Is Bisphenol A (BPA) Still Hiding in Your Food?

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Most of us engaged in health professions are already aware that there are lots of dangerous materials like additives, dyes, pesticides and carcinogens in our foods. What many of us are not aware of is that in the containers that our foods come in, especially take out, there are chemicals in the materials that may be even more harmful than the additives, dyes and pesticides.

By now you have probably heard of the dangers of the toxic chemical Bisphenol A (BPA). This chemical can be found in polycarbonate plastic food containers, bottles and takeout food containers. Numerous articles have been written on breast cancer and prostate cancer that result from exposure to the BPA contained in packaging and containers that carry food stuffs.

Recent, important environmental health study findings pertinent to health coach certification were published in March in the online journal Environmental Health Perspectives. A study was conducted by two organizations concerned with the environmental causes of breast cancer, the Breast Cancer Fund and Silent Spring Institute. The study was on the dangers of BPA.

The organizations identified and followed five (5) families who frequently used packaged food and drinks which were made for microwave preparation. The BPA levels of these families, which both consisted of a mother, father and two children, were measured and recorded.

Then, these same families ate fresh, organic food cooked only in glass or stainless steel containers. The immediate results on the level of BPA in their bodies with  the packaged food and fresh food was measured via urine collection, at varied intervals of the testing.

The outcomes were significant with all participants having lowered BPA levels in 72 hour period after the BPA rich packaging was exchanged with glass and stainless steel containers. The average decrease in the BPA was approximately 60%.

The study demonstrated that as quickly as six (6) hours after exposure, half the BPA is eliminated through the urine. However, if the prior use of the BPA rich packaging is resumed, the BPA levels demonstrate a return to the pre-intervention level on urine analysis. When the families resumed their normal diets, their BPA levels returned to pre-intervention levels by the next urine sample.

What is important about this study is that it demonstrates that we can easily reduce the levels of BPA our bodies are exposed to by eliminating the use of the packaging it is found in and by cooking and preparing our foods more naturally. It is important not to use these BPA rich containers to microwave in as this increases the amount of BPA exposure.

Using glass or ceramic containers in the microwave is healthier and most importantly, they contain no BPA.  By also avoiding canned foods (unless the cans are BPA free) you will cut down on this dangerous exposure for both you and your family.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my radio show Living Above The Drama.

 

Going On Vacation? Protect Your Health

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With rising temperatures and summer break in full force, a lot of people decide to take a vacation. This is a time when when millions of people “take to the skies and roads,” visiting friends and relatives or exploring new locations. It’s a time of fun and relaxation, but there’s a hidden danger you might not know about. Unfortunately, 3-5% those who get off of airplanes, buses, trains or auto transport will develop blood clots, often not detected until many weeks after their trip.

As American health care consumers, we know in today’s environment that we must be pro-active and take control of our health through education and prevention. Staying healthy while traveling is one very important preventative situation that we can all be more aware of in order to circumvent an unwanted health crisis.

Three years ago, the World Health Organization published the WRIGHT report (WHO Research Into Global Hazards of Travel). It identified the extent of the problem and who was at risk. The report identified the population most at risk are females over 40 years of age with a prior history of deep vein thrombosis.

Others at risk include older travelers, obese travelers, pregnant women, anyone with varicose veins or a prior history of venous thrombosis, women taking birth control pills or estrogen, travelers with a history of a major operation, cancer, heart failure, highly trained athletes, and those with recent surgery or injury.

In spite of the evidence explored in our health coach certification, however, there are still airlines in denial over the problem as many fear increased litigation. One major US airline has a published statement on its websites as a response to concerned travels that reads: “There is no epidemiological evidence that air travel causes blood clots.”

However, published experts would re-word that statement.  It would be more accurate to say that “Every credible scientific study of the subject has found that air travel [and other forms of confined travel] cause blood clots, including all of the most recent, large-scale, sophisticated studies.”

What can you do to prevent blood clots?

  1. Do not be immobile for more than 1 hour when traveling by air or in confined transportation
  2. Dress in loose-fitting clothes and shoes. No socks or garments should have banded constriction.
  3. Stay well hydrated, but avoid alcohol.
  4. Exercise your legs and feet every chance you can (e.g. every 20 minutes).
  5. Consider fitted compression stockings–compression of 20 mmHg or more is best.
  6. Take an aspirin. It is not a guarantee that taking aspirin will avoid, it does prevents platelet clumping, which causes clots. If you are at risk, it seems reasonable to take aspirin daily, starting a day before departure and continuing for a day after the flight terminates.
  7. Sit in an aisle seat. You will have more room, and it is easier to stand up and move around the plane, bus, or train.

For more information search for “blood clots and travel”. There is an enormous amount of information on the subject. If you are getting ready for that big trip, obtaining this information in your health coach certification should be part of your “packing” process.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my hit radio show Living Above The Drama.

 

A Holistic Approach To Fibromyalgia

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A Holistic Approach To Treating Fibromyalgia Patients By Georgianna Donadio, MSc, DC, PhD

Fibromyalgia is a condition that millions of Americans suffer from. Translating from the Latin and Greek roots, it means “pain in the fibrous muscle and connective tissues.” The major identifying symptom is intense, chronic pain in the muscles tissues, which are highly sensitive to pressure. The sensitivity is often located throughout the body and can move and shift without any apparent rhyme or reason. Let’s explore whole health approaches to bring relief.

It has been observed that fibromyalgia is often accompanied with a host of other symptoms such as joint pain and difficulty with movement, fatigue and exhaustion, difficulty sleeping or getting restful sleep, as well as headaches and other symptoms.

What can be frustrating for sufferers is that even after many decades of clinical research on fibromyalgia, medical experts refer to this condition as a “medically unexplained syndrome.” As learned in health coach certification, we know the condition is clinically defined as a history of widespread pain in the connective tissues that persist for over 12 weeks and which affects both sides of the body, including regions both above and below the waist.

The prevailing medical course of treatment offered includes muscle relaxants, anti-depressants, and even anti-seizure medication. The onjective of prescribing these drugs is to affect the nervous system function and thereby reduce pain. Unfortunately, one of the side affects of these medications is that they can also produce lethargy and fatigue, creating a “dog chasing tail scenario” for the sufferer.

Holistic treatment plans have been shown to be very effective in alleviating both the pain and other related fibromyalgia symptoms. The available holistic and alternative medicine approaches from health coach certification incorporate medication, patient education, aerobic exercise, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Here is how connective tissue and muscle fibers function in normal conditions as well as in fibromyalgia state: Energy is produced in each muscle cell, which in turn allows the muscle fiber bundles to move. When energy is produced through the Krebs Cycle inside each cell, crystal-like acids are produced. Lactic and pyruvic acids can build up in the spaces between the muscle fibers if there is a lack of proper blood flow or if the muscles are so tensed that these by-products cannot be removed with normal circulatory function.

The more tense the muscle, the more diminished the circulation, and the greater the tissue build up of these highly irritating acids. Over time, the surrounding tissues become highly inflamed and a chronic, painful syndrome is established.

This means that Fibromyalgia is a stress-fueled condition. As a result, it has been found that any options related to reducing stress and muscle tension, along with increasing circulation and relaxation, can be highly effective.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my hit radio show Living Above The Drama.

 

Consuming Fish Linked To Heart Health

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The Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS), which involved 84,493 females aged 50-79 years old has linked fish consumption to a heathy heart. This integrative nutrition-based study analyzed data over a 10-year period on the effects of various forms of fish consumption and heart failure. The results were startling and provide valuable information. At the start of this study none of the participants had heart disease.

Fish is well known as a food which enhances both physical as well as mental health. Fish oil is also reported to be a mental and physical nutrient which reduces disease development and mental deterioration. In evaluating fish and fish oil it would be natural to expect that positive outcomes would be observed and reported.

The study divided the consumption of baked or broiled fish into frequency categories of less than 1 time per month; 1-3 times per month; 1-2 times per week; 3-4 times per week and greater than 5 times per week.

The study also observed the consumption of fried fish at the frequencies of less than one serving per month; 1-3 times per month and greater than 1 time per week.

The findings, however, were startling. The weekly consumption of 5 or more serving of baked or broiled dark fish, primarily salmon, mackerel and bluefish, was found to lower the risk of heart failure by an impressive 30%. While the consumption of fried fish, just 1 time or more per week, was associated to be related to a 48% increase in heart failure!

Another surprise within this study is that the assumption that taking omega-3 supplements will be as beneficial as eating fish. The study could not identify any significant change in cardiac failure rates that was associated with taking omega-3 supplements.

While the study came to no hard and fast conclusion of why the fried fish was so lethal, the thinking is that there must be some property to the oil when deep fried that creates the negative health effects. Another conclusion drawn from this study was that it appears better to eat fresh fish that is baked or broiled that to reply on fish oil supplements for heart health.

While this is a blow to those of us who love fish and chips, enjoying fish that is well cooked and healthy for our hearts is not a hard thing to get used to.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my hit radio show Living Above The Drama.

A Whole Health Approach To Spring And Summer Allergy Relief

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A Whole Health Approach To Spring And Summer Allergy Relief

A standout amongst the most important aspects of tending to any medical problem is to comprehend the circumstances and end results of how and why you are encountering your side effects, and what they represent. Seasonal Allergies are, for some, the drawback to the magnificence of spring and summer. Itchy, runny eyes and nose, sniffling, coughing, and wheezing can direct a person's actions, where they can go, and even what they can eat. A whole health approach may provide greater relief.

None of this is desirable, and much of it has been shown to be preventable. To understand how you can take control of your seasonal allergies, let’s explore where they come from. Foreign proteins are found in many airborne substances, such as pollen, dust mites, and ragweed. When mucous membranes that come in contact with these foreign proteins are not immunologically competent enough to break down the proteins, the membranes secrete mucous, fluids, and histamine. This causes the itching, swelling, irritation, and watery excretions that make seasonal allergies so challenging.

To improve allergy symptoms, steroid or steroid-like medications are often prescribed. These are anti-inflammatory chemicals that reduce the allergic immune reaction to the foreign proteins.

By building up our immune and adrenal system, we can enable our bodies to be better able to handle these allergens, which cause the allergy reactions. Our adrenals are located either on top of or within the kidneys and produce cortico-steroids and other natural anti-inflammatory as part of our “national guard” system. Hans Selye, MD, PhD, who spent over 50 years researching the adrenals and immune system, discovered the important nutrition and lifestyle components to keeping this important body system working well:

-A diet rich in B, C, E, and A vitamins (or supplementation)

-Unsaturated fatty acids, such as fish oils

-Adequate protein intake

-Minerals to aid the production of natural allergy fighting anti-inflammatories

-Adequate sleep and rest

-Elimination of infections

-Reduction of emotional stress

-Moderate exercise

-Avoidance of over exertion

-Avoidance of traumas as well as dental and medical surgery

-Elimination of extreme temperatures indoors and out

Seyle’s research demonstrated that by taking good care of our adrenal and immune system, allergies may be greatly reduced and, in some cases, eliminated. Applying some of these principles may allow you to enjoy this spring more while experiencing fewer symptoms.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama available on iHeartRadio.

 

Aloe Vera – a Star of Holistic Healing

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In the field of holistic medicine and Whole Health Care aloe vera is rightly famed for its impressive skin healing properties, as many of us who’ve suffered sun burns can attest! This wonder plant has proven to be one of the most versatile remedies found in Nature’s pharmacy. Derived from the leaves of the succulent perennial Aloe barbadensis miller – one of 420 species that make up the genus Aloe – the vitamin and mineral rich gel is applied for a wide array of medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic purposes. Aloe vera has even been tested by the United States government as a potential treatment for radiation burns in the event of nuclear warfare. Let’s take a closer look at aloe’s amazing attributes, and how it can help in achieving greater holistic health.

Aloe comes in two forms: gel, the most used variant, is extracted from the inner part of the leaf while aloe latex, which can be ingested orally, is taken from under the plant’s kin. As mentioned above aloe has a trove of vitamins and minerals, with up to 75 potentially active components being identified, all vital for insuring proper functioning of all the major body systems. Among them are Vitamins A, C, E, and B12, all 8 essential amino acids, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, as well as the anti-inflammatory hormones called auxins and gibberellins which aid in wound healing. It also provides 4 anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids, including cholesterol. All of these components contribute to aloe’s renowned skin treating capabilities; on record as far back as Ancient Egypt (the queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra utilized it for cosmetic purposes). It is highly esteemed in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, two of the oldest systems of practice in the world. In 1820 Aloe was formally listed by American pharmacopeias, before being clinically tested in the 1930s in the treatment of radiotherapy burns.   In addition to its time tested role in treating burns, its antiseptic properties have proven beneficial for conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, herpes, and cold sores, as well for wound treatment.

Aloe’s antibacterial elements also make it a good treatment option for dry scalp and dandruff, helping to eliminate dead skin cells and insure healthy skin growth on the scalp. It has also been shown to treat constipation, due to its high content of anthraquinones, compounds that act as natural laxatives. Coupled with its strong anti-inflammatory agents, Aloe’s laxative properties make it a potential treatment for digestive problems, helping to balance acid/alkaline levels, stimulate digestive bacteria, heal stomach ulcers, and normalize bowel function. A study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences suggests Aloe could potentially be used to aid in alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): 33 patients who were instructed to drink 30 milliliters of aloe juice twice a day reported noticeable improvement in their IBS related pain, as well as a reduction in their flatulence levels.

Enzyme laden aloe can help maintain optimal cell health, transmuting proteins into amino acids and enzymes into energy utilized by cells. Its high zinc content also contributes to maximum immune function helping to combat disease, promote immune enhancing hormone receptors, and destroy harmful bacteria. As mentioned previously aloe’s high vitamin and mineral levels can assist in lowering inflammation, the underlying “silent killer” behind many of today’s medical conditions. Its rich antioxidant properties help to reduce damage by free radicals, maintain cell health, and shield the skin from cancer inducing damage from UV rays. Some interesting evidence seems to indicate that aloe can be a potential remedy for diabetes, as it appears to positively influence chronic hypoglycemia.

While no major side effects have been reported for topical use of Aloe gel, taking large amounts of Aloe latex orally can be potentially hazardous. Symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, loss of vision, muscle weakness, and nausea. Doses of 1 gram per day or more can lead to kidney damage and stomach ulcers. Women who are pregnant or nursing are advised not to take aloe orally, as it may generate a miscarriage or premature birth. It can also lead to problems if ingested by children under 12 such as cramping, nausea, and diarrhea. People diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, colitis, and other intestinal disorders should also avoid it, as it is a powerful bowel irritant.

When it comes to selecting aloe, not all products are created equal. Mass commercial practices of grinding, crushing, pressing, and filtration of aloe extracts can remove most of not all of the active properties. To get the greatest bang for your buck be sure to verify the product labels carefully, and look for the International Aloe Science Council certification mark. And, as with all dietary and herbal supplements, consult your healthcare provider before incorporating aloe vera into your self-care and Whole Health regime.

For more whole health discussions, visit Living Above The Drama and tune in to Dr. Georgianna Donadio's hit show on iHeartRadio.

Can One Drink A Day Prevent Dementia?

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dementia and alcohol consumption, dr. georgianna donadio

Research reveals that one drink per day may reduce the onset of dementia in elderly people. Having one drink per day may impede the progress of cognitive impairment for seniors. A study at the University of Bari, Italy, involving 1,445 people between the ages of 65 through 85, suggests that those who routinely consume one alcoholic beverage per day developed dementia and Alzheimer's disease at a slower rate than those who didn't.

Of those in the drinking group, only 121 had developed mild cognitive impairment, which included mild memory or mental problems. The trend was revealed while tracking participants in the the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging who were followed for three and a half years. It is still unclear how small alcohol consumption protects against dementia but researchers believe that it is possible that alcohol is good for circulation and may slow the hardening of arteries that supply the brain.

Despite this discovery, many experts believe that alcohol use alone won't stop the onset of dementia and that adopting a whole health lifestyle is  the best way of protecting yourself. This would include a healthy diet, exercise, and social stimulation. Other health studies have already shown that wine contains natural compounds that have an antioxidant effect, which is good for circulation.

Alzheimer's organizations continue to investigate the possible benefits of fruit juice, red wine, and oily fish in efforts to determine ways to help offset the expected numbers of people who may develop dementia in the coming years.

Moderate alcohol consumption (one or two glasses of wine, or other alcoholic drinks, per day) has shown a long and consistent association with a reduced risk of morbidity and mortality from a number of common chronic diseases. In addition to antioxidants in wine, stress reduction by alcohol, may be the common denominator behind these benefits.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama available on iHeartRadio.

Should You Consider Adding Aloe Vera and Aloe Vera Juice To Your Daily Routine?

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While aloe vera is rightly famed for its impressive skin healing properties (as many of us who’ve suffered sun burns can attest!) this wonder plant has proven to be one of the most versatile remedies found in Nature’s pharmacy. Derived from the leaves of the succulent perennial Aloe barbadensis miller – one of 420 species that make up the genus Aloe – the vitamin and mineral rich gel is applied for a wide array of medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic purposes. Aloe vera has even been tested by the United States government as a potential treatment for radiation burns in the event of nuclear warfare. Let’s take a closer look at aloe’s amazing attributes, and how it can help in achieving greater whole person health.

Aloe comes in two forms: gel, the most used variant, is extracted from the inner part of the leaf while aloe latex, which can be ingested orally, is taken from under the plant’s kin. As mentioned above aloe has a trove of vitamins and minerals, with up to 75 potentially active components being identified, all vital for insuring proper functioning of all the major body systems. Among them are Vitamins A, C, E, and B12, all 8 essential amino acids, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, as well as the anti-inflammatory hormones called auxins and gibberellins which aid in wound healing. It also provides 4 anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids, including cholesterol. All of these components contribute to aloe’s renowned skin treating capabilities; on record as far back as Ancient Egypt (the queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra utilized it for cosmetic purposes). It is highly esteemed in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, two of the oldest systems of practice in the world. In 1820 Aloe was formally listed by American pharmacopeias, before being clinically tested in the 1930s in the treatment of radiotherapy burns.   In addition to its time tested role in treating burns, its antiseptic properties have proven beneficial for conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, herpes, and cold sores, as well for wound treatment.

Aloe’s antibacterial elements also make it a good treatment option for dry scalp and dandruff, helping to eliminate dead skin cells and insure healthy skin growth on the scalp. Holistically trained nurses and physicians recommend it for many skin conditions. It has also been shown to treat constipation, due to its high content of anthraquinones, compounds that act as natural laxatives. Coupled with its strong anti-inflammatory agents, Aloe’s laxative properties make it a potential treatment for digestive problems, helping to balance acid/alkaline levels, stimulate digestive bacteria, heal stomach ulcers, and normalize bowel function. A study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences suggests Aloe could potentially be used to aid in alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): 33 patients who were instructed to drink 30 milliliters of aloe juice twice a day reported noticeable improvement in their IBS related pain, as well as a reduction in their flatulence levels.

Enzyme laden aloe can help maintain optimal cell health, transmuting proteins into amino acids and enzymes into energy utilized by cells. Its high zinc content also contributes to maximum immune function helping to combat disease, promote immune enhancing hormone receptors, and destroy harmful bacteria. As mentioned previously aloe’s high vitamin and mineral levels can assist in lowering inflammation, the underlying “silent killer” behind many of today’s medical conditions. Its rich antioxidant properties help to reduce damage by free radicals, maintain cell health, and shield the skin from cancer inducing damage from UV rays. Some interesting evidence seems to indicate that aloe can be a potential remedy for diabetes, as it appears to positively influence chronic hypoglycemia. As recently noted by Jackie Kai Ellis during an interview on Living Above The Drama: Food, apart from its actual function, can also be a metaphor for the nourishment we all need in life. Many users report feeling rejuvenated not just physically, but emotionally—a byproduct effect of taking good care of ourselves.

While no major side effects have been reported for topical use of Aloe gel, taking large amounts of Aloe latex orally can be potentially hazardous. Symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, loss of vision, muscle weakness, and nausea. Doses of 1 gram per day or more can lead to kidney damage and stomach ulcers. Women who are pregnant or nursing are advised not to take aloe orally, as it may generate a miscarriage or premature birth. It can also lead to problems if ingested by children under 12 such as cramping, nausea, and diarrhea. People diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, colitis, and other intestinal disorders should also avoid it, as it is a powerful bowel irritant.

When it comes to selecting aloe, not all products are created equal. Mass commercial practices of grinding, crushing, pressing, and filtration of aloe extracts can remove most of not all of the active properties. To get the greatest bang for your buck be sure to verify the product labels carefully, and look for the International Aloe Science Council certification mark. And, as with all dietary and herbal supplements, consult your healthcare provider before incorporating aloe vera into your self-care and Whole Health regime.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama available on iHeartRadio.

*To listen to the full interview with Dr. Georgianna Donadio and Jackie Kai Ellis, visit Living Above The Drama.

Feel Your Best With Holistic Healing

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fell better with holistic healing approach

 

This week, we are taking a closer look at holistic healing. What is it? And how can it benefit you long term? At the core of holistic healing, or whole health, is the idea that body, mind, spirit, and emotions all effect your state of being. Good health relies on balance and wellness in all of these areas, which are intimately linked. Therefore, holistic healing is fostered by a whole health approach that encompasses all of these field.  In order to look and feel your best, in addition to reducing your risk of cancer or heart disease, you should start by considering each of these facets.

Eat Well

Many of us fall into the trap of eating the same foods the majority of the time. So, it’s easy to slip into eating habits you aren’t even aware of. There are basic rules that we should live by. We should aim to drink an eight-ounce glass of water first thing in the morning, which helps to rehydrate and make us more alert.  Throughout the say we should drink a total of at least 64 ounces of water daily to hydrate our body and skin.

At every meal, we should sit down — and eat slowly. Not only do we enjoy the food more this way, but we consume less. Breakfast is still the most important mean of the day. It should be the biggest meal of the day, filled with whole foods and whole grains. For example, half a grapefruit, one slice of whole-grain toast with butter and two scrambled eggs. A balanced lunch might include turkey or chicken with a complex carbohydrate, such as sweet potatoes, and veggies or half a tuna sandwich on whole-grain bread. Dinner should be light for easy digestion before bedtime. A healthy dinner example is salmon, tomatoes and vegetables. This should be consumed no later than7 pm. Snacking throughout the day should be limited to fruit, especially apples, or protein drinks made with whey. Going too long between meals or snacks will cause us to get hungry. That’s when we overeat.

Opt for natural carbohydrates, the ones that come from the ground, such as rice, yams, sweet potatoes and beans… and whole-grain breads and cereals in moderation. And when eating carbohydrates, add some fat or protein. When you eat a carbohydrate by itself, you get a bloated-belly feeling.

Move Often

Think of working out as the secret weapon that provides the stamina for everything else we want to do in life. Try to include a 30- to 45-minute routine every day. A nice balance would include 30 minutes on a treadmill or elliptical trainer, or walking outdoors, followed by 15 minutes of weights for the shoulders, biceps and upper body.

To find an exercise regimen that works for you: Do something you like enough to stick with. Try daily power-walking, join a class at your gym, play tennis, do Pilates. Or go back to what was fun when you were a kid, such as bicycling and/or swimming.

 

Sleep More

Try to get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep a night. Sleep is how your body repairs itself from the day’s activity. Our bodies are a chemistry lab, not a bank account. When you shortchange your sleep patterns, you’re not only tired the next day — you’ve also lost out on critical healing.

Good Communication

Look people in the eyes and smile when you talk to them. When you greet someone, focus on sending out positive energy, and this energy will translate through your own eyes. People will experience you as radiating warmth — and, yes, youth.

Positive Attitude

Think positively all the time. According to the National Science Foundation, we have more than 65,000 thoughts per day, nearly 95% of which are the same thoughts we had the day before. We have the ability to create and shape our life experiences through our thoughts. This is essential for older people because it’s downright rejuvenating to believe that there is still plenty of time left to create positive experiences in life.

As you go through your daily exercise routine, practice turning every negative or fearful thought you have into a positive one.

In Summary

These basic guidelines affect your body, mind, emotions, and spirit to elicit holistic healing. Everything you do daily affects your health, and how you look and feel overall. From the foods you eat, to the thoughts you think, everything encompasses the realm of whole health.

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my weekly radio show Living Above The Drama available on iHeartRadio.

Loving Again After Loss

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Meaningful relationships, belonging and love are essential to our health, happiness and what we want, need and desire. It is one of psychologist Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs and one of the most conflicted areas of human interaction. The willingness to be vulnerable after things go badly in an intimate relationship requires both courage and resilience to traverse the landscape of such deep emotion.

Losing love by breakup or death is one of the most profound and stressful things we as human being can experience. The loss of love can literally “break our hearts” and can even undermine our will to live. Sigmund Freud, MD, the well-known father of modern psychoanalysis, many decades ago stated that we "are never as hopelessly unhappy as when we lose love."

Love is what sustains our lives. Research shows the impact of grief on the development and exacerbation of unresolved grief, and how it can result in the development of serious illness or fatal heart disease. The loss of love is something many of us fear and something many of us don’t imagine can happen when, on the surface, things in our relationship seems to be on an even keel.  Yet, for most of us at one time or another to experience the crushing pain of losing love and the almost obsessive reaction we have to regaining that love or finding a way to end the pain and sense of emptiness that can often accompany such loss.

If you are familiar with a small press literary publication, The Sun, you may not have read this poignant essay, published in that magazine, written by Poe Ballantine. He provides insight to the necessity of trust within love. Trust is the element of love which provides the safe place necessary to share our lives and hearts with others. Trusting, and dealing with the loss of trust within love, requires great courage to be able to move beyond the loss and love again. It is interesting that we are inundated from many sources these days with information about wellness and how to prevent illness, when what many of us need is information about how to create more fulfilling and healthy relationships and prevent the heartbreak of losing love.

Ballantine's essay tells a story about his father:

"He kept a close ritual of coffee, then work, dinner, his television shows and his cigarettes. The newspaper stayed on the table open to the personals. He had opened them the first day she had left him, like the reflex of a man covering a wound after being shot. His face was gray from survival. He was a man who could not allow himself to break. The despair stretched out. The music from the stereo could not fill the emptiness. Our conversations were automatic, clock talk. His single guiding hope was that she would return."

"What had happened to my father he never believes would happen. He was fifty years old, settled, comfortable, secure. His children were raised. He had worked hard all his life and now he could relax. I understood why my mother had left him, but I still condemned her for leaving – for taking the easy way out. My father and I played cards and watched private-eye dramas on television. He looked in the personals, called once at something that looked right, but cancelled soon after; it just wasn't in him."

"One Sunday afternoon I heard him crying in the bedroom. I didn't know what to do with a father who cried. He taught me all I knew, the important things: honesty, loyalty, firm handshake, the love beyond self-love, the duty of a man. Trust was his only religion and it was failing him and in turn it was the failure of the world."

"The one thing a human being asks for on this earth is to be loved. Why should it be impossible?"

Trusting, loving and the resilience to come back from the loss of love may be the next "health frontier". Nutrition, one of the more popular health topics, is not just about nourishing our tissues. Nourishing our hearts, which are hungry for love and acceptance, is another skill we need to learn. If we should be mindful of what we eat, how mindful should we become about how and who we love?

 

For more whole health discussions like this, listen to my hit radio show Living Above The Drama available on iHeartRadio.