Soropa Blog

Sorry for the silly alliteration, but I’m the author, so I get to choose the title.

Choices, it seems, make a big difference in whether we win or lose the Battle of the Bulge, too. We all know that trans fats should be avoided, but every once in a while it’s good to kick around the results of a nice double-blind study that quantifies just how bad they really are. Kylie Kavanagh and her colleagues at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, spent six years doing just that.

In case you haven’t heard, trans fats are “hydrogenated” oils that are modified at high-temperature so as to render them nearly indestructible. Trans fats are esteemed by food manufacturers because they extend the shelf life of food by about a factor of one-bahzillion. Purchase a new bag of cookies containing trans fats and you’ll be surprised (maybe) to learn that the product is “best if enjoyed” sometime between now and three years from now.

Just for fun, bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies and seal them up in an air-tight, zip-lock plastic bag and set them on a shelf for three years. On their third anniversary, open the bag and enjoy! What a treat! These rock-hard lumps of penicillin and other organic material will hardly resemble what you baked three years before. The cause of this metamorphosis from treat to trick is something known as “oxidation”. It’s the same process that turns fruit brown and an old car into a rust-bucket. It is entropy… It is one of the universal laws. So what happens when we break a universal law? We get fat.

Hydrogenating fat not only makes it last longer, it also makes it harder for the body to dispose of. It really makes sense, if you think about it. We don’t eat plastic because we were not designed to metabolize it. We weren’t designed to metabolize trans fat, either. Okay, so back to the study.

Ms. Kavanaugh and her team set out to study the effects of trans fat on the body. They did two things that I really applaud them for… First of all, they ran the study over a six-year period. This is a significant period of time, and one that we can relate to as we look back in time ourselves. We don’t gain weight or lose weight quickly. It happens over time. Secondly, she used quantities that make sense. So often, scientists will measure an effect of something by feeding lab animals the human equivalent of tons of the item being studied.

In this study performed on monkeys, Kavanaugh fed both groups a diet that consisted of just enough calories to sustain them, 35% of which came from fats. In the first group, the fats were 8% trans fats and the other 27% were from mono-unsaturated fats. The second group’s diet consisted of entirely mono-unsaturated fats (no trans fat at all.) The reason for the ratio was to mimic the amount of fat, and type of fat, that would be consumed by someone who ate a good deal of fried food.

The results were amazing, but not surprising. The trans fat group of monkeys had gained 7.2% of their body weight in six short years, while the non-trans fat group had gained only 1.8%. In addition, the trans fat group of monkeys had 30% more belly fat than the non-trans fat group, as shown by CT scan. Belly fat has been shown to be a strong indicator for diabetes and heart disease.

Studies like this will help those of us fighting the Battle of the Bulge to be better equiped to deal with our struggles. But not only that, they increase overall consumer awareness, which results in change. In January 2006, US foodmakers were told to begin to report all trans fat content on food labels. In an even bigger move, fast food chain Wendy’s announced that it will soon be removing all trans fats from their entire menu, at least in the US and Canada.

Here’s to the hope that this is a trend that will continue across the entire industry and around the world!

Shamanic healing is one of the vast numbers of healing modalities available for us to experience today. Like acupuncture its roots are in the mists of time and like acupuncture it works with unseen energy. Acupuncture is usually associated with the East, while there have been shamanic healers for thousands of years in tribal communities all around the world.

There are also many contemporary practitioners of this ancient healing art.
Traditionally a shaman was someone who was able to communicate with the spirits and visit other realities with their own spirit allies. This is still the case in modern shamanism. A shamanic practitioner will use a drum or rattle to access an altered state of consciousness. In this altered state she is able to enter the lower world, the middle world or the upper world which are the unseen other realities.

Here in the other worlds she journeys with her power animal and helpers to ask for healing for whoever has requested her services.

Shamanic healing is about energy, and typically the shamanic practitioner sees lack of health and well being on any level as being about loss of energy in some form. Trauma, stress, abuse and serious accident at any time in one’s life can result in loss of life force, vital energy or essence which is known as ’soul loss’. In order to survive seriously challenging situations a soul part leaves the individual and takes refuge in one of the other worlds, taking with it some of the life force. It does this to assist overall survival. However, it often results in depression, apathy, inability to move on after a loss or death or problems with the immune system. It is the job of the shamanic healer to track down this soul part in the other worlds, to offer it healing and reassurance and to invite it to return and bring back its positive qualities. This is known as ’soul retrieval’

Another issue addressed by the modern day shamanic healer is that of ‘power loss.’ Power loss is widespread and may be caused by confrontation, exams ill health, unrelenting problems, lack of community support, erosion of self- esteem, stressful family circumstances or manipulative relationships. Without our inherent vitality and connection to the cosmic web we become dis-empowered, dejected and dispirited. The shamanic solution is for the healer to journey to the lower world to retrieve the individual’s power animal. Power then returns along with the ability to approach life more confidently and deal with the challenges it presents.

The ancient practice of shamanic healing is alive and well and is very useful for an individual who recognises any of the symptoms referred to. It can support therapy or counselling when it feels as if an impasse has been reached. It is also useful for a personal development coach to have a shamanic practitioner on their referral list as a individually tailored shamanic sessions to retrieve soul parts and/or a power animal will give the individual more energy and incentive to design and work towards life goals.

Zannie Rose is an experienced, contemporary shamanic healer who offers 1:1 session as well as distant shamanic healing. This article maybe reprinted along with all contact information
website: http://www.freewebs.com/shamanism

Cleansing Colon Cure Natural
Saunas and steam baths are used to cleanse the skin. They help to rid the body of pollutants that settle in the pores of the skin. Bowel cleansing is a great method to maintain good health. A high-fiber diet consisting of fruits and green, leafy vegetables act as a natural laxative. We are evermore exposed to toxic heavy metals polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons voltile organic solvents tobacco smoke phalates dioxin drugs PCB’s herbicides pesticides antibiotics synthetic hormones and even endotoxins produced in our own bowels by unfriendly bacteria, and diet with Master Cleanse. hominis require a coarse of medication as they will not respond to natural treatments. Master Cleanse program is highly popular with celebrities in Hollywood. A proper even if occasional detox diet is necessary to relieve our bodies of harmful toxins and chemicals and maintain a healthy normal and long-lived life, which is the reason why you must be on the Master Cleanse

Why Use Master Cleanse Program
There are several foods you must give a wide berth to during your detox diet. Keep away from wheat products - such as bread, cereals, pasta, flour, cous cous, cakes and biscuits. Wheat contains gluten, which many find hard to digest and can cause bloating and wind. See more on Master Cleanse at Master Cleanse Saunas are another effective method of getting rid of toxins in the body. A particular procedure known as the far infra red sauna (FIR) first invented by the Japanese has been shown to be a very effective method of detoxification.

Master Cleanse Benefits:
Master Cleanse is the world most popular diet program. Some go further arguing that detoxing may be harmful. So my New Year message is to reject the Detox mentality! How much difference can a 7 day plan really make? Our body has many different rhythms and processes some taking hours, some taking months, and changing your life drastically for a short time will never confer a lasting benefit. Be kinder to yourself, and take some time to consider how you can be more healthy, then set yourself an achievable goal each week, for example; week 1- drink 1.5 liters of water each day, week 2: snack on fruit, week 3: find a walking partner. Healthy living is about making gentle and sustainable changes to our diet and lifestyle, allowing our body to acclimatize, and our tastes to adjust slowly, until eating well and exercising becomes a habitual and normal part of every-day life. This is the true path to a long, productive and quality life, something that you cannot buy in a box, however much money you spend. So, do start your master cleanse diet today. This search has brought many medicines to our markets some of which are described here.

According to the latest British Journal of Nutrition (2005;93:895-9), supplementing with an extract of bilberry fruit (Vaccinium myrtillus) may improve night vision in nearsighted people. That’s good news for those of you who may have to cope with bothersome night blindness!

Bilberry, a close relative of the blueberry, is a small shrub that grows throughout central and northern Europe, northern Asia, and North America. Traditionally, due to its powerful tannin content, bilberry has been used to treat diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and urinary tract infections. Others preliminary studies have indicated bilberry’s effectiveness in addressing microcirculatory conditions, such as macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and other retinal disorders. The active compounds of bilberry, Anthocyanosides, are potent antioxidants which have been noted to promote and strengthen capillaries and blood vessels.

While the majority of bilberry’s research has been conducted in vitro, there has been a close correlation between bilberry and its ability to regenerate a compound in the eye (rhodopsin) that is responsible for night vision. Specifically, rhodopsin, also known as visual purple, lies within the rod cells of your eye, and is extremely sensitive to low levels of light. In fact, when exposed to white light, rhodopsin is immediately bleached and takes approximately 30 minutes to regenerate in humans.

Nearsightedness, or myopia, affects up to one quarter of Americans. Those afflicted with myopia often describe distant objects as being blurry, yet most with myopia are able to see nearby objects quite clearly. This condition occurs from the eye being longer than the focal point, and is shaped much like a football. Individuals with nearsightedness are also at greater risk for acute eye problems such as glaucoma or retinal detachment, and often experience floaters, dryness, tearing, and of course, poor night vision.

The new study from the Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University in Seoul Korea was aimed at determining the effects of bilberry extract on night vision and other symptoms associated with nearsightedness. The study examined 60 individuals with mild to moderate myopia. Thirty of the participants received 100mg of bilberry extract (containing 85% anthocyanosides) two times per day, and the remaining thirty received a placebo pill. Contrast sensitivity, a measure of nocturnal vision, was tested before and after treatment. The participants also answered questions regarding the frequency and severity of their eye symptoms including eye strain, dryness, tearing, blurry vision, and decreased vision in dark places.

Twenty-two (73%) of the 30 participants receiving the bilberry supplement showed significantly greater improvement in eye symptoms and contrast sensitivity, suggesting an improvement in night vision. In contrast, only 1 of the 30 participants in the placebo group showed any signs of improvement. Additionally, no side effects were associated with use of the bilberry supplement.

This study provides good evidence that bilberry may help to improve night vision in those afflicted with myopia. Previous studies on healthy individuals indicated that bilberry has no effect on night vision, however, these studies utilized bilberry preparations with much lower concentrations of anthocyanosides (5 to 30%), and they were administered for shorter periods of time.

Judy Phillips is the founder of Jash Botanicals Herbal Formulas, a manufacturer of physicians grade herbal extracts and medicinals. A naturopath and herbalist with over 25 years of experience, her passion for producing herbal formulas of exceptional purity and strength grew from a dissatisfaction with mainstream herbal products. She is an author of various natural health topics, from detoxification to dietary modification, and works to assist the expansion of knowledge to individuals in search of natural treatments. JashBotanicals.com offers a wide range of informative articles, including a monthly newsletter and a natural health blog.

There is a lot of hype about alternative medicines, and some of them are certainly without much value. Of course there is a lot of hype about regular medicines, many of which do as much harm as good. The fact that natural remedies and treatments rarely hurt people as much as prescription drugs is one reason to at least try them. Here are a few that I can vouch for from experience.

Tea Tree Oil

I had a lump on the side of my nose, growing slowly, bleeding at times. I had it for years, and the one time I asked a doctor about it, he wasn’t sure if it was actually cancerous. I read somewhere that tee tree oil might work. I bought a bottle at a health-food store for $6. I applied a drop to the lump each day, and in less than six weeks, the lump was gone completely.

Coincidence? After having the growth for years? I don’t think so. In fact I had another growth years later on my neck, and for several years, I couldn’t remember what I had used the first time. When I found a clue in some old notes, I used tea tree oil on that growth, which was even larger than the first one. It was gone in about six weeks.

St. John’s Wort

When hiking in Canada, I cut my foot. The gash was deep. I found St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perfolatum), which has been proven to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. I mashed up a few leaves and bandaged them to the cut, replacing them occasionally. I have honestly never seen a cut heal faster.

St. John’s Wort is one of the better known alternative medicines now. It is used as an anti-depressant, with numerous studies showing it’s effectiveness. It is also used by some as a temporary mood-elevator. This effect isn’t proven yet, but whenever I’ve had tea made from the plant, it tasted awful and left me happy for two hours. Anecdotal and subjective evidence (I’m not even entirely convinced), but interesting.

Valerian Root

When my wife has cramps and pain, nothing works better than a cup of tea made from valerian root. You can get the tea in many stores now. I wouldn’t try driving after having valerian root. This is a powerful relaxant.

In fact, valerian root is too strong for some people. A gentler herb that will relax you is chamomile. You can find this as tea too. It makes a great drink with honey, just before you are ready to go to bed.

There are so many alternatives out there. I have stopped a headache just by chewing on willow twigs. I have stopped diarrhea with oak bark (careful - this can hard on the liver in large doses). I have watched a friend’s poison ivy rash disappear overnight with the application of jewelweed juice.

I am sure that I have tried just as many alternatives that didn’t work, too, but you know what? Put all the ineffective ones together and the cost probably doesn’t add up to the cost of one visit to a doctor. As for the effective ones, well, no doctor yet has introduced me to one of them. You have to do your own research on alternative medicines.

Steve Gillman has been hunting down obscure knowledge and useful secrets for years. Learn more and get a free gift at: The Secret Information Site (http://www.TheSecretInformationSite.com)

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common existing form of this malignancy, and it is more often than not a direct consequence of exposure to asbestos. One can get minor tumors with mesothelioma, but the malignant form is the most widespread. Inhaling asbestos fibers puts you at risk, and working with the mineral without adequate protection is hazardous. These risks are further heightened with more exposure to the mineral, or smoking.

Pleural mesothelioma targets the respiratory areas of the body. The malignancy attacks the lining of the ribs and the lungs. Similar to other forms of the disease, the symptoms can be dormant for fifty years before presenting themselves.

Pleural mesothelioma can be a very tricky disease to detect. Often, symptoms are mistaken for common ailments. The lengthy latency period does not help matters, either.

If your physician has no knowledge of you working with asbestos, he may treat you for different ailments, the most common being pneumonia. However, if your doctor knows about you having previously worked with asbestos, he can start the appropriate treatment upon manifestation of the symptoms.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include difficulty in swallowing; persistent coughing; weight loss; facial swelling; coughing blood, etc. Some patients experience shortness of breath, even while resting. The spreading of the tumor can thicken the pleura, leading to such consequences.

Some patients experience extreme pain in the ribs or chest, also caused by the spread of the tumor. Should the tumor branch upwards, the lungs and the chest will also get affected.

Treating pleural mesothelioma depends on several things. The patient’s age, medical history, weight and general well-being are factors. Other factors include the location of the cancer and the extent to which the cancer has spread. Common treatments for pleural mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

The method know as 3d ultrasound scanning is used when a woman is in early pregnancy, it provides 3d images of the fetus. Most times the ultrasound pictures are quickly collected and joined together to created a 4d scan.

Three dimensional scans works in a similar way to the usual scanning methods except that the ultrasound scanning pulses can be directed from multiple directions. The ultrasound waves are reflected back then captured to provide info to construct a 3-dimensional picture in in a similar manner to 3d movies. 3d ultrasound was devised by stephen smith and olaf von ramm.

It’s important to understand that sonologists everywhere have always conjured three-dimensional images of anatomy or pathology in their minds whilst doing 2d scans. However, until recently it was almost impossibel to do this type of reconstruction on patient data acquired using ultasound scanning. With the advent of 4d baby scans for the first time allowed us a peek into the brain of a sonologist and hence letting us view the images on the ultrasound machine.

3d/4d ultrasound imaging should utilize ultrasound energy following the same limits as conventional 2d ultrasound to create the 3d images. There is no data to suggest harm due to 3d ultrasound, its use in none medical situations should be undertaken with an understanding of the risks that exist.

There is something to be said about fast food being more convenient then healthy food that helps you be thin. I will give you that. But wait, how about this. Convenient when? It is definitely convenient now. How about later, when you don’t have enough energy to do anything but go to sleep? Or when you cannot focus because all you feel like doing is taking a nap. Or is it more convenient when you have indigestion and heartburn and don’t feel like doing anything?

We live in a world of now. A world of cause and effect. But the problem is that most people only look at immediate cause and immediate effect. Not fully realizing the body does not work on an instantaneous process. If you put something in your mouth, it can take hours to process the food, even days if your system is not working so good. So when people get heart burn, or are tired, or get headaches they often miss the fact that it may have been something other than what happened immediately before.

You cannot “save time”. You can only spend it wisely. And no matter how convenient it may seem at the time, food that is “fast” never saves you time in the long run. This is also a little trick that is interesting and works everywhere in your life. The solution to why it seems like there is never “enough time.” It is because we falsely believe we are doing things that save time. Almost everything you do to “save time” only ends up costing you more time. If you eat fast food because you are in a rush, you will lose at least double the time later you supposedly saved.

How much time is wasted because you have no energy to do what you want at the end of the day? How much time is wasted because you don’t feel like doing anything? How much time do you spend not feeling ready to go? How much time do you spend being unproductive because of brain fog? These are the type of things that your body does when you eat fast food to “save time”. And these are only the semi-immediate effects. Later in life your body starts doing all kinds of things that slow you down and don’t allow you to do everything you want. This is in a large part due to what you put into your body. Because as you remember, if you try and build a brick house with rocks and stones, sooner or later it will fall apart.

Is junk food really that bad? I also share this and more with you in my free e-course that this article is a part of. Go to http://www.HealthyEatingDiet.com to get the full e-course. Dr. Jamie wants to help give you Permanent Results with his “non-diet.” He is also giving you dozens of valuable free gifts to “ethically bribe” you into helping him make his new book, “The Ultimate Non-Diet” a #1 best seller. For details on the book go to: http://www.TheUltimateNonDiet.com/free