Holistic Health Thread

[samina]

and getting dental xrays... and flying in airplanes.

def impacts, true.

last 5 years haven't been heavy in those areas for me, personally. but my monitors, cell phones, and ipad... big.

 

[DL]

the skin also plays a major role in creating vitamin D as a response to sun exposure. it is incorrect to vilify all sun exposure -- we need it. i would be wary of any source that makes those blanket statements.

Multivitamins are a fine way to get vitamin D, too.

 

[DL]

I always wonder about sitting my laptop on my thighs and abdomen ... pretty sure that ain't good for our lady parts...

There have been stories of mild cosmetic damage to severe slow burns, both heat-related, for some folks who persistently kept hot l laptops on their laps with little or no clothing in between.

 

[DL]

I also wonder what is actually in these sunscreens and whether I want my body absorbing it, whatever it is...

Sometimes, even if they're otherwise harmless, they don't have the sun protection you might expect. Careful research is a good idea.

Also, sunscreen expires.
ETA: *eventually*
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sunscreen-expire/AN01968

 

[pygmalion]

There have been stories of mild cosmetic damage to severe slow burns, both heat-related, for some folks who persistently kept hot l laptops on their laps with little or no clothing in between.

There has been at least one study that suggested that laptop use may be related to male fertility.

http://www.webmd.com/infertility-an...08/laptop-computers-may-affect-male-fertility

Even though the findings of this study were not conclusive, the increase in body temperature was well documented, and a separate study links increase in body temp to a decrease in sperm concentration.

My bottom line? Be careful about putting a laptop on your lap, if you're a guy who is part of a couple that wants to get pregnant. Better safe than sorry and all that.

 

[pygmalion]

Quick check in on a couple things. One: I finally found Bragg's raw vinegar. I shopped at a new grocery store today; they sell Bragg's in their natural and organic section.

Two: There was an interesting story on All Things Considered today regarding parasites that live in humans. According to this study, women infected with toxoplasma, a very common parasite among humans*, are 1.5 times more likely to commit suicide than woman who are not infected. This is based on a study of thousands of Danish women that spanned several years. (A decade is the figure I THINK I remember from listening to the story. ) The authors of the study think that its results suggest that parasites may change the brains of the people they infect. Interesting stuff.

http://www.npr.org/2012/07/03/156216620/common-parasite-may-influence-human-behavior



*toxoplasma = the parasite you can contact if you clean cat litter boxes. It's in cat feces; cats often get it from eating mice. Toxoplasma is very common in humans, and the reason why pregnant women are urged to stay away from litter boxes. I've known about toxoplasma for thirty-- something years (since my sister was pregnant with my eldest niece) but I never knew, until today, that it is classified as a parasite. The whole *possible* brain connection is very sobering. So is the observation, made in the story, that a parasite "can't end its life cycle" until its host dies. IOW, once you get parasites, you've got 'em, unless you take steps to get rid of them. Hmm.

 

[samina]

for those who lament the dirth of healthy flavored waters...thought there might be parties interested to know that orange blossom water and quality honey (and raw apple cider vinegar, if desired) added to water (and/or leftover fresh coconut water and fresh almond/nut/seed milk) makes for a fabulous beverage, at home, gym or dance studio.

i add stuff to my water bottle all the time, some just for flavoring, some for specific health purposes, and the above is a personal fave.

rose water also works, as well as vanilla or fresh lemon or lime juice for quick n' eezy candidates for same.

 

[pygmalion]

I just buy a bag of organic lemons for the week. Every day, I quarter a lemon and squeeze it into my Big Bubba* then fill with filtered water. Easy breezy and it works for me.


* Big Bubba is a 52 ounce cup that I find perfect for smoothies, etc. It has a stainless steel outside, a BPA-free plastic, easy-to-clean inside, and a little flap thingie that seals so LGS doesn't spill if the cup turns over in the car. It's the perfect size, because it holds a whole pitcher of LGS. I bought it on clearance at Wal-Mart, back when I still shopped at Wal-Mart, so I'm not sure it's still out there. I have two -- one for lemon water, one for LGS.

I will try the orange blossom, almond, rose water, etc, when I get the time to drive to Dallas. When you live in the 'burbs, stuff is pretty homogenized. You have to drive a while to get to the good stuff. I will, though. :-D

 

[pygmalion]

Yes. Bubba is still out there, on Amazon as a matter of fact. I didn't find the 52 ounce Big Bubba at Amazon (although it's probably still out there somewhere.) But you can buy the smaller tumblers on Amazon right now. Really groovy, because they're insulated and keep smoothies or water (or whatever) cool for a couple of hours.

Re: Lack of healthy water additives. Funny you should say that. When I was awake at o dark thirty this morning, I saw a local news segment where a local MD gave advice about how to stay hydrated in extreme heat. He recommended that parents give their kids water with aspartame-sweetened drink additive powders. Aaargh.

 

[wooh]

Perhaps Denton is closer? Just follow the scent of patchouli and weed. Around the colleges they have quite a few health food stores.

 

[j_alexandra]

I loathe gatorade and all its works. Alas, the stuff actually does what it says it's gonna do; at least for me, it does. There is an excellent substitute, which I learned when I got Horribly Sick with the vertigo last fall, and gatorade was about the only thing I could keep down, at least temporarily. A very dear friend came and rescued me from gatorade by bringing me:

Izzy grapefruit soda
Izzy tangerine soda
Some natural ginger ales

and a container of himalayan salt. Recipe: add himmy salt to natural soda. Stir. Wait til foam subsides. Drink.

I swear, it saved my life. In her immortal words, "Friends don't let friends drink gatorade."

 

[samina]

not that. but yes, i know what you mean.

alas, ian jackson's site is no longer active, but here is his book.

http: //www.barnesandnoble dot com/w/breathplay-approach-to-whole-life-fitness-ian-jackson/1013767791

he was a pioneer in various areas during his life, so if you google you may find some interesting articles. he was on the cutting edge of surfing in the 60s, then running & yoga in the 70s, then world-class cycling. his breathing techniques were apparently adopted, without credit to him, by the likes of lance armstrong to power unprecedented success amongst cyclists.

but there is also a contingency that use his techniques to help quadriplegics and other lung-challenged patients. his ultimate specialty was in knowing how to use the breath to coordinate movement.

i took a VO2 Max fitness test while at the gym today and it showed a capacity that is "superior" for my age and "excellent" for a woman of 25. i feel like i have far to go to hit what would be personally superior, so i came home and did some research to see what my old friend ian jackson may have said online on the subject.

i remember in one of my last conversations with him he told me that, at the age of 67, his maximum heart rate was 200, which is off-the-hook fit at any age.

i came across this article: http://www.johnhowardsports.com/?page_id=292 with the following mentioned:

While he was working with Wojta, Jackson was also teaching the technique to the USA Cycling Team. USA took 10 riders for control and measured their actual VO2 max, heart rate, blood pressure and perceived exertion. At the completion of a 10-day test, they repeated the same protocol using BreathPlay. The results showed the cyclists increased their endurance by more than 7%. While this early test did not include actual power testing, it was noted that the 10 cyclists delayed the onset of anaerobic metabolism (the point where the body can no longer get enough oxygen from breathing and begins to use stored energy in the muscles) by 17-25%. Those who took the test found the BreathPlay version of the test easier to perform.

i already use the breathplay techniques described in the article -- that has been standard routine for me for four years. but i think using some HIIT/Peak 8 techniques may increase my max heart rate and overall VO2 Max score.

anybody else on this thread track that stuff?

 

[samina]

I will try the orange blossom, almond, rose water, etc, when I get the time to drive to Dallas. When you live in the 'burbs, stuff is pretty homogenized.

i have to drive a distance to pick it up, as well. or...just order it online from amazon. cortas brand.

 

[samina]

Today on duty he is taking the advice of my Martial Arts Master and drinking water, with the itsiest tiniest pinch of salt and honey, and a slice of cucumber.

niice. mention to him he can add some cayenne for excellent effect, as well!

 

[samina]

In her immortal words, "Friends don't let friends drink gatorade."

*snort*