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Love Your Heart with All Your Heart

So, how do you love your heart? By taking care of it—by nurturing it—keeping it physically fit, emotionally sound and intellectually informed. Notwithstanding the fact that you can’t live without it, the heart is unique among all your body’s equipment. Unlike your legs, arms and eyes, its sense of things is accessed differently; from the inside-out rather than the outside-in. When you see things with your eyes or touch them with your skin, those organs send signals to your brain to interpret what you’re seeing or feeling. Your heart doesn’t come in contact with anything on the outside. Instead it, collects information from everywhere, working through other organs and mechanisms. For example, the heart doesn’t feel hot and cold; rather, it accesses feelings such as like and dislike, love and hate, and emotional hurt and compassion. We’re constantly learning more about how our heart’s “feelings” work.

As the center of love, joy, sadness and anxiety, among other things, the heart is fundamentally important to our human existence. It’s also one of the easiest, most responsive aspects of our body’s health to take care of, and one of the most overlooked, perhaps because the things we do intentionally to support other body systems tend to benefit the heart, too. While the pillars of good heart health are non-fungible and non-negotiable, research is giving us new insights into the heart-mind and heart-gut connections, as well as the benefits of heart health practices, starting in childhood.

The bottom line is that maintaining a healthy heart is well within our control, says the science, arguably more so than many other body systems. I have to think this is because of our masterful creation. God made us and the planet and everything on it to be intertwined to the point that when one small part of that master plan gets out of kilter, it throws off or has inevitable consequences for another part. We are wonderfully interdependent, complex systems, each operating simultaneously alone and together. For example, the quality, quantity and location of our plant population impacts our health, determining how many of the calories, nutrients, vitamin and minerals that we need we actually get. And that’s the way the universe was made—perfectly, to work together in perfect harmony. We’ve understood that for hundreds of years. Back in the 18th century, it was discovered that scurvy was caused by insufficient vitamin C in the diet: something as simple as not eating enough fruits and vegetables could lead to bleeding gums, loose teeth and bleeding under the skin. The many and various discoveries of symbiosis haven’t stopped since, n or will they.

In her article “Improving Heart Health: Lifestyle Metrics to Prevent Heart Disease,” Sheila Julson takes a deeper dive into the subject beyond the twin pillars of diet and exercise, and even suggests that less exercise is more. I love that she points to the American Heart Association’s confirmation that mindfulness and meditation practice can lower the risk of heart disease. Our friend Dorsey Standish, CEO of Dallas-based Mastermind Meditate, also espouses mindfulness for heart health, and she helps us understand more about the heart-mind connection and how the heart accesses feelings.

Not to be shortchanged, the heart-health pillar of diet and nutrition gets some local love, too. We rounded up several North Texas registered dietitians to inform us as to what they tell their clients about eating to love their hearts. And forgive me for saying so, but our “Cardiac Cuisine” recipes are to die for. All this good stuff will keep the body’s master switch in top shape to do what it does best: love.

As always, this issue is chock full of information to help you along your journey to a healthier life on a healthy planet. Please email us at Publisher@NADallas.com to let us know how we’re doing.

Blessings until next month,

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Cleaner Water for North Texas

The construction of Bois d’Arc Lake, owned and operated by the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), was recently completed, adding a reliable source of essential, safe drinking water to the North Texas region and brings enhanced environmental benefits to Fannin County. While many residents in the region are familiar with the upcoming recreational opportunities and economic boosts the lake will bring to Fannin County, there are other significant water quality safeguards and environmental benefits. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency accepted the NTMWD Watershed Protection Plan that outlines a strategy to implement management measures to help improve and protect water quality in the watershed. Care was taken to restore thousands of acres of natural habitat, returning them to their original, pre-agricultural condition. More than 6.3 million saplings were planted, transitioning large portions of the 15,000 acres at Riverby Ranch back to forested conditions. NTMWD partnered with Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), renowned for its environmental restoration expertise nationwide. RES will remain onsite for decades to monitor natural growth, manage invasive species and maintain the property to promote healthy habitats for plants, fish and animals. In addition, the project enhanced 8,500 acres of wetlands, planted 3,200 acres of native grassland and restored 70 miles of streams.

Although Bois d’Arc Lake is not yet open for public recreation, NTMWD is committed to supporting economic growth around the lake without compromising the collective environmental resources.

For more information, visit BoisdArcLake.org.

Oak Cliff Earth Day Seeks Vendors

The 14th annual Oak Cliff Earth Day will be celebrated from noon to 5 p.m., April 16, at Lake Cliff Park, in Dallas, with environmental education booths and green vendors, food and fun for the kids. Entertainment highlights include performances by Bandan Koro, a Dallas-based African drum and dance ensemble, and Booker T. Washington’s Roots Jazz group. Sponsorships are available starting at $100. Vendor space is $60 ($35 for nonprofits) if registered before April 1 ($20 more after). Dallas County and city groups can register at no charge.

The grassroots green festival was launched in 2007, GreenSourceDFW.org, a local environmental news site, and the Memnosyne Institute, its parent nonprofit and longtime festival sponsor, took over as host in 2018.

Location: 300 E. Colorado Blvd., Dallas. Vendors must email ocedvendor@ gmail.com for more information. For more information about sponsorship, call Wendel Withrow at 214-287-1046 or email Wendel@GreenSourceDFW.org. For general information, visit OakCliffEarthDay.com.

Zinc for Colds and Flu

Mental Health Benefits of Breastfeeding

Add maternal mental health benefits to the well-documented physical advantages that breastfeeding offers to moms and their infants. A systematic review published in the Journal of Women’s Health found that breastfeeding was associated with overall improved maternal mental health outcomes. A majority of the studies concluded that breastfeeding was connected to fewer mental health symptoms. Thirty-six of the 55 articles reported significant relationships between breastfeeding and reduced symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety. Notably, when breastfeeding challenges arose or when the actual experience of breastfeeding didn’t meet expectations, five studies reported negative mental health symptoms.

The researchers suggest that breastfeeding may have protective effects on mental health due to the release of oxytocin—also known as the love hormone—which is associated with decreased maternal stress levels and anxiety. This suggests that breastfeeding may have immediate, short-term effects on maternal mood. Further research is needed to help provide better personalized breastfeeding and mental health counseling to moms.

Weighted Blanket for Better Sleep

A study published in BMJ Open evaluated the use of zinc for the prevention or treatment of acute viral respiratory tract infections (RTI) in adults. As a treatment for colds and flu, zinc reduced symptoms by two days, compared to the placebo. The researchers surmised that of 100 people with upper respiratory infections, 19 of them recovered by day seven as a result of the zinc treatment. Symptom severity appeared to be lower for those treated with zinc—with improvements seen by day three. Those taking zinc experienced an 87 percent lower risk of developing severe symptoms.

In terms of the prevention of colds and flu-like illness, taking zinc was found to have a modest effect compared to the placebo, with one out of 20 infections prevented. Preventive effects were most significant in reducing severe symptoms. Overall, there was evidence suggesting zinc might prevent RTI symptoms and shorten its duration. Researchers were unable to clearly ascertain the efficacy of different dosages and delivery (oral or nasal spray).

Weighted blankets may be a non-drug option to help ease conditions like insomnia and anxiety by allowing the body to release more melatonin (a hormone that promotes sleep) at bedtime.

In a new study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden measured the amount of melatonin, oxytocin and cortisol in the saliva of subjects after sleeping with either a light blanket or a weighted blanket. They found that using a weighted blanket helped naturally increase production of melatonin by 32 percent. There were no significant changes in the levels of oxytocin, cortisol or sympathetic nervous system activity.

Herbal Toothpaste Deemed Safe and Effective

Toothpaste containing certain plant-derived extracts was found to be effective in the prevention or treatment of gingivitis and early-stage periodontitis, according to a study published in Dentistry Journal The authors noted that people should still get regular, in-depth cleanings and treatments to maintain oral hygiene, and that antibacterial herbal extracts have safer toxicity profiles for human use.

In the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with a previous diagnosis of gingivitis or initial stages of periodontitis were given an experimental toothpaste or the control toothpaste for a 60-day trial period, during which time they brushed twice daily. The experimental toothpaste contained chemical components and extracts of German chamomile, sage, arnica and echinacea. The control toothpaste contained only chemical active ingredients.

The herbs used in the study showed positive anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic and antibacterial actions. Patients in the experimental group experienced diminished bleeding of the gums and teeth whitening. The indices of gingivitis, general oral hygiene, plaque, tartar buildup and mild periodontitis decreased in both groups over the trial period. While both toothpastes eliminated several bacterial periodontal pathogens, the experimental one was more efficient against several of them.

Put On a Happy Face

According to a new study led by Stanford University and published in Nature Human Behaviour, positioning our facial muscles into a smile can actually cause us to feel happier. Researchers collected data from 3,878 participants across 19 countries, using three techniques: n Mimicking facial expressions of actors seen in photos n Moving the corners of their mouths to their cheeks using only their facial muscles n Using the “pen-in-mouth” technique, which moves facial muscles in a simulated smile shape

The study found a noticeable increase in feelings of happiness from people that mimicked smiling photographs or pulled their mouth toward their ears.

Gratitude is the most important human emotion. Are you tired of living life with stress and commotion? It’s time to Live a Lifestyle of Wellness. You have the ability to change direction. Stress management, exercise, nutrition and intermittent fasting is for your protection. How do you start and what should you do? Follow me on YouTube, FB and Instagram. The Dr. CBD and Nutrition Education Series will teach you. When you’re in the neighborhood stop by our retail store. There’s a plethora of CBD products to see and you can learn so much more. You will be greeted with kindness as soon as you open the door. If your interested in learning about vitamin supplements and CBD then please allow me to assist you on your wellness journey.

I’m Dr. JCHill MD.

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One Step Closer to Fusion Power

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced the achievement of fusion ignition at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). This is a major scientific breakthrough decades and billions of dollars in the making, paving the way for us to be able to produce clean fusion energy. Fusion power is considered a game-changer because it would allow us to produce electricity with no carbon footprint or radioactive waste, using fewer resources than it takes to harness solar and wind power.

On December 5, 2022, the LLNL team conducted the first controlled fusion experiment in history to reach what is known as “scientific energy breakeven”, meaning that it produced more energy from fusion than the laser energy used to drive it. Merely a theory until now, fusion combines two light nuclei to form a single heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy. To achieve this milestone, LLNL built a series of powerful laser systems housed in a facility the size of a sports stadium. The lasers create temperatures and pressures comparable to cores of stars and giant planets. There are still enormous challenges to be tackled in the decades ahead. The first is to develop machinery capable of affordably turning the reaction into electricity without destroying the machinery in the process. The hope is to address these challenges in time to have a positive impact on climate change.

Reforestation Is More Than Planting Trees

The United Nations designated 2021 to 2030 the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. To that end, the European Union and 26 nations, along with donor support, recently pledged $16 billion to protect, restore and sustainably manage forests. A significant portion of the monies will be spent on reforestation.

Many reforestation projects focus on the number of trees planted, with less attention to how well they survive, how diverse the resulting forests are or how much carbon they store. A study of data from 176 reforestation sites found that on average only 44 percent of newly planted trees last more than five years, with some sites reporting a sapling survival rate of less than 20 percent.

Several studies have explored ways to improve survival rates. Promising measures include planting near mature trees, fencing out cattle, improving soil conditions, planting native species first to pave the way for other tree species and involving local people to support reforestation efforts.

Finding Hydrogen in Oil Wells

Climate change has spurred researchers and companies to develop fuels with zero carbon emissions. A simple solution is hydrogen because it burns without carbon emissions and is seemingly everywhere—under our feet and in every glass of water. The challenge is obtaining a reliable, safe and sustainable volume of hydrogen at a reasonable cost. There are several methods used today to produce pure hydrogen in large quantities. Most hydrogen is a byproduct of natural gas or coal gasification.

Cemvita Factory, a Texas biotech firm, field-tested a new method of hydrogen production in July, 2022, by injecting a propriety combination of bacteria and nutrients into a depleted oil well. Once inside, the microbes broke down the oil dregs to generate hydrogen and CO2. Cemvita Factory estimates there are more than 1,000 depleted oil wells in the United States that are suitable for their microbial treatment. While hydrogen production using depleted oil wells is getting some interest and attention, it still appears to be at a relatively early stage of development. One challenge faced by Cemvita Factory and other innovators in this area is how to prevent the CO2 from leaking into the atmosphere and contributing to climate change. Methods to capture, store or neutralize the CO2 byproduct will need to be developed.

Alarming Decline of the Hawksbill Turtle

Dispersed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the hawksbill sea turtle helps maintain high coral cover on reefs by removing invasive prey. Their ornate, beautifully patterned shells make them a favorite attraction for snorkelers and divers around the world. But those beautiful shells also make them a target for illegal harvesting to be carved into combs, jewelry and other trinkets.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the population of hawksbill turtles has declined by 84 to 87 percent over the last three generations, and their numbers continue to fall. Illegal poaching is not the only threat facing these turtles. Excessive hunting, loss of coral reef habitats due to warming oceans and acidification, light pollution in nesting areas due to development, marine pollution and fatal run-ins with commercial fishing have contributed to their decline.

Conservation efforts are underway in places like Australia and the Caribbean, including working with commercial fishers to develop sustainable, turtle-friendly fishing methods. Laws are in place in many parts of the world to deter and prosecute the illegal trade of turtle products. Consumers can do their part by learning to identify, avoid and report hawskbill shell products. For tips, check out this video by Travel for Wildlife at Tinyurl.com/HawksbillHelp.

Sharks Win!

Turning Vegetable Waste into Plastic

The World Economic Forum estimates that about 400 million tons of plastic waste are produced globally each year and that 98 percent of single-use plastic products are made from fossil fuels. So, the prospect of replacing the petroleum in plastic with a plant material is exciting news for the planet and humanity.

Toresyoku, a Japanese firm, has developed technology that efficiently removes cellulose (dietary fiber) from plant material for use in plastic production. Using vegetable waste, such as cabbage cores, rice husks, coffee grounds and the leaves and stems of tomatoes and broccoli from local farms, the company extracts the cellulose through hydrolysis (heating under pressure in water) and component decomposition (using enzymes).

Not only does the cellulose reduce the use of petroleum-based materials, but it may also increase the strength of the plastic being made for products such as plastic bottles, appliances and car bumpers. The company expects to start operating their factory soon and be able to process up to a ton of plant waste a day. While other companies have been able to extract cellulose from wood chips, Toresyoku’s technology is more efficient and can be done for a fraction of the cost of competing technologies.

In a groundbreaking decision, world governments have awarded increased protections to 54 species of sharks at the 19th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). “This decision is the most significant step toward improving global shark management that countries have taken,” says Mark Bond, a biologist at Florida International University and an advocate for the CITES protections. “It will ensure international shark trade is regulated and traceable.”

Sharks and rays, which are fished for their fins and meat, are the second most threatened vertebrate group in the world, with a third of them threatened with extinction. The inclusion of these sharks on the CITES list helps ensure only legal and sustainable trade in fins and meat is taking place. Almost every shipment of shark products will now require a permit to prove that trade meets legal and sustainability requirements. Before the decision, there were few restrictions in place around the globe.