Tag Archives: whole person health

Men, Women and Apologies

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For most of us it does not come as a surprise that men and women really do think, behave and are in many fundamental ways different from one another. We also know that hormones play a large role in these differences.

Now science is beginning to unravel the specifics on how males and female brains function in large part because of male and female hormones which craft our brain development and orient our behaviors.

Two new studies look at the brain function of men and women and offer some interesting observations regarding the subject. One study is from the University of California in collaboration with the University of New Mexico, led by researcher Richard Haier, a psychology professor at the University of California.

The findings of their study shows that generally men have 6.5 times the amount of gray matter relating to general intelligence compared with women. Women on the other hand have nearly 10 times the amount of white matter related to intelligence compared to men.

“These findings suggest that human evolution has created two different types of brains designed for equally intelligent behavior,” said Haier. But apparently these types of intelligent behaviors manifest differently.

Women apologize more often than men do, according to a new study led by researcher Karina Schumann, a doctoral student in social psychology at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. It’ appears it not that men are reluctant to admit wrongdoing, they simply have a different perception regarding what they feel rises to the level of requiring an apology.

The research team saw no difference in the number of times men and women acted in ways that elicited apologies, but there was a distinct difference in the male and female perception of what constituted a situation that requires an apology.

“Men aren’t actively resisting apologizing because they think it will make them appear weak or because they don’t want to take responsibility for their actions,” says Schumann. “It seems to be that when they think they’ve done something wrong they [men] do apologize just as frequently as when women think they’ve done something wrong. It’s just that they think they’ve done fewer things wrong.”

“Ladies” – did we really need research to confirm this?

With all good wishes,
G

Copyright 2011 G. Donadio

More than Skin Deep

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Any teenager can attest to how distressing a face full of acne is.  Clear, unblemished skin is universally the number one and most important feature in attracting others. This basic law of attraction is because our skin is the largest component to our immune system – and healthy skin reflects a healthy body, which is required for reproducing.

In the US, hundreds of millions of dollars are spent yearly on acne and blemish remedies and cover-ups. Our skin’s appearance is tied to our sex appeal and for most people being attractive to others is important. 

In the 30 years I have been practicing Whole Health nutrition, working with young adolescents to clear up their skin problems and facilitate their sense of self-esteem and well-being, is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in my practice. Educating teenagers about where and why acne develops provides them with the ability to make choices that can change the course of their outbreaks.

It all starts with androgens, which are reproductive hormones secreted into the blood stream by the productive organs and our stress adaptation system – our adrenal glands.  Androgens are potent “chemicals” that our liver must deal with by reducing their potency.

The liver detoxifies the blood and when dealing with androgens, the liver produces blood plasma proteins which bind up and inactivate the majority of androgens, so that only a small percent of androgens are free to enter our cells.

During adolescence, the body is going through a huge hormonal change and all parts of the body needs time to adjust to and regulate hormone secretions. Because of the complex functions of hormones,  a young body can become physically and even psychologically overwhelmed by the effect of androgens on the body functions and the brain.

How acne develops is when the androgens enter the cells, a specific enzyme converts the presenting androgens and makes them more active. The active androgens enter the nucleus of the cell and interacts with genetic material. This can lead to highly stimulated oil glands, and it is these highly stimulated oil glands that lead to the formation of acne.

Thee are several factors that determine the degree and amount of acne:

a) amount of androgens entering the cells 

b) how well the liver controls the active androgens

c) the person’s nutrition and liver function

d) the amount of waste and/or toxins being re-absorbed into the liver from the bowel environment and – THIS IS THE KEY –

e) the amount of exercise the adolescent is doing that will utilize the androgens to build and create muscle tissue (rather than acne), thus reducing the amount of androgen that might be absorbed into the cells.

Especially in young males, but this applies to females as well, the fastest and easiest way to clear up adolescent acne, is have the person EXERCISE vigorously. Through the use of androgens by the body to build muscle rather than be available to interact with genetic material in the cell, rather quickly the androgens are re-directed to enhance strength and development rather than creating skin problems. The young patients and their parents think its a miracle, but its actually simple biochemistry.

In addition, healthy eating of lots of vegetables and fruits to keep the bowel clean, drinking plenty of water, skin hygiene and proper amounts of sleep, all help the liver, bowel and adrenals to function properly, which supports an overall healthy body with resultant glowing, attractive skin. 

The expression “it’s more than skin deep” clearly applies to acne and skin blemishes. You may want to share this information with someone having acne issues because if they use it – they will see a difference. 

With all good wishes,
G

Copyright 2011 G. Donadio All Rights Reserved

Alternative for Dealing with Seasonal Allergies

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One of the most important aspects of being able to address a health issue you may have is to understand the cause and effect of how and why you are experiencing your symptoms and what they represent.

Seasonal allergies are for many the down side to the beauty of spring and summer. Itchy, runny eyes and nose, sneezing, coughing, and even wheezing can dictate an individual’s activity choices, where they can go and even what they can eat. 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. When foreign proteins found in many airborne substances, such as pollen, dust mites and rag weed.

When mucous membranes that come in contact with these foreign proteins are not immunologically competent enough to break down these proteins, the membrane 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 or supplementation rich in B, C, E,  and A vitamins; unsaturated fatty acids, such as fish oils, adequate protein intake and minerals to aid in the production of natural allergy fighting anti-inflammatory.
  • adequate sleep and rest
  • elimination of infections
  • reduction of emotional stress
  • moderate exercise – avoid over exertion
  • avoidance of traumas, 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.

Healing Foods – the Power of Color

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The living world around us is filled with color. Blue sky, green grass, aqua oceans and an unlimited array of tress, flowers and plants bursting with intense, vibrant color.

Health is associated with color as well. When we are healthy we have pink cheeks, bright eyes and a healthy flush to our skin. Quite interestingly, aging is the slow loss of color – a fading or color- that marks the slowing or ebbing of life vibrancy.

It is not wonder than that colorful foods are the healthiest foods we can nourish our bodies with have nutritional benefit in the form of phytonutrients, which means plant nutrients. The vivid colors of the fruits and vegetables that contain the higest amount of these important plant nutrients act as a table of contents for the phytochemicals found inside the plant. Listed below is a color guidefor choosing the fruits and vegetables which provide these powerful healing plant nutrients:

 > Orange = beta-carotene an antioxidant = supports immune function
 > Yellow-Orange = vitamin C = detoxifies and inhibits tumor cell growth
 > Red = lycopen an antioxidant = reduces cancer risk
 > Green = folate and iron = builds healthy cells and genetic material
 > Green-light = indoles, lutein = eliminates excess estrogen & carcinogens
 > Green-white = allyl sulfides = destroys cancer cells, supports immune system
 > Blue (fruits) = anthocyanins = destroy free radicals
 > Red-purple (fruits) = reservatrol = plaque reducer, mineral chelator
 > Brown (legumes, whole grains) = fiber = carcinogen remover

By being sure to fill your diet with many colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables is a way to insure your body is getting all the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients your body needs to stay healthy, happy and vibrant. Think RAINBOW the next time you prepare your plate.

With all good wishes,
G

© by NIWH 2011 all rights reserved

Women and Depression

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It comes as no surprise to women that there is a relationship between their hormone fluctuation and the potential for experiencing depression. Studies of this kind have not been pursued until fairly recently.

The prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently looked at this subject and explored the potential relationship to hormonal dysfunction and depression in women.

The recently published report was a review on how the female reproductive system interacts with the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. This is a major regulatory mechanism of the body’s stress response.

With the important data that women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, it is this mechanism which sets up a biochemical environment for depression, that the NIWH investigators looked closely at.

Stress in women impacts the reproductive hormones which can upset patterns of ovulation, hormone secretion and implantation. Mediated through the HP-axis, tThis upset can contribute to the lost of menses and to infertility.

If the stress becomes chronic and exert an ongoing imbalance on the female reproductive hormones, behavior and mood disorders and depression can significantly increase.

When the powerful reproductive – love hormone, oxytocin is suppressed due to excessive stress hormones, fertilized eggs cannot implant into the uterus. This significant result of chronic stress is believed to be a primary cause of infertility in American women.

A key to preventing or correcting the problem is to create a more balanced, less stressful lifestyle. When our body’s stress adaptation system becomes overwhelmed, many disorders and conditions can develop, depression being just one of them.

The NIH investigators reported that regarding postpartum depression, ongoing hyper-secretion of the stress hormone cortisol during  pregnancy creates a temporary drop in adrenal function following delivery. This hormonal change coupled with the plummeting levels of estrogen after giving birth may be an important factor in post-partum depression and possibly in immune dysfunctions, such as postpartum thyroid conditions.

With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2011 All rights reserved

Brain Function and Relationships

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A fascinating article appeared on WebMD, that discusses a new study from Stony Brook University, in New York, (which I attended the first two years of my under graduate program) that examines through MRI studies whether couples can still be very much in love after spending many married years together and if they could experience the same intense romantic feelings as those couples who do when they have first fallen in love.

The scientists at Stony Brook took MRI images of long-term married couples and compared the images to couples who had recently fallen in love. By scanning the brains of married individuals who stated that they still felt very much in love with their wife/husband after over an average of 21 years together, the scientists were able to compare these images in specific parts of the brain that function and respond to love.

The way this was achieved was by showing the subject photos of the beloved as well as close friends and strangers. The brain activity was being measured while the subject was viewing the images. Then the researchers compared the imaging results that used the same scanning methods on men and women who in the past year had reported recently falling in love.
 
The scans showed “many very clear similarities between those who were in love long-term and those who had just fallen madly in love,” Arthur Aron, PhD, of Stony Brook’s department of psychology, says in a news release. He went on to also say that “the dopomine region of the brain – the ventral tegmental area “showed greater response to images of a long-term partner when compared with images of a close friend or any of the other facial images,” Aron says. Dopomine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure.

The researchers are hoping that the study might be able to provide or demonstrate how or why some couples can stay in love over long periods of time. It appears from this study that these MRI scans indicate in both cohort groups activity in the brain regions that are wired for reward, motivation, and desire.

Aron is looking into the possibility of using the study outcomes to assist soldiers returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to save their marriages. There is an unusually high level of divorce amongst deployed US military.

With all good wishes,
Georgianna
Copyright 2011 G. Donadio

A Holistic Approach to Fibromyalgia

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Fibromyalgia is a condition that millions of Americans suffer from. Translates from the Latin and Greek roots it means “pain in the fibrous muscle and connective tissues”.

The symptoms are usually chronic, intense pain in the tissues, which are highly sensitive to pressure. The sensitivity is often located throughout the body and can move and shift without any seeming rhyme or reason.

Fibromyalgia can be also 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”.  

The condition is clinically defined as a history of widespread pain in the connective tissues that persist for more over 12 weeks, and which affects both sides of the body and includes above and below the waist.

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

Holistic treatment plans have been shown to be very effective in alleviating both the pain and other realted fibromyalgia symptoms. Holistic and alternative medicine approaches incorporate medication, patient education, aerobic exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Here is how connective tissue and muscle fibers function in both normal conditions as well as in  fibromyalgia states:

For muscle movement 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 as a result of this energy production.

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, 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.

Fibromyalgia is a stress-fueled condition. All options related to reducing stress and muscle tension, along with increasing circulation and relaxation are highly effective.

With all good wishes,
Georgianna

Copyright 2011 G. Donadio

Winter’s Effect on Health

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For those suffering from chronic health conditions, the winter can usher in an unwelcome increase in their symptoms. Asthma, arthritis, SAD (Seasonal Adaptation Disorder), COPD (Congestive Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), extreme dry skin problems can all become part of the winter landscape.

The cold weather lowers humidity and encourages an increase in dry, itchy and scaling skin that can be unsightly as well as uncomfortable. As we do not generally sweat in the winter as we do in warmer weather, our body does not produce the natural oils and secretions necessary to keep the skin moist, smooth and healthy.

Conditions that affect the lungs, such as asthma, can be greatly affected by cold air, as the cold causes an increase in mucous secretions and the release of histamines which can lead to wheezing and the onset of an asthmatic episode. Because of the affect cold has on mucous membranes, bloody noses can also be more frequent during the cold winter months.

When the winter weather causes cold air to be processed through our nasal passages, the mucous membranes thicken. This thickening can cause blood to rush to the nose resulting in breakthrough nasal bleeding or bloody nose. Increased blood flow to the nose is also the reason we get red noses in the winter time.

For individuals who suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease the winter cold can become a major challenge, as the cold air stimulates histamine which can decrease an individual’s ability to breathe properly. This can make it difficult for them to get around in the cold weather. For arthritics, as the barometric pressure drops, inflamed joints can become increasingly stiffer and more painful.

For all types of chronic conditions, it is best in the cold weather to:

  • Protect yourself from the winter elements by dressing warmly. The real risk of hypothermia or frostbite for those with chronic disease states should be considered when dressing for outdoors.
  • Schedule necessary outing to minimize cold weather exposure
  • Get enough sleep and drink enough fluids to stay hydrated and help your immune system protect you from virus based illness
  • Eat plenty of vegetables in soups, stews and other nourishing forms
  • Take a daily multi-vitamin to insure you are getting the RDA of required nutrients

    With all good wishes,
    Georgianna

    Copyright 2011 G. Donadio     

Gluten Allergy and Chronic Health Problems

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Since the growth of Internet health information sites, most of us now know about gluten – the culprit in grains that can cause chronic debilitating health issues for those of us who cannot tolerate this indigestible plant protein.

Gluten is a plant protein that is only digestible in the stomachs of rudiments animals. Ruminants, such as cows and goats, have two stomachs that are enzyme rich and contain the specific enzymes necessary to digest the outside protective layer of plants known as cellulose, and then breakdown, absorb and utilize this plant protein metabolically.  

Humans do not possess the enzymes to break down plant cellulose. For us, cellulose is fiber or roughage that passes through our body without benefit as a nutrient. Many individuals are highly sensitive to gluten, where others have a greater tolerance and ability ro remove it from their system and not have serious consequences or impact on their immune system.

In many cases obesity and chronic disease states are the silent symptoms of this often unrecognized food allergy, that for many acts as a systemic poison once ingested.

Over the past 25 years much research has been done on gluten allergies. Here is a brief list of the types of chronic conditions
gluten allergy can contribute to:

  • Stomach pain and digestive disturbances 
  • Attention Deficient Disorder 
  • Crohn’s disease and other bowel disorders
  • Nervous conditions and anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Migraines and headaches
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Reproductive disorders and infertility
  • Dizziness
  • Arthritis and joint pain 
  • Immune disorders and infections
  • Poor wound healing

The popular low carbohydrate diets have demonstrated the impact gluten has on weight gain and weight control. Often simply by eliminating gluten foods for a period of three (3) months, individuals see a remarkable and dramatic change in their chronic health condition as well as their body mass.

While not everyone is so sensitive to gluten that they must follow a gluten-grain free diet, it should be noted that not eating grains does not eliminate any important nutrient from your diet that you cannot get from other foods such as vegetables, nuts, beans, seeds and so forth. If humans never ate grains again we would be all the better for it.

Part II – How and why human added grains to our human dietWith all good wishes,
Georgianna

Copyright 2011 G. Donadio

What Your Sleep Position Says About You

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In a BBC report on research linking certain sleeping positions with health risks, British scientists think the sleeping position of an individual provides clues to the true personality of the sleeper as well as revealing health clues.

Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service analysed six common sleeping positions and believes they are each is linked to a specific personality types. “We are all aware of our body language when we are awake but this is the first time we have been able to see what our subconscious posture says about us” says Professor Idzikowski.

The sleep study identified that most people are unlikely to change their sleeping position during the night. Only 5% of the study participants reported to sleep in a different position on different evenings. Another interesting reveal of the study was that only one in ten individuals cover themselves completely with a blanket. Most people expose a leg, arm or both feet.

Professor Idzikowski also examined the effect of various sleeping positions on health. Some positions are believed to help aid digestion, while other positions are believed to promote snoring and restlessness.

Here are the six common positions, studied by Professor Idzikowski, that his study participants expressed. The study’s findings also related the positions to personality traits and health implications.

  • Fetus position – A majority (41%) of the study participants, with 200% more female than male, sleep in this curled-up position. The personality appointed to this sleeping position is that the sleeper has a tough exterior,  but are shy and sensitive and warm up quickly.
  • Log position – This study identified that 15% of people sleep in this position. Sleeping on your side with both arms down, says that you are a social, easy-going person who is trusting and possibly gullible.
  • Yearner position– The third most popular position, utilized by 13% of the participants, is the side-lying position with both arms out in front of the body. This position is considered to be open-minded and yet cynical. They can be suspicious and stubborn. This position is called “the yearner” position.
  • Soldier position – 8% of the sleepers in this study lie on their back with arms down and close to the body. This position is considered to be that of people who are reserved, quiet, not fussy and hold themselves and others to a high standard. This position has a higher rate of snoring due to the back position.
  • Free fall position – Only 7% of the sleepers lie on their bellies with arms under or wrapped around a pillow  and their head turned to the side. Considered brash, outgoing, and uncomfortable with criticism.
  • Starfish position – Those who lie on their backs with arms near their head or pillow make up the smallest  style of sleepers, with only 5% utilizing this position. Considered good listeners, helpful, and  uncomfortable being the center of attention. Sleeping in the starfish position are likely to suffer from a poor night’s sleep due to snoring.

With all good wishes for a great night’s sleep,
Georgianna