YOUR HEALTH CONNECTION

VENTURA COUNTY

CONEJO VALLEY

WEST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

PESTICIDES

IN YOUR FOOD:

THE BENEFITS OF

IDENTIFY THE DIRTY DOZEN!

RED YEAST RICE

STEPS TO A

DENTAL IMPLANTS AND YOUR HEALTH

HEALTHY PREGNANCY UNDERSTANDING

PROBIOTICS

FOOD&NUTRITION ISSUE JUNE 2012

www.yhcmagazine.com

WHAT IS

HYPNOREIKI?

+

STEM CELL UPDATE

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Contents

FOOD & NUTRITION ISSUE // JUNE 2012

10/ 06/THE PUBLISHER’S LETTER TRUTH IN TESTING

09/HEALTH FYI TIPS & TIDBITS features

14/ WILL NATURAL APPROACH STEM CELLS MAKE NEW YOU?

10/ SPECIAL HEALTH BULLETIN

By Dr. Sharon Norling

Balancing Your Bacteria — A Key to Health

By Alicia Doyle

28/ EAT SMILES BETTER AND LIVE LONGER— WITH DENTAL IMPLANTS

By Dr Saj Jivraj

18/ HEALTH VIEW 1

Red Yeast Rice—A Natural Alternative Statin

By Nicole Greenman

22/ HEALTH VIEW 2

22/

It All Depends on How You Define It

By Wayne M. Levine Director, BetterMen Coaching

24/ MIND&SPIRIT

Hypno-Reiki—Let Go of the Pain!

By Patricia Lynn Belkowitz, CHt, EFT-CC and Claire Staffa, CRM, HM

30/ EAST/WEST

Stress…Health…Fertility—and Massage

By Penny Feinstein-Ranan, MA, CCMP, CPMT; and Denise Noyer-Erez, LAc

4 | yhcMAGAZINE.COM

JUNE 2012

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The most The most eexperienced xperienced da da V Vinci inci SSurgeons urgeons iinn tthe he re region gion aare ree aatt Community Community M Memorial emorial Hospital.

Hospital.

These ssurgeons These urgeons hhave ave performed performed m more ore tthan han 500 500 procedures p rocedures using using tthe he d daa Vinci Vinci R Robotic obotic SSystem. ystem.

Community Memorial Community Memorial Hospital Hospital was was the the first first hospital hospital between between Los Los Angeles A ngeles and and San San Francisco Francisco to to acquire acquire the the da da Vinci Vinci Surgical Surgical System.

System.

Benefits B enefits of of tthe he da da Vinci Vinci Si Si include: include:

da Vinci

• Reduced Reduced ttrauma rauma to to tthe he body body • Reduced Reduced bblood lood loss loss and and need need for for transfusions transfusions • Less Less post-operative post-operative pain pain and and ddiscomfort iscomfort • Less Less risk risk of of infection infection • Shorter Shorter hospital hospital stay stay • Faster Faster recovery recovery and and return return to to normal normal activities activities • Less Less scarring scarring

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805/585-3084.

da Vinci Trained Surgeons at CMH From Left: Seyed Khoddami, M.D.; Lamar Bushnell, M.D.; Veena Mummaneni, M.D.; Marc Beaghler, M.D.; Lois Barnes, M.D.; SSrisawai risawai PPattamakom, attamakom, M M.D.; .D.; G Gösta östa IIwasiuk, wasiuk, M.D.; M.D.; Constanze Constanze RRayhrer, ayhrer, M M.D.; .D.; William William KKlope, lope, M M.D.; .D.; JJill ill H Hall, all, M M.D. .D. Not N ot pictured: pictured: Cedric Cedric EEmery, mery, M.D.; M.D.; Anne Anne Rodriguez, Rodriguez, M M.D.; .D.; aand nd BBruce ruce TToporoff, oporoff, M.D. M.D.

Community Memorial emorial Hospital • Ojai V Valley alley Community Hospital pital Family Health Centers for Family 805/652-5011 • Visit Visit www www.cmhshealth.org .cmhshealth.org • A not-for-profit not-for-profit organization. ation.

JUNE 2012

yhcMAGAZINE.COM | 5

PUBLISHER’SLETTER | ANN K. CASTLE

THE TRUTH IN TESTING RECENTLY I HAD MY ANNUAL BLOOD TEST TO SEE HOW THINGS ARE GOING. ADMITTEDLY, I HAVE A RATHER COCKY SENSE OF WELL-BEING AND FEEL MOST OF THE TIME I CAN WEATHER ANYTHING AND THAT INVINCIBLE IS MY MIDDLE NAME. BY THE WAY, THIS ATTITUDE IS SO TYPICAL OF WOMEN—WE TAKE CARE OF EVERYONE ELSE BEFORE OURSELVES. heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis for starters. As we age, this deficiency not only causes bone deformities and an increased risk of fractures, but also a decrease in our cognitive skills.

MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, the results were not as glowing as I had expected. I am only revealing this aspect of my test to you as a warning. My vitamin D level was very low.

I do have a severe allergy to dairy and I don’t get out in the sun much, but I honestly thought I was supplementing enough through vitamins and food— but obviously not enough!

This reality check is a stark reminder of the serious problems that occur with this particular vitamin deficiency. If not treated, it can increase the risk of

6 | yhcMAGAZINE.COM

JUNE 2012

Now I have to pay close attention to this number. I will be on a strict program of supplements to get it back up.

Another bone density scan is also needed in a few months.

In this issue of YHC Magazine, we introduce Hypno-Reiki which nurtures the mental, emotional and spiritual self; the health benefits of dental implants; a better understanding of stem-cell research and treatments; the nutritional benefits of red yeast rice and probiotics, and the steps towards a healthy pregnancy.

As the founder and publisher of YHC Magazine, I have a deep responsibility to you, dear readers to share my triumphs and challenges with you. You need to know that there is someone behind these pages that truly cares about your health and well-being. Only by sharing can we learn and support one another.

With Peace, Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

ANN K. CASTLE FOUNDER & PUBLISHER

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yhcMAGAZINE.COM | 7

X

THE FACTOR

BY DR. HEVER

FOUNDER & PUBLISHER ANN K. CASTLE COPY EDITOR JAN TUCKER, MBA ACCOUNTING DONNA BRYANT ADVERTISING MARIAN GREEN MARIAN@YHCMAGAZINE.COM 818.943.0751 LAURA MUSTACCHIO LAURA@YHCMAGAZINE.COM 805.558.9817

Xylitol occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables and is also produced by the human body. Sucrose, or table sugar, is food for harmful bacteria that destroy teeth. Bacteria eat this sugar, multiply, and cause an acidic oral environment.

Xylitol, on the other hand, cannot be metabolized by oral bacteria, so harmful decay-causing bacteria are reduced. Studies have shown that 5 to 10 grams a day of Xylitol can reduce acid-producing bacteria by as much as 95 percent after six months.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS PATRICIA LYNN BELKOWITZ, CHT, EFT-CC; ALICIA DOYLE; PENNY FEINSTEIN-RANAN, MA, CCMP, CPMT; NICOLE GREENMAN, SAJ JIVRAJ, DDS; WAYNE LEVINE, MA; SHARON NORLING, MD; DENISE NOYER-EREZ, LAC; CLAIRE STAFFA, CRM, HM COVERAGE AREA INCLUDES MONTHLY TO VENTURA COUNTY, WEST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, AND THE CONEJO VALLEY; AGOURA HILLS, CALABASAS, CAMARILLO, ENCINO, MOORPARK, NEWBURY PARK, NORTHRIDGE, OAK PARK, OXNARD, SIMI VALLEY, TARZANA, THOUSAND OAKS, VENTURA, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, WEST HILLS, WOODLAND HILLS FOR ALL INQUIRIES, CONTACT ANN K. CASTLE AT ANN@YHCMAGAZINE.COM OR 805.341.2972 WWW.YHCMAGAZINE.COM

MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD

If you purchase chewing gum containing Xylitol, make sure it is 100 percent Xylitol, since some gums have only trace amounts. The others are sweetened by other sugars.

You would be amazed at how many products now are sweetened by Xylitol; it is even being used in toothpaste. If you are still using sugar or buying products with fructose corn syrup, the time is now. Make the change!

Questions can be addressed to Dr Hever by emailing info@westlakevillagecadentist.com

KATIE GREELEY, DC UNTIED FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC SPECIALIZING IN PEDIATRIC CHIROPRACTIC CARE STEVEN GREENMAN, DDS SPECIALIZING IN ADVANCED COSMETIC, IMPLANT & SEDATION DENTISTRY, SNORING & SLEEP APNEA HILDA MALDONADO, MD SPECIALIZING IN FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE, ANTI-AGING MEDICINE & HORMONE THERAPY SHARON NORLING, MD BOARD CERTIFIED OB/GYN, HOLISTIC/INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE, MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE, NUTRITION & FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE DENISE NOYER-EREZ, LAC, FABORM LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST, SPECIALIZING IN WOMEN’S HEALTH DANIEL SLATON, DVM WESTLAKE VILLAGE ANIMAL HOSPITAL ALON STEINBERG, MD, FACC BOARD CERTIFIED CARDIOLOGIST

STEVEN HEVER, DDS www.westlakevillagecadentist.com 860 Hampshire Road, Suite E Westlake Village, CA 91361 805.777.7447

The opinions expressed here are those of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the publishers or management of YHC Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Publication of the name or photo of any person or organization in YHC Magazine should not be construed as an indication of that person’s expressed opinion. Advertisers and their agencies assume responsibility and liability for the content of their advertisement in YHC Magazine. Photographers whose work is published in any advertising or editorial content within YHC Magazine agree to indemnify and save harmless the publishers from all liability, loss and expense due to a photographer’s failure to gain a model release. YHC Magazine is not responsible for loss of or damage to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork, or any other unsolicited material.

Unsolicited material will not be returned. YHC Magazine’s liability in the event of an error is limited to a printed correction. YHC Magazine does not assume liability for products or services advertised herein.

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

fyi For Your Information

HEALTH TIPS & TIDBITS

GENETICALLY-MODIFIED FOODS are hitting the supermarket shelves with increasing frequency and volume. While the scientific debate about the benefits and health risks of genetically engineered crops is heated and it is unlikely to see any conclusions in the near future, you have a right to know what you are eating now.

WHAT ARE YOU EATING?

This past March, the Just Label It campaign (www.justlabelit.org), spearheaded in New Hampshire by Stonyfield Farm cofounder Gary Hirshberg and joined by more than 525 partners nationwide, presented a petition to the FDA signed by a record-breaking 1.1 million citizens to urge mandatory GMO labels on genetically engineered foods.

THERE ARE STILL SO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF BUYING ORGANIC FOODS, BUT SOMETIMES THE PRICE TENDS TO BE THE DECIDING FACTOR. HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO KNOW WHEN SHOPPING FOR ORGANIC VERSUS CONVENTIONALLYGROWN PRODUCE:

The FDA tallied only approximately 400 votes on this issue as opposed to 1.1 million because they count multiple signatures on a single petition as only one vote. They responded to Just Label It by the required deadline saying, “We haven’t made a decision yet,” whether to require labeling or not.

This is the list of the most contaminated produce, aka the Dirty Dozen: Apples Celery Cherries Grapes (imported)

Lettuce Nectarines Peaches Pears

Potatoes Spinach Strawberries Sweet Bell Peppers

The following 12 are the least contaminated: Asparagus Avocados Bananas Broccoli

Cabbage Kiwi Fruit Mangoes Onions

Papayas Pineapples Sweet corn (frozen) Sweet peas (frozen)

If you can’t always buy organic, carry this list with you when you shop to help you remember to purchase the organic variety of the produce on the first list.

It may help you to remember which items are the least contaminated if you notice they often have thicker skins than those that are most contaminated.

Sources: www.ewg.org and www.foodnews.org .

In May, Just Label It responded by taking their campaign to the next level, using the White House’s online petition tool, “We the people,” to encourage president Obama to speak out in favor of mandatory labeling.

They exceeded their goal of 25,000 signatures by May 12 in order to receive an official response from White House policy experts.

Approximately 40 to 50 other countries require labeling to let consumers know whether or not they are buying GMO food.

In addition to activity at the federal level, 18 state legislatures have introduced bills requiring GMO labeling in their states. In April, Californians bypassed our state legislature through a grass roots campaign which gathered 850,000 signatures to include an initiative on the ballot in November—the California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act. Remember to vote on November 2 on this important issue which will permit us to choose whether or not to purchase GMO food products.

JUNE 2012

yhcMAGAZINE.COM | 9

SPECIALHEALTHBULLETIN BALANCING YOUR BACTERIA

BY ALICIA DOYLE

BA L A N C I N G YO U R BAC T E R I A —

A KEYTO HEALTH ORIGINATING FROM GREEK, THE WORDS “PROBIOTICS” AND “ANTIBIOTICS” LITERALLY MEAN “FOR LIFE” AND “AGAINST LIFE,” CLEARLY DIFFERENTIATING THEIR EFFECT.

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“I usually use the example of the Wizard of Oz,” said Cynthia Fiacco, a family nurse practitioner at California HealthFirst Physicians in Camarillo. “Probiotics are the good forces.

Antibiotics fight the bad stuff. Think of them as two separate ruby red slippers. For Dorothy to walk down the yellow brick road, she must be in balance. If either force is out of balance, things get wicked.”

Used for centuries as natural components in health-promoting foods, probiotics are live microorganisms — in most cases, bacteria — similar to the “good bacteria” or “friendly bacteria” found in the human gut. In another definition, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations describe probiotics as live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.

“They are generally in the form of dietary supplements and foods,” said Fiacco, adding that they come from two groups, Lactobacillus or Bididobacterium. “These are found in yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh and some juices and soy beverages.”

“

...IT IS ESTIMATED THAT AMERICANS’ SPENDING ON PROBIOTICS HAS TRIPLED IN THE PAST 15 YEARS. ”

ones. In fact, a single course of antibiotics can wipe out beneficial strains of bacteria for six months or more.

“When you take antibiotics, you are doing to your body what a farmer does when he sprays his fields with pesticides,” according to medical researcher Geoffrey Cannon, author of the book Superbug: Nature’s Revenge.

Still, “both are important,” Fiacco emphasized. “They serve different needs. Balance is the key.”

Indeed, the internal environment of the human body is a delicate ecosystem. The intestinal tract, for example, is populated by billions and billions of “friendly bacteria” that are essential to health and vital to the development of the immune system.

“They keep the membranes lining our gut healthy, control the population of unhealthy germs, aid digestion and proper elimination and stimulate healthy immune function,” according to Dr. Tony Vendryes, whose holistic and integrative medicine practice — The Vendryes Wellness Center in the West Indies — combines both conventional and alternative-based modalities. “Antibiotic therapy can indiscriminately destroy the friendly bacteria and disrupt the internal ecosystem with disastrous results.”

Antibiotics, on the other hand, “are a class of drugs that treat bacterial infections by stopping the growth of bacteria or killing bacteria directly,” Fiacco said.

The discovery of penicillin ushered in the era of modern antibiotic therapy, prompting the development and widespread use of a great number of powerful drugs that have undoubtedly saved many lives from severe infections.

But in addition to destroying pathogenic bacteria, antibiotics also destroy the friendly

This may include nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia, gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastroenteritis, colitis, irritable bowel disease, leaky gut syndrome, malabsorption syndrome, mouth ulcers, Candida infections, other fungal and viral infections, vaginal infections, immune system disorders and even vitamin deficiency.

“There are natural products, called probiotics, which do just the opposite,” Vendryes said. “They replace the healthy bacteria in our digestive system ... and promote overall good health. Dietary fiber itself also seems to have probiotic properties.”

Many nutrients and herbal substances have natural antibiotic properties, such as echinacea, aloe vera, garlic, ginger, cayenne and vitamin C. Additionally, “therapies using ozone and hydrogen peroxide can often lessen or prevent the need for antibiotic therapy,” Vendryes said. Above all, “the regular use of probiotic preparations is strongly recommended. This

>>

JUNE 2012

yhcMAGAZINE.COM | 11

SPECIALHEALTHBULLETIN BALANCING YOUR BACTERIA

is particularly important if you have been taking antibiotics, have recurrent fungal infections or have a weak immune system.”

“

...researchers have been examining probiotics to possibly decrease levels of certain substances in the urine that can cause problems such as kidney stones.”

When it comes to antibiotics, Vendryes suggests minimizing their use. “Be willing to discuss with your doctor your need for antibiotics. If your doctor is unwilling to discuss the matter with you, I humbly suggest that you find a doctor who will ... however, once you have committed to a course of antibiotics, please follow your doctor’s instruction carefully.”

Hilda Maldonado, M.D. Regenerative & Anti Aging Medicine

• Over ten years of experience using bio-identical hormone replacement therapy • Specialized testing for metabolic factors • Hormone balancing • Nutritional supplementation • Lifestyle changes (individualized diet and exercise) • Stress management • Education • Judicious use of medications as required Dr. Hilda Maldonado is board certified in Internal Medicine and additionally she is a diplomate of the American Academy of Regenerative and Anti-Aging Medicine.

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JUNE 2012

1240 Westlake Blvd., Suite 133 Westlake Village, CA 91361 Phone / Fax: 805.496.6698 www.drhildamaldonado.com

As interest in complementary and alternative medicine continues to grow, Americans are now becoming more aware of the dangers of antibiotic resistance, Fiacco said.

“We hear about new strains of bacteria that our drugs cannot touch. These include MRSA, VRE and Clostridium difficile.

These strains can cause death.”

As a result, it is estimated that Americans’ spending on probiotics has tripled in the past 15 years. Recent research projects sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine include a clinical trial developed by the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine on the effectiveness of selected probiotic agents to treat diarrhea in undernourished children in a developing country. At the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, researchers have been examining probiotics to possibly decrease levels of certain substances in the urine that can cause problems such as kidney stones. And a team at Tufts-New England Medical Center is studying probiotics for treating an antibiotic-resistant type of bacteria that causes severe infection in people who are hospitalized, live in nursing homes or have weakened immune systems.

In November 2005, a conference co-funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and convened by the American Society for Microbiology explored probiotics and their potential for preventing and treating health conditions.

According to the conference report, some uses of probiotics with encouraging evidence include the treatment of diarrhea, especially for diarrhea from rotavirus; treating infections of the urinary tract or female genital tract; reducing the recurrence of bladder cancer; shortening the length of intestinal infection called Clostridium difficile; and managing atopic dermatitis — eczema — in children.

The conference panel also noted that in studies of probiotics as cures, any beneficial effect was usually low; a strong placebo effect often occurs; and more research — especially in the form of large, carefully designed clinical trials — is needed to draw firmer conclusions.

The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide — edited by members of the Harvard Medical School faculty — also reports that clinical trial results are mixed, but emphasizes that several small studies suggest that certain probiotics may help maintain remission of ulcerative colitis and prevent relapse of Crohn’s disease and the recurrence of pouchitis, a complication of surgery to treat ulcerative colitis.

“Because these disorders are so frustrating to treat, many people are giving probiotics a try before all the evidence is in for the particular strains they’re using,” according to a section of the guide on the Health benefits of taking probiotics. “More research is needed to find out which strains work best for what conditions.”

NATURALAPPROACH | STEM CELLS

WILL STEM CELLS MAKE NEW YOU?

BY DR. SHARON NORLING

DO YOU WISH YOU COULD LOOK YOUNGER WITHOUT INJECTING YOUR FACE WITH A TOXIN LIKE BOTOX? WE ARE NOW SEEING ADS FOR FACIAL REJUVENATION USING STEM CELLS. DO YOU HAVE A PAINFUL JOINT OR ILLNESS WHICH IS NOT GETTING BETTER? ARE STEM CELLS AN OPTION FOR YOU? NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, RADIO AND TV SHOWS SUCH AS 60 MINUTES, CNN AND THE DOCTORS HAVE RECENTLY REPORTED ON STEM CELLS.

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ADULT STEM CELLS

The research on adult stem cells began about 50 years ago. In fact, blood-forming stem cells from bone marrow have been used in transplants for 40 years. Scientists now have evidence that stem cells exist in the brain and the heart. It was not until the 1990s that scientists agreed the adult brain does contain stem cells that are able to generate the brain’s nerve cells.

Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types. Commonly, stem cells come from two main sources: 1. Embryonic stem cells 2. Adult stem cells.

EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

Adult or somatic stem cells exist throughout the body after embryonic development and are found inside different types of tissue.

These stem cells have been found in tissues such as the brain, bone marrow, blood, blood vessels, teeth, testis, skeletal muscles, skin and liver.

They remain in a quiescent or nondividing state for years until activated by disease or tissue injury.

Adult stem cells can divide or self-renew indefinitely, enabling them to generate a range of cell types from the originating organ or even regenerate the entire original organ.

It is generally believed adult stem cells are limited in their ability to differentiate based on their tissue of origin, but according to the Mayo Clinic, there is some evidence to suggest they can differentiate to become other cell types. There have been significant advances in work with adult stem cells and more studies are under way.

In the past stems cells were most often harvested from bone marrow, embryos or fat cells. Today stem cells can be obtained by drawing blood from a vein. The blood is sent to a specific lab where stem cell particles are separated from it. These particles can be reintroduced to the individual intravenously or injected directly in a joint.

Embryonic stem cells, as their name suggests, are derived from embryos. Most embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos that develop from eggs fertilized in cell cultures in fertility clinic laboratories and then donated for research purposes with informed consent of the donors. They are not derived from eggs fertilized in a woman’s body.

If the stem cells are harvested from another individual there is a risk developing an auto-immune reaction (rejection) in the individual receiving the stem cells. However, today the technology has advanced, enabling us to draw stem cells from a person and give them back to the same individual.

Diseases that might be treated by transplanting cells generated from human embryonic stem cells include Parkinson’s, diabetes, traumatic spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, heart disease, and vision and hearing loss.

Stem cells differ from other kinds of cells in the body. They have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing basically without limit to replenish other cells.

WHAT ARE STEM CELLS AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

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NATURALAPPROACH | STEM CELLS

When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell or a brain cell.

Stem cells are important for living organisms for many reasons. In some adult tissues such as bone marrow, muscle and brain, discrete populations of adult stem cells generate replacements for cells lost through normal wear and tear, injury or disease. Professional athletes have used stem cells to repair injuries or damage from wear and tear.

EXAMPLE OF STEM CELL USE Regenerating the cartilage-making process in the body has become a primary goal in orthopedic medicine. A small molecule dubbed kartogenin encourages stem cells to take on the characteristics of cells that make cartilage, a new study shows. The findings in Science provide new clues in the long-running effort to find ways to regenerate cartilage, a central puzzle in the battle against osteoarthritis.

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understand how to use these cells for cellbased therapies to treat disease.

Stem cell research continues to advance knowledge about how healthy cells replace damaged cells in adult organisms.

This is one of the most fascinating areas of contemporary biology.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), research on adult stem cells has generated a great deal of excitement. The primary roles of adult stem cells in a living organism are to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found.

Scientists have found adult stem cells in many more tissues than they once thought possible. This finding has led researchers and clinicians to ask whether adult stem cells could be used for transplants. Stem cells may prove to be just the answer to regenerate the body from head to toe.

While the research continues, the clinical use is still considered experimental. Stem cell therapy is effective for many conditions but is not an FDA-approved treatment for any condition. It is provided as a service and as a practice of medicine and the results vary from individual to individual.

Dr. Norling brings a lifetime of education, training, and passion in both conventional and natural medicine. Dr. Norling is triple boarded and practices integrative and functional medicine. Using specialized testing she finds the root cause of symptoms and illnesses. Individualized care help patients live their best lives. Call Mind Body Spirit Center 818-707-9355.

JUNE 2012

yhcMAGAZINE.COM | 17

HEALTHVIEW 1 RED YEAST RICE

RED YEAST RICE

BY NICOLE GREENMAN

— A N AT U R A L A LT E R N AT I V E S TAT I N

THE USES FOR RED YEAST RICE, A DIETARY STAPLE IN CHINA, JAPAN AND ASIAN COMMUNITIES, EXTEND FAR BEYOND THE MAKING OF TRADITIONAL ASIAN DISHES. THIS RICE IS FERMENTED IN A RED YEAST, MONASCUS PURPUREUS, GIVING IT MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Red yeast rice has been used in China for centuries as an aid for improving blood flow and alleviating stomachache. Its presence has been recorded as far back as the Tang Dynasty in 800 A.D. Red yeast rice is also used to color a number of food products such as pickled tofu, red rice vinegar and Peking duck, as well as being used traditionally in making Japanese sake, several types of Chinese wine and Korean rice wine.

CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING PROPERTIES The nutritional value and health benefits of eating this rice have begun to gain popularity outside of Eastern medicine.

Red yeast rice has begun to gain popularity in Western medicine as well.

The active ingredient in the fungus Monascus purpureus, monacolin K, has the same physiological mechanisms as lovastatin, the substance used in cholesterol-lowering prescription drugs. Both lovastatin and monacolin K lower cholesterol production by blocking the HMG-CoA reductase enzymes. In effect, the total cholesterol and LDL, the bad cholesterols, are reduced.

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+++

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration maintains that red yeast products containing monacolin K are equivalent to a drug and are regulated as such.

FDA REGULATION OF RED YEAST RICE Different strains of the Monascus purpureus fungus and fermentation processes used in different brands of rice produce different concentrations of monacolins. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration maintains that red yeast products containing monacolin K are equivalent to a drug and are regulated as such. The sale of red yeast rice containing more than a trace of monacolins is currently illegal in the United States.

As of 2010, an estimated 30 brands of red yeast rice were available on the market, primarily at Asian markets. The available products do not contain the levels of substances that would cause side effects when eaten in moderation under the supervision of a doctor or nutritionist. The safety of red yeast rice is primarily attributed to the preparation process which does not isolate or concentrate any of the active ingredients.

RED YEAST RICE RESEARCH HAS BEGUN Research into the benefits of red yeast rice began in the late 1970s when scientists in the United States and Japan separated lovastatin from a number of fungi, including Monascus. Chemical analysis showed that lovastatin, the substance in prescription cholesterol medications, and monacolin, the substance in red yeast rice’s fungus, were identical.

GRAND OPENING

Lovastatin was patented by the major pharmaceutical companies, while red yeast rice became a controversial dietary supplement in the U.S. and abroad.

More recently, Chinese and American scientists have begun small scale studies into the efficacy of red yeast rice in patients with elevated cholesterol levels with promising initial results.

Scientists at the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition conducted a 12-week double-blind study on a small sample of patients with borderline-high to moderately-elevated cholesterol. They found that when red yeast rice was present, Cholestin, a natural product that targets cholesterol and lipoprotein, had an effect on lowering total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels. It had no effect on HDL, the good cholesterol. The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1999; 231-7).

To date, there have been no large, long-term studies of red yeast rice and red yeast rice products; however, UCLA scientists have begun animal studies comparing red yeast rice to statin drugs for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque in the heart that causes heart attack.

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HEALTHVIEW 1 RED YEAST RICE

USING RED YEAST PRIOR TO CONCLUSIVE STUDIES

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Since no long-term trials have been conducted in either China or the United States, little is known about the long-term effects and safety of using red yeast rice as the primary treatment for high cholesterol.

It has been found that some red yeast rice commercial products contain high levels of the toxin citrinin, a reason not to begin a red yeast rice regimen without consulting your doctor or nutrition specialist.

Scientists generally believe red yeast rice is safe for long-term use as it has been eaten as a food product for centuries, but like any drug, it should be used with caution and under the supervision of a professional.

Side effects are typically mild, including headache and the rare occurrence of liver problems. It is recommended that people with kidney disease, liver disease or those who are breast-feeding should not use red yeast rice as a means of controlling their cholesterol.

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PATIENTS APPROPRIATE FOR RED YEAST RICE Patients who wish to control their cholesterol with diet and exercise rather than statin drugs can add red yeast rice to their diets if they wish. Maria Amato,

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text FREESMOOTHIE to 72727 a registered dietician (RD) and certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD) whose Westlake Village practice specializes in general nutrition consulting for weight loss, sports nutrition, and eating disorders, suggests that her patients eat between 1.2 to 2.4 grams a day of the rice, a rough equivalent of a 600-milligram capsule of monacolin K. According to Amato, any drop in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol is good. If a patient is not taking statin drugs, red yeast rice can serve as an effective, natural alternative.

An ideal candidate to begin a red yeast rice regimen has high cholesterol, high LDL, high triglycerides and a potential history of heart issues. This person has tried diet and exercise in an attempt to control these levels, but they have not been sufficiently successful.

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People who are hesitant about statins because of the potential side effects, and want something natural, are also excellent candidates since red yeast rice has fewer side effects.

All patients with high cholesterol and heart problems need to continue exercise and proper nutrition, even while taking a red yeast rice supplement.

A typical supplement regime for a patient seeking natural dietary supplements to lower cholesterol and promoting a healthy heart includes red yeast rice, Omega-3s such as those found in fish, and Co-Q10, an enzyme that shares a biosynthetic pathway with cholesterol and is inhibited by statins.

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HEALTHVIEW 2 BETTER MEN

BY WAYNE M. LEVINE DIRECTOR, BETTERMEN COACHING

I T A L L D E P E N D S O N H O W YO U

DEFINE IT WHEN MEN COME TO BE COACHED OR TO JOIN ONE OF OUR MEN'S GROUPS, THEY USUALLY WANT TO KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE. I ASK THEM, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY IT?” THEN, THERE'S USUALLY SILENCE.

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The It is a tough thing to define. For most men, it is about getting unstuck from some suffocating set of circumstances, real or imagined. But how does one get unstuck? How long will it take to get unstuck? Well, that’s what the It is all about. The more important question to ask is: When will I begin to clearly define my goals, to create the vision of the man I want to be and to start being that man in all areas of my life?

We live and breathe in a media-saturated culture that celebrates instant gratification, amazingly fast results and extreme makeovers—between the commercial breaks. That’s TV. That’s not life.

Important changes take commitment and hard work. And the sooner we men learn that lesson, the sooner we grow up. The sooner we grow up, the sooner we can make changes in our own lives, and the sooner we can teach those lessons to our kids. But first we have to overcome the fear of acknowledging and addressing It. One of the reasons It can be so terrifying is that we men don’t realize, more often than not, we have It in common with most other men. We don’t realize this fact because men generally won’t discuss It with other men. So we keep it a secret, tell ourselves more lies about what’s wrong with us—or with them—and become increasingly more isolated—stuck.

That’s what we’ve been taught. That’s how men have been socialized to behave. But that’s not the way life has to be.

The BetterMen approach teaches men to build strong and trusting relationships with other men. We teach each other. We support each other to make changes in our lives. We make commitments and we hold each other accountable. That’s how we get unstuck.

That’s how we make progress toward achieving our goals. And that’s how you can become the best man you can be in all areas of your life.

As for how long this process takes; well, that’s entirely up to you.

Most men have been creating the walls, tightening the masks, and believing the lies for a very long time. It takes some time to sort things out and to develop a plan. It takes commitment and hard work to implement the plan and to begin trusting yourself and trusting other men. But once you start, changes begin to happen.

Once you make the commitment to be that better man, you actually start to become that better man. And that’s the beginning of the extreme makeover that really counts.

That’s all there is to It. Wayne M. Levine is the director of BetterMen Coaching in Agoura Hills, CA. He teaches men to be the best men, fathers, and husbands they can be through individual, couples, and group coaching, both in the office and via phone. Wayne is author of the best-selling, Hold On to Your N.U.T.s—The Relationship Manual for Men. Find out more and get a copy of Wayne’s book at www.BetterMenCoaching.com.

JUNE 2012

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MIND SPIRIT HYPNO-REIKI

HYPNO— L E T G O O F T H E PA I N !

A Los Angeles Times article by Benedict Carey on January 5, 2004 reported, “…the

brain can virtually shut down pain.”

When a person has reached this point, their body’s energy system is aligned with thoughts of health and wellness.

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REIKI IS RECOGNIZED BY TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES

-REIKI

BY PATRICIA LYNN BELKOWITZ, CHt, EFT-CC AND CLAIRE STAFFA, CRM, HM

Are you suffering? “Chronic pain is a problem that has reached near epidemic proportions,” said Edward Covington, MD, director of the Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program at the Cleveland Clinic. “The ‘can do, can cope’ spirit of Americans can lead to untreated chronic pain, which has a severe impact on people’s work, personal relationships, hobbies, and even sex, and can greatly diminish their quality of life. In addition to physical disability, it may also lead to irritability, anxiety or depression.”

Do you endure discomfort to the point that it affects the way you live your life? Are you sick and tired of conventional methods of pain management? Are you taking pills that aren’t effective? Is your medication creating negative side effects? Are you ready to try something new? Perhaps it is time to consider an integrative approach to healing—a new way based on ancient methods.

Dr. Covington’s quote assures us that we need not suffer—in fact, our learned habit of enduring pain and suffering is harmful.

ARE YOU AWARE OF HYPNO-REIKI? Hypno-Reiki is a combination of two powerful methods of healing: hypnosis and Reiki. Each method is effective, but the combined modality has even more potential.

Hypnosis is a deep state of relaxation or altered state of consciousness created by focused attention. For thousands of years it has been used as an effective method for relief of physical pain and discomfort. In the hypnotic state, we are open to positive suggestions and imagery which will create change.

While a subject is hypnotized, it is an ideal time to implement other therapeutic modalities such as Reiki, because their whole system is primed to healing. Reiki, a healing practice originated in Japan, is a non-invasive, gentle modality which puts spirituallyguided, life-force energy or universal healing energy to work. Reiki helps the body’s natural ability to heal itself through the flow and focusing of energy.

The Center for Disease Control reported in 2002 that 62 percent of U.S. adults had used some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), often in conjunction with other alternative and conventional medical treatments.

The 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a comprehensive survey of CAM use by Americans, found, “…people use Reiki for relaxation, stress reduction, and symptom relief, in efforts to improve overall health and well-being. Reiki has been used by people with anxiety, chronic pain, HIV/AIDS and other health conditions, as well as by people recovering from surgery or experiencing side effects from treatments.”

HYPNOTHERAPY AND PAIN MANAGEMENT The key to hypnotherapy is that it can change a person’s expectation that they will perceive pain. In studies about how the human brain and nervous system work, Dr. Kenneth Casey, professor of neurology at the University of Michigan and neurology consultant to the VA Health Care System in Ann Arbor, explains the power of our mind: “…the brain has mechanisms to directly control what we feel; it actively controls the flow of sensory information that results in our perceptions.”

In fact, key regions of the brain appear to react as much to the expectation of pain as much as they do to actual painful stimulation. The mind can alter the feeling of pain by substituting another feeling such as heat, tingling or numbness. It can also divert the location of pain to another body part, thereby allowing relief.

A Los Angeles Times article by Benedict Carey on January 5, 2004 reported, “…the brain can virtually shut down pain signals when preoccupied.” When a person has reached this point, their body’s energy system is aligned with thoughts of health and wellness.

THE POWER OF HYPNOSIS AND REIKI COMBINED The body-mind connection functions fully while in the state of hypnosis. The mind doesn’t know the difference between what is imagined and what is perceived as reality.

>>

JUNE 2012

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MIND SPIRIT HYPNO-REIKI

When Reiki is administered to someone in the hypnotic state, the benefits are magnified. The healing power of life-force energy is added and the whole body is at peace.

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Though Reiki may be an unfamiliar term and may sound “newagey,� to some, it is an ancient treatment that has been shown effective and it is used today in many hospitals to promote healing and manage pain.

The International Journal of Behavioral Medicine reviewed 66 clinical trials on biofield therapies, those intended to affect subtle energy fields that surround and penetrate the human body.

Strong evidence concluded that biofield therapies such as Reiki help reduce the intensity of pain.

Julie Kusiak, MA, a Reiki practitioner in the Integrative Medicine Department at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, states, “Recent studies on Reiki therapy reflect a broad spectrum of its benefit for pain relief.� Examples cited were decreased anxiety and pain, reduced fatigue and depression and a better quality of life.

Hypnosis and Reiki create profoundly relaxing effects, which make Hypno-Reiki even more effective for the treatment of anxiety, stress and pain. Hypno-Reiki complements any other form of medical treatment; there are no contraindications.

CAM HAS WIDESPREAD ACCEPTANCE AND APPLICATION A long history of both scientific and anecdotal evidence supports the use of behavioral and relaxation approaches to treat chronic pain. American Hospital Association President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock stated, “Complementary and alternative medicine has shown great promise in supporting and stimulating healing. It’s one of the many tools hospitals look to as they continue to create optimal healing environments for the patients they serve.�

Much research concludes the effectiveness of hypnosis as an alternative method of healing. Scientific American Mind’s July, 2005 article titled, “The Truth and the Hype of Hypnosisâ€? stated, â€œâ€Śhypnosis has been shown to be a real phenomenon with a variety of therapeutic uses—especially in controlling pain.â€? The article further cites a meta-analysis published by the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis which reported, â€œâ€Śthe pain-relieving effect of hypnosis is often substantial, and in a few cases the degree of relief matches or exceeds that provided by morphine.â€?

In Biofield Therapies: A Best Evidence Synthesis, a systematic review examined 66 clinical studies and found, “There is equivocal evidence for biofield therapies’ effects on fatigue and quality of life for cancer patients, as well as for comprehensive pain outcomes and affect in pain patients, and for decreasing anxiety in cardiovascular patients.�

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A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE IS IMMENSELY BENEFICIAL More and more, science tells us that the condition of our body is directly related to our positive thoughts of wellness or our negative thoughts of stress, anxiety and pain.

Thoughts are energy. Thoughts create.

Your body is a manifestation of the thoughts of your subconscious mind. You have the power to change the way you think and feel. There is an unlimited supply of spiritually-guided, life-force energy available to you to help create your natural state of being, which is a state of well-being.

If you are suffering, you can give yourself permission to let go of the pain. You can change your expectations and move toward a better, more joyful life. Perhaps Hypno-Reiki is the way to do it!

Patricia Belkowitz is a clinical hypnotherapist focusing on health and wellness.

Claire Staffa is a certified Reiki Master specializing in balance and harmony. They practice together at Dr. Sharon Norling’s Mind Body Spirit Center in Westlake Village. For more information about Patricia visit www.TheMindMatters.com and to learn about Claire, visit www.HarmoniousReiki.com or log on to www.TheMBSC.com.

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A peer review method is in place to analyze the state of scientific studies conducted on Reiki programs in hospitals and clinics. The process is rigorous, impartial and incorporates the best practices for scientific review. Dr. Mehmet Oz is a proponent of Reiki and is often quoted as saying, “Reiki has become a sought-after healing art among patients and mainstream medical professionals.”

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SMILES | DENTAL IMPLANTS

EAT BETTER AND LIVE LONGER —WITH DENTAL IMPLANTS

BY DR SAJ JIVRAJ

NO LONGER DO DENTISTS NEED TO CUT DOWN HEALTHY TEETH AND INSTALL BRIDGES TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH. DENTAL IMPLANTS HAVE REVOLUTIONIZED THE WAY DENTISTS CAN REPLACE MISSING TEETH. CUTTING TEETH DOWN FOR BRIDGES DAMAGES THE TEETH AND REDUCES THEIR LONG-TERM SURVIVAL.

Implant therapy offers many advantages to conventional bridges and dentures and in many cases is the treatment of choice.

CHEWING EFFICIENCY AFFECTS HEALTH The difference in chewing force in a person with natural teeth and one who wears dentures is dramatic. In the molar region, the average force of a person with natural teeth has been measured at 150 to 250 pounds per square inch (psi). Certain patients who grind or clench their teeth may exert a force of up to 1000 psi.

The maximum force in a denture patient is reduced to less than 50 psi. The longer an individual wears dentures, the less force they are able to generate. Individuals wearing dentures for more than 15 years may have a maximum chewing force of 5.6 psi.

As a result of this decreased force and the instability of dentures, chewing efficiency is severely compromised.

Many patients with dentures avoid most hard food; some are able to eat only soft or mashed food; and some claim they eat more efficiently without their dentures.

The lower intake of fruits, vegetables and vitamins in these individuals leads to digestive and other systemic disorders. As a result, denture-wearers take more drugs and supplements compared to those having natural teeth and better chewing ability. Also, the reduced consumption of high fiber foods can induce digestive problems in denture-wearers with deficient chewing performance.

SCIENCE INDICATES A SHORTENED LIFE SPAN Credible research and reports provide proof suggesting that a compromised dental function causes poor chewing and swallowing ability and digestive disorders, which in turn may result in systemic changes favoring illness, debilitation, and shortened life expectancy.

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Several reports correlate individuals’ health and life spans to their dental health. These reports point to a significant relationship between dental disease and cardiovascular disease, the latter being a major cause of death today.

It is therefore easy to believe that restoring the dental function of these individuals to a more normal range may indeed enhance the quality and length of their lives.

Several studies concluded that the use of partial dentures deteriorates the health of the gums and remaining natural teeth. People wearing partial dentures often exhibit loosening of the retaining natural teeth, heavier plaque retention, increased gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and gum bleeding, more tooth decay and accelerated bone loss.

Dentists and patients should study all the issues of tooth and bone loss more carefully and look at alternative options for a long-term solution rather than a quick fix.

WHY DENTAL IMPLANTS? Dental implants should be seriously considered as the first option at the time of tooth extraction. Dentists should discuss the benefits of implants with their patients and inform them about the consequences of not using them.

not candidates for traditional dental implant techniques are now able to have complete oral rehabilitation, with beautiful new teeth, in just one day!

What does the All-on-4™ dental implant procedure involve and how is it giving dazzling, healthy smiles back to tens of thousands of patients worldwide?

This technique is a completely unique method because it provides a nonremovable (fixed) and comprehensive solution to tooth loss and edentulism (complete loss of all natural teeth) that can be implemented in a single dental appointment.

The All-on-4™ dental implant technique derives its name and accomplishes this from its integral design, which consists of a fully-customized dental prosthesis (bridge) affixed to only four titanium dental implants.

These implants act as anchors for the bridge supporting the prosthetic teeth and are inserted in such a way to reap maximum support from existing bone volume. The two posterior implant screws are substantially angulated, not only to ensure increased strength and stability of the entire dental prosthesis, but to avoid damaging or compromising vital structures such as the sinus cavity in the upper jaw and the nerve canal in the lower jaw.

The ingenious location of the four implant screws mean the lengthy, costly and painful procedure of bone grafting is almost never needed in preparation for the dental implants. Whereas bone grafting takes between three and 12 months to achieve proper healing, the innovative All-on-4™ technique makes receiving beautiful new teeth possible in just one day.

More than 100 million people in the United States alone are missing between 11 and 15 (and more) of their permanent adult teeth. By the age of 60, a staggering 70 percent of these people are edentulous and in desperate need of complete oral rehabilitation.

Although facial muscle tone decreases as we age, this process is accelerated in patients with tooth and bone loss. This loss of tonicity causes lengthening of the lips. Since facial muscles are attached to facial bone, the bone loss severely affects these muscles and their function. The facial skin begins to sag.

The comprehensive solution to edentulism and tooth loss—the All-on-4™ dental implant technique—almost always makes new teeth possible in one day for people of all ages.

The combination of a prognathic chin (where the jaws extend beyond the upper face), sagging muscles and skin, long lips, and a large-looking nose makes the individual appear prematurely aged.

The goal of modern dentistry is to return patients to the level of oral health to which they are accustomed. Patients who lose teeth and use fixed or removable dentures may be unable to recover normal function, aesthetics, comfort or speech with traditional restorations.

Since these changes occur gradually, patients are unaware they are a result of losing the teeth. It is the dentist’s responsibility to explain these consequences and provide all available options to patients before extracting teeth.

However, an implant restoration can return their function to near normal.

An implant stimulates the bone and maintains its dimensions in a manner similar to healthy, natural teeth. As a result, the facial features are not compromised by lack of support.

The best time to plan and perform implant placement is at the time of extraction—not later. The amount of bone loss in the early months after extraction make implant placement much more complicated. It is strongly recommended to plan tooth extractions very carefully and seriously consider the resulting bone loss and dire aesthetic, functional, and psychological consequences.

DENTAL IMPLANTS WITHOUT BONE GRAFTING A tooth replacement technique is available that can give patients suffering from tooth loss beautiful new teeth in a day. The technique is called the All-on-4™.

Patients without sufficient bone who previously were

ACHIEVING NORMAL ORAL HEALTH

Implant-supported restorations are positioned in relation to aesthetics, function and speech to mimic natural teeth. Because implant teeth are not bulky and take only as much space in the mouth as natural teeth, the facial muscles and tongue do not undergo changes.

Dr. Saj Jivraj completed his dental degree at the University of Manchester in England and his advanced prosthodontic training at USC. He is former chairman, Section of Fixed Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry at the USC School of Dentistry. He is co-author of the textbook, Treatment Planning in Implant Dentistry, published by the British Dental Association. He maintains a private practice limited to prosthodontics and implant dentistry at Anacapa Dental Art Institute, 300 Esplanade Drive #1600 in Oxnard. Reach him at saj.jivraj@gmail.com, 805.988.8985 or visit www.anacapadental.com.

JUNE 2012

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EAST/WEST FERTILITY

BY PENNY FEINSTEIN-RANAN, MA, CCMP, CPMT; AND DENISE NOYER-EREZ, LAc

S T R E S S … H E A LT H … F E R T I L I T Y —

AND MASSAGE EVERYONE EXPERIENCES STRESS AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. SOME PEOPLE WOULD EVEN SAY TODAY’S ENVIRONMENT IS MORE STRESSFUL THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN. WITH THE ADVENT OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE COMPLEXITY OF OUR WORLD, STRESS SEEMS HARD TO ESCAPE.

Stress has been linked with many symptoms, including headaches, muscle pain and anxiety disorders. It aggravates almost every condition and can rob your body of much-needed nutrients and energy.

(LITERALLY)!

Researchers at the University of Texas have shown that when the brain is under stress, it produces an excess of the hormone ACTH, which inhibits the manufacture of white blood cells necessary in fighting disease.

Additionally, many studies have shown a link between infertility in both men and women and a stressful lifestyle. Stress has played a huge role in infertility among many women. It affects the hormones in the body that regulate the maturation and release of the egg, spasms in the fallopian tubes and uterus, and the implantation of the egg. In men, stress can cause erectile dysfunction and also affect sperm count and motility (movement toward the egg).

Fertility requires a delicate balance of hormones to orchestrate the production, release, fertilization and implantation of an egg. This balance can be affected by many conditions within the body, including stress.

The key to avoiding the negative effects of stress is the way you handle stressful events. Short-term stress can be handled easily by most people.

In fact, a certain amount of stress is actually good for your body. It keeps you energized and alert, and can fuel the creative process.

However, when events that cause long-term stress occur, or the stress is not alleviated, your body may have a hard time coping and begin to break down.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY FOR FERTILITY Massage plays an extremely important role in assisting the body to better handle issues of stress. The body functions best when in a state of deep relaxation. Massage helps you find that calming, resting space that your body needs to promote healing.

By reducing the amount of stress through massage, you can improve your chances of getting pregnant and staying pregnant. Whether you’re trying to conceive naturally or in conjunction with medical treatment, massage helps your body achieve an optimum health state. When you are healthier, your body has more physical energy to allow healthy conception.

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Massage therapy for fertility is designed not only to increase the flow of blood to the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes, but also to increase a sense of well-being, strengthen the immune system, stimulate the balanced production of hormones and improve the health of the lymphatic system.

Massage aids in the release of toxins through stimulation of the lymphatic system. This system drains fluids from your body and detoxifies your tissues by filtering out toxins and foreign substances while strengthening the immune system. The result is an increased chance of achieving conception.

Massage is beneficial to both women and men while trying to conceive, whether naturally or when undergoing in-vitro fertilization or artificial insemination. Massage therapy for fertility prepares the body to create a state of wellness in which assisted reproductive procedures can be more effective. Massage also helps release toxins accumulated in your body as a result of medication.

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Massage therapy for fertility is a customized massage using a combination of relaxation techniques, acupressure, abdominal massage techniques and reflexology points. It stimulates your body’s natural hormones, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and creating an overall sense of well-being.

It is crucial to slow down and respond positively to events in your life. You can’t prevent stress, but there is much you can do to deflect its effects. A good start is a good massage.

Denise Noyer-Erez, LAc & Associates, 1220 La Venta Dr. #205-A, Westlake Village, and 15503 Ventura Blvd. #200, Encino. Massage Therapy is offered at the office of Denise Noyer-Erez & Associates, licensed acupuncturists and massage therapists, specializing in the wellness of men and women in their journey to parenthood. Call 805.497.2625 for more information and to schedule your appointment for massage and/or acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

JUNE 2012

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