LIGHT AT THE CROSSROAD
Explorations
at the intersection of body, mind, emotions, and spirit
Volume III, Number 2
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Newsletter of
Tom Beardshall's Holistic Wellness Center
3901 Washington Road
Suite 203
McMurray, PA 15317
Telephone:
(724) 942-5750
FAX:(412) 221-6611
Website: www.holisticwellnessonline.com
Dawning
Light
News Notes and Current Research
-- Swine Flu: A Wake-Up Call ! --- We know that viruses and bacteria have been getting smarter, mutating to become more resistant to antibiotics and vaccines. Even if the recent news about Swine Flu turns out to be a false alarm because this version of flu is not as deadly as was initially feared, you should expect more epidemics and "superbugs" that bring health challenges in your future. Smart consumers are increasingly protecting themselves from such health problems through the use of essential oils because bacteria and viruses do not seem to be able to build a resistance to pure, therapeutic grade essential oils. Essential oils have a long history of protecting from disease and were in common day-to-day use until the last century, when medicine switched to reliance on antibiotics and pills. For example, when the Bubonic Plague spread across Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries, killing a third of the population, it was so contagious that to touch the body of one who died from Plague or even to enter their home almost assured catching the disease. As a result, the dead were often left in their homes to rot without burial. However, a small band of thieves followed the plague from town to town and entered the homes of the dead, robbing them of their valuables, and never became ill. When caught and brought to trial, the thieves revealed that they had a special formula of essential oils which, when rubbed on their skin, made them immune to the Plague. This same mixture is often used today to enhance resistance to a wide variety of illnesses, and is referred to as the "thieves" formula.
My research indicates that the Young Living company offers the best line of top-quality essential oils, many of which offer powerful benefits for health and longevity (including their "thieves" oil blend), If you are interested in more information on essential oil products, go online at:
www.youngliving.org/tombeardshall.
Their essential oil products are almost entirely organic and processed freshly-harvested at low temperatures and pressures, which is necessary to maximize the therapeutic benefits. I am a firm believer that, when it comes to anything which goes into or onto your body, careful processing is crucial. Young Living has a system in which you can earn income by referring others into their system, and so if you do decide to order I would appreciate it if you would mention me. Just say that you were recommended to the products by Thomas Beardshall,
member #526366.
-- Walking Away the "Blues"—A number of studies have shown the health benefits of walking, including the reduction of depression symptoms. A recent study by Essex University in Great Britain suggests that where you walk makes a difference in the therapeutic effects. Adults suffering from depression who did their walking in a natural setting (a park or woods) were twice as likely to feel better about themselves compared to those who did their walking in an urban setting (such as a mall). The famous psychic, Edgar Cayce, always stressed that getting out into nature is a basic human need, and now perhaps science is validating his recommendation.
-- Your Beliefs and Your Health—Many researchers have found correlations between our thoughts and our health. An article in a recent issue of the magazine Spirituality and Health focused on the beneficial effects of an attitude of HOPE, an attitude of looking toward the future with a belief that good will triumph, or at least might triumph. Studies by several psychologists show that hopefulness is one of the most accurate predictors of immune system strength, longevity, general health, happiness, and a positive sense of well-being. What is more, researchers found that hope is not an accident of fate that one is simply born with or without---it can be learned and acquired. (My book, Steering Your Way Through Life, is one example of a guidebook to the beliefs which can generate hope in your life. See the "Tom's Book" button at the home page for more details.)
-- An Example of the Above—A recent study at the St. Louis University School of Medicine shows that the recovery process for hip surgery patients was affected by the patients' emotions. Those with pre-existing negative attitudes and depression had significantly more problems during recovery from their surgery.
-- Skeptics Attack Alternative Medicine— Attacks on alternative therapies are not hard to find, and are usually based on narrow-mindedness and negativity. A recent book which at least tries to be more open-minded is Trick or Treatment; The Undeniable Facts About Alternative Medicine, by Edzard Ernst, MD. This author (who has a positive past history in supporting some alternative therapies) claims to have rigorously examined over 4,000 research studies of complementary medicine practices, and he decided that many of them offer nothing more than placebo effects and have little real value. He even attacks some alternative therapies which he formerly supported. I don't agree with all of the negative conclusions of this book, but of special interest to me was the fact that the alternative therapies which Dr. Ernst is willing to concede DO have positive benefits are among those in which I am most interested: Hypnosis, Meditation, Relaxation Therapies, Massage Therapy, Essential Oils, and food-based Supplements.
SPOTLIGHT
In each issue this section focuses on one healing technique or modality
CAN AGING BE SLOWED OR REVERSED?
Recently I have received a number of requests for information about increasing longevity and reversing the problems of aging. Whether this is because I look so young and beautiful or just because I am in the holistic health field, I will leave up to you. (However, to blow my own horn, at the ripe old age of 68 I do get a lot of comments saying that I look younger than my age---maybe only 67-and-a-half).
Anyway, the recent requests inspired me to pull together my thoughts about aging and longevity, and I decided that I would put my ideas down in writing and pass them along to my friends, clients, and acquaintances while I had it all fresh in my mind. The following are the recommendations which I have been giving to those who ask about extending longevity and maintaining mental sharpness.
First, I will just briefly mention the longevity aids which everyone already knows about: exercise, healthy eating and lifestyle habits, and weight control. Sorry, folks, but numerous medical studies show that people who exercise regularly and keep their weight on the slim side will live longer, stay mentally sharp to an older age, and stay active and enjoy life more. Healthy eating means shifting your diet away from highly processed foods and toward more natural "whole" foods and avoiding foods full of artificial sweeteners and other chemicals. A healthy lifestyle includes avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol only moderately, and getting adequate regular sleep.
This is where people usually say to me, "Okay, so someone who is perfect will live a long and healthy life, but is there anything that I can realistically do to help myself that is simple and doesn't involve totally up-ending my life?" Well, yes there is. I have spent a lot of time in recent years researching aging and longevity (its funny how this topic becomes more interesting to me as the decades pile up) and I have found a few things that work. There are lots of claims for a wide array of products in this anti-aging field, and most of them have no real evidence that they offer any genuine positive effect. The following are a few of the ones which I think are "do-able" for most people and have the best research evidence for providing substantial benefit.
1. Meditation. Medical studies have shown that as little as 20 or 30 minutes of meditation three or four times a week can actually make a big difference in health in a number of ways. First, for some reason it seems to improve immune function and extend longevity. Even more impressive, it seems to stop and even reverse one of the main problems which come with aging: in most people, as they age the parts of the brain that perform memory and concentration functions seem to gradually shrink and become weaker. When meditation is performed regularly, these areas of the brain actually grow and become stronger! Memory and concentration improve! If you are not a person who feels that you are good at meditation, then listening to a pre-recorded meditation or "guided imagery" or hypnosis session works just as well. The key is to get into a deeply relaxed mental state on a regular basis. Guided meditation CD's are available at many book stores, or can be ordered through a variety of mail-order sources. I also have some meditation and hypnosis recordings available in CD or cassette format and which are described in the "Resources" section of this website, (Click here for descriptions of these recordings)
2. This tip is not widely publicized yet, but there are current ongoing medical studies which indicate that regular supplementation with the combination of lipoic acid and acetyl-l-carnatine will significantly restore youth of both body and mind, especially mental functioning. You want to get good quality (don't buy supplements at discount stores or even your local chain drug store or supermarket, but look for a good naturopath or quality health food store.) Fortunately, some good reputable companies are catching on to this combination and are starting to include them in multi-ingredient formulas. I purchase mine from a company called Life Extension. Their special formula is called "Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer "
and includes some other synergistic ingredients along with lipoic acid and acetyl-l-carnatine. To get more info on this and/or their full line of supplements, go to:
Life Extension Health Concerns
3. I saved the best for last. The best product I have found for promoting health, longevity, and mental function is based on a berry which was discovered in the Ningxia province of China. Researchers were studying this area of China because of the unusual longevity of many of the native peasants, who often were enjoying active and alert lives well over the age of 100, and some even living to 120 ! The researchers finally determined that this exceptional longevity came from an unusual berry which grew wild in this region of China. The name of this berry is the "Goji" berry, or in English the "Wolfberry," (or, in Latin, the lycium barbarum). A number of companies are now selling juice made from the Goji berry, but the problem is that, unless the processing is done exactly right, much of the benefit is lost. The company which I buy from is called Young Living, which was founded by holistic health researcher Gary Young. I trust them because they use only organic berries, they rigorously test to verify consistent quality, and they have a special patented system which uses low temperatures and low pressures to process the berries, so that their wolfberry juice (they call theirs Ningxia Red) consistently tests at a much higher anti-oxidant level and benefit level than anyone else's. Medical research is showing that much of illness and aging is caused by free-radical oxidants. Think of them as our own little internal "terrorists," roaming your body, looking for cells to destroy. Science is starting to pay attention the "ORAC" rating of foods (a rating of the oxidant-reducing activity). Young Living's version has been tested by independent labs which showed its ORAC rating was amazingly higher than anything else on the market. Ningxia Red is pricey, but you only need to drink an ounce per day to get therapeutic benefits. In fact, it is so strong that the most you should consume is probably about two ounces per day, which is what my wife and I do. It comes in quart bottles, and I have an automatic shipment of four bottles sent to me every month as a standing order.
If you want to learn more about this one, go to:
www.youngliving.org/tombeardshall
Give these ideas a try, and in a few decades or so I hope to see you at a centenarians' convention !
Young Living also sells an excellent line of top-quality essential oils and supplements, many of which I also use occasionally and which are beneficial for health and longevity. If you are interested in these, go online at www.youngliving.org/tombeardshall and explore their product line. Their essential oil products are almost entirely organic and processed freshly-harvested at low temperatures and pressures, which is necessary to maximize the therapeutic benefits. I am a firm believer that, when it comes to anything which goes into or onto your body, careful processing is crucial.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In Tom Beardshall's practice he provides Hypnosis, Healing Touch, Reiki,
Therapeutic Touch, Esoteric Healing, Light-Sound Brain Wave Technology, Thought Field Therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, Reflexology, Massage, and other methods to help his clients. He has taught classes for the Association For Research and Enlightenment (Edgar Cayce Foundation), The Lily Dale Assembly, the Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy, and numerous other organizations around the country as well as presenting many courses and retreats on his own. Private sessions are available by appointment.
Tom is also the author of a new book, Steering Your Way Through Life; A Guide To Being Happy, Purposeful, And Fulfilled. This book provides a clear and understandable guide to spirituality and metaphysics, explains the purpose of life here on planet earth, and assists the reader in developing a personal philosophy which will enable them to steer their way through life's ups and downs with a positive sense of purpose and fulfillment. For more details, click on the "Tom's Book" icon at the home page.