Column

Life is good.  You know what it feels like to have a project that always gets put to the bottom of the “to do” list?  It could be cleaning the garage or detailing the car, or…  getting “the book” out of your head and on to your laptop, or even better yet, between some covers that you can open and turn the pages and read—a real book, with your thoughts, ideas and your own blood sweat and tears.  I now know how that feels.   I have a book: “Waiting at Red Lights.”  Me, an author?   Yes!!!!!

Although people have told me that I should write about my experiences doing the job I love, being a journalist, I chose to write about life’s random thoughts. Even though I’ve interviewed presidents, covered major news stories and interviewed some of the most important people in the country, I chose to write a book about life’s random thoughts.  I’ve always collected them: things that just pop into your mind and then leave just as quickly.  I started calling them “mini muses.”

How hard do some people have to try to look “natural?”

I collected and collected, and finally at the urging of my wife and the rest of the family, who said, “put those damn things in a book and stop torturing us with them,” I finally decided to publish.  Oh, that was about ten years ago.  I continued to collect them.

When somebody says ‘I have a short story to tell you,’ is it ever? 

 About six months ago, through my media company I met Eric Johnson of ALIVE Media.  I had talked with a couple of people at one of those “big” publishing houses, and they had told me to send a manuscript and they would send me the finished product. I didn’t like that very much. These excerpts, for better or worse, are my thoughts.

What does “I’m fine” really mean?

They are my babies—they are part of me. I wanted them the way I wanted them. ALIVE has something that, to my way of thinking, is a cross between self-publishing and giving up ownership of your work. I don’t even remember what he calls it, but I was able to keep ownership and have him have a stake in making sure we weren’t putting out a piece of junk, just because “Eddie” wanted to do it.”

What is the strongest emotional motivator, Love, Hate, or Fear?

So we set out.  What to do for the title? None of my friends or family could figure out what a Mini Muse was. Bye “MM.”  We then got very clever and thought, aha, “#1 Bestseller.”  After all how can there be so many #1’s at the same time?  And heck, it had the hashtag already built in. Problem: Do you know how many items come up when you search it? So, I went back to reading the manuscript and it hit me.

Is it possible things aren’t really where you left them?

 Of course, what thoughts come into your mind while “Waiting At Red Lights?”  That’s where a majority of these originated. There it is! It works. It themes what the book is about.

It’s the end of January, what’s the statute of limitations on taking down Christmas lights?

Then there is the publishing process.  I had just wanted to write and have it pop to fruition. If you want control, you have to want to work. We had several sets of eyes on the manuscript but I must have read it 150 times and every time found something that needed to be changed. It’s arduous. Then you have to decide whether you want to have it for a keepsake, something to sit on your desk, or whether you want to try and sell it and have it sold.  It has become a part of you.

Are dogs and cats better at figuring out first impressions?

 I think I’m better at the writing part than the promotion, but that is coming along.  It’s up on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and several local booksellers have agreed to take it.  I have some book signings lined up. But you know what? I can hold my project—my dream—and I can open the pages.  I can have people come up to me and tell me they enjoy it. I can read the first review, “You can tell he has a lot of deep questions that can keep you pinned to your toilet long after you’ve finished your business”.  Oh well.

I can’t tell you how glad I am that I published.  Unless there is some fluke of nature and all of us are vaporized into the planet of “ED,” it’s not going to make me millions, but I have been able to ask the question: “Why do they call it ‘happy hour’ when it’s between 5 and 7?”

Life is good. I’m an author.  And you know what?  I don’t get as frustrated anymore “Waiting at Red Lights”.  (Okaaaaaaay, most of the time.)

 

 

Last month I wrote about the various causes of Brain Fog, Memory Loss and Fatigue, showing that, like obesity or heart disease, most of the decrease of brain function is self-caused. Let’s look at four secrets of brain health that can go a long way to help prevent, and actually reverse, the brain degeneration process.

1)       Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome  

This condition is very common in our fast paced, complex, demanding lives. Essentially, this condition reflects the relationship between the brain and the endocrine (neuroendocrine) system. The symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue include fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, insomnia, heart palpitations, hypoglycemia and depression.

Along with several other hormones, the adrenal glands produce cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone that helps deal with stressful situations without being overwhelmed and under-energized. An imbalance in cortisol, and the other adrenal hormones causes the body and its organ systems to slow down, causes accumulation of toxins and increased inflammation, all of which travel to the brain causing malfunction, degeneration and general havoc. Sleep cycles are also disrupted by imbalanced hormone levels leading to increased fatigue and poor brain function.

Reversing and curing Adrenal Fatigue starts with testing the adrenal glands for the production of several key hormones (cortisol, 17 hydroxyprogesterone, insulin, Gliadin antibodies, and DHEA).  This test can clearly identify exactly what the adrenal problem is so we can use target supplements and lifestyle changes to get you back on track.

2)  Phosphatidyl serine supplementation

This compound (a phospholipid) is made in the body and it naturally attaches to nerve cell membranes where its function is to enhance signal transmission in nerve cells. It has very good memory-enhancing properties and has been used to treat age related memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease for many years. In a 2010 study in the Journal of Clinical biochemistry and Nutrition, phosphatidyl serine supplements caused significant improvement in memory. It enables your brain cells to metabolize glucose and bind with neurotransmitters. It also increases communication between the cells in your brain which increases overall function. I think its major positive attributes are the ability to decrease cortisol levels, enhance athletic performance and add muscle while also increasing brain function. It’s very safe to use with no known side effects.

3)  Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, affects the brain a great deal because your brain uses glucose as its primary fuel. Your brain does not have the ability to store fuel. This means it must have a continual and stable supply of glucose. Symptoms of low blood sugar often occur before eating and include: Confusion, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, dizziness, forgetfulness and can mimic all of the symptoms of low thyroid disorders. Laboratory tests of blood sugar will show low normal levels with overall lowered levels of many other blood tests. Sugar surges cause so many problems with other endocrine glands that many doctors feel that hypoglycemia should be one of the first issues addressed to fix a foggy brain.

4)  Gluten Intolerance

Gluten is a protein that is found in many grains, including wheat, rye and barley and interestingly can cause unusual reactions in the brain. In fact, most of the research on gluten shows that the initial symptoms of gluten sensitivity is disturbance in the nervous system causing balance and cognitive problems.

Irritable bowel syndrome is usually caused by gluten sensitivity or other grains. It leads to a immune reaction that will attack gluten. This damages the inner layers of the bowel, and causes “leaky gut syndrome.” Eventually, the inflammation spreads from the gut to the rest of the body resulting in widespread pain and brain fog. Gluten sensitivity can be identified through specialized testing and dietary modification. Many of our patients who have elected to follow our treatment program for reducing inflammation and healing leaky gut syndrome report significant changes in their memory and concentration levels.

 

Dr. Don Davis, D.C., DACNB is a BOARD CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC NEUROLOGIST in Walnut Creek. He has been serving individuals with chronic pain for 30 years. For information about how you can get a free consultation with Dr. Davis, call (925) 279-4324 (HEAL). Visit us at WalnutCreekHealth.com.

 

 

You might wonder why an orthodontist and TMJ dentist is interested in inflammation. In my eyes any practitioner who is not holistic is lacking. Everything that goes on in our bodies is related to the rest of the body.

If you have habits that create inflammation, your life can be at risk and any responsible person in the medical profession should be aware of this. So many of the medical specialties are so specialized that they treat the just what relates to their work, not taking into account what is happening to the rest of the patient. Sure, sinus inflammation can affect the shape of the mouth, but that is not what primarily concerns me.

Cancer, diabetes, depression, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and even your child’s recurrent sinus infections all have a common denominator: inflammation. Normally, inflammation is part of a healthy response of the immune system which brings in cells and chemicals that fight infection, or heal an injury.

The problem is there are hidden forms of inflammation which bring in an endless source of immune cells that interfere with the body’s healthy cells and tissues. Even worse, most people don’t know this is going on. The World Health Organization lists chronic inflammation as the number one cause of death.

There are many sources of this chronic inflammation, from the effects of obesity, to smoking and general poor health habits. In this issue I will address one of the most common sources of chronic inflammation: inflammatory foods. The following list includes the most common enemies of health:

• Sugar:  Since I entered the field of dentistry I always thought that if sugar rots your teeth, what else is it destroying?  A Coke equals 10 sugar cubes. In nature, sweet foods are usually good for you, but man has learned how to make the sweet flavor. High fructose corn syrup is doubly bad. You not only get the glycemic effects, but fructose produces liver fat creating cirrhosis.
• Cooking oils: High Omega 6 levels in vegetable oils promote inflammation. Polyunsaturated vegetable oils, such as grape seed, cottonseed, safflower, corn and sunflower, are all high in Omega 6 and low in Omega 3 and when used in cooking can easily become trans fats.
• Trans Fats: Fat is an essential factor in causing food to spoil. Our wonderful industry has found that by changing to trans fats through hydrogenation, the shelf life of a food can be increased. Partially hydrogenated oil, such as margarine and vegetable shortening, are inflammatory foods. Deep fried foods are loaded with trans fats when cooked in vegetable oil.
• Dairy Products:  Researchers have found that the ability to digest milk after infancy is abnormal. Milk is a common allergen which triggers the inflammatory process resulting in gastric distress, rashes, acne and respiratory problems such as asthma.
• Commercially Raised Grain Fed Meats:  These animals are fed a diet high in Omega 6 fatty acids. Due to the cramped living conditions, they gain excess fat and contain high saturated fats. To make them grow faster they are given hormones and antibiotics. An inflammatory food is the result.
• Red Meat & Processed Meat: A chemical exists in some red meats called Neu5Gc. The body can produce an antibody to this molecule that creates a low grade inflammation that persists for long periods of time. There is a high correlation between colon cancer and the consumption of red meats.
• Alcohol: Regular consumption can create inflammation in the esophagus, larynx and liver. Small amounts can be tolerated, but heavy use is a killer.
• Refined Grains: Over-refining of grains causes this food to become a similar inflammatory agent to sugar (a practically empty calorie with a high glycemic index). Even whole grains can be responsible for Celiac disease (an immune reaction to eating gluten. Over time, this reaction produces inflammation that damages the small intestine’s lining and prevents absorption of some nutrients) and have been found to be responsible for early aging of the skin.
• Artificial Food Additives: Eating fresh is the answer. Processed foods contain flavor enhancers such as MSG, high fructose corn syrup and Aspartame, as well as preservatives such as BHA and BHT. Corn syrup has been found to stimulate ones appetite so our ever loving bread producers are adding this financial nutrient to improve their health.
• Any Food You To Which You Are Sensitive:  If a food makes you feel uncomfortable you should check into it. Some of the more common suspects are gluten, milk, eggs, legumes and nightshade related vegetables (eggplant, green peppers and tomatoes). Medical tests are not always conclusive, home tests are available.

The extreme importance of inflammation as a cause of dangerous diseases is relatively new to medicine. The quality of your life can depend greatly on its control.

What is Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is similar to its counterpart, Tennis elbow. The primary differences between these conditions are the location of the pain and the activity that leads to injury. However, both conditions are caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, leading to inflammation and pain around the elbow joint, commonly called tendonitis. Golf is one common cause of tendonitis, but many other sports and work related activities can cause the same problem.

The cause of golfer’s elbow can vary from a single violent action (acute injury) to, more commonly, a repetitive stress injury where an action is performed repeatedly and pain gradually develops. In an acute injury of the elbow inflammation occurs without substantial tissue damage. However in a repetitive stress situation a person may experience damage to the tendon and surrounding soft tissue causing tissue degeneration over time. Inflammation from acute injury often responds quickly to rest and anti-inflammatory treatment. However, if the injury is due to tendon tissue degeneration, treatment will be longer and will be focused on improving the strength of the tendon as well as rebuilding tissues.

Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms

With golfer’s elbow pain is on the inside of the elbow, usually during or after intense use. Typically the pain increases during wrist flexion or pronation and often radiates to the forearm. Because this frequently occurs in golfers, it has become known as “golfer’s elbow”. However, it is also known as “pitcher’s elbow”.

Treatment for Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow does not usually cause any long-term disability. However, the condition may become stubborn and proper rehabilitation will help alleviate the symptoms and get you back to life again.

Rest and Reduce Inflammation: The first step a person should take if tendinitis is suspected is to stop the activities that cause the pain and inflammation in this case, rest the arm. Use a topical cream containing Arnica to begin to reduce the inflammatory process quickly.

Laser Therapy to Heal the Damaged Tissue:  Ending the pain caused by golfer’s elbow requires healing the damaged tissue. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only form of therapy that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser 1200 a Class IV Laser. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During Laser Therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function and health. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, scar tissue and pain.

Correct the Mechanics of Motion:  Assessing the forearm, elbow, shoulder and spine for proper postural feedback is done to diagnose and correct improper alignment. After proper alignment is restored specific muscular taping is applied to improve circulation and insure proper motion on a daily basis. Lastly, specific strengthening and stretching exercises are given. By strengthening the muscles and tendons involved with golfers’ elbow, you can prevent the problem from returning.

At Align Healing Center we are having great success treating golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, arthritis, carpal tunnel, post surgical pain, sports injuries and more; even long-term residual pain. Ar­thritis and degenerative disc disease sufferers can see long term benefits from this treatment without any of the negative side effects experienced with the long term use of medications.

 

 Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. She has been active in our natural health & wellness community since 1999. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

 

 

 

Ongrien Face Hair Inhibitor Cream

It’s estimated that more than 25 million Americans are challenged by unwanted facial hair. Most women cannot stand to have hair on their face, so it’s not surprising to see, threading salons, brow bars and hair removal laser treatment centers popping up everywhere. It’s becoming an epidemic! It’s embarrassing for some women to have hair growth on the chin and upper lip area or even on the face. Some women will go to extreme lengths to fight this problem; they go get threading treatments, waxing, use all sorts of home remedies, some go to laser hair removal treatment centers to find that it only works on dark hairs! Not to mention it’s costly, painful and can take months for it to work.

At The Rouge, our Ongrien Advanced Clinical Skin Care Line has finally developed a product that slows down hair growth. Yes, a hair growth inhibitor cream to slow the hair follicles in producing unwanted embarrassing hair. Ongrien Face Technologies offers a new, non-evasive, botanically based hair growth inhibitor to help address this often embarrassing, difficult to remedy problem. This gentle yet extremely effective topical solution can be used along with hair removal treatments, like laser or waxing, or as a stand-alone treatment. This formula is highly effective in slowing down the hair production following a waxing treatment. Usage should be limited to the face and adjacent involved areas under the chin of affected individuals.

Easy to use, apply to the skin following a waxing treatment. I recommend that my clients use this cream twice a day and only on facial hair, the sides of the face, chin and upper lip. You may spend less time removing hair and having hair removal treatments and also the frequency of hair removal by using Ongrien Face Hair Inhibitor. You will see results in as little as two weeks when used twice a day, at least 8 hours apart.

Warning: Do not apply Ongrien Face Hair Inhibitor Cream in or around the eye or eyebrow area. It will slow down the hair folicles and may stop growth in the brow area.

Benefits:

• Less hair noticeable by 2 to 4 weeks
• Marked improvement seen in 6 to 8 weeks
• Safe and effective, with an 80% satisfaction rate by 8 weeks

Finally, a cream to stop embarrassing hair growth. Start using it today for a cleaner and smoother looking complexion. Come in and try this extraordinary new hair removal cream by Ongrien Face, for yourself. This is not available on our website therougecosmetics.com, although we are taking orders by phone at 925.736.3900.