Video Description of Colon Hydrotherapy

This video offers a basic description of what the colon hydrotherapy process is like. Oasis Colonics, in Portland and Fairfield, uses the same hygienic, closed-system equipment as is pictured in the video.

Grandma chanted, "Eat your roughage!"

When we were little, my sister and I laughed to the chant: "Grandma has a habit of chewing in her sleep. She chews on Grandpa's whiskers, and thinks they're Shredded Wheat!"

What we call dietary fiber is what Grandma used to call "roughage". It acts as the body's internal scrub brush. Most people simply don't eat the recommended 35 grams of fiber in their diet. It’s either because they’re not aware of how important fiber is, or perhaps they have been misinformed on the sources of dietary fiber.

I look forward to being a grandma someday. Forget the Shredded Wheat! My chants will extol the virtues of chia seeds, flaxseed meal and Calcium Bentonite Clay, hey, hey! Read more...

Agave is NOT a Healthy Sweetener!

Agave syrup is becoming a favorite of health-minded folks. But beware as that bubble is burst: agave syrup is neither healthy or natural! Dr. Ingrid Kohlstadt, a fellow of the American College of Nutrition and an associate faculty member at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health has reported:

"Agave is almost all fructose, a highly processed sugar with great marketing."

Refined sugar consumption is definitely something to be concerned about, but FRUCTOSE is even more problematic.

There are two overall reasons fructose is so damaging:

1. Your body metabolizes fructose in a much different way than glucose. Fructose is broken down in your liver just like alcohol and produces many of the side effects of chronic alcohol use, right down to the "beer belly."
2. People are consuming fructose in quantities that are 400-800 percent higher than they were 100 years ago due to its pervasive presence in just about all processed foods

Egads! Agave products have the highest percentage of fructose of any sweeteners on the market, over 50 percent more fructose than high fructose corn syrup!

Agave syrup is fattening! It has about 16 calories per teaspoon which is the same as sucrose (table sugar). The glycemic index is immaterial, once we understand the full extent of the risk this product poses to our health.

Consuming high amounts of sugar is making America FAT and SICK!

What's the Rumbly in My Tumbly?

GOT GAS? It can be a REAL pain!

Winnie the Pooh aptly describes his hunger pains with the familiar and lovable words, "I'm rumbly in my tumbly!" Perhaps we might just as aptly describe a familiar, but not so lovable, "growly in my bowely!"

When my colonic clients complain to me of gas problems, they always want to know where it comes from. One word defines this uncomfortable nuisance: Putrefaction.

These are some common causes of excessive gas production in the bowel:

• Constipation resulting in the over-accumulation of waste;
• Inability to break down complex sugars and starches;
• Insufficient exercise which slows peristalsis and circulation;
• Improper food combining-i.e. carbohydrates with heavy proteins;
• Endocrine imbalance with insufficient digestive secretions from the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, stomach and small intestines;
• Lactose intolerance or the inability to digest milk based sugars;
• Candida yeast overgrowth;
• Parasites;
• Overeating

NOTE: Colon Hydrotherapist Shiela Shea's Suggestions for Alleviating Gas

• Use herbs, digestive enzymes, or charcoal. Charcoal will also pull out the good metals and minerals when used on a regular basis. If used over time, supplement with rich minerals from algaes and land grasses like wheat and barley;
• Take enemas, Ayurvedic bastis and colon hydrotherapy;
  
• FAST: Ghandi recommended abstaining from food when in pain;
• Take a hot bath;
• Massage the abdomen;
• Avoid complex sugars and starches;
• Exercise with yoga, swimming, and walking;
• Practice breathing exercises;
• Meditate

CLICK HERE to learn more about Oasis Colonics in Portland, Oregon

Enemas, Colonics "Closed" and "Open" ~ Difference?

The large intestine or "colon" ranges between 4 to 6 feet in length. An enema merely flushes out the lower end of the colon where the feces collects before evacuation. The average enema uses only about two quarts of water, while a colonic hydrotherapy treatment uses 15 to 30 gallons of water to flush out waste material from the entire lower bowel. Warm, purified water is introduced at the rate of one cup to two quarts at a time according to the body's comfort and tolerance. The fecal matter is expelled . This action can soften and wash away impaction lining the colon or "lower bowel".

For a description of the differences between "Open" and "Closed" Colon Hydrotherapy systems click here.

The closed-system colonic devise used at Oasis Colonics allows water to gently irrigate the colon in a slow, comfortable manner. During a colonic, the body's own natural peristalsis propels the waste material out by means of wave-like muscular contractions. The colon cleansing "machine" is NOT a type of internal vacuum cleaner or waste extractor, nor is it a pressure hose. It's function can be understood as a technologically advanced "enema bag" that administers water into the colon while simultaneously monitoring temperature and pressure ensuring safety and efficacy.

CLICK HERE and scroll down, to see a picture of the Colon Hydrotherapy equipment used at Oasis Colonics in Portland, Oregon.

Medicinal Power of Music ~ Mind and Body

During the colonic procedure, many people come to realize how intimately their emotional state is "bound up" with their digestive and elimination processes. Bowel health contributes to emotional health, just as emotional health contributes to bowel health. For some people, music is sanity, an escape from a tormented state. Violinist Robert Gupta joined the LA Philharmonic at the age of 19. He maintains a passionate parallel interest in neurobiology and mental health issues.

Stress Affects Digestion

(NaturalNews March 24, 2010) Once you've identified the top sources of stress in your life, it's important to take action and start moving things in a positive direction. Most people are amazed at the improvement they see in their health after making just a few small but very significant changes. Here are seven simple keys for reducing the stress in your life:

Reduce Emotional and Psychological Stress

The impact of emotional stress cannot be underestimated, but this type of stress is often overlooked because it is difficult to make changes in this area. A difficult living situation, an unhappy marriage or a stressful job could be a source of major stress that is wearing down your health. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to move, get a divorce or quit your job, but it's important to look for ways to improve your situation in any case. If you're dealing with other stressors like depression, anxiety, or the loss of a loved one, you may want to seek counseling or join a support group that can offer you help.

Although it appears small on the surface, negative thought patterns have a way of chipping away at our quality of life by compounding our stress. Establishing healthy patterns of enjoying the moment, reframing, and learning to forgive can have a very positive effect on your health.

Prioritize Quality Sleep and Regular Downtime

The impact sleep can have on your life is well documented. Getting at least seven hours every night will balance your cortisol levels, improve your energy and brighten your mood. And just as important as sleep is downtime. It may take some rearranging if your schedule is packed with activities, but it's vital for your health to take time each day to relax and unwind. Taking a day off now and then and freeing yourself from a mile-long to-do list is very restorative as well. And by all means, if you can take a vacation and get away from it all, do it!

Improve Food Quality and Eating Habits

It can't be emphasized enough: food is the foundation of your health. A balanced diet of natural foods is a must. All macronutrient groups (fats, proteins and carbohydrates) should be included in balanced ratios. Avoid skipping meals or under-eating. Your body needs quality food for nourishment.

Avoid Allergens

If you have allergies, these can trigger a stress response in the body. Do your best to avoid allergens, which includes identifying food allergies so you can make better food choices. On the up side, if you deal properly with other stressors in your life, this may decrease the severity of your allergic reactions (which are, in part, a stress response of their own).

Exercise: Make It Smart and Sensible

Exercise is very healthy, but it's important not to overdo it if you're otherwise stressed. Emphasize activities like strength training, yoga, walking and swimming. Avoid overtraining or doing too much cardio, which can exhaust the adrenals.

Reduce Physical Stressors

If you get sick, injured or have to deal with chronic pain, try to get the rest and care you need so you can reduce the stress these cause on your body. Allow your body time to heal or, in the case of chronic pain, look for ways to treat the pain or the underlying cause that prevents you from living a normal, happy life.

Avoid Toxin Exposure

Most of us can't completely eliminate toxins from our lives, but we can take measures to greatly reduce the amount of toxins our bodies must deal with every day. Filter your water, use natural beauty and cleaning products, eat organic foods, avoid chemical food additives and take the time to enjoy fresh air as much as you can.

Author: Elizabeth Walling is a freelance writer specializing in health and family nutrition. She is a strong believer in natural living as a way to improve health and prevent modern disease. To learn more about nourishing foods, stop by Elizabeth's blog, which explores topics like healing with traditional nutrient-dense foods, lacto-fermentation, raw milk, natural living and much, much more. www.livingthenourishedlife.com