July 2002

Welcome to In Our Lives!

In this segment, we will introduce the reader to ways to participate in a more healthy way of living through medical contributions, feature articles, viewer feedback, recipes and tips.

High-Level Nutrition: An Introduction to Catalyn

by Michael Gaeta, L.Ac., LCN
(reprinted with permission by the Association of Applied Kinesiology)

Released in 1929, Catalyn is the first multi-vitamin formula ever made. In this article, the author will explain the history of this powerful product.

Catalyn contains every nutrient that the body needs to function. When Catalyn was introduced, researchers had not yet discovered most of the vitamins and minerals we know today. Whenever they discovered a "new" nutrient, spectrographic analysis reveals that it is in Catalyn.

Royal Lee, a dentist and an early pioneer in the field of nutrition, created Catalyn. He knew that it was unwise to try to improve on what God created. He knew not to isolate any nutrient from its natural environment of food. Vitamins occur naturally in foods as complexes of enzymes, trace minerals and other synergistic nutrients. This is the form that your body can use. If you take only a fraction of a vitamin complex, separating it from its natural cofactors, your body must provide the missing parts from its own reserves. This creates a deficiency of these cofactors. Dr. Lee's philosophy was to find the food source of a nutrient and concentrate that food to a therapeutic dose.

As a dentist, Dr. Lee noticed that most of the chronic dental problems he saw were from nutritional deficiency. He concluded that if many dental problems came from poor nutrition, then other health problems could too. In 1926, Royal Lee set out to create a food concentrate that included all the nutrients the body uses to function. For three years, he searched for the foods that, when combined, would provide the body with all of these micronutrients   not not just those known at the time.

Lee also invented a way to dry and concentrate these foods into pill form without heating them above body temperature. He knew that for foods to be useful they needed to be alive-with all their enzymes and other heat-sensitive nutrients intact. Enzymes start to denature, or die, at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. To this day, the ingredients in Catalyn are not heated above body temperature. Lee's patented low-heat vacuum-drying process takes the water out of the foods. This means that Catalyn, unlike nearly every other vitamin product, is a living food. Its vital energy intact. In Chinese medicine, the energy of a food is at least as important as the physical nutrients in the food. Eating denatured or highly processed food is not nearly as beneficial as eating the whole food. So Catalyn is a whole food concentrate.

Dr. Lee said, "Whole food nutrition begins with the sun, water and fertile soil." Most of the ingredients in Catalyn are organically-grown vegetables and grains. Dr. Lee knew that the trace minerals from the soil were the most important to the body. He wanted to grow his food on the richest, most fertile soil in the country. Wherever he found it he would build his farm. He chose the Kettle Moraine, in what is now Palmyra, Wisconsin. It has the richest trace mineral supply, left from glacial erosion. Farmers water the crops from an artesian well that taps pure glacial water 580 feet below the surface. They use no chemicals on the land. They have never used chemicals to farm the land. There is very little land left in this country that that is true of. Most organic farms are converted conventional farms that were once sprayed and depleted of their precious supply of trace nutrients.

Dr. Lee felt that deficiencies of trace minerals-minerals present in very small quantities- were the key to most chronic health problems. He recommended that everyone take three Catalyn a day. He did not believe in mega-dosing on vitamin preparations. His philosophy was to give the body concentrated food as a nutrient source.

Catalyn is an excellent source of all the vitamins and trace minerals. It does not contain the major minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorous) in sufficient quantity. Ideally, your diet supplies these minerals. However, most Americans are deficient in calcium and magnesium. Magnesium us the most common mineral deficiency in America. So it is wise to include additional supplements for calcium and magnesium in a well-rounded nutritional program.

Soon after Royal Lee released Catalyn in 1929, reports started to come in-wonderful and even miraculous results with just three Catalyn a day. Back then, the junk food was nothing compared to today's. There were no hydrogenated oils, chemical preservatives, Nutrasweet, McDonald's or rampant environmental pollution. The soil was richer, not yet depleted of its life-giving nutrients by industrial farming. So for modern Americans, three Catalyn a day is useful, but may not be enough. I take six a day and more if I feel run-down.

With such success, Dr. Lee thought he had done his job-there was no other product needed. Soon he realized his work was not done; it had just begun. As complete as Catalyn was, it simply contained a "little of everything." Lee saw the need for more specific products. From 1930, he began to develop a group of food concentrates designed to address the specific nutritional needs of people with a wide range of health problems. Though Royal Lee passed away in 1967, he left in his writings insights into health and illness that are far beyond what is widely known today. And he left the basis for what evolved into a group of more than 120 synergistic products based on the same philosophy that gave birth to Catalyn nearly seventy years ago. Lee designed these products to work together, like a well-prepared meal.

The reader should note that it is important to use nutritional medicine that is compatible with herbal medicine. High-dose synthetic drugs/vitamins are incompatible with herbs, because fractionated vitamins disrupt the delicate balance of micronutrients found in herbs and foods. Since we have not even discovered most of the substances in herbal medicine, it is impossible to know how these phytonutrients interact with synthetics. Unfortunately, nearly every multi-vitamin available is a synthetic or fractionated vitamin product.

For more information about Vitamins, Antioxidants and herbal medicines, check with your local library, health stores or centers for holistic health education. The author also recommends: The Real Truth about Vitamins and Antioxidants, by Judith DeCava, LCN.

Michael Gaeta is a Certified Amma Therapist, NYS Licensed Acupuncturist, Licensed Nutritionist and Licensed Massage Therapist, holds a Diplomate in Acupuncture (NCCA) and is a graduate of the New Center College for Holistic Health Education and Research, where he has been a faculty member since 1993. His passion is to help people move through and beyond illness to a place of well-being and inner peace.

KINESIOLOGY

Kinesiology is the science of investigating and analyzing human motion. It is a form of biomechanics.

Kinesiology (pronounced kin-easy-ology) uses your body's own biofeedback system via muscle testing to promote health. The aim is to restore balance where there are nutritional deficiencies and to create wellness at a physical, emotional and spiritual level.

Applied Kinesiology is a form of chiropractic introduced in 1964. It is a diagnostic method for determining health status through muscle testing and also a therapy wherein the practitioner applies light finger-tip massage to pressure points on the body or head in order to stimulate or relax key muscles.

How does this form of chiropractic treatment differ from the more "conventional" methods of chiropractic? Check back with us next month for more on this and other topics of interest

...In Our Lives.

Your Sleep ... Your Health

What I wouldn't give for a good night's sleep! (yawn)

Does this sound like you? Does it sound like a co-worker or loved one? More than a thought or desire, a good night's sleep is essential in developing and sustaining good physical and mental health: building blocks for a healthy lifestyle.

While falling asleep and staying asleep are a significant part of our daily routine, did you know that over 100 million Americans don't get a good night's sleep?

Developing certain lifestyle changes and dietary habits, referred to as Sleep Hygiene, can improve your ability to have a sound and restful sleep, and have positive effects on sleep before, during and after time spent in bed.

If you suffer from sleeplessness for four to six weeks, and you have tried modifying your sleep and daytime habits, it's time to consider seeking help from a healthcare professional or an expert in the field of sleep disorders.

In the meantime, there are certain things that you can do that are beneficial in helping you achieve restful sleep:

• Try to sleep only when you are drowsy.
  
• If you are unable to fall asleep or stay asleep, leave your bedroom and engage in a quiet activity elsewhere. Do not permit yourself to fall asleep outside the bedroom. Return to bed when - and only when - you are sleepy. Repeat this process as often as necessary throughout the night
  
  
• If you must get up during the night, keep the lights as dim as possible. One hour of bright light exposure at night shifts the clock forward by about 10 minutes.
  
  
• Maintain a regular sleep-wake cycle, even on off days and weekends. Staying up late, with the lights burning, tends to reset the brain's sleep clock, making the body cry out for more sleep when the alarm sounds on Monday morning.
  
  
• Use your bedroom only for sleep and intimacy with your significant other.
  
  
• Avoid napping during the daytime. If daytime sleepiness becomes overwhelming, limit nap time to a single nap of less than one hour, no later than 3 pm. New research shows a quick 15-20 minute nap before 3pm can be rejuvenating in a crunch!
  
  
• Distract your mind. Lying in bed unable to sleep and frustrated needs to be avoided. Try reading or watching a DVD, videotape or listening to books on disc or tape. It may be necessary to go into another room to do this.
  
  
• Avoid caffeine within four to six hours of bedtime.
  
  
• Avoid the use of nicotine close to bedtime or during the night.
  
  
• Avoid alcoholic beverages within four to six hours of bedtime.
  
• While a light snack before bedtime can help promote sound sleep, avoid large meals. Avoid strenuous exercise within six hours of bedtime.
  
  
• Minimize light, noise, and extremes in temperature in the bedroom.
  
  
• When flying to a different time zone, allow your body to acclimate. (i.e. flying overnight to Europe? Try to nap immediately upon arrival. After a few hours of sleep, get up and walk in the sunlight. This will help reset the body clock to European time).
  
• Remember mom's advice: "Never go to bed angry." Anger and hurt feelings can cause needless anxiety, further contributing to a restless night!

Aromatherapy

What is all the banter about Aromatherapy?

Historically, aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years for healing and spiritual rituals. Aromatherapy and its various uses was a sacred practice in most traditional cultures including the Persian, Hebrew, Mayan, Greek, Egyptian and Chinese.

Today, aromatherapy is a very active movement in Europe, especially in France where it is now a recognized medicine reimbursed by medical insurance, and over the years, has found its way into mainstream science in the United States. In 1992, The National Institute of Health officially recognized "unconventional medical practices" and began a study to integrate these practices into modern health care. Among these is herbal medicine, of which aromatherapy is a branch.

Plants from all over the world contain useful essential oils. These highly volatile oily substances to which the plant owes its perfume and flavor, are present between the cells and act as plant hormones, regulators, and catalysts. They may be considered as representing the vital elements or life force within the plant.

Extraction methods are of utmost importance with purity being imperative in order to obtain good therapeutic results. Breathing in these essentials oils is what gets the required results.

Aromatherapy requires an extremely high quality of essential oils. Synthetic substances cannot replace the real product. There are hundreds of chemical components in essential oils. Most of them are in minute quantities, and yet it is the precise combinations and ratios of elements which render each oil powerful.

Because of that, solvents or preservatives are not used in the preparation of first-quality essential oils. A steam-distillation method of extraction is used instead. This process consists of sending steam throughout the plants, which evaporates oils.

The steam is then condensed and the oils separate from the water. This method yields a high quality oil. The best oils come from wild organic plants.

The amount of oils found in each plant varies greatly and this is reflected in the price.

Essential Oils And Their Uses

Basil: a nerve tonic ..for insomnia, congestion and colds

Clove Oil: an antiseptic ...used for toothaches, wounds and respiratory infections.

Eucalyptus Oil: clears respiratory passages...good for skin infections

Frankincense: for all catarrh conditions, ulcers, boils, skin care, and laryngitis

Geranium: calming effect on the nervous system, kidney stones, skin care

Lavender: aids healing and prevents scarring, a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative and de-toxifier used to treat scalds, minor burns, cuts, grazes, inflammation, eczema, dermatitis, fainting, headaches, insomnia, migraine, nausea, bacterial infection, acne, boils, rheumatism and arthritis.

From a psychological perspective, lavender is calming, soothing and relaxing, reduces anxiety, stress and tension

Lemon: counteracts stomach acidity, powerful bactericide

Mint: headaches and vomiting, fevers and colds

Orange oil: sedative, slightly hypnotic, indicated for cardiac spasms

Essential Tips and Hints

Lavender can play a vital part in giving you the additional strength you need to get you through your stressful and demanding day.

Give your concentration a boost add some clarity to your thought processes or make any room citrus-y fresh! Blend 4 tsp of water with 10 drops of Lemon essential oil in a diffuser. A-ah-h-h! heaven scent!

Seasonal allergies, colds or flu? Rosemary and Eucalyptus Oils can provide just the relief you're looking for as well as help clean up a Òskin crisisÓ that sometimes accompanies the changes that are visited upon us when mother nature takes its' turn in beautifying our surroundings.

Blend 5-10 drops of Rosemary and Eucalyptus essential oils (combined) into a neutral bath or massage oil base (which can be found at health food stores, alternative medicine shops, or try specialty shops like Aveda (where blends of essential oils can be customized for you) L'Occitane or Bath & Body Works), blend well and add to warm bath or enjoy a Deep Tissue Release, Aromatherapy or blissful, Relaxation massage. Both oils have a delicious, stimulating, refreshing effect on the spirit, mind and body!

Sound intriguing? ? Check back with us next month for more Essential Tips and Hints

...In Our Lives.

Disclaimer:

The information presented here are suggestions to help improve the well being of the reader and SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR EVALUATION AND/OR TREATMENT BY YOUR PHYSICIAN OR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. It is not intended to provide or confirm a diagnosis nor is it any claim made as to therapeutic efficacy, as this can vary from person to person. It is based on published scientific studies, personal experience and/or traditional usage. Always read and heed the warnings given on any ointments or preparations that are inhaled or used topically.