Posts Tagged ‘enviornment’

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 green 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 fields 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.

The 21^st century goal of sustainability is the focus of today’s world. With the overwhelming statistics, and the global warming proponents, the world now has to deal with all the ramifications of our planets resources. The marketplace is going to be made aware of our carbon footprint, and the materials used for all sorts of building, manufacturing, and durable goods.  Depending on the part of the world you live in, the investment and standards will be reflective of the economy and range of resources.

Daily life is certain to incorporate the next big thing, which is documented to address the carbon footprint that we leave. Retailers are looking to the market, through the eyes of the consumer, before they stock their shelves. Today’s environment is eco-friendly and in tune with nature. Lifestyle choices reflect the close look consumers are taking, when purchasing products from the practical to the luxurious. Consumers are more sophisticated, and in touch with the needs of the planet.

The understanding of the role that sustainability plays in the 21^stcentury is crucial to manufacturers, retailers, architects, home builders, and corporations. Collaborated efforts and the sharing of research will be the major focus of developing opportunities to reverse the trend which has depleted much of the earth’s resources. The challenges will continue to fuel the growth of eco-friendly businesses; the future of this segment will grow and dominate the world market.

Waste management, supply chain materials, recycled products, and renewable energy, are becoming increasingly important to the consumer. Reusable or disposable are examples of words that are increasingly important in the marketplace. At one time environmentally friendly was sort of a touchy-feely kind of experience. Now, it is survival 101, and is taking center stage in the world market. The ultimate story may well be played out in how we save the environment, and resources. Assessing the scene is really our scorecard to survival on this planet. We are now in a very challenging time, with the clock ticking away, and the path to the future being paved with our wastefulness, while our resources are being depleted.

Terms like water, carbon dioxide, organic matter, disposal, composting, biodegradable, and landfills are the terminology of this century. Pesticides, genetically modified, pasteurized, irradiated, and antimicrobial products make up the new vocabulary. From food products, to household cleaners it has become a world with scary and threatening imagery. Things like MSRA, and other infections that plague the hospitals, and other settings, means rethinking non-toxic solutions. Immunity is really the job of a powerful natural defense system that is intact in a healthy individual. A healthy planet would produce a healthy environment.

The claims that the function of science is to improve on nature are looking downright misleading, in the wake of all the problems caused by the misuse of the environment. The assessment demonstrated the lack of understanding of the role of the eco-system in place. The 21^st century goal of sustainability is now an ongoing commitment, as we transition to a more natural way of living.

The third largest category of illness in the industrialized world behind heart disease and cancer is autoimmune disorders. The tremendous rise in autoimmune diseases of all types has been alarming.

RESEARCH

The focus of increased research funding, will bring more pharmaceuticals to market.  As of now there are no therapies that are anything more than band-aids. Yet, there are studies that have shown the connection of these conditions to diet, and environmental factors. Studies have shown that Greenland Eskimos were free of autoimmune disorders. When they changed their diet to the standard American way of eating they have the same high incidence of these disorders.

ENVIORNMENT

The connection to environmental factors, seem to be of little interest to the pharmaceutical mentality of modern medicine. The truth, there is a connection between all chronic conditions and diet. Autoimmune disorders are no exception. However, some of the autoimmune disorders have a correlation to the environmental toxins that’s not so straightforward.

DIET

The connection between Omega-3 fatty acid consumption is known. When there is diet modifications there are improvements, and a regression of both symptoms, and disease markers. When people switch to a diet low in omega-6 fats and more omega-3 oils, and add powerful antioxidants from the cruciferous vegetable family, there are improvements in the condition. The American diet is high in Omega-6 fatty acids.

It is known that cruciferous vegetables help with estrogen levels. The vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage are part of the supper food group. Our diet of processed food does not meet our nutritional needs. This is one of the reasons you can look to nutrition when trying to heal. Help for autoimmune disorders are not going to be found at the pharmacy.

CAUSES

The secret causes of autoimmune disorder development is known, it is not the mystery that western medicine claims. These are environmental triggers, which will bring about the symptoms in some people exposed to them. The culprits are viruses, pesticides, mercury, and chemicals. There are at least 24 million people affected. It is about 3 times more prevalent in women. That is the precise reason that cruciferous vegetables help. The role of estrogen can’t be emphasized enough.

ESTROGEN CONNECTION

Women of childbearing age and those that take estrogen replacement therapy are where you see the development of some of the conditions that are called autoimmune disease. Estrogen plays a role in the development of lupus. Estrogen is known to activate the immune system, and this system plays the main role in autoimmune disorders. There may be a genetic predisposition; however diet changes such as cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, and cauliflower affect estrogen metabolism. It is possible for women with rheumatoid autoimmune disorders such as arthritis, hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, and rosacea to find relief by balancing their hormones with progesterone.

It seems that excessive estrogen is a precursor to autoimmune disorders in those prone to the condition. Progesterone functions as a precursor of corticosteroids. Doctors prescribe cortisone type drugs to alleviate symptoms. Prednisone is known for some horrendous side effects.  Women with lupus have shown reduced levels of progesterone. Women who use hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen may have a higher risk of developing lupus.

INFLAMMATION

Estrogen increases the inflammation response. It does not take rocket science to see if 75 percent of women develop autoimmune conditions, there is a hormone connection. Taking prednisone, which is an immune suppressor, is not the answer in the long run. Infections are implicated as an autoimmune trigger. Autoimmune diseases are the fourth largest cause of disability for American women.

MEDICAL COSTS

It is estimated that autoimmune diseases cost close to $90 billion per year. One of the reasons is autoimmune conditions are handled by different medical specialties. A patient may see a rheumatologist, endocrinologist, hematologist, neurologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, and dermatologist. They can cross refer till the cows come home, and not have an answer to the underlining causes, and most effective non toxic treatment. 

INCIDENCE

The incidence of autoimmune disease has tripled in the last few decades. Hint some thing is causing it, there are not triple the number of people with a genetic predisposition. The list of autoimmune disorders keeps growing. There are ones that are common like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, type-1 diabetes, and psoriasis.  The autoimmune diseases can affect the nervous system, joint and muscles, skin, endocrine, and heart. Not much is left out. It appears that the exposure to environmental toxins contribute to ill health. It is not an enormous stretch to see that these conditions will have the same connection.

The amounts of chemicals that are circulating, both in our environment and our bodies, are astronomical. From flame-retardants, dioxins, toxic metals, and yes even Teflon. We are exposed to estrogen and estrogen-like substances from many sources. Our foods contain pesticides; some have an estrogen like structure. Estrogen impostors also come from the petrochemical end, in the form of plastics.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

Conventional medicine does not take into account environmental activators; instead they look to pharmaceutical solutions. What they do is try to block the inflammatory response, by deregulating the immune response. Now they increased the risk of cancer and infections. The medications not only have severe side effects, but do not address the cause.

CONCLUSSION

Mercury overload, environment toxins, allergens, poor diet, stress, and a leaky gut can all contribute to autoimmune conditions. Celiac disease is an autoimmune reaction to wheat and gluten containing grains. The shortage of essential fats in our diet contributes to a host of conditions. Detoxification through natural means is known to help many of the conditions listed under the umbrella heading of autoimmune disease. In the past decade some of the top medical journals have reported rising rates of lupus, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, inflammatory conditions of the intestines, and type 1 diabetes. “Exposures from our environment are a significant contributor to today’s rising rates” says Douglas Kerr, director of the John Hopkins Transverse Myelitis Center and a top clinician at the John Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis center.  The researches at the University Of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, have reported that celiac disease is four times as common as it was 50 years ago.

It is time to start looking in the right directions for answers, the storm is brewing and our standard medical system is giving it wind power. When the nation turns its attention to natural solutions, we will find real world solutions for our personal health and our planet.