Green Health and Complementary Medicine
Beta-glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides which are found in the cell wall of fungi and yeasts. However, modern agricultural practices and processes have removed the majority of the beta-glucans in our diet. In the Victorian era, even though infant mortality was high, research suggests that following childhood, life expectancy was not markedly dierent than it is today. It is thought that the consumption of foods rich in beta-glucans may have played a key role in the Victorians’ long and healthy life spans.1
Good health cannot exist independently from a strong immune system. Every minute of every day, this complex system is under constant attack from pollution, germs, viruses or stress.
A weakened immune system is susceptible not only to colds, flu and infections, but also to more serious health conditions. Various factors can negatively impact immune health such as alcohol,
sugar consumption, lack of sleep and a nutrient poor diet.
To most people, becoming raw seems like a pretty half-baked idea. How many people would want to give up their stove, barbecue, microwave, and toaster in favor of a dehydrator, juicer, and high-powered blender? How could anyone survive eating just salads? More importantly, why would anyone want to? Becoming raw is unlikely to inspire a celebration within one’s social circle; it’s more likely to be a source of frustration for friends and family. How are you ever going to be able to enjoy a meal together again? What are they supposed to serve you when you come over?
It’s no secret that certain heavy metals are toxic. We all know to be careful of lead paint when renovating older homes, and we all learned at a certain point to switch over to mercury-free thermometers. What’s less well-known—and in some cases, a complete secret—is that toxic heavy metals are behind some of the most widespread health issues today: ADHD, autism, Alzheimer’s, infertility, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, Parkinson’s, depression, anxiety, cancers, seizures, and more. These metals are also fuel for the viral-related illnesses you’re going to read about next.
While for most of us the longer days and brighter weather come as a welcome relief, for some, thoughts focus on the return of the unpleasant symptoms associated with hayfever,
which is common at this time of year.
TRAVELLER’S DIARRHOEA has to be one of the most unpopular holiday ailments, which at best can be an inconvenience and at worst can completely ruin that well deserved break!
DURING the winter, most of us experience tingling fingers and toes and numbness as a result of the drop in temperature. For some people however, exposure to the cold brings on severe symptoms, such as loss of feeling in the fingers and numbness that seems to take forever to resolve. Their fingers may turn very pale or even blue and then turn red, and tingle profusely as circulation returns. If this sounds familiar to you, you could be one of the increasing number of people suffering with Raynaud’s Syndrome, a condition in which the small arteries of the fingers go into spasm and contract.
Winter often bring much natural beauty, such as brilliantly coloured leaves on trees and picturesque snowfalls, but the colder weather and long dark nights may also leave you feeling well below par.
Brain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, acetylcholine, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), and serotonin are associated with sexual and reproductive function. The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is the key neuroendocrine pathway linking the brain and nervous system with the reproductive system. At a time where we are in an ‘obesity epidemic’ it is interesting to note that excess adipose tissue results in increased conversion of testosterone to estradiol, which may lead to secondary hypogonadism (decrease in sperm or testosterone production) through reproductive axis suppression. Moreover, oxidative stress at the level of the testicular micro-environment may result in decreased spermatogenesis and sperm damage.
