Acupuncture & Massage BLOG

Lifestyle modifications, including nutrition for health, can protect against heart disease while offering health benefits such as lowered blood pressure and lessened risk of diabetes. Nutrition for health can lower levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease. Nutrition for health can increase HDL, or “good” cholesterol, protecting against heart disease.

Nutrition for health may be combined with lifestyle changes that include exercise and stress reduction. Nutrition for health plans often include diets high in soluble fiber (carrots, Brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, oats, lentils, barley) and have been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels. Although allopathic medications can lower cholesterol, side effects may include headaches, rashes, muscle damage, digestive disorders, liver damage, and dizziness. Nutrition for health can reduce arterial wall buildup, improve blood flow and widen arteries.

Nutrition for health may also include Chinese herbal formulas, which have anti-hypertensive and vasodilatation effects on peripheral blood vessels. Chinese herbal formulas in nutrition for health programs can tonify qi, increase cardiac output, enhance immune system abilities, treat angina, tonify blood, and reduce blood pressure. Traditional Chinese Medicine defines a healthy lifestyle as one that includes a balanced nutrition for health practice. Nutrition for health Chinese food therapy categorizes six food groups: spices and herbs, vegetables, grains, fruit, meats, and dairy.

Appropriate nutrition for health combines acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to achieve an optimal health state. Based on the principles of yin and yang and five element theory, each nutrition for health food is characterized by its energies, therapeutic actions and flavors. Related to yin/yang, nutrition for health food properties are further divided into four energies (cold, cool, hot, warm). The four energies of nutrition for health foods should be balanced in the diet. Nutrition for health food intake should correspond to the related organ systems that require strengthening. Nutrition for health should be tailored to individual constitution to preserve health and treat illness.

For more information about nutrition for health call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician and Homeopath at (305) 595-9500. For Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy program information ask for Joe Calareso. Jan. 17.

Lifestyle modifications, including nutrition for health, can protect against heart disease while offering health benefits such as lowered blood pressure and lessened risk of diabetes. Nutrition for health can lower levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease. Nutrition for health can increase HDL, or “good” cholesterol, protecting against heart disease.
Nutrition for health may be combined with lifestyle changes that include exercise and stress reduction. Nutrition for health plans often include diets high in soluble fiber (carrots, Brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, oats, lentils, barley) and have been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels. Although allopathic medications can lower cholesterol, side effects may include headaches, rashes, muscle damage, digestive disorders, liver damage, and dizziness. Nutrition for health can reduce arterial wall buildup, improve blood flow and widen arteries.
Nutrition for health may also include Chinese herbal formulas, which have anti-hypertensive and vasodilatation effects on peripheral blood vessels. Chinese herbal formulas in nutrition for health programs can tonify qi, increase cardiac output, enhance immune system abilities, treat angina, tonify blood, and reduce blood pressure. Traditional Chinese Medicine defines a healthy lifestyle as one that includes a balanced nutrition for health practice. Nutrition for health Chinese food therapy categorizes six food groups: spices and herbs, vegetables, grains, fruit, meats, and dairy.
Appropriate nutrition for health combines acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to achieve an optimal health state. Based on the principles of yin and yang and five element theory, each nutrition for health food is characterized by its energies, therapeutic actions and flavors. Related to yin/yang, nutrition for health food properties are further divided into four energies (cold, cool, hot, warm). The four energies of nutrition for health foods should be balanced in the diet. Nutrition for health food intake should correspond to the related organ systems that require strengthening. Nutrition for health should be tailored to individual constitution to preserve health and treat illness.

For more information about nutrition for health call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician and Homeopath at (305) 595-9500. For Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy program information ask for Joe Calareso.

Green tea could become a new treatment for skin disorders such as psoriasis and dandruff in the near future. Medical College of Georgia researchers studied a model for inflammatory skin diseases, which are often characterized by dry, red, flaky skin patches caused by the inflammation and overproduction of skin cells. Those treated with green tea showed slower growth of skin cells and the presence of a gene that regulates the cells’ life cycles.
“Psoriasis, an autoimmune disease, causes the skin to become thicker because the growth of skin cells is out of control,” says Dr. Stephen Hsu, a biologist in the MCG School of Dentistry and lead investigator on the study appearing in the August 18 edition of Experimental Dermotology. “In psoriasis, immune cells, which usually protect against infection, instead trigger the release of cytokines, which causes inflammation and the overproduction of skin cells.” Other autoimmune diseases with similar side effects include lupus, which can lead to skin lesions and dandruff.
Green tea has previously been shown to suppress inflammation. Green tea compounds aid by regulating the expression of Caspase-14, a protein in genes that regulates the life cycle of a skin cell. “That marker guides cells by telling them when to differentiate, die off and form a skin barrier,” Hsu says. “In people with psoriasis, that process is interrupted and the skin cells don’t die before more are created and the resulting lesions form.”
Models treated with green tea also showed reduced levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a gene expressed when skin cells multiply. In psoriasis, the gene is over-expressed and speeds production of skin cells. The research is relevant because some treatments for psoriasis and dandruff can have dangerous side effects. The traditional treatment of ultraviolet light and medication, while it can control lesions and be used long term, may cause cell carcinoma and lead to skin cancer. Green tea, which is plant-derived, may be an alternative. There is no cure for autoimmune diseases, but green tea may provide a non-toxic treatment for regulating them.
Acupuncture & Massage College’s Masters of Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs prepare graduates for careers as acupuncture physicians and massage therapists for program information contact Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500. For information on treatment cantact Dr. Richard Browne at 305.595.9500.

GREEN TEA REDUCES PLAQUE FORMATION IN HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE

Green tea, reported to have many health benefits, is rich in powerful antioxidants that make it a possible remedy for many medical conditions. The substance epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), extracted from green tea, interferes with very early events in the aggregation process of the mutant huntingtin protein, causing plaque formation in Huntington’s disease (HD) to slow. Study findings appear in a recent issue of Human Molecular Genetics.

HD, along with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, are neurodegenerative diseases caused by protein misfolding. The nerve cells progressively degenerate in the areas of the brain that control movement and that are involved in memory and emotions. Researchers at the Charit-Universitts-medizin Berlin hope these findings can be a starting point for the development of a medical treatment for HD and related diseases in which misfolded proteins occur.

Green tea may also protect the bladder from becoming inflamed and could be used along with other herbal agents to treat inflammatory bladder diseases, according to a second preliminary study that looked at the ability of green tea to protect bladder cells from inflammation. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) in Anaheim, CA, found that normal and cancerous bladder cells exposed to two major catechins components of green tea, EGCG and epicatechin gallate (ECG), protected bladder cells from inflammation.

EGCG has been found effective in reducing risk of HIV infection and slowing the spread of the virus in people who are already infected by protecting the body’s immune system, according to a UK and US joint study. Previous studies have also linked green tea to lower risk of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. A study from Japan published last September in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported high consumption of green tea was linked to reduced overall risk of death due to all causes and cardiovascular disease. For more information about Chinese food therapy for health and well-being contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

MEDITERRANEAN DIET REDUCES ALLERGIES

A study of children living on the Greek island of Crete revealed a Med-style diet high in vegetables, fruits, olive oil, and nuts can have a beneficial effect on allergies and asthma symptoms. Dr. Paul Cullinan of Britain’s Royal Brompton Hospital and National Heart and Lung Institute, and colleagues in Greece and Spain, assessed the diet and health of 690 children living in rural areas of Crete, aged 7 to 18.

Most of the children had a moderate to high level adherence to the dietary pattern of the Mediterranean diet, evaluated by a 58-item food frequency questionnaire. Children who ate more grapes, oranges, apples, and fresh tomatoes, the main local products in Crete, had less wheezing and allergic rhinitis. “Our findings indicate that a high dietary intake of commonly consumed fruits and vegetables and nuts may have a protective role on the prevalence of asthma-like symptoms and allergic rhinitis,” wrote lead author Leda Chatzi from the University of Crete.

About 30 percent of children have allergies and about half of those would exhibit symptoms. In Crete, about the same percent of children have allergies, yet almost none exhibit symptoms. “The startling thing about Crete is that these kids ought to have as much asthma and allergy symptoms,” said Cullinan. “There’s something different about their lifestyle, and one obvious thing is what they eat.” The diet’s main nutritional components include antioxidants and polyphenols that appear to offer protection, wrote the researchers. The study was published in the journal Thorax.

The Mediterranean diet has been associated with reductions in high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. A new Mediterranean diet symbol is set to be launched in the US in coming months. Due to be introduced by nutrition group Oldways, the Med Mark stamp (likely shaped as a terra cotta amphora) will be available for use on products that meet the traditional Mediterranean guidelines set out by Oldways. A new Oldways website will include Mediterranean diet information and a summary of studies on its healthfulness. For more information about food therapy for wellness contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

GREEN TEA COMPOUND MAY PREVENT HIV INFECTION

Drinking green tea may reduce the risk of HIV infection and slow the spread of the virus in people who are already infected, a UK and US joint study suggests. A green tea flavonoid called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) could protect the body’s immune system from the HIV virus, the researchers found.

The study, which examined the ability of EGCG to block HIV from binding to immune cells in test tubes, appears in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Study findings indicated EGCG stopped the HIV virus from binding to the body’s immune cells by getting there first. There is no room for the HIV to latch onto the T-cells thereby giving the immune system a chance to destroy the virus.

“Our research shows that drinking green tea could reduce the risk of becoming infected by HIV, and could also slow down the spread of HIV,” said co-researcher Professor Mike Williamson, from the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Sheffield in the UK. “It is not a cure, and nor is it a safe way to avoid infection, however, we suggest that it should be used in combination with conventional medicines to improve quality of life for those infected.”

Two to three cups per day might reduce infection risk by a factor of 10. “We tried to use the same concentrations of EGCG in experiments as you would get from drinking green tea. We are confident in the results we are seeing, but it is still not the same as putting it into humans,” said Williamson. Future research is underway to determine how much effect can be expected from different amounts of tea.

Previous studies have linked green tea to lower risk of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. A study from Japan published last September in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported high consumption of green tea was linked to reduced overall risk of death due to all causes and cardiovascular disease. Green tea flavonoids have been shown to contain anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-tumor effects. For more information about Chinese food therapy for health and well being contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

SPICY FOOD MAY PROVIDE ANTI-CANCER COMPOUND

Spicy food may offer protection against cancer. Capsaicin, the compound that makes spicy food hot could lead to development of the next generation of anti-cancer drugs that kill tumors with no side effects, according to a new UK study published in the Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications online journal.

The study is also the first by the newly established Nottingham UK-China Collaboration on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which consists of researchers from the University of Nottingham and the Chinese National Academy of Sciences working in conjunction to develop active ingredients from herbal remedies. Capsaicin, the active component of chilies, has produced “startling” results to kill a variety of tumor cells including lung and pancreatic cancer.

“This is incredibly exciting and may explain why people living in countries like Mexico and India, who traditionally eat a diet which is very spicy, tend to have lower incidences of many cancers that are prevalent in the Western world, “ said lead researcher Timothy Bates, Ph.D. Capsaicin belongs to a family of compounds (vanilloids) which kill cancer by attacking the mitochondria (energy containing chemical) of tumor cells. By binding proteins in the cancer cell mitochondria, capsaicin triggers apoptosis (natural cell death) without harming surrounding healthy cells.

“It’s also possible that cancer patients or those at risk of developing cancer could be advised to eat a diet which is richer is spicy foods to help treat or prevent the disease,” said Bates. “As these compounds attack the very heart of the tumor cells, we believe that we have in effect discovered a fundamental ‘Achilles heel’ for all cancers. We are currently seeking industrial partners to enable these agents to be used in clinical trials to treat a variety of cancers.” Capsaicin is currently found in treatments for muscle strain and psoriasis and could possibly be an active ingredient in an adapted topical treatment for certain types of skin cancer.

For more information on Chinese herbal medicine and Chinese food therapy contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

CHINESE FOOD THERAPY

Chinese dietary medicine is used to nourish qi and blood and restore organ/meridian functioning. Based on yin/yang and five element theory, each food is characterized by its energies, therapeutic actions and flavors. TCM food therapy utilizes the belief that hot (yang) and cold (yin) food properties affect different energies in the body.

Both types of food should be included in the diet to keep the body in balance. Yang foods increase the body’s heat and raise metabolism while yin foods lower body heat and metabolism. Individuals susceptible to yin diseases (anemia) or yang deficiencies should include additional yang foods in their diet. Yang infections (measles, sore throat) or yin deficiencies can be treated with yin foods. Intake of food should also be balanced according to the season. Summer (yang) should have more yin foods in the diet and winter (yin) should include more yang foods.

Related to yin/yang, food properties are further divided into four energies (cold, cool, hot, warm) with an additional neutral category for foods that have no energetic temperature. Cold/cool foods (tofu, raw vegetables, melon-type fruits) reduce inflammation of the kidneys, clear heat and eliminate toxins. Hot/warm foods (chicken, garlic, ginger, plums, chili pepper, onion, most meats) strengthen spleen/stomach/kidneys, eliminate cold, invigorate blood and warm meridians. Neutral foods (glutinous rice, tuberous vegetables) improve lung/kidney systems and act as diet harmonizers. Hot treats cold conditions, cold treats hot conditions.

Food flavors correspond to five element organ functioning and should be balanced in the diet. Fire (bitter/heart/small intestine/yin) foods are cooling, earth (sweet/stomach/spleen/yang) foods are strengthening, metal (spicy/lungs/large intestine/skin/yang) foods are warming, water (salty/kidneys/bladder/yin) foods are cooling, and wood (sour/liver/gallbladder/yin) foods are cooling. Food intake should correspond to the elements and related organ systems that require strengthening.

These TCM dietary factors should be tailored to individual constitution to preserve health and prevent and treat illness. Fore more information on Chinese food therapy contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

GREEN TEA MAY REDUCE STROKE RISK AND HEART DISEASE MORTALITY

Japanese adults who consume more green tea have a lower risk of stroke and CVD mortality, according to the findings of a new study published in the September 13 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. The study suggests antioxidants, known as polyphenols, found in green tea may improve cardiovascular health and prolong life.

The 11-year study tracked a large participant base of 40,530 Japanese adults aged 40 to 79, examining associations of daily green tea consumption (one to five-cup-a-day categories) and mortality rate due to all causes, CVD, and cancer. Lead researcher Shinichi Kuriyama, M.D., Ph.D., of the Tohoku University School of Public Policy, Sendai, Japan, and colleagues concluded that green tea consumption is associated with reduced all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality but not with reduced cancer mortality.

In comparison to those who drank little or no green tea, all-cause mortality rates were 16 percent lower in participants who consumed five or more cups a day over the entire study span. During the first seven years, the percentage rose to 26 percent. Both men and women in the five-cup-a-day category had a substantially lower risk of stroke, 42 and 62 percent respectively.

Heart disease and stroke mortality rates in Japan are about 30 percent lower than that of the United States. The study findings point to the possibility that green tea may be a causative factor. Japanese people consume green tea as a favorite beverage, unlike Americans who prefer black tea, coffee or soda. Other factors such as a healthier Asian diet including tofu, fruits, rice, vegetables, and fish may also have an impact, in comparison to the less nutritious Western dietary choices. The specific health benefit green tea offers in association with improved cardiovascular health remains undetermined and further clinical trials are required to pinpoint exact cause-and-effect.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

Eat more and weight less!

How would you like to eat more and lose weight? That sounds more like science fiction than nutrition advice. Yet it has been reported that some people can actually eat more and gain less weight by eating the proper foods. What are these so called proper food?

Scientist have designated some foods as being calorie dense and other as being low in calorie density. The foods that are calorie dense are food that you should avoid if you want to eat and lose weight, while the foods that are low calorie dense can be eaten as much as you want. Sound easy? Let us take a look at some of this food that we can eat and lose weight, and the foods that we may need to avoid.

The foods that we need to be mindful of that are calorie dense are chips, cookies, pretzels and crackers. These foods tend to be low in moisture and some also may be high in trans fat. The proper foods to concentrate on are foods that are water-rich foods. This includes vegetables, fruits and soups. Adding a hearty salad to our meals or consuming a bowl of soup before the meal may be the best thing that we may want to do.

We may want to look at the benefits of a vegetarian diet. I remember the old saying that after a meal at the Chinese restaurant first you’d be full to the gut then after an hour you’d be hungry. Why? The meal was 90% vegetables and 10% meat. Another fact to consider is the avoidance of fats. A low-density meal is the ultimate value meal. Remember to eat lots of fruits and vegetable and avoid the commercial snack foods.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”