How to lower 'bad' cholesterol naturally

It is a fact that high levels of LDL cholesterol can be responsible for arteriosclerosis which often leads to heart attacks and strokes.
For many, the only solution seems to be taking "Statins". However, those have a number of serious side effects, such as nausea, diarrhoea, vitamin deficiencies, flatulence, increased risk of bleeding, inability to produce blood, excema, joint and back pain, impotence, impaired vision, inflammation of liver and pancreas, muscle damage etc etc.
The Society for Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics in Bad Aachen/Germany has issued a statement that certain food can lower bad cholesterol substantially.

- Plantago ovata (dietary fibre, psyllium) absorbs cholesterol in the intestinal tract and helps to dispose of it in a "natural" way.
- Oat bran - boosts the production of bile in the liver, which forces the organism to use up LDL cholesterol.
- Inulin is a natural dietary fibre to lower cholesterol and has a similiar effect as oat bran. It can be found in chicoree, onions, garlic, asparagus, artichokes and topinambur. If you suffer from a coagulation disorder (increased tendency for bleeding), stay clear of garlic!

- Further beneficial food are apples, olive oil, nuts (walnuts have the most benefits when it comes to lowering bad cholesterol), celeriac, soya products.
- There are some supplements you might want to try: Niacin (Vit B3) - 1.5 mg per day. Vitamin C - 200 to 500 mg per day together with Vitamin E (70 to 140 mg per day.



Moreoever, half an hour exercise a day - going for a walk, power walking, swimming, gardening and cycling can boost the cholesterol-lowering effects of your new diet even more.


If you have been prescribed Statins and want to come off them, please don't do this without consulting your GP!

First Aid for the Feast

Indulging over Christmas is a must! But suffering is not... Milk Thistle is a fantastic protection for the liver. So, before you enjoy your festive tipple, take milk thistle (e.g. Milk Thistle Complex by Dr. Vogel). This can help to avoid the dreaded hangover the next day.
The homoeopathic remedy Nux Vomica can help with the aftermath of over-eating. Bloatedness, heart burn and indigestion can be avoided when Nux Vom is taken before a big meal.

Have a wonderful Christmas! Ho Ho Ho

An Advent Poem

"Sentimental moments are part of Advent,
when we wish, remember, yearn;
but look - the lights of Advent,
they always shine,
as we all can light a candle
anytime"
(from the Seelenfarben Advent Calender)

Thought for the Day

"Look to this day, for it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course lie all the realities of existence.
The joy of growth,
The splendour of action,
The glory of power.
For yesterday is but a memory,
And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today well lived makes every yesterday a memory of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day."
(Sanskrit poem)

Stressed about Christmas?

Irisflora Essence "Frauenschuh" (lady's slipper orchid, cypripedium calceolus) - This essence is a balm for the nerves of all those who are exposed to excessive stress - be it at work, or within the family. Children, too, are nowadays often stressed by stimulus satiation and the high demands at school. This esse...nce can give us inner balance and eases stress-related ailments such as sleeping problems, muscle tension and headaches.

Irisflora Essence "Loewenzahn" (dandelion, taraxacum officinalis) - This essence can help to get rid of tensions on a physical as well as an emotional level: muscles will relax, stress will lessen; overambitious types will learn to let go for once and to concentrate on their emotional needs, instead of constantly... submit themselves to pursuit of success. Besides, this essence can be used as "rescue drops".

Yggdrasil Flower Essence "Echte Kamille" (chamomile, matricaria chamomilla) - This essence supports and enhances our self-healing powers, whenever we are exposed to major emotional stress, strains and injuries and have the feeling that we cannot cope anymore. Whenever we need rest, seclusion and inner strength to... recover emotionally and to regain balance - this essence made from chamomile flowers is the right choice.

Flower Essence "Rescue Remedy" - Bach Flower Remedy - This first aid remedy for states of shock, accidents, injuries and crises of all kinds is a mixture of the following essences: Star of Bethlehem for shock, Clematis for fainting, Rock Rose for panic, Impatiens for stress and inner tension and Che...rry Plum to help keeping control over oneself. It can be given to patients to bridge the time until the doctor or ambulance arrives. It can be given orally or - in case the patient is unconscious - it can be applied on the temples or wrists. Moreover, it also can help over the little moments of shock in everyday life - e.g. a quarrel, a stressful situation, a visit to the dentist or a test. The Rescue drops have a quicker effect than the other Bach Flower Remedies. There is also a Rescue Cream which helps with smaller injuries, eczema, insect bites and sunburn.

 

 

 

 

Auricular Acupuncture Conference 2010 at Regent's Park College London

We had a great time and met lots of lovely new friends and colleagues at the annual Auricular Acupuncture Conference at the Regent's Park College yesterday. Thanks to Pauline, Siwan and Jonathan for inviting me, and to my new friends Angelika and Kia for having fun :)

From the Secret Daily Teachings

"Every day, or at the very least once or twice a week, take a few minutes and focus on seeing yourself in joy. Feel yourself in joy. Imagine only joy ahead in your life and see yourself basking in it. As you do this the Universe will move all people, circumstances, and events to bring you that joy. You can't be in joy if you have money worries, or health worries, or relationship problems with friends or family. So deposit some joy in the bank of the Universe as often as you can. There isn't an investment that is more worthwhile." Rhonda Byrne

Gentle Help With Fears

Mimulus (Mimulus guttatus) - Bach Flower Remedy - people who benefit from this essence are afraid of something in particular... fear of flying, the dentist, spiders, insects or dogs. It is for the overcautious type who is not taking any risks. Very often, they are shy and afraid of... people - they prefer to stay in the background. Moreover, people who benefit from Mimulus are prone to hypersensitivity, e.g. loud noise, cold, bright light, crowds or certain foods. Because of their increased sensitivity, they often find it difficult to stand their ground. Very often, there is a tendency to nervousness or illness - especially when they feel under pressure or have to face a situation they are afraid of. In these situations, they tend to react with illness, colds, migraines, nervous stomach or heart problems. And when they are ill, these patients are of a very anxious disposition who prefer to stay in bed with the slightest symptom, just in case.

It is the season for parties and.... fireworks. Especially our pets can suffer terribly with all the noise and loud bangs. Depending on the size of the pet, add 2 to 5 drops of Mimulus to their water bowl each day. After a week you are very likely to see a difference - your Snuggletiger or Poochie is far more relaxed when all hell breaks lose outside...

 

Advice for Acne Sufferers

If you suffer from acne, stay clear of dairy protein and food with a high glycaemic index. Especially during the long cold winter months, we tend to nibble on "comfort food", such as cakes, chocolates and other sweeties. However, those have a high glycaemic index which can make existing acne even worse. Honey and sweetened fruit yoghurt should also be avoided, for the same reason, Whereas animal protein, like chicken, beef, lamb as well as plant protein (soya) don't seem to have a negative impact on acne.
It is also very important to make sure that the skin does not dry out, especially when exposed to the cold winter wind or dry climates, like in offices etc. Don't use soap to wash the affected skin, to make sure that the skin does not get even drier. Use a ph-neutral face wash instead, and apply a good day cream with a high content of fruit-acid which helps to prevent the outbreak of acne altogether.

Study reveals that Electro-Acupuncture can help Children with Autism

Latest research demonstrated that electro-acupuncture caused significant improvements in social initiation, receptive language, motor skills, coordination, and attention span in children with Autism. Improvements in motor coordination include better writing ability. Participants were better able to write words within set lines and squares. One participant had significant improvements in swimming ability and improvements in paper cutting were also noted. Interesting motor improvements include better walking posture, speed of walking, and ability to ascend and descend stairs.A course of 12 sessions of electro-acupuncture improves functions in children with autism. Electro-acupuncture caused improvements in language comprehension and self-care ability for the children in this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, clinical trial of acupuncture for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Over 70% of the children with ASD were compliant and adapted easily to the acupuncture therapy while 8% were not compliant. This was the first study ever conducted using electro-acupuncture for ASD using a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Subjects from ages 3-18 participated in the study and children who had been taking anti-epileptic drugs or who had recently had acupuncture were excluded from the study.
(source http://www.healthcmi.com)

Chamomile for Sinusitis

Chamomile tea has antispasmodic and disinfectant properties. Apart from soothing heartburn and stomach ache, it also can help with sinusitis.

Plagued by Rheumatism

In the previous article, we have commented on the link between arachidonic acid and multiple sclerosis. However, rheumatism and arthritis can also be linked to this polyunsaturated fatty acid. A change of diet might be the solution. One or two detox days with homemade soup, tea and lots of water is the perfect start. After that, try cooking "from scratch", i.e. no ready-meals or take-aways, with fresh vegetables, olive oil, lean meat such as beef, lamb or chicken without skin (no more than 2-3 times per week). Eat fish (except tuna and salmon) as often as possible or buy some good quality fishoil supplements. Butter in moderate quantities is allowed, however, avoid full-fat dairy products. Cut out white flour as much as possible and eat wholegrain instead - perhaps you might consider baking your own bread? Egg yolks, offal, pork, bacon, tuna and salmon contain high levels of arachidonic acid.
It can also help to keep a food diary to find out which food worsen the symptoms. A food intolerance test might be useful, too.

Cutting out arachidonic acid helps reduce relapses in MS patients

Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological condition which causes a deterioration of the protective sheath (myelin) which surrounds neurons in the spinal cord and the brain. Myelin is important for the proper functioning of the nervous system. MS comes in different forms, and its symptoms can vary in intervals and intensity: eye problems (including pain and blurred or double vision), fatigue, muscle weakness, stiffness and spasms, bladder and bowel problems, loss of balance, coordination and dizziness, pain, numbness or tingling of your skin, difficulty speaking and swallowing, feeling emotional, anxious or depressed are among the most common indications.

Arachidonic acid (AA or sometimes ARA) is an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid which is present in the cell membranes of the human body, especially in the brain and muscles. It plays an important role in the fight against Multiple Sclerosis (MS). AA is a precursor for signalling molecules (e.g. prostaglandins) which exert complex control mainly over inflammation processes and immunity. The higher the AA levels in the body, the worse the degree of inflammation. Less AA, therefore, influences the inflammation process in a positive way. Supposedly, a reduction of AA in the diet of MS sufferers – in addition to conventional medication – could prove to be a progress in the fight against and successful therapy of the inflammation symptoms. Relapses are reduced and the progression of the illness brought to a halt. Similar discoveries have been made in connection with rheumatic inflammation symptoms.

Three fatty acids play a key role in the human body: linoleic acid, linolenic acid and arachidonic acid. Both linoleic and linolenic acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids which have to be ingested through diet because the body is not able to produce them. AA is polyunsaturated, too, but it can be synthesized by the body. It can only be found in animal products. Vegetable foods are free of it.

Omega-3 fatty acids which are contained in cold-water sea fish seem to have a clearly beneficial influence on inflammatory processes. They have an anti-inflammatory effect and seem to elongate the periods between relapses of MS. First clinical tests suggested that MS patients who ingested more fish oil suffered less of the dreaded relapses, and noticed that their illness progressed much slower altogether. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fatty sea fish like mackerel, in lower quantities in wheat germ oil, soya oil and rape seed oil.  Fish oil capsules can be bought in health food stores.  However, make sure that the supplement is free of mercury which can be found in some concentrated fish oil supplements.

The diet in general should be organic (to cut out environmental toxins as much as possible) with lots of vegetables and fruit. Cow’s milk should be replaced entirely with rice or oat milk, and goat’s milk in moderation. Refined sugar and flour as well as junk food are a no-no. Avoid gluten (mainly modern wheat) and go for spelt, millet, rice, quinoa and buckwheat. Also cut down on saturated fats contained in red meat and dairy products. Go for herring, mackerel and salmon, ideally 3 times per week. Supplement your diet with a good Vitamin B Complex, organic lecithin granules with your breakfast cereals (e.g. organic muesli), Selenium 200mcg + A C E, as well as Magnesium (spinach is full of it!).

It is important to get lots of rest and relaxation and avoid getting too hot. Yoga exercise might help, as well as resolving repressed emotional issues - EFT or Psychological Kinesiology are perfect therapies.

Today's Thought

"Do not worry at all about negative thoughts, and do not try to control them. All you have to do is begin to think good thoughts each day. Plant as many good thoughts as you can in each day. As you begin to think good thoughts you will attract more and more good thoughts, and eventually the good thoughts will wipe out the negative thoughts altogether." Rhonda Byrne - The Secret

Interesting Article on Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy: No Knick-Knack

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 kpishdadi / Flickr

 

 

Deep relaxation and concentration on inner pictures have a lot more power than conservative medical practitioners want to believe. If you are ready to put yourself in the hands of an experienced hypnotherapist, you stand a good chance to get rid of pains and through surgeries without anesthetics.

Just recently, the German magazine ‘Spiegel’ printed a small ad previously published in the local newspaper ‘Rheinische Post’: “Patient, female, is looking for like-minded persons previously hypnotized lousily by an alternative practitioner, without any success.” And didn’t we participate already in plenty of shows where a professional hypnotist put a victim from his audience into a will-less state of trance - at least on TV. Completely surrendered, the victim let the hypnotist do the weirdest things before he snaps his fingers to finish the demonstration. It seems to be so easy.

Real pictures from the inside

Sweden, Denmark and Israel are the only countries worldwide where only specially trained physicians and psychologists are permitted to hypnotize their patients. Beyond abracadabra we also have a completely different side of the treatment method here, the one where patients break free from pain and anxieties and where the metabolism can be controlled. High blood pressure, hormone level and even activating his or her immune system – all this a person can influence under hypnosis. About 10,000 physicians and therapists apply this method for treatment of mentally influenced physical diseases which is recognized in psychotherapy by now. The diseases include insomnia or nicotine addiction and others.
If you believe that hypnosis is just an induced unconsciousness you are wrong.
Under the guidance of the therapist, the patient finds a state of deep relaxation. He or she opens herself for his/her inner pictures and emotions sensing them much more intensive than when awake. He or she recognizes opportunities and ways he/she does not see in every day’s life because there his/her constraints but sometimes also “logic thinking” blocks them. They appear real to the relaxed concentrated person.

Scientifically substantiated

Not only an increasing demand but also about 200 clinical studies prove that hypnosis is effective. The majority of the studies shows that the method is not just based on a placebo-effect as many other alternative healing methods are considered working. As early as 2002, a meta-analysis of Walter Bongartz, professor for psychology in Konstanz/Germany, with more than 40 studies proved that the success rate of hypnotherapy for diseases lays at about 60 percent, without it at only about 40 percent. A Swiss study shows a measurable success in cases of hay fever and another German study indicates fewer premature births if women train necessary tension- and relaxation during pre-birth training courses by hypnosis. More fields of application with measurable good results: Change of habits and life style in cases of obesity and smoking, insomnia, fear of flying or exams or children with enuresis. If you are afraid of the pain during treatment of your teeth and – worst case – avoided the dreaded chair for years, you will find help from more than one thousand hypnosis dentists helping their patients to a treatment without fear of the dental drill. Another advantage of the state of trance with very little or no local anesthetics: The blood circulation of the gums starts much earlier after treatment, healing is considerably faster and no “furry” sensation.

Undock and reprogram

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 alcomm / flickr

 

 

Where does the power come from that’s behind hypnosis? The state of trance is – despite all the relaxation – a state of highest possible attention. But this concentration is not focused on the environment but targeted on the inside. So-called dissociative processes are typical for patients under hypnosis: Movements are made independently from the conscious external perception. Anxiety patients for example learned to carry out a particular behavior pattern as a reaction to a certain stimulus. Hypnosis allows separating cause and process. Therapist and patient are able to “reprogram”. It’s quite similar with pain. The prick of a needle then won’t hurt any more.
PET and fMRI make those processes visible in the brain. During hypnosis, connectivity of various areas in the brain is considerably reduced and the “decision area” in the frontal cortex is inhibited. The state of trance undocks the “attention center” in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) from the lateral frontal cortex. Thus the center for sensory perception and realization into the according reaction does not obey to the logic of the hypnotized person but rather the logic of the hypnotist and the produced inner pictures. In a study, Stephen Kosslyn at Harvard University showed his test persons a number of colored pictures and their black/white version. When seeing the later, the according centers in the visual center reacted significantly less. Under hypnosis – when he persuaded his test persons that the shades of gray were colored now – he thus activated the visual center just like in reality. The wake control group did not react at all.

No panacea

The whole thing does not work for everyone. About 10 percent of the population cannot be hypnotized. According to the latest findings, the genes play a role as well. Last but not least it requires complete trust in the therapist to allow full surrender in the state of trance. For people suffering from a psychosis or chronic pain due to neuropathy, hypnosis does not work at all or might even become a risk. And sometimes, expectations are higher than what the method is capable of. A Cochrane review for example did not show any explicit advantage for smoking cessation compared to other strategies. Also regarding the treatment of irritable colon and many other states, Cochrane reviewers see an enormous demand for studies in order to come to watertight conclusions pro or con the trance-healing.

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After all, many black sheep are still active in Germany. They are the greatest worry of the various professional associations and societies (the most relevant are DGH, DGZH, MEG and DGÄHAT). If you want to use hypnosis in your practice and not on the show stage, you have to do more than 200 hours of training. A significant time-and also financial aspect honored only very reluctantly by the health insurers. But once you have admitted to this age-old healing method, you will rather turn to deep relaxation than to tranquillizers or pain killers. by Dr. rer. nat. Erich Lederer

Positive testimonial from a lovely client :)

"Dear Monika,

I just wanted to let you know how much your treatments and advice have helped me come back to full strength. Now that I know that I am suffering with candida, and have taken steps toward eradicating it, I have so much more energy, fewer migraines, and my skin is much more healthy and less itchy with fewer outbreaks. I have also been avoiding wheat entirely and my havfever and asthma is almost non-existent now.

I am struggling through the candida die-off at the moment but it is worth it. I just felt the last day or so that I had a slight fever and runny nose, with mucous even in my lacrimal ducts, but I already feel more energetic and I have lost some of those stubborn bits around my hips that never seemed to budge, even with all the exercise and healthy eating!

Thanks"

Broken Heart-Ache

If you are a woman aged between 50 and 70 years and you experience a "pulling" pain in your chest, in the neck and in the left arm, together with shortness of breath, nausea and sweating - this can often lead to the feeling that a heart attack might be imminent and you should certainly seek medical adivce. However, these symptoms can also be a sign of the so-called "broken heart syndrome" - a disease which has been known only since the early 1990s and which can be triggered by extreme stress or emotional trauma, for example separation from a partner or the death of a close friend or relative. Researchers have found that the symptoms appear in 90 per cent of all cases in women between 50 and 70 years of age. Professor K.H. Gluck, cardiologist at the Heart Centre Hamburg, explains that the cause is a lack of oestrogene after the menopause, which can lead to an increased mobilisation of the sympathetic nervous system. In extreme situations, the kidneys excrete too many stress hormones which inhibit the movement of the lower part of the left heart ventricle and even paralyses it. The positive side of this syndrome is that the cardial dysfunction is over after a few days, in most cases.

Today's Thought...

"When you come to a wall, you can either climb it or you can simply walk around until you find a door. Don't make life so hard, - look for the doors!" - simples!

During the past few years, there has been a lot of advertising for "pro-biotic" yoghurts and yoghurt drinks which are supposed to improve digestion and support the immune system. Scientists at the University in Vienna/Austria wanted to find out what's behind all this and carried out tests to compare the effects of pro-biotic products with normal,  natural "life" yoghurt. The tests were carried out with a group of women. Half of the women had one or two portions of the more expensive, pro-biotic yoghurt every day, over a period of one month. The other half ate normal yoghurt. When the month was over, the researchers analysed certain immune system parameters of the participating women and found that both varieties of yoghurt had influenced the immune defense in a positive way. There was no significant difference in the effect of the two varieties, so there is no reason to buy the more expensive pro-biotic yoghurts, most of which contain sugar. Sugar can aid the growth of Candida, an intestinal fungus which can cause all sorts of problems.