Immune System

Grounding or Earthing and How it can Help You

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earthing-groundingGrounding or Earthing is a technique that has been practiced traditionally by many cultures, and some even practice it today without recognizing the therapeutic value it has to offer.

Grounding/Earthing

In terms of electricity, grounding involves the connection of an electrical conductor to the earth. As humans, we can hold charges and so, can be considered an electrical conductor as well. With that being said, grounding ourselves, i.e. placing our bodies in direct contact with the earth, can be beneficial. Some individuals choose to expose their whole bodies to the earth, but the benefits of earthing can be seen with just placing one’s bare feet in contact with the earth. Some organizations have made various mechanisms to connect blankets and the individual with the earth via cords etc., but for those less inclined to technology, walking barefoot on the earth is sufficient.

Benefits of Grounding/Earthing

  • Increases white blood cells (factors that improve immune system functioning)
  • Decreases inflammation
  • Decreases pain
  • Decreases blood clotting
  • Decreases cardiovascular risk
  • Normalizes sleep and circadian rhythm
  • Decreases stress
  • Decreases tension
  • Increases relaxation
  • Improves mood and sleep quality
  • Decreases blood sugar

How much is enough

The benefits of earthing can be seen in just as little as 30 minutes of barefoot walking. However, any time spent out in nature can be beneficial. For more information on what the health benefits of simply being in nature, please see my previous blog: https://www.plattsvilledoctor.ca/nature-cure-health-benefits-of-nature/

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

References

http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?paperID=58836

http://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2016/undergraduate/15/

http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2011.0820

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/James_Oschman/publication/274644091_The_effects_of_grounding_earthing_on_inflammation_the_immune_response_wound_healing_and_prevention_and_treatment_of_chronic_inflammatory_and_autoimmune_diseases/links/555b14d708ae6fd2d8286cd1.pdf

 

Laugh Out Loud: Health Benefits of Laughing

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Any blog on laughter would be incomplete without the repeating the phrase “laughter is the best medicine”. This statement actually does have some truth to it – both short term and long term. Laughter and laughing is defined as the noise made when one expresses amusement at something. This expression of amusement can impact not only mental health, but physical health as well. The short term benefits of laughter include the following:

  • Muscle relaxation (that can last up to 45 minutes)
  • Improved circulation (benefitting organ function)
  • Increased oxygen consumption (which may aid with conditions of the lung)
  • Decreased anxiety during an anticipatory period (e.g. Before an exam)
  • Lightened mood

The long – term benefits of laughter include:

  • Decreased blood pressure overall
  • Decreased production of the stress hormone cortisol
  • Improved immune function through increased production of natural killer cells, antibodies, interferon, and T cells (can kill tumor cells, bacteria, and viruses).
  • Increased pain tolerance due to increased production of endorphins
  • Improved mood and decreased depression
  • Improved coping in stressful situations

How much laughter will help? 

The research varies in how much laughter is necessary to achieve results. Some research has shown that 10 minutes of laughing can cause 2 hours of pain free sleep. However, other research studies have shown that it was following an hour and a half comedy that benefits were achieved. The ultimate answer is that there is not a definitive amount of time of laughing that will aid with overall health. Keeping a light heart and laughing when possible is what seems to be the best advice that can be given with the research at hand.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

References:

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2008/904752/abs/

http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2001-01085-003

http://www.cfp.ca/content/55/10/965.short#sec-2

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rod_Martin/publication/254080902_Is_Laughter_the_Best_Medicine_Humor_Laughter_and_Physical_Health/links/5460f5530cf295b56163825f.pdf

http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=nurs_fac_pub

http://users.skynet.be/bs939021/artikels/humor%20laughter%20physical%20health.pdf

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456

Naturopathic Tips for Travel

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P1010249Travelling abroad can take its toll on the body, and provide many opportunities for exposure to diverse bacteria and environments. As a result, it may be beneficial to prepare your body for the potential shock and harm that it could come into contact with. Some of these areas are important to focus on when planning for a trip. In addition, as always not everything recommended below is beneficial for everyone, so please contact your naturopathic doctor or health care provider to determine a plan that is best for you.

Prime Your Digestive System

With travelling to different countries, many are exposed to a variety of different foods and as I mentioned bacteria. If your digestive system is not prepared, this can leave you experiencing such symptoms as diarrhea or constipation. These symptoms could even be compounded by even worse scenarios including parasitic infections or bacterial infections. In order to prevent these symptoms and prepare for exposure to different items, several steps can be taken to boost your digestive immune system. Probiotics taken for about one month leading up to a trip can help with prevention of traveller’s diarrhea. In addition, such hydrotherapy techniques such as castor oil packs can help prime the digestive system by helping to produce more white blood cells to prevent infection.

Boost Your Immune System

By boosting your immune system prior to a trip, one can potentially prevent infections as well as fight infections more efficiently. Some ways that one can boost their immune system prior to a trip include taking a multi-vitamin, vitamin C, juicing, or even fasting prior to the trip. In addition, the probiotic that was mentioned above may also help to boost one’s immune system.

Ground Yourself

When flying, it can cause a negative impact on our body leaving us feeling a bit unbalanced. By grounding oneself following a flight, it may help individuals to better adjust and adapt to being back on the ground. There are many different ways that one can ground themselves, some of which may be easier to do than others. Grounding techniques can include laying on the ground as soon as possible for about 20 minutes, meditation, or washing your hands in running water. The last technique may seem unusual, but there is research suggesting that because water is connected to the earth, it can be a great way to ground yourself.

Reset Your Internal Clock

Travelling between time zones can take its toll and cause jet lag. For some, the adjustment can take as long as the trip itself, by which point you may have to endure the jetlag again. Ways to combat this include grounding techniques mentioned above, as well as melatonin. Melatonin is a natural component found in the body that regulates our sleep and wake cycles. In other words, melatonin can aid with sleep and thus help with the adjustment to new sleep times.

Preparing at Work and Home Before

Stress can result from the work that piles up at home and work while one is away. By making lists for when you get back, it can help regain focus on what needs to be accomplished after arriving home from a trip. Technology has also made it easier to prepare in such ways as automatic billing. This may cause more distress for some, and so it is important to prepare in a way that will most benefit you and decrease your stress burden.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

West Nile Virus – What You Need to Know

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Mosquito Sucking BloodUnfortunately, West Nile Virus is a concern in Ontario, and, as such, you should be aware of what you are up against.

Background Information

West Nile Virus is transmitted by Mosquitos. Not all mosquitos carry West Nile Virus, but they are the vector by which this condition is transmitted to humans. As a result, the Public Health Agency keeps weekly reports on how many cases of human disease exist for the week during the current summer. As of July 11, 2015, there have been no reported diseases in humans in Ontario for the summer. I would hope that this information would bring some relief to most.

Signs and Symptoms

Majority of people infected by West Nile Virus, 80%, do not develop any symptoms. The problem arises in the other 20% of people who do have some symptoms. These symptoms tend to be quite mild and mimic that of influenza. The symptoms include headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. However, the individual normally recovers completely, but may experience fatigue and weakness for weeks or months after. Unfortunately, some individuals, under 1%, are not so fortunate and may develop more serious symptoms, which include inflammation of the brain. This inflammation in the brain (also known as meningitis or encephalitis) can cause tremors, seizures, paralysis, and disorientation. Most of the individuals who are impacted by the more serious complications will recover within weeks to months. However, 10% of those impacted with serious symptoms (the under 1% who contract West Nile Virus), may die from the complications. Individuals who are more susceptible to these more serious consequences include those over 60 years old; and persons with cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and organ transplants. Many of these conditions are conditions where one’s immune system are compromised.

What can you do to minimize risk?

In order to minimize risk, it is important to first diminish risk. In order to decrease the risk of being bit by a mosquito carrying West Nile Virus, one should use mosquito repellent (whatever form that may take) and keep covered in light coloured clothing. In addition, in order to diminish risk, it is important to improve the immune system health and maintain good health overall. In addition, if there are any stagnant pools of water on your property, it would be beneficial to empty them. For more information on how to boost your immune system to prevent illness, please consult your Naturopathic Doctor for more information.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Elisha Cook via the contact portion of this website.

Source: CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Public Health Ontario