral herbal mixture MAK-4," 1995, Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 9 (3): A141 (abstract).
S.C. Bondy, et al., "Antioxidant Properties of Two Ayurvedic Herbal Preparations (MAK-4 and MAK-5)," Biochemical Archives, vol. 10 (1994), pp. 25-31.
H.M. Sharma et al., "Amrit Kalash Prevents Human Platelet Aggregation," Clinca and Terapia Cardiovascolare, vol. 8, no. 3 (1989), pp. 227-230.
A.N. Hanna et al., "Effect of Herbal Mixtures MAK-4 and MAK -5 on Susceptibility of Human LDL to Oxidation," Complementary Medicine International, vol. 3, no. 3 (May/June 1996), pp. 28-36.
Dwivedi C, Sharma HM, Dobrowski S, Engineer FN 1991, "Inhibitory effects of Maharshi-4 and Maharishi-5 on microsomoal lipid peroxidation," Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 39: 649-652.
Sharma HM, Hanna AN, Kauffman EM, Newman HAI, "Inhibition of human low-density lipoprotein oxidation in vitro by Ayurvedaa herbal mixtures," Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 43: 1175-1182.
Research on Green Tea and Cardiovascular Health
Kono S, Shinchi K, Ikeda N, Yanai F, Imanishi K. Green tea consumption and serum lipid profiles: a cross-sectional study in northern Kyushu, Japan," Prev Med 1992 Jul;21(4):526-31.
A: This is an excellent question, because it points directly to the difference between Ayurveda and modern medicine. While modern medicine studies and treats the physical heart, Ayurveda does this but much more. Ayurveda recognizes that there are actually two aspects to the heart: the physical organ that pumps the blood and the emotional aspect that experiences joy, love, and sorrow.
In fact, Ayurveda even goes beyond this to the deeper, more subtle elements. For example, the ayurvedic texts say that prana, the life force, is seated in the heart. One ayurvedic text, the Bhavprakash, describes the heart as a lotus flower with the petals pointing downwards.
At night, when you are sleeping, the petals are closed. During the day, when you are active, the petals are open. The lotus petals are reflective of the essential energy of the heart.
The heart is also the seat of the subtle, life-sustaining substances ojas and soma. Ojas is the material equivalent of immunity and bliss. It circulates throughout the body, giving luster to the skin, clarity to the mind and balance to the emotions. A special kind of ojas, known as the essential ojas, is stored in the heart. Eight drops of essential ojas reside in the heart as long as the person lives.
Soma is the first expression of consciousness itself, the first subtle expression of nature's intelligence in material form. Soma sustains the body, mind and emotions from the side of consciousness, while ojas is a more material expression of soma.
For the health of the heart, then, it is necessary to support the intelligence of nature expressed in soma and ojas, and to support the mental, emotional and physical aspects of the heart.
Q: That's fascinating. Can you tell us something about the doshas that govern the heart?
A: Yes. The main subdoshas that govern the health of the heart are Vyana Vata, which is seated in the heart and governs the beating of the heart and the circulation of blood throughout the body; Sadhaka Pitta, which governs the emotions and their effect on heart functioning; and Avalambaka Kapha, which governs the structure, stability and strength of the heart.
Other subdoshas are also involved in heart health, such as Prana Vata, which governs the mind. When, due to mental stress, Prana Vata is out of balance, it can impact the health of the heart. Udana Vata, which governs the chest and throat area, is also involved in keeping the heart healthy.
Q: What are the factors that can cause an imbalance in the heart?
A: To keep the heart running in a healthy way, all of these subdoshas I just described must be kept in balance. You must also do what is necessary to keep ojas in balance and to nourish the production of ojas in the body.
Also, the life energy, or prana, is maintained by a delicate balance between soma and agni. Agni is the principle of nature that governs the digestive and metabolic functions in the body. Because it involves heat, it is associated with the energy of the sun. You could say that the sun's energy takes the form of agni in the human body.
Soma, on the other hand, is cooling and associated with the cooling, nourishing influence of the moon. In terms of heart health, soma soothes the emotions and mind and builds a strong heart.
When you say that a person has a flowing heart, you are talking about the influence of soma.
There needs to be a balance between these two influences for the heart to be healthy.
Unfortunately, our modern, fast-paced life inevitably tips the scale in favor of agni and diminishes soma. The nourishing, soothing influence of soma is diminished when people are under pressure at work, when they are rushing around, when they don't get enough sleep, when they are overexposed to electromagnetic influences, when they drink impure water, breathe impure air, and when they eat "fast" foods or chemical-laden foods. You could say that modern life causes soma to waste away.
This is seen literally in the doshas. The fast pace of life aggravates both Vata and Pitta dosha. In terms of the heart, Sadhaka Pitta, when out of balance, becomes overheated and literally burns soma. Vyana Vata, when hyperactive, dries soma. Both doshas affect ojas in a similar way. Too much aggravation of Vata and Pitta dosha can dry up Avalambaka Kapha also.
Most serious heart imbalance is caused by mental and emotional stress (in ayurvedic terms Vata and Pitta aggravation). If a person consistently eats the wrong types of fats, or a diet that is too high in fat, the likelihood of an imbalance in heart health and function increases.
So to protect the heart, it's important to understand what kinds of dietary and lifestyle choices cause Vyana Vata and Sadhaka Pitta to become imbalanced and the soma and ojas to be diminished. Once you know what these are, you should avoid those things. You should support the production of soma and ojas in the body with your diet and lifestyle.
Q: So mental and emotional stress are really detrimental to the well-being of the heart. Can you elaborate on that?
A: Yes. Mental and emotional stress build up over time, and they cause adrenaline and other toxic hormones to be overproduced and that can damage the fine fabrics of the heart.
It's true that the buildup of cholesterol and plaque in the arteries, due to eating a diet of improper fatty foods, is a major problem. And certainly a Kapha imbalance, when excessive ama is being produced and clogs the arteries, can contribute to heart damage. This type of simple blockage is caused by Kapha dosha.
But what many people don't realize is that mental stress, or Prana Vata imbalance, can cause the digestive agni to be sometimes high, sometimes low. This variability can also lead to the build-up of ama, and eventually plaque in the arteries. Mental stress also affects Vyana Vata, and if it continues over time it can lead to circulatory problems and cardiovascular imbalance stemming from stress.
And if there is an emotional imbalance, that also can cause weakness in the digestion. When Pitta dosha starts to escalate due to emotional stress, a whole imbalanced enzymatic reaction can take place, causing an over-reactive response along with the build-up of amavisha, a more Pitta-related, reactive kind of toxin in the cardio area. This situation creates blockages in the channels of the heart, and can result in quicker, sharper pain as associated with hyperactive anginic reaction.
Q: What is the Ayurveda perspective on the other Major known risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure?
A: According to Ayurveda, high blood pressure is one symptom of an imbalance in the heart, but the underlying causes could be very different in different people. One person may have a Vyana Vata imbalance, aggravated by a Vata-aggravating diet and lifestyle. Taxing the mind with too much mental work or too much mental stress aggravates Prana Vata as well, and the result of both Vyana and Prana Vata aggravation is Vata-predominant high blood pressure and other Vata-related heart problems.
Other contributing factors might be not getting enough sleep, working late at night, watching TV late at night, constantly dividing the mind by doing two things at once (such as talking on the phone and cooking or driving), constantly rushing from one thing to the next, feeling pressure of time, exercising too much for your body type.
Dietary causes might include eating too many dry, light or raw foods, having an irregular meal time, skipping too many meals, eating while standing up, eating while doing business or talking on the phone, and in general not eating enough.
Q: There must be Pitta-related causes for high blood pressure and heart imbalance then.
A: Yes, Sadhaka Pitta aggravation can cause faster, more reactive changes in the heart area. Sometimes it is related to toxins from food that accumulate in the liver (which is also a seat of Pitta in the body).
When Sadhaka Pitta is aggravated, people lose their capacity to cope with emotional challenges, and then their blood pressure also goes up. Some lifestyle habits that might cause this to happen are going to bed late, watching disturbing movies, and exposing their heart to too much emotional stress. As for diet, eating too many spicy, hot foods such as chilies and jalapeno peppers can aggravate Pitta dosha. Too much of sour foods such as ketchup, mustard, vinegar-based salad dressings or sour oranges, grapes or lemons; and highly salty foods such as chips, cheeses and most processed foods should also be avoided. In general, foods that are not "intelligent"--such as processed foods, non-organic foods grown with chemicals and pesticides--overtax the liver and cause Pitta to go out of balance.
Q: Tell us more about Kapha-related causes for high blood pressure and heart imbalance?
A: If digestion is weak and ama, the waste-product of digestion has been present in the body for a long time, it can spread to the fat tissue and mix with Avalambaka Kapha in the heart region. This kind of ama imbalance blocks the pranavahi srotas, the channels that circulate oxygen throughout the body. This causes high blood pressure also.
In this kind of situation, it's extremely important for the person to examine their diet and switch to healthier fats, such as ghee (clarified butter) and olive oil, in moderation. It is the unhealthy fats, the fats found in red meat and the transfats such as hydrogenated vegetable oil found in almost all packaged foods, that cause this kind of ama /Kapha imbalance.
Sugar in the diet is also an important factor. If the person is eating too much refined sugar in packaged sweets, he or she will need to stop. There are healthier sweeteners you can use if you have Kapha-related high blood pressure or heart imbalance. Honey is actually a sweet that reduces Kapha dosha. It's important not to cook it though, as this releases toxins in an otherwise pure and light food.
Other foods to avoid are hard cheeses, whole milk, and butter. In this situation, it's important to monitor your cholesterol levels.
For this person, it's essential to exercise every day (If you have heart problems, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise program). You can start with something as simple and gentle as walking for half an hour and then start to build up. The important thing is to do it every day and as vigorously as you can comfortably sustain.
Be sure not to sleep during the day or late in the morning if you have this type of Kapha-related high blood pressure. Sleeping late clogs the channels further, so make a habit of rising before 6:00 a.m. Sitting too much and not having enough mental stimulation can contribute to this imbalance, so try to keep some variety in your diet and stimulation in your life.
In this case, all three factors are causing the high blood pressure, because Vyana Vata is drying the soma and disturbing the production of ojas, and Pitta is trying to burn both the soma and the ojas, and Kapha is blocking the channels. This person should follow the dietary
recommendations to pacify Kapha dosha and open the channels. It is essential that the arteries be clear of ama and blockage, because even if a Kapha-predominant person has more ojas or soma, the soma cannot reach the targeted areas of the heart to give it support as and when needed if the channels are blocked.
Q: So how do you prevent these problems of heart imbalance and high blood pressure?
A: Of course, if you have high blood pressure, you should follow your doctor's advice. But an Ayurvedic physician could also help you to determine which type of doshic imbalance is at the root of your problem. Once you determine whether your blood pressure is due to Vata, Pitta or Kapha imbalance, then it is important to stop practicing those behaviors or eating that diet.
There is a term in Ayurveda for this: nidaan parivarjan. Nidaan means the causal factors, and parivarjan means "to get rid of. So what I am recommending here is to get rid of the causal factors. I think you can see that until you do that, no amount of medicine that you take is going to help.
I've included a chart that gives the dietary and lifestyle choices to avoid and to favor for each type of imbalance. People who have a certain body type or imbalance will need to be more careful to avoid the things that aggravate their body type or imbalance. It's also important to avoid the aggravating factors during certain seasons. For instance, in summer, or Pitta season, when the weather is hot and humid, it's essential to avoid spicy, sour foods and to avoid getting overheated physically, emotionally and mentally. Drink plenty of water; eat sweet, juicy fruits; eat cooling vegetables such as asparagus, zucchini, yellow squash, lauki squash, and broccoli -- all of these are ideal for cardiac health. In the hot season, keep in mind that you should always be doing something to rehydrate and cool your mind and emotions, such as eating sweet juicy fruits -- watermelon, for instance.
Chart:
Lifestyle Factors that Aggravate Vyana Vata
Too much mental work
Using the mind for things it is unsuited for
Too much TV, especially at night
Working at night
Staying awake after 10:00 p.m.
Sleep problems
Constantly doing two things at once
Rushing around
Feeling pressured on the job or at home
Cold, dry, windy weather
Dietary Factors that Aggravate Vyana Vata
Eating too much if light, dry and pungent foods
Eating at a different time every day
Eating too fast
Skipping meals
Eating while working or talking on the phone
Eating while standing up
Eating while in the car
Cold foods and drinks
Dietary Factors that Pacify Vyana Vata
Eat more unctuous, freshly cooked, warm foods
Avoid cold foods and drinks
Eat more sweet, sour and salty tastes, in moderate amounts
Eat less astringent, bitter and pungent tastes
Eat home-cooked meals
Avoid leftover, packaged, canned, frozen, processed or fast foods
Eat in a settled, quiet atmosphere
Focus on your food when you eat
Turn off the telephone and TV when you eat
Lifestyle Factors that Pacify Vyana Vata
Spend your evenings relaxing with family and friends
Go to bed before 10:00 p.m.
Turn off your cell phone when driving, cooking or eating
Focus on one activity at a time
Spend time enjoying every day
Reduce your mental work load
Stop doing work that strains your mind
Do mild exercise every day, such as taking a walk or stretching exercises like yoga.
Stay warm and use a humidifier during winter
Ayurvedic Products to Pacify Vyana Vata:
Cardio Support
Worry Free tablets and aroma
Blissful Sleep
Vata Churna (use it to cook with) and Vata Tea
Lifestyle Factors that Aggravate Sadhaka Pitta
Exposing yourself to emotional stress
Pressured situations at work or at home
Overexerting or exercising in the hot sun
Associating with people who are habitually angry or critical
Staying awake after 10:00 at night
Exposure to hot weather
Dietary Factors that Aggravate Sadhaka Pitta
Skipping or delaying meals
Eating too much spicy, salty and sour foods
Eating foods that are made with chemicals, preservatives, or were grown with chemical fertilizers
Eating in a hurry
Eating while distracted
Snacking during the Pitta time of night, between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Lifestyle Factors that Pacify Sadhaka Pitta
Avoid emotional confrontations
Associate with people who are loving and uncritical
Go to bed before 10:00 p.m., the Pitta time of night
Plan time to appreciate beauty in your environment
Create a home environment that is pleasing and restful to the senses
Avoid watching TV at night, especially any violent movies or shows
Exercise every day, but avoid exerting in the noonday sun
Choose cooling sports such as swimming
Keep your living environment cool, especially at night
Dietary Factors that Pacify Sadhaka Pitta
Eat more sweet, and moderate amounts of bitter and astringent foods
Eat a cooked sweet, juicy pear for breakfast
Eat sweet, juicy pears as snacks when you feel hungry
Eat organic, fresh foods
Avoid delaying or skipping meals Drink plenty of pure water throughout the day
Avoid ketchup, mustard, salad dressings and other foods made with vinegar
Products to Pacify Sadhaka Pitta
Cardio Support
Blissful Joy tablets (1 tablet a day if taking in conjunction with Cardio Support)
Blissful Heart aroma
Deep Rest
Rose Petal Preserve
Pitta Churna and Pitta Tea
Lifestyle Factors that Aggravate Avalambaka Kapha
Sleeping during the day, after 6:00 a.m.
Not exercising
Lack of mental stimulation
Cool, wet weather
Dietary Factors that Aggravate Avalambaka Kapha
Food that is too rich and high in fat
Food that is too sweet, sour and salty
Cold foods and drinks
Snacking before the previous meal is digested
Eating while standing up
Eating leftovers, packaged foods, processed foods, fast foods
Lifestyle Factors that Pacify Avalambaka Kapha
Wake up early, well before 6:00 a.m.
Exercise for at least 1/2 hour daily
Try new activities in your free time
Stay warm and dry during the rainy season
Dietary Factors that Pacify Avalambaka Kapha
Favor the bitter, astringent and pungent tastes
Eat less of the sweet, sour and salty foods
Avoid heavy desserts. Have a piece of fruit instead.
Eat cooked apples or pears for breakfast
Eat fresh foods cooked with small amounts of ghee or olive oil
Avoid all processed foods as they contain unhealthy fats
Avoid leftovers
Avoid hydrogenated vegetable oils
Eat warm, cooked, light, easily digestible foods
Avoid cold foods and drinks
Products to Pacify Avalambaka Kapha
Elim-Tox-O
Kapha Churna (cook with it) and Kapha Tea
Q: Are there special foods that support the heart?
A: Yes. There are some foods that are especially nourishing to the heart. These include mature pomegranate fruit or juice; asparagus; any sweet, juicy, seasonal fruits; Rose Petal Preserve (especially for pacifying Pitta or Vata-induced heart problems); sweet lassi; avocado; and leafy greens cooked with the Heart Healthy Heart Spice Mixture.
Healthy Heart Spice Mixture
1 part ground turmeric
2 parts ground cumin
3 parts ground coriander
4 parts ground fennel
Mix the spices and store in an airtight jar. When it is time to cook the meal, steam the vegetables. Melt a small amount of ghee in the pan, and add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the spice mixture per serving. Saute the spices until the flavor is released. Add the vegetables, saute lightly, add salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately. If you have constipation, be sure to cleanse the bowels by eating fruits, vegetables and grains with fiber, eating a stewed apple or pear with prunes or figs each morning for breakfast. By cleansing the bowel you maintain the digestive fire and enhance digestion and assimilation. This is an excellent breakfast for people with Sadhaka Pitta imbalance, and Prana and Vyana Vata imbalance. Sweet lassi (a drink made by blending 1/4 c. yogurt and 3/4 c. water along with honey) is also good for people with weak digestion.
Q: Should the pomegranate juice be made fresh?
A: Yes, that is better. In that case take the seeds and put them in a juicer. Whether you eat the fresh fruit or the juice, be sure the fruit is mature.
Or, if you cannot get fresh pomegranate, you can purchase an organic juice that is pure juice, without corn syrup. It is not the same as eating fresh pomegranate juice, which is actually a nectar for the heart, but it has value if you can't get the fresh fruit.
Q: What about the use of green tea to help the heart?
A: Research shows that green tea is good for the heart, due to the flavanoids that it contains. Flavanoids act as antioxidants, and one research study showed that men who drank several cups of green tea had significantly lower total serum cholesterol levels than those who drank two or less cups.
However, you should be sure to drink fresh tea, not bottled or iced tea. Black tea also has some good effects, but green tea has less caffeine and therefore is healthier, especially for people with Vata or Pitta constitutions or imbalances who should avoid caffeine. Green tea also is not processed, and therefore is more natural and safe than processed black teas.
Q: Can you talk about the foods you should avoid for heart health? Obviously, eating too much of fatty foods is a bad idea.
A: Fats are actually essential to smooth and lubricate the channels of the heart and brain. But the important thing is to eat good quality of fat--as I mentioned earlier, you'll want to eat ghee and olive oil in moderation and with spices, as these are the healthiest fats. Ghee, the traditional clarified butter recommended by Ayurveda, is healthy because it contains approximately eight percent lower saturated fatty acids than other oils and fats, which makes it more easily digestible. Its rate of absorption is measured at 96%, which makes it the most absorbable of all oils and fats. Ghee increases the potency of certain herbs by carrying the active components to the interior of the cells where they have the most benefit.
These lower saturated fatty acids are the most edible fat and are not found in any other edible oil or fat. It also contains the antioxidants beta-carotene and Vitamin E. One-half to one teaspoonful of ghee in food increases digestive power and also assists in assimilation of food and antioxidants.
Cholesterol in the blood stream, by itself, actually serves many important functions critical for health. It is only when cholesterol is damaged by free radicals that it becomes dangerous to the heart. Pure ghee actually protects the heart from free radical damage, making it a perfect source of essential fatty acids.
Ghee also balances Vata and Pitta, and is thus good for preventing mental and emotional stress on the heart.Of course, if you are on a low-cholesterol diet prescribed by a doctor, you should check with him or her before eating ghee.
Q: Earlier you mentioned that emotional and mental stress are the main factors in creating a heart imbalance. How can we create a healthy heart by improving our emotional health?
A: Yes, this is an important area to discuss because today a lot of cardiac problems are caused by emotional challenges.
Besides practicing the Transcendental Meditation program to help lower blood pressure, reverse arterial blockage and enhance resistance to all kinds of stress, it's important to follow the Pitta-pacifying dietary and lifestyle guidelines mentioned earlier to increase ojas, which supports bliss, contentment, vitality and longevity. Eating plenty of sweet juicy fruits is important for emotional health. Start the day with a stewed pear for breakfast, and you can even carry a pear with you to eat whenever you start to feel frustrated, angry, or upset.
In addition, it's important to actively seek the positive in life. While ojas creates bliss and emotional balance, there are also behaviors, called Behavioral Rasayanas, that cultivate ojas in the body. Some Behavioral Rasayanas include practicing Transcendental Meditation; staying in the company of wise people; keeping a regular routine and pure diet; getting enough sleep; eschewing alcohol, cigarettes and drugs; cultivating a calm attitude; adhering to the teachings of your religion; and speaking the truth. Each day offers opportunities to enjoy--it is up to you to seek out the activities and people that bring you true happiness and contentment. This is essential for the health of your heart; it's essential for your life.
Q: You've effectively made the point that a person must first change whatever lifestyle or dietary mistakes are causing the problem, otherwise no herb or medicine will work. Assuming that that is being done, what kind of herbal supplements does Ayurveda offer?
A: I'm glad you asked that. We now have a new formula for cardiac health, called Cardio Support. Cardio Support contains three stellar herbs for supporting the heart. The principal herb Arjuna is renowned in Ayurveda for its ability to pacify Sadhaka Pitta, and thus balance the emotions, and to nourish the physical heart as well.
Ashwagandha helps enhance natural resistance to stress and promotes better sleep. Guggul, the third herb, has been shown to help balance cholesterol by purifying the fat tissues.
This Cardio Support formula is especially designed with the modern American lifestyle in mind, to support the heart amidst the challenges of modern life. It protects the life force by enhancing both ojas and agni in the heart, and by enhancing the level of soma. It is particularly targeted to protect the heart against the pressured lifestyle, the impurities in the food, and the electromagnetic overexposure that most people experience in America today.
This formula is excellent for long-term Sadhaka Pitta imbalances, which in turn affect the life-energy of the heart. It also balances the effects of electromagnetic energy from the environment, and helps balance Vyana Vata and Prana Vata. It is designed to help the average person support the heart physically and emotionally.
Q: Can you tell us something about these herbs and their traditional uses?
A: Certainly. Arjuna is a divine herb that has a fascinating history. The herb is named after Arjuna, the archer-hero of the Bhagavad Gita, which is part of the larger epic called the Mahabharata. At the start of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna, the most fully developed and respected man of his age, is faced with a terrible dilemma: whether to fight on the side of good, even if that meant fighting against his own cousins and his beloved teacher. This emotional strain completely immobilizes him, and it is only after Lord Krishna reveals the nature of the eternal, imperishable reality of life that Arjuna is able to recover his emotional strength, to "take heart," so to speak, to save the world from destruction.
Legend has it that Lord Brahma, the Creator, witnessed Arjuna's emotional dilemma, and reasoned, "If this could happen to the great Arjuna, what of the lesser mortals who find themselves unable to cope with emotional strain?" Thus was born the powerful herb Arjuna, which, it is said, can live for several hundred years in ideal conditions.
Arjuna is a great restorative and soothes both the emotional and the physical heart. It calms Sadhaka Pitta and slows down the release of toxic hormones. It is a divine plant that has the special ability to balance all three doshas--Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
It is ideal for the heart because its prabhava (its ultimate action) is to support the heart. This type of heart-supporting herb is known as hridya in Ayurveda, and Arjuna is the foremost hridya herb. Its virya, or energy is cooling and sweet, which supports soma and pacifies Sadhaka Pitta.
At the same time, Arjuna's qualities (gunas) are light and dry, which helps to clear blockages from the arteries. Now usually if an herb has qualities of light and dry it is also pungent, like chilies. But this divine plant has exactly the right combination of qualities to make it the most supportive to the heart--its light and dry qualities help it to clear the blockages caused by Avalambaka Kapha imbalance, but at the same time it is cooling and balancing to Sadhaka Pitta and enhances soma.
This is ideal for modern life, because today so many people are under stress and eating Pitta aggravating food, which diminishes soma and ojas. At the same time they are eating harmful fats, which creates the additional risk factor of ama and clogging of the arteries. All of these factors combined put the heart at great peril. But Arjuna is exactly designed by nature to keep Kapha in balance while also supporting soma production and Sadhaka Pitta balance.
There is one caveat about taking Arjuna. It should never be taken alone as a tablet, because its light and dry qualities make it aggravating to Vata. It needs, instead, to be combined with other herbs that pacify Vata, such as Guggul. This shows the importance of combining herbs in the right proportions, as they are combined in Ayurvedic formulas, in order to avoid negative side effects.
But when Arjuna is taken in Cardio Support with other herbs to balance its effects and to enhance absorption, it enhances fat metabolization, rids the body of toxins and supports the cardiac muscle. By nurturing the cardiac muscle, it provides good flow and rhythm to the pumping muscles and supports the entire cardiac system with its specific hridya effect. It supports and nourishes the heart physically and emotionally. It gives more strength to the heart so people can tolerate emotional challenges. These are the traditional benefits of Arjuna as mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts.
Other herbs in Cardio Support that support the actions of Arjuna in pacifying Sadhaka Pitta are Cabbage Rose, Licorice, Shatavari, Mica Bhasma, Indian Tinospora, Corallium rubrum and Sugar Cane.
Q: That's quite amazing. Can you tell us if modern research has validated these ancient benefits of Arjuna?
A: It's very interesting that modern research has validated the effects of this potent herb. In one research study, Arjuna was given one group of patients, the antioxidant Vitamin E was given another group, and another group received placebo pills.
The results showed that Arjuna had comparable antioxidant action as Vitamin E, but at the same time significantly decreased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. A study showed that Arjuna caused 50% reduction in anginal episodes in patients with stable angina pectoris. The herb had an insignificant effect on patients with unstable angina pectoris.
Q: What are some of the other major herbs in Cardio Support?
A: Ashwagandha helps balance Vyana Vata. Ashwagandha also balances Prana Vata, helping promote happiness in the face of mental or emotional stress. It nourishes the mind-body connection and helps coordinate the mind and sense, which is essential for a good quality of sleep. It also increases the quality and quantity of ojas, the master coordinator of all the actions of mind and body. It helps pure consciousness to "slide" into the physiology. As with all herbs, Ashwagandha should not be taken alone but should be combined with cooling herbs such as licorice to balance its heating effects and protect the heart. Cardio Support does include licorice to balance this heating effect. Other herbs contained in Cardio Support that help balance Vyana Vata are Boerhavia, Mica Bhasma, Licorice, Holy Basil, and Malabar Nut Tree.
Guggul, the third most important herb in Cardio Support, also helps balance Vyana Vata. Its main action, though, is to support Avalambaka Kapha. It is famous for lowering cholesterol and protecting against cardiovascular disease. It rids the channels of ama and purifies the fat tissue. This is, of course, very necessary for keeping the heart healthy.
Some of the modern research studies on Guggul are very interesting. One study published in Cardiovascular Drug Therapy in 1994 showed that in patients with hypercholesterolemia who were fed a diet enriched with fruits and vegetables, the administration of Guggul significantly reduced total cholesterol levels by 11.7%, LDL by 12.5%, triglycerides by 12%, and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio by 11.1%. The placebo group, who ate the same diet but received no Guggul, showed no change. The researchers concluded that the combined effect of diet and guggul at 36 weeks was as great as the reported lipid-lowering effect of modern drugs.Finally, both ojas and soma are supported by special herbs in the Cardio Health formula. Shilajit, Zinc Bhasma, Mica Bhasma and Licorice promote ojas; and the combination of Shatavari, Holy Basil, Corallium rubrum, Indian Tinospora and Sacred Lotus promotes soma.
Q: Who should take Cardio Support?
A: That's a good question. Cardio Support can certainly be taken by someone who already has an imbalance in the heart, as long as your doctor approves. It is also excellent as a preventive for people who have a history of heart problems in their family. Sometimes people just feel uneasy in the heart, but when they have the doctor check it with tests, nothing shows up. In that case no medication would be prescribed, but you could still take this product to help strengthen the heart.
Sometimes an individual is living a high-stress life, with emotional or mental strain, and the person knows it is bad for the heart. But they don't feel they can change. In this case it would be good to protect the heart with Cardio Support.
Q: What are some other products that Ayurveda offers for heart health?
A: In addition to taking Cardio Support, if someone has an Avalambaka Kapha imbalance and has accumulated ama in the fat tissue, it's important to take Elim-Tox-O to help remove it.
If someone is experiencing a lot of emotional upsets, Blissful Joy is recommended to help further pacify Sadhaka Pitta. Blissful Joy is really the best product for emotional heart health and to help create healthier relationships. Blissful Joy also has the heart-supporting herb Arjuna, combined with other herbs that also target Sadhaka Pitta. The rose is very soothing for emotions so anyone with a Sadhaka Pitta imbalance should also take Rose Petal Preserve.
To explain the difference between the two products: Blissful Joy focuses only on the emotional aspect of the heart. Cardio Support also support the emotional heart, but it goes beyond the emotions to also support the deeper, life giving energy of soma. It supports the structure of the heart, protects also from day-to-day mental stress, and gives life-giving strength to the heart. If you have emotional stress on the heart, it would be wise to take both products together.
For day-to-day mental stress, it's best to take Worry Free along with Cardio Support to help balance Prana Vata and create more resilience to stress in daily living. It's very necessary for cardiac health that one's heart and mind work together in a very coordinated way. So if an individual has both problems--imbalance in mind and emotions-- they should take both Blissful Joy and Worry Free. They should also add Elim-Tox-O if ama is present in the fat tissue.
If you are having problems with sleep, choose Blissful Sleep or Deep Rest depending on the kind of sleep problems you are experiencing. Blissful Sleep is for people who have overactive minds and have trouble falling asleep (usually caused by a Vata imbalance), Deep Rest is for people who wake up feeling energetic between two and four a.m. (usually caused by a Pitta imbalance).
Q: Is there any modern research that supports the Ayurveda perspective on cardio health?
A: That's a good question, because there is quite a bit of research on Ayurveda approaches and the health of the heart.
First of all, the Transcendental Meditation program alone is extremely effective in keeping the heart healthy. Research conducted at the NIH-affiliated Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention at University of Management, which has been published in the National Heart Association Journals Hypertension and Stroke, shows that high blood pressure and atherosclerosis can be lowered or reduced dramatically through the Transcendental Meditation program.
Secondly, there is impressive research on the effects of Amrit Kalash on cardiac health. Amrit has been found to be the most effective scavenger of free radicals, the oxidizing rogue molecules that cause oxidized LDL cholesterol and plaques to build up in the artery walls. Research shows that Amrit Kalash strongly protects low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from free radical attack. One clinical study at Ohio State University showed that Amrit Kalash increased resistance to oxidation of LDL in hyperlipidemic patients.
Q: Thank you. That was very enlightening. Do you have anything you'd like to add?
A: The heart is the home of the vital life force in the body. The enemies of the healthy heart all work silently: you don't see the effects of mental and emotional stress tearing at the fibers of your heart. You don't see the arteries clogging up with ama. And by the time you do become aware of it, much damage has already been done. So it's very important that you always take care of your heart, emotionally and physically. Try to always maintain your heart in peak condition, to enjoy a long and happy life.
REFERENCESResearch on Arjuna and Its Effects on Cardiovascular Health
Gupta R, Singhal S, Goyle A, Sharma VN., "Antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects of Terminalia arjuna tree-bark powder: a randomized placebo-controlled trial," J Assoc Physicians India, 2001 Feb;49:231-5
Dwivedi S, Agarwal MP, "Antianginal and cardioprotective effects of Terminalia arjuna, an indigenous drug, in coronary artery disease,"
Research on Guggul and Its Effects on Cardiovascular Health
Singh RB, Niaz MA, Ghosh S., "Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of Commiphora mukul as an adjunct to dietary therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia,"Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 1994 Aug;8(4):659-64.
Nityanand S, Srivastava JS, Asthana OP. Clinical trials with gugulipid, a new hypolipidaemic agent," J Assoc Physicians India, 1989 May;37(5):323-8.
Research on the Transcendental Meditation Technique and Cardiovascular Health
R.H. Schneider, M.D., et al., "A Randomized Controlled Trial of Stress Reduction for Hypertension in Older African Americans," Hypertension, vol. 26 (1995), pp. 820-827.
A. Castillo-Richmond, M.D., et al, "Effects of Stress Reduction on Cartoid Atherosclerosis in Hypertensive African Americans," Stroke, vol. 31 (2000), pp. 568-573.
C.N. Alexander et al., "A Trial of Stress Reduction for Hypertension in Older African Americans (Part II): Gender and Risk Subgroup Analysis, "Hypertension, vol. 28 (1996), pp. 228-237.
R.H. Schneider, M.D. et al., "Lower Lipid Peroxide Levels in Practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation Program," Psychosomatic Medicine, vol. 60 (1998), pp. 38-41.
Research on Amrit Kalash and Its Effects on Cardiovascular Health
H.M. Sharma et al., "Inhibition of Human Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidation in Vitro by Amrit Kalash and Coffee Substitute," Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, vol. 43 (1992), pp. 1175-1182.
Sundaram V, Hanna AN, Lubow G, Falko J, Sharma HM, "Increased resistance of human LDL to oxidation in hyperlipidemic patients supplemented with oral herbal mixture MAK-4," 1995, Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 9 (3): A141 (abstract).
S.C. Bondy, et al., "Antioxidant Properties of Two Ayurvedic Herbal Preparations (MAK-4 and MAK-5)," Biochemical Archives, vol. 10 (1994), pp. 25-31.
H.M. Sharma et al., "Amrit Kalash Prevents Human Platelet Aggregation," Clinca and Terapia Cardiovascolare, vol. 8, no. 3 (1989), pp. 227-230.
A.N. Hanna et al., "Effect of Herbal Mixtures MAK-4 and MAK -5 on Susceptibility of Human LDL to Oxidation," Complementary Medicine International, vol. 3, no. 3 (May/June 1996), pp. 28-36.
Dwivedi C, Sharma HM, Dobrowski S, Engineer FN 1991, "Inhibitory effects of Maharshi-4 and Maharishi-5 on microsomoal lipid peroxidation," Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 39: 649-652.
Sharma HM, Hanna AN, Kauffman EM, Newman HAI, "Inhibition of human low-density lipoprotein oxidation in vitro by Ayurvedaa herbal mixtures," Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 43: 1175-1182.
Research on Green Tea and Cardiovascular Health
Kono S, Shinchi K, Ikeda N, Yanai F, Imanishi K. Green tea consumption and serum lipid profiles: a cross-sectional study in northern Kyushu, Japan," Prev Med 1992 Jul;21(4):526-31.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Skin Test Could Detect Alzheimer's Disease Early
MONDAY, Aug. 14 (HealthDay News) -- A simple skin test that would allow detection of Alzheimer's disease in its earliest stages is working its way to reality.
The work "is based on the hypothesis that Alzheimer's disease doesn't just affect the brain but affects the body systemically," said Dr. Daniel L. Alkon, a lead author of a report on the test published online this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The test zeroes in on two forms of an enzyme involved in the degradation of amyloid, the protein that accumulates in the brain of someone with Alzheimer's, said Alkon, scientific director of the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute at the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center.
The presence of Alzheimer's disease is indicated by a steep imbalance in the ratio of the two forms of the enzyme, MAP kinase Erk, in skin cells that are exposed to bradykinin, an inflammation-related molecule, Alkon said. That imbalance is not seen in cells of people without dementia or those with other forms of dementia, he said.
The test produced good results when run on 60 tissue samples: 30 from a tissue bank, 30 from autopsy samples of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Alkon said.
"We have seen a correlation with the duration of the disease," he said. "The earlier it is done in the course of the disease, the larger is the abnormality."
An as-yet unpublished study of the test done on 100 people showed equally good results, Alkon said.
"We are ready to expand this to thousands," he added.
Such expanded testing is essential, said Dr. Samuel Gandy, director of Thomas Jefferson University's Farber Institute for Neurosciences and chief of the Alzheimer's Association medical and scientific advisory council.
The hypothesis behind the test "is, by no means, an accepted formulation, nor have they proved it," he said.
The presence of inflammation around the amyloid clumps that form in the brain of Alzheimer's patients is well known, Gandy said. "Whether there is inflammation elsewhere in the body hasn't been established. The idea that this might be a systemic process hasn't been thoroughly investigated," he added.
Gandy said the theory is "unconventional, but it certainly is something that can be investigated by others."
"Technically, it looks perfectly sound," Gandy said of the published paper. "But certainly nothing in science is accepted until it is replicated. The real test of the pudding will be if others do the same experiment and get the same results. It would have to be robustly reproducible before we change the way we think about Alzheimer's."
Having a test for early detection of Alzheimer's disease would be extremely valuable, both Alkon and Gandy said. "All the newest medications in clinical trials are aimed at the earliest stage of the disease," Gandy said.
"Drugs now are being tested on the basis of clinical diagnosis," Alkon said. "There is a major need for an early biomarker."
More information
A major source of information about Alzheimer's disease is the Alzheimer's Association.
The work "is based on the hypothesis that Alzheimer's disease doesn't just affect the brain but affects the body systemically," said Dr. Daniel L. Alkon, a lead author of a report on the test published online this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The test zeroes in on two forms of an enzyme involved in the degradation of amyloid, the protein that accumulates in the brain of someone with Alzheimer's, said Alkon, scientific director of the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute at the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center.
The presence of Alzheimer's disease is indicated by a steep imbalance in the ratio of the two forms of the enzyme, MAP kinase Erk, in skin cells that are exposed to bradykinin, an inflammation-related molecule, Alkon said. That imbalance is not seen in cells of people without dementia or those with other forms of dementia, he said.
The test produced good results when run on 60 tissue samples: 30 from a tissue bank, 30 from autopsy samples of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Alkon said.
"We have seen a correlation with the duration of the disease," he said. "The earlier it is done in the course of the disease, the larger is the abnormality."
An as-yet unpublished study of the test done on 100 people showed equally good results, Alkon said.
"We are ready to expand this to thousands," he added.
Such expanded testing is essential, said Dr. Samuel Gandy, director of Thomas Jefferson University's Farber Institute for Neurosciences and chief of the Alzheimer's Association medical and scientific advisory council.
The hypothesis behind the test "is, by no means, an accepted formulation, nor have they proved it," he said.
The presence of inflammation around the amyloid clumps that form in the brain of Alzheimer's patients is well known, Gandy said. "Whether there is inflammation elsewhere in the body hasn't been established. The idea that this might be a systemic process hasn't been thoroughly investigated," he added.
Gandy said the theory is "unconventional, but it certainly is something that can be investigated by others."
"Technically, it looks perfectly sound," Gandy said of the published paper. "But certainly nothing in science is accepted until it is replicated. The real test of the pudding will be if others do the same experiment and get the same results. It would have to be robustly reproducible before we change the way we think about Alzheimer's."
Having a test for early detection of Alzheimer's disease would be extremely valuable, both Alkon and Gandy said. "All the newest medications in clinical trials are aimed at the earliest stage of the disease," Gandy said.
"Drugs now are being tested on the basis of clinical diagnosis," Alkon said. "There is a major need for an early biomarker."
More information
A major source of information about Alzheimer's disease is the Alzheimer's Association.
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