Health Benefits of Cucumbers

Benefits to Owning a Pet

Health Benefits of Watermelon

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Black or Tarry Stools

Black or tarry stools are usually a result of bleeding into the upper GI tract. This is a serious sign and needs immediate investigation to rule out pathology (ulcer, Crohn's disease, colitis, cancer etc). Also need to ask whether there has been an ingestion of iron, charcoal, or bismuth products. Bismuth is found in over the counter medication, such as Pepto-Bismol and other nutritional supplements. When bismuth oxidizes in the GI tract it turns black, and could therefore stain the stool. A heavy meat diet can also cause black stools.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Bursitis or Tendonitis

Bursitis:
Bursitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of a bursa. A bursa is a pocket of connective tissue found adjacent to a joint. Lined by a smooth inner surface, it facilitates the gliding movements of muscled an tendons over bony prominence. Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa, which result in pain, tenderness, and stiffness and in some cases, swelling and redness. The inflammatory process can affect any bursa, but bursitis involving the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee are most common.

Although the cause of this condition is unknown, repetitive direct pressure over a bursa can be a predisposing factor. In particular, certain activities or occupations are associated with specific example because of the nature of the physical stress placed on the bursa: e.g. housemaid knee (kneeling), students elbow (leaning). Shoulder bursitis, the most common type, is characterized by an aching pain localized on the outside of the top of the shoulder. Lifting and backwardly rotating the arm intensifies the pain, Typically, there is stiffness in the morning, which diminished with heat and routine activities.

Tendonitis:
Tendonitis is an inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheath (tenosynovitis) and of the enclosed tendon (tendinitis). It occurs spontaneously or in association with injury, work and sports activities, certain types of arthritis or infection. As with bursitis, the shoulder is most commonly affected. The attachment of the biceps tendon at the shoulder is especially vulnerable to this condition. Bicipital tendinitis is manifested by aching along the biceps muscle that radiated up to the should and down to the forearm. The pain is worse with movement. Among other common locations for tendinitis are the elbow, wrist, hand, knee, and ankle.

Bursitis and tendonitis are basically due to an over-use and inflammation in the joint with a lack of essential nutrients. Balancing the overall structure of the body is essential and a general protocol for supporting the connective tissue is important.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Vegan Iron Sources

Luncheoun Meats

Luncheon meats, such as tined meats and hot dogs are packaged and processed food that contain preservatives, coloring, additives, flavor enhancers and coloring that are not compatible with a healthy diet. The average person on a standard Western diet consumes over 10 pounds of chemical additives a year, which puts an untold amount of stress on the body. The liver has to detoxify

and eliminate even the smallest amount of an additive. Over time this can place an enormous strain on the body's eliminative capacities.

One of the main problems is the sodium nitrite  found in about 99% of all processed tinned meats and hot dogs. Nitrites are added to make the meat bright red and also to kill spores of Clostridium botulinum. What is less known is the link between sodium nitrite and cancer. Nitrites become nitrosamines in the stomach, when then combine with stomach acid. Nitrosamines are a known carcinogen (cancer).

By staying away from processed and packaged meats, you will be much healthier.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

When Should You Do Stretching Exercises?

The question often arise: Should I stretch before or after exercise?" The simple answer is "both" and the reason is quite different for the two.

Before:
The purpose of stretching before exercise is to help prevent injury. Stretching does this by lengthening the muscles and tendons, which in turn increases our range of movement. This insures that we are able to move freely without restriction or injury occurring.

After:
Stretching after exercise has a different role. Its purpose is primarily to aid in the repair and recovery of he muscle and tendons. By the lengthening the muscles and tendons, stretching helps to prevent tight muscles and delayed muscle soreness that usually accompanies strenuous exercise.

After exercise this stretching is part of the cool-down. The cool-down will vary depending on the duration and intensity of the exercise undertaken, but it usually consist of 5-10 minutes of very light physical activity, and followed by 5-10 minutes of static stretching exercises.



Reference: Walker, B. (2013). The Anatomy of Sports Injuries. Chichester, England. Lotus Publishing.

Neil Asher Advanced Trigger Point Techniques offers "The Anatomy of Sports Injuries" course, go here to check out what the course has to offer, along with other trigger point courses.

Top Ten Tips to Improve Your Digestive Health

Dr. Liz Lipski’s Top Ten Tips 

to Improve your Digestive Health

1. Stay Hydrated. Our digestive system and body don’t work efficiently when they’re like a dry sponge. 

How can you expect to have easy bowel movements and remove waste from your body without fluids? Making sure that you get plenty of water every day is one of the most promising routes to digestive wellness. 

2. Exercise Regularly. A fitness routine is a good idea for everyone, but for those with digestive issues it’s especially helpful.  Exercise increases circulation while massaging and toning your entire digestive system. Aim for 20-60 minutes of activity at least 3 to 4 times a week.

3. Add Good Bacteria to Your Diet. It’s the life in food that gives us life. Add probiotic and prebiotic laden foods to your diet.  Probiotic rich foods include: Add some yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchee, cultured vegetables, unpasteurized olives and pickles, amasake, black tea, raw milk cheeses, natto, raw vinegars, traditionally made sourdough breads and tempeh. Prebiotic rich foods include: asparagus, bananas, chickory, eggplant, fruit, garlic, green tea, honey, Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, onions, peas, yogurt, cottage cheese, and kefir.  You may choose to add a probiotic supplement to your routine.

4. Get your fiber. The daily recommendation for dietary fiber is 25 grams per day.  If you are like most people, you get about half of that. Fiber helps regulate your digestive system. Try such fiber-rich foods as legumes (all beans except green beans), whole grains (brown rice, whole wheat, bulghur, millet, buckwheat, rye, barley, spelt, oats), vegetables and fruits.

5. Slow Down and CHEW! Your teeth are part of your digestive system, too. When you use them to thoroughly mush up your food—think mashed potatoes—the rest of your digestive system doesn’t have to work overtime. 

6. Cook at Home. When you prepare foods in your own kitchen, you have better control of the ingredients and cooking methods, so you can make foods that are healthy and easily digested. An added bonus: cooking is also nurturing and rejuvenating.

7. Try Fermented Foods. Fermenting or culturing makes foods more digestible by actually “pre-digesting” them for you. The most common fermented foods are cultured dairy products, like yogurt, sourdough bread, pickles and sauerkraut. 

8. Cook Foods Well. When you’re sick, you naturally turn to soups and stews and well-cooked foods—they’re so simple that your system can digest them easily. But don’t limit these foods to when you’re ill; include them as part of your regular diet. For sweet desserts, try poached pears or applesauce.

9. Eat Smaller Meals. Skipping meals or waiting to eat until you’re famished can lead to overeating. You’ll find that eating smaller meals with healthy snacks in between aids your digestive system. 

10. Know Your Food Sensitivities. It’s estimated that 10-20% of us have food sensitivities, which can cause far reaching symptoms including: bloating, cramping, heartburn, indigestion, gas, stomach pain, chronic headaches, depression, inability to concentrate, aching muscles and joints and low energy levels. The most common food sensitivities include:  wheat, uncultured dairy products (like milk), eggs, citrus, pork and beef. 

Liz Lipski, PhD, CCN, CHN, is the Director of Doctoral Studies, and Education Director at Hawthorn University. She’s the author of Digestive Wellness and offers professional mentoring groups. www.innovativehealing.com  www.digestivewellnessbook.com and  www.accesstohealthexperts.com