Salutations!

As the cost of "Sick"care skyrockets so to do the cost associated with every aspect of the sick care industry (insurance premiums, co-pays, pharmaceutical drugs, sick leave, etc.). The time to act and take care of ourselves while jealously guarding our health has come. We can no longer afford to hand over our health or our wealth to others and hope to live happy, productive lives. The goal of this blog is to wade through some of the more mundane as well as a few sensational health issues that affect us today and how to get over them.







Thursday, February 19, 2015

DIM May Be Nature's Viagra



Prostate health is a major concern these days for quite a few men as it should be. The prostate's importance is generally over looked until in the latter years of life for most men. It is during this time we begin to understand the important role the prostate plays in the overall health and well-being of the body in general and its importance in sexual matters specifically.

In general, the prostate helps to control and regulate the actions of certain hormones like testosterone. Many aspects about what typically makes a man a man, like muscle mass or chivalrous aggression, are affected by the prostate.

Specifically, the prostate helps to control just how much estrogen and testosterone there will be at any given time in a man's body if it is in proper working order.

One way to keep the prostate in proper working order is to supplement with diindolymethane (DIM).

Prostate Health

Inflammation of the prostate is becoming more and more common in men especially those who are in their mid to late 40’s and beyond. A lifetime of red meat consumption coupled with stress and other adverse lifestyle habits will usually take its toll on the prostate. Significant inflammatory issues can arise and can eventually lead to cancer. As previously mentioned DIM could step in and help correct some prostate conditions because it is a very powerful anti-inflammatory. DIM’s ability to reduce inflammation in the prostate specifically has been demonstrated in scientific testing. In research documented in the January 2008 Journal of Nutrition DIM proved effective in reducing the release of pro-inflammatory mediators in macrophages in addition to reducing the release of nitric acid and other inflammatory substances.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has garnered much mainstream attention for two reasons. First, it has become an unfortunate reality for many men. Second, because pharmaceutical companies have flooded the airwaves with commercial after commercial touting little pills that are very expensive and sales very well. But what if there was a natural and safe way to overcome erectile dysfunction?

 ED could be a sign of testosterone conversion gone wrong. As men age we tend to convert testosterone into estrogen more readily. If too much testosterone is converted sexual dysfunction is sure to follow. Even so, a man with a healthy prostate would not produce nearly enough estrogen necessary to induce ED. A man with a failing or poorly functioning prostate will, however. DIM may be the right supplement needed as it has demonstrated the ability to slow down or bring into correct balance the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. In short, the more testosterone a man is able to hang on to the less chance he has of developing or maintaining ED.

Conclusion

The health of the prostate is important for many reasons but let's be honest. Erectile dysfunction is a driving force in some men's lives and the pharmaceutical sales reports are available to prove it. Here is just one way that could potentially put a man back in the sexual driver’s seat naturally and with little to no side effects at all.

*Be sure to consult with your medical professional before beginning any supplemental regimen

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

That Ship Has Sailed: Overcoming Guilt for Better Health


Guilt has a necessary and useful purpose. It helps us recognize when we have wronged or could potentially wrong others. It allows us to reflect on our actions and make changes to our behavior as necessary. These are great things but what’s not so great is a guilt that lingers and the long term damaging effects which is why overcoming guilt is so necessary and important.
One of the problems with chronic guilt is those that suffer from it can become hypersensitive to ordinary situations increasing their stress load. It is known that highly stressed people make more mistakes and are prone to more accidents due to clouded judgment. Social relationships suffer as over analysis helps to create negative situations that had no basis in reality. In addition, those who suffer chronically with guilt (or constantly made to feel guilty) tend to be easily manipulated especially by dark hearted and selfish people who recognize what is happening. You end up on one guilt trip after another as you constantly bend to the will and whims of the manipulators.

Techniques for Overcoming Guilt

After guilt has served its useful purpose it must be mitigated if it does not go away on its own immediately. Here are a few techniques to employ if you find yourself constantly dealing with guilt.

What to Do Mentally
  • ·         Allow yourself to express genuine sorrow or grief. Acknowledge this feeling and be willing to change your actions and behavior and, in turn, change your mind.
  • ·         Ask if the values you are judging yourself by are values you agree with. If they are the values most likely benefit everyone so make the necessary adjustments. If not, question the motives behind the so called value as it may only serve to benefit others (e.g. manipulators).
  • ·         Know and understand that remorse is healthy if it causes you to perform right actions.
  • ·         Prayer has powerful therapeutic effects on the body and mind. Learning how to release chronic negative feelings especially guilt not only relieves a person of those feelings but helps to oxygenate the body and reduce blood pressure.
  • ·         If prayer is not really for you then give meditation a try for the same reasons stated above. Calming the mind, slowing the breathing and oxygenating the body does a world of good for mental health and well-being while providing clarity on the matters at hand.

What to Do Physically
  • ·         Breathing exercises are a phenomenal way to clear the mind and help cope with or be rid of chronic guilt. When combined with movements or stretches the mind tends to free itself more quickly gradually moving to a more positive and effective interaction with guilt. Some of those exercises can include

o   Yoga in its various forms. Find the one that speaks to you and stick with it.
o   Tai Chi
o   Qigong
o   Acupressure
  • ·         Physical exercise will help to clear the mind while relieving the body of stress hormones. The increased energy and blood flow to the brain will allow for improved clarity as to what should be (or shouldn't be) done. The rush you get from the release of endorphins is nice too!

Indeed, there is much more out there that would be of great benefit to those suffering with constant guilt but beginning with these suggestions is as good a place to start as any. Be well!