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You are here: Home / Archives for Health

Health

Ancient Ayurveda Still One of the Best Answers for Wellbeing

January 3, 2012 by Raul Colon

The first Ayurvedic textbook dates back 5,000 years ago, making it a precursor to allopathic medicine which dominates our western world.

Ayurveda, meaning the science or study of life, is a very complex holistic approach to optimize one’s health and offset diseases and discomfort. Divided into eight branches, similar to the eight branches of yoga, the Ashtangas of Ayurveda include general medicine, pediatrics and OB/GYN, surgery, ENT, toxicology, rejuvenation (geriatrics), aphrodisiacs and psychiatry.

While Ayurveda is not widely understood in our part of the word, in India, the birthplace of Ayurveda, it’s widespread. In Kerala, the state where it may be most prominent, currently 40 percent of health care is Ayurvedic and the local Ayurvedic association has a marketing campaign underway to boost that figure to 50 percent.

The government does its part of support Ayurveda as well. Those of lower socio-economic means in India are entitled to free allopathic or Ayurvedic treatments. Additionally, the Government of India has published formularies for Ayurvedic treatments, available on CDs.

Just as we’ve seen proof of unbelievable scientific intelligence among the ancient Mayas and Egyptians, among other cultures, Ayurveda, over the last 5,000 years has proved its effectiveness based on its age-old wisdom and practices. In the last ten years, blind double tests confirmed the value of Ayurveda. Two plants traditionally used to treat blood pressure were patented by a major pharmaceutical company as allopathic drugs for hypertension. Another Ayurvedic herbal therapy (ephedrine) is now a common allopathic treatment for asthma.
Many of the native plants used in Ayurveda, when analyzed using modern technology and data, are found to have curative elements. According to the Indian sages, all plants have medicinal values. “It is promised that nature always creates, in every habitat, plants needed to treat typical diseases prevalent in the eco-system,” stated the Caraka Samhita, the most well known treatise on Ayurveda dating back to 600 B.C.

Dr. L. Mahadevan, director of Sri Sarada Ayurvedic Hospital located at the southernmost tip of India, operates a botanical garden and pharmacy alongside his clinic. There are more than 100 herbs cultivated here, many of which can be used for multiple purposes. Among the plants grown in this tropical garden are asiatica, arrowroot, asoka, gooseberries, aloe vera, amaranth, bitter demon, stevia, coriander and neem.

Dr. Mahadevan’s clinic treats about 50 patients a day. He has a staff of 70 which is certainly not the ratio seen in western clinics. While he operates in a fairly remote geographic location, surrounded by paddy fields, lotus ponds and coconut groves. His patients come from all over the world, and most likely seek treatment due to imbalances caused by diet and lifestyle.

According to Dr. Vinod Verma, author of Ayurveda, A Way of Life and founder of the New Way Health Organization in India, “people live lives that are largely anti-life, i.e., our lifestyle is unhealthy…They spend most of their time searching for more money or fame…trapped in a vicious cycle of over medication and its side effects.”

Dr. L. Mahadevan echoed that thought. He says he’s seen patients eat too much and work too much. He says patients nowadays usually prefer the mindless act of taking a pill or a shot, rather than modifying their lifestyle to achieve health and happiness. Some ailments, with Ayurvedic treatment, can be cured merely with water, salt, or exercise. But, in today’s modern world, whether one lives in New Delhi or New York City, there is a too often a focus on the material needs rather than the more important personal needs of each individual.
Dr. Vinod adds in her book, “When people are running around attending one meeting after another or making deals, they are usually suppressing urges, inviting ailments and shortening their lifespan. Running after achievements is of no use when they are life-threatening and life shortening. Remember that the first priority of life is life itself…all else is useless…take time for what you would like to do rather than always doing what you are supposed to do.”

The Caraka Samhita not only talks about healing techniques, but also the role of the healer. The doctor, it advises, should be “friendly and compassionate toward the sick and should not be greedy.”

Ayurveda focuses on the patient, rather than on the antidote. An Ayurvedic analysis takes much longer than an allopathic one, as the treatment is customized and holistic. As an example of the complexity and holistic nature of Ayurveda, the patient may be advised to modify his or her diet and lifestyle every two months, based on the changing elements of our climate that affects our environment. Likewise, Ayurveda recognizes the daily cycles that alter one’s state of being, which factor into recommended daily regimens.

Ayurveda does not ignore allopathic medicine, but weaves it into the complete picture. For example, it’s not uncommon for Ayurvedic doctors in India to request blood tests or X-rays, and they frequently work hand in hand with neurologists, surgeons and other western medical practitioners. It’s not about territory. It’s about what’s best for the patient. For example, dais (midwives) assist in home births of 90 percent of normal deliveries, with immediate referrals to allopathic hospitals in cases of abnormal births.

While most allopathic doctors probably enter the field with a sincere desire to help patients, in today’s American managed care medical environment our medical providers are squeezed so tightly by insurance providers and risk management that these principles are very hard to maintain. Ayurveda, on the other hand, due to its holistic nature, brings about equilibrium in the patients, which results in well being.

Individuality is not a part of western medicine. In Ayurveda, the mind, body and spirituality are all interrelated. In the ancient art and science, health is harmony with the self and the environment.

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Vegetarian Tagged With: Health

Kidney beans over Kidney Stones: Why I need to stay away from Meat!

February 8, 2011 by Lucymfel

About eight years ago my diet was not that great. I had major changes in my personal life that led me to not eating the best food. I was always on the go and eating fast food. I never drank water and always had a diet coke in my hand. It was December 2004 and I started experiencing major back pains.

Little did I know that I was passing a kidney stone and I chose not to tell anyone about what was happening. The pain finally got the best of me and I ended up in the emergency, admitted for possible surgery.

Thank goodness that the x-rays showed the stone was on its way out. My doctor advised me to change my diet, drink more water, and that he did not want to see me in his office again. I did start to drink more water and stopped frequent trips to the fast food joints. It wasn’t until 2007 that I passed kidney stones again. By this time, my diet had changed drastically I was eating more vegetables, not drinking soft drinks at all, I was only drinking water, and fast food joints were something I did not go to at all.

So I had to ask myself, why was I still passing kidney stones?

My partner had become vegetarian and as always, he researched information about the benefits of being a vegetarian. What he found in his research was a link between protein and kidney stones. There are other reasons why some people pass kidney stones such as a genetic predisposition, too much calcium or even sodium. My boyfriend suggested I omit meat from my diet for a bit to see if I would pass kidney stones. Sure enough I stopped eating meat for about a month and did not pass one kidney stone. But did this stop me from eating meat? No, I did not. When I became pregnant last year, I passed a kidney stone in my fourth month of pregnancy because I ate meat. It was one of the worse occurrences since my first time passing a kidney stone. After that we happened upon a fair at the mall. There was a health magazine on the table and one of the articles included staying away from meat in order to avoid passing kidney stones. This reinforced the notion that for the duration of my pregnancy, I needed to stay away from any meat. I have not passed a kidney stone in the last seven months. I maintained a healthy weight during my pregnancy and managed to be six pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight.

Since then I have been thinking that if we are going to raise our daughter vegetarian, that I need to change my lifestyle so as not to send mixed messages to her as she gets older. I also don’t want to go through the pain of passing a kidney stone again. Mothers need to be extra healthy with a new baby depending on them for nourishment.

How has a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle improved your health?

Since going vegetarian or vegan, was there a health condition that was completely eradicated from your medical history?


photo credit: Minimalist Photography

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Health, Vegetarian

Why I Don’t Eat Meat!

February 1, 2011 by Raul Colon

buffet dish #1


I have been vegetarian since 2006 when I decided to return to Puerto Rico after working in Mid-town Manhattan for KPMG LLP a few years.

Vegetarian by Accident

I can say I am a Vegetarian by accident.

When I officially left the military (although the Army did try to keep me in on some imaginary contract extension that I had never signed, topic for another blog post) and moved to New York.

One of the biggest mistakes I made was not worrying about my weight or health.

Working for one of the Big 4 Accounting firms for the Information Risk Management practice made me regularly put in hours from 7am to 1am (let me point out that I had a two hour commute each way, I did a lot of sleeping on that train).

The other time I was traveling throughout the U.S. taking care of clients in very remote areas with very tight deadlines. I never made the time to eat well or get any exercise (other than at airports catching flights). Why did I work so many hours I was very blessed to have worked with very talented people which did not have the huge learning curve I had just to keep up with them. So trying to give the best work for my clients was translated in working more and more hours.

When I left KPMG planning to move back to Puerto Rico I found myself at least 60 pounds heavier than when I started working in Manhattan. I decided to start visiting the gym and running. On my first run I had barely crossed the 1-mile mark and I could hardly catch my breath.

 

Before My Life Changing Moment Probably the only workout I had (just kidding) Memorial Weekend 2006 Mt. Vernon, VA

Before My Life Changing Moment Probably the only workout I had (just kidding) Memorial Weekend 2006 Mt. Vernon, VA This was a life changing moment since for most of my life I had always been able to run at least 4-5 miles.

From that moment on I made it an effort to make changes in my life so I could lose weight and get back in shape.

Given my new sedentary lifestyle I had adopted I had been watching a VH1 Tv Show called Celebrity Fit Club. One of the Celebrity Fit Club judges was a nutritionist who had just written a book the The Fat Smash Diet: The Last Diet You’ll Ever Need (amazon affiliate link) which caught my attention.

A few days later I was at a interview near Wall Street with JP Morgan Chase to join their IT Audit team. The interview went well but I was very decided that unless they gave me a surprising offer (which they did not) I would move to Puerto Rico. After the interview I went into a Barnes & Noble when I saw The Fat Smash Diet: The Last Diet You’ll Ever Need. I browsed the book and bought it. The advice on the book looked very simple and practical to follow.

One of the key parts of the book was its 1st two weeks where you would have to go practically vegan to detox your body. Given my determination I started counting the days without meat and my body started feeling better. Many health issues I was having suddenly disappeared. I remember having a terrible Heartburn all the time and till this day I have not had that sensation again.

Little did I know that I would never eat meat again! After being able to feel great I pretty much decided to stay away from meat. I can say I was able to lose most of the weight (although I can always lose more pounds).

People that have known me for years can tell you how much of a meat fanatic I was. I remember going to places and trying everything (also in excess). One of my favorite places was the Rib & Loin in Chattanooga, TN near my client Heil Trailer.

I use to ask for the biggest platter (Combination(Pork,Beef,Ribs,Chicken) and a year later when I visited my client they had made plans to go to the Rib & Loin, since they knew how much I enjoyed.  I gladly rejected the invitation while my client recognized that I had made a great decision regarding my health since they could see how it physically improved my life.

My biggest challenge was moving back to Puerto Rico where most of the population does not understand the definition of being vegetarian. Also the Island hospitality always inclines people to offer you food and they get heavily insulted once you don’t reject any non vegetarian friendly food options.

Take my grandma for example I love her very much but I won’t touch any of her plates since for the most she will add animal products to everything and will not tell me. In her mind meat is a symbol of health and she still does no understand how I can go without meat. I plan to share my experiences trying to look for vegetarian options.

So today I was inspired by @alisavaldes & @ergeekgoddess ( I really want to thank them both) who both are vegetarian and tweet using the #Latism Hashtag to finally create blog posts around the main reasons why I became and still am vegetarian:

Having a better quality of life

After a few Years of being Vegetarian with my Best Friend Rahul, Cpt. America, and Myself in Universal Studios March 2008

After a few Years of being Vegetarian with my Best Friend Rahul, Cpt. America, and Myself in Universal Studios March 2008

I plan to continue explaining the many reasons why I became vegetarian here on my blog, sharing resources to become vegetarian, and other related info I usually stumble upon.

Just to clarify being vegetarian is not a diet it’s a Lifestyle.

Have you ever thought of becoming Vegetarian? What would stop you from trying to be vegetarian?

Please feel free to share your thoughts!

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Vegetarian Tagged With: Health, Lifestyle, Vegetarian

Which is sexier Vegetarian or Meat Eater?

February 1, 2011 by Raul Colon

Article originally published on raulcolon.net

On many occasions I see how the Meat industry and companies that survive of selling meat continuously use Sex driven ads to sell their products.

Like every year @PETA has decided to create their superbowl ad in hopes of having it banned but reaching many people (cost effective advertising). I follow the @peta twitter account and read the following re-tweet

[blackbirdpie url=”http://twitter.com/#!/HuffingtonPost/status/32146797740687360″]

This tweet includes an article by the @huffingtonpost including the video which simulates a porn movie casting (viewer discretion is advised).

Many of you might find the ad raunchy (honestly I have never seen vegetables handled that way)  but how much different is it from Paris Hilton eating a hamburger in the Carls Jr Burger ads.

When I hear people complaining about the ad I think they want to turn a blind eye and picture of how @peta’s real objective is to create awareness on other important subjects of animal rights.

I think they are experts at creating attention similar to the examples @jimkukral shared with us in his book Attention! This Book Will Make You Money: How to Use Attention-Getting Online Marketing to Increase Your Revenue (amazon affiliate link).

Do you think that @peta is able to create the adequate awareness with these ads?

What are your thoughts?

Filed Under: Humor Tagged With: Health, Vegetarians

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