Hydration Information...How Safe is Your Water and It's Containers

Water, water everywhere…but what’s it in?

In order to achieve and maintain good health we need to consume enough water everyday. More and more, people are toting water with them during their daily trips to work, the store, sporting events, and gyms, and this is a good thing. But a study suggests that reusable water bottles may be bad for our health.

A study published by Dr. Patricia Hunt in the April edition of Current Biology, suggests that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) can cause chromosomal abnormality. Most plastic reusable bottles are manufactured with BPA. Over time, BPA can leach into the water and eventually harm our health.

Experts disagree. The American Plastics Council, along with other plastic manufacturers, dispute the findings, saying that the study has not been validated or standardized. As it stands, the information on BPA is far from definitive.

What is known is that overtime, all plastics will break down, and through this process, they have the potential to leach chemicals into the water. As a precaution here are a few suggestions:

• When at the office, use a ceramic, stainless steel or glass cup, instead of plastic.

• Do not microwave anything in plastic.

• When transporting water, use a glass, stainless steel or ceramic container.

• If you do use plastic, make sure that is is either:  #2 high-density polyethylene  

(HDPE), #4 low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and #5 polypropylene (PP). These plastics are not known to leach chemicals into water.

• Avoid #3 polyvinyl chloride (PVC), #6 polystyrene (PS), and according to Hunt's study, #7 polycarbonate. Plastic bottles made from #1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) are for single, not multiple use.

• When storing, keep it out of sunlight and away from heat.

If that isn’t enough, reusing water bottles could present another type of health problem–bacteria build up. Even though you may wash your water bottle well, bacteria can still gather and grow in cracks, scratches, and in hard-to-reach places, especially in bottles that have narrower necks.

Not only is it important to use a certain type of plastic bottle, or a different type of bottle all together, you should also pay attention to the cleanliness and sanitization of your bottle. Don’t go too long without sanitizing it.

Are you sure you are putting the right things into your body? Let's schedule a no-cost consultation, and see!

Kathy E Thomas

Lake Premier Wellness Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

2430 South Bay Street, Eustis, FL 32726

352-323-0795

Depression and TCM...a different perspective

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and a loss of interest in regular activities. It affects how you think, feel and behave, making it difficult to get through day-to-day activities. It's not something you can simply 'snap out of' and may require treatment.

Symptoms may include:

Feelings of sadness, unhappiness, emptiness, irritability, agitation, anxiety
Lack of energy and vitality
Angry outbursts
Excessive worrying
Sleep disturbances, whether difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping too much
Appetite changes, increased or decreased
Trouble concentrating, thinking and making decisions
Focusing on past failures
Poor memory
Suicidal thoughts
Excessive feelings of guilt and worthlessness
Loss of interest or enjoyment in normal activities
Slowed/sluggish thoughts, speech or movement.

Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a number of approaches in managing depression. Treatments are created to:

Calm and settle the mind/spirit
Reduce anxiety, irritability and restlessness
Clear thoughts
Restore healthy sleep patterns
Improve energy and a general sense of vitality
Lift the mood and general feelings of sadness.

In some cases, Traditional Chinese Medicine protocols are used in conjunction with other types of treatment plans.

Herbal Formulas

Herbal formulas are prepared using a combination of several herbs. Powdered shells and minerals are commonly used to relieve depression and to calm and relieve anxiety, irritability, agitation, restore normal sleep patterns, improve concentration and forgetfulness. These include:

HERBS

Suan zao ren (sour jujube seed)
Fu Ling (Poria mushroom)
He huan pi (Mimosa tree bark or 'collective happiness bark')

SHELLS

Mu li (oyster shell)
Zhen zhu mu (mother of pearl)

MINERALS

Hu po (amber)
Dai zhe shi (hematite)

The above calming herbs, shells and minerals are divided into two categories:

Substances that anchor, settle and calm the spirit: these substances have a tranquilizing effect and are primarily used in cases of extreme agitation and anger.
Herbs that nourish the heart and calm the spirit: these herbs are milder in character than the previous category and help to counter general feelings of sadness.

In preparing herbal prescriptions, herbs may also be added to address other accompanying health issues in order to achieve an optimal feeling of well-being. For example, if depression is accompanied by digestive problems or body aches, then a formula would be prepared to address these issues simultaneously.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is also administered alongside herbal remedies to address the symptoms of depression. Thin needles are inserted at acupuncture points selected from more than 1,000 points on the body and gently stimulated. Primary points used are:

Sishencong: improves memory, mental function, concentration
Ear Shen Men: notably calms agitation and irritability
Yin Tang: especially enhances focus, concentration, memory and insomnia.

Lifestyle Recommendations

Eat healthy, get regular exercise and sleep.
Learn ways to relax and manage stress. Incorporate daily practices that calm and nurture the spirit, such as prayer, meditation and other relaxing practices.
Counselling, psychotherapy, support groups are sometimes necessary.
Avoid isolating yourself as much as possible. Try to participate in social activities, and get together with family or friends regularly.
Avoid alcohol.


I am happy to meet with you or a loved one for a free consultation to see how TCM can best work for you.

Kathy E Thomas
Lake Premier Wellness Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
2430 South Bay Street, Eustis, FL 32726
352-323-0795

Does Winter make you S.A.D.?

How to End Seasonal Affective Disorder and Start Loving Winter

Many people feel down as winter approaches. It's dark. It's cold. The holidays can be stressful.

But for some people every winter is unbearable. They're tired and depressed. They don't want to get out of bed. They snap at their families and binge on junk food.

These people have seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Our moods and energy levels fluctuate with the seasons. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) understands these cycles but modern life does not. These days, you are expected to be active, productive and creative at all times of the year. There is no accommodation for a slow, quiet winter.

According to TCM, this conflict causes stress, which can result in SAD. What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that people experience at the same time every year. Most often, symptoms start in September or October and are relieved in April or May, however some people experience SAD at different times of year. The symptoms include:

• Irritability

• Headaches

• Extreme fatigue, lethargy and sleepiness

• Increased appetite

• Carbohydrate cravings

• Lack of concentration

• Decreased libido

No one knows exactly what causes SAD but most of the theories involve light. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood, is triggered by light. Some people believe that decreased serotonin is the culprit. Others blame melatonin, a hormone that affects sleep and mood, because it is affected by darkness. In either case, light plays a role.

Western Medicine Treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Western medicine treats SAD with medications, psychotherapy and light therapy.

There are 2 types of light therapy. For bright light treatment, you sit in front of a light box for 30-45 minutes every day. For dawn simulation treatment, a dim light comes on while you sleep and gradually gets lighter.

Many people find light therapy very effective, and a recent Canadian study confirms this. Scientists found that light therapy was just as effective as Prozac for alleviating SAD, with fewer side effects and faster results.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatments for SAD

TCM takes a holistic view of the body and seasonal cycles, and understands the energy behind them. All life is made of qi, or life force. One of the principles of qi is that everything is made of yin and yang. Yin is the feminine side, nourishing, cold and dark. Yang is the masculine side, active, warm and light.

Autumn marks the beginning of the yin cycle of the year. Daylight decreases, temperatures drop and nature takes a rest. Just as animals slow down and hibernate, our bodies slow down. It is a time for reflection and quiet activity.

If your constitution is particularly yin, from gender, genetics, environment or lifestyle, the yin cycle may hit you hard. Contemplation and rest may become isolation and depression. Your winter cycle becomes seasonal affective disorder.

The holidays put an additional stress on your system. At a time when your body wants to slow down, holiday activities speed up. Parties, shopping, travel and holiday celebrations create tension between what your body needs and what you're doing. This stress depletes your body even more, contributing to exhaustion and cravings for carbohydrates to replenish your depleted energy.

To stay balanced in the winter and ward off SAD, conserve your energy. Practice quiet, yin activities like restorative yoga, Tai Chi, qigong, walking or journaling. Eat warm, slow-cooked stews and soups. Add yang spices like garlic, ginger, black pepper, cloves and basil to your foods. Limit cold drinks and raw vegetables. Rebuild your energy to prepare for spring.

Most importantly, make an appointment with me for a seasonal acupuncture treatment. By balancing your qi, your seasonal affective disorder symptoms can be relieved.

Winter doesn't have to be a time of sadness, exhaustion and binge eating. Call me to discuss your treatment options today.

Kathy E Thomas

Lake Premier Wellness Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

2430 South Bay Street, Eustis, FL 32726

352-323-0795