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Your Health this Summer
In
Oriental medicine, summer is symbolic of maximum activity or greatest yang,
which means that it is a time of heat, outgoingness, and moving outward in
nature and in our lives. This is the season to nourish and pacify our
spirits while maximizing our potential as we find joy in the hot summer
days and warm summer nights.
Summer is ruled by the fire element. The fire element corresponds to the
heart and small intestine, the southerly direction, the climatic condition
of heat, the color red, the emotion of happiness or joy, the sound of
laughter, the taste of bitterness and the odor of burning. Fire controls
the blood vessels and is reflected in the face and complexion.
Signs that the fire element is in balance include a strong and healthy
heart, a calm mind and the ability to sleep soundly. When the fire element
is imbalanced, we may either lack joy (depression) or have an excess of joy
(mania). Indicators of an imbalance in the fire element also include
agitation, nervousness, heartburn, and insomnia.
This is a great time to schedule your acupuncture summer tune up! Call
for more information.
Mango and Peach Salsa
An
easy and healthy peach and mango salsa recipe. The delicate flavors of
mangos and peaches combine with onions and garlic in this sweet-and-savory
salsa recipe. Try it with chips for a light snack on a hot summer night, or
add to a vegetable burrito for an unusual twist.
INGREDIENTS:
2 mangos, peeled and chopped
2 fresh peaches, peeled and chopped
1 sweet onion, diced
1 medium tomato, diced (optional)
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
dash salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. If you have a food processor, you can
process all the ingredients in chunks, rather than dicing and chopping.
Chill for at least one hour, to allow flavors to combine, and stir well
before serving.
Serve chilled and enjoy!
Benefits of Acupuncture in Cancer Care
On
Sunday June 6th, cancer survivors celebrated the 23rd annual National
Cancer Survivors Day, sponsored by the National Cancer Survivors Day
Foundation. The event, which includes hundreds of gatherings across the US,
is a time to celebrate life. Here are some ways that acupuncture can help
while being treated for and recovering from cancer.
Cancer treatments are aggressive and cause numerous unwanted side effects
as well as a lowered immune system. Acupuncture is an excellent adjunctive
therapy in cancer treatments because of its ability to relieve pain, reduce
side effects, accelerate recovery and improve quality of life.
What Acupuncture is used for during Cancer Treatment
Acupuncture provides a total approach to health care for people with
cancer. It can be used to address many of the concerns that come up during
and after chemotherapy, radiation, biological therapy and surgery.
According to the National Cancer Institute, acupuncture may cause physical
responses in nerve cells, the pituitary gland, and parts of the brain.
These responses can cause the body to release proteins, hormones, and brain
chemicals that control a number of body functions. It is proposed that, by
these actions, acupuncture affects blood pressure and body temperature,
boosts immune system activity, and causes the body's natural painkillers,
such as endorphins, to be released.
Areas that acupuncture has shown the most promise include:
· Nausea and Vomiting
· Dry Mouth, Night Sweats and Hot Flashes
· Stress, Anxiety and Fatigue
· Pain Management
· Increasing White Blood Cell Count
To learn more about how acupuncture can safely and effectively be
incorporated into care for people with cancer, please call for a
consultation today.
Source: National Cancer Institute. www.cancer.org
Chemo-Induced Nausea Study
Effect
of Acupuncture on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
According to the National Cancer Institute, of all the investigated effects
of acupuncture on cancer-related or chemotherapy-related symptoms and
disorders, the positive effect of acupuncture on chemotherapy-induced
nausea and vomiting is the most convincing.
Numerous studies have consistently shown acupuncture to be effective in the
treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting as well as as
postoperative and morning sickness nausea and vomiting.
A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial investigated the effect of
electro-acupuncture on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in 104
patients with breast cancer who were undergoing a highly emetogenic (causes
vomiting) chemotherapy regimen. The patients were randomly assigned to
receive low-frequency electro-acupuncture at classic acupuncture points for
nausea and vomiting once daily for 5 days, minimal needling at control
points with mock electro-acupuncture on the same schedule, or no adjunct
needling. All patients received concurrent antiemetic drugs
(prochlorperazine, lorazepam, and diphenhydramine) and high-dose
chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and carmustine).
The main outcome measures were the total number of emesis (vomiting)
episodes and the proportion of emesis-free days occurring during the 5-day
study period. The data revealed significantly fewer emesis episodes in the
electro-acupuncture treatment group compared with those in the minimal
needling and drug-only control groups.
Source: Shen J, Wenger N, Glaspy J, et al.: Electroacupuncture for
control of myeloablative chemotherapy-induced emesis: A randomized
controlled trial. JAMA 284 (21): 2755-61, 2000.
Tai Chi & Qi gong workshop
Jiling Hu, L.Ac., O.M.D. is a Acupuncturist and Chinese
medicine practitioner who specializes in women's health and Endocrinology.
She has been practicing Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture for over 22 years.
During her own medical training she learned the value of practicing the
energy movement arts. Now she not only treats patients with her medical
expertise, but empowers them to achieve and maintain thriving good health
by teaching Taiji and Qigong.
Please Check our website at: www:mind-bodyacupuncture.com for update
workshop information
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In This Issue
·
Your Health this Summer
·
Mango and Peach Salsa
·
Benefits of Acupuncture in Cancer Care
·
Chemo-Induced Nausea Study
·
Cancer Prevention in Every Aisle
Cancer Prevention in Every Aisle
Nearly
everything in the produce aisle can help you prevent cancer, but there are
items throughout the supermarket that can protect your health and the
health of your family.
Produce Aisle Picks
Cantaloupe - a great source of carotenoids, plant chemicals that act
as antioxidants shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer.
Kale and cabbage - cruciferous vegetables are widely considered to
be one of the healthiest food choices you can make. Included in this family
of vegetables are broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, brussels sprouts, kale,
cabbage and bok choy. Cruciferous vegetables are high in vitamins, fiber,
and potent anti-cancer phytochemicals.
According to the American Institute for Cancer, there is solid evidence
that links cruciferous vegetables and protection against cancer. Studies
have shown that this vegetable group has the ability to stop the growth of
cancer cells for tumors in the breast, uterine lining, lung, colon, liver,
and cervix. And studies that track the diets of people over time have found
that diets high in cruciferous vegetables are linked to lower rates of
prostate cancer.
It is recommended that we eat 3-5 servings of cruciferous vegetables per
week. It's best to eat these veggies raw or only lightly steamed so they
retain their cancer fighting phytochemicals.
Freezer Aisle Pick
Edamame (soybeans) - These cancer-fighting beans contain
phytoestrogens, that may help prevent estrogen-driven cancers by binding to
estrogen receptors. They are also good for the men of the household since
evidence suggests the isoflavones found in soy products may help fight
prostate cancer.
Cereal Aisle Pick
Whole Grain Oats - Oats have the highest proportion of soluble fiber of any
grain. Fiber is rich in antioxidants, helps fight colon cancer and phenolic
compounds in whole grains my help reduce the risk of certain GI cancers.
Pick cereals high in folate, fiber and/or flaxseed.
Beverage Aisle Picks
Orange juice - this favorite breakfast beverage is a powerful source
of folate which has been linked to lowered risk for GI and pancreatic
cancer.
Green tea - green tea is lower in caffeine than coffee and can help
prevent prostate cancer and possibly bladder cancer.
Pomegranate juice - this juice is extremely antioxidant-rich and
helps prevent colon and prostate cancer.
Soy milk - also made from soy beans, soy milk works the same way as
edamame to fight cancer.
Household Aisle Picks
Sunscreen – summer is starting, so lather on the SPF each and every
time you go out in the sun to block exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Mop or damp cloth - it's important to get rid of dust without
spreading it around your home. Recent evidence has shown that dust can
contain carcinogens that are known to cause cancer.
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