Posts Tagged ‘practicing holistic health’

Practicing holistic health during the holidays is possible

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Many people throw their healthy eating habits and exercise routines out the window when the holidays roll around, thinking that they will get back on the horse in January.

However, this doesn't always happen. Once the festivities have come to an end, the weather remains frigid in some regions or people's good habits have already been lost and forgotten. As a result, it's a good idea to practice holistic health even during times of celebration and indulgence.

So, what is holistic health? This way of living requires nourishing every aspect of one's being at its root. For instance, practicing holistic health for the liver begins with avoiding alcohol and drinking plenty of water. Holistic health for the brain requires education, as well as abstaining from drugs and potentially harmful activities.

Other components of holistic health include taking natural nutritional supplements, eating right, using complementary and alternative medicine and getting plenty of exercise.

The main idea behind holistic health is that one small action taken each day can accumulate to optimal health as a person ages. This makes practicing holistic health during the holidays important to overall wellness later in the year.

 

Practicing holistic health through a good diet may slow prostate cancer growth

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Prostate cancer is a major concern among men, especially those in the aging baby boomer generation and older. But researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, report that eating a low-fat diet supplemented with fish oil may be an effective way to prevent death from the carcinoma.

In order to reach their conclusions, the researchers asked volunteers to consume a special diet during the four to six weeks leading up to their prostate removal. After the operations, the scientists examined the gland tissue and found far fewer abnormal cells in volunteers who ate a low-fat, high-omega-3 diet, when compared to control subjects.

"The finding that the low-fat, fish oil diet reduced the number of rapidly dividing cells in the prostate cancer tissue is important because the rate at which the cells are dividing can be predictive of future cancer progression," said first author William Aronson.

Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee believes in the power of holistic health care to help prevent and treat illnesses. Results of this study suggest that practicing holistic health by means of a balanced diet may be an effective way to reduce one's mortality risk from cancer.

Omega-3 fatty acids shown to be holistic healthcare for osteoarthritis

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

Too often, people turn to pharmaceutical medicine in an effort to alleviate symptoms of a condition after it has already taken hold. Instead, individuals should focus on making positive lifestyle changes for holistic health in order to prevent hard-to-treat illnesses.

For example, researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK recently found that consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent and possibly slow the progression of osteoarthritis, an incurable condition of the joints.

They observed the benefits of the healthful fats in a study on guinea pigs, an animal that is predisposed to developing osteoarthritis. The researchers found that supplementing the rodents with omega-3s resulted in a 50 percent decrease in risk of the condition as well as alleviated symptoms of joint degradation.

“This current research in guinea pigs is exciting as it brings us closer to understanding how omega-3 might fundamentally interfere with the osteoarthritis process, and that it could potentially be taken as a treatment,” said Alan Silman, research director of Arthritis Research UK.

Practicing holistic health can provide people with improved overall wellness without the side effects of medications.

Frankincense may be holistic health care for arthritis

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

Many individuals are interested in practicing holistic health methods – such as taking natural nutritional supplements or engaging in meditation or yoga – in an effort to strengthen their bodies and minds without the use of pharmaceuticals, which often come with side effects.

Researchers at Cardiff University have discovered that frankincense extracts may be used as holistic health care to treat arthritis.

“The search for new ways of relieving the symptoms of inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis is a long and difficult one,” said lead researcher Emma Blain.

The team of scientists developed a treatment made from the extract of a Somalian type of frankincense that has been used by native people for a long time to treat inflammatory conditions.

“What our research has focused on is whether and how these extracts can help relieve the inflammation that causes the pain,” said Blain.

The researchers theorized that the herbal extract slows the production of imflammatory molecules, thereby preventing the breakdown of cartilage that is characteristic of arthritis.

The condition causes much pain in individuals who have it, spurring many to turn to invasive or pharmaceutical treatments. The problem is, much of Western medicine is wrought with side effects, like the risk of infection, addiction or other problems that may be more serious than the initial disease.

As a result, many individuals are turning to holistic methods of health, which aim at treating the root of a condition or illness using the plants and elements provided by the Earth. These treatments may not only come free of side effects, but could be more effective in alleviating pain, discomfort or depressive feelings than drugs or surgery.

The best holistic health may include avoiding the tanning salon

Friday, August 12th, 2011

Frequent or even moderate use of tanning beds has been associated with an increased risk of skin cancer like melanoma, which can be deadly. Now, researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center report that the beds may also lead to brain changes similar to those seen in drug addicts.

A team of scientists conducted a study in which volunteers used tanning beds and reported on their feelings about the activity before getting in the bed. Additionally, researchers measured the participants' brain activity while they tanned.

Authors of the study concluded that tanning does have similar effects on the brain to those seen in drug addicts, and that some users display an addict-like behavior in regards to tanning.

"Using tanning beds has rewarding effects in the brain so people may feel compelled to persist in the behavior even though it's bad for them," said study author Bryon Adinoff. "The implication is, 'If it's rewarding, then could it also be addictive?' It's an important question in the field."

The researchers noted that about 120,000 individuals are diagnosed with melanoma each year. Moreover, people under the age of 30 who use tanning beds are 10 times more likely to develop the disease.

Author and trailblazer Ilchi Lee says that practicing holistic health includes protecting oneself from the sun, eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise and using mind body spirit fitness.

Lee believes that getting the best holistic health is one thing that all individuals should strive toward in an effort to attain success and fulfillment, since a person's physical self is intricately tied to their mental and spiritual aspects.

Music may be holistic health care for cancer patients

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

There's no question that listening to music can do wonders in improving a person's mood. Hearing a familiar tune can inspire spontaneous singing and dancing, and it's difficult to stay sad while doing these things.

Now, researchers at Philadelphia's Drexel University reported that the power of music may even be strong enough to lift the spirits of individuals going through cancer treatment.

A team of scientists reviewed 30 trials that examined the healing ability of song. The study revealed that music can significantly relieve anxiety, improve quality of life, lift mood and alleviate pain. Moreover, the researchers also observed a positive impact on cardiovascular and lung function.

"The evidence suggests that music interventions may be useful as a complementary treatment to people with cancer," said lead researcher Joke Bradt. "Music interventions provided by trained music therapists as well as listening to pre-recorded music both have shown positive outcomes in this review."

Flutist and trailblazer Ilchi Lee recommends non-pharmaceutical interventions for practicing holistic health. Additionally, he says that music is one of the healthiest forms of entertainment and that it has the power to soothe the body, mind and spirit.

Lee also recommends that individuals experience the benefits of meditation and yoga in order to achieve wellness without an invasive procedure or drugs. These holistic health methods have been shown to significantly improve a person's mental abilities, which may also strengthen the physical self and prevent disease.

Too often, people turn to medications to help them feel better. But sadly, these drugs can have side effects and leave individuals feeling worse of than they would without the pharmaceuticals.

A home-cooked meal may help people achieve best holistic health

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Individuals who prefer to make their own meals at home may end up with the best holistic health, according to researchers at Nova Scotia Agricultural College and McGill University.

Their study revealed that people who cook and eat at home tend to make healthier food choices and be in better moods than individuals who dine at restaurants.

"The home is a privileged environment that nurtures healthy eating and in which healthier food choices trigger and are triggered by more positive emotions," said study authors.

The researchers noted that while humans have been hard-wired to crave fatty, salty or sugary foods in order to obtain enough calories to survive during the hunting and gathering years, the calmness that individuals tend to feel while in the comfort of their own home may counteract the evolutionary trait.

Authors of the study said their findings may help more Americans achieve a healthier diet.

Philosopher, trailblazer and flutist Ilchi Lee recommends practicing holistic health methods as a way to achieve overall well-being. This certainly includes eating a healthier diet, which can lead to a stronger body and mind.

Individuals who wish to improve their wellness through the food they eat may want to consider making their meals at home. A balanced diet includes ample fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and beans and legumes. Individuals should avoid products like soda, packaged snacks, fatty meats and excessive desserts.

For those who may not be used to eating at home, consider getting into the habit by purchasing some cook books, which may provide some simple techniques and recipes to get to you into the kitchen.

Holistic health care to slim waistline may increase lifespan

Friday, July 15th, 2011

Individuals who have kidney disease may want to consider losing weight around their midsection, since researchers at the Loyola University Health System found that patients with a high waist circumference were at a higher risk of mortality, when compared to their slimmer counterparts.

A team of scientists examined the health data of more than 5,800 individuals with kidney disease over a four-year period, over which time 11.8 percent of participants passed away.

Interestingly, those who died had a body mass index (BMI) that was lower than the average for the study group, but they were shown to have larger waist circumferences, at 40.1 inches, compared to the survivors who had an average measurement of 39.1 inches.

"Waist circumference reflects abdominal adiposity [fat] alone and may be a useful measure to determine mortality risk associated with obesity in adults with chronic kidney disease, especially when used in conjunction with BMI," said the study authors.

Authors of the study noted that the findings may be useful in determining which patients have a higher risk of premature death.

Practicing holistic health techniques, like eating healthy, getting plenty of physical activity and taking vitamin supplements, may help individuals to reduce their waist circumference. Additionally, methods that help to strengthen the connection between the body and mind may help people gain better self control.

Brain Education research has shown that the meditation technique may be an effective way for people to gain control over their minds. In turn, such practices can help individuals let go of unhealthy life habits that may be contributing to excess body fat as well as kidney problems.