Bezerra de Menezes Salud Congregacional

¿Conoces el porque se origina la Diabetes Patologia más frecuente?

2011-09-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

¿Qué es la Diabetes?

La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad producida por una alteración del metabolismo (metabolismo es un conjunto de reacciones químicas que tienen lugar en las células del cuerpo), caracterizada por un aumento de la cantidad de glucosa en la sangre y por la aparición de complicaciones microvasculares (enfermedad de los vasos sanguíneos finos del cuerpo, incluyendo vasos capilares) y cardiovasculares (relativo al corazón y los vasos sanguíneos) que incrementan sustancialmente los daños en otros órganos (riñones, ojos, corazón, nervios periféricos) y la mortalidad asociada con la enfermedad y reduce la calidad de vida de las personas afectadas.
La diabetes afecta a entre el 5 y el 10% de la población general, esta variación depende de los estudios consultados. Debe tenerse en cuenta que se estima que por cada paciente diabético conocido existe otro no diagnosticado. Su frecuencia aumenta significativamente con la edad y también con el exceso de peso y la vida sedentaria, por estos motivos se espera un importante aumento del número de diabéticos en los próximos decenios.
En la última Encuesta Nacional de salud del año 2001 (España) , un 5,6% de la población, había sido diagnosticado de diabetes, la cifra alcanzaba el 16% en los mayores de 65 años, en la encuesta del año 1993 se declaraba afecto de diabetes sólo el 4,1%.

¿Cuáles son los síntomas de la Diabetes?
Los síntomas que produce la enfermedad son diferentes dependiendo del tipo de diabetes-
En la forma más común que es la tipo 2 los síntomas pueden ser escasos o poco llamativos:

Sed
Aumento de la cantidad de orina
Aumento del apetito
Picores
Infecciones
Enfermedades cardiovasculares asociadas

¿Cómo se diagnostica la diabetes?
La Diabetes se diagnostica midiendo la cantidad de glucosa en la sangre (Glucemia). La forma ideal es medirla en la sangre venosa y con la persona en ayunas. A esta cifra la denominamos Glucemia Basal.
Hay otras formas y circunstancias de medir la cantidad de glucosa en la sangre; la glucosa medida en sangre capilar (pinchando un dedo) o en las personas que no están en ayunas, estas cifras pueden ayudar o incluso orientar al diagnóstico, pero la que se debe emplear como fiable para el diagnóstico, es la glucosa en sangre venosa y con el sujeto en ayunas (GLUCEMIA BASAL EN PLASMA VENOSO).
Existe una prueba llamada Prueba de Tolerancia Oral a la Glucosa (PTOG) que consiste en administrar una cantidad determinada de glucosa a la persona en ayunas y comprobar como se comporta la glucosa en la sangre a lo largo de un cierto tiempo. Eso nos permite saber si esa persona tiene alterados los mecanismos de metabolización de la glucosa. Esta prueba hoy en día se usa casi en exclusiva en las mujeres embarazadas.

¿Cuáles son las cifras de glucosa en sangre normales y a partir de cuándo hablamos de Diabetes?
La cifra de glucosa en sangre se considera normal cuando es menor de 110 mg/dl.
Hablamos de Diabetes Mellitus si…

La glucemia en ayunas en plasma venoso es mayor o igual 126 mg/dl (7 mmol/l) al menos en dos ocasiones.
Hay síntomas de diabetes (ver arriba) y una glucemia al azar en plasma venoso mayor o igual 200 mg/dl (11,1 mmol/l). Aunque no se esté en ayunas. No es necesaria una segunda determinación.
La glucemia en plasma venoso a las 2 horas de la Prueba de Sobrecarga oral con 75 g de glucosa es mayor o igual a 200 mg/dl (11,1 mmol/l).

¿Qué tipos de diabetes existen?

Diabetes Tipo 1: resultado de la destrucción de las células del páncreas que producen la insulina (células beta) y que predispone a una descompensación grave del metabolismo llamada cetoacidosis. Es más típica en personas jóvenes (por debajo de los 30 años).
Diabetes Tipo 2: Caracterizada por resistencia a la insulina que puede estar asociada o no con una deficiencia de insulina y que puede estar presente con muy pocos síntomas durante mucho tiempo. Esta forma es más común en personas mayores de 40 años aunque cada vez es más frecuente que aparezca en sujetos más jóvenes.
Diabetes Gestacional: diabetes cuyo inicio se reconoce durante el embarazo. Las mujeres que la padecen deben ser estudiadas después del parto ya que la diabetes puede o no persistir después.
Otras formas de diabetes: condiciones variadas que consisten básicamente en formas específicas, genéticas de diabetes, o diabetes asociada con otras enfermedades o el uso de fármacos. Entre las más comunes están las enfermedades del páncreas y el uso de corticoides en algunos tratamientos.
Metabolismo Alterado de la Glucosa Existen algunas situaciones clínicas intermedias entre la normalidad y la diabetes confirmada, se conocen como situaciones de Metabolismo Alterado de la Glucosa, actualmente se ha vuelto a rescatar para denominarlas el término prediabetes que estuvo abandonado durante algunos años. Esta alteración se caracteriza por:

Existen dos formas clínicas:

Glucemia basal alterada: (GBA): Glucemia plasmática en ayunas mayor de 110 mg/dl y menor de 126 mg/dl.
Tolerancia alterada a la glucosa: (TAG): Glucemia plamática a las 2 horas de la PTOG con 75 gr de glucosa mayor de 140 mg/dl y menor de 200 mg/dl.

¿Quiénes deben someterse a pruebas para detectar una posible diabetes?
Se ha demostrado que sólo las personas de cierto riesgo deben ser investigadas para detectar una posible diabetes silente; estos son:

Mayores de 45 años (cada 3 años)
A cualquier edad y cada año si:

Método Recomendado: Glucemia en ayunas (GB) en plasma venoso.
¿Puede prevenirse la diabetes?

En sujetos con elevado riesgo de desarrollar una diabetes tipo 2 la implantación de programas de pérdida de peso y planes de ejercicio físico pueden contribuir a la disminución del riesgo.
Las personas con obesidad o sobrepeso y sedentarias tienen un riesgo muy elevado de desarrollar un diabetes tipo 2. Existen diferentes estudios clínicos que demuestran que una reducción moderada de peso y un programa de ejercicio físico de tan sólo media hora diaria durante al menos cinco días a la semana, experimentan una drástica reducción del riesgo de desarrollar una diabetes.
Por su parte la prevención de la diabetes tipo 1 entra dentro del campo experimental limitándose actualmente al campo de la investigación.

¿Por qué es tan importante prevenir la diabetes y detectarla lo antes posible?
La DM es una enfermedad que causa un aumento muy importante del riesgo de padecer y morir de una enfermedad cardiovascular.
Esta es una asociación tan fuerte desde el punto de vista clínico que hoy muchos autores y comités de expertos, recomiendan tratar al paciente con diabetes como si ya fuese seguro que sus arterias están dañadas en lo referente a otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular como cifras de Colesterol, tensión arterial, uso de fármacos antiagregantes plaquetarios etc.
Pero además la diabetes y sobre todo la diabetes mal controlada produce daños en múltiples órganos y sistemas además de en los grandes y pequeños vasos sanguíneos del organismo; así puede causar.

Por alteración de los grandes vasos: Infarto de miocardio, falta de riego en las extremidades, accidentes cerebrovasculares, enfermedad por arteriosclerosis precoz. Etc.
Daños en la retina de los ojos Retinopatía diabética.
Daños en los riñones con nefropatía diabética.
Daños en el sistema nervioso con neuropatía diabética.
Diversos daños en la piel con dermopatía diabética.

¿Se pueden prevenir estas complicaciones?
Existen estudios que demuestran que el control óptimo de la diabetes permite prevenir o retrasar la aparición de prácticamente todas las complicaciones.
En la diabetes tipo 1 el estudio conocido como DCCT (Diabetes Control Complications trial).
En la diabetes tipo 2 el estudio conocido como UKPDS (United Kingdom Prevention Diabetes Study).
En ambos se ha demostrado que un buen control metabólico, es crucial para prevenir la presencia de complicaciones tanto a medio como a largo plazo.

¿Cómo se trata la Diabetes?
El tratamiento de la diabetes se sustenta en seis pilares básicos:

Plan de alimentación: Un plan de alimentación va más allá de lo que entendemos por una dieta. Debe ser un proyecto individualizado a las necesidades de cada persona, sus preferencias y debe contemplar objetivos relacionados con la consecución de un peso óptimo, situación laboral, disponibilidades etc.
Plan de ejercicio físico: Presenta las mismas características de individualización que la alimentación en cuanto a preferencias, objetivos etc. Lo ideal es alcanzar al menos 30 minutos diarios de ejercicio físico activo y preferentemente aeróbico (Caminar deprisa, bicicleta, remo…).
Medicación: existen múltiples y variadas disposiciones para el tratamiento de la Diabetes. Lo importante es que Vd. observe escrupulosamente las normas que su médico le indique tanto en cuanto a dosis como en cuanto a horarios, relación de la medicación con la comida, precauciones con el alcohol, la conducción etc. Consulte con un profesional sanitario. La mayor parte de los tratamientos farmacológicos de la Diabetes pueden causar hipoglucemias (Bajadas peligrosas de la cifra de glucosa en la sangre) y Vd. debe saber como evitarlas y como tratarlas si se presentan.
Hábitos generales de higiene
- NO FUMAR. Quizás el principal consejo que todo paciente con diabetes debe recibir es que NO FUME. El tabaco es un importante factor de riesgo cardiovascular en todos los ciudadanos pero el aumento de riesgo que origina en los diabéticos es mucho mayor.
- El desarrollar hábitos que permitan una vida regular y ordenada, con horarios de comidas y de sueño regulares, horarios para el ejercicio físico pautado etc. Son sumamente aconsejables.
- Los cuidados e higiene de los pies del diabético y de la piel en general también deben ser considerados.
Plan de autocontrol: todo paciente diabético debe ser instruido en las técnicas básicas del autocontrol de su enfermedad y en el aprendizaje de las acciones básicas que debe emprender ante las incidencias más comunes; cambios de horario, descompensaciones, hipoglucemias, enfermedades intercurrentes etc. Con el fin de alcanzar el mayor grado de autonomía que pueda.
Controles periódicos:
- Una parte fundamental del tratamiento de la diabetes es la relacionada con los controles periódicos, no sólo en relación con la realización de pruebas analíticas que permitan afirmar o modificar el resto del tratamiento sino las relacionadas con la detección precoz de complicaciones de la enfermedad. Esto incluye detección precoz de la Retinopatía Diabética mediante el examen periódico del fondo de ojo por un profesional competente, detección de microalbuminuria para cribado de daño renal, control periódico de la Tensión Arterial, evaluación del riesgo cardiovascular global con las pruebas que sean necesarias etc.
- Los controles periódicos deben servir al paciente diabético y al profesional que le atiende para evaluar los objetivos fijados y reajustarlos.

El equipo de profesionales que trata a un paciente con Diabetes, deberá establecer de acuerdo con el propio paciente, las pautas y objetivos a alcanzar en cada una de estas áreas, ajustándose todo lo posible a las preferencias del propio paciente y haciéndole partícipe de los objetivos y resultados obtenidos, buscando la forma más factible de remover obstáculos y promover actitudes que permitan alcanzar un buen control.
La educación del paciente con diabetes, proceso donde se integra toda la formación e información contenida en todos los puntos antes reseñados, se ha revelado como una de las acciones más efectivas para conseguir los objetivos de un buen control de la enfermedad.

¿Qué otros estudios complementan el estudio y evaluación del enfermo con Diabetes?
Existen múltiples estudios y pruebas que los profesionales sanitarios que son responsables del cuidado del enfermo de diabetes realizan para mejorar el conocimiento y controlar el estado evolutivo de la enfermedad.
En este apartado explicaremos algunas de las más comunes para conocer para qué sirven y cual es su interpretación.

Hemoglobina glicosilada o Glicohemoglobina: Esta prueba de laboratorio, se realiza en la sangre y determina que proporción de la sustancia hemoglobina se encuentra unida a la glucosa. Sirve para tener un conocimiento de cómo ha estado la cifra de glucosa en la sangre en los últimos dos o tres meses. Es un parámetro muy usado para conocer si el control metabólico es adecuado.
Microalbuminuria: Consiste en determinar en la orina del paciente si se eliminan pequeñas cantidades de albúmina. Esta eliminación se ha comprobado que es un buen parámetro para medir mínimas lesiones en los riñones (nefropatía diabética) y para predecir algunas complicaciones vasculares.
Estudio de otros elementos que pueden ayudar a valorar el riesgo cardiovascular global del diabético: Colesterol total, Hdl-Colesterol, Ldl-Colesterol, Triglicéridos. Determinación de la Tensión arterial, Electrocardiograma.
Estudio del fondo de ojo con dilatación de la pupila; se realiza para identificar signos precoces de enfermedad en la retina producida por la diabetes (Retinopatía diabética).
Exploración de los pulsos en las arterias de los pies y examen de los mismos incluyendo exploración de la sensibilidad; se realiza para descartar la existencia del llamado pie diabético.

Study highlights five keys to diabetes prevention - CNN.com

2011-09-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

Study highlights five keys to diabetes prevention - CNN.com:

To help cut your diabetes risk, get at least 20 minutes of intense exercise three times a week, a new government study says.

(Health.com) -- Would you be willing to change one aspect of your life -- such as eating healthier or exercising more -- if you knew it would reduce your likelihood of developing diabetes? Would you make two, three or five lifestyle changes to bring down those chances even more? Every little bit helps, a new government study suggests. Meeting just one of five key health goals reduces your odds of developing diabetes in middle age by roughly one-third, the study estimates, and the more goals you meet, the lower your risk falls, even if you have a family history of diabetes. Doctors, of course, have long known that bad habits such as smoking, drinking too much and eating unhealthy foods increase the likelihood of developing an array of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes. But the new study -- the largest of its kind to date -- is among the first to explore how several healthy habits combine to affect diabetes risk.

Health.com: 17 worst habits for your heart

"The question we were trying to raise is whether there are added benefits to each individual lifestyle improvement you make, and it looks like that answer is definitely yes," says Jared Reis, Ph.D., the lead author of the study and an epidemiologist with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. "The strength of the association was really very dramatic and quite surprising." Reis and his colleagues analyzed data from more than 200,000 men and women in eight states who are part of a long-running study on diet and health led by the National Cancer Institute. In the mid-1990s, when they ranged in age from 50 to 71 and showed no signs of serious illness, the study participants answered detailed questionnaires about their diet, lifestyle, medical history, physical characteristics and demographic profile.

Health.com: Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes

Ten years later, roughly 9% of the men and women had developed diabetes. Those who were least likely to receive a diabetes diagnosis shared five key health attributes:

Normal weight. They were not overweight or obese, and maintained a body mass index below 25 (a threshold equivalent to 155 pounds for a 5-foot, 6-inch woman)

Nonsmoking. They had never been regular smokers, or they'd been smoke-free for at least 10 years.

Physically active. They got at least 20 minutes of heart-pounding, sweat-inducing exercise three or more times per week.

Healthy diet. They consumed a diet with lots of fiber, little trans fat, few refined or sugary carbohydrates, and a high ratio of good (polyunsaturated) to bad (saturated) fats.

Little to no drinking. They used alcohol in moderation, if at all -- two drinks or less a day for men, and one drink or less for women.

Each additional attribute was associated, on average, with 31% and 39% lower odds of developing diabetes among men and women, respectively. People who met all five standards had roughly 80% lower odds of a diabetes diagnosis than demographically similar people who led less healthy lifestyles, according to the study, which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Of all five lifestyle factors, being overweight was linked most strongly to diabetes risk. But having healthy marks for the other four factors still made a difference in overall risk, regardless of whether a person was normal weight, overweight or obese. "It isn't always an easy thing to lose weight and to maintain that weight loss over the long term," Reis says. "So this is good news for those individuals who have a tough time losing weight: You can still lower your risk with these other lifestyle changes."

Health.com: 25 ways to cut 500 calories a day

With questionnaire-based studies like this one, there's always a chance that the participants don't accurately report their behavior, or that the results are skewed by health and lifestyle factors that the researchers haven't taken into account. But in this case, the study's large, real-world population -- as opposed to the smaller, strictly monitored groups typically found in clinical trials -- may actually be a strength, says Robert Henry, M.D., the president of medicine and science at the American Diabetes Association, an advocacy organization based in Alexandria, Virginia. "This study looked at factors we know can be easily modifiable, and the conditions that people actually live with in real life," says Henry, who is also a professor of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of California-San Diego. "And it does that better than some of the diligently done clinical trials that may not be applicable to a normal lifestyle situation."

Health.com: Small diet and exercise tricks that get big results

The study also found that maintaining the five lifestyle factors lowers diabetes risk regardless of family history, suggesting that people with a genetic predisposition can still prevent or at least delay the onset of the disease. "Some people will say, 'I'm too overweight for this to have any value,' or 'I'm doomed because diabetes runs in my family,' but we see here that's not true," says Henry, who was not involved in the study. "Even if you're obese, even if you have family history, this shows that there are real benefits to living a healthy lifestyle."

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-30T12:47:00.001-07:00

Try 1/2 cup fresh fruit in place of 1/2 cup dried fruit.

www.americaonthemove.org!

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

This Monday put school safety first: Review the rules for buses, bicycles, and pedestrian crossings. Teach them how to stay calm in an emergency.

Sleep more soundly at night by taking a walk a few hours before you go to bed.

Skip the super-size promotions.

Firmada declaración para la promoción y prevención de la salud cardiovascular

2011-08-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

Firmada declaración para la promoción y prevención de la salud cardiovascular

La Fundación Venezolana del Corazón con el firme propósito de seguir incentivando la salud en el país y específicamente en el estado Aragua, en la mañana de ayer firmaron la Declaración de Principios para la Promoción y Prevención de la Salud Cardiovascular, en las instalaciones de la Cámara de Comercio, debido a que esta presenta la primera causa de muerte en los venezolanos, según cifras que manejan los especialistas en la materia.

Con relación a este tema, el doctor Igor Morr explicó que en los países en vías de desarrollo se están incrementando los problemas cardiovasculares contrario a los desarrollados que han disminuido, lo cual escapa del manejo de los médicos, por lo que buscan atacar de manera mancomunada este problema que afecta a un gran número de venezolanos.

Además, señaló que este es un problema del colectivo, por lo que la mencionada fundación está haciéndole un llamado a todas las fuerzas vivas de la región aragüeña, donde se están proponiendo algunas metas para accionarlas durante los próximos 10 años.

Es de destacar, que esta firma tiene algunos principios los cuales buscan disminuir las cifras de morbilidad de los casos cardiovasculares que están en ascenso, debido a que 3 personas de cada 10 son hipertensos, donde existe una mortalidad de 25 mil personas al año por esta causa, que supera las guerras y otras causas.

"Nosotros no podemos resolver el problema, el Estado intenta hacerlo pero tampoco puede y por eso tenemos que acudir a todas las comunidades", destacó Morr. También destacó que dentro de estos principios están buscando seguir incentivando a que las personas participen en los programas que durante todo el año efectúa la Fundación como lo son el día mundial de no fumar, el día de la diabetes, el día mundial de la hipertensión arterial, soy activo sin excusas, pálpate tu pulso, un día con tu corazón, cantinas saludables en las escuelas, foro taller "emprendiendo hacia el éxito y la salud cardiovascular" y el día mundial del corazón que se está por celebrar.

Luis Rondón, miembro de la Federación, informó que partiendo de la organización social donde fomentan la disciplina, el interés colectivo, el respeto, han querido ir más allá y así conseguir un gran número de personas que sean multiplicadores de la información que quieren dar con respecto a mejorar las condiciones físicas y de la salud.

Dicha declaración de principios está fundamentada en los lineamientos internacionales de la Federación Mundial del Corazón, al igual que la Sociedad Venezolana de Cardiología, que busca generar un compromiso en torno a los programas que se están efectuando para tal fin.

Este grupo de especialistas de la salud están convencidos que mientras más personas se sumen en esta lucha pueden lograr sus objetivos, ya que las enfermedades cardiovasculares diezman los sectores de la población en su mayoría personas que están en su etapa productiva.

"Con esto lo que buscamos es mejorar la calidad de vida, pero haciendo hincapié en la promoción, porque estas enfermedades se relacionan con factores de riesgo que están presente en los malos hábitos alimenticios, costumbres, adicciones, entre otras", destacó Rondón.

En esta firma estuvieron presentes los representantes de la Fundación Venezolana del Corazón, la Cámara de Comercio, Sociedad Venezolana de Cardiología, Fundaproceca, Colegio de Médicos, diversas clínicas e instituciones educativas.

KARLA TRIMARCHI | el siglo

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-26T13:44:00.001-07:00

Skip the free chips with your sandwich or sub order.

www.americaonthemove.org!

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-26T07:15:00.001-07:00

Skim the fat off soups, stews, and sauces before serving.

www.americaonthemove.org!

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-23T12:42:00.001-07:00

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

This Monday get the facts: Ask a doctor or nurse which tests you need for your age, lifestyle, and medical history. While there, ask for your BMI.

www.americaonthemove.org!

Teach your kids some healthy habits - The West Australian

2011-08-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

Teach your kids some healthy habits

Maya Anderson, The West Australian

August 5, 2011, 11:45 am

Enlarge photo

The electronic era we live in might have parents believing that the days of children playing outside for hours on end are gone - but they don't have to be.

According to the Heart Foundation's director of cardiovascular health, Trevor Shilton, parents should encourage their children to get outside more.

"There is nothing inherent in our children that makes them sedentary," he said. "It is the environment and restrictions put in place by adults that is the problem.

"If a child goes outside, they will naturally find a stick, leaf, bug or friend and they will play. Likewise, if a child is sat in front of a screen, they are seldom less active or more socially disengaged."

The Heart Foundation's senior manager of physical activity and healthy weight, Clover Maitland, said that most children were not active enough.

"The Australian physical activity guidelines for children and young people recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day; and no more than two hours a day using electronic media for entertainment, especially during daylight hours," she said.

Parents could pass on healthy habits to their children by being good role models, said Ms Maitland.

"Be physically active yourself and switch off the TV and other electronic equipment," she said.

"Also monitor electronic media. Make children's bedrooms a screen-free zone and put rules in place to limit electronic media use.

"Support your child to participate in organised sport and recreation, walk or ride to school, and get outdoors during daylight hours."

She added that physical activity for children should be fun, social and help kids to learn and develop skills.

"Informal outdoor play and family activities, such as going to the park, bush walks or bike rides, are good ways to be active," she said.

"By trying a range of recreation activities, including traditional sports and other recreation activities, there is more chance of finding something your child enjoys.

"Skateboarding, dancing, bike riding and walking the dog are all popular informal activities for kids."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/lifestyle/a/-/lifestyle/9967723/teach-your-kids-some-healthy-habits/

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

Share your dessert with someone else.

www.americaonthemove.org!

Spiritism and Nourishment

2011-08-18T14:11:00.000-07:00

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-18T12:56:00.001-07:00

Serve correct portion sizes before bringing plates to the table to avoid overly large helpings and the temptation for seconds.

www.americaonthemove.org!

El papel del agua en el cuerpo

2011-08-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

LA FUNCION DEL AGUA EN EL CUERPO (*)

El agua ayuda a casi todas las funciones del cuerpo humano. Considerando que nuestros cuerpos son casi 2/3 agua, entender el rol importante del agua en el cuerpo puede ser una fuente de salud. A continuación mencionamos algunas de las cosas que el agua hace en nuestro cuerpo:

El cerebro es 75% agua / Una deshidratación moderada puede causar dolor de cabeza y mareo.
Se necesita agua para exhalar
El agua regula la temperatura del cuerpo
El agua transporta nutrientes y oxígeno a todas las células en el cuerpo
La sangre es 92% agua
El agua humedece el oxígeno para respirar
El agua protege y amortigua órganos vitales
El agua ayuda a convertir los alimentos en energía
El agua ayuda al cuerpo a absorber los nutrientes
El agua se deshace de los desperdicios
Los huesos son 22% agua
Los músculos son 75% agua
El agua amortigua las articulaciones

Lo que hace el agua (**)

Seguramente ha escuchado en muchas ocasiones que el agua es la mejor cosa para beber si quiere vivir saludable. Pero ¿Sabía por qué?

El agua compone la mayoría de las células de nuestro cuerpo.
El agua es la parte más grande de nuestros sistemas sanguíneo y linfático, transportando alimento y oxígeno a las células y desechando intrusos y desperdicios.
El agua limpia nuestros riñones de substancias tóxicas.
El agua balancea nuestros electrolitos, que nos ayudan a controlar la presión sanguínea.
El agua humedece nuestros ojos, boca y pasajes nasales.
El agua mantiene al cuerpo fresco cuando hace calor y aislado cuando hace frío.
El agua actúa como un amortiguador para los órganos del cuerpo.
El agua provee de los minerales que nuestro cuerpo necesita tales como manganeso, magnesio, cobalto y cobre.

Beber agua suficiente puede...

Mejorar su salud total y su bienestar.
Porque el agua es importante en muchas funciones del cuerpo, tener suficiente agua en nuestro organismo es un factor clave para tener salud y mantenerse saludable.

El agua ayuda a mantener el volumen de sangre, el cual ayuda a mantener su energía.
Una apropiada hidratación mejora su concentración y tiempo de reacción, especialmente durante los ejercicios.
El agua aumenta el número de calorías que quema durante las actividades diarias.
El agua diluye y dispersa las medicinas, permitiéndoles actuar más rápida y efectivamente.
El agua evita el malestar estomacal causado por medicinas concentradas.

Ayudar a protegerse contra una gran variedad de enfermedades.
Algunos estudios citados por la Asociación Dietética Americana muestran vínculos entre un alto consumo de agua y la reducción del riesgo de padecer:

resfriados
cálculos en los riñones
cáncer de mama
cáncer de colon
cáncer del tracto urinario

Mejorar su apariencia.
El agua llega por último a la piel; si su cuerpo no obtiene suficiente agua, su piel sentirá los efectos más que cualquier otro órgano. El agua hidrata la piel, dejándola:

más tersa
más pulida
más suave
más libre de arrugas

Ayudar a perder peso.
Muchos de nosotros confundimos la sed con las punzadas de hambre, así que tendemos a comer bocadillos cuando realmente nuestros cuerpos están ¡sedientos! Así que mejor beba agua – le ayudará a sentirse satisfecho, aminorando su deseo de comer. Algunos estudios muestran que tomar suficiente agua puede:

Darle más energía durante sus ejercicios.
Incrementar las calorías que quema durante sus ejercicios.
Ayuda a que su cuerpo reduzca los depósitos de grasa.

El papel del agua en el cuerpo

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-17T12:11:00.001-07:00

Select soft taco size (6-8 inch) flour tortillas instead of the larger burrito size tortilla.

www.americaonthemove.org!

Cortisol and Stress: How to Stay Healthy

2011-08-16T13:50:00.001-07:00

Cortisol and Stress: How to Stay Healthy

Cortisol and Your Body

By Elizabeth Scott, M.S., About.com Guide

Updated February 05, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Prolonged high levels of cortisol can lead to heart disease and other health problems. ©iStockphoto.com

Cortisol is an important hormone in the body, secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in the following functions and more:

Proper glucose metabolism
Regulation of blood pressure
Insulin release for blood sugar maintanence
Immune function
Inflammatory response

Normally, it’s present in the body at higher levels in the morning, and at its lowest at night. Although stress isn’t the only reason that cortisol is secreted into the bloodstream, it has been termed “the stress hormone” because it’s also secreted in higher levels during the body’s ‘fight or flight’response to stress, and is responsible for several stress-related changes in the body. Small increases of cortisol have some positive effects:

A quick burst of energy for survival reasons
Heightened memory functions
A burst of increased immunity
Lower sensitivity to pain
Helps maintain homeostasis in the body

While cortisol is an important and helpful part of the body’s response to stress, it’s important that the body’s relaxation response to be activated so the body’s functions can return to normal following a stressful event. Unfortunately, in our current high-stress culture, the body’s stress response is activated so often that the body doesn’t always have a chance to return to normal, resulting in a state of chronic stress.

Higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream (like those associated with chronic stress) have been shown to have negative effects, such as:

Impaired cognitive performance
Suppressed thyroid function
Blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia
Decreased bone density
Decrease in muscle tissue
Higher blood pressure
Lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body, slowed wound healing, and other health consequences
Increased abdominal fat, which is associated with a greater amount of health problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body. Some of the health problems associated with increased stomach fat are heart attacks, strokes, the development of metabolic syndrome, higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL), which can lead to other health problems!

To keep cortisol levels healthy and under control, the body’s relaxation response should be activated after the fight or flight response occurs. You can learn to relax your body with various stress management techniques, and you can make lifestyle changes in order to keep your body from reacting to stress in the first place. The following have been found by many to be very helpful in relaxing the body and mind, aiding the body in maintaining healthy cortisol levels:

Cortisol secretion varies among individuals. People are biologically ‘wired’ to react differently to stress. One person may secrete higher levels of cortisol than another in the same situation. Studies have also shown that people who secrete higher levels of cortisol in response to stress also tend to eat more food, and food that is higher in carbohydrates than people who secrete less cortisol. If you’re more sensitive to stress, it’s especially important for you to learn stress management techniques and maintain a low-stress lifestyle.

http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-16T13:48:00.001-07:00

Select nonfat or 1% milk instead of whole milk.

www.americaonthemove.org!

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-15T13:13:00.000-07:00

This Monday go fish: And get your fill of low-cal, low-fat protein with key nutrients like Omega-3's. Grill a salmon steak or add a filet to a vegetable shish kabob.

www.americaonthemove.org!

Heart disease

2011-08-14T17:37:00.001-07:00

Heart disease

There are many different problems of the heart and circulatory system. They are often interrelated, but each has its own name. Here’s a list of the key conditions and what they mean.

Angina. Pain felt in the chest due to insufficient blood supply to the heart, generally as the result of arteriosclerosis of the coronary arteries, usually experienced during exercise or stress.

Arrhythmia. A disruption of the regular rhythmic beating of the heart. Arrhythmia can occur in a healthy heart and be of minimal consequence. It also may indicate a serious problem and lead to heart disease, stroke or sudden cardiac death.

Atherosclerosis. A process in which the blood vessels narrow and harden through build-up of plaque in the walls of arteries. Plaque is made up of deposits of fats, cholesterol and other substances. Plaque formations can reduce or close off the blood’s flow through an artery. When a plaque formation becomes inflamed and unstable, it may rupture, setting loose a blood clot that can narrow the artery or completely block it. When that blockage occurs in a coronary artery (the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart itself), it can cause a heart attack. When it occurs in a carotid artery (the main arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain), it can cause a stroke. If the blockage remains in the peripheral arteries, it can cause pain, changes in skin color, sores or ulcers, or difficulty walking. Total loss of circulation to the legs and feet can cause gangrene and loss of a limb.

Cardiomyopathy. A disease in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn’t work as well as it should. There may be multiple causes, including viral infection. Primary cardiomyopathy cannot be attributed to a specific cause, such as high blood pressure, heart valve disease, artery diseases, or congenital heart defects. Secondary cardiomyopathy is due to specific causes. It is often associated with diseases involving other organs as well as the heart. There are three main types of cardiomyopathy: dilated; hypertrophic; and restrictive.

Congestive heart failure. Develops when the heart’s pumping ability diminishes due to blockages or restriction of blood flow. With heart failure, the weakened heart can’t supply the cells with enough blood. This results in fatigue and shortness of breath. Everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or carrying groceries can become very difficult.

Coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD refers to atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle with blood.

Carotid artery disease. Atherosclerosis in the arteries that supply blood to the brain.

Endocarditis. Infection of the heart’s inner lining (endocardium) and valves. Bacterial endocarditis occurs when bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia) lodge on abnormal heart valves or other damaged heart tissue. This can occur during dental and periodontal surgical procedures.

Heart attack (coronary thrombosis, myocardial infarction [MI]). When the heart muscle, or myocardium, stops functioning due to loss of blood flow, nutrients, or electric signal.

High blood pressure/hypertension. Your heart pumps blood in a loop through the body: out through the arteries, back through the veins. Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure) measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Blood pressure is driven in large part by the openness and elasticity of the blood vessels, which can be negatively affected by atherosclerosis, hormonal imbalance, and nerve signals from the brain. Besides being a measure of poor cardiovascular health, high blood pressure forces your heart and arteries to work harder, and your major organs are affected. You can live for a long time with no signs of high blood pressure, until the whole system begins to collapse under the workload. High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack), stroke, heart failure and kidney failure, especially when combined with other risk factors. For a comprehensive discussion, see our article on hypertension in women. For guidelines on blood pressure levels and advice on self-testing, see our article on blood pressure readings. We also highly recommend the book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypertension, by Mark Houston, MD.

Hypercholesterolemia/hyperlipidemia are the terms used to describe chronic high levels of cholesterol in the blood, largely exacerbated by diet. Small fat deposits beneath the skin can signal hypercholesterolemia. Familial hypercholesterolemia is a rare genetically inherited disorder that causes severe high cholesterol beginning at birth and is unrelated to diet.

Mitral valve prolapse. The mitral valvel lies between the heart’s left atrium (upper, holding chamber) and left ventricle (lower, pumping chamber). The mitral valve has two flaps, or cusps. Mitral valve prolapse is when one or both valve flaps are enlarged, and some of their supporting "strings" may be too long. As a result, when the heart beats the mitral valve flaps don’t close smoothly or evenly. Instead, part of one or both flaps collapses. This sometimes lets a small amount of blood leak backward through the valve and may cause a heart murmur. Mitral valve prolapse is also known as click-murmur syndrome, Barlow’s syndrome, balloon mitral valve, and floppy valve syndrome.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD). Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when arteries outside the heart and brain become blocked. The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to fatty buildups. PAD is most common in the arteries in the pelvis and legs.

Stroke. Affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. Strokes occur when blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the brain are either blocked by a clot (thrombosis or embolism) or burst. When that happens, part of the brain can’t get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die. Most strokes are caused by thrombosis or embolism; these are called ischemic strokes. Ruptured blood vessels cause hemorrhagic or bleeding strokes.

Our Personal Program is a great place to start

The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional supplements, our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nurse–Educators. It is a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend to all our patients at the clinic.

To learn more about the Program, go to How the Personal Program works.
To select the Program that's right for your symptoms, go to Choose the plan that works for you.
To assess your symptoms, take our on-line Hormonal Health Profile.
If you're ready to get started, learn about our risk-free trial.

If you have questions, don't hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-800-214-3484. We're here to listen and help.

http://www.womentowomen.com/heartdiseaseandstroke/cardiovasculardiseases.aspx

BM Health Tip of the Day

2011-08-13T13:17:00.001-07:00

Select locally grown produce when possible.

www.americaonthemove.org!

Medical-Spiritist View of Depression

2011-08-12T12:37:00.001-07:00

Purifying the Perispirit Disease and Health

2011-08-12T12:23:00.001-07:00

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

Select lean ham or Canadian bacon in place of regular sausage or bacon.

www.americaonthemove.org!

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-11T12:01:00.001-07:00

Select grilled chicken in place of breaded and fried version.

www.americaonthemove.org!

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-10T12:40:00.001-07:00

Select an appetizer as your main dish and add soup, salad, or vegetable for the side dish.

www.americaonthemove.org!

Health and Wellness Quotes

2011-08-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

"The work of the doctor will, in the future, be ever more that of an educator, and ever less that of a man who treats ailments." Lord Horder

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-09T14:19:00.001-07:00

Choose corn tortillas over flour to save on calories.

www.americaonthemove.org!

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-08T11:32:00.001-07:00

Seek out bargains by walking through your neighborhood looking for garage/yard sales.

www.americaonthemove.org!

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

Savor your favorite food sparingly-there's no need to deny yourself when you monitor serving size.

www.americaonthemove.org!

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-03T11:35:00.000-07:00

Save money on single serving packs by making your own. Divide larger packages into single servings at home.

www.americaonthemove.org!

America On the Move

2011-08-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

Becoming More Physically Active

July 2011

Bring on the Heat with Summertime Exercise

Imagine what it feels like to step outside on a hot and humid day, with the air heavy and sticky on your skin. Now imagine lacing up your tennis shoes and going for a run on that hot and humid day. What does it feel like? And how does the warm outdoor temperature affect your body and overall physical performance? The temperature of your exercise environment can elevate your heart rate and make it more difficult to breathe—possibly having a negative impact on your exercise ability. Humans are “homeotherms,” meaning that our body temperature is regulated to remain close to a set point of 98.6°F or 37°C. Our bodies constantly try to maintain control over our core temperature, keeping it close to its set point in order to avoid potentially life threatening situations like heat stroke, exhaustion, fatigue, or dehydration. When exercising in a warmer climate, your body naturally produces heat and takes heat from the external environment and transfers it to your body¹. To safely exercise in the heat, it is important to adapt your body and maintain hydration.

To adapt your body, expose yourself to hot and humid environments regularly to allow your body’s sweat response to catch up with the rest of your body’s systems. To avoid over-exerting yourself when exercising in the heat, gradually increase activity intensity and duration.

When you are at rest, or not exercising, your body normally balances hydration by initiating a thirst response that informs your brain and body to drink fluids. During exercise however, this thirst response may not be sufficient. A fluid loss of 1-2% of body weight is necessary before your body will initiate a thirst response, therefore making it necessary to understand and respond to your fluid needs^2,3.

Begin a workout fully hydrated. In fact, before exercise, hydrate slightly more than normal to optimize your body’s ability to control its temperature and maintain cardiac output, or the rate of blood pumping from the heart. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, you should drink 500 milliliters of fluid two hours before exercise to ensure adequate hydration and to void any excess fluid³.

The body has a natural mechanism in place for cooling itself—sweating. Though it is useful for cooling the body, sweating also causes a loss of fluids and sodium that are necessary to maintain hydration. For physical activity that lasts more than one hour, you should consume fluids during the workout³. The salt that is lost through sweat should be replaced with a sodium-containing beverage to adequately rehydrate. Ideally, the rehydration beverage will also contain carbohydrate, such as low fat chocolate milk or a sports drink, because the combination will increase fluid retention while replacing muscle glycogen stores that have been depleted as a result of exercise.

A good indicator of hydration status is urine color. Light yellow-colored urine (similar to lemonade) is more indicative of adequate hydration, whereas darker yellow urine (similar to apple juice) generally indicates the need to drink more fluids.

A final piece of advice about exercising in warm temperatures is to try and do so in shaded areas as much as possible while wearing loose-fitting, moisture-wicking, light-colored clothes to reflect sunlight. So lace up your tennis shoes, fill up your water bottle, and enjoy the rest of summer!

¹The American Physiological Society 2008
² Journal of Applied Physiology 2006
³American College of Sports Medicine 2007

America On the Move

Why must we Suffer?

2011-08-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

‘‘Why must we suffer?’ - a psychiatrist reflects’

Dr. Andrew Powell

Introduction

Philosophers and theologians have argued about the nature of

suffering since we humans developed the capacity for self-reflection, and I

dare say the collective intellect of humankind is as much exercised, and as

likely perplexed, today as it was in the time of Shankara, or Lao Tse, or the

Buddha, or Plato, or Jesus Christ or the Prophet Muhammad; for suffering is a

condition of life.

Being a doctor has brought me into contact with a great deal of

suffering, both physical and emotional. Now, reflecting on my time in general

medicine and psychiatry, and my own life this far, I would like to offer some

thoughts about the problem of suffering, what it does to our minds for good or

ill, and how we may try to work with suffering to relieve despair and bring

hope.

What is suffering?

First I had better define what I mean by the word. I am drawing a

distinction between pain and suffering in that pain is a sensation, while

suffering means to be aware of what pain signifies. It is a function of mind.

Suffering arises when we learn the meaning of loss – for instance,

never to walk again, or to live with the prospect of chronic pain, or to have to

face the ending of life, your own or that of others. Less visibly, there is the

suffering of loneliness, or alienation, or despair, and of oppression, in which

the projected future holds nothing but the desolation of the present.

The list is a long one and accompanies consciousness like a dog its

master. At the heart of this is the knowledge that once we have grasped that

birth brings with it the inevitability of death, the desire to be well carries with it,

consciously or not, the fear of falling ill, and the realisation that happiness, like

health, and everything else, is at best ephemeral.

This poignant truth is recounted in the myth of Adam and Eve and their

fall from the Garden of Eden on account of eating the fruit of the tree of

knowledge. Their trauma, (the word derives from the Greek for ‘wound’) was

to live ever after with a yearning for the paradise they could never regain. But

expulsion into the world of birth, ageing, sickness and death also meant

growing from Homo innocens to Homo sapiens.

The theme of loss informs all great art and literature. These days it also

plays an important part in our understanding of mental health and so I want to

start by looking at how the pain of loss shapes the future of every human

child.

1The ordeal of birth

Let us start at the beginning. Before birth, we now know the baby is

actively responding to the environment of the womb. There is plenty going on;

the baby is testing out the limits of its world, kicking, sucking its thumb,

listening and busy getting on with growing. Amniotic fluid cushions the baby

from impact, life is one long feed and there is warmth and the comfort of the

mother’s heartbeat.

There are occasional disturbances to the well-being of the foetus - the

highly anxious mother whose adrenaline is flooding the baby’s circulation, or

conflict in the outer world, when the baby hears raised voices and angry

exchanges, or if the mother has a fall. Despite this, most babies reach full

term in a reasonably tranquil state.

Then comes the trauma of birth, which leaves indelible traces in the

psyche of the infant. The comfort of the womb is exchanged for almost heartstopping compression as the birth process gets under way.

Paediatricians refer to foetal distress when the oxygen supply to the

baby is seriously compromised, but every baby passes through a rite of

passage in which the forces of life and death are pitted one against the other.

The terror of suffocation is only assuaged when the newly born is held in the

arms of the mother, feeling the softness of her skin, taking in her smell and

tasting the sweetness of her milk.

The psychology of early years

Imagine how a child first comes to understand the world. To begin with

the baby is at the mercy of unpredictable sensations, like being full of milk or

at other times hungry. But what begins as a jumble of sensations soon

acquires a rhythm and meaning. Hunger is relieved by crying for the mother,

so that before long the feeling states of hunger and satiation get paired. Later,

the infant matures enough to know that an absent mother has not

disappeared for ever but can be called to the cot by its crying. When it has

discovered that its needs can be periodically satisfied, it learns to let go of its

mother from time to time and be comfortable with its own inner state. The

infant is learning a lesson for life - that human relating is found in perpetual

oscillation between the states of merging and of being alone.

As the infant develops, other pairs of constructs begin to structure the

sensorial world: big and small, soft and hard, light and shade. This act of

discrimination gives to each its special, contrasting attribute. At the same time

that this perceptual complexity is growing, a parallel inner conceptual world is

evolving. The child learns to distinguish between me and not me, mine and

not mine, bad and good, and later, right and wrong, all cognitive steps that are

mirrored by an increasing complexity of feeling states.

First encounters with loss

Nature has infinite wisdom in how things should be arranged, provided

that we don’t mess it up with dogmatic and largely fashionable opinions as to

what is ‘good for the child’. In the 1940s, a fanatical paediatrician called Truby

King urged mothers never to go to their babies except for the four-hourly feed,

to teach them ‘independence’ and thereby causing untold suffering to

thousands of babies, some of whom carry the imprint of that deprivation to

this day.

2All severe privations of childhood leave their mark and an infant can

only respond to overwhelming loss in one of three ways - to take refuge in

withdrawal, to become clinging, or to learn to survive without any attachments,

a development which leads to psychopathic disorder in later life.

In contrast, the child with a healthy and confident attachment to its

mother can risk losing her for a time, not least out of sheer curiosity to explore

the world, which may be a matter of just going into the next-door room. When

something frightening happens, real or imagined, the child runs back to the

safety of its mother. Similarly, the loss of the comfort of breast milk is more

than compensated for by the excitement of tasting different foods. Childhood

at its best is a great adventure, in which the child plays the hero protagonist of

the drama. Key dramatis personae come and go, while the child holds centrestage. This confidence and security is the greatest gift that parents can give a

child.

Then comes the challenge of the wider social world. Every young

person will feel frightened at times - the fight/ flight response is built into all of

us, and where there is a serious risk to our safety, emotional as much as

physical, the barriers go up to keep out the perceived threat. We all have egodefences in place; but this is only to be expected, unlike the extreme

hypersensitivity that results from emotional insecurity.

The first day at school is etched into most people’s memories. The

child is no longer at the epicentre of the social world. But this big loss can be

managed if kindly teachers step in to help, there are friends to be made and

the lessons are fun. Then the child goes home with pride in a new

accomplishment. But it is not always such a happy occasion and school

phobia is a major problem for child psychiatry services.

So far, I have focussed on how losing what we count as safe and

familiar is built into the blueprint of life and how, in the right measure, it can be

the spur to growth. It holds true whether for that first day at school, or the

young adult brave enough to fall in love and run the risk of being jilted, or

when facing a life-threatening illness, or for the person whose career falls

apart but who manages to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The neurophysiology of emotion

The mind is not reducible to the brain, but it certainly can’t do without it.

Take the fight-flight response mentioned earlier. When a threat is perceived,

the brain tells the adrenal glands to release adrenaline in preparation for fight

or flight; this is accompanied by the emotions of anxiety and fear. (In fact, an

injection of adrenaline will have the same result.) Importantly, the fear may

equally be triggered by what is imagined, so that an insecure child, for

example, cannot tolerate the absence of its mother without becoming anxious

because of its fantasy of abandonment. On the other hand, circulating

endorphins, which are opioid peptides produced by the pituitary gland and

hypothalamus in the brain, induce an immediate feeling of well-being. Nature

makes us this gift in the first few hours of life, for endorphins reach peak

levels in the mother’s bloodstream during labour and are imbibed by the baby

in its first feed, enormously facilitating the bonding between them.

However, the nerve centre of emotions, so to speak, lies in a

specialised neural structure in the white matter of the brain called the limbic

system. This ‘limbic brain’ mediates the basic emotions common to all the

3mammals. For example, removal of its amygdala nucleus leads to passivity

while over-activity (as may occur in epilepsy) can cause aggression.

The brain has further evolved during the more recent evolutionary

history of the primates and the limbic system is now buried deep beneath the

neocortex, or grey matter. In the case of the human being, the neocortex has

massively expanded to form the frontal lobes, the seat of reason and

empathy.

The problem for humankind lies in the way the limbic system and the

neocortex don’t pay much attention to each other, and not infrequently are at

odds. This evolutionary birthright is a blessing or a curse, depending on what

we do with it. In the case of the well-functioning human ego, reason and

emotion are able to work together, and they serve us faithfully, enabling us to

love, to bond and, through facing the many challenges of emotional conflict, to

grow in maturity. But when the same biological legacy results in our being

ruled by our emotions, they become ruthless tyrants, dedicated to destroying

anyone or anything felt to be a threat to self-survival. Before the advent of

modern technology, this served to protect tribal and national identities but

coupled with science, the result has been disastrous. Over 100 million people

were murdered in the 20

century, more than in the whole previous history of

humankind.

Life without soul

Not for nothing has ‘mind, body and spirit’ become the mantra of

holistic healthcare and I now want to put the spotlight on soul. If my thesis is

correct, much of the suffering we see today is on account of denial of the soul

in a post-modern secular world, in which case treating disturbances of mind

and body without reference to soul is deeply misguided.

The use of the word soul to mean the spiritual essence in every human

being does not have to imply the survival of consciousness after bodily death,

as atheists and humanists will avow. Just as water finds its own level, people

will incline to their own deepest level of meaning, and if their existential

concerns can be comprehended within the compass and purpose of a single

lifespan, well and good. Yet many of us have a steadfast belief in the

indestructible essence we call soul that transcends the temporal bounds of

birth and death.

Unfortunately, in the Western world, there has been an intellectual

schism between materialist science and metaphysics, which has grown

steadily over three hundred years. The dominant worldview of the last century

has been that of a mechanical universe. Karl Marx called religion ‘the opium

of the masses’ and Sigmund Freud described it variously as ‘a universal

obsessional ritual, a reaction to infantile helplessness and a mass delusion.’

Despite such pronouncements, surveys have shown that well over two thirds

of the population continue to believe in God or a ‘higher being’. However, for

people who do not belong to a faith tradition, the significance of an afterlife is

dumbed down by a society that no longer cherishes any such belief and often

it is only when faced by a crisis such as life-threatening illness that these

concerns come to the fore.

4The existential void

Many people, aside from the distraction of consumerism, are left

deeply puzzled about what life is for. For those that have children, there is the

hope that the love shown them will bear fruit in the course of their lives. No

less important is the value of friendship and community, while for others there

is the wish that one’s work will contribute in some small way to the progress of

life on this planet.

However, when mental distress reaches a certain pitch, none of these

expectations can entirely sustain a person. Worse still, the crisis may follow

on the failure to make a success of one’s work or when a family is breakingup. What then is left that is worth living for?

The life instinct is a powerful inborn force and the foundation of the

human ego. Small surprise that many psychiatrists treat suicidal thinking as

the cardinal sign of depression. But is it necessarily so? It is always tempting

to pathologise the existential anguish that leads a person to ask ‘is there no

purpose to my life anymore? Am I a failure? Should I give up? What’s the

point in going on when I cannot feel love, only despair?’

In the face of such misery, mental health professionals are liable to

distance themselves from the anguish that is being expressed. This may be

understandable, but it won’t be much help to someone needing to explore his

or her spiritual resources when facing an existential crisis.

What are called for are openness, empathy and genuine interest on the

part of the psychiatrist, coupled with a wide spiritual frame of reference.

Unfortunately, unlike the general public, less than one third of psychiatrists

hold a spiritual or religious outlook. The great majority subscribe to a

physicalist worldview and this makes it all the harder to venture into the inner

world of their patients and be open to solutions that acclaim a person’s innate

spirituality.

There is a great irony here. Psychiatrists who cannot draw on their own

spiritual resources will experience far greater pressure coming from their

patients because they feel all the more obliged to provide answers. For

someone in deep distress, the psychiatrist, short of God, is where the buck

stops. However, it is unwise to be drawn into playing God. It is much better to

go with that question to the place where a person can find the answer, by

asking it of their soul. The psychiatrist will greatly help by keeping faith with

the ultimate goodness of the universe at a time when it may be utterly lost to

the patient.

Intimations of hell or heaven

I indicated earlier how no sooner is the developing ego is celebrating

its mastery over life than it is faced with intimations of its own decline. Pain,

unforeseen injury, the realisation that relationships cannot be forced,

disappointments in love, the loss of loved ones, and the certain knowledge of

ones own ageing and eventual death, compel us to relinquish the cherished

dreams of yesterday in favour of the stark truth that we do not, and cannot

have, control over much of what happens to us. It would seem that from a

perfect beginning, we are destined for a miserable end.

Everyone wants to be happy, but happiness is not a right, neither is it

something that can be bought or borrowed. If our ego defences could give

way gracefully to the inevitability of personal loss, we could be consoled in the

5knowledge of the greater gain – to have contributed to life, the welfare of

others and even to have advanced the soul a little. But though the neocortex

provides us with the intellect needed to address the task, the limbic system

will have none of it. Reason and emotion are at odds, and the greater the

degree of neurosis, the more they battle it out; where love is lacking and the

emotions are unchecked, human beings survive by finding their place in the

pecking order, a hierarchy governed by domination and submission. The

basic need is for safety - from hunger, attack and isolation - and the

behaviours that will secure this are driven by primitive emotions; envy,

jealousy, dependency, hostility, along with all the negative attributes of the

ego - contempt, arrogance, ruthlessness, and manipulation.

How different in a loving home! There, the self, feeling itself well loved,

has love to give, and to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Leviticus 19: 17-18,

Matthew 22:39) is a natural response, for giving to another means also to give

to oneself. This happiness that comes of giving help whether to individuals,

communities or causes, entails a paradox as found in the Gospels. ‘For he

that has, to him shall be given; and he that has not, from him shall be taken,

even that which he has.’ (Mark 4:25)

Such a statement is counter-intuitive. Surely those with the greatest

need are the most deserving? But when we look at the misery wrought by

neurosis, we find that the failure of relationships usually stems from the desire

to obtain from the other what feels to be lacking in the self. Once the

honeymoon is over the battle begins, for no one wants their energy and their

love extracted to fill the void in the other.

From the psychiatric point of view, here lies the rub. It is hard for

people who have been seriously abused, deprived or otherwise traumatised to

feel much love for themselves, and neither can they easily love anyone else.

What gets called love is in fact need, which is not about giving but taking.

The egotistical behaviour that results comes from a lack of healthy ego

development. Insecurity and poor self-esteem, not infrequently coupled with

compensatory self-inflation (narcissism) actually point to this underlying

deficit. When there is no trust in the goodness of self or other, life becomes an

obstacle course to get through by resorting to manipulation.

The future in our hands

There has been much confusion about the meaning and purpose of the

ego, for just as a knife can cut bread or kill, so the ego can be an instrument

of destruction or creation.

The passions of the ego show us what it means both to love and hate.

Where love and security are lacking, aggression is the instinctive response to

a perceived threat to the self and its possessions - just try taking a bone from

a wild dog. Yet a dog that loves its master will yield the bone, for it trusts that

loss is followed by gain – maybe getting stroked, or taken for a walk, which in

turn strengthens the bond of affection. People are not dogs but there are

some similarities! People who can love and trust others are willing to risk

being vulnerable, and to show openness and a generosity of spirit. Such

persons are far more likely to share in mutually rewarding and stable

relationships.

I don’t want to suggest that the human being is simply controlled by

punishment and reward but I am describing the difference between a fixed

6defensive pattern of behaviour and being open to new experiences. The

implications of a difference such as this will probably determine the future of

the human species. We have an evolutionary history of tribalism rooted in

fight/flight mentality based on the ego under threat, just as we see to this day

in the behaviour of insecure children. In contrast, secure, happy children show

something very different – the capacity to grow into adults who value not

competition but co-operation.

Co-operation is a sure sign of spirituality in action. There is an old story

that compares Heaven and Hell. In Hell, lost souls are seated around a large

dish of appetising food. They are obliged to use spoons with handles longer

than their arms but since no one can get their spoon to their mouth, they are

all starving. In Heaven, they must use the same spoons, but instead everyone

sets about feeding each other.

Spirituality East and West

There is a commonly held assumption that spirituality necessitates a

suppression of the ego. It is my impression that this never really works, since

the ego constantly fights back. The skill is to find a way to liberate the self

from the negative and limiting aspects of the ego.

Different religions go about this in different ways. For example, in

Buddhism, desire and attachment are regarded as the cause of suffering. The

Third Noble Truth teaches that ending desire, which leads naturally to letting

go of attachment, brings suffering to an end. But in the Judeo-Christian

tradition, the accent is on suffering and redemption. Suffering is seen to be a

necessary spiritual challenge and a profound test of faith, as recounted in the

story of Job. The most extreme challenge, the ‘dark night of the soul’, is that

of feeling abandoned by God. Jesus himself cried out on the cross, ‘Eli, Eli,

lama sabachthani’, or ‘Lord, Lord, Why have you forsaken me?’ (Matthew

27:46).

Although I was brought up in the Anglican Church, I have been

influenced by the spiritual traditions of both East and West. Personally, I like

to picture the influence of soul on the ego rather like a good parent dealing

with a wayward child. As the ego becomes infused with soul virtues, its

agitation subsides, it becomes more peaceful and its energy can be put to

good purpose. But such a child needs understanding, loving and forgiving, so

that reconciliation can take place, and a new start made.

It is no accident that the systematic study of mental disorder has

flourished in the West, where we have a history of fascination with the

contents of the individual psyche that began with the Renaissance. In the East

there is a more pragmatic tradition, of freeing oneself from burdensome

mental contents by purifying the heart through meditation. Consequently there

are cultural differences towards the negative aspect of the self.

The Buddhist and Hindu approach is to concentrate on right conduct

and the development of wisdom that will influence successive incarnations

according to the law of Karma. Daoists hold that all life depends on the

harmonious flow of qi. There is no such thing in itself as badness, only the

manifestation of the imbalance of yin and yang, and goodness is held to arise

naturally when the rhythms of the cosmos are understood and honoured. But

in the West, we mostly turn away from nature and struggle with our ‘demons’.

Excepting spirit release (which has not found acceptance in mainstream

7psychology), western secular spirituality seeks to find healing in bringing the

‘Shadow’ to consciousness and divesting it of its power by integrating it with

the psyche, where Christianity underlines the need for repentance, as in the

parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15: 11-32). In stressing the importance of

repentance, Christianity and Islam are united. The Koran states that

repentance is the most noble and beloved form of obedience in the eyes of

Allah.

Suffering, individual and collective

In the title of my talk, I ask why it is we have to suffer. This is a very

western kind of question since it implies that there is an answer, rather than

suffering simply being a fact of life. Yet it is a worthwhile line of enquiry since,

from the transpersonal perspective, the soul always incarnates with an

agenda perfectly attuned to its chosen circumstances. A soul that incarnates

as a Buddhist has one agenda and the soul that incarnates as a Christian has

another. In the case of Christianity, the hope is that pain leads to gain, since it

is held that God never sets us a challenge it is not in us to overcome.

People with mental health problems are certainly among those who

have taken on lives of great suffering. Nevertheless, it is my belief that each

soul is provided with the exact requirements for the journey ahead, the

lessons to be learned, the knowledge to be gained and the opportunities that

will be needed. And yet, all this is subject to our free will, so we are

instruments of our own spiritual destiny.

It may seem callous to suggest that a person’s suffering might be in the

service of helping another awaken to the qualities of caring and concern and,

who knows, if these are two souls working out their karma from a previous life,

to make reparation. But to take the greatest exemplar in human history, by

willingly submitting to torture and execution, Jesus offered to awaken the

conscience of the world. This highlights the ambiguous status of psychiatry,

for had Pontius Pilate been in the position to order a psychiatric examination,

imagine what may have happened – no crucifixion but instead detention under

the Mental Health Act! And before we dismiss Judas Iscariot as a thoroughly

bad character, we must remember that without him, the law of the prophets

could not have been fulfilled. Is it right to condemn him? Possibly he was

entrusted with the most difficult task of all the disciples.

Indeed, from the transpersonal perspective there is no such thing as a

bad experience. The soul regards a single lifetime as we might look on one

day in the year, and each life is but a very small corner of the field of action.

Ultimately there is only the gathering in of experience, the expansion of

consciousness and, always, the opportunity for transformation.

Though karma may be rooted in the behaviour of individual souls,

collective karma is no less important. Genocide can never be condoned or

excused, but it happens, like everything else, for a purpose. The Jewish

Holocaust raised the conscience of the world by several degrees. Yet,

tragically, there has been constant genocide since that time, for example, in

Biafra, Uganda, Cambodia, Rwanda, the Balkans and Iraq. How bad does it

have to get before we learn to break the cycle of persecution? The cycle can

only be broken one way, with forgiveness. This is something not in the power

of the human ego, for forgiveness comes from a higher place.

8Why should we forgive?

People who have suffered profoundly, be it from child abuse, or rape

and torture, or severe mental illness, or spirit possession, or from genocide or

the impact of natural and man-made disasters, are faced with the need to find

forgiveness, whether of God for his allowing it, or the Devil for doing it, or

humankind for carrying it out, and this is just about the hardest thing in the

world to do. Yet without forgiveness, anger will have a deeply corrosive effect

on a person’s life. Far from letting go, that person remains trapped in hurt and

anger, and this can last a lifetime and more.

This is the pivotal point of development that confronts every individual

and equally the whole world community. How can we use the many and deep

wounds of life to help raise the consciousness of this planet to a higher level?

The workings of the limbic brain make sure we live in a state of high

emotional reactivity. Our personalities clash and compete, we jealously pair,

bond, and raise children, and each make our temporary impression on the

world. This is all to the good, otherwise we would have nothing to learn in the

classroom called life. Yet the need of the ego is always self-protective and as

long as the self is felt to be separate from, and different to, all other selves,

the fight is on.

Mainstream psychotherapy is primarily concerned with helping people

make their best adjustment to this state of affairs. In contrast, psycho-spiritual

therapy invites the soul to speak, and it tells a very different story. Since the

soul transcends the body, it does not know death, and can therefore view all

the comings and going of life with compassion and serenity. It is in the original

nature of soul to want nothing more than for the incarnated self to outgrow the

narrow concerns of the ego and become conscious of the beauty and unity of

life. From this quiet place within, we can observe ourselves being tossed

around by the drama of life with a kindly and loving eye, much as we would

watch the antics of a child. The intended lessons are plain to see, in the here

and now, and we don’t have to wait for Kingdom Come.

As a psychiatrist, I am not claiming any special knowledge of the ways

of soul. All rivers lead to the sea and I am simply speaking about the one I

know best. It is a river of tears, tears shed in anger, tears shed in sorrow and

tears shed in despair. It is, in places, a raging torrent and a river to drown in,

unless a person is prepared to swim hard! But when someone has come

through the ordeal, there is pride in having made the effort, in facing one’s

worst fears and in discovering new strength.

To stay well means to find wholeness, in other words healing, or else

one falls into the same river all over again. The ego is indifferent to healing,

since it is more occupied with things of the world like ambition and success.

But healing is the soul’s greatest desire. In a world driven by the human ego,

every human being inflicts and receives pain. Yet throughout the whole

turbulent business of growing up, the soul is flexing its muscle, in small ways

at first, showing kindness, the expression of sympathy, concern for others and

charitable acts. All this is premonitory to an occasion that, sooner or later, will

challenge every person to his or her core, and which calls on the soul to give

of its very best.

This occasion is invariably one that deeply tests a person’s capacity to

forgive. It means finding love for those that have badly hurt you. A recent book

9by Immaculee Ilibagiza,

∗

whose family were slaughtered in the Rwandan

Holocaust, is an inspiring such account. In the midst of her terrible grief, she

came to recognise through prayer that even the killer of her family was God’s

child as much as she, and face to face she was able to forgive him.

Forgiveness is the supreme test of love. Jesus spelled it out like this:

‘Love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to those that hate

you, and pray for those who treat you badly and persecute you, so that you

may be the children of your Father which is in heaven’ (Matthew 5:20). Just as

the symbol of transformation, the lotus, cannot flower without its roots in the

mud, the burgeoning soul finds an opportunity for forgiveness in every hurt

given and received.

Desirable though it may be, a person cannot always forgive, and it is

not for anyone to try to insist. What I have generally found, though, is that

people would wish, if only it were possible, one day to be able to forgive. This

is because despite the outraged ego, the soul impulse cannot be killed off.

Once we make contact with the desire to forgive, however improbable it may

seem, we are starting out on a journey of love in which we too can be

forgiven, find redemption and, at last, return to where we began - the Garden

of Eden, no longer the garden of innocence but of wisdom.

∗

Ilibagiza, I (2006) Left to Tell Hay House Inc: Carlsbad CA

Dr. Andrew Powell’s publications on Spirituality and Mental Health can be

downloaded from the publication archive of the Website of the Spirituality and

Psychiatry Special Interest Group of the Royal College of Psychiatrists UK,

see: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/spirit

Medicine and Spirituality | International Medical Spiritist Association

2011-08-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

Medicine and Spirituality

By Dr Marlene Nobre

The Brazilian Medical-Spiritist Association (Associação Médico-Espírita do Brasil - AME-Brasil) was founded on 17th June 1995, during the Mednesp - National Conference held by the Medical Spiritist Association of Sao Paulo (Associação Médico-Espírita de São Paulo - AME-SP), a pioneer institution, which started it’s activities on 31st of March 1968, and was the precursor of AME-Brazil.

AME-SP was a conquest, achieved through the efforts of various colleagues in the capital. Among whom we make special note of Dr Antônio Ferreira Filho who was President for several years and one of the association’s pillars for around 30 years. Also Drs. Luiz Monteiro de Barros and Eurico Branco Ribeiro, both great idealizers and workers. As well as Dr. Maria Júlia Prieto Peres, the dedicated general secretary for almost two decades.

In February 1990 Prof. Dr. Abrahão Rotberg, also one of it’s distinguished founders, could no longer lead the board of AME-SP for personal reasons. Therefore I took over the presidency, having occupied various other roles since it’s foundation. Up until the beginning of 1990, six newsletters had been published and three symposiums had been held: Brazilian Symposium of Parapsychology and Medicine (Sibrapame - Simpósio Brasileiro de Parapsicologia e Medicina), at the Federal University of Sao Paulo (USP). There had also been several conferences at the Medical Association of Sao Paulo (Associação Paulista de Medicina) and we also carried out the campaign Clarification about Cures (Campanha de Esclarecimentos sobre Curas), among other events.

At the end of the year I took over, more precisely in the beginning of December 1990, right after the desincarnation of my husband, I received the guidance of our spiritual sponsor Dr Bezerra de Menezes. I was told to organize a Brazilian conference, aiming at uniting collegues in order to found a national institution. With the decisive support of our collegues from AME-MG, from Belo Horizonte, and another seven state associations all set-up during the nineteen- nineties, we finally saw the birth of AME-Brasil.

During the decade in which I had the biggest responsibilities, the associatioon published one book and five newsletters, re-published three out of the previous ones and organized three of the Mednesp (Medical-Spiritist) Conferences. The rest of the Medical-Spiritist Conferences (Medenesp) were organized by AME-Brasil. I also organised an International Conference on Transcomunication and three symposiums. In November 2000 I passed the direction of the association over to Dr. Sérgio Felipe de Oliveira, who became the new president.

Today I can better perceive the Divine Plan for the revival of ‘Medicine for the Soul’ after seeing the numerous publications abroad, especially in the U.S. during the seventies, and more so during the nineties. Even during the 1950’s we could already notice the efforts being made by the Higher Spiritualities in this sense, with the adhesion of brave workers ralling to the cause.

Like Herbert Benson who in 1970 started his studies on mentalisation and meditation techniques at Harvard Medical School supported by his director and criticised by most of his peers. But he was not discouraged and in the same decade he published the book “The Response of Relaxation” as a result of his research. Since then he has been helping collegues who do not conform to the materialistic reductionist model, by leading a post-grade course in ‘Medicine and Spirituality’. In 1996 he published his latest book “Spiritual Medicine” in which he affirms with conviction “...in my 30 years of practice in medicine, no curing force is more impressive or universally accessible than the individual’s power in taking care of himself, and self-healing”. And he highlights “Faith, hope and love are eternal. They are natural trends of the soul that the western set of values represses, but has never been subjugated”.

Also Richard Friedman Ph.D., Benson’s colleague at the Mind/Body Medical Institute of Harvard’s Medical School, and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre. He was responsible for the opening of pathways for the scientific study of the correlation between belief and healing, using the most reliable evaluation and research methods. He died suddenly on 17th August 1997. The book Scientific Research on Spirituality and Health published in October 1997 by the National Institute for Healthcare Research was dedicated to him. It is a collection of panels made by almost seventy healthcare professionals, Friedman being among them. The majority were physicians and psychologists all concerned with scientific research regarding Spirituality and Health. This book states that “the contemporary use of the term ‘Spirituality’ as separated from religion has a surprisingly short history”, having appeared in the nineties as the result of “human knowledge and historic cultural events”. While the majority of religions obey rigid rules, being “formally structured”, they can inhibit human potential in a certain ways. The term ‘spiritual’ is reserved for the more sublime and elevated side of life that people cherish, independently of belonging to any religion.

Another important team is being lead by Dr. William R. Miller, Prof. in Psychology and Psychiatry at the New Mexico University. He has a PhD in Psychological Clinic from the University of Oregon, and is a Research Director at the UNM’s Centre on Alcohol and Substance Abuse. In his book Integrating Spirituality into Treatment, Miller approaches important subjects like Spirituality and Treatment, as well as Professional Coaching in Spirituality. In the reference sections of these books we can see how many colleagues are involved with Spiritual Medicine. We can also see how many books have already been translated into Portuguese.

William James, the admirable north-American philosopher and Psychologist born at the beginning of the 20th century also inspired this movement, together with other pioneers. His ideas include the basic notion of the emotion being the leading force of religion. The Spiritual Teacher Emmanuel divulges this same concept in Brazil since the 3rd decade of last century. He defines religion as being the divine feeling of love in the individual’s heart, and affirms that we need “Spiritism and Spiritualism, but even more Spirituality”.

After decades of disregard James’ ideas have come back with all their strength through the idealisers of this renewing movement, which prefers the term ‘Spirituality’ considering it more adequate to define “the higher and more sublime side of life”.

We can therefore clearly notice that the ninteen-nineties were chosen by the Higher Spirituality to reestablish the idea of the ‘Soul’s Medicine’ with a more solid and definite foundation.

In Brazil, the physicians Adolfo Bezerra de Menezes and Inácio Ferreira were great pioneers of this movement. The first one in the 20th century, in Rio de Janeiro, with his book “Madness under a New Prism”. The second one while he was practising psychiatry during the first half of the 20th century in Uberaba (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil), with several published papers like “New Directions for Medicine”. His writings and activities helped to pave the way that guides us today.

We are happy to acknowledge that AME-Brazil was set-up at the right time. We noticed that we are still at the edge of a turbulent river, still to be explored. Our scientific contribution is only a draft, a mere promises and our efforts are only embryonic, but it is already a beginning to discover just how small we are.

We notice once more how right Allan Kardec was when he recalled that the maturity of times determines the progress and evolution of human society. Victor Hugo said the following regarding the same subject “There is no strength, nor armies in this world that can hold back an idea, when its time is right.” Fortunately the time for Spiritual Medicine has arrived. Let us welcome the progress! May Jesus, the Physician par excellence, inspire us.

Medicine and Spirituality | International Medical Spiritist Association

America On the Move

2011-08-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

Cut Calories with 5-Calorie Balsamic Misters

America On the Move
7/28/2011 1:27 PM
(Food Choices, Recipes)

Did you know it’s easy to cut calories daily just by using balsamic vinegar sprays and mists? Balsamic vinegar is low in calories and adds delicious, all natural flavor to your foods.

A healthy meal or snack can be compromised when adding dressings, sauces, and other food toppers and condiments. Many of these products may be high in calories, fat, and/or sodium. Some specific examples of these high calorie toppings are: salad dressings, sauces, mayonnaise, butter, margarine, sour cream, cooking oils, marinades, and barbecue sauces. Many of these products have 100 calories per serving and many of us don’t stop at just one serving! This can add 200 calories to each meal or snack, giving you 500-1,000 extra calories each day.

According to the Healthy Weight Forum, if the average person cuts their caloric intake by 500 calories a day they can lose up to one pound per week. Using a balsamic spray or mist instead of a high calorie topping can help you cut those extra daily calories. Some examples include:

Sandwiches and wraps: Balsamic vinegar sprays or mists taste great on sandwiches and wraps instead of mayonnaise or another creamy dressing.
Grilling, sautéing, and baking: Mist or spray meats, chicken, and fish instead of drowning them in high calorie bottled marinades, sugar-laden barbeque sauces, butter, or cooking oils.
Green salads, pasta salads, and tuna salads: Most of us think healthy when eating a salad, but many times the dressings will turn your salad into a high calorie, high fat meal. Try a mist of flavorful balsamic vinegar with a sprinkle of herbs and spices to keep your salads healthy.
Vegetables: Whether steaming, sautéing, grilling, or eating raw veggies as a snack, a mist of balsamic vinegar sweetens all of your vegetable dishes or snacks.

Not only does balsamic vinegar flavor you foods with minimal calories, studies show it has several health benefits for the digestive system and metabolism. Adding vinegar to meals may also decrease the amount of calories you consume later in the day due to the post-glucose response to that meal which provides a longer feeling of fullness. Feeling more satisfied at meals helps you eat less food throughout the day, resulting in a lower caloric intake for the day. Balsamic vinegar also helps boost the activity of the digestive enzyme pepsin. This enzyme helps speed up the metabolism which in turn burns calories. There are also powerful antioxidants, called polyphenols, found in both balsamic vinegar and olive oil which help fight diseases and boost the immune system.

You can find great tasting all-natural balsamic mists at www.gourmemist.com. For $1 off any Gourmè Mist variety, enter the coupon code GM200 at online checkout.

Written by Sherene Renee Costanzo of Gourmè Mist

Sources:
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2005, 2010
Diabetes Research & Clinical Practice 2009
Nutrition Research 2009
The Vinegar Institute 2010
The Lance Armstrong Foundation 2011
Healthy Weight Forum 2007

America On the Move

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-08-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

Run errands without the car. Go to the bank, dry cleaner, or convenience store on foot or by bicycle.

www.americaonthemove.org!

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-07-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

Ride your bike to accomplish errands such as going to the library or depositing your paycheck.

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BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-07-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

Spur your imagination by observing your neighbor's landscaping and gardens while you walk-incorporate ideas from your favorites in your own yard.

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Blurb from the Splenda.com Site....

2011-07-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

A Balanced Diet is a Sweet Way to Live

There are no foods that are completely forbidden for people with diabetes. If you’re already a sensible eater, you don’t have to make BIG changes to your diet, you just have to be more aware of how much of a good thing is too much. Carbohydrates (“carbs” for short), including foods such as fruits, bread, rice, pasta and corn, can and should be part of your daily balanced meal plans. For all carbs, including sweets, it’s really how much carbohydrate you eat at one time that matters most for blood sugar control.

Many foods contain carbs, from bread to milk to lollipops. Some sources of carbs are healthier than others. The healthy sources of carbs provide energy (calories), vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. The less healthy carbs include added sugars which provide calories but little, if any, other nutritional value.

What do carbs do to blood glucose?

Carbs are the body’s main energy source. All carbs break down into sugar in our blood, which is then stored and used for energy. When you have diabetes, you are not able to transport the sugar in the blood to its storage area. So eating too much carbohydrate results in high blood sugar levels, while too little can result in low blood sugars.

Should you avoid carbs?

No! You need to eat healthy carbs for energy and good nutrition. To control your blood glucose levels, day in and day out, it’s best to eat similar amounts of healthy carbs at similar times.

Why carb counting counts.

One of the keys to living well with diabetes is keeping blood glucose levels in the range recommended for you throughout the day. It helps those living with diabetes feel better and minimizes complications.

Your doctor, registered dietitian or diabetes educator can help you determine your recommended daily carb intake and how to carb count.

You can also make many delicious foods and treats-with less sugar-by using recipes made with SPLENDA^® No Calorie Sweetener and other SPLENDA^® Sweeteners. If you enjoy sweets, you can plan for the occasional sweet treat, making your meals more interesting and varied, and something you can stick with.

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-07-26T12:13:00.001-07:00

Request diet mixers (cola, tonic water, ginger ale).
And drink a LOT of WATER!!!!!!!!!
www.americaonthemove.org!

BM on the Move tip of the Day

2011-07-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

Walk the walk this Monday: It's warm and the days are long, so grab a friend and challenge each other to walk a little farther and faster than before.
www.americaonthemove.org

Bezerra de Menezes on the Move Tip of the Day

2011-07-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

Replace cookies or other high calorie desserts with fresh fruit kabobs.

www.americaonthemove.org!

Simple Steps to Better Health

2011-07-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

Refill your coffee cup at the machine farthest from your workstation.

collaboration from www.americaonthemove.org!

Que es BM Salud Congregacional?

2011-07-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

El Bezerra de Menezes Kardecian Spiritist Center, con el apoyo del Baptist Health South Florida, ha desarrollado un programa de educación para la Salud, que ofrece a nuestra comunidad las informaciones necesarias a fin de que adquieran los conocimientos, las actitudes y los hábitos básicos, para la defensa y la promoción de la salud individual y colectiva.

“La visión espírita de la salud es holística: todos los procesos mórbidos son esencialmente mentales, comandados por el Espíritu y todos los fenómenos – físicos, biológicos, sociales, culturales y espirituales – ejercen influencia sobre él, que los metaboliza e integra.” del Libro “El Alma de la Materia” por la Dra. Marlene Nobre. Presidenta de la Asociación Medica-Espirita Internacional.

Bezerra de Menezes Salud Congregacional

¿Conoces el porque se origina la Diabetes Patologia más frecuente?

¿Qué es la Diabetes?

Study highlights five keys to diabetes prevention - CNN.com

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Firmada declaración para la promoción y prevención de la salud cardiovascular

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Teach your kids some healthy habits - The West Australian

Teach your kids some healthy habits

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Spiritism and Nourishment

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El papel del agua en el cuerpo

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Cortisol and Stress: How to Stay Healthy

Cortisol and Stress: How to Stay Healthy

Cortisol and Your Body

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Heart disease

Our Personal Program is a great place to start

BM Health Tip of the Day

Medical-Spiritist View of Depression

Purifying the Perispirit Disease and Health

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Health and Wellness Quotes

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America On the Move

Why must we Suffer?

Medicine and Spirituality | International Medical Spiritist Association

Medicine and Spirituality

America On the Move

BM on the Move tip of the Day

BM on the Move tip of the Day

BM on the Move tip of the Day

Blurb from the Splenda.com Site....

A Balanced Diet is a Sweet Way to Live

What do carbs do to blood glucose?

Should you avoid carbs?

Healthy Carbs

Less Healthy Carbs

Why carb counting counts.

BM on the Move tip of the Day

BM on the Move tip of the Day

Bezerra de Menezes on the Move Tip of the Day

Simple Steps to Better Health

Que es BM Salud Congregacional?