Female Health
"What do I have to do to prevent breast cancer?”
“How can I relieve the swelling and pain and lumps (fibrocystic disease)
in my breasts?” “Can I prevent tumors and fibroids in the ovary and
uterus area?” “What can I do for severe menstrual cramps?"
Unfortunately many women think that these
problems are the norm or are "the inevitable problems" associated with
being a woman. With a definite plan of home self care, we have seen
many patients report, often with a sigh of relief, that there is indeed
something you can do for yourself to make you feel better and stay healthier.
Most female problems are due to a combination
of nervous system dysfunction, poor digestion and elimination, nutritional
deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances.
The nervous system is the primary controlling
system of the body and the actions of the nervous system are carried out
by transmission of nerve impulses--electricity. If the brain cannot
transmit its messages properly to the body, dis-ease (pain, improper functioning)
will occur. The primary cause of this interruption in nerve transmission
is the SUBLUXATION--nerve pressure due to spinal misalignments. Chiropractic
care is the method of choice for correcting subluxations.
The glandular system (pituitary, adrenals,
ovaries, thyroid, etc.) is known as the guardian of your health and
sends its messages through secretions known as hormones. Proper,
coordinated functioning of the glandular system is dependent on exercise,
proper functioning of the nervous system, and the balance of necessary
nutrients (vitamins and enzymes) to aid in the body's chemical balance.
Yoga is one of the best methods of balancing the glandular system through
exercise. Ask us for specific yoga sets you can do on your own at
home.
One common complaint of many women is breast
swelling and soreness often with accompanying "lumps" (cysts) especially
premenstrually. During the normal cycle of a woman's period, estrogen
and progesterone (two hormones) need to increase and decrease opposite
one another. For instance, after ovulation, the estrogen level needs
to come down and the progesterone level needs to increase.
For this hormonal teeter-totter act to work
properly the liver needs to help the body take out its excess estrogen
and break it down so the body can eliminate it. If the liver isn't
working properly, this process can't efficiently occur. One cause
of improper liver functioning is the consumption of too much sugar, coffee,
white bread, and fried foods, all of which tax and strain the liver's ability
to function and use up the body's stores of B vitamins. Many women
find great relief of menstrual symptoms when they both cut down on these
food offenders and increase their B vitamin intake.
Another reason the liver might "backup" and
not work up to par, is the inability of the colon to accept the waste products
of the liver. One of the liver's main jobs is to accept the wastes
of the body, break them down into usable and non-usable components, return
the "good stuff" to the body for further use, and get rid of the "bad stuff"
through the colon. The colon's function can be impaired by similar
foods: too much sugar, coffee, meats, fried foods, and refined foods.
By stimulating the colon to work better, the liver will function more efficiently,
the estrogen will be "detoxified" from the body, and many pre-menstrual
problems can be alleviated. Again, by eliminating the offending foods,
and increasing the B vitamin and C vitamin intakes, relief can be obtained.
Next month we'll discuss specific exercises
as well as trigger (acupuncture) points that can be rubbed to gain not
only relief but lasting correction of many female problems.
Bonus Tip
Refocus for Success
One of the greatest causes of stress is success!
Achieving your goals can cause slumps! Sounds backwards, doesn't
it?
Here's what happens: You work very hard to
be successful, to increases your productivity, your sales, the amount of
work you can accomplish in a shorter time. You accomplish all your
goals and feel, deservedly so, that you should reward yourself.
THE PROBLEM: your "reward" takes the form
of letting up, of relaxing and resting on your laurels, instead of trying
to do even better the next month.
THE RESULT: you go into a slump for a week,
or two, or three only to have your total output for two months be equal
or less than if you had just had two average months instead of a super
month and a poor one.
What to do? Here's a seven step plan
guaranteed to work within a week; if you're in a severe slump, maybe two
weeks. Follow the following steps for 5 consecutive business days:
EXERCISE EACH MORNING - for at least a half
hour, it'll make your blood move to make you feel and think clearer and
give you a sense of accomplishment
STOP READING NEWSPAPERS - too much negativity,
and it distracts your mind from accomplishing your goals (wastes a lot
of valuable time too)
EXTEND YOUR WORKDAY BY 1/2 HOUR - start early
or end late, your subconscious will know that you're deserving of ever
greater goals and rewards when you put in a little extra time
SCHEDULE A BUSIER DAY - this too will enhance
the feeling of "I deserve" so crucial to success
NO TV - like the newspaper, it will distract
you and potentially make you feel guilty for not doing more
READ SELF HELP BOOKS DAILY - to remind you
and help you concentrate on your goals, to give you fresh new ideas to
be the most successful person you can be
LISTEN TO POSITIVE THINKING TAPES - especially
while driving in the car, to and from work, on errands. 15 minutes
twice a day, 20 days a month is equivalent to a 120 hour college course
each year!
BONUS TIP: TITHE – whatever seeds you
sow you'll reap. Want more money? Give more money!
(Special thanks to Foster Hibbard for sharing
these ideas with me)
Herbs and Nutrition for
Health
Milk Thistle (Silybum
marianum)
As I mentioned, one of the key problems with
female health problems is inadequate liver function. To aid in the
detoxification of the liver, try milk thistle, a common roadside herb.
Milk thistle (or its key constituent, Silymarin)
is known to encourage growth of new liver cells (regeneration) and is also
hepatoprotective (protects the liver from damage by toxins).
Most people think high cholesterol is solely
a result of too much fat in the diet. Actually, your diet only affects
your cholesterol levels by 7-10%. The rest of the high cholesterol
story is improper liver function. Milk thistle aids the liver in
the break down and elimination of cholesterol.
As usual, herbs often work better in combinations.
Other herbs traditionally used to support the liver include Dandelion (Taraxacum
officinale root), Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus root), artichoke (Cynara scolymus),
turmeric (Curcuma longa) and the Chinese herb Bupleurum (Radix Bupleurum).
The silymarin in milk thistle seeds is a
bioflavonoid complex. Bioflavonoids are well known for their antioxidant
properties.
Side effects? Silymarin stimulates
liver and gallbladder functions. Because of this stimulation, you
might experience a mild laxative effect that lasts a few days and usually
disappears.
Upcoming
Classes
Let Food Be Your Medicine
Learn what foods enhance digestion, cleansing,
immunity, and relaxation. Find out the importance of vitamins, herbs
and water in maintaining your health and vitality.
Wednesday, March 15, 2000
7:00 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.
Call 770-551-0155 to register — Space
is limited — $10
Nutrition, A Sailor's
Best Mate
Techniques and tips for staying health and
recovering quickly on your sailing vacation.
Wednesday, March 22, 2000
7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.
Call Windsong Sailing Academy to register
404.256.6700 — Space is limited
Acupuncture for Yourself
Find out what acupuncture is and how you
can utilize this ancient healing art to increase your health and vitality,
prevent colds, treat headaches, relieve pain and more. No needles!!
Wednesday, March 29, 2000
7:00 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.
Call 770-551-0155 to register — Space
is limited — $10
Kundalini Yoga Classes