Immunity & Lifestyle - The Swine Flue Question.

I’ve had several patients ask me about the Swine Flu and how to avoid it. My short answer has been that healthy people stay healthy. And I realize that perhaps that needs explanation.

The Swine Flu is a hybrid of viruses that individually have already been through the human population. It is unique in its hybrid nature. Historically viruses pray on the weaker parts of the population, those already infirm, the very young and the elderly. A distinguishing characteristic of H1N1 is that it seems to be effecting older teens and middle life adults.

My recommendations to avoid virus overload is to maintain a healthy diet and stay well rested. If you are traveling or feel run down, I would recommend boosting your immune system with herbs and probiotics and carrying the homeopathic nasal spray Sinusin with you.

A healthy diet is easier to accomplish in this season with the accessibility of fresh vegetables. Everyone benefits from several serving of a variety of veggies each day. The vegetables should have variety of type and color. This assures a wide range of micronutrients in their most balanced and accessible state. In order for your immune system to do its job it needs a clear playing field, and vegetables are the natural cleaning crew of the body. If you are not able to eat fresh vegetables I recommend supplementing with Total Veggie from Nutriwest or Greenfood or CruciferComplete from Standard Process. They are excellent for travel when good food is hard to find or for those times when you are too busy to cook. They are not however the most balanced as they don’t contain yellow or red vegetables.

Staying away from sugary foods and artificial sweeteners allows the optimal alkaline environment for immune response. Quiet your sweet tooth with dried or fresh fruit or natural sweeteners such as agave or stevia, which do not cause insulin spikes. Both of these are now available at Farm Fresh and other conventional retail stores at a very economical price.

Sleep is nature’s best medicine. Doing everything you can to create deep restorative rest is one of your best preventions against disease at large, including viral attacks. It is well documented that 8 to 9 hours of sleep is necessary per night. And if possible a twenty minute nap in the middle of the day. (I can see your eyes rolling!) You would be surprised by the efficiency this creates. A 20 to 30 minute nap between 4 and 6pm will improve your evening rest. Even if you don’t actually sleep, taking time out to meditate or simply putting your feet up will remove yourself from daily stimulation, allowing the nervous system to relax and continue through the rest of the day without tapping into your bodies adaptive reserves. Hans Selye wrote about this in his book “The Stress of Life”, a great summer read!

Herbs and homeopathics are an excellent way to boost your immune system when you sense you have been compromise through contact or losing your immune strength through poor lifestyle. When traveling I recommend the amazing Sinusin, which is known for it’s antiviral action. It is also an excellent way to keep your head clear while transitioning in altitude and climate. Herbs are more individually recommended based on the blood type and overall constitution. My most commonly recommended is Viragraphis by Xymogen.

Interestingly, The Swine Flu Virus type H1N1A, is an enveloped virus, and most enveloped viruses can be attenuated by St. John's Wort. Long before St John’s Wort was used for depression; it was used for its antiviral action.

I hope these recommendations are helpful. Fear is the enemy! Right action is the antidote.

Dr. Janine Lex is the leader of our Global Healing team. She is a highly seasoned professional specializing in the nervous and energy systems of the body. She has been studying nutrition and advising patients on optimal health for over 25 years.

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• Total Veggie - (by Nutri West) A green food to supplement diet or a temporary substitute while traveling.
• SP GreenFood - (by Standard Process) Another green food.
• Cruciferous Complete - (by Standard Process) Eat your veggies! Yet another green food.
• Sinusin - (by Heel BHI) A homeopathic, highly anti-viral nasal spray. Also great for allergy symptoms and pressure relief when flying.
• Viragraphis - (by Xymogen) A well balanced herbal anti-viral.
• St. Johns Wort - (by Heath Concerns)

We would be happy to answer any questions if you are not sure which products may be right for you and your blood type. ^ to top

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Improve Your Joint Health! Get Global!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our June Global Movements Month, and congrats to Jo Ann, Tony, Haroldine, Glenda, Lance & Cari, the 6 drawing winners of FREE one on one training or Global Movements classes!

The article below illustrates how movement, not Motrin, is the key to healthy pain free joints. Join us for our fun, low-impact Global Movements classes to get on board!

One of the most uncomfortable symptoms of getting older is stiff joints. Your knees ache if you stand up after sitting for a while. Your shoulders ache if you have to reach up to put something away. It can be hard to move quickly because your joints are hard to move at all.

Okay, to be truthful, you will probably have some of that stiffness no matter what you do. But you can greatly decrease the typical joint stiffness of middle age if you work your joints on a frequent and regular basis. This isn't about arthritis, just the ordinary stiffness that starts setting in around 50 or so.

It helps to know how joints work. First, a joint is where two bones meet. An example is the knee joint made by the femur and tibia, the finger joints that make knuckles, or the extremely mobile upper arm bone, the humerus, which makes up the shoulder joint with the collar bone and shoulder blade. Most, though not all, of the body's joints are 'synovial,' which means they produce a lubricating fluid that helps the bone ends move past each other easily, without friction.

Synovial fluid is produced when the joint moves. But the body is lazy. If there's no joint movement, there's no reason to ooze that synovial fluid out into the joint. As time goes on, the body adapts to not creating synovial fluid, and so it takes a lot more movement to get it flowing again.

To help prevent joint stiffness, you want to stop your body from slowing the flow of lubricating fluid. But even non-synovial joints will get stiff if they adapt to not changing position. That means you must move every joint in your body for several minutes at a time; either daily or at least every other day. Plan on a 15-minute movement routine, which is best done early in the morning to get everything moving again after hours of sleep.

Each movement should be done for at least 90 seconds. Start by making a fist, then spreading your fingers wide to move all your finger joints. Next, rotate your wrists, first in one direction, then in the other. Move your elbows, then move your upper arms in every direction to thoroughly work the shoulder joint. Turn your head from side to side, up and down, forward and back; this works the joints of the upper spine.

The spine itself has 76 joints, so it needs a lot of movement. Turn your shoulders from front to back, lean back, lean forward, lean sideways. Rotate your torso around your hips. All this can be done either sitting or standing.

For the lower body, sit and lift each foot one at a time so the leg is straight. This works the knee joint. Then, hold the foot out and turn the toes from side to side to rotate the thigh in the hip joint. Hold the leg still and rotate the toes in a circle to work the ankle joint.

Soon, you won't have that dull ache when you stand up after sitting in one position for a while. You'll find that morning back pain will have lessened, or gone away entirely. Your joints, and thus your movement, will be fluid and easy. You will sit, stand and walk like you've taken a drink at the fountain of youth.

Thanks to Nancy Braithwaite for bringing this article to our attention. You can learn more about optimal health and living at Life Extension.

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The Sedona Journey~ The Ultimate Global Movement!

Enjoy 4 days of Exploration, Adventure,
Self-Healing and Transformation
in Sedona, Arizona!

October 21-24, 2009

Click for details on the Journey .
(Be sure to check out the comments from the previous participants at the bottom of the page!)

Kinesio Taping now offered at Global Healing!

Kinesio Tape is a progressive therapeutic tool designed by Kenzo Kase, D.C. in Japan about 35 years ago.  Kinesio Tape is designed to support the effects of other soft tissue modalities through the creative application of the elastic qualities of the tape.  The tape has been specifically designed to mimic the qualities of a therapist hands on the skin of the patient.

Kinesio Tape is completely latex free and made from the highest quality materials meaning it can be used by patients of every age and condition for 3-5 days per application.

Kinesio Tape has the ability to:

• Re-educate the neuromuscular system
• Reduce pain
• Enhance performance
• Prevent injury
• Promote good circulation and healing  
• Creates a lifting effect which improves circulation and relieves pain
• Tension on tape has the ability to relax or stimulate muscles
• Does not limit range of motion

Kerri Walsh sporting kinesio tape at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

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July Calendar

In addition to our fantastic seminars, Global Healing now offers multiple free and low cost classes. RSVP's are not required, but will guarantee you a spot in the class. Walk ins welcome!

All classes are at our office unless otherwise specified.

July 2009
sun	mon	tues	weds	thurs	fri	sat
			1	2	3	4
			Global Movements 5:30, $10	Kunlun Meditation 5:45, $10
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Chi Gong 11:00 donation*	Global Movements 5:30, $10 Patient Orientation 6:45	Who is in? Meditation 5:45, $10	Global Movements 5:30, $10	Kunlun Meditation 5:45, $10
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
Chi Gong 11:00 donation*	Global Movements 5:30, $10 Patient Orientation 6:45	Who is in? Meditation 5:45, $10	Global Movements 5:30, $10	Kunlun Meditation 5:45, $10
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Chi Gong 11:00 donation*	Global Movements 5:30, $10 Patient Orientation 6:45	Let's Dance! 7:00 donation*	Global Movements 5:30, $10	Kunlun Meditation 5:45, $10
26	27	28	29	30	31
	Global Movements 5:30, $10	Who is in? Meditation 5:45, $10	Global Movements 5:30, $10

Print the Calendar.

First time Meditation participants please arrive at 5:30 for orientation.

* Donations are optional and on the honor system. 100% of proceeds go directly to Women for Women.

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Recipes of the Month - Chicken Breast with Spinach

This is a hearty dinner sure to satisfy your tummy! Spinach is loaded with flavinoid that functions as an antioxidant and immune booster. Blocks are listed for those of you following the Zone diet.

Ingredients:

• 5oz organic chicken breast, cooked and shredded
  [5 block Protein]
• 3 1/2 cups cooked spinach [1 block Carb]
• 3 cups mushrooms chopped [1 block Carb]
• 1 cup onion chopped [1 block Carb]
• 1 orange on the side [2 block Carb]
• 24 peanuts [4 block Fat]
• 1/3 tsp. olive oil [1 block Fat]

Spices:

• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
• 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
• pepper for taste

Directions:

• Sauté onions, mushrooms and spices in olive oil.
• Toss spinach, chicken and peanuts (if desired). Enjoy!

Print this recipe

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