Lifestyle Management

"We make doors and windows for a room;
But it is these empty spaces that make the room livable.
Thus, while the tangible has advantages,
It is the intangible that makes it useful."
Tao Te Ching

The inherent beauty and strength of the scientific temperament lies in its willingness to accept change. Thus learning and growing continues as an unending process. Science continually discovers new features about life, adding to its vast repository of understanding. Variegated perspectives have developed over the millennia, each relevant in its own sphere. They mutually complement the others to create that vast experience termed human knowledge. Individuals are blessed with limitations! These are essential for one's foundations which then provide a sound basis and impetus for searching the unknowable in order to make finite elements of the infinite known to others. Clearly it is not possible for a single person to know everything -- an attribute ascribed only to divinity!

In India, the ancient system of healing is known as Ayurveda, the science of longevity. Similarly in China has over many thousands of years, evolved that which is now known as Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has also been the progenitor of acupuncture and acupressure with its current variant of Su-Jok. The Unani system derives from the wisdom of the Middle East. Tibetan Ayurveda is an amalgam of various influences, particularly suited to high altitudes. Europe too has its ancient lore of herbs and minerals which has formed the basis for modern medicine. Two centuries ago, Dr. Hanneman evolved a revolutionary system of treatment he termed homeopathy. In India naturopathy is also accepted widely. Somatics is a new age system of healing using body work, conceived of in the USA in the eighties and practised abroad.

The previous century has seen the blossoming of allopathy or modern medicine based on modern science. More recently nutrition and immunology have come increasingly into focus. Each of these disciplines continue to contribute immensely to the welfare of humanity. This could be possibly why the prestigious Harvard School of Medicine in the USA has established a chair for the study of alternative therapies. It is clearly an acknowledgment by science of the validity of systems it may not necessarily yet understand. Given this wide variance of knowledge, it is clearly impossible for any one person to know all that is to be known of the complex phenomena termed life! At best one is a mere infant in the lap of the universe, learning day after day from nature!

It is within this context that the term Lifestyle Management has evolved. It seeks to encompass within its folds the variegatedness of human knowledge, acknowledging the validity of each element of this complex matrix, knowing fully well that that which may be applicable to the one may not necessarily be applicable to the other or to all. Each individual is physically, emotionally and mentally unique. Moreover every person has one's own religious and spiritual perspective fully valid for that person.

The concept of Lifestyle of Holistic Health management is new. It includes a healthy lifestyle as generally understood but goes far beyond. Its fundamental concept is the empowerment of an individual to take care of one's own self on a regular basis with the least disruption to one's life and in a relatively inexpensive manner.

It is becoming commonly accepted that one can remain healthy through proper nutrition -- an intelligent use of nature's own products which gently nudge the human body to normal functioning. Grandma's herbal and home recipes are legendary to each and every civilisation. Nutrition moreover, has been dealt with extensively in every single medical science with varying degrees of emphasis. However, it is only now that it is emerging as a discipline in its own right. It is now also linked with immunology, the term Nutritional Immunology already patented in the US.

The fundamental concept is that each form of life has inherent within it, the capacity to care for itself. This, the auto immune system -- one's best internal physician. A properly functioning auto immune system serves as a strong defense against dis-ease. When a person enjoys good health, wholesome nutrition can assist in the prevention of sickness. Similarly an ill person may be assisted in recovery through proper nutrition and care. The focus here shifts to a trust in the natural processes to care for oneself. These in themselves are highly intelligent, complex and not properly understood. However they may be induced to function properly. This is perhaps one of the reasons as to why people a hundred years ago, who lived more in harmony with nature, led healthy lives!

[Medical drugs are known to provide symptomatic relief. In many cases their use is imperative. During their use, various considerations come into play: 'Is the desired effect occurring?' 'Are there any side effects?' 'What is the precise dosage required?' 'Does this drub react negatively with others?' 'What are the contra-indications?' And so on!

The recent statement by Dr. Allen Roses, Vice-President of Genetics, GlaxoSmithKline, has recently stated at a conference in London that drugs prescribed by a doctor have merely a 30-50% chance of working. This needs to be seriously considered. 'Addressing a scientific audience recently in London,' the editorial continues, 'he claimed that most prescription medicines do not work on most people who take them ... An important consideration drug-therapy is the risk-to-benefit ratio of the drug, that is measuring its benefits against risks of proven side-effects....' HT, Patna, Editorial titled Hit-and-miss Drugs, Friday Dec 12, 2003.]

The choice of wholesome food and proper nutrition allows the 'internal doctor' to function properly -- nature to continue its work unimpeded. Utilising the finest treasures harvested from the earth, it is possible to achieve a fairly healthy life style without detrimental side effects. Lifestyle Management encourages the processes through which illness may be avoided as far as possible. It urges the individual to live proactively through proper nutrition including the use of appropriate seasoning, which will enhance the auto immune system and the enjoyment of a healthy body. The lack of proper essential nutrition is now associated with a weak auto immune system -- the inability of the body to fend for itself. When functioning properly, the auto immune system has the ability to combat dis-ease and overcome the constant attacks of environmental pollutants and toxins.

Body functions, from this perspective, are subsumed under the six parameters of detoxification, regeneration, balancing internal energies, enhancing the metabolism, regulating the endocrine system and boosting the auto immune system. These result in the change of one's biochemistry in which free radicals are constantly being neutralised. The blood is made alkaline, creating an environment which germs, virus and disease, simply do not find amenable to their presence and growth.

Thus select herbs may be used in one's food as also independently, to maintain good health and eradicate the root cause of any disease, be it a transient stomach disorder or one as severe as cancer or HIV. Tibetan Herbal Medicine has an exceptional track record in the treatment of cancer. The her known as reishi or ganoderma lucidum too has the amazing ability of effectively enabling terminal cancer patients to return to good health. Many such have been widely documented through research. In Japan, it is reportedly legally binding for cancer treatment to incorporate reishi as a supplement. The Tata Memorial Research Institute in Mumbai reportedly has also started using reishi in cancer treatment on an experimental basis. The faculty at AIIMS too is reportedly becoming aware of its miraculous properties.

It has now been scientifically established that a regular intake of natural and organic supplements of phytochemcials, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, herbs such as goji, reishi, chlorophyll, ginseng, cactus extracts and spirulina amongst countless others, are also prophylactic. They act as powerful anti oxidants, neutralising free radicals to which are ascribed the cause for many a disease. They also exert a powerful therapeutic effect, resulting in the cure of many considered as chronic or incurable.

Vitamins are defined as organic substances essential for the normal functioning of the body. Apart from a few exceptions, vitamins cannot be sythesised by our bodies. They are necessary for our growth, vitality and well-being. Our body obtains vitamins, minerals and trace elements from organic foods and/or dietary supplements. Moreover the capacity to assimilate them from food reduces considerably with age. Such supplements are now the more necessary as it is not humanly possible for any person to maintain a balanced diet except in a very broad sense of the term.

People are now becoming aware that the food and drinks available in the market are laced with tiny amounts of toxicity. These derive from the widespread use of chemicals in agriculture. The food processing industry too continues to introduce trace toxicity through processing. A glaring example of this is the process of refining sugar using sulphur. Trace amounts of sulphur remains behind, contaminating the sugar making it both acidic and toxic -- a principal cause for the emergence of various diseases. Another cause are the soft drinks fondly drunk by young and old alike. Analyses have revealed their deleterious effects on the human constitution!

The human body has a limited capacity to process toxins which decreases with age as the pituitary slows down. Clearly it is in need of assistance to continuously protect itself from these onslaughts. This is possible through the regular use of food supplements, a number of which have been the focus of exhaustive scientific research for decades.

The widespread use of plastics in the food industry, particularly bottle water, too is replete with its own problems besides the degradation of the environment. One series of research in the 1980s in western Europe, reported by the BBC World Service, found that pseudo estrogen compounds leach into food through synthetic packaging with disastrous consequences for males! The intelligent use of herbs has been found to be highly efficacious in the treatment of infertility of both sexes!

In India, it has been found that PVC containers used for storing blood for transfusion, contains a highly toxic chemical DEHP, which leaches into the blood to up to 0.15 gms per litre of blood from the plastic. The list of such mishaps is endless! Resultantly an ordinary person is left exceptionally vulnerable to technology as the concept of food grade plastic is still foreign to the Indian psyche!

It has now become commonplace for individuals to spend extended hours in controlled environments during most of the day and are thus unable to draw nurture from the sun. This is seriously compounded by irregular lifestyles, eating habits, enhanced levels of stress, anxiety and so on. Recent studies are revealing that those working in call centres soon develop stress and insomnia due to working graveyard shifts for extended periods. Similarly, the stress resulting from high ambitions, performance and extended work hours are hardly conducive to a balanced life.

It is reported that NASA has found that far infrared rays of the bandwidth of 4 - 16 microns are essential for human life. Thus has emerged through research, a composition known as bioceramics. This is a composition of thirty six minerals and oxides which, when warmed by the human body, radiates far infrared rays of the requisite bandwidth. Currently garments impregnated with bioceramics are readily available in India. Similarly research has succeeded in infusing energy from 'the first layer of the sun', termed bioactive energy, into solids and liquids which have tremendous applications in daily life.

A sedentary lifestyle coupled with undue exposure to electromagnetic frequencies, emfs, or electrosmog, radiated by electronic and electric appliances, wiring and so on, merely compounds problems. The greatest offender is the ubiquitous mobile phone which continuously radiates emfs or electromagnet frequencies, affecting the human body directly where it is placed. The frequency of its emissions have been found to be similar to the natural frequencies of the cerebrum where it sets up resonance and imbalances nature's processes.

Yet other offenders are computers, TVs, video games and so on. Research has now found that prolonged and excessive exposure to them is particularly unhealthy. It is also unhealthy to keep them on standby. Besides consuming and wasting a trickle current of about 8% they continue to radiate emfs when not in use. It is however possible to counteract them through the use of bioactive energy. Products such as power touch and power stickers have been found to be highly efficacious in neutralising the harmful effects of electrosmog or emfs merely by carrying them on one's person or applying them on gadgets. They are also used to enhance the performance of car engines.

The use of metal furniture particularly beds is also not salubrious and certainly not recommended. Metal acts as a conductor for and disturbs the dynamic electromagnetic equilibrium of the body resulting in various forms of dis-ease. Similarly synthetic fabrics are not healthy in that they create and radiate positive ions. An excess of negative ions in one's environment induces a sense of relaxation and well being, besides removing suspended air particles responsible for pollution. Professional climate control therefore incorporates negative ion generators which release them in the trillions. This is why one feels a sense of undue elation and relaxation as one enters a five star hotel.

Simply stated, alternative, complementary therapies are far less expensive. Neither do they require a disruption of one's lifestyle as necessitated during hospitalisation. They can be conveniently implemented in the comfort of one's own home! Many such therapies are known to affect the human body deeply producing long term benefits. It is also possible to effect cures of many diseases which may be designated as incurably by one system or another.

The psychological aspect of dis-ease has come under increasing focus during the previous century. In her path breaking work "You Can Heal Your Life", Louise L. Hay has charted a simple programme by which a person may heal oneself through love, forgiveness, change of attitude and positive affirmations. This is also the core message of any spiritual tradition. Similarly ancient wisdom recast into the concept of 'enneagram' provides fascinating insights into human personality and health.

The science of healing is thus moving towards the intangible and unquantifiable aspects of human life, making it far more flexible. Similarly the healing quality of music is being studied both in India and abroad. Their spiritual and healing content is being focussed upon. In India ragas have variously been designated for the amelioration of specific conditions of dis-ease.

A entire genre of music known as 'hemi-synch' has been extant in the west for a few decades. This seeks to synchronise the two cerebral hemispheres and thus establish balance in an individual. Alpha and theta wave technologies are now being used successfully for this purpose.

Systems of spiritual healing such as reiki, pranic healing, the Melchizedek Method and so on, are gradually gaining acceptance. In Europe licenses are issued to certify skills in spiritual healing. Healers are then permitted to legally practise and charge for their services. The Philippines, a catholic country, has an ancient and varied tradition of healing accepted by the general populace.

The spiritual component of life too is being proactively addressed by medical research. An improper motivation makes one unable to differentiate that which is wholesome for one and that which is not! The basis of ethics in any society is not only to regulate it but to care for the welfare of the individual as well. The current emphasis on the generation and accumulation of wealth irrespective of the means, has been proven over the millennia to be counter productive. This is exemplified in the religious literature of various traditions. It is therefore necessary that an individual seeks to adopt viable perspectives on one self, one's life, family and society for the welfare of the one and that of all. It is in this context that disciplines such as Vipassana, Art of Living, Yoga and Falun Gong amongst many others, are proving to be useful.

The combined result of the circumstances stated above is the exponential growth of various diseases previously unknown, spreading throughout the country like wildfire, including a drop in male fertility. This is simply mind boggling. It has also been found that those engaged in ancient disciplines such as yoga, meditation, Falun Gong, spiritual healing and so on, tend to emerge as more balanced individuals.

The situation today is in direct contrast with the level of good health enjoyed by our predecessors barely a half century ago whose lifestyle was less complex, used fewer petrochemicals, lacked TV and was more in consonance with nature!

The logical answer to this predicament is the dictum 'prevention is better than cure'. This is precisely that which is advocated by lifestyle management!

Lifestyle management is accomplished through urging nature to heal its own self through simple techniques which are both prophylactic and also curative with the least disruption to one's life. Regular and intelligent use of select products together with a proper mental orientation, yoga, meditation and spiritual healing, can ensure to a large extent that imbalances in the body are corrected, potential dis-eases pre-empted and their users enjoy a regular and healthy life automatically.

It has been found that many diseases are actually effectively thrown out of the human body through the eradication of their root cause. Integral to it is the diktat that an individual must keep one self warm in cold weather or climates. Ladies in the plains wear sarees in a way in which their midriff remains exposed to the weather. This is exceptionally deleterious for their health and a consciousness needs to be developed to deal with this. Both ladies and gents in the himalayas for example, invariably keep this portion warm, pre-empting dis-ease arising out of exposure.

The human body inherently possess the natural resources to rejuvenate, regenerate and protect itself. This is an undeniable fact! It is constantly in flux with millions of cell dying every minute and millions being simultaneously regenerated. The process of regeneration however, diminishes not only with age as the endocrine system slow down, but also due to the gradual build up of toxins within the body resulting in internal imbalances and dysfunction. We need to trust in our capacity to heal ourselves! For the vast majority of us, it is sufficient to urge nature to act as it should, through the use of simple and efficacious methods which are cost effective and do not entail a disruption in one's lifestyle.

Of particular importance are the problems faced by teenagers. During puberty hormonal flushes bring about mood swings and emotional upheavals in girls. Moreover, they also suffer from eruptions on their facial skin as also do boys. Regular use of select herbs will ensure that the process of maturing takes place smoothly.

Ladies need to take special care during pregnancies to ensure the proper growth of the foetus and the delivery of a healthy baby without intervention. Lactating mothers also need to ensure that infants receive the required nourishment through suckling. It is also important that muscles revert to normalcy after labour. Some experience scant menstrual flows while others experience excessive bleeding. The intelligent use of some of the herbs mentioned above have been found to be exceptionally nurturing as they automatically remove ingested and accumulated toxins from the system!

It is also known that secretions of the pituitary gland decreases with age after 30 dropping to as low as 20% or even less. This is one of the primary reasons for the symptom known as aging. It is common for people in the middle stage of their life to feel lethargic and experience as if their faculties are failing. This has been ascribed to the lack of required hormone levels in the body. Whereas Hormone Replacement Therapy is now an established reality, it essentially entails the induction of the required hormones into the body. HRT does not induce the body to produce its own hormones as has been proven possible through herbs. Moreover the long term effect of HRT is still being studied!

The necessity of drinking good water in large quantities every day hardly needs to be emphasised. Yet this is amongst the most neglected aspects of modern life! The best method extant of obtaining pure drinking water is through reverse osmosis. Units for domestic use are now freely available in India. Besides being more economical than purchasing mineral water it obviates the need to use plastic containers.

Bubbling ozone through water kill all the germs it may contain and also oxidises toxins which may be present in it. Such ozone generators are also available in India. Bioactive energy too may be use to purify water through the use of a ceramic infused with BAE. Ceramic filters conforming to international specifications are also highly efficacious particularly those impregnated with silver. The availability of silver ions in drinking water is said to be extremely good for one's health.

Detoxification of fresh fruit and vegetables can pose a challenge. The more commonly known methods are to soak them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide for a half to one hour. This may also be accomplished by bubbling ozone into a water in which they are being soaked for a half hour. This process oxidises toxins. Bioactive energy has also been found to be efficacious in this context!

All these products have been researched extensively. Chlorophyll has been studied for nearly a century now with three scientists having been awarded the Nobel Prize for their research. The search engine www.google.com lists nearly 180,000 sites on chlorophyll. Spirulina has grown into prominence over the preceding 3 decades having emerged reportedly as the 'space food' discovered by NASA, USA. Reishi has nearly 16,000 sites. Bioactive energy has also been studied and researched for two decades now.

The good news is that there is a new awareness and one of hope emerging throughout the world and we are all part of it! This is Lifestyle Management!

'The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient,

while nature cures the disease.'

Voltaire.