Posts Tagged ‘Health’

An Autumn Cleansing

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

I recently underwent a short autumn cleansing. “A juice cleansing in early to mid-autumn will give you a boost of energy and may eliminate any potential illness you have stored away, either by flushing out excesses or by improving organ function” (Elson M. Haas, M.D. Staying Healthy With the Seasons. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 1981, 2003). Autumn is also a great time of year for juicing fruits and vegetables from the harvest; giving you lots of variety. What a better time to experience my first autumn cleansing.

Autumn in Kalamazoo, MI @ Milham Park

Autumn in Kalamazoo, MI @ Milham Park

My girlfriend and I were on our way back from a road trip down south. We had an absolutely fantastic time visiting with friends and hiking in the mountains. Needless to say we had a great time bonding and reminiscing… and with that came a bit more consumption then any of the parties involved were accustomed to. We had also found ourselves trapped into overindulging on not-so-healthy highway side food establishments on the drive home. This combination, along with some insightful reading, led us to plan a short 2-3 day cleansing diet upon our return home. A complete cleanse should be experienced for a full week.

The plan was a proper autumn cleanse; ingesting fresh juice only from fresh, organic, as-local-as-possible autumn fruits and vegetables. The diet would also include: water, green teas, cleansing teas (the use of a Super Cleanse dietary supplement is also an option or a combination or the two), vegetable broths and purées and the “master cleanser” drink (see below for recipe). We planned for at least 2 days, maybe more. We both had to return to work soon and wanted to feel out our schedules before committing.

Local Fall Harvest

Local Fall Harvest

The first objective on the list was to stock up on fruits and veggies to juice and purchase any additional teas or supplements we didn’t already have. We focused on autumn vegetables from our area, the northern mid-west United States, including: tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, broccoli, celery, squashes, pumpkins and gourds. We picked fruits such as: grapes, cranberries, apples, pears and pomegranate. It’s a good idea to take certain supplements during a cleanse as well. We added Whey Protein, Aloe (good for moisturizing the digestive system and for your skin), and Enzyme supplements (this helps with digestion of the nutrients from the juices so they are not just passing through, also a good thing to take before meals anyways). You also want to get all junk food or foods that you are prone to snack on out of the house or hidden from view.

During a cleanse you not only want to focus on your interior cleanliness but exterior hygiene as well. Not only are your large intestine and kidneys the body’s main elimination organs, but so are the lungs and skin. Though I’m sure most of these activities are your daily routine, you want to ensure your teeth are brushed and flossed everyday and you bath daily. Consider investing in a natural loofah sponge for bathing to assist in removing dead cells and to stimulate the clearing of toxins. It’s also important to start and end a cleanse slowly by easing out and back into your diet. Try to eat less solid foods leading up to the cleanse along with only fruits and vegetables. This will give your digestion system and tastes time to adjust.

My first autumn cleanse started out well. We planned ahead and had all the necessary materials. For the most part, our daily diet was to consist of a fruit juice in the morning, water and teas throughout the day, a veggie juice in the afternoon, some veggie broth and purée in the evening, then a cleansing tea to finish the night. The first day was perfect, I felt satisfied and energetic. When you try a cleanse, plan accordingly; you can’t travel too far away from a restroom. I awoke the next day feeling great. My girlfriend had to work a long shift early in the morning, but I was up even earlier prepping our meals. After some yoga and meditation, I dug right into chopping up fruits for our morning juice. During a cleanse, cut up fruits and veggies and have them readily available and in the refrigerator. This allows you to see what you are about to juice which also begins the digestive process. After preparing and drinking a decent cup of juice for each of us, I went for a jog. I felt this would be a great opportunity to sweat some toxins out. After an invigorating jog I headed for a hot shower and loofah scrub.

After bathing I got right back to chopping up veggies for our remaining juices. Then I wanted to move on to steaming veggies for broth and purée. After that our food would be finished for at least a day.

Everything was going well. Although time consuming, my activities were moving along quite nicely. Then it happened, the ultimate wrench in my plan… Halfway through my first glass of juice the juicer just stopped. Done. Outta no where. As the manufacturer’s troubleshooting recommended, I first tried a separate electrical outlet.  No luck. Then I took the entire machine apart, a process I was already accustomed to after 1 day of juicing, cleaned it and let it dry for an hour. In the meantime I got my veggies steamed, broth set aside and purée made.

I put the unit back together, plugged it in, crossed my fingers, closed my eyes and turned it on…. Notta. Did I mention this was a borrowed juicer from a good friend?…

I had to move on and attempt to finished this autumn cleanse with a shred of grace. Finishing the day was fine, using the last of our juices and alternating between purée, stock, tea and the “master cleanser” drink. Without the juicer and the loom of returning to our “professional” lives, it seems this proper autumn cleanse came to a slightly abrupt end; though I suppose we did still accomplish our 2 day goal. But I was ready for more, ready to dig deeper into a cleaner and healthier future.

Although I’m already a practicing vegetarian (pascatarian actually), it’s important to ease back into a solid foods diet after a cleanse. The next day at work was a very light diet with a simple salad and liquids. From there you should slowly add more foods back to your diet.

The Master Cleanser Recipe:

  • Less-than or more-than 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice (approx. ½ lemon). Be careful not to go too low. If you need more energy, add more.
  • 2 tablespoons genuine maple syrup (not maple-flavored sugar syrup)
  • 1/10 teaspoon cayenne pepper (red pepper) or to taste
  • 8 oz water, room temperature

Combine the juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper in a 10 oz glass jar w/lid and fill with the water.
Shake it up and drink (cold water may be used if preferred).
Use fresh (organic) lemons or limes only, never canned or frozen lemon or lime juice.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Autumn, Diet, Health | No Comments »

Gettin Chilly? Take a Cold Shower.

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Now that the autumn season is well upon us and the colder weather starts to set in, we need to make a few changes in our habits to help keep us healthy throughout the cold season. I make a few extra precautions to stay warm and keep healthy circulation flowing. I recently ran across a tip while studying up on autumn cleansing.

Gettin Chilly? Take a Cold Shower.“At the end of a bath or shower, using cold water will close the skin pores and prevent heat loss and vulnerability to colds, as well as stimulate skin circulation. This is even more important as the weather gets colder because when going into a cold area after a hot bath or shower, your skin pores and body are open to a deeper penetration by the chill.” (Elson M. Haas, M.D. Staying Healthy With the Seasons. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 1981, 2003)

It makes a lot of sense to me. You open your pours and your body up with the hot water, rinsing away toxins while cleaning. Then you close them back up before exposing yourself. I also see it as preparing your body for the cold so its not such a shock. I have actually practiced this method during really hot weather or after an exhausting workout; but it never occurred to me to try in cold weather. I’ve been doing this now for a matter of weeks and I love it. It’s refreshing and invigorating and I will continue will the process.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Autumn, Health | 1 Comment »

H1N1 Swine Flu Protection

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

With all of the misconceptions circling right now about the H1N1 Influenza, a family member in the health care industry decided a good course of action would be to inform family and friends on all the information she had recently encountered throughout her research and experience with the virus and the local health system. She first advised everyone and their children to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine as soon as possible and also added some standard, but sometimes overlooked, prevention tips against the flu.

  • The best way to prevent getting H1N1 is to get your vaccination, wash your hands frequently, don’t touch your face and keep yourself healthy.
  • If you or your child become ill, don’t panic. Control the fever with alternating Motrin (every 6 hours) or Tylenol (every 4 hours), drink lots of fluids, and get lots of rest.
  • Also, isolate the sick person from others for 24 hours after the fever is gone without the aid of any Tylenol or Motrin.
  • There is no need to go to the ER or to the Doctor, however, antivirals such as Tami flu can be given only to decrease the symptoms or length of illness if caught within first 48 hours of fever.
  • Our favorite biokleen cleaning products also supply a cleaner to help prevent the spread of the flu virus. Biokleen Power23 is a neutral germicidal cleaner proven to kill the Swine Flu Influenza A H1N1. Read more about it.

Key Flu Indicators

Each week the CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report called FluView. During the week of October 4-10, 2009, a review of the key indicators found that influenza activity continued to increase in the United States from the previous week. Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:

  • Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) continued to increase in the United States, and overall, are higher than what is expected for this time of the year. ILI activity now is equal to or higher than what is seen at the peak of many regular flu seasons.
  • Total influenza hospitalization rates for laboratory-confirmed flu are climbing and are higher than expected for this time of year.
  • The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report has increased and exceeds what is normally expected at this time of year. In addition, 11 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported this week; 10 of these deaths were confirmed 2009 H1N1, and one was influenza A virus, but unsubtyped. Since April 2009, there have been 86 confirmed pediatric 2009 H1N1 deaths; 39 of these have been reported to CDC since August 30, 2009.
  • Forty-one states are reporting widespread influenza activity at this time. They are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This many reports of widespread activity are unprecedented during seasonal flu.
  • Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far are 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.

More on the Situation

Background

Key facts About 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine

A flu vaccine is the single best way to protect against influenza illness. This season, there is a seasonal flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu viruses and a 2009 H1N1 vaccine to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called “swine flu”).

This page contains information about the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine.

There are two kinds of 2009 H1N1 vaccines being produced:

  • A 2009 H1N1 “flu shot” — an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The indications for who can get the 2009 H1N1 flu shot are the same as for seasonal flu shots. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. The same manufacturers who produce seasonal flu shots are producing 2009 H1N1 flu shots for use in the United States this season. The 2009 H1N1 flu shot is being made in the same way that the seasonal flu shot is made.
  • The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine”). The indications for who can get the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine are the same as for seasonal nasal spray vaccine. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. The nasal spray vaccine for use in the United States is being made by MedImmune, the same company that makes the seasonal nasal spray vaccine called “FluMist®.” The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is being made in the same way as the seasonal nasal spray vaccine.

About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection will develop in the body.

The 2009 H1N1 vaccine will not protect against seasonal influenza viruses.

When to Get Vaccinated
Vaccination against 2009 H1N1 should begin as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of flu activity can vary. Flu seasons can last as late as April or May. By early October 2009, extensive 2009 H1N1 flu activity was being reported in the United States. It’s possible that there may be waves of 2009 H1N1 activity during the 2009-2010 flu season that hit communities more than once over the course of the season. While 2009 H1N1 viruses are likely to be the most common cause of influenza this season, CDC still expects that seasonal influenza viruses will circulate and continues to recommend that people get a seasonal flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu viruses. The ACIP has issued separate recommendations on who should get the 2009-10 seasonal vaccine

Vaccine Supply
The U.S. government has purchased 250 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, so anyone who wants to get the vaccine will have the opportunity to do so. Vaccine will be made available as quickly as possible as it rolls off the production lines, so initially, the vaccine will be available in limited quantities.

Who Should Get Vaccinated
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel made up of medical and public health experts, met July 29, 2009, to make recommendations on who should receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. While the federal government has purchased enough vaccine so that anyone who wants to get vaccinated can, ACIP’s statement on the “Use of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine” recommends that vaccination efforts should focus first on people in five target groups who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 influenza or related complications, are likely to come in contact with influenza viruses as part of their occupation and could transmit influenza viruses to others in medical care settings, or are close contacts of infants younger than 6 months (who are too young to be vaccinated). These five target groups make up an estimated 159 million people in the United States.

Initial Target Groups Are:
When vaccine is first available, ACIP recommends that programs and providers administer vaccine to people in the following five target groups (order of target groups does not indicate priority):

No shortage of 2009 H1N1 vaccine is expected, but vaccine availability and demand can be unpredictable and initially the vaccine may be available in limited quantities.  Because the amount of vaccine available at first will be small, the ACIP also made recommendations regarding which people within the groups listed above should be prioritized if the vaccine is initially available in extremely limited quantities. For more information see the ACIP recommendations on the Use of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr58e0821a1.htm

Once the demand for vaccine for the target groups has been met at the local level, ACIP recommends that programs and providers begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate that the risk for infection among persons 65 and older is less than the risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand among younger age groups has been met, ACIP recommends that programs and providers should offer vaccination to people 65 or older.

The ACIP has issued separate recommendations on who should get the 2009-10 seasonal vaccine.

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated
There are some people who should not get any flu vaccine without first consulting a physician. These include:

  • People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
  • People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
  • People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously. (For information, see General Questions and Answers on Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
  • Children younger than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group), and
  • People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)

Vaccine Effectiveness
The ability of a flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or “match” between the viruses or virus in the vaccine and those in circulation. CDC analyzes circulating inflluenza viruses on an ongoing basis to determine how closely matched they are to vaccine viruses and publishes the information weekly in FluView. In addition,  every year CDC monitors vaccine effectiveness. For more information about flu vaccine effectiveness, see How Well Does the Seasonal Vaccine Work?

Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)
The same side effects typically associated with the seasonal flu shot and the seasonal nasal spray vaccine are expected with the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine.

These are:

The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are:

  • Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
  • Fever (low grade)
  • Aches

If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot, are usually mild, and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.

The nasal spray: The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. (In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely.)
In children, side effects from LAIV can include:

  • runny nose
  • wheezing
  • headache
  • vomiting
  • muscle aches
  • fever

In adults, side effects from LAIV can include

  • runny nose
  • headache
  • sore throat
  • cough

For more information about vaccine side effects and safety see General Questions and Answers on 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Safety.

More Information

Tags: , ,
Posted in Health | No Comments »

biokleen Power23, Help Prevent H1N1 Flu

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Office Computer Keyboard 150 biokleen Power23, Help Prevent H1N1 FluA product we use regularly around the office and home during the flu season, as well as for a few select jobs throughout the year, is biokleen Power23 RTU. Biokleen Power23 RTU is a neutral germicidal cleaner: A one-step disinfectant cleaner that is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, viruses, fungi and inhibits the growth of mold and mildew and their odors.

During this season we’re mostly concerned with the virucidal properties against influenza, or the flu. And most importantly this season with protection against the Swine Flu Influenza A H1N1. The biokleen Power23 RTU is safe to use in confined spaces, such as small offices, and is approved by the EPA to kill Influenza A H1N1 among a long list of other icky stuff.

I have to stress though, we use the Ready To Use (RTU) dilution of the Power23, not the concentrate which needs to be handled with a bit more precaution because it’s sooo concentrated. I wouldn’t recommend the concentrate for home of office use. First of all, it’s a SUPER concentrated product. 1oz will make 1 gallon of the RTU dilution. The smallest size the product comes in is a 32oz, so that’s 32 gallons of product! Way more than anyone should need for the home or office.

Plus, in order for the product to do what it says it does, it must be used at the ready to use dilution. Rather than having to make that dilution myself, I’d rather just purchase the ready to use dilution so I know what I get is right. Apparently there has also been some confusion on the labeling between the ready to use and the concentrate, which comes down to the EPA, since the labels are written and mandated by them.

We use it around the office once every week or two, sometimes more, during the flu season or if someone has recently been sick. Misting down doorhandles, faucets, light switches, toilet handles… pretty much anything that gets handled a lot.

I think the directions recommend spraying down the area and letting it set for at least 10 minutes. Otherwise the active ingredient will not have ample time to kill all viruses. Then wipe off any excess product left behind. Its a pretty simple and quick process and I think helps keep the spread of sickness down and our staff healthy.

There is really only a mild lemon scent to the product and it doesn’t seem to affect anyone’s sensitivities.

So what makes it work and why is it safe?

BIOKLEEN POWER23 RTU 32 125 biokleen Power23, Help Prevent H1N1 FluBiokleen says the active ingredient in Power23 is a Quaternary ammonium type disinfectant and is considered a safe alternative to other disinfectants.  The label, uses, claims and directions are all written and mandated by the EPA, not biokleen. The EPA recommends its use in hospitals, medical and dental offices, nursing homes, public restrooms, institutions, schools, colleges, athletic facilities, food processing plants, food storage areas, kitchens, restaurants and bars, airports, transportation terminals, hotels, and motels.

Biokleen also says this product is used by: professional cleaning companies contracted to clean and disinfect hospitals and rooms in-between patients, large kennel companies to reduce the spread of sickness among animals, and professional mold remediation companies.

A Quaternary vs. Common Household Bleach

  • A Quaternary  disinfects and sanitizes: which means it not only removes germs from bacteria, but it also kills: viruses, fungi, mold, mildew and more. That’s something bleach just cannot do.
  • Power23 deodorizes with a fresh lemon scent, bleach… well, we all know what bleach smells like, even if you mask it with a heavy fragrance.
  • Power23 is an EPA Registered product proven to kill more pathogens than Bleach, yet reduces allergic reactions associated with the use of Bleach.
  • Power23 is a quaternary ammonium type disinfectant, a type which is frequently used in hospitals, and it kills the organisms necessary to qualify as a “hospital grade” disinfectant. In addition, “Power23” has a EPA registration number. Both elements are required for a product to be considered for use in child care facilities.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Cleaners, Health, Household Cleaners | 1 Comment »

Protecting Against Antibiotic Resistant Staff Infections – MRSA

Friday, May 30th, 2008

A killer bacteria known as MRSA – Methiciliin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus – has struck the spotlight of public attention. A landmark study stating that MRSA kills 19,000 Americans each year, more than HIV and AIDS, has renewed the need for aggressive action to prevent the spread of the super bug. Reports of outbreaks across the nation in high schools, grade schools and the death of a high school athlete in Moneta, Virginia has made it a priority of health officials to stop the deadly germ. Research published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) estimates that there are more than 94,000 MRSA cases in the U.S.A. each year, but deaths and the mode of transmission are rarely tracked. MRSA is not designated by law as a reportable disease, therefore state and federal officials are not required to make decisions about containment and prevention.

Medical settings are where 85% of the infections occur according to the JAMA study. It is in the hospitals or the doctors offices where invasive procedures that penetrate the skin increase the chances of the hard to treat infection. MRSA can live for weeks on blood pressure cuffs, medical device cables or a doctor’s lab coat. Because the vast majority of MRSA related deaths usually stem from medical treatment situations, the shocking death of the Stanton River High School student Ashton Bonds resonated across the nation as a wake up call.

Football players seem to be especially vulnerable. They get scraped, bruised and share equipment while engaging in prolonged exercise which some researchers believe temporarily lowers immunity. The infection may look like a spider bite or harmless boil. In the last five years outbreaks have plagued the Cleveland Browns, the University of Texas, and the University of Southern California where trainers now disinfect equipment almost hourly.

MRSA in community settings are most often transmitted by direct physical contact with an infected person or contact with contaminated surfaces or items. Halting the spread of the MRSA, dubbed USA300, in the community at places such as schools, public gyms and other public areas will require individual efforts. Reducing the risks of infection includes:

• Washing hands often and for at least 20 seconds-including between the fingers.
• Using air dryers or paper towels for hands rather than shared towels.
• Never share personal items such as towels, soap, razors or clippers.
• While exercising cover legs and arms to protect skin from abrasions or exposure. Keeping the skin intact is an important guard against infection.
• Wash linens and clothing in hot water. BioKleen Products, Inc. recommends BioKleen Ultra Kleen Laundry Detergent and Power23 Neutral Germicidal Cleaner for super clean laundry.
• Athletic bags and purses have been proven to carry bacteria on the surfaces. Spray surface with Power23 to disinfect.

In the home we recommend cleaning regularly with Power23 the commonly touched areas such as door knobs, light switches, kitchen countertops, faucets and sinks, bathroom countertops and fixtures.

Power23 is an EPA registered (6836-206-69460) disinfectant, cleaner, sanitizer, fungicide, mildewstat, virucide and deodorizer. Under the FIFRA act Section 3 ( C ) 9 Power 23 is listed as an acceptable germicide against the micro-organism Staphylococcus aureus-Methicillin resistant (MRSA)

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Environmental, Health | No Comments »