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by Edward Group, DC, DACBN, of TheHolisticOption.com
Repeatedly demonstrated to aid gastrointestinal health in the human body, acidophilus and other probiotics are key elements of our overall health and well being. This is particularly true when we consider that many of our common-day chronic ailments begin in the digestive system. It is also true when we consider the sheer number of people that suffer from poor gastrointestinal health, a condition which lowers the overall level of good bacteria in the body.
Before we go into the multi-fold benefits of taking probiotics, let’s define what probiotics are. The Joint FAO/WHO Working Group defines probiotics as "live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host."
In plain English, probiotics are a type of living bacteria that actually benefit your health when taken in the appropriate amounts. This friendly bacteria, located in the gastrointestinal tract, comes in a variety of forms. With more than 400 different bacteria living in the human gastrointestinal tract, the most common forms of intestinal probiotics are L. acidophilus and Bifidobacteria bifidum.
These bacteria act as balancing agents for non-friendly, pathogenic, gut-bacteria such as Candida or E. coli. When the “good-guys” are not present enough, a number of bacteria-related health problems such as digestive upset, headaches, sluggishness, irritability, cadidiasis (an overgrowth of the bacteria Candida albicans), and even anxiety can ensue.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is, quite possibly, the strongest of our probiotic fighters. Studies show that L. acidophilus actually creates a natural form of antibiotics in the body. This natural antibiotic increases our ability to produce antimicrobial action against the pathogens in the food we eat, the air we breath, and the things we come in contact with. Stress, unhealthy lifestyles, and most importantly, unhealthy acidic diets, destroy our natural amounts of probiotics. In this sense, it is a great idea to add a probiotic supplement to your diet.
The following health benefits are associated with the intake of daily doses of probiotics.
- Enhanced immune system response
- Reduces negative affects of taking many types of antibiotics
- Aids in preventing and treating colon inflammation following surgery
- Helps to prevent eczema in youth
- Increased ability to digest food
- Therapeutic for viral respiratory tract infections by enhancing the overall immune system
- Reduces lactose intolerance
- Reduces incidence of yeast infection, vaginitis and candidiasis
- Increases ability to assimilate the nutrients from food
- Alleviates many common digestive disorders such as constipation, diarrhea and IBS
- Acts as a treatment for halitosis (bad breath)
- Increases ability to synthesize vitamin B
- Increases ability to absorb calcium
- Promotes anti-tumor and anti-cancer activity in the body
Dr. Group's website is www.ghchealth.com.
by Acharya Sri Khadi Madama, RYT, of TheHolisticOption.com
I'm so honored and excited to be able to have communication with others through our own Ask the Experts blog here at TheHolisticOption.com.
I've written extensively over the years in my own newsletters and other publications about how to manage stress, wellness and of course, Yoga and meditation. There is even a Yoga of writing! As in traditional Yoga practice the student always kept a "Kitab" or "Sadhana" journal. So, I hope that you will start one too, if you don't already have one. I hope to chock this blog with lots of tips gleaned over 40 years.
We could say there's a Yoga of Everything, because the very word Yoga refers to "harnessing together" or "the Yoke that holds together". Whether it is a team of beautiful, gentle oxen that are often seen along the roadways and paths in India or whether it is a an athletic team, organization or work staff, the common Yoke that holds them together beyond the immediate goal, is their ability to concentrate and work together in meaningful and synergistic ways or the dynamo of success comes to a halt! Wherever you are right now, looking for ways to be a better part of this Yoke will not only improve your work environment, but your health as well. In order for Yoga practice to be able to fit into the new paradigm, we have to be able to apply it's principles beyond the asanas and even beyond our own meditation. If we cannot apply the laws of flexibility of the body and mind to our work or our families, we are not completely understanding the meaning of Yoga. If one oxen should get away, the team is weakened and so it is with our minds if we are not using the extant philosophy of Yoga to improve every aspect of our daily living.
My teacher always taught that it was not necessary to look like a Yogi, but to act as one so that in blending in harmoniously everywhere, others would learn by example of my conduct and the vibrational quality of my presence. At work, take a couple of minutes each day. Make a commitment to begin each day by sitting, eyes closed, and focus on gratitude for the smallest things such as, safe arrival at work, the water cooler working, the blue sky, not waking with a headache (even if you did!). Just practice gratefulness for 2 1/2 minutes every day working up to 24 minutes. You will see your entire world begin to change day by day, because your vantage point will be from a higher place. I call this Time Tithing®.
"Remember to think lovely thoughts and keep smiling".
Khadi's website is www.yourstrulyyogatv.vpweb.com.
by Andrea Beaman, HHC, AADP, of TheHolisticOption.com
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) “jing” is the source of life, longevity and vitality (including sexual vitality!). Jing is the deep essence we are born with, and is passed down from our parents to us and stored in our kidneys. Abusing the kidneys with a toxic lifestyle can drain our life essence, create a deficiency of jing, resulting in impotence, reproductive disorders, and other illnesses. We cannot replace congenital jing (bummer), but we can enhance “acquired jing” by improving our food and lifestyle. Yeah baby!
Toxic substances in the food and environment can deplete the jing. This includes Genetically Modified (GM) foods and pesticides that have been linked with lowered libido, diminished sperm count, abnormal and dead sperm, increased sterility, miscarriage, reduced egg production, and birth defects. There are GM seeds on the market called “Terminator Seeds” that are sterile. Yikes! Foods with no reproductive capacity have a similar energetic effect inside the body. Organically grown and Certified Naturally Grown food prohibits the use of GM seeds. Other factors that can exhaust the kidneys, weaken the sex drive, and diminish jing include excessive use of stimulants, coffee (caffeine), alcohol, drugs, stress, fear, overwork, cold foods (cold breakfast cereal with cold milk, too many raw salads, iced foods and drinks) and excess sugar and refined carbohydrates.
Traditional foods that can enhance acquired jing and increase vitality include fish, beans/legumes, liver and kidney (organ meats), bone marrow, and cereal grasses (whole grains). When the physical body grows excited blood rushes to the sex organs. If there is a “blood deficiency” the desire for sex may be strong, but the body may be weak and unable to perform. Essential to strengthening and building blood are red meats, bone marrow, liver, fish and seafood, chicken and eggs.
On the other hand, if the blood is stagnant or congested (thick and waxy from too much fat and animal products), there may also be corresponding trouble with the sex organs. Sludgy blood makes for sluggish sex drive. Essential to purifying, tonifying and moving the blood are vegetables like garlic, onions, leeks, dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, collard greens, dandelion leaf), burdock root, beets, and sea vegetables. We have to be able to find the right balance between foods from the vegetable and animal kingdoms to enhance fertility and sexual vitality.
George Ohsawa (a pioneer in Macrobiotics) said, “A good appetite for food and sex is health itself. Sexual appetite and joyful satisfaction are an essential condition of happiness.” C’mon... it’s time to get into the kitchen and get your groove on! For delicious libido enhancing recipes, click here.
Andrea's website is www.AndreaBeaman.com
Repeatedly demonstrated to aid gastrointestinal health in the human body, acidophilus and other probiotics are key elements of our overall health and well being. This is particularly true when we consider that many of our common-day chronic ailments begin in the digestive system. It is also true when we consider the sheer number of people that suffer from poor gastrointestinal health, a condition which lowers the overall level of good bacteria in the body.
