Go Natural for Good Health
Introduction
"Go Natural for Good Health"
In the decade between the 1980s and 1990s, Nancy Pidutti wrote many local health columns. Later, she wrote a two-and-a-half year, monthly health newsletter, called “Let’s Be Healthy.”
She will be sharing some updated versions from her newsletter on a wide variety of topics.
You might find her newest book, “How to Stay Healthy in a World Gone Mad: A Handbook for Kingdom Living,” an interesting addition to these columns.
Red Light Therapy Can Light Up Your Life
- Category: Go Natural for Good Health Go Natural for Good Health
- Published: 21 July 2024 21 July 2024
It can be overwhelming to realize just how badly our food has been manipulated, adulterated, and in some instances concocted from things we would never knowingly put into our mouth. So, while delivering the bad news, I’ll intersperse it with some good news hoping to give you a ray of hope that all is not lost.
Perhaps the earliest use of red light therapy was by Danish physician, Dr. Niels Ryberg Finsen. He received a Nobel Prize in 1903 for finding that exposure to concentrated red light sped wound healing. File that away for future reference.
NASA has been researching uses of red light therapy for many years. Some of their more serious early work came from a man named Ron Ignatius who worked for a company associated with the NASA branch in Huntsville, Alabama. Earlier their research focused on the use of LED (light-emitting diode) technology as it related to plant growth.
Researchers noticed that “abrasions on their hands” healed more quickly than expected. This relates to a problem in space travel. Astronauts’ muscles and bones atrophied and wound healing was slow. So, they began to focus on the use of LEDs to overcome these challenges.
It was found that near-infrared laser light sped the healing of wounds. It boosted the “production of growth-factor proteins, collagen and blood vessels.” Although the length of time for dosing seemed important to prevent burning, the U. S. Navy began using LED devices to treat “training injuries.” Muscle injuries and lacerations healed much more quickly than traditional treatment.
The researchers began using it to treat such things as pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, arthritis, and muscle and joint pain. spinoff.nasa.gov
The Cleveland Clinic has a site, my.clevelandclinic.org that focuses on the use of Red Light Therapy (RLT). It's being used for skin issues from wrinkles, acne, scars, and redness. Commercial devices use lower levels of red light than in earlier experiments did. Other skin issues that have been helped include “skin cancer, psoriasis,” warts, and some other types of cancer.
It's also been used to improve hair growth (and to reduce hair loss), improve scars and sun-damaged skin, reduce stretch marks, and relieve pain and inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and osteoarthritis. It also helped prevent cold sores from recurring.
It's thought that one of the ways it works is by “increasing the production of mitochondria.” They are the little factories in each body cell that work to produce energy. It's thought that they can also enhance the repair of the cell because it increases the general function of the cell. webmd.com (Red Light Therapy: What is it?”
One very interesting benefit shows up in 10 studies of people with dementia. It seems to be beneficial to those with dementia. One study reported that five people with this condition had regular light therapy for 12 weeks. Their memories improved, they “slept better and were angry less often.”
verywellhealth.com mentions that RLT has been used to help with such dental issues as temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). It's thought to reduce pain and increase the range of motion of the jaw. It appears to also reduce dental plaque buildup by reducing the bacteria related to plaque. For those troubled with recurring herpes cold sores, RLT may help heal them and prevent recurrence.
Help to the brain was clarified at this site. Apparently, in Alzheimer’s disease, formaldehyde becomes concentrated in the brain. Research indicates RLT can break down formaldehyde which can improve “cognitive functions” in those who are mildly afflicted. It also seems to reduce general anxiety. One way is by helping people sleep better after being treated.
A study from the Journal of Athletic Training indicated that RLT slows fatigue, lessens tiredness, and improves recovery from exercise soreness. This will be good news for those who are concerned with physical fitness. healthnews.com "Red Light Therapy: Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects".
Another unexpected benefit was in treating spinal cord injuries. A study was published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation which suggested that it could reduce “pain hypersensitivity and improve function.”
Dr. Josh Axe believes that part of the way RLT works is by increasing blood flow to body tissues and by stimulating the production of collagen. (Collagen could be called a cellular glue that helps hold body tissues together.)
According to an article on his site, a report was published in Annals in Biomedical Engineering suggesting that, along with other benefits, it lessened “inflammation, edema, and chronic joint disorder.” Plus it healed deep “tissues and nerves" as it was used “to treat neurological disorders and pain.” draxe.com,
So why am I sandwiching this article amidst others related to the toxins in our foods? I hope to prove that the toxins added, processes used in growth, harvest, production, and even methods of packaging and storing products all affect our bodies in detrimental ways.
Red light therapy can address some of the symptoms caused by the chemicals our foods are exposed to from toxins in our air, and water and the whole processing procedures they undergo. Not to mention the toxic buildup of chemicals the body has difficulty processing and removing.
There are many factors to explore if you’re considering purchasing a RLT device for home use. There are caps for those who suffer hair loss or baldness. There are wands, hand-held devices, face masks, and light boxes.
Sites for some information on devices include mindbodygreen.com, goodhousekeeping.com, and everydayhealth.com. Many devices focus on face and skin-related therapy. These may include masks of various types, wands, and hand-held devices. Many of them can be quite pricey. So, consider what type of device you want to invest in. Look for reviews on them and any available safety information.
Some years ago, we invested in a lightbox suggested by Ari Whitten. He wrote a book, “The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy.” In it, he focused on such things as benefits, doses, how to choose your device, and a list of his recommendations. He wrote on such issues as brain optimization, anti-aging, muscle gain, performance and recovery, etc.
Based on his information we invested in a light box, RedRush 360. We’ve both used it in a variety of ways. It can be hung over a door, but we only stood it up on a stand when in use. It has both red light-and near-infrared lights. Near-infrared seems to penetrate bone and might be best suited for concerns within the skull or for long-bone help.
Some years went by and because the box was cumbersome, I ended up with an infrared heating pad. It uses semi-precious stones in a pattern. I’ve used it in desk chairs, soft chairs and even lying down on a floor pad. Some use it in bed at night for pain relief and thereby better sleep.
I’ve long believed in natural therapies, so, knowing some of how the body functions, the use of light therapy is important. Since the mitochondria make light/energy in the body, it’s a small wonder that a light device would help increase their proper function.
Staying healthy when there are so many factors against us takes more work than ever before. Life was much simpler in bygone days before our exposure to tens of thousands of chemicals and other non-health exposures.
If you do not want to invest in an RLT option, you might consider visiting a near-infrared sauna. That can also be helpful.
Stay healthy, my friends.
Nancy L. Pidutti, PhD in NHH, Nurse, Author, Health Teacher and Hospital Chaplain
I’ve even worn more hats than that!
Apeel Has Lost Its Appeal
- Category: Go Natural for Good Health Go Natural for Good Health
- Published: 25 June 2024 25 June 2024
The concern about keeping vegetables and fruits fresh has led to all kinds of innovations, most of which are not good for us. I once walked into an Eastern supermarket and found the manager of the vegetable department coating cucumbers with Johnson’s wax. That was in the years before there was such concern for food safety as we find among consumers today. He justified it by saying “everyone was doing it."
The ever-busy Mr. Gates has invested in a new product to do the same kind of job of keeping produce edible longer. Finding the truth about this product is a challenge. Those with vested interests defend its safety. Those who are more concerned about customers' health over monetary gain have other things to say about this substance that coats produce peels.
Glyphosate, A Nerve Toxin That May Be In Your Blood
- Category: Go Natural for Good Health Go Natural for Good Health
- Published: 18 June 2024 18 June 2024
That statement seems radical, but see for yourself. It’s an unwanted residue in much of our food. HealthDay News July 12, 2022, made the statement that most Americans have this weed killer in their urine. It’s been called “probably carcinogenic to humans” by the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Let’s dig deeper. Glyphosate is the chemical in Roundup, a weedkiller (herbicide) that many people have used. They can be exposed to it in food, on golf courses, and in household yard use, and company employees who do landscape maintenance are likely candidates, and the general populace from residuals left from that treatment.
Broccoli Sprouts Enhance Life and Good Health
- Category: Go Natural for Good Health Go Natural for Good Health
- Published: 03 June 2024 03 June 2024
MSG, The Great Pretender
- Category: Go Natural for Good Health Go Natural for Good Health
- Published: 20 May 2024 20 May 2024
MSG, The Great Pretender
Monosodium Glutamate probably has more names to hide under than you have hats to wear. It was originally used in the East to enhance food flavors and was extracted from seaweeds.
In the 1960s, people began reacting to it with "tingling, numbness, brain fog, chest pressure and pain.”
In the 1970s, researchers found that the pharmaceutical substance would kill brain cells in the lab. (Maybe that’s why some have brain fog and migraines).
Sugar, the Socially Acceptable Addictive Substance
- Category: Go Natural for Good Health Go Natural for Good Health
- Published: 07 May 2024 07 May 2024
Sugar, the Socially Acceptable Addictive Substance
Did you know there are about 48 different kinds of sugar? The food industry has found many ways to incorporate them into our food. That doesn’t count the sugar alcohols I wrote about last week. Nor does it include maple sugar or syrup, honey, or blackstrap molasses.
The intent behind food processing executives is to get you addicted from the cradle to the grave. The better to cull your money, honey.
I was reluctant to touch this “sacred cow,” because people will not find it a popular topic. However, if you really want to reclaim your health you need to learn about the calculated efforts to keep us buying more products. I think of Detective, Joe Friday, who said with a straight face, “Just the facts, ma’am.” So, that’s what I‘m going to give you.
Sugar Alcohols are Not Sugar or Alcohol
- Category: Go Natural for Good Health Go Natural for Good Health
- Published: 01 May 2024 01 May 2024
So, what are they? They’re carbohydrates concocted from certain substances by a chemical process. The end result chemically resembles both sugar and alcohol. That’s how they got the name of sugar alcohol.
While investigating the types of substances being passed on to the public as “safe” and “good” for you, I’ve found so many alarming things that I feel I must warn you. We’re on a roll with “artificial sweeteners,” and all sweet substances that end in “ol” are considered sugar alcohols.
They’re mostly considered sweeter than sugar with almost no calories. People who consume them thinking they will help them lose weight, often find they increase their weight. Since clever ads, do their best to convince people that these substances are all safe, many wonder what’s wrong with them since their results don’t live up to the “promises.” Some experts believe sugar alcohols increase a craving for sweets.
Don’t Get Hi on Hi-Fructose Corn Syrup
- Category: Go Natural for Good Health Go Natural for Good Health
- Published: 22 April 2024 22 April 2024
After World War 2 people began to acquire a taste for something sweet. Sugar was the first sweetener to become popular. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) was added in the 1950s. When it made its arrival, it quickly became a go-to in all kinds of foods and beverages.
HFCS is made from corn starch. The chain of glucose molecules is broken down into single ones. The result is HFCS. (Can you recall pecan pies made with dark Karo syrup?)
Doctor Don Colbert, MD was one of the first to sound an alarm. In 2014. His concern was based on research studies done at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina. They found that some patients who had cirrhosis of the liver, especially non-drinkers with fatty liver disease were liberally consuming fructose in their foods.