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acupuncture
bailout
Clearly, one of the areas most
challenged by the financial crisis is New York City and its environs.
Many of you have found the solace of meditation, acupuncture and natural
medicines more useful than ever. For most people, the feelings of
anxiety, fear and sleeplessness are nothing more than our body telling us
that something is unbalanced, and it is strongly encouraging to us to
change something. The pharmaceutical path suggests the use of Xanax,
Lexapro, Ambien and or Wellbutrin. However, this condition of
stress and anxiety is really not a deficiency of these
medications.
It has been said that people with great wisdom take difficult times as an
opportunity to learn to create and even better future. We have witnessed
many cases where our patients have used this time of hardship to ask
themselves: am I doing what makes me
happy?
A philosopher named Joseph Campbell who has compared many world
civilizations over his lifetime, suggests to us that the way to lower our
anxiety is to realize who we really are by following our
bliss.
One simple way to start that process of following your bliss is by doing
some breathing and meditation work everyday. The Chinese use qi
gong. Breathing even for 5 minutes a day, you can start to clear
your mind in order to be more open to the opportunities and beauty that
is around us. Also, acupuncture points actually have spiritual
associations and can help balance our mind and body to follow our dreams.
One point near the wrist is called Shen Men also known as Heart 7. This
point helps calm our spirit. The Gallbladder meridian is known to help a
person muster the courage to make decisions and create goals, and the
Liver meridian can help people actually make the plan to fulfill these
decisions. Similarly, certain herbal remedies can help these issues from
an internal standpoint. For instance, Passiflora Incarnata stands for
passion incarnate, and has been used in western herbal traditions to help
a person find their true passion. In our practice, we have seen qi gong
or meditation, and acupuncture to be more useful than ever in this time
of stress and spiritual revolution. These can help you balance as you
look for and follow the bliss that is in your life.
reference: Bill Moyers and the Power of Myth, Interviews with Joseph
Campbell, DVD by Mystic Fire, circa 1986.
itchy skin during
pregnancy
by dr. pina logiudice
As part of the miraculous journey of pregnancy, the skin of a
mother-to-be will go through many changes. These are a result of
increased circulation and hormonal functions designed to help nourish and
support the new baby's growth, as well as readying the new mama for 9
months of bodily changes and a healthy delivery. For many women,
pregnancy is heralded by circulation increases in the tiny vessels under
the skin - often this is welcomed as the 'healthy glow' of pregnancy.
Normal skin changes will include stretching, darkening of certain areas,
itchiness, and hair and nail changes. Many of these are driven in part by
changes in estrogen, progesterone and melanocyte stimulating hormone.
Striae gravidarum, also known as 'stretch marks', are very common in about
95% of women who become pregnant. A number of factors play a role in who
will have visible stretch marks, and these factors include genetics,
current health, nutrient and hydration status, as well as the physical
distance the skin needs to stretch.
As a naturopathic doctor, I recommend focusing on healthy food and
lifestyle choices for best physical and emotional health. In general,
skin problems of any kind are greatly related to internal health - so the
main focus should be to keep the body healthy on the inside for best
results on the outside. Once pregnant, it is crucial to eat healthy whole
foods and avoid excess sugar, dairy products and fried foods. It is also
important to drink plenty of water, keep up levels of exercise, eat
healthy essential fatty acids, and a quality prenatal with adequate
vitamin C.
In fear of permanent stretch marks, many women undertake the ritual of
applying creams, lotions and oils to prevent them. One German study
suggested that about two thirds of women who do not use this method are
more prone to stretch marks, while only one third of women who use a
massage oil or cream tended to get the striae. Given that elasticity and
stretching are a physical issue, using daily applications can greatly
improve the skins flexibility and suppleness to help decrease the chance
of stretch marks. In my practice, and as an expecting mama myself, I find
the levels of success for my patients are highest when a healthful
lifestyle, diet, and exercise regimen are employed in conjunction with
massage oil application.
It concerns me that most topical products on the market contain a number
of preservatives, chemicals, perfumes and dyes. Since the mother's skin
circulation is heightened and large surface areas are covered with these
lotion applications, these chemicals can easily enter the body and end up
in the mother's and fetal tissue. In a study by the Environmental
Working Group, scientists identified over 200 industrial chemicals and
pollutants in umbilical cord blood from babies born in U.S. hospitals.
Further analysis revealed umbilical blood harbored pesticides, consumer
product ingredients (like paraben preserved lotions which are linked to
breast cancers), particulates from burning fossil fuels, and garbage.
In conclusion, a healthy pregnancy and skin should include a good whole
foods diet, plenty of water, exercise, sleep, daily oil applications, and
avoidance of any chemical exposures. This will ensure great benefits to
new baby and mama.
References:
Wierrani F. et al. Attempt of preventive treatment of striae
gravidarum using preventive massage ointment administration Wien Klin
Wochenshr 1992;104(2):42-4.
Evironmental Working Group Body Burden - The Pollution in Newborns, July
2005. http://archive.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/execsumm.php
accessed on January 4, 2007
Harvey PW et al. Significance of the detection of esters of
p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) in human breast tumours.J. Appl Toxicol
2004 Jan-Feb;24(1):1-4
upcoming lectures and events:
Stress and the Digestive System
also known as "the Naturopathic Apologetics of Treating the Gut'
Where: University of Medicine and Dentistry New
Jersey, Newark, NJ
When: Monday, February 23, 12 noon - 1:00p.m.
Dr. Bongiorno will be speaking with the UMDNJ medical school community
about the strong connection among the factors of digestive health,
stress, nutrition and manifestations of disease. Click here for
more details or call 718.354.7339.
Proven Ways to Healthy Aging
Natural Gourmet School - New York City
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
There"s no getting around it: we are all getting older!
Fortunately ---although there is no way to avoid the aging process itself
---there is much we can do to prevent or lessen the impact of many
age-related diseases. Click here for
more details or visit www.naturalgourmetschool.com to sign up.
Diabetes and Natural
Medicine
Natural Gourmet School - New York City
Thursday, March 12, 2009 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Diabetes has become ubiquitous in our society, so it
is indeed fortunate that it can often be controlled with natural
interventions. Click here for more details or visit www.naturalgourmetschool.com
to sign up.
Toxicity: How to Reduce
Your Urban Toxins
Natural Gourmet School - New York City
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Dr. Bongiorno will explain the effects of commonly
encountered toxins and how to best protect ourselves from this
inescapable fact of city life. Learn how to reduce levels of chemicals in
your body and your environment, strengthen your resistance, and promote
healing if you suffer from a toxin-related disease. Click here for
more details or visit www.naturalgourmetschool.com to sign up.
Lobby
Day for Naturopathic Medicine
Albany, New York - the Capitol
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 9AM to 4PM
Have you been helped by naturopathic medicine? Well,
now is the chance to help naturopathic medicine in return - and change
health care in New York State for the much better. You will join us
in meetings with NY legislators to let your voice be heard. Learn about
the legislative process. Everyone who is passionate about our medicine
will be there. Healthy lunch is provided too. It is a fun day!.
Please visit www.NYANP.org
for more information
InnerSource
NEW CLINIC OPEN HOUSE
Our Long Island Office - 11 Stewart Ave, Huntington, NY
Friday, May 8, 2009 - 5:30 to 8:30PM
Please join us for an open house to celebrate our new clinic in
Huntington, Long Island.We are looking to bring a new healthy energy to
our space and would like you to be a part of it. Healthy snacks will be
plentiful. Please call 718.354.7339 for more information.
The Naturopathic Pillars of
Health, followed by Open House
Our Long Island Office - 11 Stewart Ave, Huntington, NY
Saturday, May 9, 2009 - 12 to 1PM, Open House 1 to 5:30PM
Dr. Pina will discuss the will discuss an overview of naturopathic
medicine and define the basics of a healthy body and mind. There are a
few basics to health that everyone should know about. Dr. Pina will
detail each of these, and will explain easy ways to achieve them in your
life. Open House will follow. Please call 718.354.7339.
Cancer: Natural Methods
for Prevention and Treatment Options
Natural Gourmet School - New York City
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Dr. Bongiorno will cover risk factors for the disease,
ways to help prevent it, and what to do if diagnosed. You will leave with
a list of specific foods and lifestyle recommendations proven to reduce
cancer rates and recurrences. Click here for
more details or visit www.naturalgourmetschool.com to sign up.
Natural Gourmet School - New York City
Monday, June 29, 2009 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Come learn how we can help our genes make great
decisions on our behalf, and how to make truly informed choices about
eating for health. Click here for
more details or visit www.naturalgourmetschool.com to sign up.
 research:
Plastics Strongly Linked to
Diabetes: A study from the Journal of the American Medical
Association verified previous studies showing the effect of plastics in
our diet. This study followed over 1400 people and found that those with
some exposures to the plastic as tested in urine showed a 39% increase in
coronary heart disease and were 40% more likely to have a heart attack
and diabetes. This information is pretty compelling and tells us we
should eliminate plastics from packaging, lotions, water bottles and
airborne sources, where chemicals in plastic can find a route into our
bodies.
Reference: Lang IA, et al. Association of urinary bisphenol a
concentration with medical disorders and laboratory abnormalities in
adults. JAMA 2008; DOI:10.1001/jama.300.11.1303.
Higher Heat Cooking Encourages
Body Inflammation: C-Reactive Protein is a marker of body
inflammation, and is considered a stronger marker of heart disease than
cholesterol. Inflammation also drives cancers, neurodegenerative and
auto-immune disease. A study of diabetics found that those people who ate
foods cooked at higher temperatures (such as frying, grilling, and stir
frying) had a 35% increase in C-Reactive protein. Lower heat methods such
as poaching and boiling have much lower association with inflammatory
marker increases.
Reference: Proc Natl Acad Sci 2002;99:15596-15601
roasted
beet and green bean salad
* from the upcoming book from dear friend and master
health gourmet Kristin O'Connor. To learn more about Kristin and about
more healthy cooking, please visit: KO COOKS
Ingredients:
3
beets
4 cups of string beans
2 TBS honey
1
TBS water
1 TBS lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Sea salt
Ground Black Pepper
Olive oil
3
TBS fresh mint leaves, torn
2 TBS goat cheese
1/2 cup toasted walnuts
Pre Heat the oven to 450 degrees.
Scrub your beats, but do not peel. Trim off excess leaves and place
in a glass baking dish. Drizzle generously with olive oil and
sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. Roast for about 70-75
minutes or until you can pierce the beets easily with a knife.
When the beets are ready, take them out of the oven and let cool for a
few minutes. Using a recycled paper towel, rub away the skins of
the beets and cover in the baking dish until it is ready to serve.
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast raw walnuts for about 2-3
minutes, tossing frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat
and set aside.
Prepare the dressing by heating honey, lemon and water in saucepan just
until the mixture dissolves and combines. Remove from the heat and
whisk in 2 TBS olive oil.
Next, blanch the string beans in salted, boiling water for about 3-4
minutes. Remove the beans when they are still bright green.
At the last minute, slice the beets into 1/4" rounds and arrange on
your dish. Place the string beans in the center of the beets and
dress with the honey mixture. Garnish with freshly torn mint leaves
and small dollops of creamy goat cheese and toasted walnuts.
In naturopathic medicine, beets are a considered a
strong liver support by amplifying the detoxification pathways. Beets
contain flavonoids and fiber. Studies show strong correlation with beet
ingestion and lower colon cancer rates. The greens have higher nutrient
content than the root, so do not forget to include those if you have
them. String beans have cholesterol and blood sugar lowering fiber
which can both protect the cardiovascular system, along with a good
supply of vitamin B6 and folic acid.
quote
"If
you really want to help this world you will have to teach others how to
live in it." - Joseph Campbell, spoken to his students at
Sarah Lawrence College
innersourcehealth
information:
offices: Huntington, Long Island and
Union Square, Manhattan
legal disclaimer: please
note that none of the information provided in this newsletter nor the
services of InnerSource Natural Health and Acupuncture should be
considered medical advice and are not meant to replace or substitute the
advice of a licensed physician. Please note that under New York Education
Law 8211, we advise each patient as to the importance of consulting with
a licensed physician.
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