The New Human Condition

One of the supplements I take when I’m sick is Black Elderberry. You can buy the extract in many forms, but I prefer the tablets from Solaray, called SambuActin. The directions say to take two of them up to four times daily, and I generally stick to that schedule. I can carry this small tin around with me all day and take them periodically throughout the day.

Elderberry Extract works by inhibiting several variants of the flu virus from replicating. A study done during a flu outbreak in Panama had a 90% success ratio. 90% of the patients treated with elderberry showed improvement within a day or two, and were completely cured within 3 days. Patients given a placebo took 6 days or longer to be completely rid of the virus.

Black Elderberry Extract has been a part of my cold and flu treatment now for about a year. It works great by itself, or in combination with tea and a neti pot.

Joe Health Black Elderberry, SambuActin

I’ve been fighting a head cold this past week. I usually don’t get sick when everyone else does, but it seems there is something going around, as many people I know have come down with a sore throat, stuffy head, and cough.

In the past, I’ve tried to stay away from most medications (especially strong over-the-counter and prescription cold drugs). In their place, I’ve tried to cure the cold using common knowledge (lots of fluids, sleep, etc) or with natural remedies (teas, supplements, etc). I also tried some of the less toxic over-the-counter cold remedies like Airborne (contains lots of vitamins and herbs) and Zicam (which uses Zinc as a cold remedy).

First off, the Airborne doesn’t work. This product is popular simply because of a great marketing campaign and an Oprah endorsement. The extremely high levels of Vitamins in Airborne are useless. A human body can only absorb so much of any particular vitamin at a time…the rest is just passed out in urine. As for the herbs, a lot of the herbs present in Airborne have never been tested. There’s no reason to think these are safe or effective.

As for Zicam, I used to be a huge supporter. About two years ago, I was the best man in a wedding and had been stressing out about giving the best man speech for weeks. I came down with a terrible head cold a week before the wedding. Zicam, which essentially uses high levels or zinc to inhibit the flu virus from reproducing, actually worked for me. I started using it every few hours as directed and my cold cleared up in a few days. This same result has been backed up by studies, including one done by the Cleveland Clinic. The problem is that the levels of Zinc in Zicam are extremely high, and can lead to permanent loss of taste and smell. That’s simply not a risk that I am comfortable taking.

Instead, check out my post about safe, natural cold remedies that really do work.

Joe Health Airborne, Zicam

Here are three easy-to-make alternatives to standard cleaning products:

Furniture Polish

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup white distilled vinegar

20-30 drops of lemon oil

Add ingredients together and shake well before using. Put this on a rag or brush and use it as you would a normal furniture polish.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

There are two options here:

1. Sprinkle the inside of the toilet bowl with baking soda, drizzle with vinegar and let this sit for about 30 minutes. Then scrub with a brush or wipe clean.
2. Put ¼ cup borax in the toilet bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a brush and then wipe clean. Afterwards, add a couple of drops of pine oil as a disinfectant.

All-Purpose Cleaner

2 cups white distilled vinegar

2 cups water

20 to 30 drops of a scented oil (eucalyptus is my favorite, but you can use lavender, lemongrass, etc)

Mix all the ingredients together and pour them into a spray bottle. You can use this on hard surfaces like countertops, tile floors, windows, and mirrors. 

Joe Consumerism, Culture, Health Green, Green Cleaners

The last two summers here in Florida, I’ve planted peppers out on my patio. This year I’ve planted green bell peppers and hot hungarian peppers. They have both done extremely well and I’ve enjoyed going outside and picking my own.

Green Bell Pepper. This will gradually turn red if you leave it on the vine.

My favorite pepper, the Hot Hungarian. This will go from yellow to red as it ripens on the vine. FYI, the redder it gets, the hotter it becomes as well.

Besides being a lot of fun to grow and eat, peppers are also really good for you. The active ingredient in hot peppers, capsaicin, has been shown to have several health benefits:

Cancer Fighter:  Cultures outside of the U.S. whose diet consists of a lot of peppers, such as India and Mexico, have traditionally had lower cancer rates than we do. Recent studies have used pepper extract to kill up to 80% of cancer cells in lab tests, and reduced the size of active tumors in mice.

Pain Reliever: Several over-the-counter muscle pain relievers use capsaicin as their primary ingredient. The burning sensation initially associated with these cremes and topical applications usually gives way to a relaxed, warm feeling in cramped and sore muscles.

Offset Obesity: Capsaicin is also used in some weight loss supplements due to it’s tendency to increase metabolic activity, and has been shown to reduce appetite to varying degrees. Adding peppers to regular meals could help over-eating, and curb hunger after meals.

There are many potential health benefits of peppers. Growing them is easy and fun, and I usually try to add them to my dinners. Pasta, Pizza, Rice, and Omelets are great candidates. Peppers add spice, color, anbd health benefits to meals!

Joe Food and Nutrition, Health Capsaicin, Pepper

Besides just matching up rhythms, when two musicians play together their brain waves synchronize as well. A study by German scientists using jazz guitarists suggests the brain waves of each musician were actually syncing and responding to each other as they listened and played.

Another study on music in the U.S. monitored recovering heart patients and found similar results. As patients listened to relaxing guitar music, their hearts gradually began to beat in time with the music. Over the course of several days, this rhythmic healing helped to mend their bodies post-surgery.

Doctors are increasingly looking at music as a way to help mind and body rejuvenate and reconnect. Music is a very important part of our culture, and can help us to reconnect with our bodies and with each other.

Joe Culture, Health, Music, Spirituality Guitar, Music

While walking through the grocery store you may have noticed a section or an aisle designated for gluten-free products.   These products are designed for people with gluten intolerance or Celiac disease.  Celiac is an autoimmune disease of the digestive system that affects the way nutrients from food are absorbed into the body resulting in nutrient deficiencies.  Gluten is found in wheat, barley, and rye and causes an inflammatory reaction within the digestive system.  Often, gluten intolerance will go undiagnosed for years and symptoms can range from person to person in severity.  Typical symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, gas, indigestion, weight gain, weight loss, muscle and joint pain and an inflammatory skin disorder.  This disease can lead to other nutritional deficiencies because of low nutrient absorption.  For most people after diagnosis adherence to a gluten-free diet decreases symptoms and reduces the risk for further health issues. 

The Gluten free diet requires a major life change because a hefty number of foods made with wheat (including breads, cereals, pastas, and baked goods) are consumed in the US.  Also, wheat products can be used as food additives and seasoning making adherence to a “free” diet almost impossible.  It is important to educate yourself or loved ones on appropriate or inappropriate food choices.

Joe Food and Nutrition, Health Gluten

Having a family history of high blood pressure, I try to avoid putting excess salt on my foods. (Plus, have you ever had a kidney stone!?) Most processed foods today already contain an enormous amount of salt…making the need to add more almost nonexistent.

A new study by the University of California indicates that a 3-gram-a-day reduction in salt intake would greatly benefit many Americans (we typically consume 9-12 grams of salt per day). This reduction would reduce cases of heart disease by 6%, heart attacks by 8%, and death by 3%!

Salt levels and blood pressure in average Americans has risen about 50% from the 1970′s. We need to reverse this trend by not adding any salt to our foods, and by watching how many milligrams of salt we are taking in every day through processed foods.

Joe Food and Nutrition, Health Salt

In today’s world, stress is inevitable. We live in fast-paced environments that are full of danger, disease, and toxins. We are managing our lives, our jobs, our relationships, our family, and many other things that make up our day. The problem is that stress is horrible for your heart, especially for men. Recent studies have shown increased risk of heart attack and stroke as a result of chronically high stress levels.

It’s not possible to get rid of stress completely, but there are ways to deal with it and keep it at a manageable level.

Sweat it out. Exercise is a stress reliever. Whether you are feeling run down, or just too busy to get in a workout, get it in anyhow…it could be the most important thing you do. Even if you just go for a walk instead of hitting the gym, exercise releases chemicals that make you feel happier, plus you will sleep better at night.

Get Enough Sleep: Sleep is critical to managing your stress levels and to your overall health. In fact, there is probably nothing more important than getting a good’s nights sleep. Studies have shown that getting less than 6 hours of sleep nightly can raise the risk of heart disease by up to 39%. Read about some tips on sleeping better here:

Meditate: You don’t need to get out a yoga mat and sit in lotus position for this. During the day take some time out from whatever you are doing and just think about nothing (easier said than done, I know). Go for a walk, take a bath, or put on a relaxing song or two and just let your mind be at ease.

Don’t Skip Meals (Especially Breakfast): Eating several small meals throughout the day helps regulate your digestion, blood sugar, and energy levels. Your body will put less stress on itself, allowing you to better deal with anything the world throws at you.

Start Talking: If stress levels are really getting to you, talk with a close friend of loved one. Oftentimes they can suggest something that will help you, otherwise sometimes just talking about things helps ease the stress you might be feeling. A counselor could also help if things are really bad.

Remember to Look at the Big Picture: Don’t get too upset about things that are meaningless and out of your control. Did the restaurant get your order wrong? Did someone cut you off on your way to work? Let it go. These small things can really annoy us and add significant stress to our lives. Don’t let them, these things are meaningless in the big picture of life.  

So take care of stress and take care of your heart!

Joe Culture, Health Heart, Stress

One of my goals in life is to live to be 100 or more. As strange as that sounds, becoming a “centenarian” might not be as hard as I think. A new study by health and longevity experts suggests that over half of babies born today will live to 100. Half of today’s college students can also expect to celebrate this birthday milestone if they live a healthy life, eating well and exercising. Click here to read the article in its entirety.

If we are going to live to 100 or more, we need to really be living. This means going after our goals and not just letting life pass us by. 100 years seems like a long time now, but it will probably fly by just like the last “X” number of years have. Life is never guaranteed and we need to make the most of the time we are given. For those who don’t know… my friend Kimi recently passed away. She was someone who really took time to enjoy her life and enrich those of everyone around her. Kimi loved human interaction, and encouraged it whenever she should. She brought a lot of good into the world in her short time here. Read about her life and her impact on the world. We can all take steps to enrich our lives and live more intensely. 

Keep Focused: Stay in the moment. Always be aware of the present. Take note of your surroundings and enjoy them. Too often we rush through our lives from one task to another. Keep your memory sharp by presenting it with creative challenges (puzzles, experiments, social interaction, etc). Don’t abuse alcohol or drugs that dampen the senses. One of my favorite quotes comes from a book called “The Last American Man”:

“There is no way that you can have a decent life as a man if you aren’t awake and aware every moment. Show up for your own life. Don’t pass your days in a stupor, content to swallow whatever watery ideas modern society may bottle feed you through the media, satisfied to slumber through life in an instant gratification sugar coma. The most extraordinary gift you’ve been given is your own humanity, which is about consciousness. So honor that consciousness.”

Eat Smart: Eat a wide variety of foods, and always take a chance to expose yourself to something new. Choose fresh, organic foods when possible. Follow Michael Pollan’s advice: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” Your body gathers nutrients and essential health compounds from the foods you eat. Read about “Eating in America”:

Relax: Take some time to relax when you are feeling stressed. Stress is an absolute nightmare for the body. It raises blood pressure and anxiety, advances the aging process, and increases the risk of many illnesses, particularly those that are cardiovascular-related. Take time out every day to sit down, enjoy a mug of your favorite beverage, or meditate. Read my post on taking “time-out” to enjoy life here.

Sleep Soundly: Sleep is the best thing you can do to help your body, increase your overall lifespan, and to look and feel younger. The human body undergoes various restorative processes during the sleep cycle, repairing damaged tissues and cells, and compiling memory and mental functions. If you have a hard time getting to sleep at night, read my post on How to Become a Better Sleeper.

Look Your Best: Always take time to put on your best appearance to the world. This doesn’t mean you have to dress up every time you go out (I’m not a huge fan of dress clothes myself…I prefer a old pair of jeans and a comfy t-shirt). But it does mean you should keep your appearance up. Brush your teeth at least daily. Stay clean by showering often, and applying light, natural scents to your skin. Keep your hair and nails neat and trimmed. These may seem like common sense tips, but they are often neglected. Not only will these small things make you look better, you will feel better about yourself as a result.  

Joe Culture, Food and Nutrition, Health Life, Longevity

It turns out Grandma was right all along! Ginger really does soothe an upset stomach. Recent studies also suggest that it may help with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, and with nausea in chemotherapy patients.

I had always heard this growing up, and whenever I had an upset stomach my Mom or Grandma would always make me drink ginger ale. It always made me feel better, but looking back on it I wonder how much of that was “placebo effect” (I thought it would make me feel better so it did).

Turns out there isn’t much ginger in ginger ale nowadays. Most of the “ginger” flavor is the result of a mixture of “natural flavors”.

The next time you have an upset stomach, go to the nearest natural foods store and buy real ginger ale…or mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger into a soothing beverage like tea or water.

Joe Food and Nutrition, Health Ginger