A Dose of Health

As a result of one of my reader’s comments, I did a little research on Vitamin K. He suggested checking out vitamin K because I had shared my experience about my brain calcification scare. Thanks Stew for the heads up.

Apparently vitamin K helps the blood to clot normally, and helps to prevent heart disease. It also appears to help prevent calcification of the arteries. Does it help with brain calcification? I don’t know. I would think that since it prevents calcification in the arteries, it would help with the brain also.

According to the Health Encyclopedia, on the subject of Vitamin K “it has been hypothesized…it’s possible mechanisms include inhibiting brain calcification…”

Vitamin K also helps to prevent osteoporosis. Apparently it seems to be a facilitator in keeping the calcium in places where it’s supposed to be (the bones) and not deposited in places where it shouldn’t be (the arteries).

As if that wasn’t enough, Vitamin K also helps fight tooth decay. According to a study performed in the 1940’s by Dr. Leonard S. Fosdick , chewing Vitamin K coated gum for 10 minutes after every meal yielded a 60 to 90% decrease in new cavities over a period of 18 months. Vitamin K appeared to be more effective than fluorinated drinking water. Imagine that?

Where to get Vitamin K

Green leafy vegetables have an abundance of Vitamin K. Things like kale, spinach, collard greens, Swiss chard, mustard greens, broccoli and so on and so on. Go into your garden or your neighbor’s garden (with permission, of course) and start chomping away.

From what I’ve read, there are no ill effects of eating too much of the stuff. There might be ill effects if you choose to get your vitamin K through synthetic supplements. So, do yourself a favor and get it naturally.

Daily Recommended Dose of Vitamin K

I’ve read anywhere from 1-10 mg per day. To save yourself the headache of having to calculate how much to eat, just get your daily serving of greens each day. You’ll have your required amount of Vitamin K. According to The World’s Healthiest Foods, 1 cup of boiled kale gives you 1327.6% of the daily value.

Does Vitamin K Prevent Brain Calcification?

I can’t say that it does for sure, but it sure can’t hurt to get your daily required dose of vitamin K.

What Triggers an Asthma Attack?

It can be triggered by airborne allergens, food reactions or even burning the candle at both ends and not getting proper rest. A run down body is more susceptible to illness than a healthy rested one. It usually presents itself by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing. My son would have a harsh never ending cough. No matter how much cough medicine or tea I would give him, it would not resolve the cough. Anyone with a child that suffers from asthma recognizes the cough.

Relief would begin when the cough would finally break up accompanied by a more rattely mucousy sounding cough. As unattractive as it would sound, I knew that it was the beginning of his getting better.

Usual Treatments

There are a variety of treatments for asthma depending on the severity. I’m most familiar with nebulizing albuterol and pulmicort. There are also the portable inhalers for a quick treatment when the nebulizer isn’t available. We could never leave the house for a soccer game without the cleats, plenty of water and the inhaler.

Alternative or Supplementary Asthma Treatments

While some foods can trigger an asthma attack, others can help to stave of an attack. I don’t recommend throwing away the inhaler and nebulizer, but I do recommend modifying the diet to help reduce the need for the prescribed medicines. Is there documented proof that this stuff works? There are small studies that give credence to some of the dietary changes, but I believe the medical community wants more proof before they make recommendations. I’m not part of the medical community, I’m only sharing my beliefs and some of my experience, so don’t consider me an authority on the subject.

The Asthma Thought Process

I usually look at afflictions and illnesses and diseases by how they work. If an asthma attack is caused by the inflammation of airways in the lungs, it makes sense to try to find foods and natural ingredients that helps to reduce or prevent inflammation (prevention is always better – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure).

Anti Inflammatory Spices

Not recommended for the little ones, but spicy foods help to dilate the passages in the lungs thus helping to improve breathing. If you’re in the mood to nibble on chili peppers, sprinkle cayenne on your food or eat hot mustard (to name a few airway opening foods), you might find that you can breathe a little easier.

Inflammation Reducing Fish Oils

A little easier on the palate and probably a better alternative for the little ones, fish oils have an anti inflammatory properties because they’re high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Some  small studies suggest that Omega 3 is helpful in preventing the inflammation associated with asthma, and Omega 6, on the other hand does just the opposite and can contribute to exacerbating asthma symptoms. Before you go out and start eating tons of fish, do your homework. You don’t want to trade asthma symptoms for mercury poisoning.

For you guys who prefer a more technical explanation of the Omega 3 and Omega 6 balance check out Asthma World’s Omega 3 and Omega 6 Pathways – Inflammation and Asthma article.  Or, for a more simplistic approach to omega 3 and omega 6 balancing read  Essential Fatty Acids: Omega 6 & Omega 3.

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and Inflammation

From my experience with ACV, it does wonders with mucus and the sniffles, and also helps with snoring. Does it work on preventing asthma inflammation? There are folks who swear by it,  but honestly speaking, I don’t know for sure because I don’t suffer with asthma and I stumbled upon ACV well after my son’s asthma symptoms had all but disappeared.

My Story

When my son was diagnosed with asthma, in addition to the doctor prescribed albuterol and nebulizer, I changed his diet. I removed as many processed foods as possible and made most foods from scratch. The whole milk was substituted for soy milk and all dairy products were low or no fat.

Over time, there was a reduction in frequency of asthma attacks. Was it the change in diet? Who knows for sure, but as a mom, I tried to be proactive because watching an otherwise healthy 2 year old suffer an asthma attack was just as painful as watching him squirm and complain while being forced to sit at the nebulizer.

He’s just about all grown up now and in the last 8 years he has had one incident that required a nebulizer about a year ago. I think that’s pretty good considering that he initially would have to nebulize daily on regular intervals.

Lesson I Learned

Finding optimal health is a matter of making the best out of the deck of cards dealt to you. Sometimes it’s a combination of traditional medicine supplemented with common sense and good nutrition. Asthma isn’t anything to play around with. Before you throw away your traditional asthma relief methods, in favor of a natural approach, do extensive homework and keep your doctor in the loop.

A few shots from an inhaler and some nebulization may help with the symptoms, but it doesn’t change the underlying causes. That’s where nutrition and healthy choices come into play.

Let me answer that question with some age old wisdom.  My parents told me the only things you HAVE to do in life is pay taxes and die (and of course, listen to my parents).  No where in that statement did they mention anything about drinking 8 glasses of water a day.

Life Before 8 Glasses of Water Daily

I lived many years without drinking 8 glasses of water a day and thought everything was just fine.  I was in good health, didn’t get sick often, and made regular trips to the bathroom (I thought).  Then I decided to up my water consumption.  This came right around the time when I started to exercise my option to make healthier choices.

What I Discovered

1. I made more frequent trips to the bathroom (at least initially).
2. My other trips to the bathroom (you know what I’m talking about) were much more er, hmm, how I say it…productive.
3. I didn’t get headaches anymore
4. My skin…well, I’d love to say that my skin looked better, but I really didn’t notice a difference.
5. I started to crave water instead of soft drinks

Back to the original question, do you really have to drink 8 glasses of water a day?  It’s up to you.  Me and my family, we choose to drink the equivalent of ½ of our body weight in ounces.  If half the body weight in ounces seems like a lot, maybe it’s time to lose weight to reduce the water requirement.

Solution to Every Problem

When ever anyone in the house has a headache, stomach ache or is tired, the first solution to every problem is…How much water did you have today?  It’s at the point that when my kids’ friends complain about headaches; my children tell them to drink a glass of water.  Their friends grudgingly admit that the glass of water actually works (I don’t recommend water alone for hang over headaches, but for the common every day, body-beginning-to-dehydrate type of headache, it works wonders).

As far as whether or not you need to drink 8 glasses of water a day, the choice is yours.  It doesn’t fall under the taxes or death category (or parental obedience) so you have a choice.