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Health News

The slouching epidemic

It turns out that having good or bad posture affects many aspects of health, from mood to pain to lung function to energy, and many more things.

Focusing on your breath – long, deep inhales and long, complete exhales – is a highly effective yet simple method to enhance one’s health, promote relaxation, reducing stress, calm the mind, and the like. Don’t ignore this accessible ‘tool’ to improve your health. No gym, no purchase, no equipment needed.

The hammer in your immune toolbox

Being low in Vit D severely weakens your immune system – your immune function – which makes you more susceptible to … nearly everything, including flu viruses, even cancer. The most vulnerable to Covid-19 are people who are not healthy – people obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, heart disease.

The Bonfire perspective on the Coronavirus

Your best defense is … … a good offense – which is to be healthy in general, and support and strengthen your immune system in particular. FOCUS ON YOUR HEALTH instead of the overwhelming media coverage or fear of ‘getting sick’.

Mini Crustless Quiche

Having a healthy breakfast, consisting of fat, protein and veggies, is a key healthy strategy (and staying clear of bread, cereal, muffins, etc.). This is a ‘forgiving’ recipe – play around with the ingredients to your liking (no meat, two types of cheese, use salmon (or smoked salmon) instead of bacon, etc.)

It’s real. It’s happening to you. It’s happening to your kids.

With our reflexive attraction and attention to the endless stream of available information/stimulus on our phones, tablets, and computers, digital addiction has not only become a dominant presence in our lives, but it’s causing real damage to our physical and mental health.

The attention getters …

In the greater scheme of things, maybe it doesn’t matter what gets your attention because they all share some common ground: lifestyle behaviors are the predominant factors that determine whether you may or may not develop one of these destructive health conditions.

Announcing the American Immune Society

The strength, the health of our immune system should be our first line of defense (or is it offense?) for creating wellness and avoiding – not simply fighting – disease. This seems to be missing from the conversation and from the primary focus of various organizations such as the American Cancer Society.

Avoiding toxic choices

Between the long hours, stressful jobs, barbecues, teenagers, traffic jams, political shenanigans ozone depletion, and 700 calorie sugar-laced Frappuchinos – it’s a wonder anybody lives to see fifty. The fact that some people do is akin to the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richard’s ability to still tour with the band at age 77.

Sedentary Death Syndrome [SeDS]

After 6 million years of hunter-gatherer existence, humans can be observed sheltering in warm rooms, slouching on comfortable seats in front of glowing screens, being whisked effortlessly between floors aboard mechanical staircases. And it’s killing us.

Strength in flexibility

In order to have an extraordinary life, you have to make extraordinary choices. Seek out the ‘rubs’ – the insecurities and the limitations. Our strength is in our flexibility. Increasing flexibility requires will, skill, and trust. You’ll be stronger, even a little sore, a little uncomfortable. But isn’t that the idea?

Move or … rust

Movement benefits … everything – your brain, your poops, your immune system, your blood sugar management, even your moods. Lack of movement promotes stress. Lack of movement promotes bad health – weight gain, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, dementia, autoimmune disease, arthritis.

Why flax doesn’t cut it as a source of omega-3

For some people, such as vegetarians or simply those adverse to taking fish oil, getting sufficient omega-3 can be a challenge. Some gravitate toward flax oil. However, the conversion rate for ALA found in flax oil is very low: most research puts the conversion rate around 4%. So, flax oil is not an adequate substitute for fish oil.

Good for nothing.

There is a reawakening toward the value of … nothing. Doing nothing. Rather than feeling irresponsible (and creating bad health) for not grinding it out day and night over a 60 hour work week, we are now becoming aware and engaging in the art of doing nothing. And we’re better for it.

The bugs in your gut.

Research continues to build an even stronger case for how important our microbiome is for health and well being, affecting everything from brain function to cancer survival rates. ‘… gut microorganisms have been shown to play a role in a wide range of human diseases, including obesity, psoriasis, autism, and mood disorders.’