Editor's Letter
Celebrate those rituals and don't forget the vit D!
With summer here in The Southern Hemisphere, the sun is out for longer periods of time during the day, allowing us to get all the vitamin D we need. Vitamin D has received a lot of attention lately regarding its immune benefits specifically. But did you know it is also well-researched for its uses in treating and preventing various ailments such as high blood pressure, depression and hypertension, to name a few. And there’s another reason why vitamin D is an essential vitamin – girls who are deficient in vitamin D begin puberty at a much younger age than girls who are not, placing them at a higher risk for breast cancer. Spend three to 15 minutes outdoors if you have a light skin and 15 to 30 minutes outdoors for darker skin tones in midday, unobstructed sun with 40% of your skin exposed. This will provide most people with a protective vitamin D level (up to 50 000 IU of Vitamin D in the next 24 hours).
My ‘baby' girl will be celebrating her 21st birthday next week and I am reminded of the importance of rituals. All over the world, past and present, cultures and societies practice rituals that signify an event in a person’s life indicative of a transition from one stage to another. These are often referred to as ‘rites of passage’ and often dismissed as primitive, unnecessary or religious. Examples of rites of passage include graduation ceremonies, 21st birthdays, weddings, retirement parties, even divorce celebrations and funerals.
Such events lose their real meaning and impact when you just go through the motions and do not appreciate the significance of the transition. Incomplete rituals may therefore be incomplete transitions. Rites of passage provide purpose and function at both the individual and the group level. The change can be seen in a positive light. Participate in rituals, because together you will assist each other in coping with the stress of the event, share in the milestone and provide meaning for the change.
May you be happy, may your life be long and may you be well.
THANK YOU TO OUR EXPERTS
Our authors receive no payment or any other form of remuneration from us or from the industry. They take time out from their busy schedules to write articles – and then we insist that they meet our deadlines, submit extra references, answer endless queries from reviewers and copy editors, and respond to the letters we receive from you, our readers. Here’s to all of them! May their tireless and tremendous efforts bring them well-deserved rewards.
Yours in Healthy Living
Urinary Tract Infections – causes and treatments
Table of Contents ↑|Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second-most common infection in women and as such their causes and treatment options deserve attention here. Most cases of UTIs can be cured by a course of antibiotics aided by increased fluid intake. The problem lies with those sufferers who have recurring infections, often due to poor inner self-healing. These are more likely to develop serious kidney problems if the chronic infection is not dealt with effectively.
Oil Pulling – a health-enhancing practice
Table of Contents ↑|Oil pulling is a simple and relatively inexpensive treatment that effectively combats yucky bacteria lurking in the mouth and simultaneously strengthens gums and whitens teeth. It is reputed to resolve a wide array of health imbalances and ailments – without side effects. Dr Bruce Fife describes how, for example, the therapy is used to address nasal sinus problems. According to Fife, ‘all disease starts in the mouth’, since mouths reflect the status of internal health. He postulates that oil pulling could therefore be the solution for a wide range of conditions.
Over Training Slows Us Down
Table of Contents ↑|Overtraining can be affected by the sum of stresses in your life, not just the overall mileage that you’re doing - I term this the ‘total load’ concept, and can be summarised by the sum of physical, physiological and psychological stresses in your life. A tailored training and nutrition programme that lies within your personal limits can go a long way to improving your performance.
Male Ageing and Prostate Health
Table of Contents ↑|Genetics do, to a certain degree, play a role in the ageing process, but it is ultimately sensible lifestyle habits that protect the prostate gland and lend vitality and verve to a man’s passing years. In this article Dr Elson Haas discusses the ageing process in general for men and then focuses on maintaining prostate health and sexual function over the years. For men, prostate and sexual function is important to feeling youthful. Those who remain sexually and sensually active feel better in many other ways as well.
The Healing Power of Beethoven’s Music
Table of Contents ↑|The healing power of music has resonated through the human soul and body from the time of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle to the present day era of cognitive science. Use the beauty of truly great music to unlock a world of emotional experience.
What Makes Fats & Oils Good or Bad
Table of Contents ↑|Most people are aware of the importance of healthy fats and oils in the diet. The ‘fat wars’ have been waged relentlessly in print and social media and books – but what makes a fat good or bad?
Get Social