Digestive Enzymes and Systemic Enzymes

Enzymes have always amazed me even before I knew what they were. As a child my mother would rinse my hair with vinegar—I had the shiniest hair in the third grade. As a teenager I happened upon a skin cleanser made with pineapple enzymes—it was fantastic for my teenage acne. In my herbal course I read a discussion of enzymes and that yogurt was excellent for getting rid of dandruff—yes, it does work. I began a whole food experimentation phase. I used apple cider vinegar for poison ivy, yogurt facial masks, and discovered papaya is great for gastritis. Of course in whole food there are other constituents at work beside the enzymes.

Enzymes have multiple functions in the body. They are key to the proper digestion of food so the body can assimilate nutrients from plants and meats. Recent research has investigated the use of systemic proteolytic enzymes to support the immune system and help the body normalize the inflammatory process.  

As we age, our enzymes become depleted. Bad diet, environmental toxins and general stress contribute to the destruction and depletion of enzymes. Chronic illness also tends to deplete the body’s enzymes. When foods are cooked the enzyme contents are greatly reduced, or destroyed. When foods are commercially processed, for example in canning, they lose their enzymes.

Meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables are perfect synergistic packages—complete with the enzymes needed to digest them. Also the body is capable of producing some enzymes in our intestines. The heat of cooking processes destroys enzymes. The pasteurization process where milk is heated to approximately 145 degrees destroys bacteria and microbes, however this heating process also destroys the needed digestive enzymes. The cooking, barbecuing, frying and drying of meat destroys enzymes and makes meat harder to digest putting extra stress on the stomach and intestines. To counter this enzyme depletion we need to eat more raw foods and be careful in our choice of cooking methods. Or we may choose enzyme supplements.

Enzymes are essential for all metabolic processes. Enzymes are proteins composed of amino acids however their function is to facilitate biochemical reactions in our cells.  There are an estimated 75,000 different enzymes in the body.

Digestive enzymes have benefits for these health issues

Gas and Bloating

Heartburn/Indigestion

Constipation

Lactose Intolerance

Acid Reflux

Food Allergies/Food Intolerance

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Pancreatic Disorders

Crohn’s Disease

Cardiovascular problems

Hypertension/high blood pressure

Weight Gain

Slow Healing

Inflammation

Fibromyalgia

Fatigue/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/CFS

Arthritis

Asthma/Allergies & Hay Fever

Sinusitis

Tendonitis

Thrombophlebitis

Digestive Enzymes

If you have ever wondered why you feel bloated and constipated after eating the same food several days—it is because you have depleted the enzymes for digesting that type of food. If you have a tendency to over eat during family holidays, enzyme supplements can make up for over eating. 

Although the body produces digestive enzymes, there may not be enough to completely break down cooked or processed foods. The role of digestive enzymes is to break down food-derived fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into smaller substances that our bodies can use. More complete digestion results in fewer digestive problems. 

Digestion initiates when the enzyme amylase is in our saliva begins the break down of carbohydrates through chewing. Chewing food slowly and thoroughly improves digestion.The pancreas produces and secrets the enzymes ptyalin, pepsin, trypsin, lipase, and protease into the gastrointestinal tract. The small intestine itself also creates enzymes.

Systemic Enzymes

Why should we take systemic enzymes? Systemic enzymes have these functions:

·      Break down plaque in the blood veins

·      Break down fibrin that has spider webbed its way inside internal organs reducing their size and function over time

·      Moderates immune function

·      Cleans excess fibrin from the blood and reduces blood cells stickiness (fibrin and sticky blood cells are leading causes of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack)

·      Break down dead materials small enough to immediately pass into the bowel

Clean the receptors on white blood cells to improve their ability to fight off infection

Fibrin is a blood protein that aids in tissue formation. However, fibrin and fibrinogen can become problematic. Fibrins and sticky blood platelets can end up as blood clots and debris in the circulatory system. Systemic enzymes dissolve excess fibrin; remove metabolic waste produced by inflammation, while delivering nutrients and oxygen-rich blood. Therapeutic enzymes have been found to be beneficial in the treatment of various types of inflammation and cleaning the bloodstream of debris.

Enzymes have been used to treat issues caused by excessive or insufficient bacterial growth in the gut and breaking down fats.  Lipase is known to enhance mental capacity. Nattokinase is used for the prevention of inappropriate blood clotting. Serrapeptase has been used for the treatment of conditions like chronic sinusitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. To have a systemic effect, proteolytic enzymes need be taken on an empty taken on an empty stomach. They pass through the stomach or intestine lining and enter the circulatory system where they circulate throughout the body.

Enhance Your Digestion

Sprouted seeds and vegetables are exceptionally high in enzymes.  Pineapple and papayas contain large amounts of the enzymes papain and bromelain. Apples, pears, and citrus fruits are also high in enzymes. Nuts and grains such as barley, wheat and corn contain enzymes, which support metabolic functions. Raw meats contain several kinds of enzymes, including catalase and lipase. Stomach acid is important for digestive enzymes to function properly. Too little stomach acid can impair the action of digestive enzymes.

Raw foods are healthful. However, some individuals may have a weaker digestive function and have trouble assimilating raw or high fiber foods. These individuals would benefit by enzyme supplements. Grains, beans, nuts and seeds are foods that contain enzyme inhibitors.  These enzyme inhibitors can be deactivated by germinating or sprouting, which enlivens the enzymes allowing the food’s nutrients to be more available.

Fibrous foods high in cellulose are difficult to digest when eaten raw. Cooking and fermentation soften and pre-digest cellulose for easier digestion.

Drinking too much liquid with meals dilutes the concentration of hydrochloric acid and enzymes needed for proper digestion. For symptoms of indigestion drinking one teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar, which is loaded with enzymes, in 2-4 ounces of water with your meals. To get the most out of the foods you eat avoid drinking lots of liquids 20-30 minutes before and after your meals. If you take supplements or any other pills with food, try to use no more than 4-6 ounces of water to swallow them.

http://www.deerland-enzymes.com/about_enzymes

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-therapeutic-enzymes.htm

http://www.enzymestuff.com/

http://www.westonaprice.org/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/550910-what-is-a-fibrin-protein/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/384304-list-of-foods-containing-enzymes/#ixzz2M2rva1Mr

www.zymessence.com/why_systemic_enzymes.html

Holy Basil: Restores imbalances of the body and mind

The social environments, relationships and world-view we experience influence our biology and health. Emma K. Adam, a lead investigator, with the Institute of Policy Research at Northwestern University studied the physiological, social, and emotional dynamics of day-to-day experiences in real-life settings of older adults.  She looked at looked at the lives of 156 older adults. Those who went to bed lonely, sad or overwhelmed displayed elevated levels of cortisol shortly after waking in the morning.

The research data from the Chicago Health, Aging, and Social Relations Study (CHASRS), University of Chicago, looked at adults born between 1935 and 1952 who represent a range of socioeconomic classes. The negative side of cortisol is that it is a stress hormone linked to depression, fatigue and other health problems. On the positive side it is believed elevated cortisol energizes the body to deal with loneliness and other negative experiences.

 Each night participants recorded their feelings and activities in a diary. Researchers compared cortisol levels on a particular day to diary entries. Life experiences anger throughout the day or loneliness the night before resulted in higher levels of cortisol and flatter overall levels of the stress hormone. Overall flat, high levels of cortisol are problematic, as levels should fluctuate indicating that there is a recovery from stress. “High levels of cortisol in the evening are a kind of biological signature of a bad day,” Adam noted.

The adrenal glands produce and secret Cortisol, a stress hormone associated with abdominal obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and inflammation (the cause behind numerous disease states in the body.) Cortisol will increase in response to chronic stress. This triggers glucose production causing blood sugar to rise. Constant stress causes fluctuations of the brain's neurotransmitters leading to mood swings.

Overall flat low levels of cortisol are problematic as well. The interactive nature of our daily experiences, mental, and emotional adversely impact one’s physiology. Researchers discovered that those with lower levels of cortisol in the morning experienced greater fatigue during the day.

 “Stress systems are designed to translate social experience into biological action…They [stress systems] are designed to be a conduit from the outside world to our internal worlds so that we can better respond to our social context,” stated Emma K. Adam. She investigated if overuse of the stress response systems has a significant role in disease outcomes. Adam’s approach is new. Rather than discussing the “on average” impact of cortisol on one’s daily life experience and biology, she investigated the day-to-day stress experience. The study tells us that people who have more negative emotions have higher levels of cortisol daily.

The research tells us we need to be empowered. We need to create personal interventions in our stress levels daily. We can choose to do meditation or self-hypnosis, take proactive action to reframe our world-view, or modify our biology before going to sleep. If you have a chronic health issue of any kind it is to your benefit to create pre-sleep rituals to eliminate  the excess cortisol in your body. If you prefer an herbal approach to managing cortisol, Holy Basil balances the hormones and helps maintain healthy cortisol levels. This helps balance one's emotions, feelings of stress and blood pressure.

Holy Basil is great for reducing depression, stress and anxiety. It is considered an adaptogen.  Adaptogens brings balance to the entire body and help protect it from emotional, mental and environmental stresses. Holy Basil increases strength, stamina, endurance, and encourages efficient oxygen utilization while promoting proper protein synthesis in the body. Holy Basil helps maintain biologic equilibrium by modulating stress responses biochemicals including cortisol, serotonin, epinephrine, norepinehprhine, dopamine, and inflammatory mediators.

Holy Basil (scientific name is Ocimum Sanctum) is known as Tulsi in Ayurvedic medicine. An important herb in India for thousands of years it is known for medicinal properties that improve digestion, boost the immune system, promote cardiovascular health, and to create a relaxed, balanced state, which is beneficial for meditation.

Holy Basil has been used for these concerns:

•                Reduce stress, depression and anxiety, Treat panic attacks, Promote mental relaxation

•                As an adaptogen, Increase strength, stamina and endurance, Utilize oxygen more efficiently

•                Promote proper protein synthesis, Aid digestion, Relieve gas and stomach cramps

•                Boost the functioning of the immune system

•                Promote cerebral circulation, Improve memory

•                Promote clarity of thought and focus, Treat ADHD and ADD

•                For faster wound healing

•                As a pain reducer

•                Treat kidney stones

•                Treat high cholesterol

•                Treat heart disorders

•                Treat mouth infections

•                Treat headaches

•                Treat poisoning

•                Balance hormones, Maintain healthy cortisol levels

•                Maintain proper blood sugar levels

•                Treat inflammation

•                Treat colds, sore throat and coughs

•                Treat snakebite and scorpion stings

•                Resist bacterial and viral infections, Treat malaria

•                Reduce fevers

•                Maintain respiratory health, Treat asthma, allergies and bronchitis

•                Treat arthritis

•                Protect vision and eye health

•                Protect against radiation

•                As a powerful antioxidant

•                Protect the liver and kidneys

•                Maintain dental health and reduce bad breath

•                Treat insect bites and skin problems

Holy Basil is a principal herb in the traditional holistic health system of Ayurveda. In India a few Holy Basil leaves are dropped into drinking water, or foodstuff, to purify it and can kill germs. Holy Basil is planted in a pot indoors to protect the whole family from infections, coughs and colds, and other viral infections.

Research studies of Holy Basil, Tulsi, demonstrate its effectiveness in neutralizing free radicals, inhibition of inflammatory prostaglandins, and actions to similar aspirin, antioxidant properties, and antidepressant actions. Holy Basil demonstrates an ability to protect healthy cells from radiation and chemotherapy toxicity, and to limit the oxidative free radical damage to the bone marrow from chemotherapy. Other studies have shown Holy Basil to have a protective effect against chemical carcinogens.

If you choose to use an herbal preparation of Holy Basil, these are the recommended dosages. Tincture (1:5 or 1:2): 40–60 drops, three times per day. 

Tea: Add 1 tsp. dried leaf to 8 oz. hot water, steep, covered, 5–10 minutes. Take 4 oz. up to three times per day.

Capsules: Various forms of capsulated products are available. These include extracts in gel caps, dried or powdered herb in capsules, and standardized extracts (2 percent ursolic acid) in capsules. 



There are Safety Issues: Holy Basil may be toxic to embryos therefore avoid using it during pregnancy. It is reported to have an antifertility effect and should be avoided if a woman is trying to get pregnant. Herb/Drug Interactions: Preliminary studies indicate that holy basil might enhance CYP-450 activity, thus speeding up the elimination of some medications.

http://www.ipr.northwestern.edu/news/adam.html

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-holy-basil-tulsi.html

http://suite101.com/article/holy-basil-lowers-cortisol-helps-body-adapt-to-stress-a355297

http://www.holy-basil.com/6865.html

http://www.herbslist.net/holy-basil.html

Permaculture vs. Survivalist Communities: Who’s the real winner?

Do you remember Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, a 1985 Australian  post-apocalyptic film about survivalists run amok in search of oil and water, and Conspiracy Theory is a 1997 American action thriller where the US government creates assassins through mind control drugs? Seemingly there are some people who are convinced this is our future and the future is now. They are busy building survivalist communities, hoarding guns and canned food, and practicing military tactics to protect their chosen group of friends. They are anti-collectivism except for their own elite collective.

I see nothing wrong with caring about the collective good, which is essential to the Christ ethic. We need to remember Christ was inclusive not exclusive. Although there are many descriptions of violence in the Bible, no acts of violence were perpetrated by Christ.

The choice of the kind of world we create to live in is ours. We can live a fear-based life, survival of the fittest, (very Darwinian) assuming every one we meet is taking what is ours. Or we can assume stewardship where there is a valued place for everyone and everything.

"We are all stewards and have dominion of God’s creation whether we accept this or not. God has honored us and has given us great responsibilities. As stewards of God’s property, we have a responsibility to care and nurture the things that are of God. If we are good stewards, we show we are faithful to God and he does reward us. If we are bad stewards, we show that we are unfaithful and only have allegiance to our own selfish desires. As bad stewards, we may have dominion of God’s resources, but it will not end well".    http://www.access-jesus.com/Psalms/Psalms_8_6

I come from a very pragmatic family. During the 1950’s Cold War, I asked my Dad if we were going to build a bomb shelter. He said, No, Who would want to live in that kind of bombed out radioactive world?

We should be working together as stewards creating a sustainable world. I believe the answer is permaculture. Permaculture is a combination of the words "permanent," "agriculture,” and “culture.” Bill Mollison, Australian ecologist and University of Tasmania professor in the 1970’s, initiated the concept of permaculture. From the original focus of sustainable food production, the philosophy of permaculture has evolved and expanded to encompass economic and social systems.  Some individuals integrating spirituality and personal growth work into the framework.

Mollison believed sustainable living needed to be based on the patterns observed in nature. Natural systems, such as forests and wetlands, are sustainable providing for their own energy needs and recycle their own wastes. All of the different parts of a natural ecosystem work together and each unit of the system perform important tasks. By applying an integrated understanding of the ecosystem in to his design a sustainable agricultural systems is created.

 Bill Wilson, of Midwest Permaculture, states "our cities and suburbs have value and advantages but they are also incredibly dependent upon support from the outside.  Except for the air and sun, possibly water, almost every other need is generated and collected elsewhere and brought into the cities and suburbs, everything from food, to clothing, to building materials, to power, to transportation…everything.  Within the coming generation (coming years possibly) the imbalances we have created in the world economies, the supply systems and the natural world will become even more apparent, more immediate. There are stresses everywhere in our culture with peak oil, peak water, peak soil and climate change pushing us even more".

We are facing dwindling natural resources. We can stick our collective heads in the oil sand and ignore the problem? Do we pick up a gun and live on a limited supply of canned food and bottled water? Do we accept Mother Nature’s cycle of life and say all things come to an end, farewell to this epoch of humanity? Do we make a conscious effort to modify our behavior and adapt to new challenges?

I vote for adapting. If you are like me, you are wondering how does permaculture work in a suburban or urban environment? Erik Ohlsen of Permaculture Artisans permacultureartisans.com. gives us an excellent introduction to permaculture design principles, which features a stunning, abundant food forest design.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT_2VVXA7SY

The permaculture specialists are aware that many of us are not naturally gardeners. The design approach is to integrate the surrounding natural areas with our homes, apartments and other buildings that will produce an abundance of food, shelter, energy and other services with a minimum of work. Ultimately the system is set up to function with a minimum of effort and should be more like recreation than work. In fact even now there is a growing cadre of urban farmers. You can contract with these farmers to plant and maintain your backyard garden.

Slow Food is an international organization, which defends biodiversity in our food supply, promotes food and taste education and connects sustainable producers to co-producers through events and building networks. They identify themselves as Slow Food because the emphasis is on taking your time when dining where the act of eating a meal together stands at the "crossroads of ecology and gastronomy, ethics and pleasure".

The Slow Food website states "It opposes the standardization of taste and culture, and the unrestrained power of the food industry multinationals and industrial agriculture. We believe that everyone has a fundamental right to the pleasure of good food and consequently the responsibility to protect the heritage of food, tradition and culture that make this pleasure possible". Many cities in the US and world wide have Slow Food groups you can attend. They even sponsor travel experiences.

I am of the opinion the survivalist communities we need to build really should be based on permaculture design. We need to fulfill our roles of stewardship with a perfectly designed ecosystem, which integrates the surrounding natural areas with our homes, apartments and other buildings and produces an abundance of food, shelter, energy and other services with a minimum of work. This is achievable when we give up the negative attitudes of lack and selfishness. Invention, creativity and collective cooperation always result in abundance.

http://www.permaculturenow.com/video.html

http://midwestpermaculture.com/

http://www.heathcote.org/

http://www.chelseagreen.com/

http://slowfood.com/

Learn to Control Trigger Point Pain

I have always had some kind of body pain. As a child I thought everyone had the same level of pain—that is just life. So I did not question it or seek any kind of answer for my body pain. My parents were stoic people whose attitude was nothing could be done about pain—just keep working.

I remember going for my first massage and the therapist began talking about trigger points. I was so surprised and pleased to find that by working with the trigger points I was significantly improved. I had much less muscle tension and pain, circulation and flexibility were improved, and my attitude was hopeful. Chronic pain saps the joy from life; I was so happy to find I could find relief.

It took me along time to realize I could be working with these trigger points myself between trips to the massage therapist. I believe in being self responsible and proactive about my health. I believe in a Mind/body/Spirit outlook to life, therefore every physical, or emotional trauma we have creates a feedback loop between the mind and body with tension and knotted muscles.

When you work to eliminate your trigger points use this time to release the knotted emotions you have buried in your body. For example, if a bully hit you when you were a child, the memory of that incident is located in your body where you were hit and it has an associated link in your mind. The mind-link might include associated feelings of anger, fear, insecurity, or helplessness.

Trigger points can result from muscle trauma (from car accidents, falls, sports- and work-related injuries, etc.), muscle strain from repetitive movements at work or play, postural strain from standing or sitting improperly for long periods at the computer, emotional stress, anxiety, allergies, nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, and toxins in the environment. A single event can initiate a trigger point causing you to suffer the effects for the rest of your life.

Trigger points can be created by a slip and fall, or a motor vehicle accident at speeds as slow as 5 mph.  Muscle injury doesn’t even require landing a near fall is adequate to activate a trigger point. The referred pain often feels like an oppressive, deep ache and movement can sharpen the pain. Referred myofascial pain can be as intense as pain from surgery. In fact myofascial pain can mimic a heart attack.

Many of us have debilitating low back pain that has completely altered the way we live our lives. The body's instinctive reaction to a harmful "event" was to protect itself by altering the way you move, sit, or stand, which puts abnormal stress on your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Over time this created strength and flexibility imbalances in your muscles, as well as postural dysfunctions throughout your body. The most common place for a trigger point is in the muscle of the lower back called the quadratus lumborum located just above your hips. As the quadratus lumborum became increasingly dysfunctional the position of the pelvis was altered. The pelvis dysfunction creates abnormal spinal curvature thereby putting abnormal pressure on the disc, which over time begins to bulge. As this condition progressively worsens, one’s overall quality of life decreases often leading to Depression.

Trigger points may produce symptoms as diverse as dizziness, earaches, sinusitis, nausea, heartburn, false heart pain, heart arrhythmia, genital pain, and numbness in the hands and feet, restless leg syndrome, tooth pain, workout plateau, painful menses, or irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, neck and jaw pain, low back pain, sciatica, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome. They are the source of joint pain in the shoulder, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle that is often mistaken for arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, or ligament injury.

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder. In myofascial pain syndrome, pressure on sensitive points in your muscles (trigger points) causes pain in seemingly unrelated parts of your body. This is called referred pain. (Definition by Mayo Clinic staff)

A trigger point is a hypersensitive spot in a muscle. "Referred" pain means that trigger points typically send their pain to some other place in the body, which is why conventional treatments for pain so often fail. A stimulated trigger point usually produces pain referred in a predictable pattern away from the trigger point, which can also cause contractions in muscles called taut bands. Triggered taut bands cause the dysfunction of the joints. 

"There is no substitute for learning to control your own musculoskeletal pain," says Dr. Simons. "Treating myofascial trigger points yourself addresses the source of that kind of common pain and is not just a way of temporarily relieving it." Drs. Janet Travell and David Simons, authors of The Trigger Point Manual, references research indicating trigger points are the primary cause of pain at least 75 percent of the time and are a factor in nearly every painful condition.

A trigger point is about the size of a mustard seed. The technique is to put sustained pressure on trigger point for a set period of time on a regular basis. There are various techniques that are relatively simple. The technique is to apply sufficient deep sustained pressure applied to the "knotted-up area." By working with the Trigger Point you will create soft tissue release that allow ins increased blood flow, a reduction in muscle spasm, the break-up of scar tissue, and help eliminate toxic metabolic waste. Also the body will experience a neurological release reducing the pain signals to the brain. This neurological release allows the neuromuscular system to remember and restore its proper function.

These factors that effect the length of time needed to completely release a trigger point include: number of trigger points you have, how long you have had your trigger point, how effective your current treatment is, and how consistently you can administer or receive treatment. It is impractical to see a massage therapist frequently enough to get a trigger point to release.

To learn more about trigger points and how to work with them I suggest Dr. Jonathon Kuttner excellent educational website. Here are a few of things you'll learn here: A. Trigger point reference chart. http://triggerpointcharts.com/  B. An instructional Video http://lifeafterpain.com/vault/treat-your-triggers/finding-triggers/

This website contains charts that will help you isolate where the trigger point is and where the pain to.  This page contains 26 trigger point referral chart thumbnails. To view a single chart, position your cursor over the image and click once. If you know which part of the body whose charts you want to view, click on its link below to go directly to that group of charts. http://www.webmanmed.com/painrefer_files/trigptcharts.html

Working with trigger points is not a cure all. However with consistent attention, eliminating trigger points diminishes pain and truly enhances one’s quality of life. Self-empowerment is essential to mind/body/spirit well being. You can do this for yourself now.

http://healing.about.com/od/therapies/a/triggerpoint.htm

http://www.triggerpoints.net/

http://www.myorehab.net/articles/article-archive.htm

Find Your Joy--

For us to fit into our society and be of service to humanity, our family and our culture we willingly assume roles. These roles are son/daughter, brother/sister, father/mother, worker/mentor/leader. However, sometimes we lose our sense of self to other’s expectations and pressures. We are so busy doing what is expected that we forget to honor our own gifts and talents. This drains the joy out of life and creates stress. Stress adversely effects Mind/Body/Spirit wellbeing. 

I had a dream that reminded me to honor, respect and accept my Authentic Self. The Authentic Self represents the best, most genuine self. It is the You, you are meant to be. This self is a composite of your skills, talents, acquired wisdom, core values and beliefs; it is both internal and external created. The Authentic Self is a revealed creation.

Within the Mind/Body/Spirit concept the Authentic Self would represent the best use of the gifts the Creator has given you. Being in harmony with the Authentic self allows you to be most effective in your work and roles while experiencing the real joy of being Authentic.

These quotations on the search for the Authentic Self show us the search has long been a motivating force in man.

The authentic self is soul made visible. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

Our life is what our thoughts make it~ Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

Who we are looking for is who is looking ~Francis of Assisi

This above all:
To thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.~ Hamlet, Shakespeare

The chief cause of human error is to be found in prejudices picked up in childhood~ Descartes

Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate ~Carl Jung

Being authentic is the ability to be true to oneself. Living an authentic life requires the ability to be true to our own wants, needs and desires and not live our lives by the opinion of others. Being authentic is the ability to make self-honoring choices and stand firmly in who we are in our core. Being true to ourselves gives us the insight and compassion to see others for who they are, not who we expect them to be. It frees us up from the judgment of ourselves and others and it gives others the freedom to be themselves as well.~ Victoria J. Reynolds

http://www.helium.com

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/authenticity

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/here-there-and-everywhere/201111/21-quotes-authenticity

Support Under-active Thyroid with Food Choices

The physical body is a complex interconnected system. Often I find the recommendations and suggestions I receive from physicians and recognized experts to be contradictory. The scientific research seems contradictory as well. Objective review of my needs seems contradictory—what is a person to do?

For cancer prevention, a diet filled with brightly colored vegetables, dark green vegetables, alliums, vegetables like onions and garlic, and cruciferous vegetables are recommended. Cruciferous describes vegetables that display a cross-like pattern made by the four-petal formation of the vegetables. This can be seen on a Brussels sprout, a head of cabbage and a broccoli bud. Mustard greens, kale, radishes, turnips, cauliflower and kohlrabi are also members of the cruciferous family.

However, cruciferous vegetables can have a depressing effect on thyroid function.

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) exists when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones. This upsets the normal balance of chemical reactions in your body. In the early stages it seldom causes symptoms, however over time untreated hypothyroidism can cause health issues such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.

Symptoms tend to develop slowly over a number of years. One might attribute the fatigue and weight gain simply to getting older.  As your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more obvious signs and symptoms, which include: Fatigue, Increased sensitivity to cold, Constipation, Dry skin, Unexplained weight gain, Puffy face, Hoarseness, Muscle weakness, Elevated blood cholesterol level, Muscle aches/tenderness/stiffness, Pain/stiffness or swelling in your joints, Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods, Thinning hair, Slowed heart rate, Depression, and Impaired memory.

Untreated hypothyroidism signs and symptoms can gradually become more severe. Constant stimulation of the thyroid gland causes a release more hormones leading to enlarged thyroid (goiter). Over time one becomes more forgetful, thought processes slow, and depression may occur. Myxedema, advanced hypothyroidism, is rare but life threatening. Symptoms of advanced hypothyroidism include low blood pressure, decreased breathing, decreased body temperature, unresponsiveness, and even coma.

Anyone can develop hypothyroidism, however increased risk include if you:

            Are a woman older than age 60

            Have an autoimmune disease

            Have a close relative with an autoimmune disease

            Have been treated with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications

            Received radiation to your neck or upper chest

            Have had thyroid surgery (partial thyroidectomy)

            Have been pregnant or delivered a baby within the past six month

Complications for untreated hypothyroidism can lead to these health concerns:

            Goiter. Although generally not uncomfortable, it can affect your appearance and may interfere with swallowing or breathing.

            Heart problems. Hypothyroidism may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, even sub clinical hypothyroidism, a more benign condition than true hypothyroidism, can cause an increase in total cholesterol levels and impair the pumping ability of your heart. Hypothyroidism can also lead to an enlarged heart and heart failure.

            Mental health issues. Depression may occur early and may become more severe over time. Hypothyroidism can also cause slowed mental functioning.

            Peripheral neuropathy. Long-term uncontrolled hypothyroidism can cause damage to your peripheral nerves for example your arms and legs. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include pain, numbness, tingling and muscle weakness or loss of muscle control.

            Myxedema. A rare, life-threatening condition is the result of long-term, undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Symptoms include intense cold intolerance, drowsiness followed by profound lethargy and then unconsciousness. A myxedema coma may be triggered by sedatives, infection or other stress on your body. Signs or symptoms of myxedema require immediate emergency medical treatment.

            Infertility. Low levels of thyroid hormone can interfere with ovulation, which impairs fertility.

            Birth defects. Babies born to women with untreated thyroid disease may have a higher risk of birth defects

Life style and dietary choices that will help support thyroid function include eating several small, well-balanced meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar consistent and help with energy. You should eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes and proteins. Snack on raw seeds, apricots, prunes, and dates and avoid refined sugars. When cooking use good quality extra-virgin olive, or coconut oil.

Snack on Brazil nuts--natural source of selenium, which reduces damaging thyroid inflammation, and build the powerful thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3),

Cook your cruciferous vegetables—to break down the goitrogens that block thyroid's iodine. Iodine is essential to make energizing thyroid hormones. Broccoli, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables are loaded with this iodine-blocking compound, however, cooking cruciferous for little as two minutes destroys goitrogens as they are quite heat sensitive.

Some experts suggest rotating your dark green and cruciferous vegetable family choices in order to get their benefits while avoiding a build up of the goitrogens that can block the thyroid's iodine absorption. Four vegetable family groups: 1.  Kale, collards, arugula, turnip, cabbage, bok choy, radish greens, mustard greens, broccoli; 2.  Spinach, chard, beet, lambs quarters; 3.  Dandelion, leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce; 4.  Parsley, cilantro.

Eat lean protein with every meal to slow the absorption of carbs and prevents insulin spikes which are a proven thyroid suppressor. Protein is rich in the amino acid tyrosine, which is an essential building block of thyroid hormones. Iodine is directly related to thyroid function and is found in sea salt and foods made with seaweed.

There is a debate about whether or not soy products should be consumed by those with hypothyroidism since the isoflavones (phytoestrogens) in soy have adversely affect the thyroid. Soy can negatively affect the body's ability to absorb synthetic thyroid medications. Wait 3 or 4 hours before consuming soy products after taking medication. Also wait before calcium supplements, iron and antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum as they interfere with medication absorption. However, too much iodine can be bad for your health. Excess fiber intake can have an adverse affect on thyroid medication as it interferes with medication absorption.

Scratched or damaged nonstick pans increase the risk of thyroid problems because the coatings interfere with the ability of thyroid hormones to bind to the tissues that desperately need them. Exposure to second-hand smoke cigarette smoke increases your risk of thyroid problems. Tobacco's cyanide clogs the receptor sites on your thyroid, interfering with the gland’s ability to absorb the nutrients.

http://www.alivemedicine.com/news/article/current/2012/10/05/100512/underactive-thyroid-5-natural-ways-to-help

www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/DS00353

http://www.ehow.com/way_5290249_diets-people-hypothyroidism.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/491733-cruciferous-vegetables-thyroid-control/#ixzz2IHKcSSu4

Nicholas and Helena Roerich: The Spiritual Journey

 I am reading the book Nicholas & Helena Roerich: The Spiritual Journey of Two Great Artists and Peacemakers, R. Drayer (2005). Years ago I was introduced to the work of Nicholas and Helena Roerich at a spiritual retreat. I was totally captivated by Nicholas’s painting Mother of the World (1930). To me it represents all concepts of mother love—the Creator for the Creation, Mother Mary as mother of all humanity, and the ensouled nature—Mother Earth, Mother Nature.

Life is often blessed with enlightened people, individuals of great spirituality, talent and intuition. Such individuals would be Siddhartha, Pythagoras, da Vinci, John Donne, William Blake, Carl Jung, Catherine the Great, Thomas Jefferson and The Dalai Lama. Some are widely recognized and others are treated with disdain. The Roerich’s contribution is not often recognized—most likely because their roots were in Czarist Russia.

The Roerichs were upper-middle class in a time and place where most people were peasants. At that time Russia, which lies on the border of Eastern and Western culture, was deeply religious and spiritual. Nearly everyone has heard the story of Rasputin, the "mad monk" mystic and faith healer who was introduced to Russian Czar Nicholas II and his wife. Supposedly Rasputin healed  Czar Nicholas II's heir Alexis of hemophilia. This is the Russian culture that impacted the Roerichs. They were nationalist with a great love for Russia and it’s cultural history but also idealists and artists that believed in the enlightening power of art, music, and the essential spiritual truth in all religions—there is only one Creator and he created all that is. When studied with a discerning eye all religions strengthen each other. Religious separate-ism is the politics of power.

Information from the Nicholas Roerich Museum website:

Nicholas Konstantinovich Roerich was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, on October 9, 1874, the first-born son of lawyer and notary, Konstantin Roerich and his wife Maria. He was raised in the comfortable environment of an upper middle-class Russian family with its advantages of contact with the writers, artists, and scientists who often came to visit the Roerichs. At an early age he showed a curiosity and talent for a variety of activities. When he was nine, a noted archeologist came to conduct explorations in the region and took young Roerich on his excavations of the local tumuli. The adventure of unveiling the mysteries of forgotten eras with his own hands sparked an interest in archeology that would last his lifetime. Through other contacts he developed interests in collecting prehistoric artifacts, coins, and minerals, and built his own arboretum for the study of plants and trees. While still quite young, Roerich showed a particular aptitude for drawing, and by the time he reached the age of sixteen he began to think about entering the Academy of Art and pursuing a career as an artist. His father did not consider painting to be a fit vocation for a responsible member of society, however, and insisted that his son follow his own steps in the study of law. A compromise was reached, and in the fall of 1893 Nicholas enrolled simultaneously in the Academy of Art and at St. Petersburg University.

Helena Roerich was an unusually gifted woman, a talented pianist, and author of many books, including The Foundations of Buddhism and a Russian translation of Helena Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine. Her collected Letters, in two volumes, are an example of the wisdom, spiritual insight, and simple advice she shared with a multitude of correspondents — friends, foes, and co-workers alike. …Later, in New York, Nicholas and Helena Roerich founded the Agni Yoga Society, which espoused a living ethic encompassing and synthesizing the philosophies and religious teachings of all ages…. Prompted by the need to provide some income for his new household, Roerich applied for and won the position of Secretary of the School of the Society for the Encouragement of Art, later becoming its head, the first of many positions that Roerich would occupy as a teacher and spokesman for the arts.

Nicholas Roerich was involved throughout his career with the problems of cultural preservation. From an early age, when, as a teen-age amateur archeologist in the north of Russia, he unearthed rare and beautiful ancient artifacts, he realized that the best products of humanity's creative genius were almost always neglected, or even destroyed, by humanity itself…. In the earliest years of twentieth century, he traveled through the historic towns of Northern Russia, making paintings of their crumbling walls and deteriorating architecture. He then made appeals to the Russian government for efforts to maintain and restore these priceless links to the past.

Nicholas Roerich spearheaded the concept of an international pact to protect the best of world culture and worked with the US administration of Franklin Roosevelt to accomplish this. It was called the Treaty on the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historic Monuments (Roerich Pact). Washington, 15 April 1935.

“The High Contracting Parties, animated by the purpose of giving conventional form to the postulates of the resolution approved on 16 December 1933, by all the States represented at the Seventh International Conference of American States, held at Montevideo, which recommended to "the Governments of America which have not yet done so that they sign the 'Roerich Pact', initiated by the 'Roerich Museum' in the United States, and which has as its object the universal adoption of a flag, already designed and generally known, in order thereby to preserve in any time of danger all nationally and privately owned immovable monuments which form the cultural treasure of peoples, "have resolved to conclude a Treaty with that end in view and to the effect that the treasures of culture be respected and protected in time of war and in peace, have agreed upon the following Articles:” The entire pact is located on the Roerich Museum website.

Helena Roerich was inspired and received the spiritual teaching called Agni Yoga. Followers of the teaching believe the Roerich family and their associates were in communication with Master Morya, the teacher of Helena Blavatsky, one of the founders of the Theosophical Society. Seventeen volumes of Agni Yoga have been translated from the original Russian into English. Agni Yoga is sometimes called the Teaching of Living Ethics, the Teaching of Life, or the Teaching of Light.

Modernists who pursue Agni Yoga, also called Inner Light-Fire Meditation and Actualism Lightwork, view Agni to be a joyous exploration into life, consciousness for personal and planetary awakening. Agni Yoga is a meditation process that makes ancient Eastern beliefs of inner Light-Fire accessible to the current Western consciousness. Agni Yoga is considered to be active meditation, practical, grounded in the body and comprehensive. The practitioner works to engage the source of limitless life energy within to decode one’s soul language, and to release spiritual blockage to the free the flowing life energy that makes up one’s consciousness and soul competence.

As I read Nicholas & Helena Roerich: The Spiritual Journey of Two Great Artisits and Peacemakers, I am impressed by the spiritual dedication of Nicholas, Helena, and their sons Yuri and Svetoslav. The Roerichs were often naive and controversial. Sadly the idealistic spiritual seeker is often misunderstood by those who are inherently materialistic and power seekers. For myself I would rather seek inner spiritual fire and universal Christian brotherhood, rather than bind my soul to lifeless religiosity—but that’s just me.

The Roerich’s lives read as a spiritual adventure story; we should all be so lucky. Perhaps we are all heroes in our own great adventure story.

http://www.roerich.org/

 http://agniyoga.org/ay_info.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni_Yoga

http://www.awakenment-wellness.com/agni-yoga.html

http://en.icr.su/

http://www.amazon.com/Nicholas-Helena-Roerich-Spiritual-Peacemakers/