Healthy Choices for a Healthy Life

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Mother’s Day is about honoring and appreciating those most special to us. Even if your mother, your grandmother, or other special maternal figures are no longer a part of your life, you may still remember them with gratitude. Whether you followed their leadership, learned from their mistakes, or just spent some special time together, there’s a good chance that they had a profound influence on the choices you made throughout your life.

Speaking of choices, I’m dedicating this article to a special woman who made many good choices throughout her life. Perhaps you’ve seen her in my ads before–like the photo taken a few years ago when Jessie and I were in kayaks. At 99.5 years, she’s not only my oldest patient, but one of the most adventurous!

Jessie lived most of her life in good health despite losing both a kidney and her thyroid gland. Even when she began experiencing profound hearing loss and poor eyesight due to macular degeneration, she didn’t let it affect her strong spirit. But now, Jessie’s dealing with yet another challenge–dementia.

Like others in beginning stages of dementia, Jessie often needs help with the activities of daily living, including things like cooking, cleaning, bathing, and dressing. In dementia, independence reverts back to dependence. However in the some scenarios, there may be innovative ways to maintain as much independence as possible. For example, Jessie’s been successfully using her new high-tech faucet, installed when she kept forgetting to turn off her old faucet.

Yet, for most people and their families, dementia is heartbreaking. A person with dementia often forgets to eat, forgets what day it is, and usually has little concept of time. In advanced cases, he or she may even forget how to swallow.

Despite massive editing of this article, it was impossible to remove the sadness revolving around the topic of dementia. However, I can offer hope by encouraging you and your loved ones to make good choices. Although aging is inevitable, I believe it’s possible to avoid many of the problems of aging through proper choices.

In the book, “If Life is a Game, These are the Rules” by Cherie Carter-Scott, Ph.D., the author lists ten rules for being human. Rule #1 is that you will receive a body. She says that whether you love or hate your body, it’s yours for the rest of your life. This most important relationship of your life is based on a no-refund, no-exchange policy–so it’s only prudent to love it and take care of it. The better care you take of your body, the better your body will treat you!

Taking care of your body is really quite simple. Obtain the best nutrition you can afford, take time for daily exercise, and pursue quality sleep. Keep a positive and happy outlook on life and interact with others. Love yourself and others. (If you have difficulty with this last one, I suggest reading, “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz.)

In addition to these guidelines, I encourage patients to treat themselves to the benefits of modern technologies such as PEMF (Pulsating Electro-Magnetic Field) Therapy. The PEMF unit in my office is extremely popular and patients report incredible results. This isn’t surprising since the positive effects of electromagnetic fields on the body have been well-demonstrated in studies with depression, inflammation, healing bones and old injuries, and many other conditions.

Another therapy that shows positive results is, Far Infrared Therapy. Studies in biology, cardiology and alternative medicine have shown infrared therapy having a positive effect on many health problems, including poor circulation, depression, chronic pain, cancer, chronic heart failure, and rheumatoid arthritis. Infrared energy relaxes muscles which in turn reduces muscle spasms, relieves pain, and detoxifies the body–giving the equivalent of a cardiovascular workout while sitting on the bench.

A new style of far infrared sauna that’s both portable and safe is the half body sauna. The upper half of the body is outside the sauna while the lower half is immersed in several different types of infrared heat, depending on the sophistication of the unit and the brand. While the lower half of the body benefits from increased temperatures for healing, many people find it easier to breathe compared to full body infrared saunas. It appears to lower blood pressure by opening up the vascular system. While each individual may have different results, this therapy looks extremely promising.

Motivated to stay as healthy as possible, Jessie utilizes a recumbent bicycle, a half body sauna, daily PEMF sessions, weekly adjustments, whole food supplements, and healthy foods.

While Jessie is continuing to make good choices, she says that she would’ve done some things differently. She tells people to get more real Vitamin C and eat less bad fat to help avoid macular degeneration. Jessie still loves deserts but now eats homemade treats made with real sugar, not corn syrup or refined sugar. She’s also eating more healthy fats, including real butter, avocado oil, and lots of coconut oil.

Why coconut oil? Coconut oil provides the energy needed to keep brain cells alive. When there’s excess sugar in the blood, brain cells protect themselves by closing themselves off which results in starvation and death. Along with toxic overload, this process leads to brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Coconut oil is effective because it goes straight to the liver and is converted to ketones without the help of the gall bladder or having to be processed like other fats. This is how coconut oil helps brain cells stay alive.

Jessie obtains a therapeutic dosage of coconut oil through recipes along with other nutritious ingredients such as walnuts, almonds, quinoa, and hemp hearts. We’ll share some of these recipes at our workshop, Improving Health and Vitality on May 14–a FREE, informative workshop to help you learn to make healthy choices.

The best path to a healthy future is by making healthy choices now–because your future starts now!

Dr. William H. Karl, D.C., is a Brimhall Certified Wellness Doctor with over 30 years of experience helping people to improve their health! Join Dr. William H. Karl, D.C. on Thursday, May 14 at 7 pm for a FREE workshop, Improving Health & Vitality. Please register for this workshop by calling 734-425-8220. For more information, visit: www.karlwellnesscenter.com

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