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The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

The South American Native Americans enjoyed this plant as a dietary staple, with the Incas honoring quinoa with the title "mother seed." Also known to give strength and stamina, it was called "the gold of the Aztecs." The Spanish conquistadors all but stamped out the existence of quinoa in an attempt to destroy the South American natives and their culture. With death as a punishment to any offender, cultivation of quinoa was decreed illegal. In the 1980s, however, two people from the state of Colorado became interested in its healthfulness and began to cultivate it there.

DO NOT OVERCONSUME MEAT AND OTHER ANIMAL FOODS Study after study confirms one basic truth: the higher your intake of meat and other animal AVOID CONSUMING JUNK FOOD AND SOURCES OF HIDDEN EMPTY CALORIES According to the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which studied the eating habits of 15,000 American adults, one third of the average diet in this country is made up of unhealthy foods, including potato chips, crackers, salted snack foods, candy, gum, fried fast food, and soft drinks. These items offer little in terms of protein, vitamins, or minerals.

However, there are three available species from whose combined gene pools American arborists hope to stage a comeback of healthy chestnut forests: the American chestnut (Castanea dentata), the European chestnut (Castanea sativa), and the Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima). In the meantime, China, Italy, Japan, and Spain are the principal growers of chestnuts. NUTRITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Chestnuts are the only low-fat nuts, containing just one 1 gram of fat and a little less than 70 calories, primarily from carbohydrates, per ounce of dried or roasted nuts.

Also known as pepitas, pumpkin seeds are American football-shaped, flat, dark green seeds with some sheathed in a yellow-white husk. There are also varieties of pumpkins which produce seeds without shells. The pumpkin seed has a chewy texture and a subtle, sweet, and nutty flavor. While roasted pumpkins seeds are probably best known for their role as a perennial Halloween-time fall treat, the seeds of the pumpkin are quite healthful and tasty any time of the year. HISTORY Big pumpkins, and their small seeds, were a distinguished food of the Native American Indians.

Pecans have now been introduced into Brazil, Peru, Australia, South Africa, and China, but the United States remains by far the leading producer of this native American nut. According to the USDA, more than 346 million pounds of pecans were produced in the United States in 1999—more than 80 percent of the world's pecan crop. NUTRITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS The pecan is another delicious nut that owes much of its flavor to its high fat content, which runs about 71 percent most of it in the form of heart-healthy monounsaturated oleic acid.

Native American tribes, made it a point to thank the gods and the animals as part of their killing and eating rituals. In some parts of India and Africa, cows have been elevated to the level of sacred. In traditional Chinese medicine terms, meat has been essential to build energy and healthy blood. In more Westernized cultures, the ability to afford beef has been indicative of a person's affluence and good fortune. Interestingly, beef is a relative newcomer to the United States, for before the 1500s there was no known beef in the Western Hemisphere.

Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

American ginseng does not increase testosterone, which could increase aggression and aggravate prostate disorders. • Stress. Like other forms of ginseng, American ginseng traditionally has been applied to restoring Health after long periods of illness or prolonged stress. Research suggests that American ginseng aids the body in adapting to different temperatures and stress when taken regularly. These effects are termed adaptogenic. Taken over a course of one to three months, American ginseng regulates the body's production of stress hormones.

Vitamin P" compounds appear in so many foods that it is difficult to experience a deficiency, and American scientists had assumed it had no value. Flavonoids and oligomeric proanthocyanidins are now known to be essential to Health. The flavonoids and oligomeric proanthocyanidins interact with vitamin C to protect each other from free radicals. Together with vitamin C, they promote vascular Health. Their promotion of vascular Health helps correct an array of diseases, ranging from attention deficit disorder to cancer to degenerative conditions of the eyes to Parkinson's disease.

Iporuru bark steeped in aguardiente (rum) is a traditional South American remedy for arthritis, colds, and muscle pains after a long day of fishing or hunting. In Peru, health-care practitioners prescribe iporuru to treat rheumatism and impotence, and to reduce blood sugar in people with diabetes. Indigenous peoples of Peru use it to relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis. Benefits of iporuru for specific Health conditions include the following: • Gout. Iporuru alleviates acute inflammation.

More information on acupuncture is available from the American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOU). (See Appendix B: Resources.) Aromatherapy Aromatherapy is the use of pure essential oils extracted from fragrant plants to help relieve a variety of Health problems. Traditional uses of aromatherapy include assisting breathing and loosening mucous secretions; healing minor cuts and insect bites; promoting relaxation and sleep; reducing pain; relieving digestive problems; and soothing muscle aches and pains.

Consuming at least 300 milligrams of cholesterol a day—that is, any diet other than a cholesterol-lowering diet—and more than 10 percent of total calories from fat—almost any American diet, including a vegan diet—protects against breast cysts. To consume healthy sources of fat, eat two to three servings of cold-water fish (such as mackerel, salmon, or tuna) weekly, or take flaxseed oil, MaxEPA fish oil, or vegetarian DHA (such as Neuromins). Borage or evening primrose oil is also helpful.

Moreover, American manufacturers and distributors of herbal products keep current with scientific research in China, Europe, Japan, and especially Germany, places where herbs are part of mainstream medicine. Another reason the revitalization of herbal medicine has come about is that while modern drugs have achieved a great deal in disease treatment, they also have contributed to ill Health. Every modern drug comes with warnings of side effects. A standard textbook for pharmacists even states, "If a drug is stated to have no side effects, then it is strongly suspected it has no central benefit.

The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. and Thomas M. Campbell II See book keywords and concepts

I have more faith in the average American. It's not true that Americans love hogwash—it's that hogwash inundates Americans, whether they want it or not! I know that some Americans want the truth, and just haven't been able to find it because it is drowned out by the hogwash. Very little of the nutrition information that makes it to the public consciousness is soundly based in science, and we pay a grave price. One day olive oil is terrible, the next it is heart healthy. One day eggs will clog your arteries, the next they are a good source of protein.

In the Women's Health Trial, also including American women, it is even worse, at -17%18'21,22; as fat goes down, animal protein goes up. This practice is typical of American women who have been led to believe that, by decreasing their fat intake, they are changing to a healthier diet. A nurse consuming a "low-fat" diet in the Harvard study, like American women everywhere, is likely to continue eating large amounts of animal protein, as shown in meal #1 (Chart 14.4).

Height Weight in Excess of (lbs) 5'0" 153 5'2" 164 5'4" 174 5'6" 185 5'8" 197 5'10" 209 6'0" 221 6'2" 233 But cancer and obesity are not the only epidemics casting a large shadow over American Health. Diabetes has also increased in unprecedented proportions. One out of thirteen Americans now has diabetes, and that ratio continues to rise. If we don't heed the importance of diet, millions of additional Americans will unknowingly develop diabetes and suffer its consequences, including blindness, limb amputation, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and premature death.

To illustrate, we need only to look at two typical American meals.14,15 Meal #1 is served in a health-conscious home, where the main grocery shopper in the family reads the nutrition labels on every food item he or she buys. The result: a low-fat dining experience. Meal #2 is served in a home where the standard American fare is everyone's favorite. When they cook at home, they make the meal "rich." The result: a high-fat dining experience. CHART 14.4: LOW-FAT AND HIGH-FAT American DINNERS (ONE PERSON'S DINNER) Low-Fat Meal # 1 High-Fat Meal #2 Dinner 8 oz. roasted turkey 4.5 oz.

I consider this to be an irresponsible and callous disregard for American citizens. Of course, these women and infants are not in a position to pay for research, donate to politicians, give academics special favors or fund government panels! For others concerned about nutrition, every time they see a dietitian, every time they see their doctor, every time they see a nutritionist and every time they go to a community Health center, they may be told that a diet high in fat, animal protein, meat and dairy is consistent with good Health, and they needn't worry about eating too many sweets.

This means that there are many other major nutritional differences in the Chinese and American diets, as shown in Chart B.2.1 CHART B.2: CHINESE AND American DIETARY INTAKES Nutrient China United States Calories (kcal/kg body wt./day) 40.6 30.6 Total fat (% of calories) 14.5 34-38 Dietary fiber (g/day) 33 12 Total protein (g/day) 64 91 Animal protein (% of total calories) 0.8* 10-11 Total iron (mg/day) 34 CO * Non-fish animal protein This was the first and only large study that investigated this range of dietary experience and its Health consequences.

Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition Paul Pitchford See book keywords and concepts

The Western traditions include raw food and sprout recipes and a good selection of typical American dishes adapted to vegetarian cuisine. A number of the recipes recognize the desire of Americans to eat a varied and complex diet, and are included primarily for those in the early stages of dietary transition to high quality, whole foods. Nevertheless, as noted earlier in the food combining sections, too many ingredients in a meal can lead to poor Health. Complex meals should be taken at most occasionally, and then only by those with good digestion.

Oats were recommended to those with cancer and general debility by American herbalist Jethro Kloss, as a daily breakfast cereal in many Health clinics in Europe, and also by Max Gerson. One beneficial action of oats is their nervine property, which helps relax the patient; the high fiber content of oats cleanses the arteries and other areas of the body of mucoid deposits; they also strengthen and regulate the qi energy, which is often stagnant in cancer. Oats were used in the early days of this century to boost resistance to disease.

Thus, various European and—more recently—certain American Health clinics forbid their clients yeasted bread. Commercial yeasted breads, even the whole-grain varieties, often have other problems. They typically contain flour bleach, which forms alloxan, a compound known to cause diabetes in animals by destroying the beta cells of the pancreas (Clinical Nutrition Newsletter, Dec. 1982). Flour bleach does more than bleach. It acts chemically to soften and age flour, and to repel insects.

Fats make up 30-40% of the American diet. Although several national Health organizations recommend 20%, a balanced vegetarian diet will often contain about 10% fat, based on caloric intake. Within limits, appropriate con- *Both proteins and carbohydrates yield four calories per gram, whereas fat provides nine calories per gram. Oils and Fats sumption of fat, like any nutrient, varies with the individual. In general, it is the upper limit that is overstepped.

Much the same can be said regarding banana and other large plantations where the crop is exported to wealthy nations while the Latin American soils are depleted and the masses go hungry. Tea According to the Chinese herbal classic, the Pentsao, common black or green tea has several uses, some of which are Health benefits. Properties and uses: Brightens the eyes, clears the voice, invigorates the constitution, removes flatulence, opens the acupuncture meridians, illumines the spirit, improves the digestion, relieves thirst, and is cooling, diuretic, and astringent.

A Dose of Sanity: Mind, Medicine, and Misdiagnosis Sydney Walker III, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Eight years ago," Sacramento Medical Society executive director William Sandberg told American Medical News recently, "70 percent of physicians were in solo practice—today it's only 30 percent." And if you choose to visit a doctor in private practice, your company's insurance program will most likely pay far less (or even none) of your costs. So why should you pay good out-of-pocket money for a private practice psychiatrist? Because, for the private psychiatrist, the patient's Health is the bottom line.

Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes See book keywords and concepts

The following adaptogens can be used as aids in musculoskeletal system health: American ginseng, amla, ashwagandha, Asian ginseng, eleuthero, he shou wu, lycium, rhaponticum, rhodiola, schisandra, and shilajit. Adaptogen Notes • Amla strengthens bones and teeth. • He shou wu is used topically in "hit medicine" (martial arts medicine) as a liniment for bruises and contusions. • Lycium can be eaten daily to strengthen weak muscles and ligaments. PSYCHOSPIRITUAL Health (MIND-BODY-SPIRIT CONDITION) In the West, we don't have a perfect word to describe the mind-body-spirit connection.

The American Herbalists Guild represents the goals and voices of many clinical herbalists, the American Herbal Products Association represents the voice of the herbal products industry, and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, is doing research and providing information on complementary and alternative medicine (including medicinal herbs) to the general public. The future looks relatively bright for herbal medicine in the United States.

The American Institute of Stress reports that as many as 75 to 90 percent of visits to physicians are due to stress-related complaints. In survey after survey, Americans identify stress as their number one Health concern today and more than 50 percent of adults in the United States report high stress on a daily basis. Stress is a phenomenon that manifests itself in our bodies in many different ways. Some of the more common symptoms of stress include problems with sleep, depression, anxiety, irritability, and fatigue.

American Ginseng lowered blood sugar levels in both healthy volunteers and patients with diabetes. AMLA Botanical Name: Emblica officinalis (synonym: Phyllanthes emblica) Family: Euphorbiaceae Common Names: Amalaki, emblic myrobalans, Indian gooseberry Taste/Energy: Sour, sweet, cool, dry Part Used: Fruit Location/Cultivation: Amla is native to India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, southern China, and Malaysia. It commonly is cultivated throughout India, below elevations of three thousand feet. Safety Rating: ? ? ?

The success of this formula in the United States came in 1996, when Prime One was used at the summer Olympic Games in Atlanta by more than 150 American athletes. AYURVEDA: THE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE OF INDIA The name ayurveda was given to the ancient healing tradition of India. It is derived from the words ayus (life) and veda (knowledge) and is often translated as the "science of life." It is an in-depth science of life and encompasses the wholeness of life. It aims to bring about a union of physical, emotional, and spiritual health—a state of harmony with the universe.

She is a founding member of the American Herbalists Guild and maintains a very busy clinical practice. \^itriiL.ui vac uf nuufsiugcris a.o f Crawford was treating a healthy eighty-one-year-old man for arthritis. He had some joint deterioration but X-rays and blood work supported his physician's diagnosis of moderate to severe osteoarthritis with no added concerns. He was taking no medications for the arthritis. However, Crawford's usual herbal anti-inflammatories and antirheumatics weren't working.

Best Choices From the People's Pharmacy Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Research has also shown that American women who eat very little meat or saturated fat may also be at higher risk for bleeding strokes, especially if they also have high blood pressure. For an investigation known as the Nurses' Health Study, researchers at Harvard University have been following more than 85,000 female nurses since 1980. Every 2 years the women answer questions about their diet, lifestyle, and Health.

They did their best to explain why the low-fat diet was a giant fizzle, but the answers were unsatisfying and could not counteract the loss of trust by the American public. Cardiologists, internists, registered dietitians, and most other Health professionals like to maintain that they follow "evidence-based medicine." In other words, science, not supposition, is their motto. But when data don't match dietary dogma, they frequently are ignored. That's what happened with MRFIT (the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial).

European and American guidelines suggest that you be allowed to sit quietly for 5 minutes before any measurement is taken. Tight clothing should be removed from the upper arm. The Health professional should measure your arm circumference and select the appropriate cuff to match your arm size. The cuff should be applied snugly to the bare arm about half an inch above the elbow crease. The arm should be resting comfortably on a desk, and the cuff should be at heart level. Your back should be supported.

Research published in the American Journal of Public Health (February 2006) reports that when people take 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily the risk of getting colorectal cancer is cut in half and the chance of coming down with either breast or ovarian cancer is reduced by one-third. In addition to the anticancer benefits of vitamin D, research shows that this nutrient is crucial for strong bones. When people take at least 800 IU daily they reduce their risk of hip fracture by 26 percent.

1001 Chemicals in Everyday Products Grace Ross Lewis See book keywords and concepts

However, many Europeans acquire them from American friends. Even though they can be found in Health food stores in the U.S., they are under-the-counter products in Canadian stores. 80. What does DHEA stand for? It stands for dehydroepiandrosterone, which is called the mother hormone. It has been a "hot" supplement for the last couple of years. 81. What is DHEA? DHEA is dehydroepiandrosterone. It is a plant derivative of a hormone from the Mexican wild yam. It is naturally produced by the adrenals and is one of the most abundant hormones in humans.

Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition Michael T. Murray, N.D., Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

Use the Healthy Exchange System to Construct a Health-Promoting Diet The American Dietetic Association (ADA), in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association and other groups, has developed the Exchange System, a convenient tool for rapidly estimating the calorie, protein, fat, and carbohydrate content of a diet. Originally created for designing dietary recommendations for diabetics, the exchange method is now used in virtually all therapeutic diets. Unfortunately, the ADA exchange plan does not place a strong enough focus on the quality of food choices.

Call the local American Cancer Society and ask for referrals. You are not alone. 9. When you need to relax, perform deep breathing exercises rather than reaching for a cigarette. 10. Avoid situations that you associate with smoking. 11. Each day, reward yourself in a positive way. Buy yourself something with the money you've saved, or plan a special reward as a celebration for quitting. The Importance of Regular Exercise Regular physical exercise is obviously a major key to good Health.

For more information, contact The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians P.O. Box 20386 Seattle, WA 98102 206-323-7610 The Future of Naturopathic Medicine To many people, naturopathic medicine and the entire concept of natural medicine appears to be a fad that will soon pass away. However, when viewed with an open mind it is clear that naturopathic medicine points the way to the future. There is a revolution occurring in Health care, resulting in more natural therapies gaining acceptance even in mainstream medical circles.

For information on these "gentler" therapies, or to find a practitioner near you, contact The Trager Institute 33 Millwood Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-388-2688 North American Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique P.O. Box 517 Urbana, IL 61801 800-473-0620 Feldenkrais Guild 706 SW Ellsworth Street Albany, OR 97231 800-775-2118 PART TWO ENHANCING KEY BODY SYSTEMS Heart and Cardiovascular Health Cardiovascular disease is responsible for at least forty-three percent of all deaths in the United States.

For information on locating an EDTA chelation specialist, contact The American College of Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) 23121 Verdugo Drive, Suite 204 Laguna Hills, CA 92653 800-532-3688 (outside California) 800-435-6199 (inside California) Aortic GAGs Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are structural components that are essential to maintaining the Health of arteries and other blood vessels.

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