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Should
You Be Wary of Dairy?
 If you kept a
nutritional journal for even a few days, you would probably discover that
dairy is among the top five products consumed daily in your household. This
is troubling because more and more people are finding that dairy (and more
specifically a substance in dairy and other products called casein) may be
a contributing factor to allergy reactions and behavioral problems in those
sensitive to it. Here are a few things to think about next time you're
strolling through the dairy aisle.
Many people who assume they are allergic to milk may actually be
suffering from a casein allergy. The complicating factor causing a lack of
awareness as to the true allergy is that casein is found in more than just
dairy products. As a binding agent, it has technical uses as well as
edible; it can be found in paints (including fingernail polish), other
cosmetics and even glue (or industrial adhesives).
In 2000, a clinical study by FitzGerald
and Bundesanstalt determined that there is a "natural opiate"
embedded in casein protein, which may lead to the "comfort
feeling" after digestion. This may be a contributing factor to
cravings for chocolate and cheese unrelated to hunger.
Studies including those by Dr. Karl Reichel, of The National Hospital in
Norway, and Dr. Robert Cade, of the University of Florida, have found high
amounts of the casomorphin peptide in urine samples taken from people with
conditions ranging from autism to post-partum depression (PPD) to celiac
disease to schizophrenia. It has been suggested that this peptide may also
be elevated in other similar disorders such as chronic fatigue,
fibromyalgia and depression, based on the reported benefits of a
gluten-free and casein-free diet.
While casein is most certainly a concern, it's not the sole problem with
milk. A large study led by Catherine S. Berkey of Harvard
Medical School and Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston revealed that
consumption of milk may be contributing to the growing problem of childhood
obesity. And Dr. Robert Kradjian, chief of breast surgery at Seton Medical
Center in northern California, reviewed archives of medical and scientific
journals and found that milk is not the "perfect food" it is
reported to be. He found that many common childhood disorders were, if not
induced, certainly aggravated by an increased intake of dairy products,
including but not limited to allergies, ear and tonsil infections,
bed-wetting, asthma, intestinal bleeding (lesions), colic and childhood
diabetes.
Fortunately, these days it's increasingly possible to substitute when
necessary. When a recipe calls for 1 cup of milk, try replacing it with 1
cup of soy, rice or coconut milk or 1 cup of water mixed with 1 egg yolk.
If a recipe calls for a cup of yogurt, consider the following
substitutions: 1 cup of soy yogurt or soy sour cream, 1 cup of unsweetened
applesauce or 1 cup of pureed fruit.
Consuming diary products is a matter of choice, of course, but with the
potential for allergic reactions, the high fat content and the problems
with casein, it's good to know that there are other choices. Talk to your
doctor for more information.
Read
More
TV
Linked to Depression
 There are drawbacks
to our increasing dependence on the boob tube, some of which have been
documented via research. Studies show that the more television children
watch, the more likely they are to become overweight and to have problems
with attention span. And according to a recent study involving adolescents,
excessive television viewing can do something else: increase the risk of
suffering depression, an all-too-common condition with potentially serious
consequences.
According to the study, adolescents who reported "more television
use had significantly greater odds of developing depression for each additional hour of daily television use. In
addition, those reporting more total media exposure had significantly
greater odds of developing depression for each additional hour of daily
use."
Interestingly enough, the researchers did not find the same relationship
to depression for adolescents who were exposed to videocassettes, computer
games, or radio. For parents, that's an important distinction, because it
means that reducing your children's overall exposure to these items
apparently won't cut it; if they're spending excessive time watching TV,
reducing that time is what needs to happens to reduce your children's risk
of suffering depression.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children be exposed to no
more than one to two hours of "total media time" per day. Isn't
that a good idea for everyone, regardless of age? Talk to
your doctor to learn more.
Read
More
Master
the Art of Meditation
 Many
people find meditation beneficial in managing stress, reaching mental
tranquility, focusing attention and maintaining an overall healthier
lifestyle. In fact, the results of more than 1,000 peer-reviewed articles
on meditation suggest that regular practice of meditation is associated
with "significant relief from a variety of stress related physical and
mental problems, a stronger immune system, longer life, increased energy
and positive changes in brain function."
If you have never meditated before, why not give it a try? It might seem
awkward at first, but if you stick to it, you will find yourself enjoying
it more and more. There are many types of meditation, all of which help
lead you toward greater mental and physical tranquility and a sense of focus.
The following are some suggestions as an introduction to the practice of
meditation.
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Choose
a relaxing, low-light location free from distractions. Remember, this is
un-interrupted "you" time.
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Sit
comfortably on the floor, in a chair with your back straight, or perhaps
in your garden or your favorite quiet space, which could be near the
ocean, a lake or any other relaxing body of water.
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Close
your eyes and slowly take deep breaths.
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Try
to focus only on your breathing, the rise and fall of your abdomen, and
how the air feels as each breath goes in and comes out.
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As
external thoughts start to pass through your mind, calmly acknowledge
them and bring your focus back to the sensation of your breathing.
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End
your session by opening your eyes and allowing yourself to gently return
to your normal daily routine feeling relaxed and refreshed.
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And that's the simple, relaxing, invigorating art of meditation! If
you're experiencing stress or any other condition that requires you
"take it a little easier," meditation may be a perfect place to
start.
Read
More
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