BODY | MIND | SPIRIT | LIFE
I adjust pregnant women in my practice–babies too!
This is what it looks like adjusting an infant. That’s my daughter Violet in the video. She’s three months old. I’m just adjusting her thoracic spine in the vid. Slight distraction, that’s it–tiny pops, like bubble wrap.
I love my family, so I adjust them all. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Whether you have sons or daughters might be programmed into your genes. That, at least, is the latest coming out of evolutionary genetics research in the UK. According to a recent article published in the journal Evolutionary Biology, there may be a gene in males that determines whether he will father more sons, more daughters, or equal numbers of each. Wow!
Now mind you, this is simply a hypothesis; but British researcher Corry Gellatly of Newcastle University showed, through his study of family trees and population genetics, that sex ratio is heritable. That is, the number of males born versus females at any given time can be determined by a gene in the father.
According to Gellatly, there may exist a gene that controls the X to Y chromosome ratio. Females inherit two copies of the X chromosome, while males inherit one X and one Y. So if this proposed gene is present, it can determine whether the male produces more X containing sperm or more Y containing sperm. Apparently only men express the gene; women are simply carriers that pass the gene on.
This study results from the observation that male to female ratio remains relatively constant despite population changers like war, where the number of males lost is significant. Data shows that the number of males born following events like war increases dramatically. And this isn’t a one time event–the phenomenom was recorded following both world wars. Gellatly believes this is a sort of counterbalancing mechanism programmed into our DNA. As he said in a recent interview, “You can’t get a population that becomes too skewed toward males or too skewed toward females [with this type of counterbalancing mechanism].”
The details of the study are too involved to get into in depth here, but you can check out he primary paper here, or the press release here, both which do a great job of explaining the methods used to come to these conclusions. I find this fascinating, especially since I philosophically believe that the universe is continuously moving into a state balance at all times, and in all things. So this type of hypothesis does a good job of explaining how biologically, or materially, balance is achieved in one universal aspect–organic life. Furthermore, the researchers stated that this gene is likely ancient and exists in all living things that reproduce sexually, including plants.
Yeah, makes sense. Think about it: What if early in human evolution, a disaster wipes out almost all living males. Unlikely, but possible. There has to be a mechanism in place to keep some sort of survivability for the organism. It may not be foolproof–extinction is always a possibility. But my guess is that the wisdom of the universe is much greater than we can ever imagine. Kinda cool, though, to get some inkling of how this magnificent universe operates.
Drunk driving goes up every year during holidays. Christmas, New Year’s, St. Patrick’s Day, Independence Day, Arbor Day–no matter what the holiday, boozers seem to want to drive to the party. Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) report that “more than 1,000 people die every year from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day in car crashes related to drunk driving incidents.” In fact, 4 out of every 10 fatalities are in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.
However, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that in 2008 the number of driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in Los Angeles County are down 44% from 2007. And DUI arrests are down by one-third across the entire state of California. But not in Arizona…
According to recent reports, former NBA star and current TNT basketball analyst, Charles Barkley was arrested for DUI in Scottsdale’s Old Town area. Barkley was allegedly looking for “oral sex” when he ran a stop sign early Wednesday morning at about 1:30 am.
From TMZ.com: According to the officer who wrote the report, “He told me that he ran the stop sign because he was in a hurry to pick up the girl I saw get in the passenger seat.”
The officer continues: “He asked me to admit that she was ‘hot.’ He asked me, ‘You want the truth?’ When I told him I did he said, ‘I was gonna drive around the corner and get a b**w job. He then explained that she had given him a ‘b**w job’ one week earlier and said it was the best one he had ever had in his life.” And to top it all off, Prince Charles was carrying a handgun in the car. Nice, Chuck.
Well, all I can say is I hope Mr. “I’m no role model,” cleans up his act before his bid for the Alabama gubernatorial race. Between his gambling in the casinos and his gambling on the roads, Alabama might not be ready for his type of not role modeling.
In other driving news, new laws go into effect in California today. Of particular interest is the “No texting while driving” law. As of January 1, 2009 anybody caught text-messaging on a cellphone, Blackberry or laptop will be cited. And this includes while stopped at a stop light. No texting, people. First time offenses will garner a $20.00 fine with subsequent offenses costing $50.00. But beware: as I understand it, processing fees added on to the fines might bring the ticket up to $200-$300. At least that’s what happened with the no cellphone while driving law earlier this year.
So take my advice: don’t drink, text and drive while wielding a handgun for any circumstance whatsoever–not even a BJ.
2008 was a great year for Optimal Health. Here’s the annual recap and most memorable posts of the year:
Montel Williams plugged chiropractic. So did MMA champ, Jake Shields. And Dancing with the Stars Champ, Emit Smith. As did the prez, Barack Obama.
We did, however, discuss natural ways to increase “good” cholesterol.
My favorite health story: Guerrilla Gardening
The story that pissed me off the most: American Academy of Pediatrics recommending statins for children. Idiots.
Most hysterical: Pregnant Man!
Least hysterical: Mandated flu vaccines in New Jersey.
Thank you for tuning in to Optimal Health in 2008. I suspect 2009 will bring lots of more interesting news and information in the world of health, so keep coming back to your premier source of health news and information…with a twist! Happy New Year.
I’ve heard it said recently that saying affirmations is pure BS–wishful thinking; La La Land. I disagree wholeheartedly.
Affirmations are statements said out loud by a person which the person assumes to be true in the present moment. These statements are repeated by the person as many times as the person wants, with the idea that repeated statements become truth–that is, realized by the person–when it becomes a reality in the mind first. It is based on the concept that language is powerful, and when language and mental impressions coincide, they lead to creation–creation of reality.
New Age mumbo jumbo? Many people think so. But many do not. I’m one of those people who do not. I’ve been saying affirmations for years, and I enjoy looking back at some of my past affirmations and seeing in what capacity they are being realized in my life now. The secret to making affirmations work is believing in their reality now, even if you’re not seeing it in your life on the material plane at this very moment. As long as you see it on the mental plane, it exists. Hard concept to grasp, especially for the materialist, but with a little investigation, everyone can see the truth in the concept by acknowledging that most everything realized on the material plane starts as a thought first.
I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest. ~ Muhammad Ali
Don’t believe in affirmations? Watch this video and then decide.
Who knew that Grace Slick would have had the answer for preventing Alzheimer’s: Feed your head!
That’s right, according to new research published in this month’s issue of Neuron, poor blood flow to the brain may be the main cause of the dementia disorder. Blood carries nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, and the brain’s main fuel is glucose, a sugar. The researchers found that when the brain is deprived of glucose, a biochemical cascade is unleashed that ultimately leads to neurodegeneration.
This study, and all Alzheimer’s research for that matter, focuses on a type of protein called amyloid beta. Amyloid beta is found in high concentrations in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. An enzyme, called BACE1, has also been found high concentrations along with the amyloid beta, but whether high BACE1 causes high amyloid beta or vice versa is still under study. Either way, the main focus of Alzheimer’s research is in how to decrease both without screwing up the brain–very important since BACE1 is also important in many brain functions including memory and protection and regulation of nerve cells.
The interesting thing about this study is that it recognizes an external stress which might lead to the physiological defect, as opposed to just a “random” dysfunction. Yes, of course there’s a precursor event–hypoxia and oxidative stress. Brilliant! Give lead researcher Robert Vassar, professor at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, the Nobel Prize. He’s the same gent who has discovered the BACE1 enzyme, and I think his work is instrumental in understanding this dreaded disease.
What I don’t agree with is the preoccupation with searching for drugs to combat the hyper-production of amyloid beta or the BACE1 enzyme. It’s obvious to me that these products are a response to a dysfunctional state, so attacking them is like putting a band-aid on a bloodshot wound. But the astute Professor Vassar knows better. He suggests that increasing blood flow to the brain of those susceptible to Alzheimer’s would be more prudent. This could be done with drugs like vasodilators, or it could be done preventatively through…exercise!
You’ve got it. Good old fashioned exercise is the best way to increase blood flow to the brain. Throw in good nutrition (whole, natural foods), some vitamin supplementation (vitamins B, C, essential fatty acids, some anti-oxidants), regular chiropractic care to keep the blood a’flowin’, and minimizing the cigarettes, drugs, and booze (sorry Grace) and you’ll do wonders for your cerebral blood flow. Hey, don’t wait until you’re forgetting what year it is to start doing these head-healthy habits. Start today and lower your chances of developing Alzheimer’s in the future.
Happy Birthday to me. Just turned 41 today, and since many of my clients ask me how my health is, I thought I’d keep you all up on my year in health.
As you know if you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, I started the year off with a little health dilemma–cracked tooth, which got infected and led to a root canal and new crown. Real bummer, but I’d say it really gave me a dose of perspective to start the new year off. Throw in a bout of stomach flu and 2008 was looking real promising.
Aside from those two maladies, I had a fairly stable year physically. I didn’t work out as much as I generally like to due to an influx of work, a new office, an increase in writing assignments, training new staff, a new daughter and a change in residence. However, I did still manage about two days a week at the gym, on average. I still did yoga faithfully every week, and some cobweb stretching pretty much every day. I also picked up my hiking regimen at Runyon Canyon as it found itself on my yearly to-do list–I ran it often with my Boston Terrier, Jake, and I spent many hot summer mornings trudging up the hill “the hard way” with my daughter Delilah on my back, sweating and laughing all the way down to the oration of my pal, Melrose Larry Green.
I did have a couple of bouts of low back pain, and one incidence where my neck was jacked for about three days. We all go through it, people–believe that. I just kept getting adjusted chiropractically once every week. Couldn’t live without it.
A very big thing I did this year was cut wheat out from my diet in response to some digestive issues I was having. Incredible! Now, if you’d read my health update last year, you know I cut out sugar in 2007. Removing wheat in 2008 had my energy soaring. I’m not suggesting this as something everyone, or anyone, should do. But because of the severe symptoms I was experiencing, my acupuncturist astutely recommended the wheat restriction, and my body responded favorably.
I also lost 15 pounds. Many of my West Hollywood chiropractic clients questioned my shrinking shape, fearing I may be ill; but I really have just regained my ideal fighting weight. Worry not, my friends–I’ve plateaued. But I have had to purchase new shirts. If you catch one looking big on me, it’s simply because I’m not ready to let that one go yet.
My biggest challenges this year have been the same as last year: I don’t get as much sleep as I should for tip-top function, and I enjoy coffee way more than I probably should. I did give it up for a month in October. It was tough, especially while in New Orleans celebrating a good friend’s wedding; but I eased the pain with a couple of good cigars…ah, life is good!
So here we stand about to enter a new year, and I am prepared to write my yearly goals, which will include my physical expectations and drives. I’ll try to get more sleep and I’ll challenge myself with something tough. But more than likely, I’ll just maintain, because that’s where I am in my life right now. My main focus is my intellectual pursuits, but I never let my physical upkeep fall by the wayside. I know that everything I do is dependent on my health–so I nurture it accordingly.
Americans aged 75-85 are some of the country’s biggest drug addicts. That’s right, 68% of surveyed adults who take prescription medications were found to also take over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements. The problem with this practice is that many drugs and supplements have adverse reactions with each other.
Here go some more elderly drug-abuse facts:
Wow! Does anybody else find this scary? The reason for this inordinate drugging of our elderly citizens is simple: We live in a drug-worshiping culture. Our current medical paradigm is all about the drugs, man. Foolish, very foolish. Don’t get me wrong, drugs are useful. I’ve said exactly that, here, and in The Six Keys To Optimal Health. But why more than 50% of all people over 57 (that’s too young, in my opinion) need to be on 5+ drugs is dumbfounding. Frankly, it blows my mind.
But, I get it; many others don’t. You see, drugs are the main weapon in the arsenal of the current health care authority–the medicos. Drugs fit into the current “health” paradigm, which the medical education is based specifically around. Neither situation alone–the use of drugs to treat, or medical domination of the health care system–is necessarily a problem. It’s the two together that cause a dangerous situation.
My answer to the problem:
Until these simple steps are adopted by the medical industry, expect more of the same: Too many elderly people (and people, in general) addicted to prescription meds, and way too many people getting sick or dying from adverse drug reactions.
Have you ever heard this: The recommended cure for a particular illness makes the problem worse? Well that’s what’s happening with migraines. Apparently the drugs used to combat these headaches are causing more harm than good. Some people are overusing them, and as a result, are developing chronic migraines.
A recent study tracked 8,200 episodic migraine sufferers for one year and found that those who took drugs that contained either narcotics (Percocet) or barbiturates (Fiorinal) had a higher risk of getting worse. The higher the dose, the higher the risk. Bad news for people falling onto a vicious cycle of migraine-medicate.
Estimates have American migraine sufferers at 30 million. Migraines are a type of headache that cause excruciating pain, and in some, visual disturbances, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound. The cause of migraines is as of yet unknown. Many theories abound including vascular causes, chemical imbalances, and functional changes at the trigeminal nerve.
Whatever the cause, migraines are hard to treat. And, unfortunately, some people are chronic migraine sufferers (more than 15 days per month with pain). The problem, as uncovered by the study, is that some people who take repeated doses of prescription migraine meds, actually get rebound headaches. And when taken more than a few days a week, the meds can lead to chronic headaches.
Bummer for migraine sufferers. I know from my West Hollywood chiropractic practice that when caught soon enough, migraines can be warded off, either by chiropractic care or meds. In light of this recent study, it seems prudent to practice prevention as much as possible. If you suffer from migraines and haven’t tried chiropractic, then you should. If it works for you, then you can avoid the rebound effect caused by pain medication. Either way, getting at a migraine early on seems to be the best remedy.
I do lots of balance training with my clients in my West Hollywood chiropractic office. Balance or proprioceptive training prevents falls. You know this–I wrote a post on the subject back in April. But it’s so important I’m gonna say it again: Without a properly functioning proprioceptive system, you risk falling; and falls, especially in the elderly, can lead to disability and even death.
So what’s proprioceptive training? It’s challenging the body by forcing the client to balance, first on two legs, then on one and then on an uneven surface. The uneven surface I use in my office is a rocker board. These boards sit on an arching base, and teeter back and forth like a seesaw. They are quite challenging to the person who has diminished balance, but with work, the results are amazing. Eventually we get the client standing on the surface with one leg, juggling a chihuahua and a chainsaw–it’s incredible! OK, we save that last part for our aging circus performers, but if you’re ever interested…
Recent studies have shown the mega-importance of balance training to prevent falls in the elderly. But I have to say that I encounter many young people diminishing in their proprioceptive abilities. So it’s never too early to start. And aside from preventing falls, good proprioceptive senses help strengthen the low back, combating low back pain and eventually acting as a preventative. Nice.
So if you are unsure whether you need balance training, just stand up now, look straight ahead, and lift one foot off the ground by bending you knee. Was it difficult to hold your balance? If so, then you’re a prime candidate. Call your local chiropractor and start your balance training today.
Bravo! Nearly forty percent of all adults in the U.S. are turning to alternative medicine–like chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition, and massage, among others–for chronic pain and other health issues. Much to the chagrin of “conventional” medicine, not only are adults seeing the value in alternative forms of treatment, but American children are too.
The most common reason people seek out alternative health care is for back pain. Neck and joint pain, as well as arthritis are the next most likely conditions that drive people into chiropractic and other natural health practices around the country. According to a survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the numbers of adults using complementary and alternative medicine for any condition is up 2% (about six million people) from 2002, the last time the numbers were collected.
I don’t know about you guys, but I think that’s huge. Americans are getting it, after all. They are getting that there is more to health than just the same old medicine and surgery offered by conventional medicos. Not knocking that very important part of our health care arsenal at all. But there’s more, much more. And Americans have discovered it, and they are using it to better their health.
What amuses me is that there are still so many in the medical profession that are aghast by these findings. Wake the eff up, cavemen! There is way, way more to health and healing than what mainstream western medicine has to offer. Be open and learn about what’s out there. Chiropractic has been around in some form for thousands of years, and in the form we know today for over one hundred years. Acupuncture for probably longer. Medicine as we know it today has only been around for about the same length of time as chiropractic has. Earlier than that, it was just as much voodoo as chiropractic has been accused of over the years–leeches and all.
So once again America, I say bravo! Keep it up. We’ll all be the better off for it.
Aw well, nothing lasts forever. I guess I’ve lost my voodoo doctor status. Too bad.But let me tell you about the coolest thing ever, and a must for anybody with a presence on the Web. I’m a client of the Internet Law Center. One phone call to Bennet Kelley, founder of the ILC, and this identity problem I was having on www.neighborhood-chiropractors.com miraculously cleared up.
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Whether you’re being defamed on the Web, or you need to comply with out of state sales laws, Internet Law Center is your best partner to help you navigate the sometimes complicated realm of the Internet. If you or your business is on the Web, I highly recommend Bennet Kelley and the Internet Law Center as your go-to legal team.
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We’ve got an interesting unplanned study underway in the U.S. this flu season. According to recent reports, only one third of Americans have received a flu shot this year. And based on a survey of 4,000 people, only seventeen percent more are planning on getting one. Nice–a fifty-fifty split.
So what’s the study? Well, public health officials at the U.S. Centers of Disease Control (CDC) recommend that 85% of the population (261 million people) get vaccinated against the flu to prevent pandemonium. The flu kills 36,000 people and sends 200,000 to the hospital in the United States annually.
If you’ve listened to my podcast on vaccinations (Dr. Nick Show, Episode 8) then you know all about herd immunity. Herd immunity is the protection an entire population receives from a certain number of the people getting vaccinated. This number is roughly 80-90%. So by 261 million Americans receiving the flu vaccine, we should in theory be “protected” against the devastation promised by the flu. Hmmmm….
Well it ain’t happening this year. Less than fifty percent of the population will be getting the vaccine. So what do you think? Death and pestilence to sweep through the nation? I guess we’ll see. That’ll be the study. If we experience mass devastation, then I’ll concede–I’ll stop bagging on the flu vaccine. But it’ll have to be a significant difference. Not the same numbers we see every year. I’m betting they’ll be pretty close to the same.
As I keep saying: it is nearly impossible to develop a flu vaccine that matches the current strains in the wild. They mutate too quickly. The influenza virus is the true Master of Disguises.
But I’m excited to see the upcoming results. Even though I think that if the pandemic doesn’t happen, public health officials will rationalize it in one way or another; they’ll never let go of the flu shot fallacy. However, it’ll pretty much prove things to me. Combine it with last year’s flu vaccine debacle (massive illness despite record numbers of people vaccinated), and the flu shot might just be shot.
This is a picture of an advertisement that is on a billboard in my neighborhood near the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).As you can see, the advertisement is suggesting that the product, which is a pomegranate juice, can extend life.This is a great example of the type of “wellness marketing” I speak of in my podcast, the Dr. Nick Show, Episode 6.
But, of course, food and beverage manufacturers take things a little too far.They take a fact and stretch it so much that you question the validity of the concept altogether.Pomegranate juice cheats death?Please.Even with a slew of antioxidants, it’s very doubtful that it does that.More likely, antioxidant rich foods and beverages add to one’s overall health level, but whether this translates to longer life is debatable.I would argue that it might cheat illness, or weakness, or dysfunction, but death?
Well it’s official–I’m a voodoo doctor. Just saw my name on a chiropractic web listing that had me categorized as “Voodoo Doctor.” I love it!
I received the news from one of our national chiropractic organizations, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), of which I am a member. They sent a news update alerting chiropractors to the malicious web site, and promise they are investigating the matter. They seem pissed.
But I’m not. I think it’s funny. I guess it’s only because I wasn’t insulted too badly. Some of the other categorizations were, “wannabe MD” and “couldn’t get into medical school.” I wonder how I was given the voodoo categorization. Well, I’m grateful–the other two are real insults.
Hey, listen, if people want to write ignorant things on the web, it’s their time. But watch out! www.neighborhood-chiropractors.com, you just might get sued for libel.
Oh Oprah, stop being so hard on yourself! Don’t beat yourself up for not being a waif. Waifdom is highly overrated–and not very healthy either.
According to her own words published in the January issue of O Magazine, Oprah Winfrey has ballooned up to 200 pounds. The 54-year-old television talk show personality says that she is “embarrassed” that she has “fallen off the wagon” of healthy living, and that a thyroid condition has led her to develop a “fear of working out”. She states she has put on 40 lbs. since being 160 in 2006, and that she is “mad” at herself for allowing this to happen. She says, “I look at my thinner self and think, `How did I let this happen again?'”
Chill out, Oprah! Yours is not a problem of the rind, but a problem of the mind. It’s not what you can and cannot do, it’s your self-perception that’s the problem. First, you are not of a thin body type. Body types are usually ectomorphic, mesomorphic, and endomorphic. Oprah, I think you are a endomorph. Endomorphs tend to be stocky with wider hips and a tendency to put on weight. These are the people who no matter what they try never get skinny. Notice I say, “never get skinny”, not “never lose weight,” because endomorphs can lose weight. But if these people succumb to the illusion that “thin is in,” then they are setting themselves up for a massive let down. That’s because endomorhs ain’t ever going to be thin–not for long, anyway.
Second, Oprah, the weight you’ve actually lost has been done by faulty, and dangerous, methods. In 1988 you lost 67 lbs on a liquid protein diet. Special and crash diets don’t work, babe. Sorry. Eating well and working out is the only thing that works. But I feel grateful that the world has you, especially since your weight-battle is on display for everyone to see. You see, this should help many, many people–especially readers of this blog–because you are living proof of what I’m trying to push here, and in my book, The Six Keys To Optimal Health: Accept who you are with regard to your body type, eat well and exercise regularly. You’ll have no alternative but to approach the healthiest and most attractive shape and size for your body type. Swear.
Your weight has also yo-yoed over the years. Not healthy, babe. It’s much better to lose weight slowly and steadily than too quickly. One pound per week (on average) is healthy–nothing more. Then you did the Marine Corp marathon in ’94, and hired super-trainer Bob Greene to help you lose weight (hate to be him right now–even with the Oprah-effect in play). Good thing you didn’t jump on your old pal Dr. Phil’s weight loss program too. You’d probably be suing him as a result.
But never fear, Oprah, my dear–you look great livin’ large. Who the heck are you trying to impress, anyway? You haven’t lost any viewers because of your weight. I think you’re attractive, and I’m sure I’m not alone in that feeling. You are supposed to be above the cultural pressures that our teens, young women, and mature women all seem to be victims of these days; the one that says beauty is in thinness; I mean, you’re Oprah, dammit. Why would you be under that pressure. I’d think you’d be better leading our women out of that self-esteem quagmire than being a part of it.
Finally, you can still be as healthy as you can be, no matter what your weight, Oprah. Eat well, exercise, practice discipline, The Six Keys To Optimal Health, and don’t obsess about obesity. I feel that the obesity crucifixion is a lot more media and medical hype than anything else. It’s the new smoking, you know? True, taking a little off ain’t gonna hurt–it’ll help. But better to be fat and happy than thin and miserable, I always say. And I mean it.
Who are the biggest up-and-coming speed freaks of the 21st century? Academics!
Yes, our nation’s literati are doing legal speed to boost brain power. Or so they say. According to a recent report, the production and supply of “brain-boosting” stimulants like Ritalin or Provigil has increased 300% between 1995-2006. But not all people use these easy to get drugs for intellectual prowess. Some, no doubt, use it simply to get high.
This latest drug abuse trend has some in health care worried–and rightly so. When altered states of consciousness become tolerated, even desired, in our institutions of higher learning, there is cause for concern. Primarily because most controlled substances have the potential for abuse and a high risk of addiction–the last thing we need in our universities, seeing how much power academia yields in politics and public opinion.
The concern has been sparked by a recent commentary in the journal Nature on Sunday that argues for use of the drugs in healthy adults as a legitimate way of improving brain power, much like education, the Internet or other helpful tools. Doesn’t this echo Timothy Leary’s turn on, tune in, and drop out ethos of the 1960s? Damn if things don’t come back full circle. The problem is that these pharmaceuticals have a much higher probability of leading to dependence than Leary’s LSD. And as you know if you’ve ever been dependent, drugs have a way of running one’s life.
So, increased brain power or not, I wouldn’t recommend playing this dope game. But if you must, just remember…I told you so.
Just saw a piece on the news tonight about the amount of infectious microbes present on paper money. Apparently money is dirtier than a toilet seat. The microbiology expert that tested the money warned of the many illnesses we’re in danger of contracting from handling the dirty green.
First, why does everybody assume a toilet seat is the dirtiest thing we encounter? Aside from public toilet seats used by unsanitary vagrants, and which are never cleaned, they can’t possibly be dirtier than a sink, the floor of a twenty-five cent peep show, or the bedspread at a motel. But money?…that seems obviously filthy.
Second, why be afraid of the germs we encounter on a day to day? If people really knew how many potential pathogens we come across in our daily lives, they’d feel real queasy. Hundreds of thousands of microorganisms are all around us–in our beds, in the shower, in the air, on door handles, everywhere. That’s precisely why we’ve developed immune systems–to fight the multitude of microorganisms we come in contact with everyday. Our immune systems are working silently to contain and defeat invaders, to suppress mini-cancers that pop-up from time to time, and to do it all without our knowing it. That’s exactly why immune deficiencies–like AIDS or radiation therapies–are so dangerous. They leave people immunocompromised and susceptible to disease. People with advanced AIDS often die from infections like Pneumocystis carinii (PCP) and Kaposi’s Sarcoma, which are usually benign to the average person.
But if your immune system is working fine, it defends you from microorganisms constantly. So don’t worry about the dirty money, the dirty air, or the dirty toilet seat. I’d still avoid public bathrooms like the plague, and use toilet seat tissue covers on shared bathrooms; but I wouldn’t stop taking money when it’s handed to me, germs or no germs. My immune system won’t allow that idiosyncrasy.
India’s health minister has an answer to universal health care–it’s called universal yoga. That’s right, the top-dog in the Indian health policy wants all schoolchildren to practice real health care. He wants them doing asanas. Nice. And the rational is that yoga helps prevent conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Now that’s progressive.
Anbumani Ramadoss, the current Indian health minister, said he would make yoga mandatory for all school-going children, “There should be extensive scientific deliberations on yoga,” he said, “And today I blatantly put that yoga reduces diabetes, yoga reduces hypertension, yoga reduces stress.” True, true, but not all parties agree. The Muslim Malaysian Council or Malaysia’s National Fatwa Council, has sparked protests claiming yoga will steer people away from the religion, causing them to use Hindu prayers, which are considered blasphemous. As a result, the council has put out an edict (fatwa) against practicing yoga. The council also outlaws “gay sex” and women wearing trousers. Holy moly…how primitive.
Well, the religious controversy aside, I think this is one good policy. I’m usually against mandates, but if you’re going to have one, make it yogic. The Indian government could probably do just as well by making it a part of the school curriculum. This will help in a country where diabetes rates are highest in the world–41 million cases in 2007 and counting, and estimates hitting 70 million by 2025, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
Ah, the perils of modernization. Sometimes it’s good to get back to one’s roots–especially when those roots are so good for the body, mind and spirit. Maybe we can take a page out of that health book here in the U.S., and add that to our promised universal health care plan. At least the addition of state supported yoga might actually make a difference.
*Want to know how to do some basic asanas (yoga postures)? Check out this great yoga site here.
Eeew! Wanna get grossed out? Drive behind a chicken truck–flat bed to be exact. If you do, make sure to close your windows. That’s because the funk that flies off chicken trucks is infectious.
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University checked their cars for bacterial samples after driving 17 miles behind chicken trucks on the Delmarva Peninsula (a coastal area that includes parts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia), chosen for its high volume of broiler chickens being transported per acre. The scientists drove up and down the highway multiple times with windows rolled down and air conditioners turned off. Chicken funk shot into the open windows. Sounds gross, doesn’t it? They then collected air samples, and swabs off the doors and sodas cans to check bacterial levels. They were studying the potential of infectious transmission coming from poultry transportation. What they found is enough to make your skin crawl: High levels of bacteria were present in every trial and they even found some antibiotic resistant strains. Yecccch!!!
The good news is that most of the bacteria present in the chicken sludge is usually spread by food or water, not air. But, either way, getting caught behind a chicken truck is a nasty endeavor. The researchers advised that anybody getting stuck behind a chicken truck on the road should pass it quickly. And please…roll up the windows.
