Tag: health care

http://www.childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/fda-nearly-half-funding-companies-it-regulates/

Masters Council

Who Does the FDA Really Work For?

Why do food companies seem to have more rights than consumers, when it comes to disclosing what ingredients are in particular foods? The FDA loosened food labeling requirements mid-2020, with the stated goal of providing regulatory flexibility, to lessen the impact of supply chain disruptions of product availability related to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Reports show that the FDA is actually partially funded by the same companies that they are tasked with regulating, raising concerns with conflicts of interest. It is almost always best to do the due diligence and find where this information is coming from and find reputable sources as there is so much information available to the public today that can and will support whatever ones beliefs and viewpoints tend to lean towards.

The US government at its relative public health agencies, save severely lost the trust of the American people. Medical experts that have an audience, can start to rebuild trust, by just putting themselves out there with some transparency, honesty, humility, and empathy regarding these topics at hand. For example, if a scientist is interviewed as an expert on a particular topic, have them tell their story of being a director for the FDA and now being a board member for Pfizer, instead of people Googling this fact, seeing it maybe as a conflict of interest and then formulating their own conspiracy theory from it. Similarly, if the FDA is going to report that they took 108 days to review documents for licensing of the Pfizer covid19 vaccine and will honor a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, don’t take 55 years to fully release the information to the group of scientists that made the request. Leaders and experts need to stop creating the perfect storm of events that will undoubtedly lead to conspiracy theories and consequently, more vaccine resistance.

References:

https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-announces-temporary-flexibility-policy-regarding-certain-labeling-requirements-foods-humansLinks to an external site.

https://today.uconn.edu/2021/05/why-is-the-fda-funded-in-part-by-the-companies-it-regulates-2/Links to an external site.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/08/27/fact-check-some-fdas-budget-does-come-industry-funding/5572076001/

Former FDA Commissioner Gottlieb defends decision to join Pfizer board (cnbc.com)

Elizabeth Warren tells Scott Gottlieb to resign from Pfizer board (usatoday.com) (Links to an external site.)

Soechtig, Stephanie, and Jason Lindsey. “Tapped.” YouTube, YouTube, 17 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeAtHj9L38o.

Be well, get healthy, be wise.

I am currently available for health and wellness lectures and classes for group, & private instruction in the Orlando, Florida area. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

https://umareg.com/masters-council/

How Our Body Responds to Stress – The General Adaptation Syndrome

Feeling stressed out?

We are living in what some people feel, is the most stressful time in their lifetimes. I find it quite ironic that for much of the modernized world, people are no longer living with past daily stressors due to being chased or bitten by wild animals while in their quest for food, or having to find components to build their own shelter while enduring the heat or cold, but still ending up dying from stress related illnesses. Most people are no longer being attacked by a neighboring kingdom, tribe or clan, also in pursuit of more food or better living conditions, but live with daily stress regardless.. However, many people live constantly with other modern day stressors of relative to crime, violence, public healthcare, politics, job security, social issues and most recently – stress from engaging with social media and its various outlets.

Everyone experiences both negative as well as positive stressors. Regardless, of the source of stress, the human body’s autonomic nervous system responds to stressors, initially to defend the physical body, but after prolonged stress, eventually fatigues leading to disease and illness. Think of having the A/C or heat running all day, every day with no downtime. Eventually, the physical components will degrade and breakdown, if not properly checked and maintained before catastrophic failure occurs.

The General Adaptation Syndrome

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is the continual physiological response to stressors. There are three stages of biological responses. Hans Selye first recognized this concept in 1936, GAS is seen as a modern biological formulation of stress. Understanding the physiology behind GAS, including how it is triggered, can help manage or reduce stress.

1. Alarm

A person’s ability to resist any type of stressor is lowered by the need to deal with the stressor, whether it is a scrape, a loss, a fear, a broken bone, the loss of a loved one, or the loss of a job.

Body’s immediate response to stress:

DHEA increases
Cortisol increases

Symptoms typical for this portion of the General Adaptation Syndrome alarm stage:

Rapid breathing
Low blood glucose levels
Heightened senses
Trembling
Tissue catabolism
Gastrointestinal erosion
Sleep issues
Dilated pupils
Increased heart rate
Pale or flushed skin

2. Resistance

The body responds and adapts to the sustained existence of the stressor by making more epinephrine which raises blood pressure, increases alertness, suppresses the immune system, and tenses muscles. lf interactions with the stressor become long-term, the ability to resist becomes reduced.

This stage is in place when cortisol is made at the expense of DHEA to sustain adaptability:

Cortisol increase
DHEA decreases
Epinephrine may increase to help maintain energy and blood sugar levels

Symptoms typical for this portion of the General Adaptation Syndrome stage:

Sleeplessness due to high cortisol level
Bowel issues
Headaches
Irritability
Sadness
Frustration
Poor concentration
Some individuals may remain in this phase for a lifetime, while others further deteriorate

3. Exhaustion

When the ability to respond and resist is decreased, the individual may become ill. Prolonged months or years of strain and stress may be present before the body’s resistance is exhausted. DIesease and illness may not manifest until long after the initial interaction occurs with the stressor.

The body loses the capacity to adapt as the body deteriorates from constant stress:

Cortisol level is low
DHEA level is low
Epinephrine level is low

Symptoms typical for this portion of the General Adaptation Syndrome stage:

Severe fatigue
Feelings of “burnout”
Inability to sleep well through the night
Salt cravings
Allergies
Decreased tolerance of stress

Management

Everyone needs an outlet for regulating their stress. If there is no outlet and the stress stays internalized, eventually the physiological responses will take their toll by manifesting in disease, illness and even more stress, creating an endless vicious circle of pain and suffering. Stress management methods can help one to cope with stress and consequently, General Adaption Syndrome. Examples of some methods include:

Physical activity
Diaphragmatic breathing
Progressive muscle relaxation
Guided imagery
Mindfulness
Limiting exposure to triggers
Mind and body exercises such as yoga, qigong and tai chi

References:

Edlin, G., & Golanty, E. (2018). Health & Wellness (13th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

http://www.sanescohealth.com/blog/general-adaptation-syndrome-stages/

https://www.verywellhealth.com/general-adaptation-syndrome-overview-5198270

Be well, get healthy, be wise.

I am currently available for health and wellness lectures and classes for group, & private instruction in the Orlando, Florida area. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

https://umareg.com/masters-council/

Ginger and its Many Benefits

No time like right now, to invest in taking better care of your immune system. Ginger has been my “go to” herb for decades in the forms of tea, as a cooking spice as well as capsules as a supplement to other vitamin and diet deficiencies. I have experienced noticeable improvements and/or management of allergies, headaches, joint and muscle inflammation and nausea.

Ginger root, also known as zingiber officinale or zingiberis rhizome. The Chinese name is shen jiang. Ginger is native to Asia often used as a food as well as medicine. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), ginger is used to remove “cold”, “wind” and “dampness”, while stopping the reverse flow of qi (energy). Use of ginger in Western countries has been mostly for gastrointestinal symptoms and respiratory ailments. Preclinical studies show ginger being antiemetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and possibly helps to protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

Ginger has been used for many ailments including but not limited to the following:

stimulates appetite
helps relieve drug withdrawal symptoms
improves respiratory ailments
reduces nausea and vomiting
relieves indigestion
treats diarrhea
reduces rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Some people should avoid ginger consumption for certain issues such as those having surgery or bleeding ailments, because ginger has blood-thinning effects. Warfarin or other blood thinners may be less effective due to ginger increasing the risk of bleeding.

Those with gallstones should refrain from consuming ginger because it can increase the flow of bile and other potential cholagogic effects.

Individuals who take insulin or medications to lower blood glucose should avoid ginger because it may increase larger reductions in glucose levels.

Upon my further reading and research, it appears as if different sources might discourage ginger consumption during pregnancy (increase bleeding) while other sources state that it is fine to use during pregnancy to relieve morning sickness and accompanying nausea. Individuals should avoid ginger supplements during pregnancy or lactating because of unknown human gestational development.

Perhaps the best course of action, would be for the individual to check with their healthcare providers to get a better understanding of the pros and cons of using ginger while pregnant.

Reference:

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs/search?amp%3Bop=Go&keys=breast%20cancer&letter=&letters=&page=13

John Diamond, M.D. W. John Diamond, M.D. The Clinical Practice of Complementary, Alternative, and Western Medicine. Boca Raton: CRC Press LLC, 2001. 7.

Herbs and Pregnancy

https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/consuming-ginger-during-pregnancy/

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Be well, get healthy, be wise.

I am currently available for health and wellness lectures and classes for group, & private instruction in the Orlando, Florida area. Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan