May 2008 Synchronizing Your Day With The Sun

a blog post by Lynne McTaggart* - May 1, 2008

More than 50 years ago, Dr. Franz Halberg of the University of Minnesota discovered that many biological processes appear to run according to an in-built clock. Later experiments showed him that living things respond to the same 24-hour rhythm, in tandem with the earth’s rotation. Dr. Halberg also discovered that living things keep in time to many other periodic rhythms; half-weekly, weekly, monthly and yearly cycles govern virtually every biological function. The human pulse and blood pressure, body temperature and blood clotting, circulation of lymphocytes, hormonal cycles and other functions of the human body all appear to ebb and flow according to some basic, recurring timetable.

Initially scientists believed that the master switch for these biological rhythms was located in certain cells of the brain or adrenal glands. But in his eighties, Halberg made his final breakthrough discovery: The synchronizer within every living thing is not internal but resides in the planets – particularly the sun and solar activity. In a sense, the sun is our metronome. These rhythms are a ready-made feature of organisms, not simply something learned or acquired – an inherent property of life. Because of this, we have biorhythms for everything in our lives – times when it is better to do one activity than another. For instance, having a glass of wine at lunchtime makes you more woozy than in the evening because your liver is three times better at detoxifying the alcohol in the evening than at midday.

Here are the best times to carry out activities in your day:

7 am: The optimum time to have sex, when the body produces a surge in hormones and adrenaline. Testosterone levels rise during sleep and reach a peak in men after a night’s sleep.

8:30-9 am: The best time to eat, since blood pressure and your metabolic rates are at their highest. Hence, the old adage to ‘eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper’. A huge meal will put on less weight in the morning than later in the day.

9:30-11:30 am: The optimum time for test taking, when your short-term memory and brain power are at their sharpest.

2 pm: The perfect time for a nap. The worst time to drive or operate equipment, as it is most likely time for an accident.

2:30-3: The best time for recall or reminiscing; long-term memory peaks.

4-6 pm: The best time to exercise – your muscles are at their warmest of the day, your reaction time, hand-eye coordination reach their optimum.

6-8 pm: The best time for mindfulness meditation, when sensory ability is at its most acute, and also problem solving, as the blood flowing to your brain peaks.

7-9 pm: The best time to share with friends and loved ones, as cortisol – the stress hormone – and blood pressure drops.

10-11 pm: The best time to sleep, when production of melatonin, the hormone inducing sleep, surges, and heart rate, body temperature begin to wind down.

*To read more of Lynne's blog postings, or to learn more about her books,The Field and The Intention Experiment, visit her website: http://livingthefield.com



~TIPS FOR AVOIDING GERMS~

This AOL article has some great suggestions for limiting your exposure to germs that can make you sick:

Vacuum Cleaners:
Researchers at the University of Arizona recently found that 50 percent of the vacuum brushes they tested contained fecal bacteria, including 13 percent with E. coli, and all were packing mold. Vacuuming can transfer the germs from contaminated surfaces to uncontaminated ones (think kitchen to living room).

The Solution: Spray the brush with a disinfectant after every use--traces of bacteria can survive as long as 5 days inside the vacuum after you empty the dirt. And disposable-bag vacuums promote more bacterial growth, according to the study, so buy the bagless variety



The Bedroom:

More than 84 percent of beds in U.S. homes host dust mites. These microscopic critters live in your sheets and feed on your dead skin, and their fecal matter and corpses contribute to asthma and allergies.  

Don't make your bed. A study from London's Kingston University found that dust mites need humidity levels above 50 percent to survive. And while they can't live in the arid conditions of an unmade bed, a made bed traps the moisture they need to thrive. Mount an air attack, too. Try bundling a dehumidifier with an oscillating fan for a two-pronged moisture eliminator.

Shopping Carts are a haven for germs:

The handles of almost two-thirds of shopping carts tested in a 2007 University of Arizona study were contaminated with fecal bacteria. The carts had even more of these bacteria than the average public bathroom has.

The Solution: Swab the handle with a disinfectant wipe before grabbing hold--stores are starting to provide them, so look around. And skip the free food samples, which are nothing but communal hand-to-germ-to-mouth zones. Finally, bag unpackaged items, like fruits and vegetables, before placing them in your fecal-matter carrier. Your cart, that is.

You can get more than a workout at the gym...

A 2006 study in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found rhinoviruses (instigators of the common cold) on 63 percent of the gym equipment at the fitness centers they tested. Researchers also discovered that weight equipment was contaminated significantly more often than aerobic equipment (73 percent versus 51 percent). Even worse, the study found that disinfecting the equipment twice a day didn't do anything to lower the virus count.

The Solution: Avoid touching your face between sets, since most colds are transmitted through hand-to-nose contact. And make sure to pack an alcohol-based hand sanitizer in your gym bag.

Skip the Lemon:

In a 2007 study from the Journal of Environmental Health, nearly 70 percent of the lemon wedges smashed onto restaurant glasses contained disease-causing microbes. Researchers ordered drinks at 21 different restaurants, securing 76 lemons. Testing revealed 25 different microorganisms lingering on the lemons, including E. coli and other fecal bacteria.

The Solution: Tell the waiter you prefer your drink sans fruit. Why risk it?

FOOD CHOICES THAT HELP REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF AGING...
Is it possible that the food we eat can help to slow down the aging process?

In an Orlando Sentinel article, Dr. Michael Roizen (author of You Staying Young:The Owner's Manual For Extending Your Warranty) says that food and lifestyle choices can add years to your life, and that it is never too late to begin, "Aging is reversible, it's never too late until you are 6 feet under!" and believes positive changes take place within a matter of months. A recent study affirms this as they found that people who eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, drink moderately, exercise and quit smoking live an average 14 years longer than people who adopt none of these behaviors.

So what should you be eating? Here's the list of foods that will help you to improve your health and slow down the aging process:

• Salmon and other fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help decrease inflammation and may lower your risk of heart disease and certain cancers, including breast and prostate cancer. These good fats have been found to reduce depression and boost the production of a protein known to destroy the plaques associated witIh Alzheimer's disease. Aim for at least two servings of fish per week or consider omega-3-fortified foods and fish oil supplements.
• Whole Grains can potentially reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers as they are high in fiber and other disease-fighting nutrients. The Iowa Women's Health Study found that at least one serving of whole grains a day (such as oatmeal, brown rice and quinoa) lowered the risk of dying by 15% during a nine-year period.
• Broccoli and other dark-green vegetables offer carotenoids, folate and viatamin C. Carotenoids might be a powerful weapons against cancer. Folate is good for your heart and brain. Vitamin C has been shown to reduce stroke risk by as much as 42%. Some studies indicate that Vitamin C might slow skin wrinkling.
• Tumeric is a spice that contains a compound called curcumin that might help keep the brain young. Older adults in Singapore who ate turmeric-rich curry often were half as likely to suffer from mental decline. Other studies suggest tumeric helps improve memory.
• Cinnamon appears to have insulinlike properties that might help control blood-sugar levels. Just as little as 1/4 teaspoon a day was found to be beneficial.
• Beans, peas and lentils are packed with soluble fiber that soaks up cholesterol like a sponge and escorts it out of your body. Low in fat, legumes are loaded with protein and folate, a B vitamin that helps lower blood levels of homocysteine, a type of amino acid linked to heart disease and stroke. Tulane University researchers found that people who ate legumes at least four times a week or more had a 22% lower risk of heart disease.
• Berries and cherries bright blue and red colors are responsible for the health-promoting properites of these mighty fruits. The hue signals hte presence of anthocyannis, powerful phytonutrients that may reduce inflammation and offer protection agains heart disease and cancer. Some studies show that they can help slow the decline in brain function as we age.
• Calcium and Vitamin D are vital to maintaining bone density that declines as we age. Vitamin D helpf the body absorb calcium, but newer studies also suggest that this "sunshine" vitamin also lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. A genetic study found that people with the lowest levels of Vitamin D experienced changes equivalent to five years of aging.
• Red Wine in moderation may be beneficial due to a compund called resveratrol that is found in red-grape skin. Some studies indicate it has anti-cancer effects and makes the immune system younger. "Moderate" drinking is considered to be one glass a day for women, two for men.
• Almonds are paced with protein, Vitamin E and good fats Studies indicate that an ounce a day (about a handful) can help lower harmful LDL cholesterol levels.

HEALTH QUESTIONS ABOUT HARD PLASTIC

There have been a number of news stories lately about the potential toxic properties that may be found in plastic. In an article for The New York Times,Tara Parker-Pope reported the following information on this subject:

A chemical used to make baby bottles, water bottles, and food containers is creating increased scrutiny by health officials in Canada and the United States.

The substance in question is bisphenol-a, or BPA, which is widely used in the marking of the hard, clear and nearly unbreakable plastic called polycarbonate. Studies and tests show that trace amounts of BPA are leaching from polycarbonate containers into foods and liquids.

The concern is not only for children's products like clear plastic bottles and canned infant formula, but also for food-storage containers, clear plastic pitchers used for filtered water, refillable water bottles and the lining of soft-drink and food cans.

FAST FACTS ABOUT BPA:

• All of the evidence that BPA is harmful comes from animal studies. Rat pups exposed to BPA through injection or food, showed changes in mammary and prostate tissue, suggesting a potential cancer risk.
• BPA migrates into food from polycarbonate plastic bottles or epoxy resin coatings that line canned food.
• The 2003-04 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found detectable levels of BPA in 93% of urine samples collected from more than 2,500 adults and chilren older than 6.
• The typical adult ingests an estimated 1 microgram of BPA for every kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight.
• Babies who use polycarbonate bottles and formula from cans get more, an estimated 10 micrograms per kilogram of body weight.
• Any product made of hard, clear plastic is probably made from polycarbonate unless the manufacturer states specifically that it is PBA-free. One way to check is to look for the triangle stamp on or near the bottom - polycarbonate plastics shoudl have the numeral 7 in the triangle, sometimes with the letters PC. Unfortunately 7 can also be a catchall "other" category for a variety of plastics.
• Most exposure occurs through the lining of canned foods. Canned beverages appear to contain less of the chemical than canned foods such as soup, pasta, fruits and vegetables, which are often processed at high temperatures. Almost every canned product, even those labeled organic, has a liner with BPA. One brand, Eden Organic Baked Beans, says it uses a BPA-free can.