Green and Lean

A post by Blanche Scharf http://www.yourhealthupdates.com I have been studying natural healing modalities for the last 25 years. In that time I have had the privilege of working with some of the greatest minds in Natural Healing including Naturopaths, Scientists, and Energy Healers. I have seen people miraculously heal from all kinds of dis-ease thru non-invasive methods. Personally, I have experienced all kinds of diets from Macrobiotics to Raw Foods. Now is a very important time to start sharing this health information with as many people as possible, so people can make well informed decisions about their health and not fall victim to a sickcare system based on profit, rather than one of supporting wholeness, compassion and love To see more posts by Blanche Scharf, click here

There was a study done at the Indiana University School of Medicine, which found that children who resided in areas with lots of green growing plants, and grassy fields, cut their chances of being obese. The study was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and it looked at children aged 3 to 18 who had lived in the same residence for at least 2 straight years. It found that the more green a neighborhood, the slower the increase in body mass index (BMI), the effect was independent of factors such as age, race and gender.

The research showed that slowing the increase of the Body Mass Index (BMI) which is a measure of body fat based on height and weight would lower the child’s chance of becoming obese later on. There may be a few reasons for these findings. There are more reasons to stay outdoors, and less pollution. Playing outside is usually very active it entails running, and walking. “Previous work, including our own, has provided snapshots in time, and shown that for children in densely population cities, the greener the neighborhood, the lower the risk of obesity. Our new study of over 3,800 inner-city children revealed that living in areas with green space has a long-term positive impact on children’s weight and thus health,” said Gilbert C Liu, an assistant professor of pediatrics and leader of the study.

Another study researchers from VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam looked at the health records of 350,000 people using the services of 195 general practitioners for more than a year. This study was conducted in the Netherlands. The study found health benefits if there was greenery within a .62 mile radius of where you lived. From less anxiety and depression to a lower rate of some common conditions.

Dr Jolanda Maas of the VU University Medical Centre in Amsterdam, said, “It clearly shows that green spaces are not just a luxury but they relate directly to diseases and the way people feel in their living environments.”

Some of the reasons are the air quality is better, recreational sports, social contact and tranquil surroundings. Children benefited the most having a 21 percent less chance of becoming depressed. The study, funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, has been published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Spending more time outdoors to participate in recreational sports is not only enjoyable but adds to a healthy lifestyle. Spending time gardening is another wonderful way to stay green and lean. People who eat lots of dark green vegetables tend to be lean and healthy.

It seems that green is the color of health. It is a reasonable assumption since the modern world has diminished our relationship to nature, we have become one of the least healthy generation. Our offspring are already poised to surpass us in this regard. From the green scenery, to the garden we are sustained by this color.

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