What is APPLIED KINESIOLOGY?
February 25, 2009 |12:46 | Clinical Nutrition | General Information By : Team X
Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a system that evaluates structural, chemical and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing combined with other standard methods of diagnosis.
AK, a non-invasive system of evaluating body function that is unique in the healing arts, has become a dynamic movement in health care in its relatively short existence.
The combined terms “applied” and “kinesiology” describe the basis of this system, which is the use of manual muscle testing to evaluate body function through the dynamics of the musculoskeletal system.
It may be more than coincidence that the decrease in the quality of Americans' diets has occurred simultaneously with increased reports of depression. While there are situations in which medication or psychotherapy are the only effective means to treat depression, studies show that dietary changes can sometimes be a mood booster. 
Herbs have long been an acceptable way to fight common ailments
Other Names: Indian Pink, Maryland Pink, Pinkroot, Wormgrass, American Wormgrass, American Wormroot, Starbloom
"Eat Walnuts Every Day," was the surprising "prescription" Tuvana Bain, M.D., delivered at my annual checkup this year. Just back from a medical conference, she advised that eating a few handfuls of walnuts every day could significantly lower my levels of endothelin, a natural compound that causes inflammation of arteries and plaque buildup in blood vessels and contributes to heart disease, which is still the leading cause of death in the United States . 
One fruit that has been getting some attention these days is papaya. Originally from southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America, the papaya is now grown in most countries with a tropical climate. History records showed that Spaniards carried seeds to the Philippines about 1550. “Papaya is considered as one of the favorite fruits that abound all year round,” said the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology. “It offers not only its luscious taste and golden yellow color but also its many health benefits.” The papaya pulp is basically very sweet in taste, fiberless and refreshing. Some liken the flavor to melon and apricot. It is used in salads, pies, sherbets, juices, jam, jelly and confectionery. “Low in calories and full of nutrition, papaya has more vitamin C than an orange,” says Amy Tousman, a registered dietitian based in Hawaii. “It’s loaded with vitamin A, potassium, folate and fiber. It also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, substances which help protect our eyes from age-related blindness.” According to FNRI, papaya is a rich source of antioxidants such as folic acid, fiber, carotenes, vitamin C and E. “Antioxidants promote the health of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer,” FNRI said in a statement. Likewise, papaya helps in the prevention of atherosclerosis, diabetes and heart disease. Folic acid found in papaya is needed for the conversion of a substance called homocysteine, an amino acid. If unconverted, homocysteine can directly damage blood vessel walls and if levels get too high, it is considered a significant risk factor to heart attack and strokes. Papaya is also a good source of fiber, which lowers cholesterol levels and helps in easing the discomforts constipation.
A vegetarian Thanksgiving is not about simply finding a replacement for the traditional turkey (although we have a delicious one in our unusual seitan dish with shiitake mushrooms). It's also about combining seasonal produce and flavor-rich ingredients to create an inventive and well-balanced feast that everyone--including the most ardent carnivores--can enjoy without feeling either deprived or overstuffed. There are plenty of new ideas here, but we also offer the comfort foods we love--and expect--to eat this time of year, like creamy mashed potatoes and sage-scented dressing. Think of it as traditional with a twist. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner is a labor of love, but you don't want the day to be all work. Most of these recipes can be prepared well ahead and kept warm in the oven, allowing you to spend more time with your family and friends to enjoy the true essence of the holiday. And with a nod to what some of us regard as the best part of Thanksgiving dinner--the leftovers--we've made enough of the side dishes so the next day you'll have some ready-made fuel for your post-holiday workout. Enjoy.
Medication errors and resulting patient injuries are referred to as adverse drug events (ADE). According to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, hospitalized patients who experience an ADE are almost twice as likely to die as those who don’t. More than 7,000 patients die annually in U.S. hospitals from ADEs. Medication reconciliation – the process of determining what to do about every medication the patient is taking – helps ensure that patients receive all intended medications and no unintended medications following transitions in care locations within the hospital. “One of the things we realized early into the campaign was that preventing adverse drug events through medication reconciliation was really difficult to do,” said Judy Sikes, Director of Accreditation and Medical Staff Services at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo. “There are so many variables in getting an accurate medication history, and so many people involved in the delivery of medications both during and after the patient’s hospital visit. One mistake can have devastating consequences.”
