Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Orange Juice Acids Harm Teeth

A study in the Journal of Dentistry confirms that orange juice can soften tooth enamel. The researchers soaked molars in juice and discovered that enamel surface hardness was decreased by 84%. Soft enamel is more prone to cavities. Sip your juice through a straw, or rinse with water after drinking OJ.

At AcuSpa Wellness, we also carry supplements such as easy to absorb vitamins & minerals. Visit us at www. AcuSpaWellness.com

Source: Women's Fitness Nov 2009, pg. 30

Monday, December 28, 2009

Eating Healthily & Moderately Exercising Benefits the Mind

Researchers at the University of Toronto finished a study and it supports the idea that eating healthy foods, along with moderate exercise, correlates with better brain function. Women that exercised moderately an average of 3 hours and 20 minutes a week had better memory and could multi-task better than those that were more sedentary. The study also showed that moderate activity may be preferable to strenuous activity when it comes to exercise.

Full article can be found here: http://www.prohealthcare.org/wellness/health-news/diet-weightloss/healthy-diet-exercise-keeps-mind-sharp-as-you-age.aspx

If you need some more motivation to exercise, why not try acupuncture? Visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more information.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Hand sanitizers can dry out nails

The alcohol that is the main ingredient in most hand sanitizers has a drying effect on both skin and nails. A dryer nail means that it is less able to flex without breaking. Use of Triclosan based sanitizers can lead to new strains of bacteria, so it's not necessarily preferable. Use hand sanitizer when necessary, but also remember to keep hands away from your face & its openings, which let germs invade.

Better yet, use acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine for a natural way to boost your immune system. It's impossible to completely avoid exposure to germs! Visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more info

Thursday, December 17, 2009

High Blood Pressure Linked to High Fructose Consumption

High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener used in many processed foods. Making a habit of checking the ingredients in the the foods that you eat is a great way to monitor your fructose consumption. This sweetener has been found to cause many possible undesirable side effects, and now we can add high blood pressure to that list. The study authors concluded that "These results indicate that high fructose intake in the form of added sugars is significantly and independently associated with higher blood pressure levels in the US adult population with no previous history of hypertension."

I'd suggest lowering your overall consumption of sweets. Many Americans have a sweet tooth that needs to be tamed. Don't let your sweet tooth run your life! Get help with Traditional Chinese medicine. We can use herbal medicine to raise your energy and lower your cravings naturally. Acupuncture can be added to help with cravings and strengthen digestion. Weak digestion is often at the root of a sweet tooth. Visit www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more information, which can be found on the Conditions, Weight Loss tab.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

What does GMO mean?

GMO stands for genetically modified organism. GMO produce can be found commonly in the US. However, processed foods such as cereals, crackers, and more can also be made from genetically modified organisms, and do not need to be labeled as such in the US. Foods that are GMO do not need to go through any special testing in the US, so it may be smart to avoid them when possible. Choosing organic foods can help to minimize consumption of GMO.

Warming foods to help cold weather pains

In the cold of wintertime, some people find that their bodies react with pain. Very often, this is due to what Western doctors diagnose as arthritis. Or, there may have been an injury at the site in the patient's past. In Chinese Medicine theory, however, we believe that patients are susceptible to cold when they are lacking in warm energy. Just like when the weather is cold outside, you turn up the heat in your car, your body works a little harder to keep warm. In a body where there is not enough warm energy to draw from, this can lead to cold sensitivity and/or body pains.

What can you do about this? While bodies that react with pain will probably benefit best from Chinese herbal medicine (because the condition is more serious), those that are a little more cold sensitive can try to warm themselves from the inside out by eating foods that are warm in nature. Chinese theories hold that each food has it's own hot/cold property. For example, mint tea is considered a cooling food, while turmeric is considered warming. Incorporating foods that are of a warming nature more often into the diet, including lamb, onion and ginger can help a person to be more cold tolerant.

However, it's important to keep balance in mind! It's possible to over-warm your stomach while still being cold sensitive in other parts of the body. And of course, you should consult your physician before embarking on a new diet.

Chinese Herbal medicine operates along the same principles. However, we are able to warm the body more strongly because herbs are chosen for their potency. Being monitored by a primary care provider also ensures that your body stays in overall balance throughout the process. More info on Herbal medicine is available at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Durable Fruits to Stash as Snacks

Need a healthy snack for work? These fruits don't require refrigeration and will last quite awhile in your drawer at work...

Apples
Bananas
Pears
Oranges
Kiwi
Peaches

Or veggies as well...

Grape Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes
Avocados
Sugar Snap Peas
Peppers

Happy Snacking!

Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal medicine can be used to facilitate weight loss! More info at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Reference: Women's Health Magazine, Nov 2009, pg. 28

What is gluten free?

Gluten-free diets are becoming a buzz word lately. Bluten is a protein found in many foods, most commonly wheat. Many people are sensitive to gluten, and eating it can cause them symptoms like gas, bloating, and fullness in the abdomen. However, since gluten is in may processed foods, it can be difficult to follow a gluten free diet. People on a gluten-free diet may find they need to shop the gluten-free section of their grocery store for things like sauces and seasonings.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Breast Feeding prevents Breast Cancer

A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed this theory to be true. In women with a family history of breast cancer, those that had breast fed had a 59% less likely chance of developing breast cancer. The benefit seemed to apply when the breast feeding had occurred anywhere in the range of between 3 months to over three years. It also didn't matter if the mothers supplemented with formula or other food.

At AcuSpaWellness, we do see women who are recovering from cancer treatment. We can help with with acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, or both! More info at www.AcuSpaWellness.com

Refernce: Women's Health Magazine, Nov 2009, pg. 26