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The human species should be viewed in the same way that we think about how other species are connected to nature. Each one has certain types of foods that nourish them, and they are definitely not the same for all. A lion can’t eat grass, while that’s about all cows eat in their natural environment. Chickens don’t eat tomatoes. Cats don’t eat raisins.
Humans are radically different. One defining distinction is that humans can eat just about anything. What an advantage! Our species can thrive in Alaska and Hawaii. We can live just about anywhere on earth in any climate – deserts, mountains, shorelines, valleys, plains, you name it. The Bajau people live on the ocean around Indonesia in small boats, fishing for a living, only going ashore to buy secondary supplies. However, that advantage is also our Achilles’ heel, because our bodies still must comply with our basic biology. Other species typically avoid eating what doesn’t work for their bodies. We, on the other hand, struggle with it. Our advantage is also what can be our, literally, fatal flaw: Globally, lifestyle diseases, primarily diet, are responsible for 63% of deaths. Please let that sink in. For such an intelligent species, how can this be? It literally doesn’t make sense. While there are many scientific and medical phenomenon in play, one striking reason is that ultra-processed (industrial) foods can be addicting. Addiction – for any species – defies all logic. But we must remember that we’re not talking about broccoli. We’re talking about huge multinational corporations producing industrial products masquerading as actual food. A registered dietician quoted in the article stated, “For these food companies, the more addictive the food, the greater the profit….Food companies who manufacture these [ultra-processed foods] are gas lighting consumers by trying to deny that these foods are anything other than addictive.” Here are three big takeaways from the article: Researchers concluded that ultra-processed (industrial) foods may be as addictive as smoking Researchers confirmed that these types of foods are high in refined carbohydrates and fats, substances that can cause changes in the brain. Experts say that ultra-processed foods need to be regulated more strictly because of their potential addictive qualities and their impact on the obesity crisis. Click to view the article
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NATURAL MEDICINE ALTERNATIVES TO TREATING HEARTBURN, CONSTIPATION, DIARRHEA, BLOATING, AND GAS6/23/2024 Healthy digestion is the foundation of well being. When it’s working as it should, our body extracts the necessary nutrients from our food to give us energy and vitality and keep us well, and then removes the rest as waste. When there is constipation, heartburn, loose stools, bloating, or abdominal pain, the body is signaling that something is wrong.
Unfortunately, this is all too common in America today. But because something is common doesn’t mean that it’s normal. It’s normal for our bodies to work properly. For example, heartburn is especially common in the U.S., but it’s not normal at all to have heartburn. Also common are prescriptions for acid blockers. But—incredibly—the majority of people are NOT producing too much stomach acid. Rather, they have an underlying condition typically caused by certain foods that are not digesting well. Incomplete or inadequate digestion, in turn, can cause a reflux reaction. Suppressing the acid does not solve that problem. In the long run, using acid blockers can sometimes make the situation worse by limiting the body’s ability to produce enough stomach acid to digest the food. In addition, some acid blocking medications have been associated with an increased risk of dementia and other serious medical conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), heart disease, kidney disease, and certain types of cancer. Constipation is also widespread. It can be caused by many different things. A poor diet with insufficient fiber and water are common culprits, but it can also be due to medications or certain medical conditions like low thyroid hormone levels. When it comes to loose stools, in addition to a poor diet, they can be caused by food allergies, food sensitivities, or even things like parasites. Also, both constipation and diarrhea can be caused by Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). Recent research has shown a link between chronic constipation and cognitive decline, the precursor to dementia.  Does the gender of your doctor matter? The answer is an unequivocal yes. A study published just last month in the Annals Of Internal Medicine added to the growing body of research showing that patients consistently do better under the care of a female physician. In fact, experts say that male physicians should consider the findings of the study and learn how they might improve their own practice.
People treated by female physicians have lower rates of mortality and readmission than those treated by male physicians. In their study, researchers reported that there was a clinically significant difference in outcomes for people depending on the gender of their treating physician. Dr. Yusuke Tsugawa, a senior author of the study said, “Further research on the underlying mechanisms linking physician gender with patient outcomes….has the potential to improve patient outcomes across the board.” One difference is that women doctors spend more time with patients as well as engaging in shared medical decision making and partnership discussions compared with their male counterparts. According to Dr. Lisa Rotenstein, a co-author of the study, “In the surgical realm, female physicians spend longer on a surgical procedure and have lower rates of postoperative readmissions. We need to be asking ourselves how to provide the training and incentives so that all doctors can emulate the care provided by female physicians.” A professor of medicine at Stanford University who was not involved in the study commented that there is often a tendency for male physicians to discount this kind of information because it may feel uncomfortable or threatening. “However, that kind of response will not help patients. If, instead, male physicians can approach these data with curiosity as to why patients may have worse outcomes in their hands, they may begin to identify how to improve the care they provide.” Click to view the article. Mary Huang is a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner with a unique personal experience influencing her professional life. She has been in practice for 16 years, including a 9-year period when she co-owned and managed an acupuncture/healing arts clinic. She left to spend 4 years living off the grid in the rain forest jungle of Costa Rica. There, she experienced the energetic power that we all possess to help us heal. (Mary Huang's website: https://soulsprings.wixsite.com/singi... )
Mary Huang moved to Honolulu in 2022 and founded Singing Tree Acupuncture. Her work includes acupuncture, Chinese herbs, homeopathy, bodywork and energy work. She has found that most people’s main concern is their physical health. “I am completely in alignment with that. At the same time, it is important to remember that we are not just our bodies. So, in order to be in our best physical health, we must also seek alignment and balance with the mind and the soul.” Doctor Taketa-Wong believes that it’s important to keep an open mind about specialties we may not be familiar with. “They all have something to teach,” she said. “Naturopathic medicine is one of the specialties I was trained in. The other is Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. I treat the whole person, not just symptoms of diseases. Why do they have this condition? What is the emotional component? Mary Huang’s knowledge of the spiritual side of ill health can be eye opening.” |
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