Ethnomedicine/Disease Prevention Practices/Disease Prevention Practices D-F

DAG

Common cold symptoms or the overwhelming feeling of an oncoming sickness can be avoided by taking DAG. It is found in naturopathic stores, such as Food Co-ops. To use this remedy you put a teaspoon of DAG in your mouth and gargle for about 60 seconds, then spit out the remaining extracts. Using this twice a day for at least two days can steer you clear of any sickness. There have been no reports of any risks and it has been proven environmentally safe. Most commonly known in the Western society

Daily Multi-Vitamin

Daily Multi-Vitamins are a compilation of different minerals and vitamins that are naturally found in the body or in nature. Vitamins and minerals are found in foods we consume, and range in potency and amount our bodies can absorb range depending on the item and the individual. These different substances are necessary for the proper function and development of the body.

Multi-vitamins come in many shapes and forms ranging from chewable or swallow able tablets to liquid or gummy candies. Vitamins are usually taken once a day in order to increase the amount of nutrients a person gets in a single day. Vitamins are important because they fuel our bodies and enable normal brain, muscle and physical functioning. Balanced vitamin intake also can prevent illness and maintain a healthy body. Vitamins are also effective in reducing and preventing The Common Cold.

Most vitamins and minerals are water soluble, meaning any excess of that vitamin will be expelled during urination. But there are some vitamins and minerals that are not water soluble and it is possible to get sick because of a vitamin overdose. For example, excess iron can cause iron poisoning, and others may react with medications you are already taking. Some symptoms to be aware of are intense stomach aches or a persistent unpleasant taste in your mouth. It is important to talk to a doctor before starting a daily multi-vitamin routine to ensure that you will not have a bad reaction to the increase of any of the vitamins.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate has proven useful in encouraging ease of blood flow, thus helping the heart to stay healthier. It is made of cocoa, harvested from a plant, and has flavoniods. Flavoniods have been shown to reduce a buildup of cholesterol in blood vessels, lowering the likelihood of a blood clot.

Eating 1.6 ounces of dark chocolate daily will help induce these effects and possibly lead to a healthier heart. It must be dark chocolate, not regular, because the refinement process removes most of the flavoniods from other types of chocolate.

It is not only the high number of flavonoids that makes dark chocolate healthy. It is also the fact that darker chocolate has a lower saturated fat content, thus making it easier on the body. Dark chocolate is typically seen as any chocolate with a cocoa content of over 50%. But for better health benefits, the best bars of dark chocolate contain about 70% cocoa content, and are single origin (meaning that all the cocoa beans come from one location and are not mixed with other varieties). Not only are these the most health beneficial, but they still maintain a somewhat decent amount of sweetness and taste as well. For other remedies of Western culture, check out Western society.

Dental Dams

Similar to Condoms, dental dams are another form of protection from sexually transmitted diseases. Dental dams are essentially a rectangular piece of latex that, when held over the vulva or anus, protects both partners from spreading diseases during oral sex. Dental dams are commercially made and can be purchased, but if one is not readily available a condom may also be sliced horizontally and the latex spread open. But, like Condoms, they are not 100% effective.

Diabetes

Diabetes occurs in two forms: Type 1 and Type 2. Although type 1 is a major concern, the focus if this article is on type 2. Type 2 diabetes is caused because of the body's reaction to a dairy protein in 100% of the cases, increased age and also because of physical inactiveness leading to obesity. Diabetes causes the pancrease to not be able to produce enough insulin for the body and therefore, diabetics have to regulate their blood sugar in order to control the amount of insulin in their bodies. This is done through pricking the finger multiple times a day with an small, hand-held machine and injecting insulin when needed. A person can mostly avoid getting type 2 diabetes by leading an active and healthy life. By staying active and healthy, the pancrease is able to function correctly and risk goes down significantly. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (5,000 medical doctors) has an interactive computer program on Wednesdays which is replayed on Saturdays which shows how to reverse and prevent diabetes. There is also a raw for 30 film which documents patients on a raw foods diet reversing and curing their diabetes. One patient got off 17 meds in the first week!

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-prevention/how-to-prevent-diabetes.jsp

Dry Diapers

To prevent a child from getting a Diaper Rash, don't use wet diapers, and always be aware if the child has soiled the diaper or not so that it can be changed immediately. Breast milk may also aid in the prevention of diaper rash because breast-milk fed babies are less susceptible to getting diaper rash.

Emergen-C

Emergen-C is a “Flavored fizzy drink mix” that includes 32 mineral complexes and 7 mineral ascorbates that help boost energy and prevent illnesses such as the common cold. It is to be taken two to four times a day mixed in a glass with four to six ounces of water. The group that this supplement is prevalent in would be people who are concerned about their health or people who get sick a lot and want to prevent another illness. Emergen-C also serves as an antioxidant, helps prevent heart disease, works as a natural antihistamine, and is thought to help protect smokers or people who have been exposed to second hand smoke.

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Ency/Index.cfm/id/2929001

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/areviranit/alaceremergen-c.jpg

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil from Australia is used for asthma, and has proven to be a great aid for many people. Wetting a paper towel or cotton with eucalyptus oil and placing it near your nose while you sleep is a great way to aid your asthma. Many people have completely come off of the use of asthma medications with this remedy. It can also be heated, or used as a vaporizer or placed in your bathtub which would also help muscle aches. Inhaling the oil provides a very low level risk. Inhaling undilitued oil for over an hour directly from the bottle may lead to headaches, dizziness and nausea. Skin contact with the oil may irritate some people with sensitive skin. Ingesting eucalyptus oil can also be fatal. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/77/Eucalyptus_flowers2.jpg

Exercise

For how basic it sounds it really is key to staying healthy, and not just physically. Exercise helps you to keep your body physically fit and also your immune system strong. So if you do catch a virus your body will be able to fight it off. You will be less likely to have a serious healthy issue such as a stroke. You will feel better all around. And you will be less likely to get diseases such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. You will be able to sleep better which in turn keeps you healthy. Exercise prevents and treats a variety of illnesses. The recommended amount of exercise on average is 30 minutes a day, everyday. And that can include anything from a brisk walk to a playing football. There are no special considerations, just to get out and find something you enjoy. A risk could be getting an injury depending on what type of exercise you do, but chances of getting hurt are slim. Exercise has been around forever and is used all around the world. I think Western society has a different emphasis on it then the rest of the world. Because people are beginning to realize that the average American is over weight so they are putting an emphasis on losing weight and not enjoying exercise. When really if people were to just exercise everyday and enjoy it, it could be just as beneficial.

Be sure to stretch before exercising. Stretching will help prevent injury.

Other than making you physically fit and preventing obesity, exercise has many benefits. Exercise reduces the risk of dying prematurely from illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, developing (and complications of) diabetes, or colon cancer. Exercise maintains healthy bones, muscles, and joints. It also promotes psychological well-being through reducing/managing stress and anxiety by elevating mood. This is achieved while exercising. During exercise, the body releases endorphins in the bloodstream.

How do endorphins improve our mood?

Endorphins are released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. They then enter the neurons that carry pain impulses to the brain. The endorphins then bind to opioid receptors, which are receptors that are affected by drugs such as morphine. This blocks the receptors, which prevents the release of neurotransmitters. Because of this, pain signals are unable to reach the brain. Endorphins are said to be the body's natural pain killers because they have affects similar to those of opiates.

Exercise and a Healthy Diet

Soldier running in water

Cholesterol is a fatty substance made by the liver and found in all parts of your body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. Only a small amount of cholesterol is needed in the blood for your body to operate correctly, and the liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs. High cholesterol means that there is too much cholesterol, or the fat-like substance, in your blood. When your cholesterol is high, you body is at a higher risk of getting heart disease or having a heart attack. Atherosclerosis occurs when high blood cholesterol causes fatty deposits called plaque to build up on the walls of the arteries. If the coronary arteries that carry blood to your heart are affected, less blood and oxygen can get to your heart causing chest pain, called angina, and heart attacks.

To prevent your chances of getting High Cholesterol, exercise and diet are the key. Eating a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol helps reduce LDL, or “bad”, cholesterol. Most saturated fat and all cholesterol in our diets come from animal sources like meat including poultry and fish, dairy product that are not nonfat products, butter, and eggs. Trans fats which are another type of fat created by hydrogenation of unsaturated fats should also be kept to a minimum. Many fried and baked fast foods, snack products, and in some margarines are where trans fats can be found. By getting plenty of exercise and managing your weight, can help to keep the fat off your body which contributes to high cholesterol. Regular physical activity for at least thirty minutes for most or all days of the week is recommended for everyone. Not smoking can also help to prevent high cholesterol. This regular routine will also help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of diabetes.

Fish

Eating more fish, especially fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, can have many health benefits, and can prevent several diseases. Omega-3 helps prevent heart disease and some forms of arthritis, helps to improve IQ and immune function, and can also be used to help people suffering from depression. Experts encourage people to eat at least one serving of fish high in omega-3 each week; however, there are concerns that fish that contain omega-3, such as mackerel, salmon, and tuna have high levels of chemicals in them. Children and women of childbearing age are generally advised to eat these types of fish sparingly.

Flaxseed Oil

Flax is a blue flowering plant that is grown on the Western Canadian Prairies for its oil rich seeds. This natural oil (also known as Linseed Oil) is highly recommended for general well being and whole body nutrition and is considered to be one of nature's richest sources (aside from hemp seeds) of omega-3 fatty acids that are required for the health of almost all body systems.

Flax Seed Oil contains omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, B vitamins, potassium, lecithin, magnesium, fiber, protein, and zinc and also provides approximately 50% more omega-3 oils than what you could get from taking fish oil, minus that horrible "fishy" after taste. Sounded good to me already! Some nutritionists, researchers, and scientists believe that it could be the most important health-promoting supplement next to a multi-vitamin. Nearly every system in the body can benefit from flax seed oil's natural properties, including the cardiovascular system, immune system, circulatory system, reproductive system, nervous system, as well as joints. - Research shows low incidence of breast cancer and colon cancer in populations that have high amounts of lignan in their diet. Flax is 100 times richer in lignans than most whole grains. - Studies show that Omega-3 fatty acids help lower cholesterol and blood triglycerides, and prevent clots in arteries, which may result in strokes, heart attacks and thromboses. - Helps protect the body against high blood pressure, inflammation, water retention, sticky platelets and lowered immune function. - Shortens recovery time for fatigued muscles after exertion. - Increases the body's production of energy and also increases stamina. - Accelerates the healing of sprains and bruises. - Eases weight loss in people afflicted with obesity. - Stimulates brown fat cells and increases the metabolic rate making it easier to burn off fat. - Improves the absorption of Calcium. - Strengthens finger and toenails. - Can improve eyesight and perception of colors. - Can often improve the function of the liver. - Can relieve the side effects and stop development of many forms of cancer. - Can relieve some cases of Asthma. - Helpful in the treatment of Eczema, Psoriasis, and Dandruff. - Can relieve the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It can relieve the symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus. - Can alleviate some allergies. - Helps prevent Atherosclerosis (the accumulation of fatty deposits inside the blood vessels, especially the large and medium-sized arteries, that many people experience during the aging process). - Lowers high blood pressure in Hypertension sufferers. - Has been scientifically proven to treat some cases of depression. - Can improve the mental function of many old age pensioners. - Can help in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. - Has been proven to improve the behavior of Schizophrenics. - Can relieve some cases of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) in females. The recommended daily dose for most people is at least 1,000 mg taken one to three times daily. The most effective way is to add soaked flax seeds into your diet by mixing a couple of tablespoons with watermelon in a blender. Scientific studies have used up to 30 grams of flax seeds a day safely and without side effects. It's important to buy high-quality flax seeds as it is prone to rancidity. Light and oxygen will slowly breakdown the essential fatty acids. Look for flax seeds. Make sure you refrigerate your flax seeds to help extend their shelf life. The best way is to grow the seeds into plants and eat the greens blended with apples or watermelon. One doctor has been nominated 7 times for the Nobel prize in medicine for her work in lowering cholesterol with flax.

Flintstones Chewables

Not only do the antics of Barney and Fred simply entertain us on early Saturday mornings, now they can keep us healthy as well! The humble Flintstones chewable vitamins, accompanied in the form of tablets by such cartoon icons as The Jetsons and Bugs Bunny, make getting your recommended daily value of riboflavin tasty and enjoyable. In all seriousness, a daily dose of vitamins can help supplement the nutrients a picky child may be missing out on by skipping spinach, which causes anemia and stones/gout anyway, and heading straight for a sugary fattening dessert every night. One a day is all you need, unless you’re 2 or 3 years of age, in which case ½ a tablet a day will do. There are however problems with associating a supplement with cartoons and candy. Always keep the bottle out of reach of children and in case of accidental overdose contact a doctor or poison control center immediately. A better source of vitamins and minerals is from an easily made smoothie for the children made with fresh non-citrus fruits like apples, watermelon, bananas, in season, etc. and mild micro (baby) greens, not spinach! and a little teaspoon of soaked and rinsed dulse (a purple sea vegetable with all of the natural minerals and trace minerals that are known to humans) with fresh figs if the child is acid and plums if they are constipated from the bananas.

Floss

The practice of flossing provides an important service for your teeth and gums in preventing plaque from building up between and around teeth and resulting cavities or Gingivitus. It gets areas a toothbrush can't reach and places were periodontal diseases are likely to start. It is recommended that people floss daily and thoroughly. The promotion of the dental community of the benefits of flossing establish its roots as a practice of Western culture.

Flossing is a very basic, easy technique that can reduce the number of bacteria in our mouths and also help in the prevention of gingivitis. Flossing helps reach those hard to get areas and creates strong gums. Flossing should be a very important part of brushing, without flossing brushing is like only washing 65% of your body. The other 35% remains dirty!! It is recommended to floss daily and there are no known negative effects of it. The origins of flossing definitely resides in Western culture, many undeveloped countries don't have the resources or money to provide floss to their citizens.

Flu Vaccine

Flu Vaccine, also known as the flu shot, is a great way to prevent getting the influenza. The flu kills a few thousand people in the United States every year. Influenza is caused by an RNA virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family. The most common and characteristic symptoms of influenza in humans are fever, sore throat, muscle pain severe headache, coughing, and fatigue. The shot is given on a yearly basis due to the fact that each year the strain of virus changes. In receiving the flu vaccine one is basically given a strain of influenza. Side effects may sometimes be that it causes some people to get sick right after the shot, but then not again for the rest of the flu season. The shot is usually offered beginning in late fall. The flu vaccine is especially recommended for the elderly and the youth, but anyone can get them. The shot is given at local medical facilities, and at a lot of store like Safeway and Fred Meyers. Getting the vaccine early is best because they can be difficult to get during the height of flu season.

The best way to not get flu is don't eat things that promote the growth of the flu: mucus producing foods like dairy and eggs and denatured grains. What does the doctor in the lab grow viruses and bacteria in? albumen from eggs and dairy mucus!

Folic Acid

The daily intake of folic acid among women who could become pregnant has been proved to prevent many complications in fetal development. These complications include neural tube defects that lead to malformations of the spine, skull, and/or brain in the developing fetus, including spina bifida. It is recommended that 600 micrograms of folic acid be consumed per day when sexually active, in the preconceptual stage and within the first month of pregnancy. You can easily obtain 600 micrograms by taking a few pills found in the vitamin aisle of your neighborhood grocery store.

It is very important for sexually active woment to take folic acid even if they do not plan on becoming pregnant. Folic acid helps with the development of the nervous system which is one of the first things to form in a fetus. By the time you know you are pregnant, the ectoderm cells have already begun forming the nervous system. By the third week after conception the neural tube is already formed. Folic acid is a simple and relatively easy way to prevent the possibility of major birth defects.

While the likelihood of toxicity from folic acid is low, it is recommended that women taking this supplement should not exceed the maximum allowance of 1000 micrograms daily, because taking too much may cover the symptoms of a vitamin B-12 deficiency.