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November 2011 [Volume 10, Issue 11]
To Your Health is brought to you by:
In this issue of To Your Health:
- Acupuncture Solutions for the High Cost of Obesity
- Herb of the Month – Green Tea (lu cha)
- Ask an Acupuncturist
Acupuncture Solutions for the High Cost of Obesity
By Gregg St. Clair, BA, MSTOM, LAc
In March of this year, AT contributor Sara Calabro had a nice article on acupuncture for weight loss, focusing on Western approaches, Oriental theory and acupuncture protocols. I'd like to take this a step further and look at the cost and environmental impact of obesity. We are a fat nation (33% of adults), getting fatter (17% of our children), and this is something we all have to pay for.
How much do we pay? Healthcare costs associated with obesity are almost $150 billion annually, according to the Center for Disease Control. According to TV personality Dr. Oz, the cost over an obese person's lifetime is $258,000 more than a non-obese person. The World Health Bank estimates 12% of the U.S. healthcare budget is spent treating obesity related diseases. Apparently supersizing a meal has a hidden price.
Obesity also has a direct effect on the environment. Heavier people move less and drive more, not only consuming more fuel, but needing extra fuel to propel them because they are heavier. It is estimated that obesity causes one billion extra tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually because of this. They also use extra fuel for air travel resulting in higher airline costs.
Herb of the Month – Green Tea (lu cha)
What is green tea? What is it used for?
After water, tea is the second most commonly consumed beverage in the world. The most frequently consumed variety of green tea, which, along with its black and oolong counterparts, is derived from the plant camellia sinensis. Different-colored teas are produced depending on how the leaves of the plant are prepared.
The origins of tea as a beverage remain something of a mystery, although it has been drunk for thousands of years. One of the most popular legends concerns a Chinese emperor, who "discovered" the drink when leaves from a tea tree accidentally fell into a cup of hot water he was drinking. Whatever the origins may be, tea remains extremely popular, not only as a beverage, but as an increasingly important component of health and well-being.
Green tea contains a variety of chemicals and compounds, including several volatile oils, minerals, vitamins and caffeine. The chemicals of most importance in green tea are polyphenols, which are believed to be responsible for most of the green tea's positive benefits.
The known health benefits associated with green tea are numerous. Studies conducted over the past two decades have shown that green tea and green tea extracts are effective in treating conditions ranging from high blood cholesterol levels and tooth decay to atherosclerosis and some types of cancer. Other evidence suggests that green tea can play a role in the promotion of weight loss and improvements in the immune system.
How much green tea should I take?
The amount of green tea to be drunk depends on the condition being treated. Most research conducted in the past decade is based on an average of three cups of green tea (approximately 750 milliliters) per day. However, other studies have suggested that upwards of 10 cups (2,500 milliliters) is necessary to achieve an optimal effect from green tea and its polyphenols. The typical cup of green tea combines one teaspoon of tea leaves with approximately 250 milliliters of water, steeped for a minimum of three minutes.
What forms of green tea are available?
Dozens of types of green tea, along with dozens of black and oolong teas, can be found at supermarkets, Asian markets, specialty stores, health food stores, coffee and tea shops, and herbal shops. Many stores also sell tablets and capsules containing green tea extracts and large amounts of polyphenols. Decaffeinated green tea is also widely available.
What can happen if I take too much green tea? Are there any interactions I should be aware of? What precautions should I take?
Green tea is considered generally safe and free of side effects. Large amounts of green tea taken for extended periods of time may cause insomnia and anxiety, but these conditions are usually due to the tea's caffeine content and will disappear through reduction or elimination of tea from the diet. Green tea is known to interact with a variety of medications, including atropine, codeine, ephedrine and warfarin; patients taking these medications should consult with a licensed health care provider before taking tea or tea extracts. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking large amounts of green tea or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
Question about Acupuncture for Anxiety:
I have severe panic disorder and I've had it for a few years now. I didn't want to take medication so I decided to try a new route with acupuncture. I've been to see the acupuncturist three times now and have had two treatments. After the first treatment I feel that I had better results though it was only for a few days it seemed better than the second. Is that normal? When I had the second treatment I only got the "tingle" in two spots that the needles were placed which I got in all spots the first time, is that normal? And how many treatments does it typically take to feel a great difference and only need maintenance? I am a great believer in this healing option, I just would like to make sure things are going correctly and I don't know anyone else who has had acupuncture for this issue.
Answer:
Everything is going smoothly. It helps that you noticed some difference with the first treatment, and even some improvement in symptoms the second. People do respond differently to treatment and there is not a normal. In general, a person will have 10 to 13 treatments for this symptom, but you can ask your acupuncturist about your particular case.
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