Hi there,

My patients and friends often ask me what exactly antioxidants are, so I would like to introduce you to some of the ideas that make me realise why they are so important for our health. Take a look at this:

Part I of IV: Antioxidants – What are they?

Oxidation is a natural process that happens to all cells in nature, including the cells in your body. Antioxidants provide an important defense against the daily assault of free radicals on healthy cells. This Essentials of Health four-part series will review the function, benefits, sources, and safety of dietary antioxidants.

Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd (unpaired) number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Once formed these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction, like dominoes. Their chief danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA, or the cell membrane.

Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs. To prevent free radical damage the body has a defense system of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital tissues and cells are damaged. Although there are several enzyme systems within the body that scavenge free radicals, the principle micronutrient (vitamin/mineral) antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C and selenium.

The body cannot manufacture these micronutrients so they must be supplied in the diet. In addition, there are literally hundreds of plant derived nutrients (phytonutrients) that act as important antioxidants in the diet. It is impossible to avoid damage by free radicals.

Free radicals arise from sources both inside (endogenous) and outside (exogenous) our bodies. Oxidants that develop from processes within our bodies form as a result of normal breathing, metabolism, and inflammation. Exogenous free radicals form from environmental factors such as pollution, sunlight, strenuous exercise, X-rays, smoking and alcohol. Our antioxidant systems are not perfect, so as we age, cell parts damaged by oxidation accumulate.

Source: USANA Health Sciences

http://www.usana.com

The content (including graphics, text, and information available on or through this website) and health information presented or discussed on this website is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and/or therapy. The information, data, responses to your questions, and materials contained in, or made available to you with, this site and/or its content are not, nor are they intended to be, a medical evaluation or examination, medical advice or consultation, nor are they a replacement for, professional medical or mental health evaluations, examinations, advice, consultations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional relating to any medical condition.

Hi folks,

Although I am so busy revemping my Dr. Alison Grimston site & completing my E-books… I just had to share this!

Take a look at this video & enjoy your day!

Every day I try to have a positive influence on people – a smile & hug to my staff and patients alike can make all the difference to them, especially those patients who have lost a loved one & who no longer get their daily hug quota!

Love & light,

Alison

The content (including graphics, text, and information available on or through this website) and health information presented or discussed on this website is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and/or therapy. The information, data, responses to your questions, and materials contained in, or made available to you with, this site and/or its content are not, nor are they intended to be, a medical evaluation or examination, medical advice or consultation, nor are they a replacement for, professional medical or mental health evaluations, examinations, advice, consultations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional relating to any medical condition.

Spiritual Healing

Spiritual Healing has been used as a means of promoting health for countless centuries and across the world. Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome used healing, often as part of the remit of religious leaders. The current revival in spiritual healing has been growing since the 1940s, and there are approximately 20,000 spiritual healers working today.

At present our stressful, busy lifestyles do not allow us time to relax, reflect and look after our bodies, minds and souls. Modern medicine has demonstrated the need for regular exercise and a good diet of fresh food, but these things are all too often ignored. The need for the mind to have a period of relaxation and contemplation every day is even more overlooked.

Spiritual healing uses divine or spiritual energy, channeled through a healer, to promote wellness and self-healing. We are each surrounded by an electromagnetic field, invisible to most, which allows the healing to occur. Healing does not depend on any religious belief in either the patient or the healer, nor does it require the patient to believe that it is going to work. The healing energy will be channeled to those places where it is most needed within the body. It can help all ill-health and stress, and while it is often most helpful where stress or emotional issues are present, these often underlie physical illness.

Crystal Healing

Crystals have their own electromagnetic field and vibration, used daily by many of us in watches and computers. This vibrational energy can be used to enhance the healing energy as it passes through the healer to the animal or human patient.

Animal Healing

Animals respond well to healing; they do not have the pre-conceived ideas and expectations that humans often have. Rather than hoping for healing to benefit them in a certain way, they relax and allow the healing to occur, whether at an emotional, physical or spiritual level.

Many companion animals are healers in their own right; those of us who own dogs, horse or cats recognize what a comfort they are when we are feeling “down”. Unfortunately, this can lead to a depression of their own systems and immunity, leading to stress and physical illness. Healing helps to release the emotional build up, and allow the energy channels to flow freely again. This in turn allows the immune system to do its work in promoting homeostasis, and preventing infections. The immune system is also pivotal in picking up and destroying cancer cells produced by the body, thus stopping cancer from being manifest and reducing spread of already diagnosed cancer.

Rescue animals often have particularly strong emotional issues underlying their sense of wellness. There may have been many stresses in their previous life, and even the process of changing households can create fears within which show up as stressful behaviour or physical illness.

Farm livestock is often, from necessity, kept in stressful conditions. While most farmers have their animals’ best interests at heart, and recognize that happiness leads to better milk production, weight gain etc, modern farming practices require that calves are removed from their dams at a few days old in dairy herds, that sheep, while not used to being handled, have their feet trimmed and fleeces treated to prevent foot-rot and insect parasites, and that many animals have to go through the stress of transportation to markets and abattoirs.

Many equines at the height of specialist competition are also prone to physical and emotional stress. They are often stabled for long hours, and may also have long journeys to undertake.

These are just some of the situations where animals may benefit from healing.

The content (including graphics, text, and information available on or through this website) and health information presented or discussed on this website is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and/or therapy. The information, data, responses to your questions, and materials contained in, or made available to you with, this site and/or its content are not, nor are they intended to be, a medical evaluation or examination, medical advice or consultation, nor are they a replacement for, professional medical or mental health evaluations, examinations, advice, consultations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional relating to any medical condition.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” — Albert Schweitzer

This has been a week full of wonderful surprises, kind deeds, and just sheer joy for me. I am so thankful for my friends, my family, and the good people of this world. Enjoy the holiday weekend!

Alison