Wednesday June 4, 2008 | WELLNESS NEWS
· Advice for a Holistic Healthy Pregnancy over 40 with Dr. Ian Wahl, L.Ac., D.A., CH
· Tip of the Week: Is Zinc Related to a Better Immune System? Dr. Georgina Salgado Chavez, ND, L.Ac., Discusses Why Zinc is a Necessary Addition to the Diet for the Elderly
Holistic Advice for a Healthy Pregnancy with Dr. Ian Wahl, L.Ac., D.A., CH
MarchofDimes.com states that women over 35 take twice as long to conceive than women in their 20’s. If a woman over 40 becomes pregnant, she may find herself worrying more than normal about maintaining a healthy pregnancy. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Ian Wahl, L.Ac., D.A., CH explains that women over 40 can have a healthy birth with a few tips which include going to sleep and staying asleep, sex during pregnancy may be unsafe, and low-impact exercise can be beneficial.
Sleep – “During pregnancy, the amount of blood in the body increases by as much as 50%,” says Dr. Wahl. To help in getting a good night sleep, Dr. Wahl offers some tips:
· Create a strict routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
· Avoid eating and drinking within a few hours of going to bed. Eating a bigger breakfast and lunch but eating a smaller dinner will help to avoid getting up during the night.
· Cut out caffeinated drinks from your diet such as soda, coffee and non-herbal teas.
Sex – Dr. Wahl provides some warning signs that sex may be unsafe:
· Sex is not recommended for women who have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
· Although there has not been a link identified between sex and preterm labor in twins, consult a doctor if carrying more than one baby.
· If the cervix begins to open prematurely, there may be risk of infection and sexual intercourse should be avoided.
Exercise – Healthy ways to stay fit include walking, swimming, water aerobics and pregnancy yoga. While Dr. Wahl insists that women consult a physician before starting any exercise routine, he offers reasons why low-impact exercise is a good idea while pregnant:
· Exercise will relieve backaches and improve posture by toning and building muscles in the back, butt and thighs.
· Women will have a healthy glow because of increased blood flow to the skin.
· Exercise will help achieve the post-pregnancy body quicker. The goal during pregnancy is not to lose weight but to maintain fitness.
ChicagoHealers.com Wednesday Experts
Dr. Ian Wahl, L.Ac., D.A., CH: Acupuncture/herbalist, Women’s health, and Reproductive Wellness.
Dr. Georgina Salgado Chavez, ND, L.Ac: Herbalist/holistic Medicine
Tip of the Week: Is Zinc Related to a Better Immune System? Dr. Georgina Salgado Chavez, ND, L.Ac, Discusses Why Zinc is a Necessary Addition to a Diet for the Elderly
The American Journal of Clinical Medicine found that there is a 39% lower rate of death from phenomena for elderly patients that have a normal concentration of zinc in their system. As the human body ages, its ability to fight off infection and other common health problems diminishes significantly. With an addition of zinc to the diet, this element can help the elderly fight off common health issues. Zinc is also said to aid in body biochemical reactions. According to Vitalcareinstitute.com, a significant aspect of normal body function involves biochemical reactions in which one or more substances are modified to form a new product through the reaction. ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Georgina Salgado Chavez, ND, L.Ac., states that zinc may be just the ticket help promote healthy body functions.
“Zinc stimulates the activity of approximately 100 enzymes,” Dr. Salgado says. “These are the substances that promote a biochemical reaction in your body.”
To achieve good amounts of zinc, Dr. Salgado suggests several sources including mushrooms, pumpkin seeds and spinach. Zinc in these foods help balance blood sugar, maintain the metabolic rate and prevent depression.
Dr. Salgado provides the following tips as to when zinc can be most beneficial to the health of an elderly person:
Immune System- Zinc is good for preventing a weakened immune system which can help prevent health problems such as the common cold. To help fight off a cold, higher intake of zinc could be the solution.
Incisions- Zinc plays an important role in helping heal recent surgery incisions and burns by preventing infections.
Senses- Adequate levels of zinc help support the sensory system which maintains an optimal sense of taste, smell, and vision. Loss of appetite or blurred vision can be aided with more zinc intake.
About ChicagoHealers.com
Chicago Healers (www.chicagohealers.com) is the nation’s pioneer prescreened integrative health care network, offering a comprehensive understanding of each practitioner’s services, approach, and philosophy. Our holistic health experts teach and advocate natural and empowered health and life choices through their practices, the media, educational events, and our website. With close to 200 practitioners and over 300 treatment services, Chicago Healers has provided nearly 400 free educational events for Chicagoans and has been featured in 300+ TV news programs and print publications. For more information, visit www.chicagohealers.com
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