Salmon and Alzheimers

This article made me feel better about the amount of money I spend on salmon (I buy it weekly because both my son and I love it and because I know it's so healthy).

http://chetday.com/fishalzheimers.htm

Yesterday I spent a whopping $11 a pound for wild Alaskan salmon, and that was the sale price! I was so glad to see it though. We usually only have farm-raised Atlantic salmon.

There's a good reason to prefer Alaskan salmon, and I used to know what it was, but I forgot (anyone who remembers, please post a comment!). I'm swamped with freelance work right now or I'd look it up.

This particular article is particularly meaningful to me because my mom has Alzheimer's. It stinks.

By the way, I found this article through an email newsletter I get from Chet Day. You'll get a chance to subscribe when you click on the link (in fact, your chance will pop up in your face, which I hate, but the article is worth that inconvenience).

I hope you find this article helpful.

Janet

Rosacea: Good Skin Care Products

I have rosacea. That's when your facial skin is reddish and easily irritated. My skin is reddish to the left and right of my nose, but not all the way to my cheeks. And I have broken capillaries.

I found a very useful forum that includes reviews of skin care products. As the result of these groups, I found two excellent, reasonably priced skin care products. One is a cleanser, the other a toner. While I love Clinique products, I found that the toner they recommended for me felt really drying. Now that I'm in my forties, I'm not willing to use that toner.

My new products:

Good Skin All Calm Creamy Cleanser

and

Good Skin All Calm Soothing Toner

I found the names a bit confusing, so here's a breakdown: Good Skin is the brand, and All Calm is that brand's line of products for red, irritated skin.

I've used them for at least a month by now, and I like them both. The toner doesn't feel dry, and my skin has only broken out when I've used other products with these products. When I only use these two products, my skin looks relatively good. The rosacea is still there, but it's not as prominent as it can be, and my skin doesn't break out.

You can only get these products at Kohl's Department Stores, either at the store or online. You can order them and/or find the stores closest to you at:

http://www.kohls.com

You can find reviews of lots more skin care products, along with other resources, at the Rosacea Group website:

http://rosaceagroup.org/

Hope this is helpful to some of you out there!

Janet

Hypchlorhydria Update

Geez, it's a good thing I'm writing this blog. Or I wouldn't even know how long I've been dealing with this hypochlorhydria! It's May 1, and I haven't written in two months! Sorry about that.

Here's the update: I've been forgetting to take the pills. But Dr. Beaty says that's okay, it means they're working and I'm needing less of them.

My energy has been up and down. A lot of it has to do with the weather though.

I plan to get more conscientious about taking the pills though.

Or maybe I need to ask Dr. Beaty about my forgetfulness! ;-)

I'll keep you "posted" - literally! In fact, I'd better get more conscientious about this blog.

Next up: Skin care products for people with Rosacea

Diagnosis: Hypochlorhydria

Sorry for the long delay between posts. Being a single mom keeps me very busy!

Yes, I do have hypochlorhydria, and I find that when I remember to take my hydrochloric acid pills I feel better and have less gas.

I also learned that my fear of salt has been creating a health problem for me. Dr. Beaty, the naturopathic physician I've been seeing, suspected I had hypothyroidism. My main symptom was intolerance to cold. I took the blood test and was borderline.

She recommended that I first try adding iodized salt to my diet, as an iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism. I had been avoiding it as I had heard salt leaches calcium from the body. And "they" say we all get enough salt because there is so much in processed foods. But I've been avoiding processed foods.

Think all salt has iodine? Think again. Be sure to use some salt if you're not eating salted foods. And be sure that the label states that the salt contains iodine.

That means some of us natural food fans may want to get some good old-fashioned Morton's.

Nutrition sure is confusing.

Anything you want me to write about on this blog? Let me know by posting a comment.

Namaste,

Janet

Hypochlorhydria: The most common, most debilitating health disorder you’ve never heard of

It’s amazing that doctors don’t tell us about Hypochlorhydria. In fact, if you want to be treated for it, you’d better see a naturopathic physician, or a holistic M.D., because the traditional health care system just doesn’t care about this condition.

This is odd, because Hypochlorhydria is said to affect 10 to 15% of the population in general and as many as 50% of those in their fifties and older!

You’re probably thinking it must be no big deal if it’s that common, yet doctors don’t care about it.

Not so. Hypochlorhydria means low stomach acid. This lack of stomach acid impairs digestion. In turn, the body doesn’t absorb all the nutrients from the food you eat.

This can result in a number of health disorders, including diabetes mellitus, asthma, chronic hepatitis, food allergies, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypoglycemia, autoimmune disorders, gallbladder disease, dry skin, weak adrenals, lupus erythematosis, rheumatic arthritis, poor night vision, dry skin, weak nails, chronic fatigue, vitiligo, rosacea, acne, eczema, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), anemia, osteoporosis, psoriasis, candida yeast infection, multiple sclerosis, and stomach carcinoma.

Quite a list, huh? If you suffer from symptoms of several of these disorders, you should consider seeing a naturopathic physician to find out of you have the condition.

I found out about it when I read Green for Life, a book about green smoothies, by Victoria Boutenko. Ironically, my digestive system can’t handle the green smoothies, possibly because of the hypochlorhydria that I would never have know about if I hadn’t read this very informative and thoughtful book.

You can find out more about hypochlorhydria by Googling it. The sites I used to write this article are:

http://www.medical-library.net/sites/framer.html?/sites/_hypochlorhydria.html

http://altmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/bl_quiz_hypochlorhydria.htm

I’m now seeing a naturopath for this condition. I’m taking hydrochloric Acid capsules. You can find a qualified naturopathic physician in your area at the “Find an ND” section of the website of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP):

http://naturopathic.lv0.net/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=51&tabid=59

Here’s the URL for their home page:

http://www.naturopathic.org/

This is getting pretty long, so I’ll tell you a little more about my own experience with this disorder next time. Until then…

Namaste,

Janet

The Dragon's Way may be the wrong way - for now, anyway

After seeing a Naturopathic doctor, who suspects I have both Hypothyroidism and Hypochlorhydria (all those Hypos!), I've decided that this is probably the wrong time to start The Dragon's Way program.

There's a strong emphasis in this program on fruits and vegetables. Well, that oughta be fine, right? Yeah, for most people. But those are just the foods that have been playing havoc with my digestive system!

I may try The Dragon's Way in the future, when these other issues are under control. As I mentioned in my first post, my main reason for trying The Dragon's Way was not so much to lose weight but to gain energy.

For anyone who was watching this blog to see how the diet worked, I apologize.

Meanwhile, the blog will stay up, but with a different focus.

Pretty soon I'll explain what Hypochlorhydria is. You should know, because it's suprisingly common for something you've probably never heard of. And I'll offer the basics on the official diagnosis, the treatment, and how it's all going.

Until then...

Namaste,

Janet

Fatigue

Tomorrow I'm going to see a naturopathic physician about my fatigue.

As I had mentioned, I wanted to use The Dragon's Way to deal with fatigue, but last week the problem got so bad that I decided I needed to find out if there's a problem causing this. I'm almost sure the fatigue was exacerbated by the exceptionally cold weather, but I also think there may be a disorder causing it.

I suspect Hypochlorhydria, a very common yet little known disorder that causes a wide variety of symptoms, including fatigue. Hypochlorhydria means low stomach acid.

The naturopath I'm visiting suspects Hypothyroidism, but that can actually be caused by Hypochlorhydria!

I'll give you more information later about Hypochlorhydria. If you're curious now, just Google it. There's a pretty good amount of information out there, though you're unlikely to hear about it from your doctor.

Namaste,

Janet

A cold, snowy January week ushers in Preparation Week…

And I sure hate it! The cold always gets to me and this week it is really doing a number on me.

As I mentioned before, I’m more concerned about healing my fatigue problem than losing weight. So a week like this, which is making me more fatigued than usual, is really bugging me.

I’m feeling ineffectual, which is making me feel guilty, which is making me feel … well you know, it’s one of those vicious downward spirals. So I’ll just have to spin that spiral back in the other direction.

Good thing Preparation Week is so easy! I need to:

• Buy a notebook
• Review the list of healing foods and recipes and shop for those foods
• Gradually cut meat, fish, fowl, and cheese from my meals.
• Learn the 10^th qigong movement
• Relax and rest

I really like that last one. ;-)

I’ve been practicing the first 8 qigong movements. Today I did all 10 along with the video, so I’m learning #10.

I’m not much of a meat eater, and it won’t be too hard to cut those foods from my diet. Keep in mind, this is just for seven weeks. In fact, Dr. Lu (the developer of the program) lists salmon, shrimp, tuna, and other seafood as beneficial. So don’t think you’ll have to give up these foods permanently if you use The Dragon’s Way.

In fact, Dr. Lu discourages people from feeling guilty about what they eat. He claims that this healing program will bring your body into balance so that after the program you can eat whatever you want, and you’re not likely to want unhealthy food. I hope he’s right.

I have yet to shop for healthy foods or a notebook, but I’ve gotten really good at relaxing and resting. ;-)

In my next entry, I plan to discuss the qigong movements that are a part of this program, as Dr. Lu says they are central to its success.

Namaste,

Janet

Guinea Pig Stats

I realized that you should have some stats on me (your official guinea pig) if you're going to be able to gauge this program's effectiveness. So here you go:

Name: Janet
Age: 46
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 141 lbs.

My main goal with this program is not to lose weight. It's to increase my energy level. I've had a lifelong problem with fatigue. While I have a lot of goals right now relating to parenting, working, developing a relationship, and more, I'm realizing that it's my problem with fatigue that is holding me back with all my other goals.

So increasing my energy is my first goal.

As for weight loss, at 141 lbs., I'm within my normal weight range, but I am at the tippity top of it. So I could stand to lose a few pounds.

The Dragon's Way program promises to help me lose 12 lbs. So if it works as it says it will (and if I do my part), seven weeks from yesterday - on March 7, 2007 - I will weigh no more than 129 lbs. I'm curious to see if it happens!

Next entry will be coming within a day or so and will describe the requirements for this week, which is "Preparation Week." Until then....

Namaste,

Janet

Live Classes In NYC & NJ

Well, speak of the devil! I got an email today from TCM World Foundation announcing that classes will be forming next week in New York City and in Montclair, NJ. If you're in the area, you may want to check it out. For more information, visit The Dragon's Way section of the TCM World Foundation website.

Follow my diet in real time

Have you ever wanted to watch someone on a healthy eating plan so that you could see if it really worked?

You’ll know at the end whether or not she lost weight, but will you know how hard or easy it was? How realistic? Will you know if it made her feel really crummy in exchange for the weight loss? Here’s your chance to follow me on a healthy eating & weight loss plan, one with an ancient twist.

It’s called The Dragon’s Way and its based on the ancient exercise Qi Gong. This is a program of The Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation, a not-for-profit organization based in New York City.

I want to emphasize that I am in no way affiliated with this program. If it sucks, I’ll tell you.

So far, I have a good feeling about it.

This is a six-week program, but it starts with a preparation week. Today, I am about to embark on preparation week. On Friday, I’ll give you more details about what that entails.

The blog will be updated at least every Wednesday, probably much more often, at least in the beginning. But if for some reason, I can’t update it on a particular Wednesday, I’ll update it the next day, Thursday.

Meanwhile, if you want to find out more about The Dragon’s Way program, you can visit The Dragon’s Way section of the TCM World Foundation website. Until tomorrow...

Namaste,

Janet