Previously Published for the Natural Nutmeg

Adrenals: Your Stress Organ

Modern day lifestyles exacerbate a myriad of conditions and are potential causes for many symptoms. Our bodies and organs are receiving challenges our ancestors never saw. Digestion is often compromised with poor eating habits. Respiration is under stress with poor air quality and daily shallow breathing. Some of the most stressed organs, the adrenals, are rarely examined by conventional medicine, but can be linked to many health conditions.

 

Previously written for The Natural Nutmeg

These days, it is not uncommon for individuals to be on several prescription medications. Though physicians and pharmacists are trained in known drug interactions and common side effects, there are some interactions with the body that patients are seldom made aware of. Every prescription drug or any drug affects the amount of nutrients in the body.

 

Detox programs exactly like the one offered by Dr. Lauren Gouin is discussed in this month's Elle magazine!

http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Health-Fitness/Tune-Up-Are-Cleanses-the-Cure

I just read this great article and thought I'd share it with you. Looks like some fun research is coming out linking folate deficiency and immune responses to allergens.

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20090508/low-folate-may-be-linked-to-allergies

Though there is some press about synthetic folate, folic acid, possibly being linked with some cancers, folate is extremely important for neural development, detoxification, energy, mood and now recently discovered... the immune system. The mechanism is still unclear, but the research suggests that if you have allergies or asthma, you should get your folate levels check. Folate is often evaluated with what's known as a "Red Blood Cell, Folate", where they can look at a portion of your red blood cell,and have it reflect the tissue levels of this nutrient. This is a conventional test, covered by most insurance plans.

I recently have reconnected with my love of yoga. Probably my favorite form of exercise, as you can tailor it to specific muscle groups, organs and conditions. There are some great books out on this topic, including The Runner's Yoga and DK Publishing Yoga. I suggest classes though, with an instructor that can help you modify poses or otherwise focus you on what poses are best for you and your conditions.