Content from our Monthly Newsletters
Interesting, Informative, Inspiring
When: Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 7pm
Where: 898 Ethan Allen Hwy, Suite 6, Ridgefield, CT
What: Are you a woman who isn't sleeping? Insomnia is a terrible affliction affecting woman of all ages, but especially woman over 40. Come join Dr. Deb Bossio, ND and Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, Ed.D to learn about what causes insomnia and what natural solutions can help. This is a free event.
Hawthorn, also known as Maybush, is a thorny shrub found on hillsides and in sunlit woodsey areas throughout the world. Over centuries, all parts of the plant have been used to prepare foods, beverages, and medicines. In folk medicine, Hawthorn was used for the treatment of diarrhea, insomnia, and asthma. In China, it has been used to treat digestive problems, high cholesterol, poor circulation, and shortness of breath. During the early 1800s, doctors in North America used Hawthorn to treat heart conditions, circulatory, and respiratory disorders.
Hawthorn has a rich supply of flavonoids (antioxidants that protect cells from damage) and anti-inflammatory properties, which are important to heart health. It plays a role in helping dilate blood vessels, improves blood flow to the heart, and lowers blood pressure. In Europe, Hawthorn is regarded as a safe and effective treatment for early-stage heart disease. It is used to promote the health of the circulatory system and to treat angina, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure. In studies, patients with heart failure who took Hawthorn showed improvement in clinical symptoms and sense of wellbeing.
Hawthorn is available as tea, capsule, tincture, and standardized extract found in prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, standardized herbal medicine, or dietary supplements. Before taking Hawthorn, especially if you suspect or have a heart or lung condition, consult with Dr. Bossio.
Image Attribution: morisfoto/bigstockphoto.com
References
Adults and children alike are spending more time awake late at night to study, work, or have fun. All those late nights may be slowly killing us. More than 20 years of research shows us that sleep is vitally important to physical and mental health.
Most of what we know about sleep and health comes from studies of what happens to the mind and body when we don't sleep enough, or at all. In animal and human studies, living without sleep for even a few months resulted in death. Sleeping fewer than 8 hours a night on a regular basis is associated with increased risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke, depression, colds and flu, and obesity.
While We Are Sleeping...
Sleep affects brain chemistry and has an important role in the functioning of the nervous, immune and endocrine systems. During sleep we develop and reinforce neural pathways involved in memory, learning, and emotion. New research suggests sleep helps flush toxins from the brain.
While we are sleeping, the body manufactures hormones that repair damage caused by stress and the environment in which we work and play. Growth hormone cleanses the liver, builds muscle, breaks down fat, and helps normalize blood sugar. We also produce hormones that help fight infections. If we aren't getting sufficient sleep, we get sick more often and take longer to recover. Lack of sleep increases inflammation, which is has been linked to heart disease and stroke.
Skimping on shut-eye is linked with obesity in adults and children. Lack of sleep interferes with the levels of ghrelin and leptin, metabolic hormones that signal when you're hungry and when you're full.
The amount of sleep you need varies based on age, activity level, quality of sleep, and genetics (e.g., some of us really are night owls). Infants typically require 14-15 hours of sleep per 24-hour period; young children about 12 hours; teens about 9 hours, and most adults 7-9 hours. A general rule of thumb for determining your sleep requirement: If you do not wake feeling refreshed, you may not be getting enough sleep.
Tips For A Good Night's Sleep
Are You Sleep Deprived?
You don't have to pull "all-nighters" to become sleep deprived. A sleep debt of just 1-2 hours a few nights a week can affect your health and performance.To become fully well-rested and regain energy after a sleep debt, get an extra hour of sleep each night for one week.
If you experience any of the following signs of sleep deprivation, talk to Dr. Bossio about natural approaches to getting your sleep back on track.
Image Attribution: Phase4Photography/bigstockphoto.com
Did you know that Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the human body, is not only essential for strong bones, it also supports healthy functioning of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems? Research shows a relationship between Calcium intake and risk for heart disease, colorectal cancer, kidney stones, PMS, and managing a healthy weight. When it comes to sound sleep, insufficient dietary Calcium has been associated with insomnia. Calcium is instrumental in the way our brains cycle through the stages of sleep and in the ability to generate brain chemicals, including tryptophan, associated with deep sleep.
The best way to get calcium is through whole foods. Dairy products are abundant in the mineral in a form that's easy for most people to digest. Vegans sources of this mineral include almonds, dark leafy greens, and tofu. However, figuring out how much calcium you're actually getting from veggies is tricky. If a vegetable contains oxalic or phytic acid, then the calcium may be poorly absorbed because of the acids. For example, 1 c. of frozen spinach contains nearly as much calcium as 1 c. of milk, but only a tenth as much is absorbed because of the oxalic acid.
For a healthy adult, the recommended intake for a Calcium supplement is 1,000 - 1,500 mg daily, depending on health status and lifestyle habits including exercise. There are many factors and forms of calcium supplements (e.g., carbonate, citrate), that affect how well the body absorbs the mineral. Also, calcium supplements can interact with other medications. Too much calcium can stress other bodily systems, leading to health problems. For these reasons, consult with Dr. Bossio as to which type and dosage of calcium is best for you.
Image Attribution: elena.hramowa/bigstockphoto.com
References
Dr. Deb Bossio and Naturally Well Family Medicine provide naturopathic care and associated holistic therapies to patients in Ridgefield and greater Fairfield County.
PATIENT APPOINTMENTS
Tuesday: 9:45am - 6:00pm
Wednesday: 9:45am - 2:00pm
Thursday: 10:45am - 6:00pm
Friday: 9:45am - 2:00pm
GENERAL OFFICE HOURS
Monday Closed
Tuesday & Thursday 9:30am - 5:00pm
Wednesday & Friday 9:30am - 3:00pm
CONTACT
p: (203) 431-4443 f: (203) 431-6664
100B Danbury Rd, Suite 102, Ridgefield, CT 06877
office@drdebbossio.com
LOCATION
