Big Pharm would like to rule the world, it seems. Pharmaceutical monopoly just isn't enough. No, they'd like to be able to control access (read profit from) every aspect of healing, including the healing potentials of your kitchen herbs. Check out this story to see what they're up to now... trying to pass a law that uses a devious blend of criminalizing supplements and herbal remedies as they redefine the term sales and the application of forfeiture laws to wrest still more control of health and healing from the people to place in the hands of those hungry for still more profit.
Disgusting! Better buy seeds for secret gardens now... while you still can. Heritage seeds, those not contaminated by genetic alteration or neutered by those who prefer seeds to be bought every season, rather than saved from a portion of what was grown.
Showing posts with label pain management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pain management. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Relaxing In the Sun: Good Preventative Medicine
Vitamin D has been in the news quite a bit lately, with a variety of studies publicized that link a number of serious health issues to vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D has been long established as a critical factor in bone strength and calcium absorption, its benefit proven years ago when it's deficiency was definitively linked to the childhood disease rickets.
However, further studies have indicated that vitamin D deficiency can contribute to a long list of other ailments, many more than previously thought. Evidence has emerged that suggests links between insufficient levels of vitamin D and autoimmune illnesses, chronic pain, cancer, depression, diabetes, neuromuscular disorders, autism, heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, and many others. Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to severely weaken the immune system, factoring in the spread of viral illnesses like influenza and the common cold.
Most vitamin D in the body is produced by exposure to sunlight. Many people, heeding warnings by health care professionals about skin cancer prevention, are restricting their exposure to the sun with the use of sunscreen or by remaining indoors. This trend has made maintaining an adequate level of vitamin D in the system difficult, resulting in deficient levels in approximately 40% of adults. Deficiency rates are highest among people of color, as skin pigmentation blocks a portion of the ultraviolet light to which it is exposed, but is a prevalent problem in all segments of the population.
While preventing skin cancer is certainly important, evidence is mounting that a moderate amount of sun exposure is critical to good health, and supplements may be wise in the winter months when sunlight is weakest. Some experts suggest that just an hour of sunshine a day can be enough to prevent deficiency in the summer months.
There is a lot more information on the subject available, with some of the articles and studies I found most interesting and informative linked in the text....but be sure to step away from the screen for a few minutes to enjoy a bit of sunshine, guilt free...
However, further studies have indicated that vitamin D deficiency can contribute to a long list of other ailments, many more than previously thought. Evidence has emerged that suggests links between insufficient levels of vitamin D and autoimmune illnesses, chronic pain, cancer, depression, diabetes, neuromuscular disorders, autism, heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, and many others. Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to severely weaken the immune system, factoring in the spread of viral illnesses like influenza and the common cold.
Most vitamin D in the body is produced by exposure to sunlight. Many people, heeding warnings by health care professionals about skin cancer prevention, are restricting their exposure to the sun with the use of sunscreen or by remaining indoors. This trend has made maintaining an adequate level of vitamin D in the system difficult, resulting in deficient levels in approximately 40% of adults. Deficiency rates are highest among people of color, as skin pigmentation blocks a portion of the ultraviolet light to which it is exposed, but is a prevalent problem in all segments of the population.
While preventing skin cancer is certainly important, evidence is mounting that a moderate amount of sun exposure is critical to good health, and supplements may be wise in the winter months when sunlight is weakest. Some experts suggest that just an hour of sunshine a day can be enough to prevent deficiency in the summer months.
There is a lot more information on the subject available, with some of the articles and studies I found most interesting and informative linked in the text....but be sure to step away from the screen for a few minutes to enjoy a bit of sunshine, guilt free...
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Beyond Drugs: Pain Management Strategies
Chronic pain can suck the joy right out of life, leaving the sufferer physically miserable, as well as mentally exhausted and even depressed. For many, drugs just are not the answer, offering only partial relief or relief that fades all too fast, as the body becomes tolerant of the medication, demanding more and more, until finally the pain relieving medication no longer is effective.
Yet another set of recent clinical studies have demonstrated the value of a more integrated approach to pain management. As has been shown with back pain, for those suffering from some types arthritis, there is some indication that therapies that seek to increase and improve movement can be helpful not only for managing pain, but also for helping to prevent further injury.
Meditation has also shown promise to aid in the management of chronic pain, as well as its associated stress, anxiety and depression. While meditation is much more common in the Eastern part of the world, it is starting to become a much more mainstream concept here in the West.
Chronic pain is tough to live with, and all too frequently cannot be controlled by drugs alone. Exploring the possibilities of a more integrated and holistic approach can make a real difference in overall quality of life.
Yet another set of recent clinical studies have demonstrated the value of a more integrated approach to pain management. As has been shown with back pain, for those suffering from some types arthritis, there is some indication that therapies that seek to increase and improve movement can be helpful not only for managing pain, but also for helping to prevent further injury.
Meditation has also shown promise to aid in the management of chronic pain, as well as its associated stress, anxiety and depression. While meditation is much more common in the Eastern part of the world, it is starting to become a much more mainstream concept here in the West.
Chronic pain is tough to live with, and all too frequently cannot be controlled by drugs alone. Exploring the possibilities of a more integrated and holistic approach can make a real difference in overall quality of life.
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