Consumption of Canned Soups & Beverages Spikes Bisphenol-A (BPA) Levels

Concerns have been rising over the use of plastics containing bisphenol-A (or BPA).  BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used for over 40 years in the manufacture of many types of plastic food containers and the linings of metal cans designed to contain foods and beverages.  It has the potential to leach into the foods or beverages from the containers that hold them.  This is problematic since BPA is known to be an endocrine disruptor, which means it has the ability to mimic the body’s hormones.  In some studies, exposure to BPA in plastic bottles has been shown to increase risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other problems.      

A recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association showed that individuals who consumed one serving of canned food every day for five days had significantly increased levels of BPA.  This study was the first of its kind to measure the amounts of BPA ingested when food is consumed directly from a can.  Harvard researchers noted a spike in BPA levels higher than in any other study.  Dr. Karin Michels, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and an author of the study noted, “We would have never expected a thousand-percent increase in their levels of BPA.”

In the study, 75 staff members and students at the Harvard School of Public Health were split into two groups and followed for two weeks.  During week one, the first group ate a 12-ounce serving of canned vegetarian soup daily for five days.  The second group also ate a daily 12-ounce serving of vegetarian soup for five days, but their soup was prepared from fresh ingredients each day.  After a two-day period of both groups being soup-free, the groups switched roles and repeated the experiment for another five days.  Urine samples were taken from individuals at the end of each five-day period to measure levels of BPA.     

The Harvard researchers in this study found that the group consuming the freshly-prepared soup had urine levels of BPA similar to average adults in most studies (about 2 micrograms per liter).  But after this group switched to eating the canned soup, levels increased well over one thousand percent (20+ micrograms per liter)!  Dr. Michels pointed out that participants were given amounts of soup probably smaller than what most of them would eat on their own.  “They were actually telling us that that wasn’t even enough for their lunch.” 

Researchers of the study do not know what kinds of health effects may be related to such dramatic increases in BPA levels, but they have suggested that the findings of their study most likely apply to other canned products like sodas and juices.  Sodas are especially concerning since some people consume many of them during the day.  

Although efforts have been made by some companies to discontinue the use of BPA in their products for safety purposes, the chemical is still being frequently utilized in a wide array of products. 

The modern world we live in offers us many conveniences, including foods that are processed and do not require much preparation-canned foods, packaged foods, frozen foods, etc.  But with convenience there may be a price to pay, our health.  Although we may want utilize these types of conveniences on occasion or when necessary, optimal health is best achieved through a diet rich in whole unprocessed foods.          

Dr. Shana McQueen

Source:  http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/bpa-lurks-in-canned-soups-and-drinks/?ref=health

Astragalus: A Key to Longevity?

"When Li Ching Yuen died in 1932, he was reportedly over 230 years old"  

When Li Ching Yuen died in 1932, he was reportedly over 230 years old.  Records of his birth in Qing dynasty China seem to bear this out.  As the oldest living human that we know about, it is important to study his lifestyle if we wish to emulate his extreme longevity.  Li was known as an expert herbalist, and among the handful of herbs he took on a daily basis was Huang Qi, more commonly known as astragalus root.  In Chinese herbal medicine, huang qi acts to tonify the deep qi (energy), protect and enhance the wei qi (protective qi or immune system) and raise the Yang qi. 

For many centuries, this herb has been among the top 10 most important herbs in Chinese herbalism, and therefore it should come as no shock that this herb was recently discovered to have more amazing properties- it may act to increase longevity!  In 2009, three scientists discovered the key to increasing the functional lifespan of chromosomes, through the activation of a substance called telomerase.  Telomeres are lengths of repeating sequences on the ends of chromosomes that prevent degradation or damage to the valuable genetic material.  Every time a cell undergoes replication, a small amount of this telomere is lost.  When the entire length of the telomere is used up, the cell generally either dies (apoptosis) or enters an “aged” degraded state called senescence.  One theory of aging posits that accumulation of senescent cells leads to reduced function and eventual death.

The most exciting key regarding this discovery was a final component: several labs independently tested hundreds of thousands of substances, and found that astragalus (more specifically, two components within the astragalus root) induced the regeneration of telomeres.  This telomerase- inducing effect has broad implications for longevity, and while still at an early stage, introducing astragalus into your diet can have many health benefits in addition to increasing longevity.  This can include either a quality astragalus extract, or a tea made with quality organic astragalus root.  One cup of astragalus tea per day delivers immune boosting and energy enhancing effects.  Drink to Li Qing Yuen, and your health!

Dustin Bergman, L.Ac

Source:

http://www.naturalnews.com/027312_astragalus_research_aging.html

Tendon Transformation: Yi Jin Jing Qigong

Centuries ago when the monk Da Mo traveled to China from India, the monks at the Shaolin monastery were weak and sickly.  Spending all of their time in seated meditation, they neglected, and in some cases eschewed physical exercise.  When Da Mo saw their extreme state, he retreated to a cave for 9 years to consider the problem.  When he emerged, he had written two amazing texts: The Book of Muscle and Tendon Changing (“Yi Jin Jing”) and The Book of Marrow and Mind Cleaning (“Ni Xue Jing”).  Together, the exercises in these two books transformed the weak, sickly Shaolin monks into the legendary warriors, healers and spiritual masters that we know them as today. 

The first book is far more accessible and applicable to those of us who wish to increase our strength, flexibility, and overall health and fitness.  The Qigong sets contained within the text show methods of movement that generate and direct the Qi (energy) to vitalize and strengthen our tendons, thus increasing strength.  What few realize is that our strength is dependent on the strength of our tendons, not the size of our muscles.  Most humans of average strength actually have the muscular power to lift a car.  What stops us is a protective reflex called the myotactic reflex.  This is where the term “knee jerk” response comes from- when organelles inside our tendons called “golgi bodies” and similar structures in our muscles called “muscle spindles” sense the tendon is nearing the limits of its tensile strength, they signal the muscle to forcefully contract.  This limits us to the inherent strength of our tendons. 

The Yi Jin Jing Qigong focuses on first building qi in our limbs, and then directing it to our dan tien, or navel center.  In doing so, the tendons are both lengthened and strengthened, providing many benefits.  These include greater resistance to injury, increased flexibility and range of motion, enhanced strength and faster reflexes.  The qigong is considered wai dan (Lit. “external energy”) because it focuses on building energy from the outside in.  The exercises are done standing, and involve stretching and bending of the trunk and arms.  The intention and breathing is coordinated to lead the qi to the desired location.  A set normally takes between 10-15 minutes.

We are all looking for ways to enhance our strength and health- using Da Mo’s priceless qigong knowledge, we can all achieve this!

To learn more about Yi Jin Jing Qigong, contact Acupuncturist Dustin Bergman at 970-926-7606 or email bergman@healthref.com

Dustin Bergman, L.Ac

Source:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/160552-what-are-the-functions-of-muscle-spindles/

The Ultimate Liniment- Shaolin Dit Da Jow

The intense martial arts regimen practiced by the famed monks of Shaolin required a thorough knowledge of herbal medicine.  Injuries ranging from cuts and scrapes to fractured bones were commonplace, and in order to speed healing and continue training, a large number of formulas, both internal and topical were created.  Perhaps the most famous of these was called “Dit Da Jow” (pronounced DEE-AY Da Jow), literally translating as “Strike Fall Liniment.”

This formula, like many internal and external recipes, was made by combining a number of herbs (sometimes more than 30) in a base of strong alcohol.  Over a period of time, the properties of the herbs would be extracted into the alcohol, allowing it to be applied to injured areas.  Most traditional Jow formulas combine herbs that have the following characteristics:

Analgesic: these herbs soothe the pain of the injury, allowing hypertonic muscles to relax.

Circulation enhancers: these herbs encourage blood flow to the area, helping to speed repair and remove metabolic wastes that result from injured tissue.

Stagnation breakers: these herbs help to break up stagnant tissue, including clotted blood or un-needed scar tissue from older injuries.  One herb, tien qi ginseng, has the dual function of stopping traumatic bleeding while breaking up old blood stasis- a seeming contradiction!

Tissue repair: these herbs help muscle and tendon tissues to repair, allowing them to regain their full strength and functionality.

Unlike many topical analgesic-only formulations, this multi-purpose formula helps prevent re-injury.  Often, when a formula just dulls the pain, it prevents real healing because we keep pushing injured, hypertonic muscles and tendons.  Jow works on multiple levels, giving you the best possible healing effects.

So even if you are not a Shaolin monk, you can enhance your own recovery from injury and spend more time doing what you enjoy! 

To find out more about Dit Da Jow liniment and to get yours, call or visit the Riverwalk Natural Clinic and Pharmacy 970-926-7606, or email bergman@healthref.com.

Dustin Bergman, L.Ac

Black Elderberry Benefits for Common Cold and Flu

Now that cold and flu season has arrived, many people are concerned with how to best prevent and eliminate these all too common infections.  

A comprehensive approach should always be taken when it comes to building and maintaining a healthy body and immune system, but for now let’s briefly discuss an incredible herb that is frequently used today in the treatment of common colds and flus.  It’s Latin name is Sambucas nigra, but it is more commonly known as black elderberry.  


Black elderberry belongs to a group of plants called Elders.  The medicinal properties of species from the Elder family have long been recognized and utilized by healers, herbalists, and medical practitioners throughout the world. More than two thousand years ago, Hippocrates was noted for calling the elder tree his “medicine chest.”  The antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of black elderberry make it a great medicine to help shorten duration and reduce severity of the common cold and flu.  The German Commission E has reported that constituents contained within this plant are effective in the relief of cold and fever, especially when used in combination with other immune-enhancing nutrients. 
  
In a recent study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers analyzed a standardized black elderberry extract (Rubini) for its antibacterial and antiviral effects against various types of bacteria and viruses that are common culprits in upper respiratory tract infections.  Results of this study indicated antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes, Group C and G Streptococci) and Gram-negative bacteria (Branhamella catarrhalis), as well as inhibitory activity against human influenza viruses.

Other studies, including two small double-blind placebo-controlled trials, have provided evidence that elderberry extract effectively inhibits influenza A and B strains when individuals take it orally within the first 2 days of flu symptoms. 

With extensive historical use and a growing body of scientific evidence supporting its benefits, black elderberry should be considered an option in treatment of the common cold and flu.   

Dr. Shana McQueen

Source:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056848/?tool=pubmed
http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/12/1/25.pdf

Prevent Osteoarthritis with Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids have long been recognized as offering a wide spectrum of health benefits for those that get adequate amounts through diet and/or supplementation.  Recent research has demonstrated the potential for fish oil to significantly improve the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.  Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD) and involves the wearing away of protective cartilage on the ends of bones, often leading to joint pain, stiffness, and degradation.  The most common joints affected are the hands, neck, lower back, knees, and hips.    

A study published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage found that diets rich in omega-3s fed to guinea pigs lowered osteoarthritis by half compared to standard diets.  Since guinea pigs have a natural tendency for developing osteoarthritis, they were the chosen candidates for the study.  

Omega-3s coming from either fish oil or flaxseed oil appear to slow down or prevent the development osteoarthritis.  Fish oil tends to be more effective, but in the case of vegetarians, flaxseed oil can be a good option.  According to lead researcher Dr. John Tarlton, from the University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Sciences, omega-3s reduce collagen breakdown in cartilage as well as reduce loss of the molecules required for shock absorption.  Although this particular study was looking at the effects of omega-3s in guinea pigs, Dr. Tarlton stated that “…All of the evidence supports the use of omega-3 in human disease.”     

In the United States and other developed countries, diets tend to be significantly lacking in omega-3 fatty acids and overabundant in the omega-6 fatty acids.  An imbalanced ratio of these essential fatty acids tends to promote inflammation in the body, encouraging more development of chronic diseases like heart disease and arthritis.  

Dr. Shana McQueen

Source:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111017111600.htm

Flu Vaccines: Not Quite as Effective as the CDC Has Claimed

According to researchers at the University of Minnesota, the efficacy of flu vaccinations is lower than what was previously thought. Dr. Michael Osterhold, director of the University's Center for Infectious Disease Researcher and Policy, pointed out that the flu vaccine provides protection to approximately 59% of adults under 65. To compare, these vaccines were estimated to have an efficacy rate of 70-90% on the official Centers for Disease Control website.

The goal of the study was to find out more definitively how well the flu vaccine really worked. Tom Skinner, spokesman for the CDC, stated “What is clear about this study is that we simply need better and more effective flu vaccines.” 

Dr. Shana McQueen

Source:  

http://www.mndaily.com/2011/10/26/u-study-flu-shots-protect-less-60-percent-adults#.TqlxXMXziaQ.facebook