Four Major Digestive Problems and How to Naturally Treat Them

It is estimated that approximately 62 million Americans experience digestive problems on an ongoing basis. This is due to the harmful repercussions of the standard American diet on our population coupled with the high level of stress that the average American experiences. Digestive problems can range from minor annoyances, such as gas and bloating, to life-threatening illnesses, such as crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, unremitting diarrhea, and various cancers that target digestive organs. Whatever the case, it is always worth being proactive about our digestive health. The information contained in this article on acupuncture and natural therapies should definitely get you going in the right direction, not only with your digestion but also with your health in general. Let’s take a look at a few common disorders and what can be done about them.

1. Constipation: The standard American diet can easily lead to chronic constipation. This diet is low in fiber and antioxidants and high in difficult to digest additives and refined ingredients. Many, many people are constipated and they don’t even know it. They may have regular bowel movements, but they are still not flushing their systems thoroughly, which creates intestinal toxicity that leads to a whole host of digestive problems. Intestinal cleansing is often a top priority in healing numerous chronic health problems. There are several natural herbal remedies and nutritional supplements that can relieve constipation and heal the underlying imbalances.

• Chinese herbal formulas such as ma zi ren wan and run chang wan are gentle laxatives that are not habit forming.
• Aloe vera juice reduces inflammation and promotes peristalsis (smooth muscle contraction in the bowel).
• Triphala is an Ayurvedic herbal complex that gently eases constipation and removes stagnant waste from the intestines.
• Psyllium husk is a high fiber product that alleviates constipation.
• Flax meal and seed are excellent high fiber sources for constipation.
• Senna leaf is useful for severe constipation.

2. Diarrhea: Chronic diarrhea can be dangerous for your health. It is still one of the leading causes of death in the world. Diarrhea is related to spleen weakness or intestinal inflammation. It is always a top treatment priority to heal this condition to avoid other digestive problems in the future. Stress and anxiety can trigger regular bouts of diarrhea, as can processed and refined foods. Here are a few basic remedies for diarrhea:

• Chinese herbal formulas such as bu zhong yi qi tang (ginseng and astragalus), si jun qi tang (4 Gentlemen), liu jun zi tang (6 Gentlemen), and jin gui shen qi tang (rehmannia 8) are helpful for alleviating diarrhea due to deficiency. Tong xie yao feng, Isatis Cooling, and jia wei xiao yao wan are helpful for diarrhea due to heat and inflammation.
• Western herbs such as slippery elm, chamomile, peppermint, and ginger harmonize and soothe the stomach to stop diarrhea.
• Probiotics such as acidophilus are useful as long-term adjuncts in treating diarrhea.

3. Bloating and gas: These symptoms tend to arise from eating too much or too fast, excessive stress, refined foods, coffee and alcohol, and sugar. Aside from slowing down and eating less of these foods, here are a few herbal suggestions:

• Chai hu shu gan wan — the quintessential Chinese formula for the combination of stress and gas.
• Xiao yao wan — Excellent for digestive problems that arise during menses and excessive stress.
• Liu jun zi tang — Strengthens the spleen and takes phlegm out of the gut, which is often related to gas and bloating.
• Acidophilus and bifidus — Bloating and gas can be related to candida overgrowth, which is a pathological yeast that causes an array of physical and emotional imbalances.

4. Irritable bowel Syndrome: IBS is a very common problem that affects millions of Americans. Doctors will often diagnose IBS when the patient’s symptoms don’t seem to match up with anything else, so they call it irritable bowel. This disorder is characterized by bowels fluctuating from constipation to diarrhea with intermittent abdominal pain or distention. People with IBS tend to be sensitive to a variety of foods including high fiber foods, refined sugar, wheat, and gluten products. Symptoms can continue indefinitely and can be resistant to conventional treatments. I have treated several patients with IBS, usually with very positive results. Acupuncture theory asserts that IBS typically involves a disharmony between the liver and the spleen. The liver becomes hyperactive due to stress, anger, and frustration, which causes it to weaken the spleen, causing loose bowels and fatigue. Treatment involves relaxing the liver and strengthening the spleen.

• Herbal formulas such as Irritease by K’An Herbals and Isatis Cooling by Health Concerns have proven helpful. In general, I recommend committing to weekly acupuncture and herbal treatment for 4-8 visits, depending upon the severity and duration of your symptoms.
• Acidophilus and bifidus cand be helpful, as many people with IBS also have candida
• Chamomile and peppermint have a soothing effect on the gut and can reduce irritation

Most digestive disorders respond very well to consistent acupuncture and herbal treatment. Making dietary changes that restore and detoxify the gut also enhances treatment progress. Digestion is one of the main reference points for gauging one’s overall health. If there are weaknesses or imbalances here, it is likely that one’s overall health is compromised. Maintaining healthy digestion is an essential component in our quest for optimal health.
I should mention that for those of you suffering from crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or colon cancer, it is definitely best to seek out professional alternative and allopathic medical treatment. These diseases are simply too involved to offer blanket solutions in this article. There are many powerful natural remedies for these diseases, but their application is specific to your unique needs.

Lotus Spring Acupuncture and Wellness Inc. is offering a free 15 minutes free initial consultation to see if acupuncture and herbal therapy is the right approach for your health care.  If you and someone that you know that may benefit from acupuncture, please call today to schedule your first appointment or free initial consultation at 801-756-3860.  

By Dan Clark, Acupuncturist

Acupuncturist serving American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Alpine, Pleasant Grove, Orem, Lindon, Provo, Eagle Mountain, and Saratoga and surrounding community.

Why is Coconut Oil Good – Four Reasons to Use this Oil

With heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure on the rise, many people are looking for ways to stay healthy naturally.  Although many oils are made of  “bad” fats, coconut oil has been known to provide many health related benefits to many of its users.  Why is coconut oil good ?  Many people have asked this question; therefore, here are the five best ways to use coconut oil in your daily life.

1 – Diabetes Prevention

Although some may think coconut oil is bad, it has been proven that it can assist with regulating blood glucose levels.  Keeping your glucose levels under control can help prevent diabetes in many individuals.

2- Bone and Dental Health

Taking coconut oil improves the absorption of both calcium and magnesium in the body.  Having the right amount of calcium prevents tooth decay and helps build strong bones and teeth.  For many women, having sufficient levels of calcium and magnesium is critical for preventing osteoporosis.

3- Hair & Scalp Support

Why is coconut oil good to use for the hair and skin: Using coconut oil in the hair and on the scalp is a great nutritional supplement that provides many health benefits for the user.  Coconut oil can facilitate the elimination of lice, dandruff, and other scalp and skin irritations.  Many hair salons are adopting this same principal into many of their hair care product lines. Coconut oil, overall, can help you with maintaining and promoting a healthy head of hair and scalp.

4 – Improved Skin Care & Anti-aging properties

Many people are looking for products to prevent aging.  Using coconut oil on a regular basis can delay the formation of wrinkles.  Coconut oil has anti-aging properties.  This is not the only benefit that the skin receives from using coconut oil.  Other skin ailments such as psoriasis, eczema, and other skin infections and irritations depend on coconut oil to alleviate some of the pain and cure these illnesses.

Now that you know at least 4 major benefits of  what coconut oil is good for you start to implement it in your diet to begin reaping the benefits of it in your overall health.

Do you know these 10 health benefits of carrot juice

There are a whole host of health benefits of carrot juice that many people are not aware of, which is the focus of this article. If you are looking to lose weight, cleanse your liver, blood, or begin a healthy diet, drinking carrot juice has a powerful effect upon these factors and can assist your goals of wanting to look and feel better in less time.  Here are ten reasons why drinking carrot juice once or twice a week can facilitate a positive health change in your life.

1) Stroke Prevention

Carrots are high in potassium. In just one cup you get around 20% of your daily potassium for the day (689mg). Maintaining normal levels of potassium allows the brain to function properly.  Having a healthy functioning brain is vital to helping you prevent a stroke.  Drinking carrot juice on a regular basis can help assure that your getting your daily potassium needs.

2) Stabilized Blood Sugar Levels

Having a low blood sugar level can cause many health scares.  Low blood sugar levels can cause comas in many individuals.  Likewise many may experience headaches, tremors, and severe nervous system conditions.  Having a healthy level of potassium in your body will prevent sugar levels from dropping to unhealthy levels.

3) Prevent Cramping

Many people experience severe levels of cramping when they have low levels of potassium.  If you are involved with strenuous exercises or activities that require sweating, potassium is lost through the sweat.  One way to prevent cramping after exercising is to have some type of potassium filled beverage.  Having a glass of carrot juice will raise your levels of potassium and can help prevent episodes of cramping.

4) Improved Eyesight

This is one of the most famous benefits of carrot juice. Carrots are high in Vitamin A (Beta and Alpha – see chart below).  Vitamin A is great for strengthening your eyesight.  Drinking carrot juice will supply you with the right type of vitamin A that your body desperately needs for great ocular performance.

5) Anti Inflammatory

If you are challenged with water on the knees or inflammation, bloating and other inflammation related issues drinking carrot juice is a great drink to assist with reducing inflammation in the body. After jogging, or hiking it’s easy for people who have joint issues or who have had surgery to experience inflammation or water build up. I’ve seen this benefit occur in a major way in my own life having had knee surgery a while back ago. The nutritional analysis chart below reflects an Inflammation Score of Positive 424 which is amazing! Consuming foods that have high positive inflammation scores dramatically improve your overall health.

6) Cell Repair and Positive Cellular Growth

Drinking a glass of carrot juice can help repair and restore damaged cell tissues.  As we get older, cells begin to break down.  Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that rejuvenates old cells and allows the body to produce new cells.

7) Boosted Immune System to Fight the Cold/Flu

The common cold or flu can strike at any given time.  If your immune system is low, your body will not be able to fight off the many bacteria’s and viruses that we come into contact on a daily basis.  Carrots are filled with Vitamin C.  Although some people are not fond of the texture, having carrots in your diet is a great way to build up your immune system.  Mixing carrot juice into your daily drinks is a great way to get those much needed nutrients provided by carrots.

8) Rest/Sleep

Getting the recommended hours of sleep at night has many benefits.  Our bodies need sleep to repair and grow new cells.  Our bodies are like rechargeable electronic devices.  We can only go so long before we run out of energy.  We need to be recharged in order to function at a high level of efficiency.

Getting the recommended hours of sleep allows you to concentrate and function throughout the day.  One way to be certain that you get the recommended hours of sleep is to incorporate a glass of carrot juice into your diet a few times a week.  Carrot juice facilitates melatonin production which aids in the body’s sleep patterns.  If your melatonin levels are off, you may tend to have difficulty sleeping or staying awake.  Taking a glass of carrot juice can assist you with remaining awake during the day and allow you to get those much needed long hours of sleep at night.

9) A Healthy Liver

The liver is the body’s filtration device.  All the body’s waste and other toxic materials travel to the liver.  The liver needs to be cleaned and detoxified.  If the liver is not cleansed, the harmful waste can enter your blood stream and cause serious health problems.

Drinking a glass of carrot juice can be the answer for a clean healthy liver.  The Vitamin A acts as a cleansing agent.     This vitamin when taken in regular amounts helps cleanse the liver of the fats and other harmful contaminates.  Drinking carrot juice allows your liver to be cleansed and keep your body’s filtration system performing at its best.

10) A Healthy Heart

Having a strong healthy heart will add years to your life.  Having carrots mixed into your diet gives you access to a supplement called carotenoids.  Those who have a high level of carotenoids are less prone to contracting chronic illnesses.  It is also believed that you lower your risk of heart disease by having this nutrient in your diet.  Carrots are filled with this nutrient, and by taking carrot juice you lower your chances of heart disease.

These 10 benefits of carrot juice should educate you a bit more about including it in your diet thus helping you to live a longer and healthier life.

Nutritional Analysis of Carrot Juice (1 cup)

This One Method Reveals How to Restore ph Balance in the Body

If your body is too acidic it creates an environment for disease to form. In this short article I simply want to share one method I have discovered that works from me on how to restore ph balance in the body!

Learning how to restore ph balance in the body is a new topic for alot of beginners wanting to improve their health but it’s a very powerful step to implement to boost your immune system and overall health in the short and long term. For the last couple of years I have been pH-balancing my drinking water, and I have discovered the following three results and benefits as a result of implementing this one method of how to restore ph balance in my body:

1. It boosts my immune system. I haven’t had a cold, flu, or anything else
2. It helps others. When I saw some co-workers sick, I said to them: “come over to my desk, I have something that will help you quick. Bring your bottle of drinking water with you.” Then I put ionizing drops into their drinking water and some alkalizing drops in, and told them to drink it as much as they can. To their surprise, within one hour they felt relief and had no more symptoms. So, when a week later, or some time later, the other girl got a sore throat, I told her too to bring her bottle of water, gave her the same drops, and within the hour her sore throat was gone. So, whenever she got some symptoms of sickness, she came right over and asked: “Gerd, can you give me some drops?” Of course, I could. I was glad to help and show them that the proper pH balance makes all the difference in the immune system.
3. Another way that I found that these drops help is when I go to the gym. After I do some aerobic exercises and start drinking my pH-balanced water, that, when I do one set on the weight machines, then drink some water and do the second set of reps, I had to check the weights on the machine, because, somehow the second set felt lighter. Of course, pH-balanced water goes right into the bloodstream and boosts your energy.

 

NOTE: I also personally found that by taking my Melaleuca supplements and drinking pH-balanced water my health has improved tremendously. Another way I found that I have more endurance when exercising. The nutrition principle to keep in mind is that the synergy of exercise, health supplementation and power of mind is the true power instead of just one single solution.

To try out the Ph ion Booster that I use click here

Why Diets are Gimmicks: Three Secrets HOW to Lose Weight Long Term

Approximately 70 million Americans are overweight. Additionally 34% of our country is obese, which means that each person is roughly 20 pounds over his or her optimal weight. The vast majority of overweight people have been on a variety of diets and regimens. It is quite common to experience initial success on diets. Unfortunately, the good results are usually temporary and eventually spiral into the same or a higher weight than we were at prior to the diet. This cycle can continue through life, which leaves many people feeling dis-empowered, cynical, and depressed about their ability to maintain an optimal weight. In my practice, I have helped many people lose weight and keep it off. This is because I educate my patients that they are NEVER to diet again. Instead, what they need to do is find a healthy way to eat that truly works for them and then stick with it as long as they live.

The problem with dieting is that we think it’s OK to revert to the way we were eating after the diet is over. Dieting implies a short period of time in which we use will power to shed weight, only to return to our old ways sooner or later. At the end of the diet we usually say, ‘phew, I’m glad that’s over!’ This mindset is undoubtedly a form of self-sabotage. As our bodies become accustomed to losing weight and eating different foods on the diet, they easily go into a state of shock once the old foods are reintroduced. Our metabolism will eventually shut down altogether if we abuse ourselves by repeatedly gaining and losing large amounts of weight.

I also tell my patients that there simply is no magic bullet for losing weight. There is no pill that will effortlessly make the weight melt off. Having a healthy body takes work; there is no way around that. The key is to have a healthy relationship with ourselves so we can make changes that are not based on will power. We have to learn how to enjoy taking care of ourselves. We have to find the balance between immediate gratification and harsh discipline. This means that we are proactive about our health; we aren’t using food to beat ourselves up or to take away the pain in our lives. Instead, our food choices reflect a very strong commitment that we have made to ourselves to heal our bodies and minds with nutrition. Every one of us is entitled to this relationship with food and it is definitely possible. We can actually enjoy the hard work it takes to live well.

The truth is that we will never have the body we want until we are educated about making the right choices with food, healing the underlying emotional imbalances that make us crave unhealthy foods, and generally make a commitment to achieving optimal health. Let’s take a look at each of these in closer detail:

How to lose weight long term Secret #1

1) Making the right choices with food: This means becoming informed about nutrition. There has to be a basic understanding of the effects of various foods on our health if we are to use food as medicine. (And that is what we are getting at, using food to heal ourselves rather than as poison). Our knowledge of food must go beyond, ‘eat your fruits and vegetables.’ Here are a few basic guidelines for getting your on track with your food choices. This advice is simple to follow and will drastically change your food choices:

• Eat organic foods– If you aren’t already doing so, start shopping at your local health food store for the majority of your daily meals. Yes, it is a bit more expensive, but you have to look at this as an investment in your health. 95% of the foods that you buy over the counter at regular grocery stores have no nutritional value whatsoever. Instead, many conventional foods are pumped with additives, refined sugar, herbicides and pesticides, genetically modified ingredients, transfats, and hormones. Do you really want these kinds of things in your body? Shopping at your health food store will drastically reduce your intake of these unhelpful additives. Organic foods have much more nutritional value.
• Try to eat mostly whole foods– Eat foods in their natural state. Fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, chicken, grains, etc. are all examples of whole foods.
• Reduce your intake of refined sugar and carbohydrates— These are the foods that will make the weight pile on. Muffins, pasta, cereal, white rice, candy, soda, bread, bagels, etc. are the culprits in weight gain and water retention.
• Drink 6-9 glasses of filtered water daily– Hunger pangs are often a sign of dehydration. Reach for water before you reach for food.
• Eat a big breakfast and a small dinner. Eat whole food snacks every 2-3 hours throughout the day.

How to lose weight long term Secret #2

2) Healing Our Emotions and Food Cravings: Food is definitely a drug for many of us. To make it worse, it is a socially accepted drug, which means that it seems OK because everyone around us is indulging, so why shouldn’t we? We are surrounded by images of food all around us. The marketing gurus for major food corporations are masters at making us feel deprived if we don’t indulge our desires for immediate gratification. Many of us are overweight because we use food to fill an emotional void. Our deeper needs in life are not being satisfied and we don’t know how to nourish ourselves appropriately. Healing our relationship with food is often dependent upon our ability to satisfy ourselves in our work and relationships, many people turn to food when their sexual life is either non-existent or dissatisfying. When we are engaged with our lives and know how to handle the various stresses that come with adult responsibilities, then we will not turn to food compulsively. We will discuss how to go about healing ourselves in these ways in a bit.

How to lose weight long term Secret #3

3) Making a Commitment to Optimal Health: Most of us are conditioned into believing that other things in life are more of a priority than our health. We only make our health a priority when we experience symptoms that alert us to the fact that something is wrong. Committing to optimal health means that our health becomes one of the top priorities in our lives right NOW, even if we feel fine. This means taking the time to eat nutritious foods, exercise, and keep stress at bay with techniques such as meditation or yoga. When we make this commitment and truly live by it, our weight will naturally be more balanced. This commitment is can only be genuine if we deeply respect and value ourselves.

Achieving optimal health and a balanced weight entails having the same relationship with exercise as we do with food. Both nutrition and exercise must be key elements to our daily lifestyle. I recommend exercising 20 minutes a day, 5 days per week for those of you just starting out. Just as there is a way to eat that is both healthy and enjoyable, there is also a way to exercise that we can commit to for the long-term. Your main strategy should be to experiment with all forms of exercise until you find something you really like. This doesn’t mean that it will be easy, but it certainly can be enjoyable. If we don’t have a basic enjoyment for exercise, then the only way to get through it is by using will power, which will run out sooner or later. Many people find that exercising in community is much better for them than exercising alone. I prefer basketball and mountain biking. I have been doing both for years and I know that they will be in my life forever, simply because I love both of them. Everybody loves something; you just have to find what it is and do it regularly.

Herbs and Supplements and long term weight loss

Like I said, there are no magic bullets for weight loss. There are, however, very helpful adjuncts to weight loss that can certainly speed the process along. Below are a few products I use in my practice (these can only be purchased through licensed professionals):

• Greenexcellent:  Promotes weight loss, reduces blood glucose, and increases lean mass.
• Astra Diet Tea:  Taken as a pleasant tasting tea to reduce appetite and improve digestion.
• Leantain:  reduces food craving and hunger pain.
• Shen Chu 16 and Alisma 16: These are herbal formulas by 7 Forests that are often used in combination to strengthen digestion, reduce water retention, and optimize metabolism.
• Lotus Leaf Tablets: Also by 7 Forests, this is a strong herbal formula for weight loss.
• 5 htp Crave Arrest: Also by Designs for Health, this product is excellent for sugar and carbohydrate: A natural precursor to serotonin, 5 htp is used for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and carbohydrate cravings.
• There are also many acupuncture points and protocols that reduce cravings, stimulate metabolism, reduce water retention, and optimize digestion.

I typically recommend to my patients that they make it a goal to lose 1-3 pounds per week as they transition to a whole foods diet, increased exercise, and the combination of acupuncture, herbs, and supplements. This may not seem like a lot compared to crash dieting, but it certainly is a more balanced approach. It may take 1-2 years to lose all the weight you’d like, but the odds are that you will keep it off if you do it in a gradual and balanced way. My goal is to give you the tools to lose weight so you can use them forever. This is not a diet; it is living and being healthy forever.