What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

7 Feb 2013 Your Overall Health , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

SAD is a type of depression that develops during the dark and cloudy grays days of winter.  Surprisingly, this depression doesn’t surface until the spring and early summer, after the winter months have sapped our energy and lowered our moods.

 

What are the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder?

 

While loss of energy and depression are most common, other symptoms can include:

 

  • Hopelessness
  • Anxiety
  • Heavy feeling of arms and legs
  • Oversleeping
  • Social withdrawal
  • Weight gain
  • Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed

 

 

What causes SAD and what are the theories behind it?

 

The specific cause of SAD is still unknown. Generally it seems to affect certain patients more than others. A person with a genetic predisposition or mental health issues is most vulnerable. The common theories explaining SAD are:

 

  • Biological clock (circadian rhythm):  Reduced levels of light will disrupt the body’s internal clock which can lead to depression.
  • Serotonin levels:  Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that effects mood and gets a boost from sunlight. These levels may drop in the winter and trigger depression.
  • Melatonin levels: Melatonin is a hormone that helps control our sleep patterns and moods. Production of this hormone can be reduced during the winter months which can disrupt sleep and trigger low moods.

 

Who is most at risk?

 

  • Females
  • Those with a family history of SAD
  • Those with clinical depression or bipolar disorder
  • Those living very far away from the equator

 

How to know if you meet the criteria for suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder?

 

You might be diagnosed with SAD if:

 

  • You have experienced a depression or fatigue in at least two consecutive years around the same time of the year
  • The depression seemed to go away suddenly when the season changed
  • There are no life-related explanations for your depression or mood changes

 

What are the treatment options for SAD?

 

  • Light therapy:  A very easy way to see if you have this disorder is to buy an inexpensive full spectrum light bulb that fits in your vanity and note whether your mood improves somewhat or completely.  This may be adequate treatment for some people.  If your mood only improves slightly then you may want to talk to your doctor about a high-quality light therapy box.
  • Medication:  Herbal supplements like 5HTP can increase serotonin and melatonin levels for maintaining a healthy sleep pattern. Other vitamins and herbs can assist in depression disorders.  Pharmaceuticals options include Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac and Effexor.
  • Talk therapy:  Helps teach coping mechanisms for SAD.
  • Get a massage! The healing power of touch has been shown to lift some of the symptoms of SAD while giving much needed relief to tired achy muscles.

 

What can I do to prevent SAD?

 

  • Exercise regularly 4 times a week for a minimum of 30-45 minutes.
  • Getting outside in the sun for as little as 10 to 15 minutes can help prevent SAD.
  • Replace your traditional vanity light with a full-spectrum bulb to reap its advantages while getting ready for school or work in the morning.
  • Supplement with Vitamin D 2,000 iu daily. Increased dosages should only be taken if recommended by your doctor.  Vitamin D supplements are especially important if you wear sunscreen regularly.

An Irresistible Valentine Treat Oreo Truffle Balls

7 Feb 2013 Recipes & Home Remedies , , , , ,

Because sometimes you have to splurge just a little.

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
16 ounces Oreo cookies, broken into quarters
2 cups chopped white chocolate (use the best you can find)

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese for a couple of minutes until smooth. Add in just over 1/2 of the broken Oreos and mix until thoroughly combined. Add in the rest of the Oreos and mix just until combined – some bigger pieces are ok.

Cover bowl and chill for at least 2-3 hours. Scoop out dough with a heaping teaspoon and roll into 50-60 balls. Cover and place back in the refrigerator to firm up.

Slowly melt the white chocolate in a double boiler, stirring occasionally, until most of the chunks are smooth. Remove and stir to melt the rest of the chocolate. Dip each truffle ball in the white chocolate and set aside on a Silpat or parchment paper. If the chocolate mixture starts to firm up, place back over the double boiler to slowly re-melt, or gently re-warm in the microwave. Store in the refrigerator after all are dipped.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies By elana pantry

7 Feb 2013 Recipes & Home Remedies , , ,

 

2 ½ cups almond flour (Honeyvillegrain.com)

½ tsp. sea salt

½ tsp. baking soda

½ cup butter or vegan option (coconut oil)

1 Tbsp. vanilla

½ cup coconut sugar

1 cup Enjoy chocolate chips

 

Combine all dry ingredients, except sugar, and stir.

Combine all wet ingredients and add the sugar. Stir, and then add to dry ingredients.

 

Mix and divide dough into ½ inch balls and flatten.

Bake at 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes.

 

These cookies earned a thumbs-up in our office taste test and were just as good the second day!

 

Cardiovascular Health

7 Feb 2013 Your Overall Health , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What is the role of the cardiovascular system?

 

The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels (veins, arteries, arterioles and capillaries).  The cardiovascular system is responsible for circulating blood throughout the body providing oxygenation, homeostasis, regulation, protection and waste removal.  Pulmonary circulation carries blood between the heart and lungs while systemic circulation delivers oxygenated blood to the entire body.

 

How does the cardiovascular system work?

 

The heart acts as a pumping system that forces blood into the lungs (pulmonary system) and the body (systemic system) so that oxygen, waste removal and regulation all occur.  The pump forces blood into the lungs and out into the rest of the system. The arteries deliver oxygenated blood to the body as the pump action of the heart forces the blood into the arterioles and capillaries that are located in our extremities.  The veins then return the deoxygenated blood and blood that has picked up waste to the liver and the lungs to be filtered and reoxygenated.

 

What should I know about the heart?

 

The heart is about the size of a clenched fist, weighs about 300g and in most people lies on the left side of the chest.  It is composed of four chambers: the right and left atrium, and right and left ventricles that work together as a pump to distribute blood throughout the body.  The heart beats about 60-80 times per minute. This is often measured in your doctor’s office and is referred to as resting heart rate.   Blood pressure is a measure of the pressure at which the heart pumps as well as the elasticity of the arteries that it is pumped into.  It is essential to have good blood pressure to ensure that your body receives adequate blood supply. It is also important to know that high blood pressure can damage the vessels.

 

What should I know about blood pressure?

 

Blood pressure is measured in a doctor’s office by a sphygmomanometer

which measures both the systolic and diastolic pressure.  The top number is the systolic pressure (a measurement of the blood being pumped from the heart into the blood vessels) and is the highest pressure in the vessels.  The bottom number is the diastolic pressure (a measurement of blood filling the heart between heartbeats) and is the lowest pressure in your vessels.  Medical “normal” blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, yet most doctors won’t show great concern if your blood pressure is 140/85 unless kidney failure, heart disease and liver failure are a concern.  It is common for the top number to fluctuate. Even going to the doctor’s office can cause an increase in the systolic pressure of about 10 mmHg.   If blood pressure is too low (below 105/65), a person may experience dizziness or fainting. Doctors will also look for at least 30 mmHg between the systolic and diastolic pressure. Less than that is a suggestion that the heart is no longer a strong enough pump.

 

How does cholesterol impact cardiovascular health?

 

The common thought has been that high cholesterol is bad because it causes a build-up of plaque in the blood vessels that impacts the heart’s ability to pump effectively. However, about 50% of patients who suffered a heart attack actually had normal cholesterol levels.  Further research has been done on both HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein) which determined it is not the cholesterol but more likely the particle carrier and the density of the lipoprotein sub-types that determine a person’s risk of heart disease.  The National Cholesterol Education Program outlines the following to determine a more accurate cardiovascular risk:

 

  • Small, Dense Ldl: these atherogenic particles are easily oxidized and penetrate the   arterial endothelium to form plaque
  • Lp(A):this small, dense LDL is involved in thrombosis
  • RLP (Remnant Lipoprotein): is very atherogenic, has a similar composition and density of plaque, is believed to be a building block of plaque and does not need to be oxidized like other LDL particles
  • Hdl2B:positively correlates with heart health because it is an indicator of how well excess lipids are removed

 

By performing a Lipoprotein Particle Profile in our office, we can more accurately determine true risk.

 

The last fact about cholesterol to consider is that women in menopause and men in andropause will have an increase in cholesterol due to reduced hormone production while the liver continues to produce the same amount of cholesterol. This can be addressed by balancing hormones.

 

What are the red flags of heart disease that should encourage me to see a doctor?

 

  • Family history of high blood pressure or high cholesterol
  • High body mass index (BMI 30 or greater)
  • Stressful lifestyle
  • Out of breath when walking up stairs or from your car to a grocery store
  • Sweaty and red-faced after activities you used to do without a problem
  • Chest pain
  • Changes in your heart beat
  • Swelling in the legs
  • Low urinary output
  • Constant weakness and fatigue with normal daily activities

 

How can I prevent heart disease?

 

  • Reduce stress.  Change the hours you spend at work, even if you can’t change jobs.  Take vacations and actually rest.  Remove unwanted actives from your schedule and don’t apologize for taking care of yourself.
  • Reduce weight.  If you need to lose 50 pounds or more, consider small changes like portion control long before you actually modify what you eat.  Start exercising gradually. Exercising long and hard right away can actually put strain on a heart that is already under strain.
  • Sleep. Those who regularly sleep six or fewer hours a night are typically heavier than those who regularly sleep more than six hours. Sleep reduces our stress hormones, but it also helps us lose weight and live better.  And guess what?  Those that rested properly scored higher on creativity and productivity tests –something any boss can appreciate.
  • Vegetables.  They are higher in fiber and are packed with more vitamins and nutrients than any other food.  Veggies give you the biggest bang for your buck.
  • Exercise. Besides being a great way to shed a few pounds, exercise also reduces stress, oxygenates blood and removes waste. Walking just 20 minutes a day can lower stress hormones and drastically reduce negative inflammatory waste which is a main culprit of muscle pain.

 

If I’m at risk and showing signs of heart disease is medication my only answer?

 

Depending on your blood work results, angiogram, or EKG, it may be a good time to start working with botanical medicine before you need the more side-effect causing pharmaceuticals. If you are already on medication, botanicals can be supportive enough to allow you to reduce the drug amount or even go off of them completely.  We will always make sure that botanicals do not negatively effect any medications you are on. Common botanical treatment options include:

 

  • Fish oil – high dosage
  • Hawthorn – appropriate dosage
  • Hormone testing and balancing to affect cholesterol or blood pressure
  • Adrenal or stress hormone testing as it plays a large role in heart disease
  • Herbal blend for cholesterol and blood pressure – tested on many patients and shown effective in our office and on our own family members.
  • Blood sugar regulation –pre-diabetic blood sugar levels often contribute to heart disease.

Castor Oil Pack Treatment

31 Jan 2013 Recipes & Home Remedies, Your Overall Health , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

Castor oil packs aid in the elimination and detoxification of the body.

Indications: The castor oil pack has many applications and is used in many conditions including uterine fibroids, non-malignant ovarian cysts, headaches, migraines, abdominal pain un-explained, nerve pain, constipation, colitis and other intestinal disorders, gall bladder and liver conditions, arthritis and chest colds.

Contraindications: Do not use heat with uterine growths, bleeding, pregnancy, ulcers or while menstruating. Do not fall asleep while using the electric heating pad.

Supplies:

  •             Flannel cloth (cotton or wool; 20-40 inches by 24-48 inches)
  •             Plastic wrap (clear kitchen wrap or plastic bag without ink)
  •             Glass dish (square 9×9 inch Pyrex or similar container)
  •             Bath towel
  •             Hot water bottle or hot gel pack
  •             Two safety pins
  •             Six ounces of castor oil

Directions: Choose a container to store and heat the castor oil pack. Fold the flannel or wool cloth 2-4 times, so that it is several layers thick and a suitable size to cover recommended body area.
Pour oil onto flannel until it is well moistened. Heat flannel/oil in glass dish in oven or microwave to a comfortable temperature. The pack should be very hot, but not hot enough to burn your skin. Lie down placing flannel directly on skin over the treatment area. Place plastic wrap that is 1-2 inches larger than flannel on all sides over the flannel and plastic and pin in place. If using heat, apply hot water bottle or hot gel pack over the treatment area. Rest. You may use this time to meditate or use visualization techniques.
Treatment should continue for at least 1 hour. Longer treatments are not harmful, though it is not advisable to fall asleep with the heating pad on. You may replace the flannel pack in the glass container and store in refrigerator. This flannel and oil may be used for 20-25 applications.
To remove the oily feel to skin afterwards, wash skin or towel in a solution of 3 tablespoons baking soda/qt of water.

Usage of Castor Oil Pack

Your clinician will recommend the frequency of use. Typically, the castor oil pack is used 1-3 times/day in acute situations, and 1-3 times/week in more chronic situations.

           

Self-­Myofascial Release Using a Foam Roller

31 Jan 2013 Your Overall Health , , , , , ,

If you have a chronic area of injury like a bad knee or an ankle prone to sprains, you should de8initely be foam roller massaging. Sprains and strains occur in ligaments and muscles when they are stretched beyond their normal pattern of motion. This can also occur due to micro trauma when repetitive minute injuries occur due to improper body position or limited physical movement. Leading a sedentary lifestyle weakens the body making it more prone to injury. Blunt force trauma from a fall, a sports injury or daily living can also cause injuries and bruising. The most common causes of adhesions occur at a desk with a mis-­‐aligned keyboard or working around the home.

With these types of injuries you will experience pain, aching, burning, decreased range of motion in a joint or muscle (not being able to stretch as far as you used to) and trigger points in muscles that won’t go away no matter how many times they have been massaged.

How does it work?

Traditional stretching is important but can only lengthen a muscle, which can prevent injury if no damage or dysfunction is occurring in the tissue. However, if you have adhesions, traditional stretching will not break them down. In fact, stretching can even cause further injury. Self-­‐Myofascial Release (SMR) activates an autogenic inhibition which uses the muscle’s own sensor for tension to help it to relax. The Golgi tendon organ is a mechanoreceptor at the muscle tendon junction that senses how tight a muscle is and will prevent a tendon from stretching to the point at which it would rip. However, in terms of a tight muscle it can get stuck in a continually tight cycle and not allow a muscle to relax limiting its range of motion. SMR stimulates the Golgi tendon organ and allows the muscle to relax. By using a foam roller you can prevent improper form from hurting your body.

How do I do it?

This is the simple part. Roll slowly over a muscle group and pause at the most painful or tender areas. Essentially if it hurts, you have found the spot that needs the most attention. When you 8irst begin you will want to support yourself with a leg or your arms, or roll standing against a wall, which decreases the pressure so that you will not have too much pain or discomfort. Eventually, as your muscle heals, you will be able to transfer to the floor where you will be using the majority of your body weight.

Generally you start with the part of your muscle that is nearest the center of the body and work outward. You don’t have to massage the whole muscle at once. Work in pieces or shorter strokes, by rolling the top part of the muscle then the middle and 8inish with the bottom. The reason you want to start at the top is because you want to save the most painful and tense portion of the muscle for last. For example in the quadriceps the tendon around the knee is the most sensitive. Starting at the top will begin to relax the muscle as a whole which will make the tendon by the knee far less painful once you get there.

Who should do Self-­‐Myofascial Release?

Self-­‐Myofascial Release can help with muscle tone in athletes and people of all shapes and sizes. We want our bodies strong but we also want our bodies to be healthy. In the case of a muscle that means three major things; strength, 8lexibility and tone.

Please enjoy the exercises and follow the rule of thumb that says discomfort is ok, but pain that is sending you the message that your body is hurt is bad.  Check out the Visual aid below:

Foam Roller

Detox Smoothie

17 Jan 2013 Recipes & Home Remedies , , , ,

Detoxifying Smoothies 

The results of our office Detox Smoothie taste test are in! The favorite was the Spinach Mango, followed by the Basic Green Drink.  The Basic Green Drink is the most detoxifying because of the ginger and lemon. However the others work well over time. Notice a basic ingredient with the drinks below; one that turns the smoothies green and adds essential vitamins and nutrients.

Basic Smoothie Recipe

Add all ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth and completely combined. Drink all at once, or separate into two servings. The smoothie can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. When it comes out of the fridge, it will have thickened, so give it a brisk stir (or use a small whisk) and enjoy!

Basic Green Drink

  • 2 cups cold water
  • 1 banana, cut into chunks
  • 1 orange, peeled and separated into segments
  • ½ apple (your favorite variety), peeled, cored, and cut into chunks
  • ½ lemon, peeled and separated into segments
  • ½-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
  • 2 cups baby spinach

Spinach Mango Smoothie

  • 2 cups spinach
  • 2 mangos, peeled and chopped
  • 1 banana

Tropical Green Smoothie

  • 1 head romaine or green leafy lettuce
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 banana
  • 1/2 pineapple, skin and core removed

Blueberry Green Smoothie

  • 1 head romaine lettuce
  • 3/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1 apple, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 lemon or lime
  • 2 cups water
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