San Diego Acupuncture Alternatives and Measures for Prevention

6) Be cautious with soy -

Soy protein is a by-product of the vegetable oil industry and
is made from the defatted chips after the oil is pressed out of the
beans. They contain enzyme inhibitors which block the action of
trypsin and other enzymes needed for protein digestion, and can
produce serious gastric distress, reduced protein digestion and
chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptake. The soybean also
contains hemaglutinin, a clot promoting substance that causes red
blood cells to lump together. Soybeans are also high in phytic
acid which blocks the uptake of essential minerals such as
calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc in the intestinal tract.

The soy isoflavones that are claimed to be healthy for women
are actually endocrine disrupters. At high dietary levels they
can prevent ovulation and stimulate the growth of estrogen
dependent tumors. They have been shown to bind to vacant
estrogen receptors and exert their own estrogenic effect. Eating as
few as 30 grams of soy a day can result in hypothyroidism with
symptoms of lethargy, constipation, weight gain and fatigue. A
study of infants fed soy formula found that they had
concentrations of estrogen compounds at levels 13,000 to 22,000
times higher than infants on milk based formula or breast milk,
hence the estrogen like compounds in the soybean may adversely
affect hormonal development in infants (Fallon & Enig, 1996).

7) Minimize your intake of sugar and eat whole grains
rather than processed -

When refined sugar and starches are consumed they cause a
sudden spurt in blood sugar levels and the bloodstream is
flooded with insulin and other hormones to bring blood sugar
levels down. Excess sugar intake has been linked to elevation
in blood cholesterol, increase in gastric acidity, enlargement
of the liver, hypertrophy of the adrenals, and shrinkage of the
pancreas.

Sugar intake is associated with hyperactivity, lack of
concentration, and violent tendencies. It encourages the
overgrowth of Candida - a systemic fungus in the digestive
tract, and is linked to bone loss and tooth decay (Fallon, 1995).
Large amounts of sugar can lead to obesity, hypoglycemia,
diabetes, high blood pressure, immune deficiency, menstrual
problems, and impotence. Your sweet tooth can be satisfied by
eating fresh fruit and raw honey, date sugar and maple syrup
which are all high in vitamins and minerals (Pitchford, 1995).

The refining process strips grains of their mineral component,
vitamin E and B vitamins. Fiber, which is also eliminated in
refined flour, plays a vital role in digestion. Sufficient fiber in
the diet has been known to reduce cancers by more than 60%, can
eliminate cholesterol, balances blood sugar, prevent appendicitis,
constipation and hemorrhoids. It encourages healthful bacterial
growth in the colon, which aids in the assimilation of nutrients.

8) Avoid foods that contain artificial colors, additives and
preservatives -

Additives are placed in foods for a number of reasons: to
lengthen shelf life, to make a food more appealing, to facilitate
food preparation, or to make a product more marketable.
However, such ingredients can pose a threat to one’s health.
Colors and food dyes have been known to cause hyperactivity,
asthma and have both carcinogenic and allergic potentials.
Nitrates and nitrites can be carcinogenic and sulfites can cause
allergic and asthmatic reactions.

Artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame and Saccharine have
been noted to cause hyperactivity, behavioral problems, allergies,
headaches,mood swings, distort vision, nausea, diarrhea, sleep
disorders, memory loss and confusion. Aspartame appears to be
especially dangerous for children. Another additive, monosodium
glutamate (MSG) has been known to cause headaches, dizziness
and chest pain.

Preservatives such as BHA and BHT have been linked to
allergic reactions, hyperactivity and have a carcinogenic risk.
The safest way to avoid artificial ingredients is to read all food
labels and refrain from using anything that contains additives
or ingredients that do not sound natural (Balch & Balch, 1997).

9)Improve your immune system with exercise and enjoy
the benefits of movement -

Regular exercise is essential to good health and well being.
The health benefits of physical activity include, but are not
limited to an increase in the functioning capacity of all internal
organs, an enhanced immune system, improved digestion
and lymphatic flow. Studies have shown exercise’s link in the
promotion of healthy bones, muscles and joints, improved
posture and greater overall flexibility.

Data has proven the correlation between exercising and reducing
high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol and an
increased level of hemoglobin concentration in the blood. The risk
of diabetes is lessened with more physical activity as it aids in
maintaining body weight and fat as well as balancing blood sugar
levels, improving glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity while
increasing metabolism and the ability to burn calories and control
weight. Improved psychological well being, increases in mental
stamina, and decreases in stress, anxiety and depressive moods
have also been noted to occur with exercise.

10) Stimulate your creativity, incorporate art and music
into your life -

Creative expression can aid in the release of unconscious
repressed emotions and conflicts. Researchers have discovered
that art therapy could be utilized to facilitate developmental
adaptive and cognitive learning processes, and can be helpful in
the process of self-conceptualization and in stimulating sensory
modalities. It has shown to foster creative thinking, and the
expression of concepts.

Cognitively, art therapy aids in problem solving skills, improved
self control and a sense of relaxation. It provides opportunities
to release feelings and facilitates a positive outlet for the
expression of oneself on many levels (Rosal, 1996). Music can
be a form of emotional, physical and psychological treatment. It
can be used as a mode of communication, expression and social
interaction. It can alleviate attention and learning disorders and
can teach one to listen to another and work together. It can be
used as an agent of sensory development, an emotional outlet, a
mental stimulus and a means of socialization. In general, music
offers a vast number of sensory, intellectual, and social
experiences. It can provide the means of identification through
experiences appealing to the emotions and a sense of achievement
and self–confidence (Green, 1993).

2) Purchase organic produce to eliminate ingestion of
pesticides and genetically modified foods -

Pesticides are chemicals used for the control of insects,
plants, fungi, rodents and other pests. Organic food is grown
in a natural, environmentally safe manner without the use of
synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Farmers rely
on traditional farming techniques including crop rotation, the
use of beneficial insects, and composted manure as fertilizer.
Studies have shown that organic food is more nutritious than
conventional food because it contains more metabolites and
vitamins than conventionally grown food. A study reported
that calcium dropped 27%, iron declined 37% and vitamin A
levels were down 21% in conventional produce compared to
organic (Cummins & Lilliston, 2000).

Laboratory studies show that pesticides can cause health
problems, such as birth defects, nerve damage, and cancer
(www.epa.gov). Pesticides not only may increase cancer risks
but they may contribute to nervous, endocrine, immune and
reproductive disorders (Wood, 2002). The National Academy
of Sciences has issued a report concluding that American
children are overexposed to pesticide residues in their diets.
Permissible levels of pesticides, established by the
Environmental Protection Agency, are calculated based on
the adult diet, neglecting the fact that children’s bodies are
more vulnerable than adults due to greater absorption capacity
of their intestinal tracts and lungs, their immune system is
less developed and they can not detoxify chemicals as well
as adults (Needleman & Landrigan, 1994).

In addition, because of their smaller size, children are exposed
to higher levels of pesticides per unit of body weight (Wood,
2002). Another positive aspect to organic produce is that it is
not genetically modified. Genetic engineering includes new
forms of biotechnology such as cross breeding, plant
hybridization and fermentation. It focuses on the manipulation
of genetic material resulting in a genetically modified organism,
abbreviated as GMO. Approximately 60-75% of processed
foods may contain GMO ingredients. It is estimated that 38%
of corn and 57% of soybeans, 65% of cotton and 50% of
canola grown in the U.S. are genetically altered. Another
common GMO food source is dairy products from cows
injected with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH).
Reports have claimed the GMO foods may contain: toxins,
antibiotic-resistant genes, lowered nutritional values, greater
pesticides, and substances that increase cancer hazards.

3) Drink purified water –

Tap water is vulnerable to a number of different impurities
including radon, fluoride, arsenic, iron, lead, copper and other
heavy metals. Other contaminants such as fertilizers, asbestos,
cyanides, herbicides, pesticides, industrial chemicals and
biological contaminants such as viruses, bacteria and parasites
may leach into ground water through the soil or into plumbing
through the pipes. Such chemicals are suspected of causing
an increased incidence of cancer, especially breast cancer
because they mimic the action of female sex hormones in
the body (Balch & Balch, 1997). According to nutritionist
Laura Thompson, several heavy metals are linked to Attention
Deficit Disorders, hyperactivity, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue
syndrome, depression, memory disorders, multiple sclerosis,
lupus , allergies , and environmental illnesses .

Toxic metals in our food and water supplies include but are
not limited to aluminum, lead, cadmium and mercury. Reverse
osmosis purifiers are considered the best water filtering
processes utilized to remove toxins, gases, microbial life,
chemicals and heavy metals out of the water supply.
However, essential minerals may be extracted as well by such
highly advanced systems, possibly causing deficiencies;
powdered mineral supplements can be added to the water, if
needed.

4) Include essential fatty acids in your diet -

Most people eat the wrong kind of fat. Saturated fats can clog
arteries and are correlated with heart disease and stroke.
They are derived from meat, milk and poultry, and vegetable
fats such as palm oil (Wood, 2002). Trans fats, listed as
hydrogenated oils, are found in margarine, vegetable
shortening, and processed foods such as chips, cakes and
fried fast food.

Studies have shown that these fats are even more dangerous
than saturated fats (Wood, 2002). The fatty acids that are
necessary for the body are the essential fatty acids (EFAs)
which help build the nervous and immune systems. They are
important for development of infant cognitive behavior and
brain development.

Consumption of such oils has been linked to decreasing
allergies, asthma, attention deficit disorder and autoimmune
disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease. In addition,
they have been shown to decrease serum cholesterol levels,
blood pressure, and rheumatoid arthritis, improve vision and
skin disorders, prevent cancers, thyroid and adrenal hormones.
There are two main categories of EFAs : omega-3 found in
fresh oily fish, flaxseeds, enriched eggs, canola oil (cold
pressed or unrefined), olive oil (extra virgin) and walnuts.
Omega-6 oils are found in sunflower, safflower, sesame, corn,
peanut, and grapeseed oils. Northern, kidney and navy beans
also contain EFAs. The healthiest diets include a ratio of 4
to 1 of omega 3 to omega 6.

5) Utilize probiotics and green foods to help detoxify your
system and enhance its immunity-

With the overuse of antibiotics and the ingestion of dairy,
meat and eggs that have been treated with antibiotics, our
intestinal flora is not balanced with the appropriate amount
of “friendly” bacteria. Symptoms of gas, bloating, intestinal
toxicity, constipation, poor absorption of nutrients and an
overgrowth of candida have resulted. Taking probiotics can
help combat such problems and return the intestinal flora to
a healthier balance and detoxify harmful substances.

The absorption capacity of the small intestines is improved
by supplementing with probiotics- “friendly/good” bacteria
used to repopulate the intestinal flora. Green foods contain
high levels of chlorophyll which can stop bacterial growth,
yeasts and fungi in the digestive tract, while promoting
healthful intestinal flora. New research has concluded that
green foods can reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. They
remove drug deposits and counteract toxins, decrease
inflammation and renew tissues, build blood,improve liver
function and activate enzymes.

Micro algae such as spirulina and chlorella benefit cellular
renewal and contain high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids.
Spirulina is particularly good for various liver disorders, such
hepatitis. It helps anemia, inflammatory conditions, and
cancers. Green foods such as chlorella can leach heavy metals
and other toxins out of your body. It is particularly good for
nervous disorders, improving growth patterns in children, and
maintaining health in the elderly. Both are useful in the
treatment of diabetes as they help to regulate blood sugar.