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Canada Shines Light on Sunshine Vitamin
Vitamin D for colds and flu
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In November, our thoughts turn to gratitude. The health benefits of gratitude, which is really the same thing as love, are an amazing example of just how sturdy the bridge is between the mind, body, and emotions. When you find one thing, however small, to be thankful for and you hold that feeling for as little as 15–20 seconds, many subtle and beneficial physiologic changes take place in your body. For example:

  • Stress hormone levels of cortisol and norepinephrine decrease, creating a cascade of beneficial metabolic changes such as an enhanced immune system.
  • Coronary arteries relax, thus increasing the blood supply to your heart.
  • Heart rhythm becomes more harmonious, which positively affects your mood and all other bodily organs.
  • Breathing becomes deeper, thus increasing the oxygen level of your tissues.
So give the gift of health to yourself and others by expressing appreciation and consciously looking for the people and things that bless your life.

In the News—Canada Shines Light On Sunshine Vitamin

Instead of getting a swine flu or other flu vaccine, I suggest following what our Northern neighbors are doing to truly prevent the swine flu—taking vitamin D. Last year, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) began a multi-year study to see whether adequate vitamin D levels helped to prevent the flu. I commend Canada for their forward thinking. Vitamin D benefits the immune system! A study with 19,000 adults and teens that was published this year found that those with low levels of vitamin D were 40 percent more likely to come down with a cold or the flu. Learn more by reading “Canada Shines Light On Sunshine Vitamin” available to everyone this month.

I also encourage you to watch this video on the swine flu and vaccinations. It was done in the late 1970’s by Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes (and only aired once).

 

“Pain’s Deeper Meaning” in the Women’s Wisdom Community

Every year, millions of women cope with pain. Women are more likely to experience chronic pain syndromes, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, and other painful conditions, than men. This has a lot to do with your life’s circumstances—and what you believe your life can be like. Layered on to this are real physiological factors that affect the overall health of your body and your ability to heal.

Learn how you can move from pain to ease by reading “Pain’s Deeper Meaning” in this month’s Women’s Wisdom Circle.

Healing With Divine Love

Earlier this year, I received a book called Surviving Chaos: Healing with Divine Love—A Spiritual Energy Healing Process. This book, written by engineer and scientist Robert G. Fritchie, is one of the most practical, simple, and exciting manuals for healing I’ve ever found.

With the intent of using his success and knowledge to help people, Bob Fritchie studied energy with Dr. Marcel Vogel of IBM, a man who held over 100 patents in the area of crystal technology for radios, computers, and televisions. Vogel sent Fritchie to study with physical healers, shamans, and other faith-based teachers. He found that all effective healing comes about when we invoke the power of God and Divine Love—it’s the most powerful healing force available to us.

The more people work together to call upon this Divine Love, the stronger the energy.

To help you understand more about this healing process, Bob created a two-part video, which is now on YouTube. Click here to watch Understanding and Applying Divine Love Part 1 and Part 2.

On October 7, 2009, Bob (and his organization the World Service Organization) formally announced a Virtual Healing Group (VHG) so interested people can join him in doing a variety of healings. These are done for individuals as well as the environment and for other purposes. Last spring, Bob held a VHG to help minimize the spread of swine flu in Mexico. There are three different Virtual Healing Group Conference Calls that you can participate in:

  • Mass Consciousness Conference Call meeting every Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. EST
  • Group Leader Training Conference Call meeting every Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. EST
  • Individual Recipient Healing Conference Call meeting every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. EST

To learn more about this unique and powerful way to make a difference, watch the videos or go to World Service Institute’s Web site at http://www.worldserviceinstitute.org. I encourage you to take part.

Tiger-Tiger, Is It True?

Byron Katie, one of my favorite self-help teachers, has written a new book, and it’s for children. Tiger-Tiger, Is It True? is a story about a little tiger who thinks that his whole world is falling apart: His parents don’t love him, his friends have abandoned him, and life is unfair. But a wise turtle asks him four questions, and everything changes. He realizes that all his problems are not caused by things, but by his thoughts about things; and that when he questions his thoughts, life becomes wonderful again.

This is a heartwarming story with a powerful message that can transform the lives of even very young children. Byron Katie’s wisdom-filled words and Hans Wilhelm’s vivid, magical illustrations combine to make a book that will become one of the classics of children’s literature. Preorder a copy today for a special child in your life.

Nothing Fishy About Fish Oil

One of the most protective and helpful foods you can eat or take as a supplement is fish oil.1 I take it every day without fail along with a pharmaceutical grade multi-vitamin/mineral (which contains lots of vitamin D). Fish oil confers benefits throughout the whole body, nourishing its tissues and organs. It helps balance hormones and promotes brain, cardiovascular, ocular, breast, and immune health. It’s even helpful for skin!

Research continues to pour in on the benefits of fish oil. Here are seven areas I’d like to highlight. Fish oil is good for:

  1. Joint pain. Fish oil is a known anti-inflammatory, which is why studies have shown that it helps alleviate symptoms associated with arthritis.234
  2. The heart. In the past few years, there has been overwhelming evidence that fish oil confers both protective and healing benefits for people with heart disease. Because research undeniably confirms that fish oil helps decrease the inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease, the American Heart Association began recommending it as a treatment option in 2003. Reports continue to verify these findings.5
  3. The arteries. Fish oil protects the arteries by lowering triglyceride (cholesterol and fat content) levels in the blood. In fact leading researchers have validated earlier findings that fish oil supplements, in as little as 2 gm per day, can be effective—and without any side effects.67
  4. Menstrual cramps. Fish oil, which contains DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid,) has been shown to work well for menstrual cramps even in those who didn’t change other aspects of their diets.8
  5. Health of young children. Studies show that fish oil aids in the development of a baby’s immune system, nervous system, muscle tone, and brain.910111213
  6. Reducing hot flashes. A study done in Italy indicates that taking fish oil may lessen the frequency and severity of hot flashes by 25 percent over 24 weeks.14
  7. Lessening the affect of stress. Research suggests that fish oil’s anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the body’s negative response to psychological stress. Doctors also believe that the fish oil helps modulate neurotransmitters in the brain, regulating its activity and increasing the feel good hormone serotonin..15

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been recommending fish oil for about 20 years. Back then it was considered “alternative.” Now it’s tried-and-true advice.*

Upcoming Events

Here are events taking place over the next few months. I’d love for you to tune in or attend:

For a complete listing of all my speaking engagements and other appearances click here. This page is updated often, so be sure to check back from time to time.

BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU during this season of thanksgiving.

 

Warmly,

Christiane Northrup, M.D.

p.s. Over the years, you may have heard me share about the life changing work I’ve experienced as a student and a speaker at Mama Gena’s School of Womanly Arts. Typically, to pursue your degree in pleasure, as I did, you’d have to enroll in her six-month Mastery program that she holds in New York City. (A course I highly recommend by the way!) If you’ve been interested in the program but are not quite ready to commit to a six-month program, you can check out Mama Gena and the Pleasure Revolution at her World Wide Sister Goddess Reunion, open to all women regardless of whether they’ve attended her other programs! There’s not much time to register. This amazing event kicks off Friday, November 13, 2009 and runs through Sunday, November 15, 2009 in Miami, Florida. Call (212) 787-2411 x1 or enroll online.
References
  1. Martin, C.M., 2008. Omega-3 fatty acids: proven benefit or just a "fish story"? Consult Pharm, Mar;23(3):210-2, 214, 217-21.
  2. Kremer, J.M., 2000. N-3 fatty acid supplements in rheumatoid arthritis, Am J Clin Nutr., 71(1 Suppl):349S-351S.
  3. Volker, D., et. al., 2000. Efficacy of fish oil concentrate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, J Rheumatol, Oct;27(10):2343-6. 
  4. Curtis, C.L., et. al., 2002. Pathologic indicators of degradation and inflammation in human osteoarthritic cartilage are abrogated by exposure to n-3 fatty acids, Arthritis Rheum, Jun;46(6):1544-53.
  5. Zampelas, A., et. al., 2005. Fish Consumption Among Healthy Adults Is Associated With Decreased Levels of Inflammatory Markers Related to Cardiovascular Disease The ATTICA Study, J Am Coll Cardiol, Jul 5;46(1):120-4. 
  6. Sanders, T.A., Oakley, F.R., Miller, G.J., et al., 1997. Influence of n-6 versus n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in diets low in saturated fatty acids on plasma lipoproteins and hemostatic factors, Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol,17(12):3449-3460.
  7. Davidson, M.H., 2006. Mechanisms for the hypotriglyceridemic effect of marine omega-3 Fatty acids, Am J Cardiol, Aug 21;98(4 Suppl 1):27-33. Epub 2006 May 26.
  8. Harel, Z., et. al, 1996. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids in the management of dysmenorrheal in adolescents, Am J Obst Gyn 74:1335:38.
  9. Damsgaard, C.T., et. al., 2007. Fish oil supplementation modulates immune function in healthy infants, J Nutr. 2007, Apr;137(4):1031-6.
  10. Lauritzen L, et. al., 2005. Fish oil supplementation of lactating mothers affects cytokine production in 2 1/2-year-old children, Lipid, Jul;40(7):669-76.
  11. Bouwstra, H., et. al., 2006. Neurologic condition of healthy term infants at 18 months: positive association with venous umbilical DHA status and negative association with umbilical trans-fatty acids, Pediatr Res, Sep;60(3):334-9. Epub 2006 Jul 20.
  12. Bouwstra H, et. al., 2006. Relationship between umbilical cord essential fatty acid content and the quality of general movements of healthy term infants at 3 months. Pediatr Res, May;59(5):717-22.
  13. Hibbeln, J., et. al., 2007. Maternal seafood consumption in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood (ALSPAC study): an observational cohort study. The Lancet, 369:578-585.
  14. Maes, M., et. al., 2000. In humans, serum polyunsaturated fatty acid levels predict the response of proinflammatory cytokines to psychologic stress, Biol Psychiatry, May 15;47(10):910-20.
  15. Campagnoli, C, et. al., 2005. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) might reduce hot flushes: an indication from two controlled trials on soy isoflavones alone and with a PUFA supplement, Maturitas, Jun 16;51(2):127-34. Epub 2004 Dec 25.
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