Prevention and Preventive Maintenance
PART II
Healthy Bones
Bone is live, very alive. We tend not to think of it that way. We often think of it as dead, like a stone. But, in reality it responds to pushes, pulls and it is constantly renewing and reforming and removing old bone. We need to assist in this process. One way is with weight bearing exercises; these cause the muscles to pull on the bone and the bone responds by strengthening where the muscles attach. Another way is by maintaining good alignment of the bones by ensuring even pressure on them, because bones have a current that runs through them created by + and - mineral ions. If there is uneven pressure the current flows in a distorted pattern and pulls minerals to one side or the other. As these minerals deposit out of balance the bone distorts and thins or thickens inappropriately.
(This advice was contributed by NancyWilkinson, D.C. one of our Chiropractors who visits Rio Caliente on a regular basis to lecture and provide therapy.)
After implementing Dr. Nancy’s recommendations, along with better eating, getting plenty of rest, drinking alkalizing water and performing a combination of resistance type and low impact aerobic exercise, you’ll be well on the path to developing and maintaining stronger bones.
* Try this simple exercise: the “heel raise.” Stand with your feet in a comfortable position about hip-width apart, with toes pointed forward. Take a deep breath and bring your arms straight up overhead. Keep your arms about shoulder-width apart as you lift up on your toes. Try to balance for a few seconds and come down in a controlled manner as you exhale and bring your arms back down to your side. Start with a few repetitions; build up to 10-15 repetitions. This exercise will promote your ability to balance and prevent falls.
* Then, consider eating the foods high in calcium with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. They include: dark green leafy vegetables like kale, chard, spinach and root vegetables; raw/soaked almonds, tofu, dried figs, baked beans and oranges. Many are served on a daily basis at Rio Caliente. If supplementing, some of the vitamins and minerals necessary for efficient calcium absorption are: Vitamins D, K, B-6, plus potassium, folic acid, copper, zinc, boron, and silicon. Avoid the calcium thieves like soft drinks, excessive caffeine and smoking. The drinking water at Rio Caliente is high in the minerals silica and potassium bicarbonate, with a pH of 8.3 which is highly alkalizing. |
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More about Osteoporosis and Prevention
Anti-aging and Regeneration
With great interest, we are following the studies on lithium, conducted by Dr. Jonathan V. Wright of the Tahoma Clinic, recently published in "Nutrition and Healing”. Lithium may be useful in preventing Alzheimer’s disease, senile dementia, and possibly Parkinson's. Lithium not only protects brain cells against normal wear and tear, but also offers additional protection against a whole variety of toxic molecules, including patent medications. It can also promote brain cell regeneration and increase brain cell mass. In essence, the research suggests that lithium is a brain anti-aging nutrient.
And, while we have no medical evidence about the affects of our water, the lithium content of Rio Caliente’s water, which many of our guests feel to be a major contributor to their glow and wellbeing, is 3.10 ppm.
Get Your Omega-3
The average American diet has way too much omega-6 oil and not enough omega-3. The good news is that flaxseeds are one of the best sources of omega-3 and they're not even expensive.
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It's easy to get your daily intake by grinding flaxseeds in a coffee grinder (dedicate your grinder to flax seeds only) and adding them to your toast, cereal, rice, salad or juice. They have a nutty flavor you'll enjoy. A couple of tablespoons a day will give you more than enough omega-3. You can buy flaxseeds in health food stores. Never buy them pre-ground. Be sure to store them in an airtight jar in the refrigerator so that they don't go rancid. |
As we said, flaxseeds are rich in alpha-linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that belongs to the group of substances called omega-3 fatty acids. By including flaxseeds in your diet, you help to:
1. Lower your cholesterol, protect against heart disease and control high blood pressure.
2. Counter inflammation.
3. Control constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticular disorders.
4. Reduce the risk of cancer. Ground flaxseeds provide antioxidants that protect against cancer.
5. Prevent hair loss and encourage hair regrowth.
The phyto-estrogens found in flaxseeds also have anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. They make ingesting the seed more beneficial than taking the oil. Flaxseeds also contain lecithin which emulsifies fat and cholesterol.
In the Rio Caliente dining room, you'll find ground flaxseeds in the box of seeds and spices on the juice table. Try them on all of your food!
Our information comes from the following sources: www.freedomyou.com, www.healingdaily.com, www.drugstore.com, and www.naturalhealthnewsletters.com. These are a few of the many websites about the benefits of flaxseeds.
Vitamin D and You
Yes, we enjoy a lot of sun down here near the tropics and lots of UV with it. The right amount of UV will produce vitamin D, which is an important factor in immunity, as well as bone growth and health.
You can also get your vitamin D in fish liver oil, along with those great omegas, in egg yolks, alfalfa, milk products (butter, cheese), and sweet potatoes. And, all of these except the fish liver oil (we use virgin olive oil), are regulars in your Rio Caliente diet.
However, is sunbathing going to give you cancer? Not so -if you choose your time and quantity. And in studies by Dr. William Grant, conducted with U.S. data re premature
cancer deaths and low UV-B exposure, a clear correlation was shown between mortality and a LACK of sunbathing. UV tends to be at its highest between 12:00 and 3:00. Just remember your grandmother's advice: Moderation in all things.
Spinach Noodle Casserole
(helps to support bone)
1 lb. egg noodles
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 T. olive oil
Soy sauce to taste
2 onions sliced into rounds
2 tomatoes sliced into rounds
4 cups steamed spinach (steam until wilted and measure)
3 cups carrots, grated
¼ cup yogurt
½ t. oregano
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare noodles according to package directions adding 2 of the 4 cloves of garlic, olive oil and soy sauce to the water.
Prepare Vegetables: in a little olive oil, sauté the onion and the 2 remaining cloves of garlic until transparent, adding tomatoes and approximately 1 T. soy sauce, until thickened. Add spinach, stir, and remove from flame.
Prepare the Casserole: In a lightly oiled square baking dish layer the ingredients: first the carrots, then yogurt, noodles and spinach mixture. Bake 20 minutes and serve with organic soy tofu.
Serves 6.
Rio Caliente Hot Springs Spa U.S. Office
For Reservation Requests Call 1-800-200-2927
POB 897 - Millbrae, CA 94030 - USA
email: riocal@aol.com
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