Tags: depression, Women
Time Magazine on Post Partum Depression Posted on August 25th, 2009
Did you know that the biggest cause of Post Partum Depression is a dramatic drop in progesterone levels following the birthing process? Sadly there is nary a mention of hormones in the latest issue of Time Magazine covering post partum psychosis or PPD entitled The Melancholy of Motherhood.
The Time article discusses such useful strategies as: funding for research, education and public service announcements and services for the women who have it. Post Partum depression is a very real and serious issue. But how many more silly strategies and “mental-health screens” are we going to have to implement before someone with a brain and a bit of knowledge is going to look at a woman’s hormone profile before putting her on anti-psychotic drugs for PPD?
Imagine the wisdom of Paula Caplan research psychologist who is quoted in the Time piece as saying. “We should be addressing the social factors causing women to be upset after they give birth, not locating the problem within the women.”
I have never heard of such nonsense – social factors….really?
My own daughter, who fortunately did not experience PPD, was visited by the home nurse following the birth of her son over a year ago. She was handed various government publications about healthy baby weights, immunizations etc. along with a large book devoted to the subject of post partum depression. In perusing this book I noticed that there was not one mention of the word hormones let alone the word progesterone in the entire book. When are we going to do the logical thing; test women for hormones and supplement with progesterone if it is warranted?
This subject is covered fully in my 4 CD set: The Body Knows About Hormones
Tags: allergies, dairy, food sensitivity
Milk Sales Decline, Health or Business Decision? Posted on August 18th, 2009
According to a recent article in The Economist, there is a crisis in dairy farming. Since January 2008, milk prices have fallen by nearly half from $20.50 per hundredweight (45kg) to $11.40 as global demand has dropped significantly and milk intended for export has spilled back in to the domestic market. I would like to think that this is a sign that people in large numbers are beginning to realize that cow’s milk may not be a healthy product for everyone but the drop in milk consumption it is more likely a case of hard-hit dairy farms being subsidized through the USDA.
As an allergy-testing technician, nutritionist and health expert I see thousands of people with milk allergies – runny noses, clogged ears, stomach aches, breathing problems and weight gain not to mention puffy eyes and snoring. I would urge the farmers to consider raising goats or sheep. The milk and cheese from these animals is well tolerated. New born infants respond well to goat’s milk when they are shown to be allergic to cow’s milk. My book The Body Knows: How to Tune in to Your Body and Improve Your Health offers information about environmental sensitivities and the case for food allergy avoidance.
Tags: engaged in life
Eunice Shriver Dies at 88 Posted on August 17th, 2009
You never know how long a person has to live. You might be speaking to a friend one day to find they are gone the next. Life is short and very precious. What are you doing with your life?
Eunice Shriver died last week. This was a woman born to privilege and status. This was a woman who could have sat back and done the usual for a woman with her means and connections. The usual would be the cocktail parties, the bridge clubs, the luncheons and the fundraisers. But no, Eunice Shriver, mother of Maria Shriver, sister of Senator Ted Kennedy pointed her compass in a different direction. She saw a need and filled it.
Eunice was a member of one of the most prominent families in American politics and a trailblazer in the effort to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Eunice Kennedy knew firsthand about mentally challenged people through her older sister Rosemary Kennedy with whom she had a great bond. She founded the Special Olympics in 1968 which was an extraordinary idea at the time. The first Special Olympics brought together athletes from Canada and the United States for competition. Since then, the program has grown to almost three million athletes in more than 180 countries. In my latest book The Body Knows … How to Stay Young I talk about the need to live a life of purpose and passion. Passion keeps you young and fully engaged in life. What are you doing with your life? See a need and fill it.
Tags: addiction
Diane Schuler – One Way Mom Posted on August 13th, 2009
If you thought the story about Diane Schuler now dubbed one-way-mom was scary just imagine the scene: Woman driving the wrong way down a curvy highway for 2 miles before she crashes into an SUV coming the other way. She is killed along with her 2 year old child plus her 3 young nieces and the 3 occupants of the other vehicle. According to police reports, her blood contained excessive alcohol and traces of marijuana. Was this a woman who had taken temporary leave of her senses before she started driving or did she have a quiet, pervasive addiction?
The role that addiction plays in ill health and tragedy has far reaching effects. We are shocked to find that even people in the highest leadership positions have addictions that lie buried beneath the surface. An addiction can be anything from drugs to alcohol, sugar, coffee, bad behaviors, negative thinking, too much shopping, over eating and almost anything that is done to excess and is hard to give up. Addictions take us off the path to who we really are. The loud call of the addiction drowns out the small, still voice within us that is leading us to a brighter future. Addiction can take us down just like it has Diane and a lot of other people with her. I salute anyone who has conquered an addiction – Bravo! See my web article on addictions.
Laura Ling and Euna Lee – Captives Freed Posted on August 9th, 2009
We are all delighted and relieved that U.S. journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee have been freed. It took a “big gun” Bill Clinton and a host of other people to make that happen. Imagine being stuck behind bars in a foreign, no-so friendly-country? Imagine not seeing your family members and even your child for several months? Image the feelings of loneliness and terror at what may lurk around the corner? Imagine the possibility of dying in some gruesome prison camp? Thankfully all of that did not take place for Laura and Euna. They are free.
Now let’s look at you. How free are you within yourself? Do you have parts of yourself that are in terror or fear? Do you have unresolved issues? Let’s free them. It’s time to release them to the light and to our higher purpose.
The release of these journalists signifies the symbolic possibility of our own release from the prisons of our mind and burdens of the past. The ‘big gun” on our own lives is a higher power. Call on that. Bringing spiritual partnership into our lives can be a huge allay in releasing us from pain and trauma. Imagine how free we will feel.
My CD, Letting Go of the Past has helped thousands of people to let go and move forward.