|
Newsletter: December 2008
December 2008
| |
Balance
Point Acupuncture Newsletter
from BalancePointWellness.com
| | |
|
| |
Interesting
Bits & Pieces
 Estimated Percentages of Genetically Modified Crops in the U.S.
Soy (89%)
Cotton (83%)
Canola (75%)
Corn (61%)
DOWNLOAD the
Free Shopping Guide
Should we not be able to make our own choices? There are no laws that require the labeling of GM (GMO) crops!
In reality, we are the guinea pigs...Click here to see where these ingredients are hiding.
Not Convinced?
Watch "The World According to Monsanto"
- a great documentary on the history of problematic and irresponsible products produced by this company and the overwhelming
lack of regulation in the industry.
| |
Dear
Reader,
The season of giving is upon us, as is the season of eating way too much of all those things that
taste so good. Remember, if you are interested in shedding some pounds or purifying your body after Christmas, I will be giving
an informational talk on the benefits of cleansing (read about it in the "Group Detox and Weight Loss" section below).
Also, read on to find out about a new study linking genetically modified (GMO) foods to fertility problems, the most commonly
modified foods, and look at the side bar under Interesting
Bits & Pieces for a great video about the corrupt GMO industry. I have included an article about non-insertive
acupuncture that I hope you share with those friends and family members who are afraid of needles. At the bottom of this newsletter,
check out a great quinoa recipe - perfect for balancing out the usual holiday meals which are often heavy on meats and desserts.
In the spirit of giving, you'll find discounts on gift certificates for consultations and treatments.
|  Group Detox & Weight Loss Information Session: December
30th
As I mentioned in last months newsletter, I will be giving an informational talk on detox and weight loss. This talk is open to anyone who is interested in what it
means to detox and why a person should to do it. The reasons for and benefits of cleansing will be discussed as well as how
and why it helps in weight loss. We will hold this talk on Tuesday, December 30th at 6:30pm
at the Cedar Park office. Click here for a map. We will have a meet and greet before the talk with some healthy snacks and refreshments. Please RSVP if you plan on attending.
The basis of this three week cleansing program includes diet
modification and whole-food-supplements which assist the cleaning of the liver, kidneys, and intestines. If your goal is weight
loss, the program will usually help you to shed an average of 5-12 pounds over a period of 21 days, although most people go
on to loose more after the cleanse is complete. Detoxification is great for weight loss because it resets the
metabolism and increases digestive function. Other common benefits include better energy, less allergy symptoms,
better sleep, better digestion, less migraines and headaches, and clearer thinking.
The Purification Program will begin on January 5th. There will be plenty of support from me by phone and email
while you are on this three week journey. We will create an online community with a discussion
forum made up of your fellow cleansers. This will allow opportunities to ask questions, get answers,
compare experiences, and share recipes with others on the cleanse.
Anything you do for 21 consecutive days
is likely to become a habit. Empower yourself! Try it out, and see how you feel!
"As Long as we treat eating
as entertainment instead of as a health issue, no medical treatment will prevent the illness epidemic" Judy E. Buss,
Lakeland, Fla
| Acupuncture
Just As Effective Without Needle Puncture
 Acupuncture works - but it works equally well with or without needle penetration. This conclusion can be drawn from a treatment
study involving cancer patients suffering from nausea during radiotherapy.
Anna Enblom, a physiotherapist and doctoral candidate
at the Department of Medicine and Health Sciences at Linköping University and the Vårdal Institute in Sweden, carried
out four studies that are now being reported in her doctoral dissertation. The first study involved a group that received
ordinary medical treatment for nausea, but not acupuncture. In that group only one quarter of the nauseous patients experienced
any relief.
The acupuncture study of 215 patients who were undergoing radiation treatment in the abdomen or pelvic
region were split into two acupuncture groups. 109 received traditional acupuncture, with needles penetrating the skin in
particular points. According to ancient Chinese tradition, the needle is twisted until a certain 'needle sensation'
arises. The other 106 patients received a simulated acupuncture instead, with a telescopic, blunt placebo needle that merely
touches the skin.
The acupuncture was performed by physiotherapists two or three times a week throughout the five-week
radiation period. Afterwards, 95 percent of the patients in both groups felt that the
acupuncture treatment had helped relieve nausea, and 67 percent had experienced other
positive effects such as improved sleep, brighter mood, and less pain.
The final study shows that patients that
received traditional or simulated acupuncture felt considerably better than the group that had only received care following
ordinary routines. The difference, 37 percent compared with 63 percent of nauseous patients, is statistically significant.
On the other hand, there was no difference between the two acupuncture groups.
Commentary:
This is a great study showing that the basis of acupuncture is energy manipulation. Japanese acupuncturists have known this for some time as their system of acupuncture involves much less stimulation and often no insertion. This
is a great study performed by physical therapists with minimal training in acupuncture. These results are really exciting,
and I imagine there would be even better results if the acupuncture was performed by Licensed Acupuncturists trained in Oriental
Medicine.
Source:
Vetenskapsrådet (The Swedish Research
Council) (2008, December 1). Acupuncture Just As Effective Without Needle Puncture, Study Shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December
10, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081201082353.htm
| |
Genetically Modified (GM) Crops Threaten Human Fertility
and Health Safety
Advocates Call for Immediate Ban of All GM Foods and GM Crops
IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 13, 2008) (Los Angeles,
CA.)
A long-term feeding study commissioned by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, managed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, Family and Youth, and carried out by Veterinary University Vienna,
confirms genetically modified (GM) corn seriously affects reproductive health in mice.
Non-GMO advocates, who have warned about this infertility link along with other health risks, now seek an immediate ban of
all GM foods and GM crops to protect the health of humankind and the fertility of women around the world.
Feeding mice with genetically modified corn developed by the US-based Monsanto
Corporation led to lower fertility and b ody weight, according to the study conducted by the University
of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. Lead author of the study Professor Zentek said, there was a direct link between the decrease
in fertility and the GM diet, and that mice fed with non-GE corn reproduced more efficiently.
In the study, Austrian scientists performed several long-term feeding trials over 20 weeks with laboratory mice
fed a diet containing 33% of a GM variety (NK 603 x MON 810), or a closely related non-GE variety used in many countries.
Statistically significant litter size and pup weight decreases were found in the third and fourth litters in the GM-fed mice,
compared to the control group.
The
corn is genetically modified with genes that produce a pesticidal toxin, as well as genes that allow it to survive
applications of Monsanto's herbicide Roundup.
A book by author Jeffrey
M. Smith, Genetic Roulette, distributed to members of congress last year, documents 65 serious health risks of GM products,
including similar fertility problems with GM soy and GM corn: Offspring of rats fed GM soy showed a five-fold increase in
mortality, lower birth weights, and the inability to reproduce. Male mice fed GM soy had damaged young sperm cells. The embryo
offspring of GM soy-fed mice had altered DNA functioning. Several US farmers reported sterility or fertility problems among
pigs and cows fed on GM corn varieties. Additionally, over the last two months, investigators in India have documented fertility
problems, abortions, premature births, and other serious health issues, including deaths, among buffaloes fed GM cottonseed
products.
The principle GM crops are soy, corn,
cottonseed and canola. GM sugar from sugar beets will also be introduced before year's end.
Mr. Smith, who is also the Executive Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology says, "GM foods are
likely responsible for several negative health trends in the US. The government must impose an immediate ban on these dangerous
crops." He says, "Consumers don't need to wait for governmental action. They can download a free Non-GMO Shopping
Guide at www.HealthierEating.org."
Monsanto press offices in the UK and USA were unable to provide a
comment on the findings for journalists yesterday.
The Institute for Responsible
Technology's Campaign for Healthier Eating in America mobilizes citizens, organizations, businesses, and the media, to
achieve the tipping point of consumer rejection of genetically modified foods.
The Institute educates people about the documented health risks of GMOs and provides them with healthier non-GMO product
choices.
The Institute also informs policy makers and the public around the world
about the impacts of GMOs on health, environment, the economy, and agriculture, and the problems associated with current research,
regulation, corporate practices, and reporting.
Source: Institute for Responsible Technology November 13, 2008
| Recipe
Quinoa & Roasted Veggie Delight
 Quinoa is the ideal grain for vegetarians and contains more calcium than milk, it also has the highest protein content of
any grain and is high in iron, phosphorous and vitamins B&E. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is gluten free and works well
instead of bulgur wheat or cous cous in any recipe, perfect if you're avoiding wheat and starch.
Method
1. Add one cup of quinoa to 2 parts water with a teaspoon of cumin and pinch each of salt and pepper. Bring to the boil
then gently simmer for 10 minutes in a pan with a lid, stirring occasionally. Set aside with the lid still on and leave to
absorb any excess water.
2. Roughly chop a red onion, red pepper, yellow pepper and courgette, mix with a dash
of olive oil then spread out onto a baking sheet. Cook in a hot oven 240°/Gas 9 for 20 minutes until softened and starting
to char at the edges. Remove from the oven and drizzle with balsamic vinegar, a little salt& pepper and a handful of ripped
basil leaves.
3. Mix the quinoa with the finely grated zest and juice of an un-waxed organic lemon, 2 tablespoons
of olive oil and a handful of freshly chopped parsley then place a spoonful into a glass. Top with roasted vegetables and
serve.
| | | | "The medicine of the future will be found in foods."
-Oliver Wendell Holmes
...however with the prevalence of GM foods, maybe this quote is outdated!
Happy Holidays,
 |
Michael Meuth L.Ac., M.Ac.O.M
Balance
Point Acupuncture | | |
Give the Gift of Health
|
When you buy 1 gift certificate, you can get $15 off my normal rate of a consultation and treatment.
You can also buy a package deal of 3 treatments at $45 off the normal rate.
| | Offer
Expires: Very Soon - Tuesday the 23rd of December |
|
