Nutritional Immunology

I’ll let you in on a little secret. It’s so secret that it’s obvious (a secrect is always safest from large-scale public attention when it is kept right in front of the public’s nose). And of course, like all truths, it is quite simple in concept and quite difficult in execution. Here, then, is the secret: In order to maintain health and harmony in this life, one must achieve a healthy balance of action and rest. Our modern world is structured around movement and action: hence, the popularity of “fast food.” Our modern world problem is not one of inaction, but of stressed-out humans who are out of balance and do not know the meaning, let alone the mechanism of rest and relaxation.

One thing we need to remember when faced with the stresses of this world is that anyone alive today, or anyone who has ever lived on this earth, has faced everyday living stress. WE ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS! As humans, we tend to think that we’re the only one going through a given situation, and that’s just not true. Everyone faces stress and feels the effects of having to act in a fast-paced manner. The only real differene between humans is HOW they react to the stress.

Let’s take a look at one person who is faced with a stressful situation. Let’s say this person reacts by tightening up, tensing all muscle groups (even one’s they didn’t eve know they had!), and they begin to scream and yell. Their blood pressure rises, they feel awful, they are angry, tense and they have a bad day for the rest of the day.

Now let’s go to another person in the same stressful situation as the first person, but instead of reacting with anger and knee-jerk assumptions, this second person listens, takes a deep breath, and steps back metaphorically from the situation. This person stops and takes a moment to gather all the thoughts and emotions that are swirling all around the situation. They see and feel that a knee-jerk reaction would only fuel the situation, so instead, they choose to breathe and wait. By doing this, they have a chance to look at the big picture, and not take it so personally. They ultimately decide that they do not wish to feel awful, angry, or tense, and they go on to have a great day!

So maintaining health and harmony is a matter of choice. It’s just that the first person might not realize his or her actions were a choice. Even knee-jerk reactions are a choice and it’s this type of crazed choice of action that has lead us into a society of fast-paced, fast food eating, action junkies.

Action is important. It is part of the balance of health and harmony. But it is healthy action, thoughful action, balanced action that is the key. In the case of the second person’s scenario, they took a moment to stop. That was an action! In stopping, they were able to gather and access the whole, and get the big picture. This, in turn, leads to relaxation and stress release.

The only way to fully access serenity is to let go. Start by letting go of control over a situation. You do this by stopping and stepping back, even if only for a moment. Within this moment of release, you may be able to grasp the big picture, and once that occurs, you will be truly free of the stress. Don’t worry if it doesn’t happen right away for you, just keep stopping and stepping back (in other words, stop talking, or yelling, and listen and watch instead). Let go of being “right” and just listen. Most of the time, the situation will resolve itself if just one person lets go of holding the negative energy.

You’ll know when you are in serenity because your sense of fulfilment will be great. The situation will feel complete and you will be able to turn your attention to other, happier things. Even if a stressful situation is not resolved, you can stop feeding its energy by simply deciding how you want to feel! If you don’t want to feel bad, then decide that you do want to feel good and happy, then act on feeling good and happy!

The choice is yours and it’s simple yet profound. You have the power to change the world—that is the gift of being human. Health and harmony is within you and you are holding the key.

Kim for Hypno-Freedom

Kim Markison is a master hypnotherapist. Her lifelong path is to teach and show everyone how powerful and extraordinary they really are. To align with that path and purpose, she is creating unique, empowering hypnosis meditations for HypnoFreedom. Each one is designed for complete relaxation and stress relief, so no matter which one you listen to, you will always arrive at the center of your being to safely enjoy who you truly are. Copyright 2007. Reference: http://www.hypno-freedom.com.

Posted on November 22nd, 2007 by Jacklyn
Filed under: highpertension | No Comments »

Hey, some good information on hypertension or some may just call it high blood pressure.

Posted on November 15th, 2007 by Jacklyn
Filed under: Health Information, Healthy Lifestyle | 4 Comments »

Our body needs wholesome nutrients to perform perfectly. Apart from strengthening our defenses, these nutrients aid the body in growth and development, cell repair, and a variety of physiological functions.

Many of us think that protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fats are the only nutrients we need. Actually, there are three other types of nutrients that our body sorely needs to become an insurmountable fortress against diseases. These nutrients are antioxidants, phytochemicals and polysaccharides.

What exactly are phytochemicals, antioxidants and polysaccharides? In short, phytochemicals are natural compounds found in plants. They enhance the functioning of the immune system and certain phytochemicals can also suppress tumors. Antioxidants delay aging by protecting body cells from oxidation while polysaccharides balance the immune system by producing immune cells and chemicals that aid in the destruction of cancer cells or viruses.

What we eat will determine how we feel, look and act every day. So, in consuming plant foods, we revitalize our immune system because plant foods, besides helping us to defend against diseases, also help to aid digestion and flush out toxins. In contrast, consuming too many animal products and high-fat foods will impair immunity, leaving us in a tired, lethargic state.

Hence, the most effective way to achieve proper nutrition is to eat wholesome and natural plant foods. Plant foods are most suitable as they can equip us with nutrients in a natural way with no harmful side effects unlike chemically extracted vitamins or tonics.

Posted on November 14th, 2007 by Jacklyn
Filed under: Healthy Lifestyle, Nutrition, Nutritional Immunology | 4 Comments »

Anyone who has experienced sleep deprivation knows the impact that it can have on your mind and body. Now researchers from UC Berkeley and Harvard Medical School have found a neural link between lack of sleep and emotional instability.

Using brain imaging in the first neural investigation into what happens to the emotional brain without sleep, results suggest that:

* a good night’s rest can regulate our mood and help us cope with the next day’s emotional challenges
* sleep deprivation excessively boosts the part of the brain most closely connected to depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders

“It’s almost as though, without sleep, the brain had reverted back to more primitive patterns of activity, in that it was unable to put emotional experiences into context and produce controlled, appropriate responses,” said Matthew Walker, director of UC Berkeley’s Sleep and Neuroimaging Laboratory and senior author of the study, which will be published Oct. 22 in the journal Current Biology.

“Emotionally, you’re not on a level playing field,” Walker added.

That’s because the amygdala, the region of the brain that alerts the body to protect itself in times of danger, goes into overdrive on no sleep, according to the study. This consequently shuts down the prefrontal cortex, which commands logical reasoning, and thus prevents the release of chemicals needed to calm down the fight-or-flight reflex.

“The emotional centers of the brain were over 60 percent more reactive under conditions of sleep deprivation than in subjects who had obtained a normal night of sleep,” Walker said.

The study’s findings lay the groundwork for further investigation into the relationship between sleep and psychiatric illnesses. Clinical evidence has shown that some form of sleep disruption is present in almost all psychiatric disorders. The next step for researchers is to use brain imaging as a tool to identify whether the root problem is a sleep disorder or a mental health disorder.

Post by Talia

Posted on November 2nd, 2007 by Jacklyn
Filed under: Healthy Lifestyle, Sleep | 7 Comments »

All of us know that a balanced diet strengthens the immune system. However, most of us fail to obtain adequate nutrients due to our harried lifestyles. The following strategies will help you to jump-start healthy eating habits.

Morning Must-haves
Researchers at the Harvard Medical School discovered that people who took daily breakfast were a third less likely to become obese than those who skipped this meal. To reap the best benefits, the researchers recommended eating whole-grain cereals for breakfast as they are rich in fiber which stabilizes blood sugar, curbs appetite and keeps the heart healthy.

Many choose to drink milk for breakfast. However, cow’s milk is very high in animal protein that can cause calcium loss through urine, leading to osteoporosis. Drinking soy milk instead supplies the body with plant protein and lots of immune system-strengthening phytochemicals. Soy milk is also lower in fat.

Main Meal Wisdom
If you need to consume meat, choose fish instead of red meat. Studies have linked high consumption of red meat with cancers such as breast and colorectal cancer as well as heart disease mainly because red meat is very high in saturated fats. Fish, in contrast, contains more heart-healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids.

Food Preparation
Experts always recommend preparing food with as little oil as possible. As such, cooking methods such as steaming, baking, grilling, boiling or stir-frying are advised. If using cooking oils, studies have shown monounsaturated fats like olive or canola and polyunsaturated oils like soy, corn and grape seed to be most beneficial to health.

Light Nights
Some people think nothing about rewarding themselves with a large meal after a hard day’s work. However, dinner should be eaten wisely to avoid overburdening the digestive system and having difficulty sleeping. Hence, it is a very good idea to have a low-calorie fiber drink just before leaving the office.

It is also not a good idea to regularly eat a late night meal as this could overburden the digestive system. Our gastric mucosa regenerates once every two to three days. A habit of eating a late night snack can affect the secretion of gastric juices, leading to stomach disorders like gastric ulcers. If hunger pangs could not be ignored, then opt for a light, fiber-rich snack with cereals since these foods will not overburden the digestive system.

Remember, minor changes in our eating habits can lead to major changes in our health.

Posted on November 1st, 2007 by Jacklyn
Filed under: Healthy Lifestyle | 7 Comments »

Welcome the blog of sharing the gift of health and knowledge to mankind!

Nutritional Immunology is a highly relevant science that revolves around the fundamental desire of human beings to fight diseases and live longer quality life. It’s founder is a world reowned sciencetist, Dr. Jau-Fei Chen, who has won numerous prestigious awards including the “Ten Outstanding Young American Award’ in 1997. Nutritional Immunology studies the link between nutrition and the immune system. It advocates prevention rather than cure. Our immune system requires sufficient nutrients for it to always be in peak performance. An appropriate and adequate supply of disease-preventing nutrients like antioxidants, phytochemicals and polysaccharides give us the nourishment needed to protect our body from daily viral, bacterial, pollutants threats and chronic degengerative diseases like cancer, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, arthritis and even the common flu!

Remember, our immune system is the BEST doctor in the whole world!

Posted on June 23rd, 2007 by Jacklyn
Filed under: Nutritional Immunology | 4 Comments »