Health WellNews

The holidays are a big part of the fall and winter months. This is often a time to reconnect with family and loved ones, to attend social events, and celebrate your beliefs.

­Unfortunately, it can also be a time of extra commitments, nonstop activity, and pressure to get it all done. This can result in a lot of stress both mental and physical.

Everyone feels stressed occasionally, but when it continues for a long time or gets overwhelming it can take a real toll on your health. The immune system is particularly sensitive to its effects, which means that ongoing stress can leave you vulnerable to colds, flu, and other illnesses.

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In Traditional Chinese Medicine, health is achieved by living in balance with nature and the seasons. Winter, the season of the Water Element, is the season for slowing down, reflecting, and conserving our resources. We all feel this tendency, but we don’t always listen to our bodies.  In the Western culture, being active is rewarded and expected. We feel compelled to keep up the hectic pace that is typical in our daily lives.

This season is associated with the kidneys, bladder and adrenal glands and the time of year when these organs are most active, accessible, and even vulnerable. They are more receptive to being restored, nurtured and energized. At the same time, it is also when they can become easily depleted. continue reading »

There is a beautiful legend about a Golden Palace that would please the heart of any person, but, that person must earn the key to the palace through his or her good deeds.

One day, Hung Di approached the Golden Palace and asked the door keeper “What shall I do to earn the key to the Golden Palace?” The door keeper replied “do something nice for somebody else, and you can earn the precious key.”

Huang Di ran to find someone to do something nice for. He searched the streets to find a beggar and gave him the coins he had been saving for years. He waited at the roadside to help people cross the muddy and slippery path. “Now,” he said, “I have surely earned the key.” He hurried to the door keeper, but the old man shook his head sadly and said, “try again.”

Huang Di returned to town disappointed. As he came to a steep pathway he noticed an old woman struggling up the mountain with a heavy load. Huang Di thought to himself, “I shall carry her heavy load all the way to the top and that shall earn me the key!”

His good deed completed, he turned and hurried to the door keeper and cried “the key, the key, I surely earned it now!” The door keeper looked sadly at Huang Di and said, “try again.”

Now Huang Di was discouraged. He decided to abandon his attempt to earn the key to the Golden Palace. Feeling dejected, he walked home in despair. Suddenly he heard a faint cry from the bushes. As he parted the bushes he noticed a shaggy dog caught in a hunters trap. Huang Di knelt and tried to unfasten the trap, pulling at the sharp sticks until his fingers were torn and bloody. Finally, the dog was free. He tore off his shirt and bandaged the shaggy dogs paw. The dog licked his hand and whimpered thankfully. Huang Di scooped up the dog and carried it home.

Suddenly, the old door keeper appeared in front of the tired and bloody Huang Di and handed him the much sought after key to the Golden Palace. Huang Di said, “the key is not for me. I did not help the little dog for the key. I forgot about the key.” To which the door keeper responded with joy, “you forgot about yourself, Huang Di, the key is for those who forget about themselves when doing good deeds.”

We don’t win the rich rewards of life by doing things with the hope and expectation of a reward. Only when we do something through sheer compassion, sincere love, and friendship do we reap the rewards we seek.

The dropping temperatures and colorful landscape can only mean one thing: fall is right around the corner. Also known as the Autumnal Equinox, the fall season begins on September 23 and lasts until December 21. During this time many people will succumb to illness, such as the common cold, flu virus (influenza) or infections, but the good news is that you can protect yourself from seasonal fall sickness by eating the right foods and seeking the services of a licensed acupuncturist.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins aren’t used strictly for making spooky Halloween jack-o-lanterns; they are also a nutrition-packed fruit that’s loaded in beneficial vitamins and minerals. Pumpkins are classified as a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which is the same family as squash, cantaloupes and cucumbers. This festive orange fruit is loaded in variety of free radical-fighting antioxidants, such as leutin, xanthin and carotenes.

Pumpkin seeds are equally as nutritious as the actual fruit. They are an excellent source of  fiber, monosaturated fatty acids (the good fat), protein, selenium, zinc and iron. So instead of tossing the pumpkin “guts” in the trash, bake them on a cookie sheet for a nutritious snack.

Apples

The adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” holds true during the fall season. When you feel the onset of a hunger craving, grab an apple. It’s a sweet and delicious fruit that’s chock-full of beneficial vitamins.

Apples contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium and fiber. And at just 90 calories per serving, it’s a great snack choice for people who are trying to lose weight.

Brussels Sprouts

A third food that you should include in your diet this fall is Brussels sprouts. Sprouts boost immune function with their high concentration of vitamin A. and antioxidants. Brussels sprouts are also rich in protein and dietary fiber, which is just one more reason why they should be a regular part of your diet.

If you don’t prefer the taste of plain Brussels sprouts, you can make them a bit more palatable by roasting them in the oven with a glaze of olive oil and all-natural sea salt. This will create a caramelized coating that compliments its natural flavors..

Beat Seasonal Fall Illness With Acupuncture

If you really want to safeguard yourself against illness this fall season, you should consider scheduling an appointment with a licensed acupuncturist. People  from across the world have used this ancient practice for centuries to ward off disease and improve their overall health. Acupuncture works by stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanism, which subsequently boosts the immune system and white blood cell (WBC) count.

Lu 7 and St 36

Although they are invisible to the naked eye, we are exposed to millions upon millions of germs. Bacteria, viruses , fungi and protozoa are found on nearly every surface,  including doorknobs, furniture, office supplies, phones, remote controls, and even the food we eat. Thankfully, most of these germs are harmless and pose no direct threat to our health, but there are others which aim to cause infection and illness. You can safeguard yourself against these foreign invaders, however, by utilizing the Lu 7 and St 36 acupuncture points.

Lu 7 Acupuncture Point

The Lu 7 (also known as the Lieque 7 or Lung 7) is an acupuncture point that’s commonly used to treat bodily infections while subsequently boosting the immune system. To locate it, form a “thumbs up” gesture with your hand and look for the small crease in your skin at the base of your thumb. The Lu 7 acupuncture point is found roughly 2 finger-lengths up the wrist from this crease. It’s most easily identified by feeling around this area of your wrist for a subtle depression at the bottom of two tendons.

Lu 7 is known to offer relief of the following symptoms:

• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Chest congestion
• Body aches
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle cramps

Stu 36 Acupuncture Point

The St 36 (also known as Zusanli, Leg Three Mile or Stomach 36) is another powerful immune-boosting acupuncture point. Don’t let its name fool you into thinking it’s located on the stomach, though. St 36 is actually located on the underside of the leg, directly behind and below the patella.

St 36 receives its namesake for the symptoms it’s used to treat. While Lu 7 focuses on cold and fever-like symptoms, St 36 is used more digestive problems.

Lu 7 is known to offer relief of the following symptoms:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Acid reflux
• Heartburn
• Gas
• Low energy

How Lu 7 and St 36 Can Improve Immune System Function

The human body’s built-in mechanism for defending against germs and foreign invaders is the immune system. This complex system is comprised of a variety of different white blood cells, such as neutrophilis, eosinopholis, monocytes and basophils, that actively seek out and neutralize harmful germs. Acupuncture treatments using the Lu 7 and St 36 stimulate the immune system so it produces more of these “fighters,” which in turn keeps us healthy while protecting against disease and illness.

Photo Credit:  Thunderchild7 via Flickr Creative Commons.

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 5-20% of people in the U.S. will catch the flu virus, 200,000 of whom will be hospitalized due to the complications (source).  Although you can catch the flu virus at any time of the year, it’s far more prevalent during the fall and winter months. To protect yourself against the flu, colds and other illnesses this fall, check out the following 6 tips.

#1) Stay Active

Exercise plays a direct role in the human body’s immune function. Whether it’s running, jogging, playing tennis, or using your preferred machine at the gym, physical activity stimulates white blood cells and antibodies, sending them throughout the body. This improves the immune system’s ability to fight off infectious diseases, so be sure to exercise on a regular basis this fall.

#2) Increase Your Vitamin C Intake

Vitamin C is a naturally occurring antioxidant that can improve your health and protect against illness. A study conducted in 2007 found that a daily 200 milligram dose of vitamin C when taken at the onset of a cold shortened its duration by 8% in adults and 14% in children. With fall and winter being the prime time of year for colds, it’s a good idea to supplement your daily diet with at least 75 milligrams of this powerful antioxidant.

#3) Cut Back on Refined Sugars

Consuming too much refined sugar can increase your risk of developing type II diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. It’s also been proven to suppress the immune system, leaving individuals more susceptible to disease and illness.

So, how sugar should you consume to stay healthy throughout the fall season? The American Heart Association (AHA) currently recommends a maximum of 37.5 grams of refined sugar per day for men and 25 grams for women.

#4) Eat Fall-Colored Foods

Yet another way to improve your health is to eat more fall-colored foods. Generally speaking, the more color you have on your dinner plate, the better. Foods that are bright orange, red and green are all excellent sources of vitamins and antioxidants. Some ideas include squash, bell peppers, zucchini and broccoli, all of which will help keep you healthy this fall season.

#5) Make a Soup

There’s no better time than the chilly fall season to make a hearty beef and vegetable soup. Avoid store-bought soups, which are usually loaded in sodium and preservatives, and instead make your own from scratch. This allows you to include a variety of beneficial vegetables and seasoning, tailoring it to your own personal preference.