The Physiology of Addiction

On the topic of addiction, the late stand-up comedian and irreverent social critic, George Carlin is once quoted as saying, “just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn’t mean the circus has left town.” Implied in his statement is the idea that like many of humankind’s tribulations, the causes and ramifications of addiction are varied, complicated and to a great extent, not fully understood. What we know for sure is that, if unaddressed and left to progress naturally, addiction will negatively impact a person’s relationship with friends‒family‒employers, put them at greater risk for legal and financial issues, result in feelings of guilt and shame, increase the likelihood of developing serious health problems, and may even lead to premature death. Addiction can take the form of physical and psychological dependence of a substance like alcohol, drugs, prescription medications, aerosol inhalants and the like. It can also be viewed as continuing to be engaged in an activity, despite the negative consequences that result from it. http://truthaboutcellulite.iscookin.com/

These include, but are not limited to: gambling, sex or pornography, the internet, cutting or self-mutilation, hoarding, exercising, binging and purging. The cause of addiction is multi-factorial and encompasses biological, psychological and environmental factors. The goal of this article is not to address all of these aspects in detail, but instead, to hone in specifically on substance abuse and the physiology that accompanies it. Defining Addiction What is an addiction? Unfortunately, attempting to answer this can be as difficult as battling the disease itself. Yes I said disease, because according to a 1992 article authored by Morse & Flavin, and published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 68, No. 8: “Addiction is a primary, progressive, chronic DISEASE with genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations.” [AddictionRecoveryBasics.com] In reality there are as many definitions for addiction, as there are addictive substances and the disorders they create. Here’s what the American Society of Addiction Medicine says on the topic: “Addiction is a primary, chronic DISEASE of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations.” [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction] Even the American Medical Association agrees with the term, officially classifying ALCOHOL abuse as a disease in 1966 and the same for DRUG abuse in 1974. In conventional medicine, a disorder is recognized as a disease, only if it meets the medical model for disease which has four criteria. Specifically, the condition must be… • Primary – a disorder of its own; not resulting from another disease • Progressive – gets worse over time • Chronic – continues for a long time • Fatal – if allowed to progress will result in complications that can lead to death Wired to Survive Like other animals on this planet, humans are driven by two primal motivators – pain and pleasure. This immutable truth of human existence allows us not only to survive, but to thrive as a species. In a very real sense, humans are hard-wired to seek reward and avoid discomfort, making pleasure-seeking and pain-avoidance a normal, natural, instinctive human trait. For instance, our fear of heights lets us know that it’s dangerous to get too close to the edge of a cliff, less we slip and fall. Additionally, our avoidance of predators lets us know to stay away from lions and alligators in the wild, less we become their prey for the day. http://truthaboutcellulite.craftsaholic.com/

Conversely, our drive to consume food keeps us nourished and alive, as does our instinctual desire for sex, which helps us propagate the species. CNS – The Master Communicator This process is controlled by the Central Nervous System (CNS) which consists of two main components, the brain and spinal cord. The CNS is responsible for integrating sensory information and responding accordingly. It does so by producing and releasing chemical messengers called neurotransmitters which facilitate the transmission of signals from one nerve cell (neuron) to another, across a microscopic gap called a synapse. In the brain, these chemical messengers fall into two categories, excitatory, which stimulate the receptors receiving a message, and inhibitory, which help block the message from being transmitted. Release one type of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft and you feel confident, excited and ready to take on the world. Release another and you feel calm, relaxed and happy. Both are equally important and both must be in balance for the body to function properly. For example, dopamine, a key neurotransmitter that has both excitatory and inhibitory receptors, plays an important role in mental health. Too much dopamine in the brain can lead to schizophrenia, and too little is associated with Parkinson’s. The Addicted Brain In a healthy brain, the production, release and uptake of these behavior-influencing chemicals is carefully orchestrated, with mechanisms in place to assure that the neurons release and receive the correct neurotransmitter, in the right amount, at the appropriate time. In someone with an addiction, alcohol, drugs and other substances of abuse target the CNS and mount a hostile takeover of sorts over the pain–pleasure centers of the brain. According to a 2004 article in Scientific America titled; “The Addicted Brain”, research shows that chronic use “induces changes in the structure and function of the system’s neurons that last for weeks, months or years.” In chronic abusers, these biochemical changes can become permanent and turn desire into dependence which then turns into compulsion. As anyone who’s suffered with years of addiction will tell you, the insidiousness of this disease is that many addicts feel compelled to continue using, despite the consequences… just to feel normal. This is a big reason why so many who have fallen into addiction find it so difficult to get and stay clean.http://truthaboutcellulite.beautifulmakings.com/

Stress and Cellular Membrane Mechanics

We recognize how stress on the body can not only harm its intrinsic metabolic function, but how it can also negatively affect the GI tract; a system, anatomically-placed to protect us from the numerous harmful, “extrinsic” entities which persistently attempt to enter our systemic circulation and attack us. The hottest areas of Cancer Research and Genetics are those involving “Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication”, (GJIC), and “Protein Kinase Inhibition”. A “Gap Junction”, (known as a “Nexus”), is a specialized intercellular connection between a multitude of animal cells, which directly connects each cytoplasm, allowing for proper cellular communication by specific molecules that can pass freely between these cells. These junctions, or “intercellular plasma membrane channels”, are formed by units known as “connexins”. When these connexins are functioning properly, they allow for healthy Cell-to-Cell communication. Cell communication is an integral part of physiochemical cellular mechanics and plays a vital role in the control of cellular growth and cell differentiation . http://truthaboutcellulite.garagepunks.com/

 Similarly, Protein Kinases, (enzymes of which there are over 2,000 identified up to this point in time), are the catalysts required for the initiation of cellular communication and connexin functionability. Cellular communication can follow the route of providing information for cells to be either directed normally, (i.e., to purposefully provide the correct information codes in order to manufacture “healthy cells”), or to be directed abnormally, (i.e., to purposefully provide misinformation [codes] in order to “misdirect” the otherwise normal production of healthy cells). The latter scenario of “misdirection” can cause unwanted metabolic changes; these are known as “mutations”. Mutations can be overtly presented as “dysplastic”, (i.e., abnormal in structure). The more abnormal and primitive, (or unlike the healthy cell structure), these dysplastic cells become, the less control our normal GJIC has in directing healthy metabolism and proper cellular response (7-9). Over time, this loss of normal GJIC control will allow more cells to replicate, grow, and function in an uncontrolled, “wild-type”, exponential manner, which can, (and many times will), lead to non-reversible malignant cellular development. What normally follows is what we normally “label” as cancer . Whether we are looking at tissues from liver, kidney, heart, muscle, brain, or those of the entire G.I. tract, the cells which comprise these tissues are all protected by cell membranes. Basically, the cell membrane itself, is composed of a lipid, (fat), bilayer which is held together by weak electrostatic interactions of “dipole-to-dipole” chemistry; i.e., in layman’s terms; positive and negative magnetic forces are what hold these bilayers together. These electrostatic forces, (i.e., bonds), are nowhere as strong as either covalent or even ionic bonds, but are strong enough to keep the lipid layers in contact with each other, (i.e., so to maintain their cellular membrane structure), yet “loose” enough to allow substances to travel through/across them in order to get them into the cell matrices. The rational of this “structural science” is simple; the roles of the cell membrane are to protect the cell, to regulate the transport of substances in and out of it, and to control “cell recognition”; thus, keeping the cell functioning properly requires that the cell membrane maintain its physical shape/appearance, as retaining the integrity of the cell matrix has the most impact on cellular function . Permeability factors, and the cellular membrane’s control over these factors, whether focusing on the cells which line the intestinal tract, those that line the pancreas, cardiac tissue cells, or hepatocytes, (liver cells), are most important here regardless of cellular origin. The ability to transport nutrients and vital substances, and transfer information via the required chemicals and electrolytes from cell to cell, is accomplished only by proper anatomical maintenance of the cellular membrane . Cell membranes generally possess receptor/recognition sites which identify whether a foreign substance is one that has entered the body either through the GI tract, (i.e., is from an external source), or is a product/metabolite of an indigenous nature, (i.e., is a xenotoxin or xenoestrogen that has been metabolically transformed by one’s own Cytochrome P450 system). This way, the receptor will be able to provide information to the body on how this substance should be handled, and whether it should be recognized as benign or potentially lethal. An example of cell membrane receptor identification, is the working of a fat cell, (adipocytye), cell membrane in a Type II (NIDDM) diabetic. Because the Beta-cells of the pancreas usually still produce insulin in Adult-Onset Type II Diabetes Mellitus, insulin receptor sites are usually still present, (and presumably active in most cases), on cell membranes of the cells that are normally responsive to glucose. http://truthaboutcellulite.plays-guitar.com/

Type II diabetics, although they usually do produce insulin, frequently present insulin resistance; this may be due to a number of reasons, with the most acceptable ones concluding that insulin receptors on fat and muscle tissue cells have “sunken” below the cell membrane, and/or that the receptors themselves have been anatomically or structurally altered, changed, or deformed, so they no longer efficiently recognize the Insulin structure . This, in fact, does constitute a change/modification of the cell membrane itself. The example above explains how a change in the cellular membrane will affect cellular membrane mechanics. What we do know, is that stress, regardless of its origin, in most cases, will most likely be either the primary, secondary, or even the tertiary culprit somewhere along the line. We are aware of the negative effects that stress has upon our immune system, as well as upon our overall health in general, and many times we tend to overlook the basics; that our health and longevity is completely dependent upon proper, functioning Cell communication. In its relation to cell membrane health, we also know that stress is a disruptor, and any disruption of membrane anatomy will negatively affect the regulatory flow of ions, (both into and out of the cell), interfere with cellular communication processes, (due to membrane protein disruption and possible denaturization), and will activate the inflammatory response .
http://truthaboutcellulite.authenticfans.com/

Drinking Tea and Coffee to Prevent Brain Tumors?

Tea and coffee are two of the world’s most popular beverages – and for people who can tolerate caffeine, these drinks, particularly tea, have considerable health benefits. They’re certainly a better choice than soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages. Now, there’s more good news about drinking tea and coffee – it could prevent brain tumors. According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, drinking just under half a cup of either coffee or tea each day helps to prevent brain tumors called gliomas. After questioning over 500,000 Europeans about their lifestyle habits and following these folks for over eight years, researchers found the risk of gliomas was lower in people who drank 100 milliliters of coffee or tea each day – the equivalent of just under half a cup. What are Gliomas? Gliomas are the most common type of cancerous brain tumor in adults, and most people diagnosed with one have a poor prognosis. These tumors, which arise from glial cells, are most common in the brain but can also affect the spinal cord. Glial cells are special supporting cells that help to support, protect, and nourish nerve cells in the brain. No one knows exactly what causes gliomas, but they’re more common in people with certain genetic conditions, and those who are overweight or tall in stature. healthcareblog1.devhub.com/blog/2438695-kyle-leon-customized-fat-loss-herbs-and-natural-supplements/

Fortunately, this type of tumor is relatively uncommon. A normal individual has only about a one in one-hundred chance of being diagnosed with a glioma over a lifetime. Drinking Tea and Coffee Doesn’t Prevent All Types of Brain Tumors. Researchers didn’t find an association between drinking coffee and tea and the risk of another type of brain tumor called a meningioma the second most common cause of brain cancer. They also didn’t see a dose-related response, meaning the more coffee and tea a person drinks the less likely they are to get a brain tumor. This type of response usually adds more credibility to the findings. How Does Drinking Tea and Coffee Prevent Brain Tumors? http://truthaboutcellulite.snack.ws/

 This study is only preliminary, so it’s too early to say there’s a cause and effect. Tea and coffee contain two components – caffeine and antioxidants – that could play a role in preventing brain tumors. In one study carried out in the laboratory, caffeine slowed down the growth of brain gliomas. It’s also possible that the antioxidants found in coffee and tea prevents DNA damage that could lead to a malignant brain tumor. Should You Drink Tea and Coffee to Prevent Brain Tumors? It’s still too early to say, but tea and coffee in moderation has health benefits – particularly green tea and white tea.http://truthaboutcellulite.trustmeimapro.com/

Stressed Out… Go For A Run!

The U.S is at war, the economy is in the tank and the American population struggles with obesity. Those sure aren’t bright prospects, are they? How do I personally deal with this kind of stress? I go for a run! You heard me right. I lace up my shoes and head out to “The Strand” a surfside path in Hermosa Beach, California, where all my problems go away. I can say with conviction – it makes me “right” like you can’t believe! I’m like so many people – I’m a family man raising 2 little boys (a 4- and 6-year-old) trying to make ends meet in a day and age where it is progressively more difficult. I’m sure you’ve heard: the mortgage crisis and unemployment have left many homeless trying to figure out what to do next. In an effort to minimize stress in profoundly tough times, exercise and nutrition are truly the best remedies. There are many studies validating the fact that exercise reduces stress. Nothing eases stress more than moving the body. Exercise, when properly done, enables the body to act more efficiently. Exercise improves the cardiovascular system by strengthening the heart and creating increased blood vessel elasticity. Exercise also increases oxygen throughout the body and lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels. http://generalhealthprograms.tripod.com/

 As you get older, this means less chance of developing heart conditions, strokes or high blood pressure. There are also profound mental benefits. Exercise provides a release for negative emotions such as frustration, anger and irritability. According to Paz Eilat, MD, an internist who practices in Southern California, exercise improves mood by producing positive biochemical changes in the body and brain. “Regular exercise reduces the amount of adrenal hormones the body releases in response to stress,” he explains. “The body releases increased levels of the ‘feel good’ brain chemical called endorphins, powerful, pain-relieving, mood-elevating neurotransmitters in the brain.” As I mentioned in the December issue of Nutricula, over the past 30 years, two of my greatest passions has been exercise and nutrition. I have competed in endurance events – close to 300 – over the past 3 decades. I’ve completed most every type of endurance event – from ultra marathons to marathons to triathlons to long distance rough water swims. There is no doubt that “the runner’s high” is the real deal. It is the result of an endorphin push in the body and is EXHILARATING! I get all fired up thinking about it. Exercise, therefore, will keep your body functioning properly and will keep you feeling relaxed and refreshed, as well as help promote deep, restful sleep (this is also key). Now, all the exercise in the world won’t do a bit of good unless you begin with a sound nutritional foundation. That means eating right and supplementing. I know you may have heard this a thousand times before. But, it’s a cold, hard fact. And did you know nutritional guidelines are constantly changing. For example, According to the www.foodpyramid.com, the “Healthy Eating Pyramid” was updated in 2008. This food pyramid was developed by the Harvard School of Public Health and is based on scientific evidence about the links between diet and health. It includes consuming appropriate amounts of fruits and vegetables; healthy fats and oils; whole grains; nuts, seeds, beans and tofu; and dairy or Vitamin D/calcium supplements. Did you know there is also an “Asian Diet Pyramid”, a “Latin American Pyramid”, a “Mediterranean Pyramid”, a “Vegan Food Pyramid” and a “Vegetarian Food Pyramid”. Choose what is appropriate for your particular situation. And I can’t emphasize enough to consider eating organically. Now, as I mentioned earlier, supplementing is also crucial to complete that “nutritional foundation”. I believe every adult on the planet should be taking the following 5 supplements for overall health and wellness which will translate into reduced stress in a stressful world: Multivitamin You really need to be vigilant about what you eat to get all the recommended daily nutrients. If you’re busy and on-the-go like most of us, this could be a challenge. In my opinion, we all need to supplement our diet to truly get what the body needs. There are 13 essential vitamins (A, C, D, E, K, B12, and the 7 B-complex vitamins) that regulate crucial body systems. We acquire some nutrients from food. However, with processed foods being so prevalent today, nutrient intake from food is becoming much less efficient. For obvious reasons, we need to avoid nutrient deficiencies. http://healthprograms2014.tumblr.com/post/70283113291/kyle-leon-scam-also-precipitate-asthma-attacks

Supplementation can reverse a wide range of maladies caused by vitamin deficiencies. Taking a multivitamin is a great start to any supplement regimen. Talk to your health care professional about which multivitamin is best for you. Fish Oil: The mainstream media has been reporting on the benefits of fish oil for years. Studies have shown that the Omega-3s found in fish oil helps prevent and fight heart disease, cancer, depression, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, ulcers, diabetes, hyperactivity and other diseases. While Omega-3s can be found in flaxseed, walnuts and a few other foods,the most beneficial form of Omega-3, containing 2 fatty acids – EPA and DHA – which are essential in preventing and fighting both physical and mental illness, can be found only in fish. Be sure to take fish oil products from companies that follow strict procedures to eliminate environmental contaminants to assure the highest purity of its fish oil supplements. “Fish oil provides a whole host of benefits that will greatly improve overall health,” says Eilat. “I recommend it to all my patients as part of a comprehensive nutritional regimen”. Probiotics They say health begins in the gut. That’s why probiotics are critical. The intestinal tract is filled with an enormous number of beneficial bacteria called probiotic bacteria. They are called probiotic bacteria because the term “probiotic” means “for life”, as opposed to the term “antibiotic” which means “against life.” The body is designed to have a symbiotic relationship with these probiotic bacteria. Probiotics help to digest food, kill harmful microorganisms and assist us in functioning properly in many ways. It is crucial to have a large population of probiotic bacteria in the digestive tract as this will promote proper digestion and keep harmful, disease-causing microorganisms at bay. If the percentage of good bacteria is too low, compared to the bad bacteria, the body will function poorly. There are many probiotic products on the market. Choose the product that best suits your specific health needs. Natural Plant Compounds CoQ10 (Ubiquinol): CoQ10 is one of those encompassing dietary supplements with both general health benefits (e.g., anti-aging, antioxidant) as well as specific health applications (e.g., cardiovascular, diabetes, etc). It is a fundamental component in energy production, immune response and protection against damage by free radicals. Co-Q10 is part of the mitochondrial electron transport system and is synthesized in all cells. It is essential to the body’s production of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This holds special importance for the heart, which is loaded with mitochondria and has the body’s highest concentration of Co-Q10 because of the significant demands made upon it. Aging reduces access to Co-Q10. Although it is obtained from the diet (mainly from fatty fish, organ meats, and whole grains) as well as synthesized in small amounts, both of these routes decline with age. The body’s declining capacity to extract and assimilate Co-Q10 in later years plays a role in the development of various cardiovascular conditions. Ubiquinol is the reduced form of CoQ10 and the most highly absorbed. Ubiquinol is directly used in human metabolism as a lipid-soluble antioxidant. While standard CoQ10 (ubiquinone) supplements can be converted into ubiquinol in the body, this conversion can be less efficient in some individuals, based on age, genetics, blood sugar status or level of oxidative stress. Sulphoraphane: Increasingly, scientists are examining the role specific natural plant compounds (phytochemicals) may play in increasing the body’s natural defense system. In 1992, researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine identified sulforaphane, a compound that occurs naturally in broccoli. Johns Hopkins researchers believe that many phytochemicals, including sulforaphane, may help explain why diets rich in fruits and cruciferous vegetables are associated with a reduced risk of cancer. The basis for this belief is from laboratory research on animals and it is being confirmed in humans. Sulforaphane, in the form of its natural precursor, sulforaphane glucosinolate, is also found in foods such as kale and cabbage. Johns Hopkins University researchers found that young broccoli sprouts, in particular, contained high concentrations of SGS. The scientists believe that SGS boosts the body’s own antioxidant defense system. http://flavors.me/adriennamarie857

Exercise, A Natural Solution for Breast Cancer Prevention and Recovery?

If you are one of those loyal and dedicated Nutricula readers, you know that I have contributed an article to each issue of Nutricula since the journal’s debut issue back in December of 2010. You also know that in every article I provide a certain amount information on exercise and how it applies to the particular theme of that month’s issue. Well, this month’s article is no different. However, I feel somewhat challenged. The theme for the October issue of Nutricula is “Breast Cancer”. First, and most importantly, I am not a health professional. So how could I, in good conscience, write an article on this topic? What could I write that may be useful to you. Just what is the connection between breast cancer and my passion, exercise? Well, when it comes to exercise and my passion for it, even a layman like me can provide some worthwhile tidbits of information. In fact, my research uncovered published studies by recognized health professionals and scientists that revealed a profound connection between breast cancer and exercise. I often reflect on how I persevered during difficult periods in my life.
http://healthprogramss.jimdo.com/2013/12/17/also-precipitate-asthma-attacks/

 Exercise, along with support from family and friends, always played a key role in getting me through tough times. In fact, there is actually a physiological explanation. Research conducted on exercise and depression has demonstrated that exercise does positively influence mood. This phenomenon can often be attributed to endorphins. What are endorphins? They are natural pain killers in your body. Believe it or not, endorphins work much like man-made stimulants. Once endorphins enter the bloodstream, you get a natural rush often referred to as “the runner’s high”. Endorphins work much like any other drug. However, the differences between endorphins and pharmaceuticals are: Endorphins are safer They are readily available They are MUCH stronger (and healthier) than pharmaceuticals Additionally, exercise improves circulation which also has profound, tangible health benefits. All of a sudden, you’ll notice fatigue, headaches and other ailments associated with poor circulation will disappear when you exercise. When blood pumps faster, circulation increases which promotes feelings of alertness and energy. Furthermore, when your body looks better, you feel better! Through conscientious physical activity, you lose weight, your muscularity increases because you have shed excess weight, and your skin looks healthier. In fact, you just plain carry yourself differently. It doesn’t take long before people start complimenting you. And, when you look in the mirror, you like what you see, so naturally you feel better. With that said, does exercise have any effect on breast cancer prevention, treatment and recovery? We already know that exercise helps reduce the chances of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and countless other conditions. And, as I mentioned earlier, exercise also helps you lose weight, sleep better and feel better. But, how does exercise impact breast cancer? While exercise has not been proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer, studies indicate that exercise can offer some protection. Some studies suggest that exercise can reduce the risk of breast cancer in women because exercise lowers a woman’s ongoing exposure to estrogen, which is believed to contribute to cancer growth. Additionally, the muscular system, which makes up nearly half the weight of the human body, defends the body against deadly disease and illness. http://generalhealthblog.virb.com/

Exercising the muscular system is a great practice for cancer prevention and improving overall circulation. According to Paz Eilat, MD, there are several biological mechanisms to explain the relationship between physical activity and breast cancer development. “Physical activity may prevent tumor development by lowering hormone levels, particularly in premenopausal women,” says Eilat. “Also, exercise lowers levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), improves immune response and significantly contributes to managing weight in an effort to avoid excess body fat.” According to www.cancer.gov, the relationship between physical activity and breast cancer incidence has been extensively studied with more than 60 studies published in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Most studies indicate that physically active women have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than inactive women. Additional compelling information from www.cancer.gov suggests that exercise not only reduces breast cancer risk in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, but high levels of moderate and vigorous exercise during adolescence may have profound protective benefits as a result of the natural pain killer endorphins and increased circulation. As is always the case, a lifetime of regular exercise is thought to be of greatest benefit for not only preventing breast cancer, but a whole host of other maladies as well. Additionally, women who increase their physical activity after menopause may also experience a reduced risk as opposed to inactive women. Existing evidence also reveals a decreased risk of breast cancer as the frequency and duration of physical activity increase. Health professionals recommend 30 to 60 minutes per day of moderate- to high-intensity physical activity as being optimum for a reduction in breast cancer risk. Always consult your health care professional for the regimen that is best for your particular situation. The interesting thing is that exercise and weight control may work together in preventing breast cancer. Anne McTiernan, MD, Ph.D, an internist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, found that the women in her study who exercised the most had a 22% decreased risk of breast cancer. While some studies have found a positive relationship between exercise and breast cancer, others have found no relationship at all. Either way, exercise is important for staying healthy and, when it comes to recovering from breast cancer, that’s when exercise really becomes important. Can you Exercise while Recovering from Breast Cancer? Women recovering from breast cancer want to do so as quickly as possible. And exercise plays a major role in facilitating a fast and robust recovery . In fact, the recommendations for cancer survivors are no different from the recommendations for anyone who wants to improve his or her health: Exercise, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol intake and do not smoke. In fact, according to www.mayoclinic.com, the aforementioned has increased benefits for cancer survivors. Cancer survivors who implement an exercise regimen into their daily routine will experience a wide range of benefits as follows: Increased strength and endurance Stronger immune systems Fewer signs and symptoms of depression Less anxiety Reduced fatigue Less difficulty sleeping Improved mood Higher self-esteem. http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/generalhealthblo

IBS, Stress, and Mind Control

The letters “I” “B” and “S” are virtually harmless when separated. However when they are put together to form the acronym “IBS”, millions of people around the world have a problem. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alternating bowel habits. The condition affects 35 million Americans alone; both the cause and cure are unknown. The majority of diagnoses are made through a process of elimination. Doctors use their patients’ medical histories of symptoms to rule out other possible diseases. On the bright side, IBS is not a progressive disease and usually rears its head for finite periods of time, then settles down. On the flip side, going through the motions of IBS can be a real pain in the butt (no pun intended). There are many ways to deal with the symptoms: antibiotics, antispasmodic drugs, holistic remedies, and food choices. But the connection I found to be most common and the most pervasive trigger for IBS, is our all time favorite trouble maker- STRESS! http://healthprogramss.moonfruit.com/

Reducing the stress in our lives seems like the first place to start in fighting IBS. It is sometimes hard to determine when we are “stressed out” because stress can be both good and bad! What is stress? Stress is defined as the importance or significance attached to a thing. Holy Moley! This could potentially demark anything in life a stressor. Getting a new job, moving to a new city, or even planning a birthday party. Pretty much, if you care about it, it has the potential to bring stress to your life! Good stress is categorized as the heightened senses we attain when we need to turn up the heat. For instance, our fight or flight response comes in handy when jumping out of harms way (like to avoid a speeding car barreling down a road). We become stronger and more alert when in stressful situations; this energy is really good for cranking out things we need to do in that single instance. Bad stress occurs when our bodies live in a continuous state of stress. The hormones unleashed throughout the body when the brain perceives stress can be debilitating if left unchecked. Living within a constant space of stress will inevitably manifest itself into health issues. This is why IBS patients often experience more symptoms during stressful periods. The brain sends stimulants to the gut that exacerbate the speed of colonic contractions, delays stomach emptying, and relaxes the bladder muscles. How to cope with stress Depending on what is stressing you out, there are a number of ways to de-stress. 1. I find that talking to others you trust makes a huge difference. 2. Writing the feelings down in a journal helps to relieve stress. http://healthprogramss.moonfruit.com/blog/4581537785

3. Talking to a professional counselor can help people understand themselves better and the situations that bring them stress. 4. Sometimes going for a nature walk can really calm a busy mind. Most valuable takeaway Many people are unaware of the mind, body, and spirit connection. The emotional contributors to good health cannot be ignored. As someone who deals with digestive disease, I can tell you first hand that a big component to controlling symptoms is mind control. I am learning how to control my mind from stressing myself out! Spiraling down a tunnel of worry doesn’t do any good at all. Life is an ever-evolving experience that brings changes beyond our control. Trusting the process is the best way to reduce stress. We cannot control it all, just ourselves. Mind your health and love yourself; your gut will thank you for it! http://healthprogramss.jimdo.com/

Art as Healing Transformation

We may not all be Van Gogh’s, but we can all paint, and in doing so release emotions that have built up in us over many years. It is often easier to do this work together in a group. We can motivate each other and revel in our successes and learn from our seeming failures while knowing that there is never anything done that we cannot learn from.My desire is to share and learn with others. I have found that when I connect my writing with my art it seems to make me feel more whole. It brings the left and right sides of my brain together in a wonderful exchange. If you are looking for balance in your life, try finding it in this way.
“There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence transform a yellow spot into the sun.”
That’s what art is all about…..transformation!When you combine art with emotional awareness you allow for a transformative experience that can bring about health and wholeness in a new dimension.

“A 2008 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services revealed that: 70-80% of all visits to the doctor are for stress-related and stress-induced illnesses.  Stress contributes to 50% of all illness in the United States.” http://healthprogramss.snappages.com/blog/2013/12/17/uploads-are-a-group-of-natural-or-synthetic-substances

I see the use of Expressive Arts as an investigative journey, learning the ways that we can bring balance to our lives by employing the art of emotional expression as a concrete method to reduce stress.  Since feelings are simply energy, they are neither good nor bad, but if left unexpressed they can cause serious problems.

Every experience we have, positive or negative, is recorded in the cells of our body, in our individual DNA.  Whether we know it or not it, this trapped energy affects us in many ways.  Unless we employ a plan for resolving these unexpressed feelings, they will literally eat away at us, causing not only stress but many different illnesses.
So how do we deal with those unexpressed feelings in a healthy way?
One method is by doing simple writing and expressive art processes.  They can liberate negative energies within us, leaving us happier, feeling lighter and more fulfilled.  We simply need a way to communicate our hidden, unexpressed feelings.  Once they have been revealed, they are released and no longer hide in our bodies affecting us in untold ways. These exercises also aid us in being able to express ourselves artistically and the art projects help us create new structures within and without.

“Emotions move through us when they are accepted and expressed.  When this happens, feelings enliven us and fuel our creativity.” 2 This is all a part of the healing process.

It has been documented that ART can heal. “The field of art therapy is discovering that artistic expression can be a powerful means of personal transformation and emotional and spiritual healing.  In this book, Shaun McNiff, a leader in expressive arts therapy for more than three decades, reflects on a wide spectrum of activities aimed at reviving art’s traditional healing function.”http://healthprograss.kickoffpages.com/

There is a strong connection between Emotions and Body-Mind Medicine.

Many illnesses are triggered by our emotional cries for help.  Dr. Bernie Siegel is an internationally recognized expert in the field of cancer treatment and complementary, holistic medicine.  As an Oncologist and author of Love, Medicine and Miracles, “Dr. Siegel worked with young cancer patients in the 1980′s who imagined that the video game icon “Pacman” would eat their cancer cells and eradicate the disease. Siegel’s work was verified when many children went into remission in their disease from this mind over matter idea.” 4

I have always found a healing quality present when writing about my art.  It helps me to allow my inner awareness to come into alignment with my outer awareness and it brings with it a certain harmony.

Read the research of Dr. James Pennebaker to find proof of the healing quality of writing.  He is a Professor and Chair of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and has done powerful research into the healing power of writing showing that writing about your illness actually boosts your immunity.

Dr. Pennebaker and his students continue to explore the links between emotional experiences, natural language, and physical and mental health.

Norman Cousins, famous writer and editor, is known for laugh therapy and he actually laughed himself well.  He was stricken with a crippling and life-threatening collagen disease in the 1960’s.  After following a system of high doses of vitamin C and positive emotions (including daily doses of belly laughter), he recovered fully.  His healing experience is described in his book, Anatomy of an Illness.  Fifteen years later he again healed himself after suffering a life threatening heart attack. You can read about his healing journey in his book, The Healing Heart: Antidotes to Panic and Helplessness.

Deepak Chopra, who popularized ancient Indian art of Ayurvedic medicine, recently announced on a TV interview that we can change our genes by our thoughts.  You may also have heard of the The Mozart Effect. “The term was first coined by Alfred A.Tomatis who used Mozart’s music as the listening stimulus in his work attempting to cure a variety of disorders.”
Yes, emotional expression is healing.  Using art as a means of expressing hidden emotions can lead to a transformative healing experience. http://healthprograss.kickoffpages.com/

 This thought is also echoed in the research of Candace Pert, PhD, in her book, Molecules of Emotion.  “My research has shown me that when emotions are expressed—which is to say that the biochemicals that are substrate of emotion are flowing freely—all systems are united and whole. When emotions are repressed, denied, not allowed to be whatever they may be, our network pathways get blocked, stopping the flow of the vital feel-good, unifying chemicals that run both our biology and our behavior.“6