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Glutathione. Wait, Say that again? Glutathione (pronounced:  glu·ta·thi·one   \  ˌglü-tə-ˈthī-ˌōn \) has been referred to as “the mother of all antioxidants”. You may have read in journals, on website or on food labels the benefits of “antioxidant this…” and “antioxidant that…”, but what does it really mean—and in particular—what does it mean in relation to YOU? There are plenty of buzzwords surrounding the antioxidant arena. Below is a snapshot to help make some sense of what’s important: Antioxidant: A substance that removes/ battles potentially damaging agents (in the body). Glutathione: Antioxidant (comprised of amino acids) naturally produced in cells of the body. (Predominantly composed of amino acids: glutamine, glycine, and cysteine.) Amino acids: The major players in transporting and storing nutrients for the body (fat, carbohydrates, water, proteins, water, vitamins, etc.) Free radicals: Produced when the body takes in oxygen. When these are generated, they can cause stress/damage to nearby cells. While [...]

Five Important Digestive Enzymes Vitality Savannah Acupuncture Each major food group has a specific type of enzyme responsible for its breakdown. Deficiency in any of these enzymes can lead to a wide range of common intestinal troubles. There are five major digestive enzymes that need to be at healthy levels for the digestion of food without painful or embarrassing side effects. These include amylase, protease, lipase, cellulose, and lactase. Carbohydrates and starches are digested by the enzyme amylase. A deficiency in amylases causes undigested carbohydrate molecules to pass on to the colon, where gut organisms break them down, literally fermenting them to produce carbon dioxide and water that lead to cramping, flatulence, and diarrhea. Proteins are digested by the protease enzymes. A deficiency in proteases leaves protein molecules or fragments undigested. Again, these pass on to the colon, in this case giving rise to a host of unpleasant-smelling and potentially [...]

Georgetown University Medical Center and University of Hong Kong researchers find acupuncture effective for the treatment of chronic stress. In a unique laboratory investigation, researchers discovered that electroacupuncture at acupuncture point ST36 “prevents the stress-induced increases in HPA hormones, and has potentially long lasting effects.” In addition, behavioral tests show electroacupuncture is an effective modality in eliminating “depressive and anxious behavior.” The researchers note that the use of electroacupuncture (EA) “may provide utility in management of clinical chronic stress-related disorders, with minimal side effects.” Electroacupuncture at ST36 on laboratory rats was found significantly more effective than sham controls “in reducing depression-like behavior.” Both latency to immobility and duration of immobility due to stress were significantly reduced in the electroacupuncture group versus the sham control group. In addition, electroacupuncture at ST36 effectively prevents increases in stress related hormones versus the sham control group. The researchers tested the effective biological mechanisms of [...]

Herbal Detox - Support Your Liver and Kidneys Vitality Acupuncture Savannah Milk Thistle is considered a liver cleanser or rather an herb that protects the cells in the liver. Research has shown that it increases levels of glutathione, an amino acid that helps to remove toxins from the body and protect cells against oxidation. Highest levels of glutathione are found in the liver and lungs. Milk Thistle also stabilizes and strengthens the cell membrane against damage from drugs (including chemotherapy) and heavy metals. Licorice supports the liver, adrenal glands and the immune system. In the case of adrenal function, licorice increases the production of cortisol, DHEA, and aldosterone which in turn reduces inflammation.  It is antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti tumor, and anti ulcer. It increases the production natural killer cell activity and research suggests that licorice can inhibit the Epstien Barr virus which has been linked to chronic fatigue syndrome. It also can act as a gentle laxative. In Chinese Herbal Medicine [...]

Quick and Healthy Beet Hummus with Fennel Vitality Acupuncture Savannah If you like beets, and you like hummus, you'll love this beet hummus recipe that celebrates Spring and the beginning of beet season (April-June) in Georgia.  It contains healthy folic acid which is a B complex vitamin that the body needs to... manufacture red blood cells, and it's easy to make. Ingredients: 1 chopped clove garlic 1/3 cup chopped roasted beets 1 cup cooked white beans 2 Tbsp lemon juice 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper Use fennel for dipping Directions: 1. Puree garlic, beets, beans, lemon juice, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with fennel. (recipe courtesy of Whole Living) Photo: Bryan Gardner http://www.wholeliving.com/216599/roasted-beet-hummus

The Skinny on Probiotics Probiotics is a general term for living microorganisms -- usually known as "friendly" bacteria, or yeast -- that have health benefits in the body. Many are similar to organisms that are naturally found in the body, especially in the digestive tract. Why Probiotics? Probiotics work by balancing the levels of microorganisms in the intestines, drive down the numbers of harmful bacteria, and have been shown to help boost the body's immune system. Although research is ongoing, there's good evidence that some probiotics may be helpful in treating irritable bowel syndrome, some types of diarrhea, colitis (particularly ulcerative colitis and including the difficult to treat "pouchitis" found in ulcerative colitis), certain types of stomach ulcers (those caused by H. pylori), acne, and eczema in children. They may also be used with antibiotics to help prevent diarrhea that may come with taking antibiotics. In addition, researchers are studying [...]

Acupuncture Offers Migraine Relief This is a great article discussing the effectiveness of acupuncture on headaches and migraines. It's important to first understand the underlying causes of the headache to properly treat it.  Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be used alone in the management and treatment of headaches, or as part of a comprehensive treatment program. Studies around the globe have suggested that acupuncture is an effective treatment for migraines and headaches.  Researchers at Duke University Medical Center analyzed the results of more than 30 studies on acupuncture as a pain reliever for a variety of ailments, including chronic headaches. They found that acupuncture decreases pain with fewer side effects and can be less expensive than medication.  Researchers found that using acupuncture as an alternative for pain relief also reduced the need for post-operative pain medications. Read Entire Article Chronic Pain Study An article published in the Health section of [...]

You hear of people taking melatonin for sleep, but does it actually work? Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland and has gained popularity as a natural sleep aid with no side effects. In some cases it works very well for people and for other folks not so much. Levels of melatonin are low during the day because light inhibits its production. When taking Melatonin, its important to remember to take it at night and avoid light exposure. Start with a very low dose (1 mg) before bed. Sublingual melatonin is preferred if you can find it because its more readily absorbed by the body. If 1mg does not affect sleep continue increasing the dose each night until you see changes. Dosages can range anywhere between 5 mg and less and in some cases up to 10mg. If your sleep patterns do not improve, you may already have [...]