Posts Tagged ‘treatments’
Osteoporosis Risk for over 50’s
Thursday, June 11th, 2009
Q: I have just turned 50 and my doctor says I am at risk of developing osteoporosis. Should I start eating more dairy on a daily basis?
A: A comprehensive review article published in 2005 showed that getting extra calcium-from milk or anything else-makes no difference to bone density. In fact, dairy products are far from the solution and may even be the cause of the problem. Exercise, however, has a huge positive effect.
For strong bones, you need weight-bearing activity, sunlight, and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. And there’s plenty of healthy calcium in greens, beans, and many other foods that avoid milk’s problems. Evidence shows that dairy product consumption can also contribute to obesity, ear infections, constipation, respiratory problems, heart disease, and some cancers.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, the fundamental cause of bone disease is due to the close relationship between vata and the bones. Both the vata dosha and the bones are high in the air element. There is an inherent link between the main site of vata in the colon, and the bones. Assimilation and absorption of many nutrients that are essential for healthy bones, takes place in the colon. Hence, weak digestion and poor nutrition are the basic causative factors for the onset of osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
Over the last decade researchers have learned a great deal about the causes, prevention and management of osteoporosis, an underlying condition responsible for many of the hip, wrist and vertebral fractures in older women. Osteoporosis is a particularly serious problem for our ageing population.
A number of factors contribute to development of the disease, including:
o Aging, especially in post-menopausal women due to estrogen deficiency;
o Decreased mobility or a sedentary life-style is also a factor as weight bearing exercise is essential for bone building activity;
o Hormonal imbalance, or prolonged use of steroid medications (eg Prednisone)
o Calcium, Vitamin D, or Protein deficiency - due to insufficient intake or malabsorption issues;
o Heavy alcohol use;
o Cigarette smoking;
o Small, light bone structure;
o Coeliac disease.
Additional advice / Treatment:
- Preventable with correct diet and lifestyle. Bone requires a constant supply of high quality nutrition and regular weight bearing exercise. Severe cases may be treated with natural measures in conjunction with appropriate medical care;
- Colon cleansing, and elimination of coeliac disease if this is present;
- Encourage growth of ‘good bacteria’ in the colon;
- Non-mucoid forming diet, (eg Vegan, organic, raw/living food);
- Daily massage with organic sesame oil, rich in Calcium, to calm and nourish vata.
Written by: Liz Nagle, ICIM Medics Naturopath
B.A.(BESS), Dip. Ki Mass. Dip. Nat. Dip. Herbs.
To book an appointment with Liz, please click here, or phone the clinic on 045 - 844 819
Read More:
Recommendations for High Blood Pressure
Friday, March 13th, 2009
Q : I have high blood pressure what do you recommend ?
A : Blood pressure – the force that circulating blood exerts against the walls of arteries – that is too high can cause arteries to narrow, which can lead to arteriosclerosis, heart attack, kidney disease, memory loss and stroke. Heart disease is the number one killer in Ireland and more emphasis needs to be placed on prevention !
It is not certain exactly what causes primary high blood pressure, however, in some there may be a genetic tendency, but also lifestyle, diet, smoking, alcohol use, excessive caffeine and salt intake and lack of exercise all contribute. Certain medications, such as the birth control pill can elevate blood pressure as can pregnancy.
Patients with high blood pressure are urged to lose weight, exercise, and cut salt consumption. If these measures do not work drug intervention often results. Clinical researchers have found that some herbal treatments lower blood pressure and have been found to be helpful where sufferers have ‘borderline’ cases.
The following herbs can offer support: Bilberry, Hawthorn, and Garlic.
Supplements Vitamin C, E, Magnesium, Flaxseed oil and Coenzyme Q10 are also beneficial.
Diet: eliminate salt, sugar, avoid alcohol, caffeine, smoking. Eliminate animal fats while increasing vegetable oils such as flax seed oil, olive oil. Increase your consumption of celery, garlic and onions. Encourage a high-potassium diet rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, wholesome grains, fruit.
Healthy lifestyle: do more exercise and use stress reducing techniques.
I normally encourage patients to have blood tests to measure triglycerides, total cholesterol plus HDL & LDL (good and bad cholesterol), homocysteine and C-reactive protein. This will give both patient and practitioner an idea about risks for coronary artery disease and provides a base line for monitoring progress. Often an integrated approach is beneficial where the patient in question has access to both GP and Natural Practitioner.
For further information on high blood pressure or blood tests please visit ICIM Medics on www.icimmedics.com or tel. 045 844 819.
Preventing Coldsores
Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
Q : Both myself and my husband get a lot of cold sores, which can be quite sore and upsetting. Is there something we can do to prevent them? What’s the best way to treat them?
A: Herpes is a group of about 70 viruses, the most common of which are herpes simplex (HSV-1) (cold sores). Those with recurrent attacks harbour the HSV in a nerve centre known as ganglia. Herpes tends to lie dormant until an individual is run down with a cold, stress, periods, or allergic reaction to foods. Also, sunburn, and over exercising can trigger the recurrence.
Combating herpes is carried out on two fronts. The first is to enhance the individual’s own defence system and the second is to weaken the defence that the virus puts up by surrounding itself with an impregnable protein coat that the immune system cannot penetrate.
Some recommendations to help treat and prevent recurrences :
- Increasing lysine and reducing arginine (both amino acids) in the diet is required. Foods to be discouraged are nuts, chocolate, seeds, pulses, all wholegrains, pork, sunflower oil, and crustaceans such as crabs and shrimps. Foods to encourage are fish (especially halibut), chicken, turkey, yeast-containing foods such as raised white bread, potatoes, milk and lamb.
- Recognize the cause of the immune suppression and try to avoid exposure to known allergic foods, stress and lack of sleep. At ICIM I often recommend allergy testing where foods are suspected.
- The supplements vitamin C, bioflavanoids, zinc and lysine can be administered during an acute attack and well as to help prevent recurrences.
- Licorice and Lemon Balm herbal tinctures applied neat to the lesion are excellent. You must apply it as soon as you feel it coming on to prevent a full blown lesion.
- Astragalus, Olive leaf extract, Licorice and Bitter melon all possess immune enhancing properties thus aiding in prevention of recurrence. Supervision would be recommended. Blood testing at ICIM can confirm a compromised immune system.
- Homoeopathic remedies Nat Mur for herpes at the corners of mouth and lower lip, or Rhus tox for around the lips in a 6c potency administered 3 times daily.
For further information on Herpes simplex/Cold Sores, testing or treatments contact ICIM Medics on 045 844 819 or e-mail info@icim.ie
What Can Help Ease Psoriasis Symptoms?
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008Q: My boyfriend suffers from psoriasis. Is there anything he can use apart from hydrocortisone creams?
A : For general psoriasis sufferers, assistance in the following areas can help ease symptoms:
1, Incomplete protein digestion – digestive enzymes, Hydrastis Canadensis (goldenseal) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root) help to promote better digestion.
2, Diet – limit sugar, meat, animal fats, and alcohol; increase dietary fibre and cold-water fish. Eliminate gluten, identify and address food allergies and take a multivitamin supplement and omega supplement too like Udo’s oil.
3, Physically – ultraviolet light (sunlight) is extremely beneficial. Ultraviolet B (UVB) alone inhibits cell proliferation with fewer side effects.
If you suffer from dry, rough or scaly skin that becomes more inflamed after scratching, or indeed during bouts of cold weather, Arsen Alb 6C will help. Whereas if your skin is swollen and inflamed Borax 3c should help to ease it. If it is aggravated by the warmth with intolerable itching Kali Arsen 3C is great. If your psoriasis is further irritated washing or if you have hot feet and hands at night I would recommend Sulphur 12C.
Botanical alternatives to hydrocortisone creams including Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root), Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile), Capsicum frutescens (cayenne pepper), Aloe vera, Hydrastis Canadensis (goldenseal), Silybum marianum (milk thistle), provide great benefit.
For further information on psoriasis please visit the Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine on www.icim.ie or tel. 045-844819 .
