bookmark_borderClimate Change Impacts on Health and Wellness

A study mandated by congress, National Climate Assessment and Development Climate Assessment, highlights the impact on health and wellness.

1. Climate change threatens human health and well-being in many ways, including impacts from increased extreme weather events, wildfire, decreased air quality, diseases transmitted by insects, food and water, and threats to mental health. Some of these health impacts are already underway in the U.S.
2. Climate change will, absent other changes, amplify some of the existing health threats the nation now faces. Certain people and communities are especially vulnerable, including children, the elderly, the sick, the poor, and some communities of color.
3. Public health actions, especially preparedness and prevention, can do much to protect people from some of the impacts of climate change. Early action provides the largest health benefits. As threats increase, our ability to adapt to future changes may be limited.
4. Responding to climate change provides opportunities to improve human health and well-being across many sectors, including energy, agriculture, and transportation.

Greenhouse Gases Threaten Public Health

Tropospheric Ozone Causes Respiratory Disease and Asthma

The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

bookmark_borderWhat is Ayurveda?

“Ayurveda” (the “science of life”) is the most ancient complete system of natural medicine in the world. It was developed in ancient India and refined over the ages. It combines physical, psychological and spiritual therapies in an approach to health that is as relevant to the modern world as it was to the ancient. Utilizing herbs and minerals, proper nutrition and purification and, above all, affirmative ways of living, Ayurveda treats not just the ailment but the whole person and emphasizes prevention of disease to avoid the need for a cure.

One of the principles in Ayurveda is that each person is made up of their own
particular mix of the three fundamental elemental energies, or ‘doshas’. Although we can’t see them, the three doshas are responsible for all processes of the mind and body. They affect our physical makeup and our mental and emotional qualities. These underlying forces determine who we are, what we like to eat, how thirsty we get, how much sleep we need, etc. They influence our reactions to stress and our predisposition to various illnesses. The doshas even affect how compassionate, relaxed, or talkative we are. Knowing a person’s dosha is very valuable in determining which foods, herbs and lifestyle changes will be most beneficial for their healing and overall balance. An example of this is a person who is skinny and runs around extra busy
and worrying about everything. In this person the ‘vata’ dosha is dominant.
Balance can be brought with warm and soothing activities and foods. Gentle yoga and relaxation massage are perfect. For an intense, high pressure, athletic person the ‘pitta’ dosha is dominating. Balance can be brought with cooling and calming activities and foods. This person should avoid things like eating spicy food everyday and going running in the middle of hot summer days.

Different doshas predominate in the different seasons as well. Therefore
it is helpful to have a basic understanding of them so you can self regulate your
diet and lifestyle. For example, in autumn the vata dosha increases. During
these months it is best to reduce foods that increase vata such as raw vegetables, beans, cold foods and foods that are dry and rough like crackers and pretzels, It is more balancing to increase richer foods and warm, cooked foods like soups and casseroles. In spring and summer the reverse is true for the most part.

There also exists within Ayurveda a whole science of longevity. This has
to do with purification, healthy balancing routines and mind and body exercises. Various cleanses are recommended seasonally. Yoga and meditation are important not only for mind and body health, but to connect with your spiritual source as well. These add up to peace, health and life extension.

Principles from ayurveda can be easily incorporated into one’s life to
bring further health and balance. It has been very helpful in treating and
advising my patients for many years.

 

About the Author: Dr. Martin Orimenko is a Chiropractor, Naturopath and Nutritionist who practices a unique blend of different holistic modalities in treating patients of all ages for a wide range of health conditions. Dr. Orimenko is currently available for treatments at his MainLine natural health center, the Live Well Holistic Health Center in Ardmore, PA Acupressure and Auricular Therapy are just a few of the modalities that he employs to support health and wellness in his natural healing practice. Other modalities include kinesiology, nutrition and cleansing, neuro-emotional technique, ayurveda, and natural supplement prescriptions.

bookmark_borderThe Gift Of Health

Rosemary Herb Garden
Rosemary Herb Garden

by Daniel Brouse
What better gift to give someone than health and wellness? Herbs are a great tradition.

Parsley
Parsley is rich in minerals, iron, antioxidants, chlorophyll, vitamins A and C. Parsley is a traditional remedy that reduces flatulence, freshens breath, aids in digestion, antidote for poisons, calms nerves and anemia.

Sage
Sage is a traditional remedy that aids healing, used as a bandage, toothbrush for the American Indian or with bear fat to rub in the skin, improves memory, aids in digestion of meats, throats and tonsillitis.

Rosemary
Rosemary is rich in calcium, vitamins A and C. Rosemary is a traditional remedy that is a cure-all, breath cleanser, calms a cough, improves memory, antiseptic, cures headaches and aids in anti-aging.

Thyme
Thyme is rich in methyl and is a traditional remedy that can be used as an antiseptic, anti-fungal, fighting parasites, invigorating, good for teeth and gums, treating headaches, warts, bruises and stings.

Basil
Basil is rich in methyl and is a traditional remedy that reduces indigestion, is a breath freshener, cures nausea and stomach ailments.

Basil has long been used by damsels in distress for love potions. Some believe sharing a sprig will cause the person to fall in love with you. Others put it under their pillow or in their undergarment drawer.

Mint
Mint is rich in methyl and is a traditional remedy for stomach ailments.

The essential oil of peppermint (up to 2.5% in the dried leaves) is mostly made up from menthol (ca. 50%), menthone (10 to 30%), menthyl esters (up to 10%) and further monoterpene derivatives (pulegone, piperitone, menthofurane). Traces of jasmone (0.1%) improve the oil’s quality remarkably.

More on the Gift of Health

bookmark_borderObesity Outweighs Malnutrition

The WHO global burden of disease (GBD) measures burden of disease is a five year study on the worldwide state of health. The study found that for the first time obesity ranked higher than malnutrition as a cause of death. Vast strides have been made in overcoming starvation. At the same time, nutrition outside of Africa has been contributing to an increase in “fat” related diseases.

The study estimates 3 million people a year are dieing from obesity while 1 million people a year are starving to death.

More from the Global Burden of Disease

bookmark_borderHumans Are Omnivores

by Daniel Brouse and The Membrane Domain

To the best of my knowledge there has never been a culture that has thrived as vegetarians.

All evidence (throughout the history of humankind) shows man to be an omnivore.

Depending mostly on climate conditions, the ratio of plant to animal intake varies. In colder and more severe environments, the meat in-take is usually much larger. This primarily occurs for two reasons:
1) plants won’t grow. You can’t eat what isn’t there. (Ask an Eskimo. He’ll know.)
2) the concentration of nutrients is much higher in meat than in vegetables. This means you can harvest less tonnage of food. It also means the culture can have less of an impact on the environment (then if they cut their meat in-take and became more herbivore-like.)

Read more “Humans Are Omnivores”