Your Life-Your Choice ISSN 1488-0253 October, 2000 Issue 63 Letter From the Editor The minds ability to influence the body has been the cause for intrigue over the past 3 decades. There has been a growing tendency to explore this process throughout the scientific community. The mind and body are fundamentally connected; therefore, any treatment or therapy will impact both. The placebo effect is a common example of this interaction. Although highly recognized by the scientific community, the placebo response is under utilized as a resource in most medical practices. Studies have been done on these therapies and the results suggest they are all viable options to be considered for many health issues. Mind/body therapies are particularly beneficial in that they empower the patient, providing a feeling of control over their health and their lives. Specific mind/body treatments include: Psychotherapy can reduce the recovery process from surgery, and can be of tremendous benefit with illnesses that appear to have no medical cause. Support Groups have a powerful, positive influence on most illnesses. Patients suffering from fatal diseases often significantly increase their survival time by participating in a support group. Meditation has long been accepted as a solution to stress issues and lowering blood pressure. There are now indicators that regular meditation can positively affect many health issues; chronic pain, cholesterol, and longevity to name a few. Imagery has been proven successful in controlling pain. It is commonly used in conjunction with cancer treatments; a method of easing nausea caused by chemotherapy, and a tool to enhance the immune system. Used with other treatments, Music Therapy has also proven effective as a pain reliever in particular with burn patients, brain injury and cancer patients. Hypnosis is most commonly used for addictions, pain control, and phobias; although also helpful with other ailments such as allergies and asthma. Still other mind/body therapies include Yoga, Biofeedback, Dance Therapy, Art Therapy, and Prayer and Mental Healing. Each of these have their own strengths and benefit specific health issues. More work is needed, but there is a growing amount of evidence that many of the mind-body therapies discussed here, if appropriately selected and wisely applied, can be clinically as well as economically cost-effective, that they work, and that they are safe. Until next time... the best of health to you, ----- Sources: The National Institutes of Health Brigitte Synesael Editor of Your Life-Your Choice Make it your business to be informed! No one cares more about you than YOU. http://www.Life-Choices.com =========================================== ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE: 1. MIND OVER MATTER: Visualization and How Personal Beliefs Can Limit or Heal Part 1 2. Tea Tips - Tea Helps the Heart 3. Top Dog - Bruised Paws 4. Mood and Memory Wellness: How to be Spirited and Sharp for 100 Years! (Part 3) =========================================== Section 1 MIND OVER MATTER: Visualization and How Personal Beliefs Can Limit or Heal Part 1 by Laurel Duran, CMT http://www2.amigo.net/bluecord Most of us have heard or made statements about our body's condition that reflect a belief that the condition is incapable of changing. Statements such as "High blood pressure runs in your family so you're stuck with it", or "You know how it is when you break a bone: it's never the same again", or "I get a really bad cold every winter without fail" can literally work like a computer program in our psyche, needlessly setting the mind on accepting physical limitations as unalterable facts. As patients, most of us have been offered limiting thoughts by health care professionals who are unaware of the potentially destructive power that those limiting thoughts can have on our actual condition. Many of us have made self-limiting statements that begin with the words "My doctor said ..." such as "My doctor said I'm stuck with this incurable condition for the rest of my life and there's nothing I can do about it." or "My doctor said that this condition is hereditary and it was inevitable that I would end up with it", or "My doctor said my only choice if I want to stay alive is to have this surgically removed." Beliefs that the physical body is incapable of change reveal that the believer is operating under the false perception that the physical body has a mind of its own, and that mind is separate and beyond the control of the person himself. Modern research into the body-mind connection shows us that "Mind Over Matter" is a proven fact that means the thoughts you hold in your mind will materialize into physical reality. Research in quantum physics has shown that matter, when viewed at the sub-atomic level, is not solid, dense and unchanging at all. To the contrary, it is constantly moving and is actually made up largely of EMPTY SPACE which can be translated as "having unlimited potential". It has further been discovered that the cellular movement and constantly changing formations that matter takes are altered by the fact that it is being observed. If someone is observing a collection of cells through a sub-atomic lens, they can literally ALTER the appearance, shape and visible formation of that collection of cells just by observing it. If the observer thinks "These cells are next going to move into this shape in that direction", that is exactly what those cells do. It is as if the cell of the physical body reply with "Okay boss, whatever you say. That's how it will be." ( If medical science one day decides to capitalize on this research finding, we may be healing ourselves by watching our own cellular growth through a sub-atomic camera lens inserted into our body while we issue commands for a more positive direction of celluar growth. In the meantime, we can use our powerful brains and hearts to picture healing!) I know "Mind Over Matter" to be true from personal experience. When I broke my neck and was completely paralyzed in a car wreck in 1986, I heard "You'll never walk again" and "Science says that quadriplegia is permanent. You're in denial and the sooner you accept the truth, the better off you'll be." But I knew better! After having a near-death experience visit to heaven, I just KNEW that the Creator could heal anything -- even my quadriplegia -- if I would just keep having faith that it was possible. I told many friends, family members and health care professionals to keep quiet if they themselves lacked faith and had nothing positive to picture for me. Part 2 and conclusion of this article will appear in nex month's issue. ----- Read about Laurel Duran on our Meet the Team page; http://www.Life-Choices.com/team.html ****************************************************** Our sponsors make this newsletter FREE to subscribers. Please take a moment to visit them. **************************************************** GET SMART ABOUT TAKING YOUR VITAMINS FREE Report reveals... "The 7 Sneakiest Secrets Vitamin Companies Hope You Never, Ever Find Out About", and subscribe to our GetSmart HealthTalk newsletter. Also, be sure to check out our selection of high-quality nutritional supplements at TRUE WHOLESALE PRICES. 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Don't Wait, visit now to get your absofree.com gifts! ********************************************* Section 2 Tea Tips - Tea Helps the Heart In a recent study, a research team at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston has found the heart-attack risk in people drinking one or more cups of tea per day was about half that of those who drank no tea. The team's findings "suggest that tea may be beneficial because it contains flavonoids which reduce platelet aggregation and inhibit LDL-cholesterol oxidation," according to Peter Wehrwein, in his article "More evidence that tea is good for the heart," in The Lancet. "All teas are not equal," Mr. Wehrwein reports. "Last year (Gary Beecher of the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service) reported on catechin (flavan-3-ol) concentrations in different forms of tea. Although several brands of black tea had substantial amounts of catechins, there were reduced amounts in decaffeinated black tea, and catechins were undetectable in herbal teas." --- Source: The Lancet, Jan 30, 1999 http://www.life-choices.com/lar/cjassoc.html *************************************** Section 3 Top Dog - Bruised Paws How often does your dog seem to be walking gently on tippy toes rather than confidently all four paws? Think of the number of times that your own feet hurt, and you have shoes to protect them. There are any number of reasons that your dog may have bruised or sore paws. Arnica Ointment has long been a popular remedy in Germany and Austria, especially for bruises and sprains. It is an aromatic, bitter, astringent herb that stimulates the immune system and relieves pain and inflammation. Great for bumps and bruises, just rub the Arnica ointment on the area. It's much healthier for stiffness and swelling than a shot of cortisone. Paws for thought: Arnica is a very powerful herb, use it up to four times a day, but not for longer than a week at a time. Arnica treats the cause of the pain (swelling and inflammation) not suppressing the pain like many drugs do. Dosage Use for emergency only 2 to 3 times daily for two days then switch to Echinacea Calendula ointment. Arnica is excellent in emergency situations (first aid). If dermatitis occurs discontinue immediately. Echinacea Calendula ointment can be safely used after arnica ointment when prolonged treatment of a problem is required. Do not put Arnica ointment on open cuts or sores. Please see the dosage chart by clicking on the link below. ----- Do you have a specific question about your pet's health that you would like to have an answer to? Talk to our TOP DOG. http://www.life-choices.com/lar/pet.html *************************************** Our sponsors make this newsletter FREE to subscribers. Please take a moment to visit them. *************************************** Your Weekly Message...The Baum Group - a FREE weekly e-newsletter to help you stay focused, on purpose and much more! Subscribe by clicking mailto:DrRae@prodigy.net?subject=subscribe_ezineYLYC ************************************************ WEIGHT LOSS MYSTERIES REVEALED A new research report shows food is not always the reason you have trouble losing weight. Learn the secrets of successful weight loss. Order now and receive a free gift with every report. http://www.diets-dont-work.com/?ylyc ********************************************* Section 4 Mood and Memory Wellness: How to be Spirited and Sharp for 100 Years! Part 3 By Dr. John H. Maher http://www.rxforwellness.com Recommended Lifestyle and Supplement Protocol for Mild Depression As always make sure you have the basics covered. Good dietary habits, regular exercise, rejuvenating sleep, with alcohol, caffeine and tobacco avoided or in moderation at least. Taking a very complete six-a-day multivitamin/mineral is essential. Men over 40 should consider adding to the above human growth hormone (hgh) secretagogues and testosterone precursors, as these hormones tend to restore a more youthful, confident and optimistic state of mind. Women over 40 may want to enhance natural progesterone (not synthetic progestins), especially if their symptoms are pre-menstrual. Progesterone is a natural anti-depressant. Women at or past the 'change of life' should consider hgh and natural triple estrogen plus progesterone replacement therapy. Estrogen is thought to be very protective of the mind, so unless there is strong breast cancer concern or risk, or other estrogen contra-indication such as liver/gall bladder disease, phlebitis, cervical pre-cancerous lesions etc., natural HRT (hormone replacement therapy) should be strongly considered. The other basic is deep sleep. Exercise, avoiding caffeine after noon, dark rooms, white noise, cool bedrooms and hot baths are all helpful. The herbs valerian, passion flower and kava kava, hops and minerals calcium and magnesium are indicated for adults of any age. It may take two weeks for the effects to be noticed by some. Melatonin is more indicated the more above 40 you are. Also, night workers, those travelling across time zones, and women with hot flashes often do well with melatonin. Salivary 'Sleep Profile' melatonin tests are now readily available. 5-HTP is the other great natural sleep inducer. It is also an antidepressant, anti-anxiolytic and tends to curb carbohydrate and chocolate craves. Therefore, if your depression is strongly related to poor and difficult sleep, 5-HTP is to be strongly considered. 5-HTP is presented more fully below. Please keep in mind that many common prescription medications cause tiredness, loss of libido and flattening of emotions. So always consult your doctor. Now if you have been following the above recommendations for several months and still feel in low spirits, then supplementation specific for mood elevation is likely indicated. How To Start Your Mood Wellness Program The following nutritional and herbal supplements have proved very useful for easing and preventing mild-to-moderate depression. Some of these supplements aid in the production of neurotransmitters (low levels of these chemicals in the brain have been linked to depression). Other supplements have a soothing effect on nerves. Others protect the brain from the damage of stress. Most people struggling with depression, even those on prescription anti-depressants, can benefit from the nutrients listed here. Such supplements as Gingko Biloba, St John's Wort and 5-HTP can be added to a high quality mega-multi-vitamin/mineral, but should not be used without your doctor's consent if you are presently taking an antidepressant medication. Most importantly, never stop taking an antidepressant or any other prescription drug without first talking to your doctor. If indicated, consider the following supplements to support your mood. However, severe depression, or moderate depression that is worsening rapidly, demands immediate professional attention. Before starting, be aware that certain cautions are associated with taking individual supplements, especially if you have other medical conditions and/or you're taking medications. Always advise your health care provider about all your supplemental choices. Finding exactly the right combination of supplements, one that works best for you, may take some time and a bit of trial and error. And your choices may well be determined by time and money. It will be worth the trouble, however, if you can avoid taking more potent prescription medications. [End of part two. See our next issue for a continuation of this article.] ----- Read about Dr. John H. Maher on our Meet the Team page; http://www.Life-Choices.com/team.html //////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Disclaimer All material appearing in this newsletter is provided for educational purposes only. It is provided with the understanding that authors and contributors are not offering medical advice or services. We strongly encourage you to consult with your own physician regarding any recommendations with respect to your own medical condition. Advertisement in the Your Life- Your Choice newsletter does not indicate endorsement on our part. 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