A Holistic Approach to Type II Diabetes – Part III

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MATURE ONSET or ADULT DIABETES also named Type II Diabetes

Mature onset diabetes affects approximately 18.2 million Americans and is the leading health concern in our culture today. As all chronic conditions are, mature onset diabetes is a multi-dimensional disease state.

Restoration of health for those with chronic diseases such as diabetes is far more successful when a patient is educated about the many facets of their illness and treatment.

Physical/StructuralWhat happens on a physical and structural level with mature onset diabetes? Our nervous system, brain and the lungs must function with a certain metabolism of sugars within the body. In order to maintain this balance, insulin, a secretion of the pancreas, hooks onto sugar molecules and acts like a lock and key mechanism to bring sugars into the cell to be used as energy in the cycle of cell metabolism.

Over time, when a person indulges in eating large amounts of insulin-provoking foods such as sugars and starches in the form of complex carbohydrates, the specialized beta cells of the pancreas which produce insulin can become incapable of producing adequate amounts of this critically necessary secretion. Serious disturbances occur when we do not have enough insulin to carry the sugar over the cell membranes.

Emotional/SocialJust as diabetes is a lack of appropriate and balanced nourishment on a chemical/nutritional level, so is it a disease of a lack of emotional nourishment on the psychological level. Current scientific research indicates a dynamic relationship between carbohydrates, overeating and a chemical called serotonin, a neuro-transmitter produced in our bodies that provides a feeling of well being.

Serotonin production is increased in the body when we overeat or consume complex, starchy carbohydrates, demonstrating a correlation between our body’s chemistry and emotional state. The pancreas is one of the hardest working organs in our body. It is the “end organ”
of digestion, providing numerous enzymes and hormones that allow us to assimilate or “take in” the outside world on a very cellular level. The pancreas is also a metaphor for our relationship with others and the world around us, as it literally allows us to take in, integrate and nourish ourselves from the macro to the micro level.

In this regard, problems related to the pancreas, or the third chakra, relate to our relationships with self and others and our sense of belonging — the real sweetness of life. The pancreas also correlates with psychologist Abraham Maslow’s third hierarchy, which is the need to belong that connects us with each other, our family and our community or tribal bonds.

Part IV – Social, Nutritional, Environmental and Spiritual

With all good wishes,
Georgianna

Copyright 2010 G. Donadio

A Holistic Approach to Type II Diabetes – Part II

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Part II – The Need for De-Mystified Health Information

In a world exploding with health information, especially on the Internet, we are caught in the dilemma of having abundant amounts of information without a context through which we can understand and utilize it in a way that is appropriate for our own unique personal health needs. There is an urgent need for quality health education.

Whole Health Education, developed over the past 28 years in cooperation with Boston physicians, nurses and educators, is an approach to health education that can transform our experience of the way we care for ourselves and others. Evaluated in a pilot cardiac rehabilitation hospital trial study in 2002 by Dr. Harvey Zarren at Union Hospital, North

Shore Medical Center in Lynn, MA, Whole Health Education integrates evidence-based medical information with the wisdom of various spiritual teachings and a whole person overview of behavioral options. By providing individualized health information thatexplains the physical, emotional, nutritional, environmental and spiritual aspects of any health concern, Whole Health Education helps patients discern what information they are lacking about their health, what choices they can make to eliminate or control their health problems, as well as the best care options for their individual needs.

It is a common sense approach to becoming our own best friend and personal healer by understanding the cause and effect our behaviors and choices have on our state of health. In this model, we become the center of our health and healing process, rather than the doctors or practitioners we go to for guidance and treatment.

Let’s take a look at Mature Onset Diabetes, a.k.a., Type II Diabetes from the five (5) element perspective and see how this approach can assist us in understanding and importantly, demystifying this all too common chronic health condition.

Part III – The Five Aspects of Mature Onset Diabetes

With all good wishes,
Georgianna

Copyright 2010 G. Donadio

A Holistic Approach to Type II Diabetes

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A couple of years ago, I wrote an article about taking a holistic approach to understanding and addressing Mature Onset Diabetes. This particular article found it way into over 3,000 citations around the globe. Our PR firm is still scratching its head as to how this happened but suspects social networking magic is how the article was so abundantly shared – ah, the magic of back-linking! The article has been and still is very popular. I will be sharing it with you in installments over the next few days.

Here is Part I:

Holistic health and Whole Health Education promote new thinking and a plan of action for taking control of your health and wellbeing. Do you ever wonder why, in spite of all your good intentions, you just cannot seem to take control over your health and wellness the way you really want to?

The answer to that question can be found in the words of Albert Einstein, who reminded us “you cannot correct a problem with the same thinking that created it.” In other words, you cannot change old behaviors without new information.

The Institute of Medicine published a study that indicates ninety million Americans are “health illiterate,” which means we do not know how to interpret or use health information to control or improve our health, or prevent chronic disease. “Lack of information” was cited as the number one root cause of death.

Understanding that there exists a cause and effect relationship between what we know and how we behave, we need a model of integrating this important information to change the behaviors that lead to chronic disease.

According to a seven-year Harvard Medical School study published in 1996, approximately 70% of all cancers and chronic conditions can be prevented through lifestyle changes. Furthermore, our diseases and conditions are primarily a result of stress, food, environment, attitude, emotions or beliefs that keep us perpetuating behaviors that lead to illness. Are we consciously choosing to be unhealthy, or do we just not understand sufficiently the relationship between what we think, how we behave, what we put into our bodies and how we keep ourselves well or make ourselves sick?

Part II The Need for De-Mystified Health Information

With all good wishes,
Georgianna

Copyright 2010 G. Donadio

Foods to Enhance Your Longevity

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By now, many are starting to realize that eating foods rich in anti-aging nutrients  are the best foods to eat to keep us living well and long. It has been somewhat of a mystery as to why folks have not generally equated living plant foods with disease prevention and longevity.

The good news is that the Internet has enriched our access to and understanding of important health information. It is now well understood by our mainstream culture that eating living plant foods high nutrients are best to slow the aging process and promote longevity.

Here are some of the best foods which have demonstrated their nutrient value in keeping us well and youthful:

Greens – All forms, include folate and calcium as well as many minerals and vitamins. Greens are also a great source of fiber, an important component for a healthy digestive system.

Fish – Rich in anti-inflammatory Omega 3’s and highly digestible protein

Berries, all forms – Contain anthocyanins, which aid in the prevention and growth of cancer

Whole Grains – Contain high amounts of fiber and minerals and help to slow the development of diabetes type II

Herb and Spices– like turmeric and ginger, contain anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties

Olive Oil – contain monounsaturated fat, which aids in the decrease of heart disease and cancers through its anti-inflammatory properties

Tomatoes – contains lycopene which has been shown to aid in the prevention of cancers and heart disease

Tea, black – contains EGCG, a powerful anti-oxidant which aids in the decrease of cancers and heart conditions

Nuts, many varieties – nuts are high in fibers and contain high levels of anti-inflammatory fatty acids

Grapes, red – contains resveratrol a very potent anti-inflammatory which is shown to reduce the incident of heart disease

By including these health giving foods in your daily diet you will not only feel better and look better, but you will also live longer. The best part is that these are all tasty foods as well and can be enjoyed at the same time hey help heal and prevent illness.

With all good wishes,
Georgianna

Copyright 2010 G. Donadio

Whole Person Health Care – Part III

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Part III – Comparison of Whole Person Health Care and Conventional Analysis and Treatment

By looking at different client care situations we can see how traditional and whole person health care differs in their approach. Patient A is a 35-year old male who is married with two children and works in a high stress job. He considers himself healthy however, despite working out fairly regularly and eating healthy, he is constantly tired and has trouble sleeping at night.

On the opposite end of the spectrum Patient B is a 50-year old single stay-at-home mom who is raising a young son. She has high cholesterol, is borderline diabetic and is generally not in good health.

Patient A: Conventional Analysis & Treatment Recommendation: This patient would most likely be given a blood test to check for anemia or pathology and then prescribed a sleeping pill to deal with the insomnia. If nothing showed up on the blood test, the practitioner would probably recommend addressing the stress with a pill to calm down to seeing a therapist to deal with his stress.

Patient A: Whole Person Health Care Analysis & Treatment Recommendation: This practitioner would also probably order a blood test to check for anemia or pathology. After assessing that possibility, if the blood test came back “negative” (ironically, that’s positive!), the practitioner would then explore and discuss with the individual what they felt is contributing to their problem. Based on the patients’ self-awareness and the practitioners mindful listening and assessment of the patient, the practitioner might recommend a homeopathic remedy, a change in sleep venue or a new bed, meditation before retiring, an decrease in stimulating food such as caffeine and alcohol, and an increase in fruits and vegetables in t he diet. The multiple aspects of the individual’s life and their own innate awareness of their health would be considered.

Patient B: Conventional Analysis & Treatment Recommendation:This patient would be given a blood work-up to determine her levels of cholesterol and glucose or blood sugar. Depending upon the values found on the tests, the doctor would prescribe medications appropriate for lowering the levels of cholesterol and/or blood sugar. The doctor may also suggest the patient make an appointment with a dietician to go over dietary changes.

Patient B: Whole Person Health Care Analysis & Treatment Recommendation: This practitioner would also do a blood work-up to assess the patient’s various blood values. However, rather than prescribing a drug to lower or later levels, this practitioner may invite the individual into a discussion about what she felt she could do to bring these levels down to avoid the need for a medication.

The discussion would outline and recommend options for lowering cholesterol which would include natural supplements, dietary changes or adding more vegetables and whole sprouted grains instead of high fat foods, an exercise program that she would be able to follow, drinking more water, using homeopathic remedies to improve her overall health, discuss her social life and recreation. This practitioner would focus on changing the causes of her chronic condition rather than just medicate it.

The options we are offered today through Whole Person Health Care invites us to become more pro-active and better informed as well as become better health care consumers. This empowers us to take greater control over our health outcomes and longevity. That’s a prescription for good health we can all live with.

With all good wishes ~
Georgianna

Copyright 2010 G. Donadio

Creating a Natural Immunity to HPV

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Last month another eight deaths were announced in connection to Gardasil, a vaccine that targets the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, HPV.  Also reported is another 1,824 adverse reactions to the drug, bringing the known total of such reactions to 3,461.

These adverse reactions suggest the vaccine, currently directed primarily for use by young women aged 12 – 19,  not only may cause serious side effects, but has been fatal. In addition, some states are working to make these immunizations mandatory for all school aged females 12 and older.

As the mother of a teenage girl, I know the concern that this vaccine has caused for many of us and wish to share information with you about natural immunity to HPV, that may be helpful for you and your daughter. For those considering the vaccine, this may be important information for you to be aware of.

Here is a quote from from the National Cancer Institute regarding HPV – “Infection with certain types of HPV is the major cause of cervical cancer. Almost all women will have an HPV infection at some point, but very few will develop cervical cancer. The immune system  of most women will usually suppress or eliminate HPVs. Only HPV infections that are persistent (do not go away over many years) can lead to cervical cancer.” 

HPV infections have increased over the past 20 years in much younger females as a result of earlier and multiple-partnered intercourse, coupled with the lack of competent birth control, as well as inadequate nutritional status of the female. As a result of the increase in such infections, the HPV immunization was developed and, as the TV commercials attest, marketed to the mothers of very young females. 

Here are excerpts from Judicial Watch regarding the vaccine reactions:

> “Information has been received … concerning a 17 year old female who in June 2007 … was vaccinated with a first dose of Gardasil … During the evening of the same day, the patient was found unconscious (lifeless) by the mother. Resuscitation was performed by the emergency physician but was unsuccessful. The patient subsequently died.”

> “Information has been received … concerning a 12 year old female with a history of aortic and mitral valve insufficiency … who on 01-MAR-2007 was vaccinated IM into the left arm with a first does of Gardasil … On 01-MAR-2007 the patient presented to the ED with ventricular tachycardia and died.”

> “Initial and follow-up information has been received from a physician concerning an ‘otherwise healthy’ 13 year old female who was vaccinated with her first and second doses of Gardasil. Subsequently, the patient experienced … paralysis from the chest down, lesions of the optic nerve…At the time of the report, the patient had not recovered.”

The natural way to immunize against HPV, in both teenagers and the general female population, is to postpone engagement with multiple sexual partners, consistent use of condoms as a 70% protection against the virus, and maintaining a healthy nutritional diet through whole foods and nutrition supplementation. Hopefully, this information can help you discern more about the use of HPV vaccination.

With all good wishes,
Georgianna

Copyright 2010 G. Donadio

Study on Women’s Weight When With a Mate

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I ran across a great article, written by Nicholas Bakalar, about a study that was published on the relationship between the weight gain of women who live with a mate in comparison to women who do not. Rather than excerpt material from the article, I would like to share it with you in is entirety. Hope this information is useful for you or someone you know.

Study Says Women With Mate Get Heavier
by Nicholas Bakalar

It is widely known that women tend to gain weight after giving birth, but now a large study has found evidence that even among childless women, those who live with a mate put on more pounds than those who live without one.

The differences, the scientists found, were stark.

After adjusting for other variables, the 10-year weight gain for an average 140-pound woman was 20 pounds if she had a baby and a partner, 15 if she had a partner but no baby, and only 11 pounds if she was childless with no partner. The number of women with a baby but no partner was too small to draw statistically significant conclusions.

There is no reason to believe that having a partner causes metabolic changes, so the weight gain among childless women with partners was almost surely caused by altered behavior. Moreover, there was a steady weight gain among all women over the 10 years of the study.

This does not explain the still larger weight gain in women who became pregnant. The lead author, Annette J. Dobson, a professor of bio-statistics at the University of Queensland in Australia, suggested that physiological changes might be at work.

“Women’s bodies may adjust to the increased weight associated with having a baby,” Dr. Dobson said. “There may be a metabolic adjustment that goes on when women are pregnant that is hard to reverse. This would be more consistent with our findings than any other explanation.”

The study covered more than 6,000 Australian women over a 10-year period ending in 2006.

At the start, the women ranged in age from 18 to 23. Each woman periodically completed a survey with more than 300 questions about weight and height, age, level of education, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, medications used and a wide range of other health and health care issues.

By the end of the study, published in the January issue of The American Journal of Preventive Medicine, more than half the women had college degrees, about three-quarters had partners and half had had at least one baby. Almost all of the weight gain happened with the first baby; subsequent births had little effect.

Also by the end of the study period, there were fewer smokers and risky drinkers than at the beginning, more women who exercised less and a larger proportion without paid employment.

But even after adjusting for all of these factors and more, the differences in weight gain among women with and without babies, and among women with and without partners, remained.

Despite the study’s limitations — weight was self-reported, for example, and the sample size diminished over time because people dropped out — other experts found the results valuable.

“It’s interesting and brings out some important points,” said Maureen A. Murtaugh, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Utah who has published widely on weight gain in women. Perhaps, she suggested, a more active social life may help explain why women with partners gain more weight.

“Think of going to a restaurant,” Dr. Murtaugh said. “They serve a 6-foot man the same amount as they serve me, even though I’m 5 feet 5 inches and 60 pounds lighter.”

The study included only women, but the researchers cited one earlier study that showed an increase in obesity among men who had children, adding further evidence that social and behavioral factors are part of the explanation.

Dr. Dobson said the finding of weight gain among all the women, with families or without, was troubling.

“This is a general health concern,” she said. “Getting married or moving in with a partner and having a baby are events that trigger even further weight gain.

“From a prevention point of view, one can look at these as particular times when women need to be especially careful.” 
 © 2000-2009 BlueCross BlueShield Association – All Rights Reserved. 

With all good wishes,
Georgianna 

Good News About Heart Care

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In the past 10 years, technology has made many giant leaps forward in areas of service, entertainment and communication. It has also made extraordinary progress in the acute treatment of heart related diseases and heart attacks.

One of the most innovative technologies and life saving devices is the portable heart defibrillator. Now a part of every Emergency Medical Unit, it can also be found in schools, sports arenas, theatres and even large restaurants and other gathering spots. This simple device can save a life that would normally be lost without the ability to regulate a heartbeat.

In the case of heart attacks, there has been a significant improvement in survival as well as the reduction of disabling damage. This is due in large part to advances in medicine, hospital care guidelines and advanced technology.

A heart attack is also less likely if the individual is being treated for the precursors of heart attacks such as high blood pressure, obesity or high cholesterol.

The most important component to life saving care is the speed at which an emergency medical team can treat the person in distress. All too 0ften we do not know the warning signs or if we do we ignore them.

An important part of your personal health care is knowing what to be aware of if you start to feel unwell or have unexplained symptoms. Below are the basic signs of a heart problem that you may want to be familiar with, either for your own heath if you are past 50, or the health of those you love.

Of course, it goes without saying that preventing any heart problem is the ideal way to take care of your heart. Being sure to eat well, not smoking, keep moving or exercising, watch your weight and avoid stress are all important preventative steps to keep heart healthy.

WARNING SIGNS of a HEART PROBLEM or ATTACK:

> shortness of breath or lightheadedness after minimal effort

> numbness, tingling or pain in your jaw, neck or arm, especially the left arm

> Uncomfortable pressure or squeezing in the center of the chest that last for more than just a few minutes

> vomiting or diahrrea along with chest pain or arm numbness

Being aware of heart symptoms can help save someone you love, may-be even yourself.

With all good wishes,
Georgianna

Copyright 2010 G. Donadio

It May Be All In The Genes

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This summer my apple trees, with their sweet droppings all about the orchard, were producing an enormous population of fruit flies. Apart from being occasionally annoying and making a bit of noise, they would not seem to be a subject to capture one’s attention. At least I never thought so, until I read a fascinating study about fruit flies that indicated our gender may be largely connected to our genes.

Geneticist Barry Dickson and graduate student Ebru Demir, of the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, Austria made a small biochemical change to see what might happen. That is – genetically altering a gene that they then engineered into female fruit flies. This very specific gene alteration would always make male fruit fly protein.

These genetically altered female fruit flies behaved like amorous male flies – perusing other female fruit flies and wooing them with the species elaborate courtship display. This gene altering and its subsequent behavioral results were reported in the scientific professional journal Cell. The engineered females rejected males that tried to mate with them and began to imitate the multi-step male courting dance which is truly fascinating but a bit too racy to describe in this blog. (I am not kidding!) The two scientists hypothesize that the altered gene sets into motion a cascade of genetic changes to re-program the female fruit flies sexual behavior.

One of the most spell binding books I have ever read about behavior and gender is Melvin Konner’s BRILLIANT, stunning book, “The Tangled Wing”. His book is about humans and not fruit flies. So, if you are fascinated by how our amazing hormones and genetics create and effect our thoughts, behaviors and even sexual preferences, this book is a MUST read.

You know when someone asks the question “if you had to be marooned on a desert island for 2 years with someone, who would it be?” – I’d definitely choose Melvin Konner and pick his brain about all his research and amazing findings. Strongly recommended reading, fascinating subject.

With all good wishes,
G
© by NIWH 2010 all rights reserved

The Raisin Cure for Arthritis

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When I first started my private practice 35 years ago, integrative or alternative health care was considered to be “voo-doo”, or at least very suspect. In spite of the fact that many natural treatments, (those not scientifically proven), worked extremely well for many maladies was of no interest to traditional thinkers.

One of the folk-treatments that was often discussed by patients who came into the office was an intoxicatingtreatment to address arthritis pain and discomfort. An unusual Rx, a “Raisin-Gin” elixir, made at home and very inexpensive, is highly touted as a miracle cure for arthritis. By all appearances, this treatment works very well for the many individuals who have tried it.

Now that I am older, my horse-back riding and jogging injuries have come back to haunt me. I have sadly developed some arthritis in my hips, which I am told is the result of the pounding from many years of 10K training. Whatever the reason, I have hip joint pain that needs to be addressed and the raisin-gin cure came to mind. It is something I am planning to try shortly.

It requires a little preparation. First you buy golden raisins (ONLY golden raisins), a bottle of gin and a glass baking dish. You lay out the golden raisins in the glass baking dish and cover the raisins with the gin. Use only enough to cover the raisins but do not over do it.

Cover the dish and put it in a safe place, where it won’t be knocked over on your kitchen counter – a place you can easily keep an eye on it. It will take 7-10 days, depending on how much gin you put in, for the raisins to absorb and metabolize all the gin. When the raisins are plump and all the gin is absorbed, it’s time to try “the cure”.

Take two (2) tablespoons a day of the raisins, storing the “brewed” dish of raisins in a covered glass jaw. Do NOT refrigerate. If this is an agreeable treatment for your arthritis, you should see results within 7-10 days, with less pain and stiffness.

This treatment is believed to work as a result of the metabolic interaction between the raisins (which are living foods being that they are derived from dried plums) and the gin, which is a fermented extract of grain mash, so it to is a living food material. The thinking is that somewhere in this metabolic marriage a natural chemical is produced that addresses the inflammation and stiffness of arthritis.

If you are curious, you can try it yourself, and I will let you know the outcome of my own experiment with this rather unique and rather tasty treatment.

All the best,
Georgianna

Copyright 2010 G. Donadio