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ebruary 2011 [Volume 10, Issue 2]
To Your Health is brought to you by:
In this issue of To Your Health:
- Where Acupuncture and Weight Loss Meet
- Herb of the Month – Ginger (gan jiang or sheng jiang)
- Ask an Acupuncturist
Where Acupuncture and Weight Loss Meet
By Sara Calabro, LAc
The tail end of 2010 was big for weight-loss news. Just after Thanksgiving, Weight Watchers announced a revamp of its famous Points system, which now accounts for quality of foods rather than just caloric value. In early December, an FDA advisory committee voted to expand the indication for the Lap-Band device so that people with body mass indices between 30 and 35 can be eligible. And just a few days later, another advisory committee recommended approval of a new prescription diet pill, Contrave.
It's no surprise this news also comes on the heels of highly publicized alarming statistics - an estimated two-thirds of Americans are currently overweight, and one third of those are "obese" by carrying excess body fat to the extent where it has an adverse effect on overall health and life expectancy.
From diets to medical devices to drugs, weight-loss solutions abound--and yet consistently leave something to be desired.
Herb of the Month – Ginger (gan jiang or sheng jiang)
What is ginger?
A knotted, beige-colored root, ginger has been used in cooking in China and India for more than 4,000 years. It is known for its sharp, spicy flavor. In addition to its culinary uses, it has several medicinal properties.
Why do we need ginger? What is it used for?
In animal studies, ginger has inhibited the absorption of cholesterol and increased the flow of bile. It also stimulates the circulatory system and acts as a blood thinner.
In humans, ginger has been shown to relieve motion sickness better than any over-the-counter medication. Other studies have found it to ease pain from sore throats and aches caused by colds and flu. High doses of ginger (10-20g per day) have been found to significantly decrease pain associated with migraines and rheumatoid arthritis.
How much ginger should I take?
Intake of ginger depends on the condition. In general, no more than 2-4 grams of fresh ginger should be taken daily in addition to whatever ginger you may get from your diet. However, other doses are recommended for the following conditions:
- Nausea, gas or indigestion: 2-4g of fresh root (0.25-1.00g of powdered root)
- Cold and flue symptoms, headaches: ginger tea (2 tablespoons of freshly shredded ginger steeped in boiled water 2-3 times daily)
- Arthritis: 2-4g daily; use oil or fresh root in a warm poultice or compress and apply to the painful areas.
What forms of ginger are available?
Ginger is available in a variety of forms. In addition to fresh ginger root (which is available at most supermarkets), it can be found as an extract, tincture, capsule or oil. Another good source is crystallized ginger, which is covered in sugar.
What can happen if I take too much ginger? Are there any interactions I should be aware of? What precautions should I take?
The American Herbal Products Association has given fresh ginger root a class I safety rating, meaning it is a safe herb with a wide dosage range. However, dried ginger root has a class II B rating, which means it should not be used during pregnancy.
Some evidence suggests that ginger may interfere with heart medications, diabetes medications and anticoagulants. Since ginger also increases the flow of bile, it should not be taken by patients with gallstones. Excessive amounts of ginger may cause mild heartburn.
Question about Parkinson's and Acupuncture: I have Parkinson's and go to a chiropractor twice a week. The right side of my body has been affected with tremors. I have found that the muscle, nerves and tendons coming from the right side of the skull are tight, & very sore this makes the whole right side of the body hurt. Will acupuncture help me open block areas so there is no longer pain? and help release the toxin buildup?
Answer: Acupuncture does unblock energy flow when a blockage is being treated according to the patterns of TCM. Most often blockage is associated with pain. A patient can be treated to correct an imbalance causing a deficiency in the function of the eliminative organs. First you see the acupuncturist for a TCM diagnosis of your condition so that treatment is appropriate. - Dr. Michael Apelian, LAc, OMD.
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