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Achieving Optimal Health

How to Achieve Wellnessthrough Simple ABC’s of a Balanced Lifestyle

March, 2003 2

What is Optimal Health? “the ability to

function optimally on every level - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual - in relation to other people and the environment”

not just about passing annual physicals

March, 2003 3

The Problem with Healthcare Most are not sick enough to be

‘horizontal,’ but are only functional enough to be ‘vertically sick’

Current medical system waits for ‘vertically sick’ to become ‘horizontally sick’ before they are carted into hospitals & institutions

Majority of Canadians (62%) rated their health as being excellent or very good

Most are not sick enough to be horizontal, only ‘healthy’enough to be ‘vertically sick’

March, 2003 4

Healthcare Costs health care spendings in

1975 was $12B and in 1994 was $72B, which represents a 600% increase in healthcare costs

population only increased by 28% in that same period

yet cancer rates has gone up by 8%, respiratory diseases by 2.5%, HIV rates by 7.2%Colombo, J, The Canadian Global Almanac 1997, McMillan, ON, 1996.

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March, 2003 5

BUT…Wealth is NOT Health

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Canada'sHealth CareExpenditures(% of GDP)G7 Countries'Health CareExpenditures(% of GDP)

US spent 13.2% GDP on health in 1993, yet its infant mortality was higher than Canadians

Japan has some of best health indicators, but only spent 6.8% GDP

rising costs due to aging population, expensive technology, rising consumer expectationsCanada Year Book 1997. Minister Responsible for Statistics Canada, 1996.

March, 2003 6

What are the Facts? Natural causes do not include

suicides and car accidents Adverse Drug Reactions from

medical treatments – listed as number 3 leading cause of death in the United States (FDA)

ADR represents number of fatal ADR’s from hospitals only…did not include errors in drug administration, over-dose, non-compliance, drug abuse, therapeutic failures, and other possible ADR’s from GP’sStatistics Canada, Health Report, Vol. 11, No. 3, 1997Journal of the American Medical Association, 279(15):1200-1205, 1998

DEATHS DUE TO TOP 10 NATURAL CAUSES, CANADA

NUMBER

1 Heart Attacks and Strokes 73,468

2 Cancer 58,417

3 Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) ??

4 Pulmonary Disease 9,618

5 Unintentional Injuries (fractures) 8,626

6 Hospital Infections >8,000?

7 Pneumonia, Influenza 8,032

8 Diabetes 5,699

9 Central Nervous System Diseases 5,049

10 Arterial & Capillary Diseases 4,767

March, 2003 7

“Healthy” Lifespan

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if you are 45 or older, your life expectation today is not much different than 100 years ago, ie. increase of only 6 years

increase in lifespan resulted from better public health care for babies but has not curbed the mortality rate of adults dying from heart and degenerative conditionsMcDougall, JA, MD, et al, The McDougall Plan. New Century, NJ, 1983.

March, 2003 8

Okinawa Centenarians The Okinawans have the

highest documented number of centenarians – 34 per 100,000 compared to 5-10 in North America

Average life span is 88 years compared to 78

80% fewer heart diseases and cancers

50% fewer chronic diseases

Assessments reveal… Young arteries Low risk for cancers Strong bones Sharp minds Slim and fit bodies Natural menopause Healthy levels of

hormones Low stress levels Excellent psychospiritual

health

March, 2003 9

Causes of Heart Disease deaths from heart disease

account for about 40% of North America deaths (now closer to 33%)

caused by meat and fat consumption…also excess dairy intake, smoking, lack of dietary fiber, exercise, etc...Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 51: 6, 1973; Foreign Agriculture Circular - Livestock and Meat, USDA, Washington, DC, 1976.

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March, 2003 10

Causes of Bowel Cancer

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MeatConsumedPer Capita(per 100,000)Bowel CancerDeaths (per100,000)

bowel cancer deaths represent the second most common cancer (next to lung cancer)

caused by meat, fat consumption…also dairy intake, lack of fiber, bowel irregularity and toxemia, etc...

Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 51:6, 1973; Foreign Agriculture Circular - Livestock and Meat, USDA, Washington, DC, 1976.

March, 2003 11

Drugs as Cause

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in 1994, 77% of adult Canadians had used at least one prescription or over-the-counter meds

more than 200 million meds were prescribed - 13% for CVD, 12% for infections, 10% for psychotherapeutics

Canada Year Book 1997, Minister Responsible for Statistics Canada, 1996

March, 2003 12

Chemical Dependency “In 1994, overall

2,216,000 hospitalized patients had serious ADRs and 106,000 had fatal ADRs, making these reactions between the 3rd and 5th leading cause of death”

Dr. Pomeranz, April 1998 Journal of the American Medical Association, 279: 1200-5

March, 2003 13

Pesticide Exposure as Cause pesticide bio-accumulate

in moving up trophic levels from plants to herbivores, then to carnivores

increasing pesticide use linked to degenerative conditions and immune deficiency diseases such as cancer, etc...

Cornelussen, PE, Pesticide Residues in Total Diet, Pesticide Monitoring Journal, 2:140-152, 1969.

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DDT, DDEand TDEResidues1964-68(part permillion)

March, 2003 14

Negative Stress as Cause Negative stress

releases the wrong neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitter = “nerve cell chemicals which enables communication between brain cells, spinal cord cells and other nerve cells”

March, 2003 15

Nutrient Deficiencies as Cause Nutrients such as

vitamins, minerals, enzymes, essential fatty acids, and amino acids provide the raw materials for optimal cell function

While most of us are overfed, we are also undernourished

March, 2003 16

Genes as Cause: Nature vs. Nurture“Research shows that genetics accounts for only a third of physical health…the other two thirds of physical aging relate to lifestyle, our engagement with life, what we eat, the way we manage stress, our social connections, and sense of personal power. It’s not all in our genes.” Dr. John Rowe, MD, President of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, who heads the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Successful Aging.

March, 2003 17

Healthy Lifestyle is the Way!Study of 1,741 Alumni of the University of Pennsylvania found that middle-aged people who adopted a healthy lifestyle were found to …

1. Live longer 2. Experienced fewer years

of ill health and remained free of even minor disabilities for up to 7 years longer

But individuals with the worst lifestyles were 50% more likely to die by age 75 and twice as likely to be disabledR.G. Cutler, “Evolution of Human Longevity: A Critical Overview.” Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 9:3-4, 1979

H. Markowe, “Health Trends in the Last 75 Years.” Health Trends 26:98-105, 1994

Manton, and J. W. Vaupel, “Survival After the Age of 80 in the US, Sweden, France, England and Japan.” New England Journal of Medicine, 333:1232-1235, 1995

March, 2003 18

How to be Well?

The AB C 's of Optim al H ealth

AerobicBreathing

BasicDrinking

CleanEating

Detoxify ing Exercising Faith & Love

AwarenessCom m itm entExploration

March, 2003 19

Problem: Ineffective Breathing function of breathing is

gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between cells and outer environment

oxygen reach alveoli then diffuses into blood

300 million alveoli form endings of terminal branches of bronchial tree forming 100 sq. m

total ventilation of 7.5 liters per minute is necessary to draw in 0.3 l/min of oxygen and rid 0.25 l/min of carbon dioxide

mucus is produced 10-100 ml/day dependant upon local irritants

diaphragm used as a bellow to draw in air

March, 2003 20

Solution: Aerobic Breathing oxygen is the most

important nutrient old pattern of restricted

and shallow breathing new pattern of active and

deep inhaling using diaphragm as a bellow, pause, allow relaxed exhaling, pause, etc.

Hendler, SS, MD, PhD. The Oxygen Break-through:. William Morrow, New York, 1989

tracheabrochus

bronchiolealveolus

Active Inhaling

(airsacs)

March, 2003 21

Problem: Dehydration water is essential in all

functions of the body …yet many are dehydrated

the Extra-cellular Fluid or ECF surrounding the cell determines the efficiency of transport of nutrients into the cell and the elimination of toxins outside of cells

an acidic ECF can slow the transport of nutrients and toxins

whereas a basic or alkaline ECF can increase the carrying capacity and transport of water, nutrients... and improve cleansing and elimination

March, 2003 22

Solution: Basic Drinking water is the second most

important nutrient (makes up 70% of body)

tap water is toxic purified water is acidic drink pH-balanced purified

water to remineralize, rehydrate and rebalance pH in the body (spring, mineral, glacial waters)Batmanghelidj, F, MD. Your Body’s man Cries for Water. Global Health Sollutions, VA, 1996

March, 2003 23

Problem: Toxic Foods food represents not only

nutrients to the body, but also fulfills cultural, emotional and social needs

cravings for certain foods may be caused by infection, toxicities not just from nutrient deficiencies

foods can affect moods, cravings, concentration, allergies, infections, pH balance, bowel regularity, bone density, aches and pains, hormones, muscular function, coordination, etc.

March, 2003 24

Solution: Clean Eating China Diet and Health

Study: China-Oxford-Cornell study by Colin Campbell, PhD and his colleagues looked at the role of diet on disease rates over a period of 8 years, with over 100,000 Chinese in over 65 provinces

so far, it showed that the closer one approaches a total plant food diet, the greater the health benefit, ie. there is no threshold level with levels of vegetable or meat intakeGood Medicine. The China Health Study Today. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Vol 3, No 3, 1994

March, 2003 25

Solution: Clean Eating good quality food is

essential for fuel, repair, and maintenance

organic plant-based foods to derive highest nutritional value and less agrichemicals

variety, moderation, live-food, chewing, supplementation, etc.Robbins, J. Diet For A New America. Stillpoint Publishing, 1987

March, 2003 26

The Ideal Okinawan Diet- Lots of fresh organic

vegetables (7-13x/d)- Lots of natural whole

grains (7-13x/d)- Some flavonoid foods

like soy (2-4x/d)- Some calcium foods

like seaweed or dairy (2-4x/d)

- Some fruit (2-4x/d)- Little animal protein

(0-2x/d)- Chew foods well, eat

small portions, eat regularly, eat slowly

* Note – each serving is approx. ½ cup

Wilcox, Wilcox, Susuki, 2001. “The Okinawan Program” Clarkson Potter Publishers, NY

March, 2003 27

Problem: Toxic World we live in a toxic world

with chemicals from factories and trucks to pesticides and oral drugs

In 1989, a total of 5.7 Billion pounds of pollutants were released into the environment in just 1 year in North America which may be breathed, ingested and lived in

More than 1 Billion pounds of chemicals were released into the ground, contaminating soil and water table

Over 188 Million pounds of chemicals were discharged into waters

More than 2.4 Billion pounds of chemical emissions were pumped into the airEPA, Dec 1992 Did You Know Our Toxic Times, Vol 3 (12): 5

March, 2003 28

Solution: Detoxifying as cars require regular

maintenance work, so our bodies also require cleansing and tuning

exotoxins as xenobiotics from the polluted environment

endotoxins as residues from daily metabolism

needs to be medically supervised and gradual

Joe’s Auto Detox Center

March, 2003 29

Problem: Sedentary Lifestyle The “couch potato”

syndrome is something that affects many

Only 21% of Canadians were classified as active, 23% were moderately active and over half were inactive1996-97 National Population Health Survey

Trend worsened in 1998 with 63% being inactive1998 Physical Activity Monitor

March, 2003 30

Solution: Exercising important for toning up

muscles, circulation, and cleansing

increase heart rate by 10 to 25% for 15 to 30 minutes 3 times a week

examples include brisk walking, hiking, biking, swimming, and sports

important to have fun!

March, 2003 31

Problem: Lack of Faith & Love Negative stress Negative attitudes Negative behavioural

patterns Emotional trauma Emotional baggage

Lack of focus, purpose, passion

Lack of faith Lack of love Lack of fun Etc.

March, 2003 32

Research in Faith Healing Masked, double blind study of 219 women age 26 to 46

were undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer Those assigned to intercessory prayer experienced a

pregnancy rate of 50% vs. 26% in no-prayer controls Note the subjects lived in Seoul Korea, while the prayers

were delivered in US, Canada and Australia

Cha, KY, et al, 2001. Does Prayer Influence the Success of in vitro fertilization – Embryo Transfer? Report of a Masked, Randomized Trial. J Reprod Med 46(9):781-7

March, 2003 33

Solution: Faith & Love Meditation or prayer Clear up past

emotional clutter Positive attitude More joy Companionship /

relationship building Community

involvement

March, 2003 34

Reality: Unhealthy Lifestyle Exercise – over 50% have

sedentary lifestyle Smoking - dropped from 50% in

1965 to only 33% in 1986, then leveled off; only 31% in 1994

Alcohol - almost 75% of adult drank in 1993, highest rates of drinkers in BC and Quebec

Nutrition - past 20 years, reduced red meat, eggs, butter; now eat more poultry, fish, low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt, vegetables

Canada Year Book 1997, Minister Responsible for Statistics Canada, 1996.

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The Ideal Okinawan Lifestyle Diet – mostly vegetables

& complex carbs Exercises – martial arts,

dance, garden, walk Psychospiritual – stress

management, faith in humanity, personal/ group responsibility, meditation, prayer

Medicine – integration of Eastern and Western medicine

March, 2003 36

Dr. Kenneth Pelletier Says…“Without any significant attempt to prevent disease, it is certain that the aging of our global society will soon overwhelm our ability to respond.”Author of “Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer: A Holistic Approach to Preventing Stress Disorders” 1977, Dell Publishing Co, New York

“Healthy People in Unhealthy Places: Stress and Fitness at Work” 1984, Dell Publishing Co, New York