I came across this video via @GOOD.  It started off giving an interesting insight into the processes of cheese making, but with a twist not halfway through, the quote

“Cheese is a superfood”

distracted me like a knife scraping on metal.

I beg to differ.  I agree, cheese is full of protein but, it is also one of the most digestively intolerable substances humans are faced with day-in, day-out; and often the cause of symptoms from common colds and flu to eczema and dermatitis to name a few. 

I would love to hear an official allergy and food intolerance specialists opinion.  And despite this minor speed-bump, I will continue to enjoy the Blogs and Video’s www.good.is bring me on a dairy *cough*…I mean DAILY basis.  ;-)

(In case the video above doesn’t work, you can watch it here, or just check out what other work GOOD do): The science of cheese making http://su.pr/2Liu5R

(Source: vacantmouths, via morgoooo)

nephrolithiasis:

A physician owns a laboratory in addition to his office and refers you for blood work there. Is this ethical? How about a large regional hospital that refers within itself? Or a surgeon who thinks you need a surgery and does it himself? Isn’t this the concept of a medical home?

Of course there is the potential for unnecessary procedures or lab tests, but at a point we have to trust our professionals’ clinical judgment.

Regardless the ultimate goal is continuity of care and accessibility. The argument against is a a concern for collusion to artificially increase costs. The solution then is price transparency… or what we have now: A redundant system of a profit sucking insurance industry (that claims to control cost by denying care) in addition to anti-trust regulatory oversight that can’t make its mind up regarding ACO policy (see below). Time for health care to simplify.

jayparkinsonmd:

Part of Obamacare is this concept called Accountable Care Ogranizations:

An ACO is a network of doctors and hospitals that shares responsibility for providing care to patients. In the new law, an ACO would agree to manage all of the health care needs of a minimum of 5,000 Medicare beneficiaries for at least three years.

The goal of these is to essentially get a dedicated group of healthcare providers in a given area to work together and deliver care to a group of people for a fixed cost, ultimately driving down the cost of care. 

However, for the past few decades the federal government has been slowly and steadily making this kind of activity illegal due to anti-trust laws. The issue being that there were doctors and hospital groups in a local area getting so large that they were only referring to each other and therefore generating revenue only for themselves and artificially increasing costs.

But now the government has made an about face and is actually encouraging this kind of activity. The feds are even fighting internally to decide who gets to investigate the anti-trust concerns.

A day in the life of a Food Intolerant.

Well, it’s not that bad actually.  The 20 (approx.) jabs I had for testing really didn’t hurt in the slightest and it allows you to really get to know and understand a whole variety of specific details about your body and how it reacts to certain foods AND …metals?

That’s right, I had a (separate) blood test a few days ago and the results are in.  Food intolerance/sensitivity is not always just about the food!  Many people are also sensitive to metals and chemicals.  One of the most common items on the periodic table (you know, that chart we left back in Chemistry class) that people react to is Mercury.  Used widely in the past - tooth fillings for example - now, the effects are being seen.  

In my case, Chromium (VI) is the main cause for concern thus far …found in Stainless Steel, Wood Preserver, and Fabric Dyes; Chromium VI is rather toxic if you come across it in it’s base form - (but don’t worry otherwise).  I’m yet to really discover what my reaction is however, I hoping with a few adjustments and an extra supplement to counteract it, some of these longer-term injuries might start healing a bit quicker.

Interesting times ahead… we’ll keep you posted…  

Al.An

In the latest issue of Healthy Magazine - available at any Holland & Barrett - you will find my classifieds ad promoting my soon to be launched Smart Phone application…

The app will have the ability to diagnose food intolerance through the user keeping a consumption and symptom diary.  There are some masterful algorithms involved so unfortunately the app won’t be free; but have your say in how we price it by clicking the link below:

www.diagnosefoodintolerance.com

I’m very pleased with the magazine itself; it has a special piece of editorial about beating food allergies which obviously ties in very well with the app.  Furthermore, I hope you’ll agree that any magazine with Supermodel Gisele on the front promoting holistic therapies has got to be good!!

So buy your copy NOW in your local Holland & Barrett, or just check out the DFI app website HERE.  The response so far has been phenomenal and it looks set to continue!! 

Migraine awareness week…

One more writer cottons-on to how the body really works!

claysalonandspa:

Alternative Therapies are often met with a skeptics eye.  New to our modern world, yet practiced for centuries by our ancestors; many of these alternatives are the last healing hope we have. 

Reiki is one of those therapies where a certain science has to be believed to be fully understood.  The term ‘Rei-Ki’ literally means “Universal Life Energy” and it is the focus of this energy by the practicing Reiki Master that results in healing.

I’m almost embarrassed to say that I was once skeptical of this particular healing method, and although I considered many other alternative (or environmental) medicine techniques a part of my day-to-day life, Reiki still seemed a little far fetched…

On a months trip to the Outer Hebrides however, while following my no.1 passion in life.. I found myself living with a Reiki Master and her Blacksmith husband.  On return to my bedsit with an indescribable pain in my right knee - the consequence of falling from the top of a 15ft North Atlantic swell, a Reiki session was kindly offered to me. 

It’s difficult to describe an energy you can feel but cannot see; and yet, I know the improvement in pain that allowed me to get back in the water a few days later.  The same is true of a 70 year old gent who I met on his weekly visit to said Reiki Master - “it’s difficult to describe exactly where the intense heat comes from, but without it I have trouble getting out of bed.”

There is no limit to Reiki at either end of the scale - which would be part of the reason it is branded ‘alternative’.  The truth is, ‘alternative’ is a term given to something that has not yet broken the mass market - just like ‘alternative’ music; it’s not Pop.. but that’s not to say it’s not popular. 

Try it for yourself and make your own decision; you might just be surprised at its benefits.  Eve is The Clay Spa’s in-house Holistic Therapist and she’ll be more than happy to explain things with more authority if you so wish…

Have fun for now,

Jay.  x

claysalonandspa:

Have you ever heard of the Ripple Effect?

Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT is another form of alternative psychotherapy from the same realm as hypnotherapy and tied in nicely with acupuncture. 

Sufferers of depression, panic attacks and other cognitive behavior conditions often feel like there is no way out.  Once a pebble has been dropped into their mind-pool, the ripple effect can take hold and in some more severe cases, what was once a simple problem can become a life-threatening issue. 

Taking on-board traditional acupuncture pressure points while asking the patient to focus on a specific traumatic memory - albeit while in a state of calm; the therapist looks to free the bodies energy field and reteach it with balance. 

This form of treatment has been widely accepted by famous TV Hypnotherapists and has even had coverage on shows as popular as Richard and Judy. 

These traumatic disorders are not to be taken lightly and I know the specialist at The Clay Spa would be happy to talk you through it in even more detail.  EFT often works where all else has failed and with a 90% success rate, EFT could be the savior you are looking for.

The ripple effect could be no more.

Jay.  x

For A Healthier Humanity?

It has been pointed out to me on more than one occasion that I sometimes give General Practitioners (GP’s) a bit of a raw deal; you may even have noticed yourself.  Although I’m not here to make friends, I do feel like I have drifted slightly from the ‘objective view’ that I personally try to sustain. 

I uphold my opinion that symptom-treating prescription drugs are not kind to our fragile human bodies; as with the fact that many of them - processes and products included - are harmful to our fragile planet.  However, when I found THIS ARTICLE, I could only empathize with their open-minded attitude and passion to help others no matter where the help came from.

I should point out that there is no issue with GP’s; their cause is just and by following that profession alone, they are doing more for the world than many of us can dream of.  I guess the problem arises when pharmaceuticals get involved.  These money-hungry corporations hiding under a charitable/help-all persona… I wish they would let our GP’s think for themselves; from their very first day of university to their very last day as the head of staff in the countries largest hospitals!  Then we’d see a world working towards a healthy humanity!

Al.An  x

claysalonandspa:

The world is changing. 

The world HAS changed.

I have been wondering for some time now when or indeed if ‘Alternative’ medicine will ever be the norm.  How can it?  When even the professionals within this very specialised industry continue to call it by the name ‘Alternative’? 

The fact is, we - the majority - have already moved on from our own recognition of ‘Alternative’. 

The World Health Organisation (http://www.who.int/en/) estimates that around 75% of the world’s 6.6 billion person population already rely on traditional (alternative) medicines as their primary form of health care.  This is a staggering majority. 

Alternative medicine is not only in our minds, we can find it on the high street - most now boast a Holland & Barrett or other health food store of the like; in book stores - Amazon claiming well over 20,000 search results for Alternative Medicine and Therapies; and now even iPhone apps!  Do the maths and you too will realise how important our ‘Alternative’ Medicines and Therapies are. 

Forget the name; Alternative is the new cool.  It works; it’s been proven by the majority; and it’s here to stay.