Category Archives: addiction

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Amino acids for the healing of addicted brain

Amino acids

Amino acids for the healing of addicted brain and when this is done, life is rejuvenated to perfection

Amino acids for the healing of addicted brain: Treatment possibilities

Addiction is a serious health risk, a condition with several treatment possibilities including the use of amino acids as we will be finding out progressively. Addiction can affect directly or indirectly and despite its grave effects we are yet to appreciate that its physical disorders originate from the brain. According to the experts from AWAREmed health and wellness resource center under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD, addiction has some painful symptoms which occur during abstinence and interferes with the ability to stay sober. Some of these symptoms include; craving, obsession, compulsion, stress sensitivity, anxiety, depression, mental confusion, and hypersensitivity to the environment. It is also important to note that the pain of staying sober can be so severe that it may interfere with the ability to function normally even when the desire for and commitment is strong.

Amino acids for the healing of addicted brain: Neurotransmitters and addiction

Everyone need comfort both physical and emotional, for this to effectively take place, neurotransmitters will play a very significant role in feelings of pleasure and well-being. The brain will in the event of deficiency or excess of the neurotransmitters give rise to uncomfortable feelings. Many at times the decisions and actions we take are chosen to produce a good feeling or relieve bad feelings. For example:

  • We eat because it produces a reward of good feelings.
  • We eat certain foods because they produce a better reward than others (chocolate produces more reward for most people than parsley).
  • We have sex because it produces a powerful release of pleasurable chemicals.
  • We work because the work itself is rewarding for us or because the end result produces a reward.
  • We refrain from certain actions because they do not produce the feeling of reward we are seeking.
  • We all differ in what gives us satisfaction and in the depth of satisfaction we experience, but we are all motivated by chemical actions in the brain that nature uses to keep us alive, motivated, functioning, and reproducing.

An imbalance in the interaction of neurotransmitters can result in a reward deficiency that can manifest as restlessness, anxiety, emptiness, lack of satisfaction and vague or specific cravings. When this takes place the brain is simply communicating to us to take action to make right the imbalance. There are substances and activities that change our biochemistry so much that we want to do them over and over. And if the person has a reward deficit that predisposes to addiction, the activity that works will be repeated as often as necessary to get the desired reward. For the person predisposed to addiction, the chosen activity will rapidly go from self-medication to addiction.

While research has opened doors to new understandings of the nature of addiction and its effect on the brain, little of this information has been applied to actually helping people get well from this devastating disease. There are scientifically based strategies that change the brain chemistry of the addicted person, removing the discomfort of withdrawal, eliminating cravings, and relieving the abstinence-based symptoms of addiction. These include nutritional therapy, acupuncture, auricular therapy, and brain wave biofeedback. The most important are the nutritional approach, especially with the use of amino acids, which is the focus of this discussion. We will continue this discussion in our subsequent postings but in the meantime, you and I need to pool together in keep the activities of our brains healthy. And therefore for any concern about this deadly condition, you can always schedule an appointment with doctor Akoury for a one on one professional input.

Amino acids for the healing of addicted brain: Treatment possibilities

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Food chemicals as used by humans and plants

Food chemicals

Food chemicals as used by humans and plants have several similarities on how they affect the brain

Food chemicals as used by humans and plants: Brain understanding of food addiction

You may be wondering the similarities on how plants and humans use food chemicals in their daily functions! Professionally, doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President, and founder of AWAREmed health and wellness resource center say that plants produce chemicals capable of affecting our brains because they share an evolutionary history with us and primitive one-celled organisms produce many of the same chemicals present in our brains. Meaning that, irrespective of what you choose to eat the chemicals each meal contains may alter how your neurons function and by extension how you feel or think. We have all experienced the consequences of our shared evolutionary history with the plants we eat. For example, unripe bananas contain the neurotransmitter serotonin. When you eat an unripe banana, its serotonin is free to act upon the serotonin neurons within your digestive tract. The result is likely to increase activation of the muscles in the wall of your intestines.

Many plants contain compounds that should be able to enhance the brain’s performance. For example, potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants contain solanine and α-chaconine substances that can enhance the action of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain vital to memory formation.

Morphine chemicals

Morphine-like chemicals are capable of acting upon the brain are produced in your intestines when you consume milk, eggs, cheese, spinach, mushrooms, pumpkin, and various fish and grains. Dairy products, in particular, contain a protein known as casein, which enzymes in your intestines can convert into beta-casomorphin. In newborns, that beta-casomorphin can easily pass out of the immature gut and into the developing brain to produce euphoria. The pleasurable feeling produced by this opiate-like compound in newborn mammals after their first taste of their mother’s milk is believed to encourage the infant to return again and again for nourishment. Thus, being able to experience the euphoria induced by this opiate-like chemical has life and death consequences for the newborn child.

Food chemicals as used by humans and plants: Caffeine and Nicotine

These are definitely plants derived from drugs. Chocolate contains a bit of caffeine, but also an array of other psychoactive compounds that may contribute to the pleasurable sensation of eating it. Chocolate contains phenethylamine a molecule that resembles amphetamine, and a small amount of chemical called Anandamide resembling the active ingredient in marijuana. Ironically, Anandamide happens to be used by our brain as a regular neurotransmitter and appears to be critical for us to experience pleasure.

Finally having seen the effect of food on human life, as a society we must pool together to ensure that we live a happy life, therefore, the services of professionals will be necessary to give guidance. And with the help of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, all your concerns will be well taken care of. Remember that doctor Akoury practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. You can call her on telephone number 843 213 1480 for further deliberations.

Food chemicals as used by humans and plants: Brain understanding of food addiction

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Nutrition benefits

Minerals functions in maintaining immune system

Minerals functions

Minerals functions in maintaining immune system can no longer be ignored in the business of healthy living

Minerals functions in maintaining immune system: Supporting healthy immune system

Zinc is one of the minerals in food that has received the most attention for its ability to support immune function. Zinc is a potent immune stimulant, and its deficiency can result in profound suppression of T-cell function. Children with severe zinc deficiencies show signs of growth retardation and susceptibility to infections. However, an excess of zinc has also shown negative effects on immune function and can inhibit the phagocytic cells (macrophages and neutrophils). Therefore, maintaining adequate but not excessive levels of zinc is important since it is a strong pillar when it comes to minerals functions in maintaining a strong and healthy immune system. Speaking to the experts at AWAREmed health and wellness resource center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD. And from her decades of experience, doctor Akoury agrees that food is one of the reason and a great excellent source of obtaining nutrition versus supplementation.

Minerals functions in maintaining immune system: Sources of zinc

Remember that food contains a balanced variety of the micronutrients whereas supplementation with individual nutrients can lead to too much of some and not enough of others. Very good sources of zinc include spinach, asparagus, shiitake mushrooms and crimini mushrooms. Good sources include sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, garbanzo beans, lentils, cashews, and quinoa. Many other minerals are important in supporting immune function. Clinical research studies have shown that iron deficiency results in impaired response to antibodies and defective phagocytic cell functioning. Copper deficiency is associated with an increase in infections and may impair the development of immune cells such as T-cells and the phagocytic cells. Selenium and manganese are important for supporting healing from inflammation and may be immune-stimulants. Selenium can be obtained from fish and shellfish, as well as tofu and whole grains.

Finally, the greatest enemy in life and more so in relation to our topic of discussion is being ignorant of what you can do to be safe from any kind of nutrients deficiencies that can easily weaken your immune system. And because knowledge is power, the purpose of this article is to open your eyes and understanding by bringing you to the full understanding of how to keep yourself healthy. You now have an option of doing what is right for your health. Following the facts posted on this link will be the starting point and by and by you will be strengthening your immune system positively. Nevertheless, you will still need to be in touch with the expert to help you understand and take action when the deficiency of these nutrients weakens your immune system and messes up your life. To that effect, you can always call on doctor Dalal Akoury whose practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. This way you will not only be informed but also attentive and proactive with matters concerning your health and immune system.

Minerals functions in maintaining immune system: Supporting healthy immune system

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Vitamins strengths for healthy immune functions

Vitamins strengths

Vitamins strengths for healthy immune functions is tested and is a serious boost to immunity

Vitamins strengths for healthy immune functions: Immune system restoration

We are not shy in any way in the importance of vitamins strength in keeping our immune system strong and healthy. Every human life is supported by a strong immune system and without this, sickness will be flowing one after the other says doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President, and founder of AWAREmed health and wellness resource center. Professionally, doctor Akoury reiterates that your body uses a variety of responses to maintain its defense against harmful pathogenic organisms in the environment; therefore, it may not be surprising that nearly all of the vitamins are necessary to maintain and promote some aspect of your immune function. Some vitamins have received more attention in the research literature since they are particularly important to a healthy immune system.

Much has been written about the role of vitamin C in supporting the immune system, in part because it has been promoted as an immune stimulant by the noted scientist and Nobel Prize Laureate, Linus Pauling.

  • Vitamin C support a decrease in the length of time and severity of symptoms associated with upper respiratory viral infections, promote phagocytic cell functions and support healthy T-cell function.
  • Vitamin C also provides antioxidant activity to support healing at sites of inflammation.
  • An excellent source of vitamin C is citrus fruit.
  • Many vegetables are also excellent sources of vitamin C, such as broccoli, kale, spinach, turnip greens, beet green, mustard greens, collard greens, Swiss chard, and asparagus.

Vitamins strengths for healthy immune functions: Vitamin B

Many of the B-vitamins are also very important in supporting a healthy immune system. For example:

  • Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) promotes the production and release of antibodies from B-cells.
  • The deficiency of vitamin B5 results in reduced levels of circulating antibodies.
  • Folic acid deficiency leads to a decrease in T-cells and can result in reduced effectiveness of the soluble factors as well.
  • Vitamin B6 deficiency consistently impairs T-cell functioning and results in a decrease in blood lymphocyte counts.
  • Deficiencies in vitamins B1 (thiamin) and B2 (riboflavin) may impair normal antibody response.
  • Low vitamin B12 inhibits phagocytic cells and possibly T-cell function.

Almost all whole grains, vegetables, and fruits can serve as excellent sources of at least some of these vitamins, but some vegetables are particularly more beneficial since they are excellent sources of many of these immune-supporting vitamins. In particular:

  • Romaine lettuce is a rich source of vitamins B1, B2, C, and folate.
  • Turnip greens and spinach are excellent sources of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin C.
  • Cauliflower happens to be an excellent source of vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6, and pantothenic acid.
  • Crimini mushrooms are also an excellent source of vitamin B2, niacin, and pantothenic acid.
  • Red bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamin B6.
  • Excellent sources of vitamin B12 include sardines, salmon, tuna, cod, lamb, scallops, shrimp, and beef.

Finally, it is worth noting that there is no health without a strong immune system. It, therefore, means that we need to protect our immunity by all means. Besides the application of good food nutrients, you will equally need to engage with professional in this discipline. And for that matter, it will interest you to note that doctor Dalal Akoury is an expert in the area of Healthy Aging, Regenerative, and Functional Medicine. She specializes in advanced bio-identical hormone replacement and nutritional therapies. And currently, she is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and the fellowship program in Anti-Aging, Regenerative, Functional and Metabolic Medicine. She can help you professionally with this problem.

Vitamins strengths for healthy immune functions: Immune system restoration

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Immune system restoration using good diet

Immune system restoration

Immune system restoration using good diet is not a fiction but a fact you can take to the bank

Immune system restoration using good diet: Nutrients supporting immune system

We have in the past article discussed the immense role of immune system in the human body sighting some of the consequences and how addiction affect us when the immune system is weak. This shows that we have to do whatever it takes to have strong immune system at all times. And based on these findings, and with the professional help of doctor Dalal Akoury MD, we want to build a discussion in this article while focusing on the immune system restoration through the use of good food nutrients or diet as many would call it. Over the past decade several studies have shown that nutrition plays a major role in supporting the production and action of both the cells and the soluble factors of the immune system. Protein, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and certain vitamins, and minerals are all very instrumental to a healthy immune system says doctor Akoury.

Immune system restoration using good diet: Protein and immune system

Many research findings have established that protein deficiency can have a assortment of untold effects on the immune system of any individual. For example, protein malnutrition may be an important contributing factors in HIV seroconversion, that is to say, the process by which a person with primary exposure to Human Immunodeficiency Virus becomes infected with that virus. Studies have shown that deficiency of high-quality protein can result in depletion of immune cells, inability of the body to make antibodies, and other immune-related problems.

To have the clear picture of how important this nutrient is, let’s look at its contents, protein is composed of the 20 amino acids which the body needs for growth and repair some of these amino acids appear to be particularly important for immune functioning. For example, the amino acids called glutamine and arginine are considered as nutrition therapy in pre-surgery patients because of their ability to stimulate the immune system. Interestingly, it is not just deficiency of these amino acids that can compromise the immune system-an imbalance in the ratios among amino acids can also affect the immune response.

It’s therefore important that a diet that supports a healthy immune system should contain foods rich in providing high-quality and complete protein such as those found in eggs, fish, and shellfish. Not forgetting many vegetables and grains which are also excellent sources of many of the immune-stimulating amino acids, together with other protein sources not mention here but are particularly beneficial. Finally, in doing all these, it is equally important to note that besides poor nutrition, misuse of substances is also a major threat to your immune system. And for this reason, doctor Akoury made a decision of creating a medical center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. This is one of the professionals you may want to look for to help you in all your addiction related complications. You can schedule your appointment by calling her on telephone number 843 213 1480 today.

Immune system restoration using good diet: Nutrients supporting immune system

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