Health and Wellness February 2, 2011

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BE STRONGER. LIVE LONGER.

GAM BIT’S HEALTH & WELLNESS > FEBRUARY 2011 >VOLUME 2 > NUM BER 2

G A M B I T ’ S H E A LT H + W E L L N E S S

BENEFITS OF

ACUPUNCTURE

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COLONIC IRRIGATION CONTROVERSY

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BEET-FRIENDLY: HEALTH BENEFITS OF BEETS

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HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > febrUarY 01 > 2011

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Chris Tran on acupuncture

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A minimally invasive cancer treatment

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Detox with facials and massage.

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eXPert aDVICe

boDy equIty

by the nuMbers Benefits of the mighty beet

MINUTE WORKOUT

HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > febrUarY 01 > 2011

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HOME OF THE

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S M A R T TA LK O N H E A LT H

BY CA R R I E M A R KS

C

hris Tran, co-owner of NOLA Acupuncture and Wellness (3712 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 208, 362-8020; www.nolaacupuncture.com) earned his master’s degree in Chinese Medicine at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego. Here, he explains the unique benefits acupuncture offers toward detoxification, immune support and recovery from illness.

HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > febrUarY 01 > 2011

What are the principles of acupuncture? How does it work?

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Acupuncture originated in China about 2,300 to 2,500 years ago. Its main intent is to maintain the body’s balance between the yin and the yang by using a holistic approach. Acupuncture relies on the ability to control the chi, which is vital energy that flows through the body, by placing needles along different channels called meridians. There are about 400 points on the body, and we pick and choose which to use, depending on the patient’s needs. Instead of prescribing a pharmaceutical … we work with the patient to develop a total treatment plan.

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How many sessions does it take to see improvement of your condition? Can you be treated with only one visit?

It really depends on the nature and location of the issue. If you’re seeking treatment because of fatigue or stress, you may only need one treatment. Acute pain issues, like tennis elbow, usually take about two or three visits to resolve completely, and more chronic pains, like migraines, might take 12 sessions or more. I have one patient who was considered paralyzed by her doctors after she sustained a fall in her bathroom. She was bedridden for a year.

After receiving acupuncture once a week for two months, she’s now walking with the help of a walker.

She is regaining strength through physical therapy and ongoing acupuncture treatments, and within another two months, she should be walking on her own.

What kinds of ailments can you treat with acupuncture?

The list goes on and on. Acupuncture can be used to treat fatigue, stress and specific pain, as well as help someone quit smoking. It is being used for cancer therapy, to assist with weight loss, cardiovascular issues and respiratory problems like asthma and chronic colds. It has been successful in treating mental and emotional problems, gynecological problems, pregnancy and fertility issues, incontinence, kidney stones, skin diseases, even facial rejuvenation. Much of what is possible depends on the experience of the practitioner.

Can healthy people benefit from acupuncture, or is it more for people with a specific problem?

People with overall good health can benefit (from acupuncture).

I have healthy patients come in for preemptive immune support — for example, they suffer from a minor issue, like a sinus cold, and choose to eradicate it before it becomes a serious problem.

How much does acupuncture cost? Do health insurance plans cover it?

Out of pocket, it’s around $95 per treatment, but many main health insurance plans cover it.

On Saturdays, we host a community clinic, where we offer treatments for just $40.

Is there anybody who should not get acupuncture?

My youngest patient was 3 months old; my oldest was 84 years old. I haven’t found someone unable to benefit from acupuncture, but I’ll let you know if I do.

probing the

Colon Cleanse controversy an ancient health practice is back in vogue.

is it helpful or harmful to your body?

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••••••••

ne of the many alternative health treatments available is a procedure called colonic irrigation or hydrotherapy, which removes waste from the colon using filtered water. Hydrotherapists believe waste can get stuck in the colon, where toxins can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in autointoxication, which they see as the cause of many illnesses and symptoms.

The use of colonics can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, who used enemas. The practice was further promoted by Hippocrates and later by medical doctors in the early 1900s. By 1920, however, the American medical community rejected both the idea of autointoxication as a real disease and the regular use of colonics. (“Autointoxication is absolute nonsense,” says Dr. Teddy Winstead, director of gastroenterology clinical research at Ochsner Medical Center.) However, many alternative health practitioners advocate colonic hydrotherapy as a way to maintain general health.

Two holistic practitioners in the New Orleans area who specialize in this treatment describe the process. Tabitha Bethune of Uptown Colon Hydrotherapy says her use of closed-system colon hydrotherapy is “a gentle, safe, drug- and chemical-free procedure.”

Marshall Meggs of Holistic Life says during a colonic irrigation session, “filtered water flows into the colon, gently stimulating the colon’s natural peristaltic action to release softened waste. This process is repeated several times throughout the session, which can last about 30 minutes to an hour.” For people concerned about possible contamination, Bethune says, “the instruments that are used are disposable, so the patients can be sure that what is being used on them is completely sterile.” However, Winstead says, “The stuff (colon hydrotherapists) put into you isn’t usually FDA-approved and may not be sanitary. There is also the risk of perforating your colon.” To avoid these risks, make sure your hydrotherapists’ equipment is sterilized and FDA-approved.

Proponents of colonic hydrotherapy list many illnesses and symptoms they treat with this procedure. “The proposed benefits of colonic irrigation are quite extensive,” says Dr. Lisa Marie Chambers, a naturopathic physician in Mandeville. “(Benefits) include enhancement of the immune system, removal of toxic substances such as heavy metals, restored balance to intestinal microorganisms, restored pH balance to the colon and increased intestinal muscle tone. It has … been used to treat constipation, insomnia, digestive disorders, colds and flu, skin conditions, fatigue, menstrual problems, headache, chronic fatigue syndrome, high blood pressure, poor mental state (and) irritability.”

Weight loss is often a documented result. Though Chambers does not perform hydrotherapy in her office, she recommends it to her patients.

“For me, an increase in energy was the main benefit,” says Stephen Lee Kelly Jr., who had his first experience with colonic irrigation last fall and describes the experience as relaxing and soothing. “For a couple of weeks, it was easier to wake up in the morning, and I felt less groggy and dependent on caffeine. I definitely recommend it to other people.”

Dr. Lydia Wheaton, a naturopathic physician in New Orleans, does not recommend colonics. “There are other ways to heal the body,” she says. “This is an extreme procedure. Just like fasting, colonic irrigation has a big impact on the system. I

know naturopathic doctors who live well, and they get colonics. It is their method of increasing detox. But bring it back to nature. When did we ever have water in our colons?” Instead, Wheaton prescribes the use of “gentler means such as healthy diet and lifestyle, sweating and exercise, which are just as effective and not as invasive.”

Medical doctors generally do not recommend colonic hydrotherapy and do not perform the procedure in their offices. Dr. William Woessner, who specializes in family medicine, says he discourages his patients from colon cleansing.

“I absolutely do not recommend it and see no medical indication for it, except the use of enemas in cases of severe constipation,” Woessner says. “Otherwise, there is no scientific proof of its benefits, and (it) may draw out essential nutrients in the body.”

Winstead says the colon is capable of cleaning itself. He debunks the belief, held by some hydrotherapy advocates, that waste accumulates in the gastrointestinal tract and adheres to the intestinal walls as toxin-ridden mucoid plaque, which is best removed via colonic irrigation. “When I do an unprepped colonoscopy, there is nothing adhered to the walls of the colon,” he says. “I am a big believer in alternative medicine, but colonics is something I have never bought into at all.”

Regardless of the arguments for or against colonic hydrotherapy, all healthcare providers — medical, naturopathic and holistic — agree on a few things a patient should do if having the treatment. First, see your physician to ensure you have no health contraindications (for example, pregnancy). Second, make sure the procedure is administered by a certified colon hydrotherapist. Finally, use the procedure as a supplement to an already healthy lifestyle and take care of yourself afterward by replenishing the good bacteria your body needs and eating a nutritious diet.

“Remember to add super foods (like blueberries, broccoli, walnuts and oats) to your diet,” Bethune says. Meggs adds, “The body needs food that is alive and full of nutrients and enzymes in order to maintain or regain good health. I advise people to take charge of their own health.”

For more information about colonic hydrotherapy in the New Orleans area, visit www.uptowncolonhydrotherapy.com and www.holisticlife.us.

HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > febrUarY 01 > 2011

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the gooD seeD Brachy therapy, or Seeding, iS a way to treat cancer during a long lunch break. | By Katie Kidder croSBie

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n 2011, options for treating cancer abound, and they are improving all the time. A proven cancer treatment that has yielded extremely positive results over the years is brachytherapy.

With brachytherapy, also called seeding or internal radiation therapy, radiation is used to eradicate tumors from the inside out instead of using external beam radiation therapy, which directs radiation from the outside in. Brachytherapy allows physicians to place radioactive material inside or near a tumor. The radioactive sources’ precise locations permit physicians to use higher doses of radiation than are safe with external beam therapy and for shorter periods of time, causing less damage to healthy tissues surrounding the diseased area.

Urologist Walter Levy with East Jefferson General Hospital has performed brachytherapy in prostate cancer patients for more than 30 years. “Given the right patient, the results have been excellent.” However, this type of treatment cannot be used in patients with a very large prostate or an advanced stage of cancer, Levy says. In those cases, surgery or external radiation therapy is more appropriate, he says.

An experienced, knowledgeable health care team is crucial for identifying candidates for successful brachytherapy. “Our team knows how to do a great job, but (we) also know how to select appropriate candidates for the procedure,” Levy says. “We have very experienced radiation oncologists, urologists and physicists working together to perform this procedure.”

Depending on what a patient needs, one of two kinds of brachytherapy can be employed for cancer treatment. In Low Dose Radiation (LDR) brachytherapy, several needles are used to implant small, radioactive seeds directly into or near the tumor.

Although the seeds remain in the body permanently, the radioactive material dissipates completely over a few months and becomes harmless.

In High Dose Radiation (HDR) brachytherapy, a needle or catheter delivers radiation to a specific location then is removed, along with the radiation, before the patient leaves the hospital. This procedure often requires an overnight hospital

stay and can be more challenging for patients.

The length of a patient’s hospital stay depends on the course of treatment prescribed by his or her physician. In many cases, brachytherapy is a relatively quick outpatient procedure that can be completed in 30 to 45 minutes, allowing the patient to be in and out of the hospital in a matter of hours.

“Patients are asleep while the procedure is done,” Levy says. “Afterward, they go home and hardly have any pain. We remove the catheter the next day and that’s it. They don’t have an incision. They haven’t had major surgery. There are all kinds of benefits, and it’s quick. I’ve had guys go back to work within a couple of days.”

Brachytherapy has been used effectively to treat many different types of cancer including breast, cervix, eye, gallbladder, head and neck, lung, prostate, rectum, skin, uterus and vagina. It is an invaluable tool in treating prostate cancer, the second deadliest cancer for men older than 40 and the most diagnosed cancer in men, according to the National Cancer Institute.

In 2000, The Journal of Urology published the results of a study conducted by the University of California. The study showed long-term side effects such as urinary incontinence were reduced in brachytherapy patients compared to men who underwent a radical prostatectomy.

The study concluded, “At an average of 7.5 months after treatment, the general health-related quality of life of patients undergoing brachytherapy with and without pretreatment external beam radiation was similar to age-matched controls.”

Although physicians have used the treatment for decades, Levy attributes some of brachytherapy’s recent success to evolving technology. “The ultrasound imaging of the prostate and the ability to ... place the seeds in real time means you know exactly where you are in the body,” he says. “I know where all the seeds are and how close I am to vital structures. The technology has changed everything.”

DETOX CENTER massage, facials and aromatherapy help cleanse the body inside and out. | by lee cutrone

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Massage works on several levels.

In addition to flushing out water, salt, minerals and other substances that accumulate in the muscles (for a variety of reasons including muscle tension, which reduces the flow of oxygen and nutrients to tissues), it also stimulates the flow of lymph fluid, the body’s natural defense system against toxic invaders.

Drinking plenty of water after a massage aids the process. Treatments like exfoliating facials (which help unclog pores), back facials (which use warm clay masks to draw out impurities), body wraps (which promote sweating and utilize detoxifying agents like seaweed or sea salts), hydrotherapy treatments (which also promote sweating) and certain aromatherapy oils have detoxifying effects as well. Some spas even offer lymphatic drainage.

For those interested in trying a home detox treatment, facials and bath soaks are easy, relaxing options. Because aromatherapy works well in conjunction with facials, Humphries suggests com-

MaRiE huMphRiEs’ EXfOliaTiNg sCRub 1 TEaspOON hONEy 1 TEaspOON lEMON juiCE 1 1/2 TEaspOONs swEET alMOND Oil gRaNulaTED sugaR — ENOugh TO ThiCkEN ThE MiXTuRE

bining essential oils of black pepper (it increases circulation, stimulates the digestive system and works as a diuretic), cypress and juniper berry. Cedarwood and frankincense are also good for detoxing. Essential oils enter the body either by absorption or inhalation, so they can be used in a variety of ways — as oil-infused candles, diffusers, in a bath, mixed into massage lotion or even inhaled from a tissue or washcloth.

“There are so many different aromatherapies out there,” Humphries says. “It’s easy to get information … by Googling essential oils, and they’re easy to buy at any health food store.”

In addition to smelling nice, essential oils help you feel good. Coupled with massage, they can help prevent health problems before they occur and even improve your mental outlook, Humphries says. “Massage releases (from the brain) serotonin and endorphins ... the body’s natural painkiller and feel-good hormone.”

Lightly rub the mixture over your face, avoiding the eye area.

Cover the face with a warm, wet towel for a minute to open pores, then use the towel to remove the exfoliating scrub. Follow with a purifying mask. Apply a warm, wet towel over the mask for a minute, then use the towel to wipe the face clean. Finish with a toner, tightening serum and moisturizer.

DETOX baTh A relaxing detox bath is simple and inexpensive. Add sea salts and/or Epsom salts and a few drops of essential oil such as lavender or ylangylang to a warm bath. Soak for 10 to 20 minutes.

13 Unbeatable Reasons to Eat Beets

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Beets fight cancer. Studies show beet juice inhibits the formation of cancer-causing compounds, particularly in the colon and stomach.

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They prevent heart and vascular diseases. Beet greens and roots contain the phytochemical betacyanin, which reduces levels of homocysteine, an amino acid related to heart and vascular diseases.

Plus, compounds in beets dissolve inorganic calcium deposits that cause arteries to harden.

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Beets guard against Alzheimer’s and dementia. Nitrates in beets open blood vessels and increase blood flow to the brain, which can help prevent cognitive disorders in older adults.

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They keep you regular, intestinally speaking.

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Beets are good for your eyes. The lutein and zeaxanthin in beets support macular and retinal health.

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They help to prevent varicose veins.

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They help lower blood pressure — and prevent clotting and inflammation.

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Beet juice treats dandruff: Put beet juice (mixed with a splash of vinegar) on your scalp for an hour.

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They help you exercise longer. Researchers at the University of Exeter in the U.K. published a study in the Journal of Applied Physiology (Aug. 6, 2010), reporting that a nitrate in beet juice increases stamina and makes exercise less tiring, allowing people to exercise 16 percent longer.

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Beets are good for your skin. Beets contain vitamin A, which maintains healthy skin and mucus membranes as well as protects against lung and mouth cancers.

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They counter the effects of environmental toxins and fight anemia. Antioxidants clear free radicals and iron regenerates red blood cells to supply fresh oxygen to the body.

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Beet juice can detoxify the liver, gall bladder and kidneys. Choline in beets cleans the liver — and coupled with carrot juice cleans the gall bladder and kidney — and can alleviate jaundice, hepatitis, food poisoning, diarrhea or vomiting and gout.

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They’re packed with vitamins and minerals: vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and C, choline, folic acid, iodine, manganese, organic sodium, potassium, iron, calcium, copper and phosphorus.

HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > febrUarY 01 > 2011

elaxation, stress relief and the easing of tense, aching muscles are the most obvious benefits of massage. However, massages — and other spa treatments including facials, aromatherapy and body wraps — assist in removing toxins from the body, which helps us look, feel and function better.

“Our bodies absorb harmful toxins and pollutants we are exposed to in our environment,” says Marie Humphries, a massage therapist and owner of Therapeutic Touch Massage Studio (726 1/2 E. Boston St., Covington, 985-590-7490; www.therapeutictouchmassagestudio.webs.com). According to Humphries, common environmental pollutants include smoke, alcohol, caffeine, sugar and salt. Signs of a toxin buildup include a weak immune system, lethargy, trouble sleeping, cellulite, skin problems, fluid retention and difficulty losing weight. Removing harmful toxins and pathogens, she says, can increase energy levels and improve overall health.

T h E R E a l 411

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