March/April 2001
Articles on the theme "Controlling the Mind"
Good Servant, Bad Master
by Patrick Plaskett
Recognizing how little we control the
mind. How to gain control.
Choosing Love
by Edward Abel
Releasing ourselves from fear and other
negative energies.
The Greatest Discovery
by Betty Perry
The Silva Method approach to controlling
the mind.
Past Life Alert
by June G. Bletzer
How productively to use our mental
and physical links with past-lives.
Calming the Unruly Mind
by George J. Felos
A lawyer's account of how meditation
can help control the mind.
Moving Into Mindfulness
by Jeanne Fortunato
Of creative visualization, yoga and
meditation.
Thoughtful Use of Reason
by Dolores T. Puterbaugh
Impulse; the traps of the Ostrich,
the Foolish Optimist and the Hopeful Christian; reason and principal.
Your Mind... A Control Issue
by Ernesto J. Fernandez
What is the mind? Is it ours? How can
we control it?
Battle For The Mind
by Charles Larsen
External vs. internal mind control.
Hypnosis and psychotherapy.
Human Vs. Divine Mind
by Rev. Pat Cross
Choosing to use the mind consciously
rather than trying to control the mind. Becoming at-one with the Divine
Mind.
A Wild Horse
by Steve Shealy, PhD
Taming the mind to experience mindfulness.
Informal and formal meditation.
Other Feature Articles
Natural Health Q & A
by Maria Moraca
Of blood sugar levels and chelation
therapy.
What is... Natural Progesterone?
by Vanessa Lee Hurst
The differences between natural and
synthetic progesterone. The relationship to estrogen. How natural progesterone
can help both women and men.
PeopleTalk
Readers' Open Forum
Minerals from Mother Earth
by Judy Power
Features stones for March & April.
Agate and Elestial.
NEW SECTION!
COMMON-SENSE SOLUTIONS
David Findlay
Natural Health Q & A
Maria Moraca
Question
I am tired after eating and moody in the afternoons. A friend suggested it was blood sugar but I don't really know what it is.
Answer
Blood sugar fluctuations (or dysinsulinism) are very common and primarily a result of the typical American diet. They are a possible precursor to more serious dysfunctions, like diabetes.
Blood sugar is the level of glucose, a single molecule sugar, found in one's blood. Everything we eat is transformed into glucose. Sugars and carbohydrates are more easily converted into glucose than proteins and fats.
After we eat, our blood sugar levels rise. Our pancreas then secretes insulin, a hormone that serves to modify the excess glucose into glycogen, a stored form of energy held in the liver and muscle tissue. This conversion of glucose to glycogen also serves to bring one's blood sugar down to normal levels. When blood sugar levels drop between meals, our adrenal glands release hormones, which in turn stimulate the liver to convert the glycogen back into glucose, thereby raising blood sugar levels to normal range. Ideally one's blood sugar is maintained between 60-10mg of glucose per dl of blood regardless of what we eat.
Symptoms of blood sugar disorders include, but are not limited to, low energy, mood swings, poor concentration, dizzy spells, headaches, cravings, weight gain and difficulty in losing weight.
A common scenario in dysinsulinism is as follows: after food is eaten, the body does not respond to the insulin being secreted by the pancreas. In desperation, the pancreas secretes even more insulin, only to cause the blood sugar to drop too low, too quickly. In response, the adrenals work to release the glycogen, which will often cause the blood sugar to rise too quickly. The problem is the blood sugar is never maintained at an average level, it is constantly either too low or too high, overworking the related organs and glands. This is the modus operandi for most of us, but often we only realize it after more serious problems develop.
Why does this inability to maintain blood sugar levels occur? In some cases, congenital glandular dysfunction or enzyme defects are the cause. Most often, though, the cause is diet. Many of us eat a diet too high in sugar, simple refined carbohydrates and starches.
Refined carbohydrates are made with flour - breads, pastas, bagels, etc. - which are quickly and easily transformed into glucose. They therefore cause extreme jumps in blood sugar after they are eaten. Complex carbohydrates are beans and whole grains - like rice, millet, and quinoa - which are slower acting. In blood sugar terms, our body utilizes animal proteins at the most efficient rate; therefore our body's function of maintaining blood sugar levels is under the least amount of strain when we eat meat.
If one suspects one might be suffering from blood sugar fluctuations, what should be done?
First, a diet high in protein with a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables, a small percentage of complex carbohydrates, and NO sugar is a great place to start. Repeat, NO sugar, including artificial sweeteners. Sugar is an addictive substance; it has no nutritional value, robs our body of stored nutrients, and has even been linked to specific dysfunctions like suppressed immunity and adrenal insufficiency. Sugar has absolutely no redeeming qualities. Try to curb cravings for sweets with fruit.
Nutritionally, chromium, manganese and zinc are all minerals shown to improve glucose tolerance and metabolism, thereby helping to maintain blood sugar levels, and are easily included in a regime of vitamins. There are also some herbal combinations well known to help balance blood sugar levels.
Acupuncture and other energetic work modalities, like Total Body Modification (TBM), are also very effective support in rebuilding the body's ability to sustain a balanced blood sugar. Acupuncture can work to help strengthen the pancreas and the liver; TBM has specific corrections for blood sugar and offers a new perspective on balance from an energetic viewpoint.
Dealing with dysinsulinism is best accomplished by utilizing a well-rounded, holistic healthcare program - with focus on diet and vitamin, mineral and herbal supplementation - which deals with the physical aspect of blood sugar balance and on modalities designed to strengthen the energetics of the problem.
Question
My mother has recently started doing chelation therapy. She was told it could help with circulation. What is chelation? How does it work?
Answer
Chelation is usually an intravenous therapy used to remove toxins from the body. Toxins are heavy metals, and also excessively high levels of minerals. Chelation means to bind; specific chelating agents are entered into the bloodstream and are used to attract and adhere to heavy metals and minerals. The toxins are then excreted from the body via the kidneys.
Chelation is probably most commonly used as a natural alternative to surgery for arteriosclerosis, a circulatory disorder in which a buildup of fats and cholesterol form a plaque on arterial walls, inhibiting blood flow. Calcium is the substance acting to hold the fats together, forming the plaque. Therapy utilizing chelating agents that specifically bind to calcium has proved successful in breaking up the plaque deposits and therefore improving circulation. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is the most commonly used chelating agent in intravenous therapy. EDTA binds with many toxic metals as well as calcium.
Chelation has also proven effective in situations with patients suffering from Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's syndrome, both of which are often the result of heavy metal poisoning. Chelation can also be useful when undergoing dental work to rid the body of mercury and other toxic substances found in fillings.
Chelation therapy is actually a series of treatments, usually from 20 to 50 visits. Before administering treatment, a healthcare practitioner would prescribe a battery of tests. They would check cholesterol levels and possibly do a hair analysis to determine levels of minerals and metals, and would evaluate the patient's liver and kidney function (both imperative to filtering and excreting toxic substances from the body).
A risk with chelation is the excretion of necessary minerals, a by-product of the excretion of toxins. Because of this, vitamin and mineral supplementation is an integral part of the therapy, to replace lost nutrients and maintain an ideal balance to support overall health.
In the early days of chelation, it was believed therapy had to be intravenous to be effective. In the last few years oral supplements with chelating qualities have become available. The advantage of these products is the cost. They are far less expensive then intravenous chelation therapy and are often as effective. If considering chelation, check with your natural healthcare practitioner for information about oral chelating agents for either heavy metal toxicity or arteriosclerosis.
Maria Moraca is a licensed acupuncture physician who maintains a medical practice combining acupuncture and other natural approaches. She is an associate at Clearwater Natural Medical Center, FL. (727) 726-7333.
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