Mental Health Archives - Page 6 of 8 - Plattsville Natural Health Clinic

Health Benefits of Tea Consumption

February 23, 2016 by elisha

For centuries people have been drinking tea, both socially and medicinally. Formal research is somewhat limited in this area, but the traditional uses and case studies have encouraged this trend of tea drinking to be passed down throughout the years. In my opinion, the health benefits that can be acquired from tea are more than just from the herb that is used. Medicinal properties can extend from the time spent consuming tea with a friend, or even the act of preparing a cup of tea. In my opinion, the act of making a medicinal tea for one’s ailments could have a great placebo effect in itself, not to mention the health benefits that you would get from the tea.

Much of the research regarding tea consumption and health benefits looks at green or black tea. However, some of the findings below relate to tea consumption as a practice and not necessarily a specific type of tea.

Bone Health

Research has shown that among daily tea consumers, bone density was 2.8% thicker than those individuals who did not drink tea on a daily basis. In addition, the tea drinkers experienced far less bone loss than compared to the non-tea drinkers (1% versus 4% respectively).

Brain Health

Not only has tea been shown to impact cognition, but mood as well. Researcher found that individuals who consumed tea on a regular basis (i.e. daily), were less likely to be depressed. In regards to cognition and risk of dementia, individuals who consumed tea daily were at a decreased risk of cognitive decline or impairment. In addition, regular tea consumers have been shown to have a faster reaction time than those who did not consume tea regularly.

Cancer Prevention

Some research has shown that daily consumption of tea can decrease the risk of and protect against various forms of cancer, including colon, esophageal, and lung cancer.

Heart Health

The antioxidant capacity of tea makes it quite beneficial for heart health. Specifically, research has shown that those individuals who drank tea on a regular basis had lower blood pressure than those who did not. The more tea that individuals drank, the less likely they were to have high blood pressure. This effect was noted in green tea or oolong consumption. In addition, regular consumption of green or black tea has been shown to decrease risk of cardiovascular disease.

Other

In addition to the health benefits mentioned above, daily tea consumption has been shown to potentially protect against bacterial infections, dental cavities, and kidney stones. Tea may also present a positive benefit on decreasing body weight and body fat overall. In addition, tea consumption was suggested to decrease the risk of developing type II diabetes when consumed at 3-4 cups per day.

As some of you may know, I do offer organic, custom teas to my patients as a therapeutic tool to promote healing. If you are interested in having a custom made tea suited to your individual needs, consider booking an appointment with me to help you address your health goals.

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://nutritionreviews.oxfordjournals.org/content/58/1/1.abstract

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/86/4/1243.short

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=217219

http://www.ajol.info/index.php/tjpr/article/view/14660

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0098299710000737

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10654-005-0148-2#page-1

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/88/1/224.short

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=485133

Vitamin D

February 2, 2016 by elisha

Much media and research is spent exploring and shedding light on vitamin D. Recently I have engaged in several discussions about vitamin D, and have had requests to bring more information to light about it and its role in our health.

Sources and absorption of vitamin D

To begin with, it is important to explore how vitamin D is received, used, and processed by the body. There are not many food sources of vitamin D aside from fortified foods (meaning certain foods have vitamin d added to them in their processing and manufacturing). Additional food sources include oily fish, such as salmon or sardines, and cod liver oil. These foods are not adequate sources of vitamin D, but absorption of vitamin D from them can be enhanced through the presence of bile or fat in the intestinal tract. The ultimate source of vitamin D is from sunlight. The type of ray that is required to make vitamin D is UVB rays. This type of ray causes us to be more prone to burns, and so, it is important to have not just UVB light but UVA rays as well. Some individuals choose to obtain vitamin D from tanning beds. Though tanning beds do provide an equivalent vitamin D source, it is important to consider the risks and inquire as to whether or not the tanning bed has UVA combined with UVB rays. The World Health Organization does advice against the use of tanning beds, so please keep this in mind. For more information on the health benefits of sun exposure, refer to this previous blog: https://www.plattsvilledoctor.ca/health-benefits-of-sun-exposure/.

Once the vitamin d is absorbed, it goes to the liver, and then the kidney, where it is converted into an active form. If an individual’s liver or kidney are not functioning up to par, this can alter our ability to make use of vitamin D. This active form is more commonly known as D3.

Conditions aided from vitamin D

Vitamin d is used in the body to influence cell growth, cell differentiation, insulin secretion, and calcium absorption (vitamin K helps with directing this calcium to your bones though). What this translates to is that vitamin d can be beneficial for decreasing tumor growth and tumor metastasis. In addition, vitamin D may be useful for the following conditions:

Autoimmune disease
Back pain
Burns
Cancer
Colds and flus
Congestive heart failure
Diabetes
Depression
Fatigue
Hearing loss
Infections
Muscle pain
Osteomalacia
Osteoporosis
Paget’s disease
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Rickets
Seasonal affective disorder

Though these conditions may benefit from vitamin D, it is best to consult with your health care provider before self – prescribing due to the potential for interaction with any supplements or medication that you may be taking.

Dose of vitamin D

The dose of vitamin D recommended really depends on each individual circumstance. For example, if someone is on certain medication or has a particular medical condition, they may require more vitamin D than another person. In order to attain the most vitamin D from the sun as possible, research has shown that exposure of 5% of your skin (i.e. hands, face and possibly your lower arm) for 15minutes, 3 times a week for 12 weeks to the sun, is equivalent to oral administration of 400iu/day of vitamin D. The greater the skins exposure to the sun the greater the amount of vitamin D that is absorbed. Ultimately, the best dose of vitamin D for you is best discussed with your health care provider.

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.

Laugh Out Loud: Health Benefits of Laughing

January 26, 2016 by elisha

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.

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

Forgiveness and Health

November 11, 2015November 10, 2015 by elisha

Mental health is a huge area of concern and public interest in recent decades. In particular, there has been much research into the effect our attitudes can have on our health. Forgiveness is one of those attitudes that can greatly affect our health in the moment and later on in life. This does not only include forgiveness of others but also includes forgiveness of ourselves. I would challenge you to explore your own thoughts and see if there are any areas of your life where you notice patterns of un-forgiveness. I do recognize that this is not an easy or comfortable process, but I challenge you to consider it and if you feel led to act to remedy the un-forgiveness, then do so for the benefit of your health.

Signs of Un-forgiveness

These may be some useful questions to ask yourself when reflecting on a particularly harmful situation or event that has transpired against you. For more information on un-forgiveness please see the source below from which this questionnaire was retrieved.

When you think of that person, does your heart leap up with love and joy for him?
Do you desire to have fellowship with them or do you try to avoid them?
Do you have no blame or condemnation of them or for them?
Do you say or feel in your heart: “I forgive them, but I don’t have to like them”?
Do you still make up speeches of what you are going to say to them, or what you should have said to them?
Do you still think that they should hurt or should pay for what they have done to you?
Do you still think of ways to get even with them?
Do you sometimes think hard thoughts and have to repent, only to think those hard thoughts again and have to repent, over and over?
Do you have strong emotional reactions when you think of or see the person who hurt you?
Can you sincerely pray for this person and bless them, sincerely desiring to see them blessed?
Can you, and do you honestly rejoice when good things happen for the person who wounded you?

Source: http://www.thhmi.org/Transformation_and_Sanctification/Symptoms_of_Unforgiveness/

Health Benefits of Forgiveness

Decreased stress
Improved mood
Positive attitude
Improved conflict management
Improved sleep quality
Decreased heart rate
Decreased pain
Improved overall health
Improved life satisfaction

Practical Ways to Incorporate Forgiveness

It is important to understand that a lot of these exercises will not work if there is not a direct intention behind them. If these are done just for the sake of doing them, it is similar to not having done them at all. It is important to be mindful and have a direct intention to forgive and be well when practicing these exercises. In addition, a lot of these exercises are not easy and they can even hurt when you do them. Embrace the discomfort, but remember to work within what is safe for you. If it is not wise to confront someone about the hurt, for example, do not do so. I also encourage individuals that sometimes you have to “fake it until you make it”. What I mean by this is that in some cases you try to forgive someone, but deep down inside you know you can’t. It may then be helpful to start speaking that you forgive them until you feel you are ready to forgive. It may also be important to seek more help on this issue from a spiritual leader, counsellor, psychologist, etc.

Forgive quickly. When someone wrongs you, as hard as it might be, attempt to forgive quickly. This will prevent any bitterness, anger, or negative thoughts from setting in.
Confront the person who has done you wrong and express forgiveness. Please note that this may not be safe or wise in all situations.
Write down “I forgive _______” on a piece of paper.
Do something kind for the person who hurt you.
Speak out loud “I forgive myself. I am not mistakes”, or “I forgive _____. They are not their mistakes.”
Pray for help to forgive.
Consider the perspective of the other individual and attempt to empathize with them. Literally getting up and switching to a different seat may be helpful.

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:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09638280903166360?journalCode=idre20

http://pss.sagepub.com/content/12/2/117.short

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10865-005-3665-2