Stress Junkies

Are you a Stress Junkie? Do you have too much going on, or put pressure on yourself to get everything done? Being a Stress Junkie is kind of like those who are addicted (and/or co-dependent) to adrenaline highs, only to stress instead.

Recently, while working with some clients, and discussing this with my collegues, we realized this is seriously on the rise.

We all know what too much stress does; however many people aren't aware they're actually becoming so dependent on a stressful way of life, that they can't imagine, or live any other way. And before you know it, we've actually piled on more things, thinking or saying "It's okay, I can handle it..."

In fact, many of us can't, as is obvious by the rise in depression and the all time highs for diabetes, blood pressure and heart problems, and cancers. It's also a medical/scientific fact that cortisol (the 'death hormone') rises dramatically when we're under stress, especially from chronic/ongoing stress of any kind. Cortisol literally kills other (including healthy) cells, producing inflammation, free radicals, and toxins; which can, and does, produce a whole host of health problems.

Too much stress doesn't have to be physical, such as with an athlete or prolonged sitting; it can also be mental, emotional, spiritual, and energetic. All of which can, and do, produce a wide variety of related, and more importantly, non-related symptoms. So when you don't tell your massage therapist or energy worker, nutritionist, or doctor all your symptoms, it makes it that much more difficult to appropriately treat the cause and you, as a person.

Example: Get stressed and the body responds with high alert. Afterwards, our energy is decreased. We feel depleted and our senses and mind can't focus properly. We over-ride this by eating or drinking something, taking over the counter or prescription meds, or recreational substances. Or worse yet, we start a radically new diet or exercise program, or week-end activity to 'de-compress'. All the while thinking/saying it's to help with stress. Then we take on or volunteer for something else, because that new thing is going to lower our stress; so, sure - we can do a little bit more.

After our energy/alertness is drained again, we repeat this. I'm not saying any of these things are bad/wrong, just that if we address the source (the reason we have or need so much stress and/or the types of stress), many people would actually have more control in their lives - and less stress. Those who are beginning to kick the habit report feeling better on all levels - mentally, physically, emotionally, energetically, and spiritually.

We've all heard the many non-medical things we can do to alleviate stress, such as relax (easier said than done many times); get therapy of some kind (massage or energy work, counseling); take a hot shower or bath, meds and/or vitamins; and generally chill out (again, sometimes easier said than done).

And by now, you're probably asking what does this have to do with "In Your Cupboard, Good For You". A lot! (Nice lead-in, huh?)

One of the first things is Vanilla. Yes, real Vanilla Flavoring or Vanilla Essential Oil. Vanilla is a known relaxant and mood leveler. A small amount used in cooking, boiled in a small pot of water, dropped into the bath/footbath, or sprayed into the shower can really help. (I never recommend synthetic Vanilla or Vanillin, as synthetic scents/flavorings have exactly the opposite effect. While they may initially smell or taste okay, they can give even non-sensitive children/people headaches, sinus congestion, and/or produce sneezing or allergic reactions.)

Milk - any kind, animal, vegetarian, powdered, etc., can be very soothing. One to two cups per bath/footsoak helps relax the body, plus soften the skin. (Milks contain naturally occuring Tryptophan, an essential amino acid that helps relax the mind and body, and it's slight acidity smoothes the skin.)


Epsom salt: Epsom salt is actually Magnesium Sulfate, rather than sodium, and Magnesium naturally relaxes and helps detoxify the body.


Computer, smart phone, or phone book - to look up massage therapists, aromatherapy, health food stores, and doctors, if needed.

The following sources (both companies and people) are ones I suggest/recommend for these two important reason: quality and affordable prices. (I only make personal recommendations when I've actually received body or energy work from the person, and/or used their products on my own, and not by affiliation or payment.)

Wal-Mart - Yes, I know how some people feel about Wal-Mart, however their Spring Valley supplements are good quality for lower price.

Dollar Tree (or other Dollar type stores) - These stores carry a wide variety of products that can be used to help one relax, including cds of soothing music.

Super Supplements - both brick and mortar stores and on-line. While their on-line shipping can be a bit high, the very low prices of their products make up for it, plus they carry numerous brands, all related to health and well being.

Samara Botane - http://www.wingedseed.com (1-800-782-4532) Snohomish, Washington, owner Marcia Elston. This company offers the best certified Essential Oil and Aromatherapy products, plus they give an online and professional discount. I've been using this company's products for many years, and highly recommend them.

The Assembly of CEH - http://www.reikiranch.blogspot.com (1-360-748-4426) Non profit, in Chehalis, Washington, ran by Taylore Vance and her husband Roi Halse, (Reiki Masters and entrepreneurs) that teach Reiki classes and sell products, including related books, Magnesium Oil (for health and relaxation), and Silver Water (detoxifier, etc.) Their Mg Oil and Silver Water are two of my favorites.

Heart of Massage - Owned by Karen Donald, Licensed Massage Practitioner. Located in the Queen Anne part of Seattle, Washington, Karen is one of Seattle's best therapists. The name of her practice says it all. And I say this, not only because Karen's one of my best friends, I've also received body work from her. http://www.facebook.com/Karen-Donald

Carlson Method - Developed and owned by former massage instructor & student clinic supervisor, Scott Carlson, who's one of the best in person and at distant energy workers I know. Besides being a long time friend, Scott is one of my first and personal go-to people for energy work. Scott is on Facebook, with the Black Knight on war horse as his current profile photo.

Three Tree Wellness Center - Owned and operated by Shari Courtier and her partner Scott Carpenter, in Burien, Washington. They offer a variety of services at very reasonable prices, and I highly recommend them. I've had the privilege of receiving work from Shari, including Reiki, and she's really good! http://www.threetreewellness.com (1-206-257-4765)

And me, Pam Taylor, of course. I've been practicing, teaching, and writing about body/energy work, and health and well being for a long time. Besides my blog here, you can also find "how to" photos demonstrating Reiki, and other fun and interesting Reiki things on my web site. Plus I'm on Facebook, and Twitter.
http://www.uberreiki.com
http://www.facebook.com/uberreikigirl
http://www.twitter.com/uberreikigirl

NOTE: An essential amino acid, (such as Tryptophan) is one of the building blocks of protein. Humans can't make it in their own body, and have to get it daily from an outside food or supplement source.

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure any known or unknown disease.

All rights reserved. All blogs and photos on this site are copyrighted, and may not be stored, retrieved, copied, or sold in any form without express permission.


The information contained on this site is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure. Nor is it intended to replace the advice of your primary care provider. No liability is assumed by the owner of this site, the author, or editor for the use or misuse of the information contained herein.

In Your Cupboard, Good For You - Baking Soda

Almost everyone has a box of Baking Soda in the cupboard, fridge, or laundry room. And I do as well, as Baking Soda is one of my 'must haves' for everything from cooking to first aid.

There are numerous web sites devoted to Baking Soda, all of which list what it is, what it's good for, and so on. For those who've never looked up any of this information, here's a little background.

Baking Soda is what's known as an alkaline chemical salt, which basically means it's really good at neutralizing things. This is why so many people use it as a deodorant, toothe paste, odor absorber, as well as to soak up oil spills on a garage floor or putting out oil/grease fires in the kitchen.

Since Baking Soda is a natural salt, it's not only 'green', it's also just abrasive enough to scrub out metal pots and pans, including copper ones, without damaging them. Plus it does an excellent job on dirty sinks and tubs.

'Bicarbonate of soda' (Baking Soda) has a long history as a remedy for reducing redness, swelling, and itching from bug bites/stings, hives, and rashes. It's also used as a natural treatment for reflux and indigestion.

Other popular ways to use Baking Soda are as a fabric softener, 'dry' shampoo, in science projects, mixed with salt to make ant repellent, and with a little help from vinegar, to clean out drains.

Baking Soda's most common usage, though, is in cooking. It acts as a leavening agent, which simply means it makes the dough or batter rise. And since Baking Soda is a neutralizer, it can be used to de-acidify foods like tomatoes. This simple thing is very helpful for those who like to eat acidic foods, but have indigestion or reflux afterwards.

My Mother was this type of person. From childhood til about her mid 40's, whenever she'd eat tomato soup, chili, or spaghetti, she'd get an upset stomach. Then she learned a neat trick that allowed her to enjoy them once in a while, and not feel bad later. The following recipe was one of her favorites.

Homemade Tomato Soup

2 - 3 tblsp. olive oil
2 gloves garlic (crushed)
1/2 c. diced onion
1/2 c. diced celery
1 tblsp. Baking Soda (see Note below)
2 lb. can of tomatoes (whole, diced, or crushed, see below)
2 - 3 c. milk (dairy or unsweetened plain soy, rice, or almond milk, see below)
salt and pepper to taste
2 tblsp. butter (optional)
toppings: plain yogurt, sour cream, grated cheese, or crumbled turkey bacon

Note: Omit garlic, onions, & celery for anyone who can't eat these, & instead season to taste with a low/no sodium soup or salad blend like Mrs. Dash.
Since Baking Soda is alkaline, too much can produce a 'soapy' flavor/taste, so you can start with as little as one teaspoon and increase as needed; however, less Baking Soda equals higher acidity.

Pour tomatoes (with any juice) into a medium sized bowl. Add Baking Soda, & stir to distribute it throughout the tomatoes. (If using whole tomatoes, cut or mash them up.) Within a few seconds the tomatoes & juice will begin to foam, as the Baking Soda starts to neutralize the acid. (This also keeps the milk from curdling when added to the tomatoes.) After 5 - 10 minutes the foaming will stop & they'll be ready to use.

Put olive oil, garlic, onions, and celery in 3 qt. pan on medium heat. Stir garlic, onions & celery while they cook til desired golden color or softness. Add neutralized tomatoes & juice, stir to mix. Carefully add/stir in milk (start with only 2 cups of milk & add extra only if soup is too thick). Turn heat down to simmer (stirring as needed to prevent scorching) and let simmer til soup is desired temperature. Season with salt & pepper, & add butter, if desired. Ladle into cups or bowls & top with your choice of yogurt, sour cream, grated cheese, or turkey bacon.

This recipe serves two to four people, depending on cup or bowl size, plus it can easily be halved, doubled, or tripled. Homemade Tomato Soup is great served by itself, as a little pick-me-up, or can be a main dish backed up by hearty sandwiches.


References: www.armandhammer.com, www.wikipedia.org, www.webmd.com, and www.bakingsoda.com

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure any known or unknown disease.

All rights reserved. All blogs and photos on this site are copyrighted, and may not be stored, retrieved, copied, or sold in any form without express permission.


The information contained on this site is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure. Nor is it intended to replace the advice of your primary care provider. No liability is assumed by the owner of this site, the author, or editor for the use or misuse of the information contained herein.

In Your Cupboard - Good For You, Cinnamon

Just the name 'Cinnamon' immediately brings to mind it's warm sweet fragrance.

While Cinnamon has traditionally been used to flavor side dishes and desserts, modern research has also shown it to be antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, a mood leveler, and blood sugar stabilizer.

Another unique property is that it enhances any sweetener. By adding a small amount of Cinnamon to a recipe, you can use less sugar, stevia, honey, etc., and the end results are still sweet tasting. And I like to use it to freshen stale air and drains and repel pests.

To freshen stale air:
Fill a 3 qt. pan half full of water, bring to a boil, lower to simmer & add 1/2 tsp Cinnamon. Let simmer uncovered 20-30 minutes, turn burner off, and let sit til cool. (Many Real Estate agents do this to make a house seem more 'warm & inviting'.)

To freshen drains:
Pour cool Cinnamon water (from above) down drain; or pour 'old' Cinammon into drain & flush with hot tap water for several seconds.
Note: while it may take several years for a spice to lose it's odor, it can begin to lose potency within 3-6 months. It's also recommended to store any spice away from direct light, heat, & humidity.

Pest control:
Whether by itself or mixed with Cayenne, Cinnamon helps repel ants and other bugs. (Simply sprinkle a thick layer on/around areas of infestation.)

My personal favorite 'Cinnamon' recipe, see directly below Reader Request.

Reader Request: Please take a few seconds to share, in the Comment Box below, what you know about Cinnamon. This can be anything from using it to brush your teeth to a recipe. Other readers appreciate this, and so do I! I post a public MAHALO (thanks) and/or link (on both Facebook & Twitter) back to those who leave good comments, suggestions, and/or recipes.

Spiced Rice
2 c liquid (this can be: water, chicken or vegetable broth, plain/unsweetened soy, rice, almond, or coconut milk)
1 c rice (long or short grain; brown or Jasmine is best)
3/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/8 tsp Ground Ginger
1/8 tsp each Cumin and Turmeric (or 1/4 tsp mild powered curry blend)
pinch of Saffron threads (optional)

Options: Spices can be increased/decreased to personal taste. Cumin and Turmeric can be substituted with other spices such as Cardamom, Allspice, Corriander, Cayenne, Chili/Taco blend, or Five Spice. Common add-ins are 1/2 cup of: raisins, currants, dried cranberries, Goji berries, shredded carrots, baby peas, drained crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts. (Any of these can be added individually or your favorites mixed together for a more unique signature dish. If concerned about over cooking fruit/nuts simply add them right before serving.)

Put the 2 cups liquid in 3 qt. pan and bring to a boil. (Milk of any kind can burn on high/medium high, so stir if necessary.) As soon as liquid comes to a boil add rice, spices, and add-ins (if desired) & turn heat down to simmer. Cover and let simmer (without stirring) for about 35 - 40 minutes, or until rice is done. When done, stir to blend ingredients (if needed), then serve.

This dish goes well with any type of cuisine - American, Asian, Indian, Mexican, and even Greek & Italian*. Leftover Spiced Rice can be used as breakfast cereal, stuffed into baked squash, fried, added to meatloaf, made into fruit & rice salad, or rice pudding. It can also be cooled & drizzled with chocolate sauce or frozen to use another time, as it's great reheated. (*Substitute Greek or Italian spices for Cumin/Turmeric, add 2 cloves crushed garlic and 1/2 cup chopped olives.)

Note: Cinammon is a pungent and warming spice, therefore too much can affect certain sensitive individuals, including children. Areas usually involved are: the mouth, esophogus, stomach, intestinal tract, and liver. Besides using smaller amounts, it's generally suggested to drink dairy or vegetarian milk, rather than water, to soothe the burning/irritating sensation.


References: www.wikipedia.org, www.webmd.com, www.healthinfo.com, and www.nih.gov

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure any known or unknown disease.

All rights reserved. All blogs and photos on this site are copyrighted, and may not be stored, retrieved, copied, or sold in any form without express permission.


The information contained on this site is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure. Nor is it intended to replace the advice of your primary care provider. No liability is assumed by the owner of this site, the author, or editor for the use or misuse of the information contained herein.

Quirks

A little over two years ago I received a call from one of my sisters asking if I could help with our Mom. Her recent health issue wasn't critical, however, my sister couldn't shake a funny feeling she had about Mom.

While Mom had received good medical care, it was obvious she was different. One thing quickly flowed into another, and in September of this year she passed away.

Mom was intelligent, witty, artistic, loved nature, pickin' rocks, and had a great sense of humor. She was passionate about her flowers and birds and her yard overflowed with them. She had a 'travel bug' and had been all over the U.S., taken numerous trips to Canada, as well as toured Europe and Australia.

Her other "quirks", included being anxious; obsessive/compulsive; open, yet secretive, controlling, judgmental, co-dependant; and very fearful about her own death. Mom also had what she referred to as 'Scarlett O'Hara Syndrome' (I'll do it tomorrow) and great difficulty in letting go of things.

For whatever reasons, we've had members in every generation with mild to severe symptoms of these other denser quirks. Regardless of backgrounds or experiences, it's common during/after the passing of a close family member, to have a whole host of family and/or individual quirks show up. And it was common knowledge Mom had witnessed some doozies, as she used to say, especially those of her siblings when her parents passed.

Even though the doctors and Hospice had good information and were appropriately compassionate, my brother decided to Google certain things. He would then call with the highlights. This simple, yet liberating, act allowed us to openly talk about what was occurring with Mom, rather than repeat old family patterns.

Mom never wanted to "end up in the hospital or nursing home, have strangers taking care of her, or be alone at the end". As I sat next to her bed as she left her body, I was glad she was finally able to let go. I was also grateful she'd known she was in her own home and not alone. (She 'didn't want a houseful', so everyone else was nearby at my sisters.)

Afterward she was dressed in her late summer travel clothes. Her purse contained a replica passport and favorite sunglasses so she had all she needed for her final trip. And I know she would've laughed over the adventure that ensued in getting her to her destination in Oregon.

So, bless you Mom, and all your quirks. They made you the interesting person you were. Without your quirks we wouldn't have all these stories to tell...or the things in us that we can change or improve. So see, you do live forever.

Photo in this blog: one of my Mom's favorite Giant Red Amaryllis

Gratitude to:
my brother & sisters - for your unique variations of Mom's sense of humor
my sister-in-law - for all you did for Mom, plus your make up artistry
my daughter, other family & friends - for your love, support, prayers, cards, & etc.
Hospice of North Idaho - for your quick response and valuable support
Merv - for being Mom's best male friend
Anne - Mom's step Mom, for being her best female friend, defender, and confidant
Ewam - the garden of 1000 Buddhas, Arlee, Montana - for graciously accepting the numerous boxes of plants donated from Mom's personal garden, thereby allowing all the animals, birds, and visitors to enjoy her beloved flowers for years to come

Note: next blogs will be: IN YOUR CUPBOARD - GOOD FOR YOU

Maintaining Lymphatic Health

This photo is one I took of my good friend, Scott Carlson*, this past summer near Burlington, Iowa.



Scott is a phenomenal therapist, so we've had many health related conversations, including the Lymphatic System. And since it's close to spring detoxification time, I thought it would be good to write about this important subject.

While most people know about their Lymphatic System, here's a quick run through for those who don't, or want to know a bit more. Plus there's also some easy self help suggestions.

Glands, organs, and tissues involved: spleen, liver, bladder, kidneys, bone marrow, appendix, Peyers Patches in the large intestine, cysterna chyli, thymus, adenoids, tonsils, skin, and lots of lymphatic vessels, ducts, nodes & valves.

Associated meridians: Spleen, Liver, Large Intestine, Triple Warmers, Urinary Bladder, Kidney, Central, Governing, and Belt. (The Belt meridian is an "extraordinary one" that encircles the waist, from right to left, and works to facilitate the flow of energy from the lower to upper body.)

Little known item: the Lymphatic System is said to relate to allowing Divine Will (or whatever name you call the life force that animates matter on any level) to process things for us. The associated emotions are listed as joy and sorrow/grief.

Factoids: the Lymphatic System is connective tissue, drains towards mid abdomen, needs muscle movement to move properly through the body, filters as much blood as the liver, is slightly alkaline (ph 7.5), and plays a major role in immunity.

Many of the smaller, almost paper thin vessels, ducts, nodes, & valves cluster near, or around joints. Inactivity, continuous restriction/pressure, and/or chemistry imbalances can cause a whole host of symptoms. These can range from edema or lymphedema, to congestion, local or full body infections, and so on.

The Lymphatic System also plays a huge role in whether cancer metastasizes or not. If it isn't trapped & destroyed in lymph nodes ( especially under the arms), it can and does spread.

Things to help support the Lymphatic System: water (lymph fluid is mostly H2O), moderate exercise, proper rest, massage (especially Lymphatic Massage), Reiki** or other good energy work, a balanced diet, properly fitting clothing, skin brushing, and lymphatic pumping.

Supporting foods and herbs are: alkaline fruits, veggies, and grains (especially cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, etc., and millet, amaranth, & quinoa), pectin (found in apples & helps remove heavy toxins), fenugreek, sage, dandelion, marshmallow, and hibiscus.

Skin brushing is done with a natural bristle brush designed to exfoliate the skin & help remove toxins.*** It's done on dry skin, starting at the extremities (front, back & sides of the body) beginning with the feet & brush up the leg/s & towards the center of the torso, and ending at the mid abdomen. Then start with the hand/s, brush up the arm/s to shoulders. The chest is brushed from the breast bone towards the arm pits. The stomach and back are usually brushed in circles, from right to left.

Lymphatic pumping is a basically an armpit squeeze. One hand is placed with the thumb (tip towards top of shoulder) on the crease between the chest and arm. Place the fingertips (especially the middle fingertip) on the side of the chest, where a side seam would be. Simply squeeze the thumb & fingers towards each other several times.

This Lymphatic Pump can be done on one, or both armpits. However, it may be a ticklish or tender area, so remember to only use moderate pressure and not overdo. (Therapists can also do this on clients by using the fingertip pads of both hands & pumping towards the center of the armpit/axilla.)

* Scott Carlson can be found at: www.facebook.com (his profile pix is the awesome black knight & war horse)

** For a simple/anyone can do, yet effective REIKI treatment for the Lymphatic System, go to: www.ubereiki.com

*** skin brushes can be found in health food stores, online, spas & occasionally at discount stores & have an ergonomic handle for ease of use

Sources: www.wikipedia.org, www.emedicine.com, www.webmd.com, www.nih/nhl.gov, and www.howthingswork.com

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure any known or unknown disease.

All rights reserved. All blogs and photos on this site are copyrighted, and may not be stored, retrieved, copied, or sold in any form without express permission.


The information contained on this site is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure. Nor is it intended to replace the advice of your primary care provider. No liability is assumed by the owner of this site, the author, or editor for the use or misuse of the information contained herein.

Chemistry - Made easy for health & well being!

Oh no, not chemistry!! Didn't we learn in school how difficult and confusing this could be? Well, yes, however chemistry is so important to us, - especially for our health and well being. So with that in mind, here's some basics, plus suggestions on how to balance and harmonize our "chemistry".

Like all other things, I find an uncomplicated definition always helps, so here's what chemistry is basically defined as.

Chemistry - the study of not only the composition, properties, and structure of matter, but also the behavior of energy and matter on both the physical and unseen levels. (my italics)

Interesting factoids - chemistry, as a science, grew out of alchemy (Arabic meaning "value"). There's more types of chemistry than you can shake the proverbial stick at, including the chemistry of our body and energy. And most of us know about chemistry related to our blood, saliva, ph, and so on, as well as energy related to things like the sun, stars, or nuclear energy.

However, how many of us can say we know much about the behavior part of chemistry? Answer is, we all do. All chemicals (molecules/atoms) behave in certain ways - attract/repel, have electrical charges, & etc. This is one of the main reasons there is constant change in our body and/or subtle energy fields.

In my field (body/energy work, nutrition, etc.) many of my colleagues and I endeavor to balance the body and energy fields to help our clients feel better. However, there is little, if any, focus on specifically balancing and harmonizing the chemistry of the body or it's energetic systems.

I feel this is unfortunate, as even doctors know the importance of, and provide various treatments/medicines to balance our chemistry, especially when we're ill. However, I'm the kind of person who likes preventative and supportive things, so there is less of an opportunity for an imbalance to occur in the first place.

So this past year (and especially recently) I've been including various chemistry balancing techniques in my practice. This has included everything from certain massage techniques to Reiki.

We also hear and talk about our "chemistry" with another person, but how many can say the same about chemistry with money, job/work, or community? Again, I feel/think if we included balancing/harmonizing our chemistry with all aspects - physical, non physical, goals, and so on, our lives could be even that much more richer and fulfilling.

Much of our chemistry can be balanced simply by drinking enough water, eating a balanced diet, exercising moderately, proper rest, and doing focused affirmations*. And if you want to go further in depth with balancing your chemistry, try some of the Reiki self help suggestions.** (see below)

There's also the option of visiting a therapist or energy worker who knows how to work with the specific areas of the body/energy fields or assist with affirmations.

Just remember - good (balanced) chemistry equals good health and well being!

* focused affirmations are like those used in The Law of Attraction or The One Command. When done correctly, these types of affirmations work specifically with the subconscious and/or deeper states of brain waves, rather than the surface/hit or miss effects of regular affirmations.

** On my Reiki web site, www.uberreiki.com, I just posted a blog with 8 simple Reiki hand positions for harmonizing the blood chemistry, that anyone can do.

Sources: www.wikipedia.org, www.emedicine.com, www.webmd.com, www.nih/nhl.gov, and www.howthingswork.com

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure any known or unknown disease.

All rights reserved. All blogs and photos on this site are copyrighted, and may not be stored, retrieved, copied, or sold in any form without express permission.


The information contained on this site is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure. Nor is it intended to replace the advice of your primary care provider. No liability is assumed by the owner of this site, the author, or editor for the use or misuse of the information contained herein.

Colon Polyps - Colon Health, part 3

Colon polyps are, a most people know, small growths in the lining inside the large intestine. They've gained a lot of attention the last decade or so, due to their relation to colon cancer.

So exactly what is a polyp? As mentioned above, it's a small growth of tissue that can be smooth/flat, saw tooth, or even look like cauliflower. The most common types are hyperplastic (saw tooth) or adenomas (cauliflower looking). The third kind is referred to as polyosis syndrome (osis meaning condition of), or having certain other hereditory conditions that cause raised or flat polyps to occur, and/or become cancerous.

Any type of polyp can become cancerous, especially if the diet is high in certain types of fat (the so called bad fats) and low in fiber. Dehydration, alcoholism, eating disorders, prolonged bouts of constipation or diarrhea, diverticulitis, Chron's, or Celiac's also stress and/or interfer with the colon's ability to function properly. Chronic stress and inflammation are influences as well.

Currently age is considered the biggest factor regarding why polyps become cancerous, mainly due to dietary and life style influences. Research has shown that the risk increases after the age of 40, which is why it's recommended for middle aged adults and seniors to have regular colonoscopies.

Inherited factors do increase the liklihood of a polyp becoming cancerous, especially if you have a "first family member" (immediate relative like parents, siblings, aunt/uncle, etc.) that has had colon cancer. Race/nationality isn't really considered important, however African Americans are slightly more at risk than other groups.

Certain medications can both increase or slow the growth of polyps. (Check with your doctor or go online to find these). Research does indicate aspirin can slow the process of a pre-cancerous polyp from turning into cancer; however, it's not a recommended therapy/treatment, due to the side effects.

Unfortunately any signs or symptoms of having colon polyps usually are so insignificant that most people don't realize they have them until it's too late. Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, narrowing of stool, bowel obstructions, etc., can be attributed to many other things, and doesn't always mean a polyp has become cancerous.

However, if any of these signs or symptoms occur for over a week, or there is blood in the stool, anemia, or unusual abdominal pain, it's highly recommended to be examined. When the colonoscopy (light tube used to examine the inside of the colon) is performed, polyps can not only be looked at, they can also be removed. This can prove to not only be an overall healthy preventative measure, it can also save lives.

Self help things are, of course, being hydrated and eating a well balanced diet that includes plenty of fiber and cruciferous vegetables. (These are cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, etc. They support the immune system, and are natural anti-inflammatories.) Other natural immune boosters and anti- inflammatories are supplements like vitamins C and E, and bioflavinoids like Quercetin or Pycnogenol. Decompressing frequently also helps, as stress increases inflammation even in polyps.

Colon cancer is preventable, and very treatable. Proper medical check ups, a healthy balanced diet, and polyp removal are all very viable ways to protect our colon, and overal health and well being.

Sources: www.wikipedia.org, www.mayoclinic.com, www.emedicine.com, www.emedicine.medscape.com, www.gihealth.com and www.uptodate.com

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure any known or unknown disease.

All rights reserved. All blogs and photos on this site are copyrighted, and may not be stored, retrieved, copied, or sold in any form without express permission.


The information contained on this site is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, or cure. Nor is it intended to replace the advice of your primary care provider. No liability is assumed by the owner of this site, the author, or editor for the use or misuse of the information contained herein.