April 2023 Newsletter
What is a Blue Zone… and are they political? No, it is not political thing at all. There are places in our stress-filled, toxic world where a great percentage of the population live about ten years longer than other population groups. Demographic surveys would ask questions about the water, air quality, and might wonder if those people live on a tropical island without television. Mr. Michel Poulain holds a doctorate in demography and he coined a term for these special places, “Blue Zones.” More than the average number of centenarians will be found there. Five Blue Zones have been identified by Mr. Poulain and Dr. Gianni Pes, a medical doctor and researcher. These five zones are: Okinawa, Japan, The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, Ikaria, Greece and Loma Linda, California. I think Okinawa has been written about in magazines more than the others, as those other four were news to me, so I thought I would share the list.
Mr. Dan Buettner, a best-selling author, named nine lifestyle habits of these healthy, long-living people. He called these habits, “the Power Nine”
There are many clusters of Seventh-day Adventist communities in the United States, which will often include a school, a hospital, their own grocery store and of course, a church. The name comes from which day is chosen to celebrate, a day set aside once a week to rest and recuperate. For this group, (habit #3 in the power nine (downshifting) it includes taking a day off each week. Saturday is the true seventh day of the week for them, and they call it a Sabbath. They take a break from shopping, listening to TV or radio, even reading newspapers or magazines. The time is taken to connect with each other and rejuvenate their spirit by spending time with family, friends and nature. During the week, connections are furthered with volunteerism, and strong social networks that lead to that sense of purpose, habit #2.
They garden a lot and it is done without the use of chemicals or pesticides, the produce is tended to carefully.
Many years ago, while I was recovering from the hyper doses of chemotherapy, I was sent to the Eden Valley Lifestyle Center. This is a “lifestyle” education facility run by members of the Seventh Day Advent church, located east of Loveland. The idea was for me to learn lifestyle changes that promote health and prevent the return of lymphoma. Other attendees at this camp were people newly diagnosed with diabetes, recent survivors of heart attacks, and/or people with a chronic illness. We took two walks a day, learned some food preparation, stress management, tips for hygiene, and shopping guidelines for finding healthy food. It is a lovely place that even has a country store with herbs and vitamins, bulk foods, dairy and meat substitutes. During the summer, they sell produce that is grown there. The store is located at 6263 North County Rd 29 - but do not go there on a Saturday. If you want more information, you can call the office. It was my observation that, especially for people with newly diagnosed diabetes, the camp was very helpful.
Researchers have done a series of five long-term studies on how this lifestyle affects longevity and on what differences might be present regarding the risk of diseases. The studies of Seventh-day Adventist lifestyle add a no smoking rule to the power nine. Mortality rates are about thirty to thirty-five percent lower. There is also a lower risk of death from cancer. The numbers were sixty-percent lower in men and seventy-six percent lower in women: particularly for lung, colorectal, prostate, breast, lymphoma, and leukemia cancers. Heart disease and strokes were also significantly lower in these population groups. More specifically “Adventist men live about 7.3 years longer and women 4.4 years longer” than the general population.
If you are experiencing “long-haul” Covid…. I have some ideas for you that might help. I have had a few people tell me that after they survived having Covid-19, they are still struggling with with symptoms of severe fatigue, brain fog, aching muscles, and frequent headaches. This might also include tender lymph nodes, sleep disruption and general malaise. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has very similar symptoms. Treatments are still considered experimental. Many have said Ivermectin has helped. Ivermectin has anti-viral activity with a wide range of viruses, both RNA and DNA, such as Zika, dengue, yellow fever, and others. In Sars- Cov-2 tests, it seems to block viral proteins that suppress normal immune responses. That sense of “I’m just not over it yet” is because the virus is not letting your immune system GET over it. The herb Boswellia or curcumin (highly absorbed) acting as anti-inflammatories have helped some people. Higher doses of zinc (50mg) with quercetin (500 mg) daily, so the zinc gets into the cell to kill the virus. A liquid multivitamin because your body will better absorb liquid than a pill. N-acetyl Cysteine, especially if you are taking ibuprofen or Tylenol for the aching. And the SHINE protocol. SHINE is an acronym for Sleep, Hormone Levels, Immunity (including checking for levels of infection), Nutrition and Exercise - as you are able.Here’ some further explanation of this.
Sleep - get adequate sleep and rest in the middle of the day if needed
Hormone levels - especially check thyroid hormone levels. I include vitamin D in this because D3 is also a hormone. Mega doses of vitamin D3 have been helping people in surprising ways.
Immune support - check for possible underlying Infections. Don’t forget to check teeth. I add Ivermectin. Some people are allergic to it, though and exhibit nausea, dizziness, and chest discomfort.
Nutrition – Eat lots of vegetables. Homemade soups are recommended, as you’ll be consuming their nutritious broth, too.
Exercise - you must fight the feeling of “can’t” and simply start moving the best you can. Go outdoors if possible, because fresh air, sunshine, and exercise are great healers.
What is a Blue Zone… and are they political? No, it is not political thing at all. There are places in our stress-filled, toxic world where a great percentage of the population live about ten years longer than other population groups. Demographic surveys would ask questions about the water, air quality, and might wonder if those people live on a tropical island without television. Mr. Michel Poulain holds a doctorate in demography and he coined a term for these special places, “Blue Zones.” More than the average number of centenarians will be found there. Five Blue Zones have been identified by Mr. Poulain and Dr. Gianni Pes, a medical doctor and researcher. These five zones are: Okinawa, Japan, The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, Ikaria, Greece and Loma Linda, California. I think Okinawa has been written about in magazines more than the others, as those other four were news to me, so I thought I would share the list.
Mr. Dan Buettner, a best-selling author, named nine lifestyle habits of these healthy, long-living people. He called these habits, “the Power Nine”
- Move naturally. To me, that means move often and maintain a non-sedentary lifestyle.
- Have purpose. Having a sense of purpose, no specifics were given.
- Downshift. For example, find or create ways to relieve stress - even in daily routines.
- Eighty-percent rule. Eat mindfully: eat healthy and stop eating when you feel eighty-percent full. Eat the smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening and don’t eat again until the following day.
- Plant emphasis. Lots of fruits and vegetables, limit meat and incorporate beans and nuts.
- Wine at Five. A moderate amount of wine, one or two glasses a day with friends and usually, food.
- Loved ones first. Be committed to a life partner and children. These are viewed as gifts who are given time and loving attention. Aging parents and grandparents live nearby, or sometimes together in the same dwelling.
- Right tribe. The individual’s social circle supports these healthy behaviors.
There are many clusters of Seventh-day Adventist communities in the United States, which will often include a school, a hospital, their own grocery store and of course, a church. The name comes from which day is chosen to celebrate, a day set aside once a week to rest and recuperate. For this group, (habit #3 in the power nine (downshifting) it includes taking a day off each week. Saturday is the true seventh day of the week for them, and they call it a Sabbath. They take a break from shopping, listening to TV or radio, even reading newspapers or magazines. The time is taken to connect with each other and rejuvenate their spirit by spending time with family, friends and nature. During the week, connections are furthered with volunteerism, and strong social networks that lead to that sense of purpose, habit #2.
They garden a lot and it is done without the use of chemicals or pesticides, the produce is tended to carefully.
Many years ago, while I was recovering from the hyper doses of chemotherapy, I was sent to the Eden Valley Lifestyle Center. This is a “lifestyle” education facility run by members of the Seventh Day Advent church, located east of Loveland. The idea was for me to learn lifestyle changes that promote health and prevent the return of lymphoma. Other attendees at this camp were people newly diagnosed with diabetes, recent survivors of heart attacks, and/or people with a chronic illness. We took two walks a day, learned some food preparation, stress management, tips for hygiene, and shopping guidelines for finding healthy food. It is a lovely place that even has a country store with herbs and vitamins, bulk foods, dairy and meat substitutes. During the summer, they sell produce that is grown there. The store is located at 6263 North County Rd 29 - but do not go there on a Saturday. If you want more information, you can call the office. It was my observation that, especially for people with newly diagnosed diabetes, the camp was very helpful.
Researchers have done a series of five long-term studies on how this lifestyle affects longevity and on what differences might be present regarding the risk of diseases. The studies of Seventh-day Adventist lifestyle add a no smoking rule to the power nine. Mortality rates are about thirty to thirty-five percent lower. There is also a lower risk of death from cancer. The numbers were sixty-percent lower in men and seventy-six percent lower in women: particularly for lung, colorectal, prostate, breast, lymphoma, and leukemia cancers. Heart disease and strokes were also significantly lower in these population groups. More specifically “Adventist men live about 7.3 years longer and women 4.4 years longer” than the general population.
If you are experiencing “long-haul” Covid…. I have some ideas for you that might help. I have had a few people tell me that after they survived having Covid-19, they are still struggling with with symptoms of severe fatigue, brain fog, aching muscles, and frequent headaches. This might also include tender lymph nodes, sleep disruption and general malaise. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has very similar symptoms. Treatments are still considered experimental. Many have said Ivermectin has helped. Ivermectin has anti-viral activity with a wide range of viruses, both RNA and DNA, such as Zika, dengue, yellow fever, and others. In Sars- Cov-2 tests, it seems to block viral proteins that suppress normal immune responses. That sense of “I’m just not over it yet” is because the virus is not letting your immune system GET over it. The herb Boswellia or curcumin (highly absorbed) acting as anti-inflammatories have helped some people. Higher doses of zinc (50mg) with quercetin (500 mg) daily, so the zinc gets into the cell to kill the virus. A liquid multivitamin because your body will better absorb liquid than a pill. N-acetyl Cysteine, especially if you are taking ibuprofen or Tylenol for the aching. And the SHINE protocol. SHINE is an acronym for Sleep, Hormone Levels, Immunity (including checking for levels of infection), Nutrition and Exercise - as you are able.Here’ some further explanation of this.
Sleep - get adequate sleep and rest in the middle of the day if needed
Hormone levels - especially check thyroid hormone levels. I include vitamin D in this because D3 is also a hormone. Mega doses of vitamin D3 have been helping people in surprising ways.
Immune support - check for possible underlying Infections. Don’t forget to check teeth. I add Ivermectin. Some people are allergic to it, though and exhibit nausea, dizziness, and chest discomfort.
Nutrition – Eat lots of vegetables. Homemade soups are recommended, as you’ll be consuming their nutritious broth, too.
Exercise - you must fight the feeling of “can’t” and simply start moving the best you can. Go outdoors if possible, because fresh air, sunshine, and exercise are great healers.