With all the news coverage of the US government “shutdown” you would think the sky is falling. In truth about 85% of the US Federal government is still operating normally. I think we would do well to remember that private citizens are what keep everything going, and that government should serve our needs, not the other way around.
We still have to get up and go to work in the morning, pay our bills, take care of our families, and all the other things that life involves on a daily basis. So it goes with health as well. We are the stewards of our own health, and if we do not take care of ourselves, no “healthcare plan” whether private or government run will matter.
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Our health is in OUR hands. Always remember that, and you will go a long way towards making sure that you have the health to enjoy your life fully and for a long time! One of the most important aspects of health is how your colon (also called the gut) functions.
Since certain neurotransmitters are actually made in your intestinal tract, “gut health” can affect your emotions, and thinking as well as how you physically feel. So as you can see it’s vitally important to have it functioning optimally!
There are several things we need to get this right. One is the right type and amount of fiber, and the other is probiotic bacteria. Click on the links below to check out my web pages on these two topics.
Fiber:
http://www.longevity-and-antiaging-secrets.com/dietary-fiber.html
Soluble Fiber and Cholesterol
http://www.cholesteroltutor.com/soluble-fiber-for-cholesterol/
Probiotics:
http://www.longevity-and-antiaging-secrets.com/probiotics.html
Health of your stomach and colon is the key to overall health for several reasons. You need to absorb and assimilate your food for the nutrients your body needs. If your GI tract isn’t healthy, you can get needed nutrients from your foods.
The longer the “transit time” it takes for waste to exit the colon, the longer you are exposed to toxins that can create cancerous conditions in the body. Think about it, you wouldn’t keep your garbage in your kitchen for months, you would throw it out as soon as possible, because keeping it around is unsanitary.
The same can be said for eliminating waste from your body. It needs to happen every day, and be as complete as possible. An adequate amount of both soluble and insoluble fiber is essential to this process.
An example of insoluble fiber is Psyllium seed husks. These absorb water and provide a “bulking” effect to waste in the colon.
An example of soluble fiber is fruit like apples which also assist in elimination though stimulation of peristalsis (the process of moving the bowels). By the way, the bowels should be moved at least once per day if not more.
I have heard doctors tell their patients that this is not important. In the case of one gentleman I know, his doctor told him that a bowel movement every few days was “normal” for him. This is incredibly bad medical advice.
I have had good luck with just plain Psyllium husks in water, but of course your experience may be different. Whole grains like oat groats, quinoa, or ground flaxseeds can help provide the fiber that’s beneficial to the colon.
Another factor that’s important is the bacteria that is found in the colon. If it’s the normal beneficial bacteria then you will have normal bowel function, and neither be constipated or suffer from diarrhea.
You can get this beneficial bacteria either from probiotic supplements or dairy products like yogurt or kefir. Commercial yogurts and kefirs lose much of their benefit from pasteurization. While I think the dangers of unpasteurized products are overblown, I can’t advise you to consume them for reasons of liability.
It’s safest to use a probiotic supplement or fermented dairy products as your probiotic source. Those of you who get my newsletter know that I am an advocate of the blood type diet.
When you buy these fermented dairy products, look for ones that advertise that they contain “live cultures.” This indicates they will have sufficient bacteria to be of help to you. Avoid products that contain a lot of sugar, or artificial sweeteners for obvious reasons.
Look for a live-cultured plain yogurt, preferably made from goat milk or a pasture raised cow’s milk. For kefir, the same rules follow. Plain and unsweetened is best, and you can add some berries for natural sweetening to the yogurt or kefir.
Probiotic bacteria is specific to blood type and in the near future I will be delving int that with some specific recommendations. Let’s suffice it to say that for all intents and purposes, the right probiotic foods and supplements for your blood type will result in a normally functioning colon and regular bowel movements.
So if what you are doing results in normal function, then you pretty much have it right!
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Now I have something very cool to share with all of you…
Barbara Streisand is possibly the most talented performer that ever graced a stage in any time period. Yes I know that is quite an accolade, but I believe it is well earned.
There is a full concert by the incomparable Barbara Streisand on Youtube, and here is the link:
Enjoy…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upFtYYpgb3A
I had forgotten how gorgeous her voice is and how romantic her delivery is. She is truly a once in a lifetime performer, and I’m glad I live in a time when I get to hear her perform.
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“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”
Plato
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“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Age Better #40 – The Broken Promise of American Medicine
Follow the money! That’s the advice my lawyer used to give me for trying to make sense out of the actions of government and politicians. Always question the policies that are being advocated, and try to find who benefits and why.
You can apply this to everything that happens in society, but in our case we need to apply it to an understanding of public health policy and what really drives it. I see thing almost daily in the media that I know instinctively are wrong.
For instance that fish oil is supposedly dangerous, vitamin supplements are worthless, vaccines are safe, cholesterol drugs make you healthier ect. There is an agenda that underlies all these statements, that involves powerful corporate interests and money.
Usually these issues are brought to light by what we call “muckrakers” which are people who expose corporate wrongdoing and public malfeasance. There is always an element of doubt in their claims because they are usually outsiders who are not part of the industries they are criticizing.
Every once in a while someone comes along who has inside knowledge of an industry and it’s abuses, and steps up to blow the whistle on the corruption they witness around them. Such an individual is Dr. John Abramson M.D.
Dr. Abramson estimates that approximately 80% of prescription drug use in the United States is unnecessary! Yes…that’s right…80%! Dr. Abramson took a year off from his medical practice to research and write a book about this.
The book is called: “Overdosed America – The Broken Promise of American Medicine.”
Here is the link to the Amazon Kindle version:
http://www.age-better.info/Overdosed-America
This book was rated 5 stars over 82 reader reviews, some of those five star reviews were from other doctors! Pretty impressive. It lays bare the dirty secrets of the pharmaceutical industry, how it unduly influences medicine, misinforms doctors, and needlessly puts patients at risk.
In this book you will learn how drug companies hid some of the facts about the side effects of their drugs as “trade secrets.” This means that your doctor could potentially prescribe a drug to you that has side effects that he or she does not even know about!
You will also learn how the drug industry funds the very research being done to determine whether their products are safe and effective. This is a clear conflict of interest that Dr. Abramson exposes in his book!
Doctor Abramson is a family practice physician from Massachusetts, who is affiliated with Harvard Medical School and has solid mainstream medical credentials. This fact makes the revelations in the book all the more convincing.
You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to read this book. Armed with facts and the truth, you can make better decisions about your health care and the role of prescription medications in it.
Don’t be a victim of the drug industry’s deception and dangerous products, read “Overdosed America.”
http://www.age-better.info/Overdosed-America
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Do you have a disease, or other medical condition that you or someone close to you is suffering from that you would like me to research and write about? Then please let me know. I can’t give medical advice because I am not a doctor.
But I CAN research things for you and look for the most cutting edge information on that topic and present it to you and everyone who reads this newsletter. Our knowledge is advancing rapidly, and I am here to report on the very latest on health, wellness, and anti-aging for everyone who reads “Age Better.”
So if you have questions, or comments, please share them with me. I love hearing from you!
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Now to share something a bit lighter and more pleasant with you. Music never fails to illicit enjoyment and happiness with people. I really enjoy sharing some of the unique artists I have found over the years with you.
I have been a fan of American rocker Tod Rundgren for many years, but I was not aware of this amazing concert he did with the Metropole Orchestra in Amsterdam. This is a duet he did with Dutch singer Mathilde Santing (who is new to me).
The two songs are “Love in Disguise” and “Wailing Wall.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_Zb9S7f3_0
Todd described Mathilde as a Dutch national treasure, and you will see why in this wonderful clip from Youtube! The entire concert is available on Youtube at the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS-64ce_bqE
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This newsletter is read by people all over the world, so if you have something that you would like me to share such as music from your country or culture with the other readers, please let me know.
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“Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.”
Thomas Jefferson