Natural Awakenings Charleston SC - January 2020 issue

EE R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

Living Long and Well Age-Defying Habits

NATURAL HEALING FOR HANDS

HEALTHY

PLANET

Bill Moyers on

Covering Climate Now

Getting a Grip on Pain

January 2020 | Lowcountry Edition | NALowcountry.com

Copper in new device stops cold and flu

had colds going round and round, but not me.”

Some users say it also helps with sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day sinus headache. When her CopperZap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head cleared,

by Doug Cornell no more headache, no more congestion.”

Some users say copper stops nighttime stuffiness if used just before cientists recently discovered bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had time. He hasn’t had a single cold for 7 a way to kill viruses and in years.” years since. bacteria.

Copper can also stop flu if used early He asked relatives and friends to try Now thousands of people are using it it. They said it worked for them, too, so and for several days. Lab technicians to stop colds and flu. placed 25 million live flu viruses on a he patented CopperZap™ and put it on Colds start CopperZap. No viruses were found alive the market. when cold viruses soon after.

Soon hundreds get in your nose.

Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams of people had Viruses multiply confirming the discovery. He placed tried it and given fast. If you don’t millions of disease germs on copper. feedback. Nearly stop them early, “They started to die literally as soon as 100% said the they spread and they touched the surface,” he said. copper stops colds cause misery.

People have even used copper on if used within 3 In hundreds cold sores and say it can completely hours after the first of studies, EPA prevent outbreaks. sign. Even up to New research: Copper stops colds if used early. and university The handle is 2 days, if they researchers have confirmed that viruses curved and finely still get the cold it is milder than usual and bacteria die almost instantly when textured to improve and they feel better. touched by copper. contact. It kills germs Users wrote things like, “It stopped That’s why ancient Greeks and picked up on fingers my cold right away,” and “Is it Egyptians used copper to purify water and hands to protect supposed to work that fast?” and heal wounds. They didn’t know you and your family.

“What a wonderful thing,” wrote about microbes, but now we do.

Copper even kills Physician’s Assistant Julie. “No more Dr. Bill Keevil: Copper quickly kills deadly germs that Scientists say the high conductance colds for me!” cold viruses. of copper disrupts the electrical balance have become resistant Pat McAllister, 70, received one in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in for Christmas and called it “one of the to antibiotics. If you are near sick seconds. best presents ever. This little jewel really people, a moment of handling it may Tests by the EPA (Environmental keep serious infection away. It may even works.”

Protection Agency) show germs die save a life.

Now thousands of users have simply fast on copper. So some hospitals tried The EPA says copper still works stopped getting colds. copper for touch surfaces like faucets even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of People often use CopperZap and doorknobs. This cut the spread of preventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci different disease germs so it can prevent MRSA and other illnesses by over half, serious or even fatal illness. used to get colds after crowded flights. and saved lives.

CopperZap is made in America of Though skeptical, she tried it several The strong scientific evidence gave pure copper. It has a 90-day full money times a day on travel days for 2 months. inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When back guarantee. It is $69.95.

“Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” she he felt a cold about to start he fashioned Get $10 off each CopperZap with exclaimed. a smooth copper probe and rubbed it Businesswoman Rosaleen says when code NATA16.

Go to www.CopperZap.com or call gently in his nose for 60 seconds. people are sick around her she uses “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold CopperZap morning and night. “It saved toll-free 1-888-411-6114.

Buy once, use forever. never got going.” It worked again every me last holidays,” she said. “The kids ADVERTORIAL

S

2

NA Lowcountry Edition

NALowcountry.com

Live your best life now.

Chiro iQ can help you live your fullest, most vibrant life—nurturing your body, mind and spirit with an inclusive range of chiropractic services.

GET 3 FREE PEMF SESSIONS A $210 value available to new clients only until January 31, 2020.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP. CALL: 843.766.4444

FEEL ENERGIZED

FIND BALANCE

MyChiroiQ.com

Introducing Yoga iQ New Programs to align your body, mind and spirit. Class begins January 2020, register today by visiting our new website at TheYogaiQ.com or call Yoga iQ at 843.990.8202.

letter from publisher

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

H

appy 2020! May this year bring us the kind of clarity

that those numbers denote. Sometimes the best way to clarify both what we want and what we don’t want is to take a look back. That’s what I did one morning this week as I sipped my coffee.

2019 was not the easiest year for me. It started when my living room’s bamboo floor developed bubbles in the finish. That seemed to indicate a moisture problem, so I called a contractor who confirmed my suspicion and told me I should call my insurance company.

There was a lot of back and forth about how we could find the source of the problem and who would pay for it. Months went by and finally, I paid a contractor to tear into the wall near the bubbling floor boards. There we found the culprit, a tiny leak that had been wreaking havoc for God only knows how long.

We also found MOLD had formed on the back of the sheetrock and under the floor boards. The flooring and walls had to go. I went weeks with open walls and an exposed concrete slab. I felt ill in those rooms. Luckily, I had some housesitting gigs around that time so I didn’t need to spend much time there.

The insurance company finally wrote a check to me and my mortgage company to replace the walls and flooring. The mortgage company released the funds with the caveat that I would need to provide a clean air test. By the time the air test results came in, I had found mold under the cabinet in my half-bath downstairs. Another leak, more mold.

My house was built in the 80’s, when they used polybutylene pipes. There were lots of problems with these pipes that resulted in class action lawsuits, but I missed those deadlines.. The insurance company told me I had to get rid of the polybutylene or they would drop my policy. Replumbing the house was another expense the insurance company would not cover and meant more demolition to ceilings and walls. My downstairs bathroom remained unusable for six months while I haggled with the insurance company.

I was lucky compared to others who have gone through something similar. I found a company using a new eco-friendly dry vapor technology that completely destroys mold.

This costs less that other methods, involves less demolition and meant I didn’t have to throw out everything in my house. The fog creates a particle even smaller than a mold spore and completely penetrates all surfaces. Oh yeah, I also had to replace my attic HVAC unit and put in a whole house dehumidifier. A costly year, to say the least, but finally the air test came back clean, and all my walls, ceilings and floors are intact. I share this story in part to let you know we will be covering mold in depth in the coming year. It is pervasive in our area. We will look at prevention, treatment, health implications and more.

So, as I sat drinking my coffee, looking back at all my photos from 2019 on my phone, there were pictures of mold, open ceilings and walls, but there were many more pictures of family and friends and happy memories. So many pictures of breathtaking sunsets, beaches, marshes, dolphins. So much beauty and love, right there in the palm of my hand. It made me realize that while 2019 had its challenges and I had been characterizing it as a bad year, it actually was a pretty great year after all. It was just the exercise to give me a little more clarity about all that is good in my life and about how I want to spend my time in 2020.

LOWCOUNTRY Edition OWNER/PUBLISHER Toni Owen Conover

SENIOR Editor Martin Miron Design & Production T.W.S. graphics

contact us PO Box 1001 Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Ph: 843-821-7404

Publisher@NALowcountry.com NALowcountry.com

national team

CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman

COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

National Editor Jan Hollingsworth

Managing Editor Linda Sechrist

National Art Director Stephen Blancett

Art Director Josh Pope

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert

Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs

Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy

National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

© 2020 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised.

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Wishing you clarity, health and happiness in 2020 and in this new decade!

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Toni Owen Conover, Publisher 4

NA Lowcountry Edition

NALowcountry.com

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

11

Contents 11 LIVING LONG & WELL Age-Defying Habits and the Fountain of Youth

16

14 GREEN THERAPY

Ecopsychology and the Nature Cure

16 BILL MOYERS

On Covering Climate Now

17 NATURAL HEALING

FOR HANDS

Getting a Grip on Pain

19 WHEN WORKOUTS

19

DON’T WORK

Why Less Is Sometimes More

21 COACHES CORNER 22 WHEN OLDER PETS

GET QUIRKY

Dealing With Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

advertising & submissions how to advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 843-821-7404 or email Publisher@NALowcountry.com.

Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.

Editorial submissions Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@NALowcountry.com.

Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month. calendar submissions Submit Calendar & Ongoing Events to: NALowcountry.com.

Deadline: the 10th of the month. regional markets Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

23 INTUITIVE AND

22

HEALING ARTS GUIDE

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 8 health briefs 10 global briefs 14 green living 16 wise words 17 healing ways 19 fit body 22 natural pet

25 calendar 26 classifieds 27 resource guide

January 2020

5

Proven Results Through Atlas Orthogonal Care Book NOW for a FREE “Invitation to Health” Consult!

Restore BALANCE to your body and increase your body’s natural HEALING ability with Atlas Orthogonal.

No manipulation (twisting or cracking) Eliminate the need for medication and surgery Aid in the healthy growth and development of your children

3400 Salterbeck Street #102 Mt Pleasant, SC 29466 (843) 352-7941 www.AOSpinalCare.com

Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been. ~Jimmy Buffett

news briefs

Metaphysical Treehouse Opens in Moncks Corner

W

ill and Allison Brown, founders of Palm and Lotus, will hold a grand opening beginning at 6 p.m., January 17, for their new event space, The Treehouse, at 203 Summer Lane, in Moncks Corner. It offers a wide range of activities, classes and events for those seeking spiritual growth and exploration and boasts a scenic lake view with a 35-foot long deck, full kitchen and bathroom. The unique space can host small, intimate gatherings or larger events with seating for up to 60 guests.

A variety of free, low-cost and donation-based events will continue all weekend, including a Kundalini Reiki certification course offered by Judy Buchanan, of Frederick, Maryland, a group hypnotic regression, hypnosis discussion and intuitive readings.

Special guest psychic/medium Priscilla Keresey will host a two-part Tuning In to Spirit workshop. Upcoming highlights include a two-medium spirit communication event and Messages From the Collective, a unique, interactive channeling experience.

Admission is free. For a calendar of events and to preregister, visit PalmAndLotus.com/ grandopening.

The Amazing Fundraiser for Kid’s Cancer

T

he Great Amazing Race Charleston, based on the premise of The Amazing Race TV series, will take place at 2 p.m., January 25, at James Island County Park to raise funds that support research in pediatric cancer. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the race begins at 2 p.m.(1:15 p.m. check-in). A medals and award ceremony follows at 3:30 p.m.

Teams of two people race around a 1.5-mile cross-country course in competition with other similar age teams. Contestants that arrive at the finish line with fastest overall times are declared the winners. Clue cards provided at stations along the course direct teams to complete a task, either together or by a single member, before continuing. Teamwork is the most important skill to win the race—more fun than any 5K race.

The race is open to ages 4 to 84—walkers, joggers or runners. Any two-person combo—adult/adult, adult/kid or kid/kid. Waves begin every 10 minutes for kids teams and adult teams. There is a difficult course for adults and active teams and an easier course for kids and leisure teams. The average time to complete the course is 60 minutes.

Register at Tinyurl.com/CharlestonAmazingRace. For more information, email Info@ GreatAmazinGrace.com.

Aw Shucks

T

he Lowcountry Oyster Festival, presented by Red Clay Hot Sauce, will be held from 10 a.m. to p.m., January 26, at Boone Hall Plantation. This charitable fundraiser is the world’s largest oyster festival, and has been named one of the top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeastern Tourism Society. Highlights include the famous oyster shucking and oyster eating contests, live music from The Bluestone Ramblers and others on the main stage, wine, a selection of domestic and imported beers, a children’s area and a food court showcasing a variety of local favorite restaurants.

General admission grants entry into the festival. Children 10 and under are free with an adult general admission ticket. VIP admission has its own supply of unlimited food catered by Queen Street Hospitality (including local oysters) and beverages under the tent.

Food not within the VIP area is not included and can be purchased separately. See main event page for menu.

Location: 1235 Longpoint Rd., Mount Pleasant. Buy tickets online at Tinyurl.com/ OysterFestivalTickets.

6

NA Lowcountry Edition

NALowcountry.com

Zenergy Provides Innovative Customized Care

T

ina Howard, APRN, with Zenergy Healthcare, is accepting new patients of all ages. She offers comprehensive, personalized, affordable integrative healthcare using the direct primary care (DPC) model. This membership-based system allows extra time with patients for comprehensive, individualized healthcare, flexibility of same day or following day appointments and direct access via text, email or cell phone at any time. DPC includes annual physical and affordable packages for the whole family.

Howard, board-certified family nurse practitioner, received a Master of Science degree in Nursing from Maryville University of St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina. With more than 15 years in nursing practice and extensive experience in intensive care, home health, hospice and family practice, Howard is one of few healthcare providers in the Charleston area who is an expert on mold-related illness.

She is also trained and certified in the functional medicine Bredesen ReCODE Protocol for treatment of dementia/early Alzheimer’s. Howard opened Zenergy Healthcare to “provide holistic, comprehensive, personalized healthcare, tailored to you and your family’s health care needs.”

Location: 669 Marina Dr., Ste. A3, Daniel Island. For appointment and more information, call 843-414-2984 or visit ZenergyHealthCare.com. See listing, page 28.

New Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant

D

eeper Healing Medical Wellness Center is open at 1300 Hospital Drive, Suite 360, in Mt. Pleasant. Patients fly in from all over the country to consult with Michael Bauerschmidt, M.D., an expert in functional and environmental medicine. His new center offers state-of-the-art treatments for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, a powerful cellular cleansing program, progressive allergy treatments, natural pain management, chelation and IV infusions. He is a specialist on hard-to-treat viral and autoimmune conditions, mold illness, heavy metal toxicity and allergies.

After 22 years as an emergency medicine physician, his professional life was transformed after a debilitating car accident and illness due to mold exposure. He decided to complete a year-long fellowship in Environmental Medicine to focus on preventing disease and resolving the root causes of chronic problems naturally. Bauerschmidt was named president of the American College for the Advancement in Medicine from 2016 through 2018. He is currently the National Medical Advisor for LiveO2, and is wellknown for his design of a powerful, cost-effective, cellular cleanse protocol. The culmination of all of his life’s work, personal and professional experience has led him to create this proprietary Deeper Healing model.

For consultations, call 843-388-5995. For more information, visit DeeperHealing.com. See listing, page 27.

Springbank Retreat for Eco-Spirituality and the Arts

is the perfect place for your...

Sabbaticals/ Retreats l Earth Literacy Programs l Planning Meetings l Staff Retreats l

12-Step Retreats l Private Retreats l Small Conferences l

Piggly Wiggly

Upcoming Sabbaticals: Feb. 5-May 1, 2019 Register by calling 843-382-9777 • www.SpringbankRetreat.org

Springbank@SpringbankRetreat.org • 1345 Springbank Rd., Kingstree, SC 29556

To Learn More Visit

www.ThePOWERofElderberries.com January 2020

7

Drink Pomegranate Juice to Protect Fetal Brain Growth About one in 10 babies in utero struggles with a dangerous condition known as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), in which the flow of oxygen and nutrients through the placenta is restricted, hampering development of the growing fetus. Now, a simple solution—of mom drinking an eight-ounce glass of pomegranate juice a day—offers hope of a way to reduce infant deaths and lower the need for infant surgery.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, studied 77 mothers with IUGR at St. Louis’ Barnes-Jewish Hospital that received either one cup a day of pomegranate juice or a placebo. Evaluating 55 of the babies’ development with MRIs after birth, researchers found that the babies with pomegranate-drinking moms had evidence of both better brain connectivity and development of white matter—tissue through which messages pass in the central nervous system. Pomegranate juice is a rich source of polyphenols, a class of foods also found in nuts, berries, vegetables and teas that’s known to cross the blood-brain barrier and have neuroprotective effects.

8

NA Lowcountry Edition

NALowcountry.com

Ines Behrens-Kunkel/Shutterstock.com

Eating and drinking fermented probiotic dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, cheese and sour cream reduces the risk of heart disease for women, report researchers from the Netherlands that analyzed data from nearly 8,000 Australian women over a 15-year period.

The effect was particularly strong for those that were obese and had Type 2 diabetes, according to the research. “In the process of dairy fermentation, beneficial compounds are released that have shown promise for improving glycemic control, blood lipids, cholesterol concentrations and blood pressure,” write the study authors.

Chomping on more nuts daily keeps the pounds at bay, according to research published in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. Using records from three long-term longitudinal studies spanning 20 years and including nearly 300,000 health professionals, the report from Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that increasing nut intake by a half serving a day—about 12 almonds or seven walnut halves—was linked to lower instances of weight gain and obesity. Swapping out a serving of meats, refined grains or desserts for half a serving of nuts was associated with staving off weight gain of between 0.9 and 1.5 pounds in any four-year period.

A consistently higher nut intake of at least half a serving a day was associated with a 23 percent lower risk of putting on 11 or more pounds and becoming obese in the same timeframe. No such links were found for eating more peanut butter. The researchers suggest the high fiber content of nuts can make a person feel full longer, and that that the fiber also binds well to fats in the gut, affecting a greater discharge of calories.

onair/Shutterstock.com

Eat Fermented Dairy to Lower Heart Risk

Munch More Nuts to Stave Off Weight Gain

Live Near Green Spaces to Stave Off Metabolic Syndrome Middle-aged and older adults that live in greener neighborhoods have a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, reports research from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health in the journal Environmental Pollution. The study followed more than 6,000 British adults in a cohort initially between ages 45 and 69 for 14 years, and correlated health records and interviews with satellite images of greenery. They found that exposure to green spaces seemed to help prevent metabolic syndrome and its individual components such as large waist circumference, high levels of blood fats and hypertension. The results “could be related to better opportunities provided by green spaces to perform physical activity, as well as a decrease in exposure to air pollution,” notes Carmen de Keijzer, first author of the study. Women fared even better than men, perhaps because women may spend more time in green spaces.

Evgeny Karandaev/Shutterstock.com

health briefs

Deviatov Aleksei/Shutterstock.com

Eat Garlic and Onion for Breast Health Women eating more onions and garlic reduced their risk of breast cancer by 59 percent compared to those that ate less of these, according to a study in the journal Nutrition and Cancer. Researchers from the State University of New York at Buffalo and the University of Puerto Rico surveyed 660 women in Puerto Rico to measure their intake of onions and garlic, as well as sofrito, a local dish also cooked with bell peppers, tomatoes, cilantro and black pepper. Women that ate the onion- and garlic-rich sofrito sauce more than once a day slashed their risk of breast cancer by 67 percent compared to those that didn’t eat it. Both garlic and onions contain compounds with anticarcinogenic properties, and earlier studies have found a link between higher onion and garlic intake and fewer cancers of the lung, prostate and stomach. Puerto Rican women eat more onions and garlic than women in Europe and the U.S., mainly due to the popularity of those two ingredients in sofrito, and also have markedly lower breast cancer rates.

Charleston Holistic Center Services: Counseling - Shamanic Reiki - Life Coaching - Hypnotherapy - EMDR Therapy - Massage - Soul or Past Life Retrievals Meditation Classes

2366 Ashley River Rd., Bldg. #8 Charleston, SC 29414 Tuesday - Saturday 8 am - 6 pm www.CharlestonHolisticCenter.com

New Year’s Resolutions: Lose Weight Stop Smoking Eat Better Get My Life Together

Whatever your resolution, we can help you keep it and achieve the change and better life you desire.

Call Today!

843-259-8349 Include better self-care in your resolutions and get a massage from Tamara.

For Fastest Results: Add Cupping

January 2020

9

Time’s Up

Scientists warn that as the Earth gets hotter, sea turtle hatchlings worldwide are expected to trend dangerously female. The West African island of Cape Verde is home to a sixth of the planet’s total nesting loggerheads, and 84 percent of youngsters are now female, researchers from Britain’s University of Exeter stated in a July report. “Males here could vanish in two or three decades,” says Adolfo Marco, a Spanish researcher. “There will be no reproduction.”

Sea turtle eggs that incubate in sand below 81.86 degrees Fahrenheit produce males, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while nests in the mid-80s create a gender mix. Temperatures higher than 87.8 degrees effect 100 percent females. In Cape Verde, the sand temperature has risen about 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1964. Populations in Florida and Australia are also showing dramatic sex imbalances, casting the shadow of extinction over the ancient species.

Sea turtles can live for 100 years and lay more than 1,000 eggs. They are polyamorous, and one male can fertilize dozens of females.

The International Energy Agency predicts that renewable energy will surpass coal as the world’s leading source of electricity by 2030. Its 810-page annual World Energy Outlook also notes that even though offshore wind farms, solar installations and battery-powered cars keep getting cheaper, they aren’t progressing fast enough to slash global greenhouse gas emissions and bring global warming under control because the world’s appetite for energy keeps surging.

Bright spots include large, offshore European turbines that can harvest the stronger and steadier winds over the ocean; electric car factories in China; and new building codes and fuel economy standards.

Africa currently poses about 40 percent of the world’s potential for solar energy, but has less than 1 percent of the world’s solar panels.

Farmers Respond to Climate Change

Growing up in Gambia, Nfamara Badjie’s parents taught him it’s much healthier to eat food they grew rather than food bought in a store. Badjie, a well-known drummer who moved to the U.S. in 2005, bought a plot of marshy land in Ulster Park, New York, two hours north of New York City, and is learning how to adapt the rice-growing practices of his West African ethnic group, the Jola, to East Coast climates. Agronomists hope the innovative operation, Ever-Growing Family Farm, can provide a blueprint for other area farmers to introduce new crops due to the threat of climate change. Erika Styger, an agronomist from nearby Cornell University, says, “We can reinvent agriculture even today, and if we have that mindset, there is a lot that can be done. We shouldn’t get stuck in how we have done things, and we need to adapt to climate change.”

10

NA Lowcountry Edition

NALowcountry.com

Beach Junk

Microplastics Found in Brand-New Sand

A Hawaiian beach that was formed by lava from the erupting Kilauea volcano in 2018 is already littered with invisible pieces of tiny plastic. The black sand beach named Pohoiki, which stretches for 1,000 feet on Hawaii’s Big Island, was created from shards of hot lava coming in contact with seawater, and looks pristine. Nic Vanderzyl, a University of Hawaii at Hilo student, saw the new beach as an opportunity to study sediment that was perhaps untouched by human influence, and discovered 21 bits of microplastics per 50 grams of sand on average.

The microplastics were smaller than five millimeters and rarely larger than a grain of sand. Most of them, he says, were microfibers, the hair-thin threads shed from common synthetic textiles like polyester and nylon.

This invisible plastic has washed ashore on some of the world’s most remote beaches, uninhabited by humans.

It’s still unclear how it will affect marine ecosystems, but scientists think it may have dangerous consequences for wildlife and human health.

Maarten Bell/Shutterstock.com

Rethinking Rice

Renewable Energy Should Speed Progress

COLOA Studio/Shutterstock.com

Sea Turtles Skew Female

mickyso/Shutterstock.com

Gender Gap

Rich Carey/Shutterstock.com

global briefs

4 PM production/Shutterstock.com

We know caloric restriction extends life.

But no one wants to do it, because it’s no fun. ~Lori Taylor

Learning From the “Blue Zones”

In their search for secrets to longevity, investigators often look for lifestyle clues provided by long-lived populations. Those residing in what National Geographic Fellow and bestselling author Dan Buettner calls “Blue Zones”, for example, are more likely to celebrate their 100th birthday and escape chronic maladies such as heart disease and cancer—the two biggest killers in the U.S.

Buettner has identified the “Power 9” lifestyle habits commonly practiced by centenarians living in the five designated Blue Zones—Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; and the Seventh Day Adventist community in Loma Linda, California.

LIVING LONG & WELL Age-Defying Habits and the Fountain of Youth

by Melinda Hemmelgarn

A

t age 29, Betty Holston Smith, of Rockville, Maryland, weighed more than 200 pounds, smoked cigarettes and ate processed junk food.

Now, almost 79 years young, she is a vegan ultra-marathon runner and an inspiration to anyone wanting to age well.

Smith’s story underscores the findings of researchers that have long pursued the keys to a long and healthy life. Some of these factors—heredity, for instance—are beyond our control. However, the most critical ingredient seems to be our daily habits.

Although we’ve all likely heard or read about someone that lived into their 90s, ate bacon, drank whiskey and smoked a pack a day, these individuals are outliers: In truth, longevity is determined by a combination of genes, environment, lifestyle choices and luck.

For example, some individuals may be born with genes that confer longevity, but be unlucky due to where they live. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that life expectancy varies by zip code.

That’s because where we live influences how we live, predicting access to healthful food, clean air and water, safe neighborhoods and stress-relieving green spaces such as parks and gardens. Genes are important, but our social and physical environments play a greater role in predicting our “healthspan” —the essence of a long and healthy life.

According to researchers at the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, in New York City, even our first environment—the womb—can spawn diseases later in life if pregnant women are exposed to air pollutants, pesticides and the toxic stress of poverty.

Regardless of genetics, the following behaviors can help anyone slow the aging process and improve quality of life: n Eat a plant-based diet. n Stop eating when 80 percent full. n Practice stress reduction techniques. n Find a sense of purpose. n Engage in physical activity throughout the day. n Consume moderate amounts of alcohol with food and friends. n Join a faith community, regardless of denomination. n Belong to a social network that engages in healthy behaviors. n Share love and time with children, parents and partners.

January 2020

11

Survival of the Fittest

Finding Inspiration

Studies in centenarians have suggested that people who live long and in good health have a regular lifestyle. They spend time in community, eat meals and go to bed at regular times, in sync with circadian rhythms. ~Eve Van Cauter BMD and from osteoporosis to osteopenia based on pre- and post-bone density DXA scans,” he says. What’s more, the women in LaFontaine’s program have

LEARN MORE, LIVE LONGER Blue Zones: BlueZones.com Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk, President’s Cancer Panel Report: Tinyurl.com/CancerRiskReport Life expectancy by zip code: Tinyurl.com/ZipCodeLongevity Plant-based diets explained: Tinyurl.com/PlantDietExplained Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015 Hara Hachi Bu: Tinyurl.com/HaraHachiBuDiet Food Sleuth Radio segments: Lori Taylor: keto diets and intermittent fasting: Tinyurl.com/LoriTaylorInterview Dorothy Sears: intermittent fasting and circadian rhythm: Tinyurl.com/DorothySearsInterview Eve Van Cauter: importance of sleep: Tinyurl.com/EveVanCauterInterview Tips to cope with loneliness: Tinyurl.com/TheEffectsOfLoneliness Vitamin N: 500 Ways to Enrich Your Family’s Health & Happiness, by Richard Louv Improve sleep quality by reducing exposure to blue light at night: JustGetFlux.com

12

NA Lowcountry Edition

NALowcountry.com

Smith, the septuagenarian marathoner, was inspired to make a change nearly 50 years ago when her 3-year-old daughter teased, “You can’t catch me!” during an innocent game of tag. She knew she had to make a change.

She tried diet pills, fad diets and other quick fixes, but realized they were worthless. However, each evening Smith tuned in to Gabe Mirkin, a physician who hosted a national radio program about health and fitness.

Following his advice, Smith began eating a diet rich in organic fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, and says today she doesn’t want to put anything in her body that interferes with her lifestyle. She outlines the steps to her transformation in the book, Lifestyle

by Nature: One Woman’s Break from the Unhealthy Herd to Roam Forever Healthy in Nature’s Lifestyle Change Herd. The first step—finding internal strength—is the most important, she says. “Most people have something in their lives they can point to for strength.”

In addition to running 60 to 100 miles each week, Smith practices tai chi, meditates and enjoys camaraderie with her running mates. She also has an upbeat attitude, believing in the importance of passion, perseverance and “taking negative experiences and making them positive.” According to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network, this spirit of optimism is protective against heart disease and other causes of death.

Eating Well, but Not Too Much

Food is a major contributor to both quality of life and life extension. Global and national recommendations to eat more fiber-rich whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and omega-3 fatty acids, while decreasing added sugars and sodium, all help reduce our risk for life-shortening diseases. The plant-based Mediterranean diet consistently rises to the top for its

Milles Studio/Shutterstock.com

Tom LaFontaine, Ph.D., a clinical exercise physiologist based in Columbia, Missouri, says, “Mounting evidence shows that engaging in regular aerobic and strength exercise offers robust defenses against lifethreatening diseases such as heart disease and several cancers.” One important marker of long-term health, particularly among women, notes LaFontaine, is bone mineral density (BMD). After menopause, BMD decreases in women and can lead to osteopenia—low BMD—and osteoporosis—pathological loss of BMD. “Women with osteoporosis are particularly at risk for fractures, especially of the hip, which can lead to a reduced lifespan.”

LaFontaine recommends weightbearing exercises such as walking, jogging and high-intensity weight training to significantly improve BMD; and he’s proven that it works. “In 2012, we started a program called Older Women on Weights (OWOW), in which 40 post-menopausal women with an average age in the low 60s train with heavy weights. Some even participate in weightlifting competitions.”

“We have observed women in this group move from osteopenia to normal

formed new friendships, benefitting from a strong network of social support.

Gyorgy Barna/Shutterstock.com

health-fortifying benefits.

However, in contrast to our Western culture’s practice of eating until belt-bust ing full, Blue Zone Okinawans practice hara hachi bu—eating until one is no longer hungry, but stopping before feeling full.

“We know caloric restriction extends life,” says Lori Taylor, clinical dietitian and Core Faculty of Integrative and Functional Nutrition at Saybrook University, in Pasadena. “But no one wants to do it, because it’s no fun.” Instead, Taylor recommends intermittent fasting, eating only during a set window of 10 or 12 hours each day to reduce caloric intake.

Similarly, Dorothy Sears, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition at the Arizona State University College of Health Solutions, has researched the impacts of both intermittent fasting and circadian rhythm on how our bodies handle calories.

She recommends a “prolonged nightly fast” of 12 to 13 hours, as well as reducing caloric intake after 6 to 8 p.m. to help maintain a healthy weight and stave off such diseases as Type 2 diabetes and obesity-related cancers. Most significantly, she found that a 13-hour nightly fast reduced breast cancer recurrence by 36 percent among 2,300 breast cancer survivors in the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living study.

Both improving diet quality and restricting calories appear to help slow the rate of aging at the genetic level, in part by preserving the length of our telomeres— the structures at the end of chromosomes that protect our DNA. The Mediterranean diet, with its abundance of protective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients such as vitamins C and E, polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids, help prevent age-associated telomere shortening.

The Sleep Connection

Michael Grandner, Ph.D., director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, says Americans tend to see sleep as unproductive time, but it’s a “biological requirement for life.”

In fact, it is one of the three pillars of health, along with good nutrition and

~Betty Holston Smith

regular lifestyle. They spend time in community, eat meals and go to bed at regular times, in sync with circadian rhythms.”

No matter how long we live, we want to make the most of our time on Earth.

Beyond diet and exercise, finding our personal passion, reducing stress and spending time in nature and with those we love can add years to our lives.

Despite our virtual social networks, real human connection is vital for physical and mental health. According to a report in the journal Heart, loneliness is as dangerous as smoking for heart disease and stroke risk. So volunteer, join a club, sign up for a community garden plot, yoga or dance class, or host regular potlucks or game nights—these just might be among the best prescriptions for staying young.

exercise, says Eve Van Cauter, Ph.D., former director of the Sleep, Metabolism and Health Center at the University of Chicago. “Studies in centenarians have suggested that people who live long and in good health have a

Melinda Hemmelgarn, the “Food Sleuth,” is an award-winning registered dietitian, writer and nationally syndicated radio show host based in Columbia, MO. Reach her at FoodSleuth@gmail.com.

Most people have something in their lives they can point to for strength.

Become an Energy Psychology Practitioner

ThetaHealingⓇ BASICS

ADVANCED

Clear Fears, Doubts, Disbeliefs.

Learn how to do energy readings.

Enhance your intuitive skills.

Deepen your intuitive skills.

Learn how to clear resentments, rejections, regrets, which can painfully block growth and limit joy.

Friday - Sunday February 21 - 23

Friday - Sunday March 20 - 22

Completion of the Basics Class will certify you as a ThetaHealing Practitioner.

Completion of the Basics Class is a pre-requisite.

Mt. Pleasant

ThetaHealing is an energy modality of facilitating healing through working in a theta brain wave.

For more information: INTEGRATIVE RELATIONAL ENERGETICS

www.ireinst.com paula@ireinst.com (843) 732-0293

with Paula McGuire, ThetaHealing Instructor, DCEP

January 2020

13

After my time outdoors, I feel grounded, renewed, energized and much more clearheaded than before I started. ~Laura Durenberger

GREEN THERAPY Ecopsychology and the Nature Cure

F

There is a sense of safety that comes from being in the forest.

Safety is necessary in order for the client to open up and share themselves with another human being. ~Christian Dymond

by Ronica A. O’Hara

or clients of family therapist Christian Dymond, the path to wellness begins on his 10 acres of woods and meadows in Milton, Vermont, walking alongside him, sitting by a babbling brook, watching squirrels gather nuts or the sun slowly set, breathing in the piney air. “There is a sense of safety that comes from being in the forest,” Dymond says.

“Safety is necessary in order for the client to open up and share themselves with another human being.” Children, too, readily respond: “Getting a child outside into nature can bring life back

Choose to evolve Summerville, SC & Online

Create lasting life changes now Tr a n s p e r s o n a l R e g r e s s i o n T h e r a p i s t Integrated Clinical Hypnotherapist

transformandflow.com (843)900-6468 14

into their eyes. Every day I see this happen.”

The sweeping Santa Barbara beach is the office of clinical psychologist Maria Nazarian, Ph.D., as she accompanies clients on hour-long barefoot walks that might include a mindfulness exercise, goal-setting and meditation—all while watching waves foam, pelicans glide and sun-sparkles on the water.

“When we feel connected to the world around us, we experience more joy and belonging, less depression and less anxiety, all of which increase our thinking, creativity, well-being and generosity,” she says.

Their practices, known as ecotherapy, green therapy or nature-based therapy, are an outgrowth of a ballooning branch of psychology known as ecopsychology, which investigates the critical links between nature experiences and human wellbeing. In examining such matters as our neurological responses to nature, how climate change and weather disasters lead to anxiety and depression, how nature deprivation affects children, and why nature can produce transcendent awe, the field is

NA Lowcountry Edition

NALowcountry.com

reshaping the way that therapists and doctors help both adults and children heal.

Ecopsychology is a relatively new discipline. Little more than two decades ago, historian Theodore Roszak pointed out in Psychology Today that in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, one of the most-diagnosed categories involved sex: “In mapping sexual dysfunction, therapists have been absolutely inspired… [but] the volume contains only one listing remotely connected to nature: seasonal affective disorder.”

Now, as the planet’s dire plight becomes a source of mounting concern, that professional neglect is rapidly changing. The field of ecopsychology has produced more than 100 authoritative studies linking nature to not only physical, but mental health. Researchers have found that spending time in nature settings helps lower stress, anxiety and depression, boosts positive mood, improves resilience and immune response, increases life expectancy, decreases anger, reduces blood pressure, eases computer fatigue and enhances energy, concentration and cognitive functioning.

Recently, Danish researchers found that children raised in the least-green neighborhoods were 55 percent more likely to develop a serious mental illness than children that grew up in

Song_about_summer/Shutterstock.com

green living

the greenest neighborhoods, regardless of social standing, affluence or parental mental illness. A British study of nearly 20,000 people published in Scientific Reports concluded that spending at least two hours a week in nature, whether in brief breaks or long stretches, is an optimal amount of time to feel a sense of better health and well-being.

Putting these findings in motion, doctors, therapists, naturopaths, nurse practitioners and other health providers are increasingly suggesting and prescribing time in nature, especially for children. As of July 2018, there were 71 provider-based nature-prescription programs in 32 states, potentially involving hundreds of thousands of patients, according to a survey by the Institute at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

Ecopsychology research programs are opening at medical centers and universities, and ecotherapy classes are being added to academic degree programs for therapists. Major health insurers are financing pilot programs to measure timein-nature outcomes, and electronic health records are starting to include nature prescriptions, as well as pharmaceuticals.

Happily, it’s a therapy that can be self-prescribed. After Laura Durenberger, who blogs at ReduceReuseRenewBlog. com, gave birth to her son, she found symptoms of her generalized anxiety disorder at an all-time high, and ultimately linked it to rarely leaving her house.

When she goes too long without being outside, she says, “My anxiety spikes. I am irritable. My energy is low. I don’t feel motivated or creative.”

Now, even during the fierce Minneapolis winters, she is dedicated to spending half an hour a day in nature: “After my time outdoors, I feel grounded, renewed, energized and much more clearheaded than before I started.”

As ecotherapist Dymond puts it: “Nature is always there for people to heal themselves in.”

Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based health writer. Contact her at OHaraRonica@gmail. com.

Your Journey Begins with Young Living Essential Oils

WWW.MYYL.COM/LISABAYOREK

January 2020

15

Bill Moyers on Covering Climate Now

by Julie Marshall

B

ill Moyers, an American icon of broadcast journalism, continues to inspire generations through his political commentary, documentaries and award-winning books, including the landmark 1988 PBS series Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth. Beginning his career at 16 as a cub reporter in Marshall, Texas, he went on to earn more than 30 television Emmys, as well as prestigious career awards in film and television.

Moyers announced his retirement in 2017 at the age of 83. However, this past spring, the journalist spoke at a Columbia Journalism Review conference, calling upon the nation’s reporters and news outlets to join the Covering Climate Now project in order to push a cohesive message of science and truth—that it’s not too late for our planet and all of its inhabitants, but first we all need to grasp what’s at stake.

When did you first hear of global warming?

Early in 1965. I was a special assistant to President Lyndon Johnson, and famous oceanographer Roger Revelle was a member of the White House science advisory committee. The scientific community had largely believed that we didn’t have to worry about carbon dioxide because the oceans would quickly absorb any excess. Revelle blew that consensus apart with his discovery that it was instead rising into the atmosphere— which meant slowly, then more swiftly turning up the temperature of the planet, as 16

NA Lowcountry Edition

if the Earth was now a vast furnace; warming oceans, melting Antarctica, rising seas.

What was your response?

A twinge of disbelief, a little shock. But this was no wild alarmist sitting at that table. Well, LBJ took science seriously.

As president, he gave the green light for the first official report on the potential threat to humanity from rising CO2 levels. Go online to “Restoring the Quality of Our Environment—1965,” and read Appendix Y4—Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide. He told us to distribute the report widely. One year later, his energy and attention and our resources were diverted to the war in Vietnam.

What prompted your sense of urgency now in taking the media specifically to task for its general lack of coverage of the climate crisis?

Reality. The hottest temperatures on record, fueled by greenhouse gas emissions. Hurricanes of extraordinary force and frequency.

Floods, tornados, wildfires. Mass migration as a result of crop failures. A president who calls climate disruption a hoax. A cabinet and Congress protecting the profits of the fossil fuel industry. David Attenborough told the UN Climate Summit, in Poland, that we’re talking about “the collapse of our civilizations and the extinction of much of the natural world.” But our corporate media was more obsessed with the new “royal” baby born in Britain.

NALowcountry.com

What is the nature of the Covering Climate Now project?

Covering Climate Now is a big cooperative effort to tell the true story of what is happening and what we can do to change it—the story of fighting back against extinction, of coming to our senses. Our aim is to help beleaguered journalists and news organizations to abandon old habits, adopt best practices and overcome the usual obstacles—such as how to convince their own management to invest in better climate coverage and how to pay for it.

How crucial will the role of media be in influencing meaningful action on the most critical issue of our time?

Who else will sound the trumpet and be heard? We can take our readers, viewers and listeners to the ends of Earth, where oil palm growers and commodities companies are stripping away forests vital to carbon storage—and connect the dots. We can take them to the American Midwest, where this past spring’s crops brought despair and bankruptcy as farmers and their families were overwhelmed by floods—and connect the dots. And we can take them to Washington, D.C., and a government that scorns reality as fake news, denies the truths of nature and embraces a theocratic theology that welcomes catastrophe as a sign of the returning Messiah—and connect the dots.

What accounts for your own sense of urgency?

Photographs of my five grandchildren above my desk. Facts taped to the wall, like this one: The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—an essentially conservative body—gives us 12 years to make the massive changes to drastically reduce global greenhouse gas emissions 45 percent below 2010 levels. And something Roger Revelle said many years ago that is lodged in my head: “Earth’s our home. Let’s not burn it up.”

Julie Marshall is a Colorado-based journalist and author. Connect at FlyingBurros@gmail.com.

photo by Dale Robbins

wise words

healing ways

NATURAL HEALING FOR HANDS Getting a Grip on Pain

OHishiapply/Shutterstock.com

by Marlaina Donato

M

ost of us take our hands for granted until buttoning a shirt or opening a jar becomes a daunting task. Getting a grip on that pain and loss of function with holistic solutions can be a game-changer. Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as repetitive motion syndromes like carpal tunnel, are commonly linked to hand and wrist pain, and effective treatment relies on identifying the underlying cause.

“Systemic inflammation will be an issue in any case, but the root condition needs to be addressed,” says Kiva Rose Hardin, a New Mexico-based herbalist and co-editor of Plant Healer Magazine. Carpal tunnel, for instance, is not always a repetitive injury syndrome; it can sometimes be triggered by endocrine imbalances such as hypothyroidism, she says.

Susan Blum, M.D., author of Healing Arthritis: Your 3-Step Guide to Conquering Arthritis Naturally, agrees on both the role of inflammation and the importance of looking beyond the diagnosis itself.

“Inflammation is a process in the body, an end result, and we have to go upstream, so to speak, to find triggers including stress, gut health, toxins and infections.”

By finding the trigger, relief is within reach with non-surgical solutions and

We have to go upstream, so to speak, to find triggers including stress, gut health, toxins and infections. ~Susan Blum natural approaches such as physical therapy, specialized yoga, acupuncture, essential oils and inflammation-taming foods and herbs.

Gut Check

Factors like leaky gut syndrome, stress and inadequate nutrition can all kick inflammation into overdrive. The right dietary adjustments can go a long way toward putting on the brakes. “Inflammation from compromised gut health can contribute to both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis,” Blum notes. “Abdominal fat releases inflammatory molecules into the joints, so metabolic syndrome should [also] be looked at as a factor in osteoarthritis.”

The simplest place to begin is to pay attention to food quality, she says. “Choose whole foods high in nutrients and fiber; eliminate all processed food; read labels to spot hidden sugars and food dyes.”

January 2020

17

~Kiva Rose Hardin

Blum, the founder of the Blum Center for Health, in Rye Brook, New York, initially guides her patients on an elimination diet to find dietary triggers like soy, corn, gluten, dairy, sugar and eggs. She also recommends a diet that is 70 percent plant-based and includes cold-pressed, solvent-free oils such as high-quality olive oil.

Blum cautions against nightshade vegetables like eggplant, tomatoes, peppers and white potatoes that can trigger osteoarthritis pain.

Exercise and Prevention

Improper posture can set off a domino effect from neck to fingertips, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome and other troublesome conditions. Prevention can go a long way. “Stretching and strengthening are the best ways to prevent injury or pain,” says physiotherapist Kelly Picciurro, of Spring Forward Physical Therapy, in New York City.

Picciurro emphasizes exercise for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. “It’s vital that these patients maintain a certain level of mobility, and [physical therapy] can improve that.”

Those with repetitive strain injuries also respond well to gentle yoga postures like tree pose, upward hands and upward fingers. In general, yoga helps upper body muscles support and align the hands, wrists and elbows.

Snuffing Out Pain

Acupuncture, especially with a focus on postural muscles of the neck and back, can be effective in reducing pain and inflammation. Hot and cold treatments can bring relief for arthritis flare-ups. Circulation and resulting improved cell nutrition can be achieved by employing heat via showers, baths and heating pads.

For acute pain, cold from an ice bag or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel for 20-minute intervals reduces swelling by reducing circulation and dulling pain signals.

Pain-reducing herbs such as cat’s claw, aloe vera, green tea, ginger, borage oil and chili pepper can all help fight systemic inflammation. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is also a heavy hitter. Blum recommends at least 1,000 milligrams daily of curcumin that is formulated with pepper or a phospholipid for optimal absorption. A 2018 study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that the combination of curcumin and black pepper can repress inflammation signals in the intestines.

Essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, ginger, Roman and German chamomile, lavender and balsam fir are also effective in reducing pain, and have anti-inflammatory properties. A few drops can be added to Epsom salts for a bath or diluted and rubbed onto the area three times daily.

Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

18

NA Lowcountry Edition

NALowcountry.com

STRATEGIES FROM THE EXPERTS

Food tips from Susan Blum, M.D.

Replace refined sugar with maple sugar, coconut sugar or honey, all of which offer nutrients and minerals. Avoid overly processed agave nectar.

If meats are consumed, choose organic and grass-fed.

Choose whole grains.

Herbal suggestions from Kiva Rose Hardin For topical pain-relieving applications, look for a fat/oil-based preparation with mint or cayenne for faster action.

Powdered herbs in mass-produced capsules can lose medicinal efficacy quickly. Alcohol or glycerine-based tinctures are good choices that can be convenient when traveling.

Ginger is an effective anti-inflammatory that can be added to food.

Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum), sustainably sourced, is especially useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; the rhizome of this plant seems to work on the synovial fluid of the joints.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidim) is an important part of any autoimmune formula. A decoction or extract is beneficial for arthritis, fibromyalgia and lupus.

Ashwagandha (Withania somniferum) reduces stress and anxiety while moderating inflammation; it is especially effective in the treatment of autoimmune disorders and endocrine disruption.

Hawthorn (Crataegus) reduces systemic inflammation and has a moderating effect on most forms of arthritis and joint pain; it also strengthens the collagen matrix of the body and supports overall joint health.

Computer posture reminders from Kelly Picciurro

Elbows should rest at about a 90-degree angle and comfortably at the side. Wrists should lie in a neutral position; not be too extended or flexed.

The keyboard and mouse should be close to the body to avoid excessive reaching of the hands.

sumroeng chinnapan/Shutterstock.com

Systemic inflammation will be an issue in any case, but the root condition needs to be addressed.

The key is to not overtrain and to do just enough to adequately stimulate the system.

fit body

oscarhdez/Shutterstock.com

~Beth Shaw

When Workouts Don’t Work

Why Less Is Sometimes More

E

by Marlaina Donato

xercise is a proven component in losing weight and preventing cardiovascular disease and diabetes, but not all exercise regimens yield the same results for everyone, especially when daily stress is a factor. While workouts are often intended to reduce the body’s physiological response to mental and emotional stress, exercise itself can serve as a physical stressor that exacerbates the problem. This delicate balance revolves around the stress hormone cortisol.

While cortisol is needed to kickstart metabolism and burn fat, too much of it can increase the body’s fat stores.

Stephanie Mansour, host of Step It Up With Steph, a weekly TV fitness program in Chicago, sees this correlation in her private practice for women. “Aggressive workouts definitely perpetuate stress, and aren’t always necessary for weight loss. If one of my clients is stressed-out, sleepdeprived, overworked and doing intense workouts but not seeing weight-loss results, that’s a signal that cortisol is poten-

tially too high and needs to be addressed.”

Fat-burning, high-intensity interval training (HIIT)—bursts of exercise with minimal periods of rest in between— raises levels of cortisol. These tend to decrease after a workout, but can remain on overdrive if HIIT is not balanced

with low-intensity movement. Add jampacked schedules to the mix, and the side effects of chronically elevated cortisol result not only in longer recovery time, but insomnia, fatigue, low immunity and failure to lose weight, especially around the midsection—a phenomenon that has earned cortisol the nickname “the belly fat hormone”.

Balancing HIIT with yoga, Pilates, elliptical training, swimming or walking can help to reset the nervous system and bring the rest of the body back up to speed.

Cortisol-Conscious Workouts

Mansour works with a naturopath that analyzes her clients’ cortisol and other hormone levels. “One of the first things we focus on is helping the body move into the parasympathetic nervous system and out of the fight-or-flight stress response. One way we do this is by shifting into more relaxed workouts—gentle yoga, beginners’ Pilates class, light cardio or light strength training.”

Fitness expert Beth Shaw chose a zealous approach in her own exercise regimen

If your New Year’s commitment is to be cleaner or more organic with your products - start with Health and Beauty.

I can teach you how to read product labels and recommend products to keep you on track long after January.

1319 Savannah Hwy. Suite C (843) 813-1838 www.yourgroomingguru.com

January 2020

19

Aggressive workouts definitely perpetuate stress, and aren’t always necessary for weight loss. ~Stephanie Mansour until high cortisol levels unraveled her health. The founder of YogaFit, a yoga teacher training program headquartered in Toronto, she emphasizes moderation.

“The key is to not overtrain and to do just enough to adequately stimulate the system.” She recommends 30-to 45-minute cardio sessions and no longer than 45

More Low-Stress Workout Tips

Beth Shaw: I recommend high-intensity training first thing in the morning on an empty stomach three times a week, and adopting a yoga practice a few days a week that includes restorative yoga in the evenings to reduce cortisol.

Stephanie Mansour: Try high-intensity workouts for a few weeks. Take inventory of how you feel each day. Look at your progress over a few weeks to find a healthy balance. If it’s not working, change it up.

Tori Brown: If Pilates is your go-to exercise for strength training, opt for private train-

ing three times a week (minimum). If you are combining Pilates with other modes of exercise and really just need the cortisol downplay and core work, choose mat classes two times a week. Pilates private instruction will completely change the way you do all other forms of exercise. It is very different than all other exercise and very complementary.

The Earth does not belong to us: We belong to the Earth. ~Marlee Matlin

Coming Next Month february

Cardiovascular Health plus: Regenerative Medicine

minutes for weights. “Endorphin release from these two types of exercises should offset any release in cortisol.”

When we exercise may be as important to achieving weight loss and enhancing overall energy as the type of workout we choose, a factor based on circadian rhythm—the body’s biological clock. There are some schools of thought that cortisol is higher in the morning, and therefore this is the best time to exercise, says Mansour, while others believe we should target the mid-afternoon slump. “I advise my clients to pick a time that simply feels good to them.”

Mixing It Up

Hopping on a bike, going for a brisk walk or catching the waves on a surfboard can provide a great low-intensity, steady-state (LISS) cardiovascular workout, which aims for a low level of exertion for a long, continuous period. Repetitive motion for 30 to 45 minutes not only helps to balance cortisol levels, but according to a 2014 Australian study published in the Journal of Obesity, it evens out fat distribution in overweight individuals. LISS also nudges the body to use fat as fuel, rather than taking valuable glycogen from the muscles.

Yoga and Pilates classes, though distinctly different, offer valuable benefits. “If cortisol backlash is an issue, you definitely want to work with someone who knows the anatomy and physiology of breathing,” says Tori Brown, owner of The Pilates Room & Antigravity Studio, in Ithaca, New York. “By learning proper breathing techniques, practitioners are able to downregulate the nervous system into a more parasympathetic state, which leads to better focus, lower heart rate, better digestion, more optimal cortisol levels and improved sleep patterns. All of this leads to more focused workouts that build muscle while creating less stress on the nervous system.”

Mansour suggests simple walking for stress-busting alternative cardio. “Brisk walking three times a week for 20 to 30 minutes is great to help reduce stress.”

Marlaina Donato is an author and composer.

Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

20

NA Lowcountry Edition

NALowcountry.com

coaches

Find a knowledgeable professional to help you achieve your goals!

Family Counseling A DEEPER YOU INC.

Dr. Elizabeth E. Castle • 843-767-8759 ADeeperU@gmail.com • ADeeperU.com

life coach/professional counselor Angel Muehlenkamp, MA

corner

843-327-1440 LivingAngel777@gmail.com • UniquelyUnow.com

spiritual life coach

Laura Griffith Garland, PhD

Coaches advertise here for less than it costs to boost a social media post!

843-452-7996 DrLaura.Coach@gmail.com • CharlestonReikiandTarot.com

This new section will include an article by a coach or about coaching every month moving forward. To participate: Email Publisher@NALowcountry.com or call 843-821-7404

Sherry Kachanis

Transformational coach 843-743-9488 SherryKachanis@gmail.com • SherryKachanis.com

The longer I go about living, I see it’s the relationship that is most meaningful. ~William Shatner g l a m p in g a c c om m od at ion s aVa il ab le

W ed d i ng s | Ev ent s | Ret r e a ts a u n iqu e a n d ru s t ic s et t in g d ef i ned by n at u r a l s p l e n d or gather the people you love most and make a relaxed and unforgettable dream come true.

Come to Paint Rock Farm.

www.paintrockfarm.com eVents (631) 708 5350 | glamping (828) 231 0296

January 2020

21

WHEN OLDER PETS GET QUIRKY Dealing With Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

A

by Julie Peterson

s dogs and cats get older, they may slow down or have other physical issues. Some experience cognitive decline which resembles Alzheimer’s disease in humans. It presents differently in every pet and can include numerous symptoms that begin gradually, sometimes just seeming like quirky behavior instead of a disease.

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) can affect dogs or cats, and there is currently no known cause or prevention.

Progress has been made on Alzheimer’s research in humans, with neurologists discovering that plaque buildup in the brain does not cause the disease: That is the immune system’s response to the disease.

Necropsies on dogs with CDS have shown similar plaque buildup in the brain.

“Unfortunately, little research has been done regarding this condition, so we can only hope to use human studies to gather information that will help our affected pets,” says Dennis W. Thomas, DVM, a holistic veterinarian in Spokane, Washington, and author of Whole-Pet Healing: A Heart-to-Heart Guide to Connecting with and Caring for Your Animal Companion.

With no test available for CDS, pets are diagnosed by excluding medical and behavioral problems that can resemble having the ailment.

Signs to Watch For

Issues that could point to CDS include: 22

NA Lowcountry Edition

n Confusion or disorientation: standing in a corner, difficulty walking through doorways, walking in circles or trouble following familiar routes n Decreased activity: sleeping excessively, seeming withdrawn, lack of grooming, loss of interest in toys, people or food n Restlessness, anxiety or compulsiveness: waking often at night, whining or yowling, new fears, pacing or constantly licking n Attention seeking: wanting to be near humans and showing high distress when left alone n Incontinence: soiling the house after previously being house-trained n Irritability or aggression: growling/ hissing or biting without cause

These troubles could also be indicative of a treatable condition, such as a urinary tract infection or an injury, so it’s essential to have the pet examined.

Caring for the Patient

While CDS will continue to alter brain and nerve function, there is some hope for pet lovers faced with the diagnosis in the early stages. Thomas recommends a natural approach that includes diet modification, filtered water, vitamin and herbal supplements, and eliminating stress. Diffusing calming essential oils can be helpful for dogs (and humans), but is not recommended for cats.

Kathryn Sarpong, DVM, a veterinar-

NALowcountry.com

ian at Metro Paws Animal Hospital, in Dallas, also recommends dietary changes to her patients. “Recent studies have shown that medium-chain triglycerides may be helpful, and they are in some senior pet foods. Supplementation of melatonin may help with sleep-wake cycles.”

Anxiety often becomes part of the animal’s new normal, but pet parents can help cats and dogs with this by keeping them as active as possible, introducing new toys and interacting. “Keep your dog’s mind active by providing games and opportunities for play.

Daily walks provide not only exercise, but also mental stimulation,” says Lisa Lunghofer, Ph.D., executive director of The Grey Muzzle Organization, in Washington, D.C.

Pets with anxiety or pain may benefit from cannabidiol (CBD) products. Clarissa Valdes, a homemaker in Homestead, Florida, has a 15-year-old cat with CDS. Minini would wander around in the house, looking lost.

Then, the all-night howling sessions began.

“We started to worry that she was in pain,” says Valdes. However, a veterinarian diagnosed CDS. “The vet suggested medication, but I wanted to go in a natural direction,” says Valdes, who started Minini on CBD oil. The cat finally slept through the night. A month in, Minini is doing better overall.

With time, CDS patients may lose hearing or sight in addition to experiencing a progression of symptoms. “Make sure your home is predictable and safe,” says Lunghofer. Use gates to close off stairs or move furniture or other items that could be hazardous.

Prevention on the Horizon

Because inflammation caused by an inappropriate diet is the underlying problem of most chronic diseases in pets, Thomas believes that prevention for CDS is possible.

“Feeding a non-inflammatory, speciesspecific, balanced diet that is fresh and not heat-processed is critical,” he says.

In addition, he advises his patients get probiotics, digestive enzymes, omega3s and antioxidant nutrients. Vaccinations, when necessary, should not contain heavy metal preservatives. “The goal is to keep the gut and immune systems healthy, avoid toxins that affect the nervous system and minimize environmental stress.”

Julie Peterson writes from her home in rural Wisconsin. Contact her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

Anna Hoychuk/Shutterstock.com

natural pet

Intuitive and Healing Arts Guide Astrology

Reiki and More

Joti Reiki

Alexander Mallon

Dr Allison Brown, Quantum Healing Practitioner

1744 Sam Rittenberg Blvd Suite C Charleston 843-327-4761 maureen@jotireiki.com jotireiki.com

Charleston 845-802-6111 AstrologySpirit@gmail.com AstrologySpirit.com

843-425-4906 allison.brown@drallisonbrown.com DrAllisonBrown.com In-person or online sessions available

Energy Medicine

Charleston Holistic Center

Paula McGuire

Laura Griffith Garland, PhD 2366 Ashley River Rd, Bldg 8 Charleston 843-452-7996 DrLaura.Coach@gmail.com CharlestonReikiAndTarot.com

Mt Pleasant/Charleston 843-732-0293 Paula@ireinst.com ireinst.com

Intuitive Carol Cottrell, Spiritual Medium By appointment only 517 Savannah Hwy Charleston, SC 29407 843-324-6460 Carol@CCottrell.com CCottrell.com

Holistic You Counseling Angel Muehlenkamp, MA Professional Counseling Summerville 843-327-1440 LivingAngel777@gmail.com UniquelyuNow.com

To place a listing on this page call 843-821-7404 or email: Publisher@NALowcountry.com

Coming Next Month february

Regenerative Medicine plus: Cardiovascular Health

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call 843-821-7404 January 2020

23

Are you using antibiotics, steroids or anti-fungals to treat a respiratory infection?

Still sick and feeling worse?

We use a natural, laboratory and clinically proven antimicrobial that kills bacteria, fungus and virus without harming the patient.

We use RESPIRATORY RELIEF from

20%OFF with coupon code RESP20

We get calls & orders from people who have tried all sorts of prescription medications that do NOT get rid of their respiratory infections.

Time after time the infections clear up in a few days with Respiratory Relief.

We shake our heads and wonder, “Why don’t they try this first?”

Now you can.

For use in a nebulizer

Order online at MyNaturesRite.com or call 800-991-7088

North America’s Leader in End-of-Life Doula and Conscious Dying Coach Certification WWW .C ONSCIOUS D YING I NSTITUTE . COM

Be Held | Be Whole Be Healing Become a Sacred Passage End-of-Life Doula

Tampa, FL

Phase 1: Feb 25-27 2020 Phase 2: May 14-18, 2020 303.440.8018 info@consciousdyinginstitute.com

Asheville, NC | Boulder, CO | Ottawa, ON | San Marcos, CA | St. Paul, MN | Vancouver, BC | Tampa, FL 24

NA Lowcountry Edition

NALowcountry.com

calendar of events

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17

Submissions for the February issue must be received no later than January 10 and can be entered at NALowcountry.com. $15 per entry for print edition Plans ChangeCall ahead to confirm events will occur as scheduled.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4 Jackie McCullough “Power of Choice” Workshop – 11am-1pm. We will practice skills to be our happiest and most joyful in 2020. Jackie is a Life Options Coach/Counselor who demonstrates how she learned to choose joy, peace and happiness instead of her lifelong fear, anxiety and depression.

Youtube Search: Option Institute Breaking Patterns.

Jackie’s info: www.joychoice.net and jackiementor@gmail.com. Donation. Unity of Charleston.

2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston. 843-566- 0600.

UnityCharleston@msn.com. UnityChs.org.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5 David Hiller shiftshop “Now is the Time to do Greater Things – 12:30-3:30PM. Learn how to install positive beliefs directly into the subconscious and release self-defeating beliefs. One on one time with David available the next day, Monday 1-6 at 65 dollars per hour. Also, meet and hear David at the Unity of Charleston 10:30am service on January 5th. To contact David: (843) 333-8260, miracles1@ mindspring.com, www.davidhillerministry.com.

Unity of Charleston. 2535 Leeds Ave, Charles-

ton. 843-566- 0600. UnityCharleston@msn.com.

UnityChs.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 Lessons from a Titanic Survivor – 12:30-1:30pm.

Edith Russell, a Titanic survivor is portrayed by Debra Conner. This program is supported by SC Humanities Out Loud program. Donation. Unity of Charleston. 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston. 843-5660600. UnityCharleston@msn.com. UnityChs.org.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13 TTC Class: Massage Therapy Certificate – 8:30am-3pm. This 650-hour certificate program encompasses the requirements necessary to obtain licensure as a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) in the state of South Carolina. Upon completion of this program, candidates are eligible to take the national certification examination, MBLEx (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards) and apply for state licensure once receiving a passing score. $4,399.

Trident Technical College - Thornley Campus.

North Charleston. 843-574-6152. TridentTech.edu/ CE/Programs/Catalog/Massage.htm

The Treehouse Grand Opening! – 6-10pm. Come celebrate with us and enjoy a glorious weekend full of free and low-cost events that will nourish your soul! View schedule and register for events at: palmandlotus.com/grandopening. Wine & Cheese Open House, drop-in FREE Participants must register 1 week in advance of the classes, no later than 1/12/20. 843-425-4906. Moncks Corner.

PalmandLotus.com/grandopening

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 Emotional Freedom Workshop – 2-5pm. Join Lorraine Pursell, M. A. as we explore together the ease in this new era of life on earth. You will learn about Quantum Mechanics, how to use it and how it directly applies to your life. You. will become clearer about your desires and your real underlying emotions and feelings that are the purpose of everything. This is a three hour intensive workshop that includes a retreat meal. bliss Spiritual Coop. 1163 Pleasant Oaks Dr, Mt Pleasant. Tish@ blissSpiritualCo-op.org. blissSpiritualCo-op.org.

Unity of Charleston Dances of Universal Peace – 7-8:30pm. This joyful, meditative practice is done with live music and open to ALL. Dress is casual. No experience or partner needed. Experience mantra meditation in movement. Easy to do circle dances with spiritual music from many of the world religions. Fun and energizing. Monthly on 3rd Saturdays. Donation. Unity of Charleston.

2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston. 843-566-0600. dancesofuniversalpeacechs@gmail.com.

UnityChs.org.

ongoing events

sunday Unity of Charleston Service – 10:30am. Are you more spiritual than religious? So are we! Do you believe in many paths to God? Then join us. Unity of Charleston, 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston. 843566-0600. Unitychs.org.

Unity of Mt Pleasant – 10-11am. Unity is a Positive Path for Spiritual Living. We lovingly welcome people of all faiths and inspire them to live with Passion. Free. Unity of Mt Pleasant, 1470 Ben Sawyer, #7, Mt Pleasant. 843-814-1322. lleshay@ comcast.net.

Rainbows End Gift Shop – 10:30am-1pm. Spiritual, metaphysical and inspirational books, crystals, jewelry, incense, tarot/oracle cards, and gifts. 843566-0600. unitycharleston@msn.com.

monday Complimentary Natural Female Hormone Balancing Consultations – 10am-4pm. With Dr. Stephanie Zgraggen. Free. Lime and Lotus, 925-F Wappoo Rd, West Ashley. Call to schedule: 843-214-2997. LimeAndLotus.com.

ThetaHealing Technique w/ Maria Fink – 7-8:30pm. Every 1st & 3rd Monday. Identity subconscious limiting beliefs to change them into empowering ones. Clear stuck patterns or emotions.

Feel new emotions and learn universal concepts through energetic downloads from the highest plane of creation. bliss Facilitators offer 150+ classes per month. Join us! 1163 Pleasant Oaks Dr, Mt Pleasant. fluturasv@yahoo.com. blissSpiritualCo-op.org Weekly Body Sculpting w/ Missy Michels – 11am -12pm. A weight bearing workout for all levels. We have balls, bands, mats & weights to share. You are encouraged to bring a water bottle or stop at the bliss hospitality bar to hydrate before class. bliss Facilitators offer 150+ classes per month. Join us soon!

1163 Pleasant Oaks Dr, Mt Pleasant. spinchik40@ yahoo.com. blissSpiritualCo-op.org.

Complimentary First Session! Experience the healing power of Acupuncture – 10:00am-6:15pm.

Daily through Saturday. We want everyone to come experience Acupuncture in our luxurious Zen lounge! What do you have to lose? In thirty minutes or less, experience healing, escape, relaxation and a balancing of your body. Call to book an appointment now! Free offer to local SC residents only. Residents outside of the local area will be charged $29 introductory rate. Modern Acupuncture -Belle Hall, 608 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant. 843-352-2298.

Star Seeds Gathering – 7pm. Monthly on the 2nd Monday. Monthly gathering for the Star Seeds of Charleston to gather, share and co-create a space where it is safe for exploring multi- dimensional beings and polarities. 1163 Pleasant Oaks Dr, Mt Pleasant. blissSpiritualCo-op.org.

tuesday Living and Wellness Class – 6-7pm. 1st Tues of the month. Learn Healthy Habits. Call to find out the topic of the month. Free. 1164 Northbridge Rd (West Ashley), Charleston. 843-270-9913. ChiroAnn@ yahoo.com. DrAnnJenkins.com.

The Reiki Connection – 7pm. With Chrys Franks, Reiki Master/Teacher. Guided meditation followed by mini reiki sessions by certified practitioners.

Love offering. (1st Tues for practitioners only) Unity of Charleston, 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston.

843-364-5725. UnityChs.org.

wednesday Complimentary Natural Female Hormone Balancing Consultations – 10am-4pm. With Dr. Stephanie Zgraggen. Free. Lime and Lotus, 925-F Wappoo Rd, West Ashley. Call to schedule: 843214-2997. LimeAndLotus.com.

January 2020

25

thursday Reiki for Vets – 1-2pm. Free drop-in Reiki clinic for veterans and their spouse or caregiver. VAapproved volunteers will provide free 15-minute Reiki sessions to any disabled vet receiving services through the VA. No appointment necessary! Call or visit website for more information. Free. Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, 101 Naval Nuclear Power Training Command Cir, Goose Creek. 843-425-4906. Reiki4Vets@gmail.com.

ReikiForVets.org.

THRIVE Domestic Violence Support Group – 6-7pm. Connect in a safe, confidential forum with others who are experiencing or have experienced violence in their relationships. In an atmosphere of respect, safety and empathy, draw comfort and empowerment from those who understand. Facilitator: Sharon Steffan. Free. bliss Spiritual Co-op, 1163 Pleasant Oaks Dr, Mt Pleasant. 843-345-7061.

Sharon@thrivesc.life. blissSpiritualCo-op.org.

Holistic Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting – 6:30-8:00pm. Holistic Chamber of Commerce represents holistic professionals,practitioners, businesses and resource providers. We encourage and promote healthy living, and support those who make it possible. Please join the community every third Thursday of the month as we network, promote and heal. 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd #118, Charleston, (843) 990-2641. wasc@holisticchamberofcommerce.com. holisticchamberofcommerce. com/wasc.

What a

sitesee! to

Growing & Selling Microgreens w/ Tim Shaw – 6-7pm.2nd & 4th Thursday in the TASTING room. Discover the tasty health benefits of Microgreens and explore how simple they are to grow on your own. These miniature greens, herbs and other vegetables are packed with flavor and are a concentrated source of nutrients. Donations Appreciated. 1163 Pleasant Oaks Dr, Mt Pleasant. tish@ blissspiritualco-op.org. blissSpiritualCo-op.org.

Weekly Qi Gong w/ Mark Patterson – 7:108:10pm. Qi Gong has been used in China for over 4,000, years to cultivate energy, vitality, and over all well-being. Qi Gong increases your life force and vitality, super charges your immune system and helps reverse aging. All encouraged to join us! Donations Appreciated. 1163 Pleasant Oaks Dr, Mt Pleasant. theccnc@gmail.com. blissSpiritualCo-op.org.

friday Weekly Course in Miracles w/ Sara Walker –10:30am-12pm. Ongoing study for retraining the mind that is spiritual rather than religious in its perspective. The Course teaches a unique non-dualistic thought system dealing with universal spiritual themes. Facilitators offer 150+ classes per month.

All welcome to try something new! Donations Appreciated. 1163 Pleasant Oaks Dr. Mt. Pleasant. oldmagnolia1@gmail.com. blissspiritualco-op.org.

Visit Our New Website NALowcountry.com

Immune Boosting Strategies and Recipes How to Raise an Environmentalist Tidying up That Bucket List, Deciding What We Really Want and more!

Add your organization to our national Natural Awakenings directory for FREE! Premium Listings function like a microsite for $30 per month!

Premium options appear online and in print for $15 per month.

Print advertisers get free premium event listings.

NATURALTo AWAKENINGS HAS Publisher@NALowcountry.com A learn more contact

NEW

Special Thanks to our Community Sponsor:

WEBSITE NA Lowcountry Edition

Introductory Meditation Class – 9:30-10:30am.

Every Sat at 9:30 am, come and learn a practical meditation technique and teachings on why it is effective in reducing anxiety and improving concentration. 20-min guided meditation included with gong. Free. 757 St Andrews Blvd, Charleston.

843-641-7663. Andrew@MeditateCenter.com.

MeditateCenter.com.

Compost Daze – 10am-2pm. Compost Rangers Compost Daze volunteer monthly workday every 2nd Sat of the month. Location will vary, so follow Compost Rangers on Facebook or visit CompostRangers.org and sign up for email reminders.

Hemp Oil – 10:30-11:30am. Third Saturday of the month. Please join the green revolution. PrimeMyBody is a global health and wellness company that helps people to live wellness and create lifestyle.

We formulate life-changing products with quality in mind, and that means using nothing but the best nature has to offer. Being healthy isn’t a fad or a trend... instead, it is a lifestyle. Free. bliss Spiritual Co-op, 1163 Pleasant Oaks Dr, Mt Pleasant.843-847-1927.

Anah.PrimeMyBody.com.

Simply Meditate – 10:30-11:45am. 2nd and 4th Saturdays. Drop-in classes with guided meditations, suitable for beginners and experienced alike. Circular Church, 150 Meeting St, Charleston (classroom below Lance Hall). $10 or $5/students/seniors.

MeditationInSouthCarolina.org.

Charleston Theosophical Study Center – 3:455:45pm. Meets the last Sat of each month. We study metaphysical subjects including Reincarnation, Karma, Life after Death. Free. Otranto Regional Library, 2261 Otranto Rd, N Charleston, SC. 843899-0619. JoanHaye61@yahoo.com.

for Exclusive Content like:

Add your event to our online Calendar for FREE!

26

saturday

NALowcountry.com

classifieds Acupuncture Practice Room Rental Beautiful, established acupuncture practice located in central Mount Pleasant. Seeking practitioners to rent, 1 or 2 treatment rooms.

Practitioners can be newer or seasoned. Call Lisa Dunlevy 843 259-9889.

Community Spotlight and News Brief writers wanted Educate the community about local area nonprofits and news related to natural living, wellness, sustainability and environmental efforts in our area. Freelance position, interns welcome to apply. Please email Publisher@NALowcountry. com with writing sample if interested.

Healthy Living Publication FOR SALE Well established natural health publication in SC with steady revenue stream for sale. Serious inquiries only. 864-248-4910.

community resource guide

bodywork

Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NALowcountry.com.

ACUPUNCTURE

ANTI-AGING

CHARLESTON COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE

Alternative Health Charleston

1307 Savannah Hwy, West Ashley 843-763-7200 FeelGreatCharleston.com

Michael Boggs, Health Consultant Charleston, SC 29405 843-408-0010 Alternativehealthcharleston.com

Voted best acupuncturist three years running. We treat most ailments, including stress, pain management, autoimmune issues, infertility, migraines, fatigue, allergies, diabetes and much more. Sliding scale payment option $20-$40 (return visits).

Got Vitality? More Energy. Better Sleep. A Whole New You. B E N E - F I T S O F REALNAD+*include AntiAging, Energy Production, Sports Performance and Addiction Recovery. Contact us to learn more about the importance of NAD.

ALTERNATIVE HOLISTIC MEDICINE Michael Bauerschmidt, MD

Deeper Healing Medical Wellness Center 1300 Hospital Drive, Suite 360 Mt Pleasant SC 29464 843-388-5995 DeeperHealing.com Experience a refreshing MD consult at Deeper Healing Medical Wellness Center where they take the time, dive deep to uncover root causes and focus on healing the body naturally. Dr. Michael Bauerschmidt, an expert in Functional & Environmental Medicine, offers state-of-the-art treatments for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, a powerful cellular cleansing program, progressive allergy treatments, natural pain management, chelation and IV infusions. Dr. B is a leading expert on environmental toxicity and a compassionate professional who teaches tirelessly on how to live “well” in our modern world.

DR. PATRICK S. LOVEGROVE Merge Medical Center Mt Pleasant • 843-469-1001 MergeMedicalCenter.com

AMA board-certified MD specializing in family medicine, holistic internal medicine, Antiaging, Chinese medicine, naturopathy. Merge Medical Center … where modern thinking meets natural healing. Services include Primary Care, Weight Loss, Fatigue management, Bioidentical hormones, Colonics, Acupuncture, Massage, Reiki, Chiropractic, IV vitamins, and Bemer therapy.

Ayurveda EARTHEN APOTHECARY

Jennifer Byrne MPH, CAP, LMT NAMA-certified Ayurvedic Practitioner 232A Ashley Ave, Charleston • 843-743-8373 Jennifer@EarthenApothecary.com EarthenApothecary.com Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of health and longevity. An Ayurvedic consultation can help you understand your unique constitution and identify how your system manifests imbalances. Individualized dietary, lifestyle and herbal recommendations are tailored to address any current imbalances.

Call/email for scheduling.

beauty consultant YOUR GROOMING GURU

1319 Savannah Hwy, Ste C Charleston (in Artisans Inc Salon) 843-813-1838 YourGroomingGuru.com Your Grooming Guru, Barbara Brant-Williams, is an experienced hair-stylist, makeup artist and certified Organic Color Specialist practicing out of the Artisans Salon.

Charleston’s go-to source for hair, makeup and beauty product knowledge. See ad, page 19.

bIOMAGNETIC THERAPY Paula McGuire

Mt Pleasant/Charleston 843-732-0293 • Paula@ireinst.com ireinst.com BioMagnetic Therapy can help create balance, restore vitality within the body and facilitate clearing of viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic infections; allergies; ADD; autism; autoimmune issues; heavy metal and other toxicity; chronic pain; infertility; herpes; MS; among other conditions. See ad, page 13.

LOTUS HOLISTIC MASSAGE

Abigail McClam, BA, LMBT 232A Ashley Ave, Charleston 843-724-9807•Abigail@LotusCharleston.com LotusCharleston.com Licensed holistic massage and integrative bodywork practitioner offering massage, aromatherapy, energy healing and breathing techniques to help individuals nurture health, restore balance, manage pain, trauma and injury as they learn to embrace their own body/mind wisdom.

CHIROPRACTORS ACCURATE CHIROPRACTIC

3373 S Morgans Point Rd, Ste 307 Mt Pleasant 843-971-8814 CoursonChiropractic@gmail.com MtPleasantChiro.com Holistic Family Care practice, offering a variety of techniques and therapies to help improve overall health and wellness.

Proudly serving the Charleston area for 17 years.

Atlas Spine & Wellness Care

Dr. Rick DiGregorio 3400 Salterbeck Street #102 Mount Pleasant, SC 843-352-7941 • Drrick@aospinalcare.com AOSpinalCare.com Offering Atlas Orthogonal Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care. A nonforce neck realignment procedure that uses a sound wave that is precise and safe. As well as Class 4 Laser Therapy and Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression. See ad, page 6.

COLUCCI CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS CENTER

Dr. Gina Colucci 1806 Trolley Rd, Summerville 843-875-5700 • ColucciChiropractic.com Serving the Summerville area for 29 years. Specializing in holistic care; weight loss and nutritional cleansing; pain management; bio-identical hormones; sugar detox; stress testing; chiropractic; peripheral neuropathy; detox footbaths; emotional (TBM/NET) and wellness care.

Dr. Ann Jenkins, Not Your Ordinary Chiropractor 1164 Northbridge Dr, Charleston (West Ashley) 843-270-9913 • DrAnnJenkins.com

Exclusive to the area: Whole Body Magnetic Therapy. Mention Natural Awakenings for a free one-hour session. Holistic family care. Relief of neck, back and emotional pain.

Homeopathy and essential oils.

January 2020

27

ESSENTIAL OILS

CHURCHES Unity Church of Charleston Rev. Ed Kosak, Minister 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston 843-566-0600 • Unitychs.org

Sunday Service: 10:30 am. Are you more spiritual than religious? Do you believe in many paths to God? Then please join us.

YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS WITH LISA BAYOREK Lisa Bayorek, Member #10796546 Charleston MYYL.com/LisaBayorek

Curious about essential oils? I would love to share Young Living with you! I offer classes on family wellness, chemical-free cleaning, business opportunities and more!

See ad, page 15.

COACHING SHERRY KACHANIS

North Charleston 843-743-9488 SherryKachanis@gmail.com SherryKachanis.com

HEALTH FOOD STORES VITAMIN PLUS+

Transformational Coach and Shamanic Healer. Break through unconscious barriers to fully LIVE the LIFE you desire! Monthly Meditation/Shamanic Healing, Moon Ceremonies and Healing Retreats.

Herbs and Health Foods 119 N Goose Creek Blvd, Ste K Goose Creek • 843-797-3200 Best selection of herbs in South Carolina. Organic teas, spices, supplements, essential oils, wheat-free and gluten-free products. 10am-7pm Mon-Sat; closed Sunday.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

COUNSELING

KANGEN IONIZED WATER

HOLISTIC YOU COUNSELING

Angel Muehlenkamp, MA Professional Counseling Summerville 843-327-1440 • LivingAngel777@gmail.com UniquelyuNow.com We are here to live in the fullness of who and what we truly are. Angel uses her unique ability to Connect to Source to assist you in moving beyond daily limitations. Open to a brand new way of living. Talk, Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy; Quantum-Touch; Reiki; Intuitive Counseling; Art of God; Life Coaching; and Spiritual Counseling.

Change your water, change your life!

Thomas P Meletis, Distributor 843-729-7837 • TPM13@aol.com Water is the single most important element that goes in our body.

Drinking the right type of water may be the single most important piece in achieving and maintaining optimal health. Visit KangenDemo. com to see a comparison. View all eight machines at TopShelfWater.net. Financing at zero interest.

HEMP OIL PrimeMyBody Hemp Oil

DENTISTRY I SMILE MATHIS FERRY DENTISTRY Wendy S. Haefner, DDS 1571 Mathis Ferry Rd, Mt Pleasant 843-884-1215 • MathisFerryDentistry.com

Biological dentistry using IAOMT protocol. Natural products free of BPA and mercury. Mercury-safe filling removal. Now offering ozone therapy! See ad, page 30.

843-847-1927 AnaHaugsoen@msn.com Anah.primemybody.com/

Learn about our Endo-Cannabinoid System, Phyto-Cannabinoids and Hemp Oil! There is research on more than 250 conditions and cannabidiol. Hemp oil might be the most important product you add to your health regimen!

Integrative Medicine Lowcountry Wellness Center 1483 Tobias Gadson Blvd., Suite 201 Charleston 843-793-1353 info@lowcountry-wellness.com Lowcountry-Wellness.com

Holistic and Integrative Primary Care offered in an affordable monthly membership model.

Bringing healthcare back to true patient driven care between you and Dr. Penni! See ad, inside back cover.

28

NA Lowcountry Edition

NALowcountry.com

Zenergy Healthcare

Tina Howard 669 Marina Drive Suite A3 Daniel Island, SC 29492 Phone 843-414-2984 • fax 843-414-2985 zenergyhealthcare@gmail.com ZenergyHealthcare.com Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in family/ functional medicine. Find the root cause of your issues. Primary care, prevention, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, digestive health, brain health, neurodegenerative conditions, fatigue, autoimmune Illness, mold exposure/illness, weight loss, environmental toxins.

INTUITIVE GUIDANCE CAROL COTTRELL, SPIRITUAL MEDIUM

By appointment only 517 Savannah Highway Charleston, SC 29407 843-324-6460 • Carol@CCottrell.com CCottrell.com Connect with passed loved ones to experience healing, love and guidance. Individual or group readings available in person or via Skype. Mediumship classes also available.

Light Activator Shield of Light

Renae Davidson 843-367-8829 renae.myislandtyme@gmail.com Shield of Light can help you move forward with ease and grace. Do you feel dormant, dull? Let us help you progress faster, becoming your own healer. Let us light up your DNA! Ask us how.

NATURAL HEALTH ECOHEALTH WELLNESS CENTER & DETOX SPA Tiffany Jackson 1051 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Ste B Mt Pleasant • 843-884-4466 Info@EcoHealthWellness.com EcoHealthWellness.com

Tiffany Jackson specializes in chronic GI disorders, correcting nutritional deficiencies, personalized diet plans and detoxification.

EcoHealth offers Infrared Saunas, Migun Massage and Alkaline Water.

See ad, page 30.

NUTRITIONIST JANA DAVIS, MS, RD, CDE

215 East Bay St., Suite 201-A Charleston, SC 29401 www.carolinagreenliving.com Online booking available 843-801-4686 CarolinaGreenLiving@gmail.com Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with over 25 years of experience. Private consultations, grocery store tours, public speaking. Owner of Carolina Green Living LLC, which focuses on teaching clients about avoiding toxins and other environmental factors that can impact health.

ORGANIC SALON & BOUTIQUE COTTAGE AROMA BELLA DAY SPA 2671 Ft Trenholm Rd, Johns Island 843-266-3619 CottageAromaBella.com

Relax and renew your mind, body and soul while enjoying our luxurious services. All treatments are tailored just for you using the finest all-natural products.

See ad, page 15.

Spiritual Hypnosis DR ALLISON BROWN, QUANTUM HEALING PRACTITIONER 843-425-4906 allison.brown@drallisonbrown.com DrAllisonBrown.com In-person or online sessions available

Experience BQH, a heart and energy-based regression experience that is considered one of the most advanced healing modalities on the planet today. Connect directly with your Wisdom Team for purpose, guidance, and healing!

SPIRITUAL LIFE COACH LAURA GRIFFITH GARLAND, PHD

Charleston Holistic Center 2366 Ashley River Rd, Bldg 8, Charleston 843-452-7996 DrLaura.Coach@gmail.com CharlestonReikiAndTarot.com Transform your life from the ordinary to the extraordinary by understanding how the aspects of your being interact and block your progress. Together, we can heal your past and find your true future. See ad, page 9.

SALON INDIGO

732 S Shelmore Blvd, Ste 100 Mt Pleasant (Shelmore Village) 843-991-6835 Our experienced team of hairstylists and skin care specialist use 100 percent-certified organic products.

We specialize in haircutting, coloring and make-up application. We sell All Nutrient™, Moroccan Oils, Dr. Hauschka™, 100% Pure™, iLike™ and many other boutique items.

reiki JOTI REIKI

1744 Sam Rittenberg Blvd Suite C Charleston, SC 29407 843-327-4761 maureen@jotireiki.com • Jotireiki.com

WATER NoWaterCompares.com

Johnny Zecopoulos, BSME 843-327-3726 Johnny@NoWaterCompares.com NoWaterCompares.info (for filtration) ThisWaterChangesLives.com (for Kangen ionizers) Your one-stop source for cleaner water through NSF/WQA certified filtration and/or healthier water through life-altering devices known as Kangen Water ionizers.

WOMEN’S HEALTH Dr Stephanie Zgraggen, DC, MS, CNS, CCN Lime and Lotus, LLC 925 Wappoo Rd – Ste F, Charleston 843-214-2997 Hello@DrZgraggen.com DrZgraggen.com

Painful periods? Hot flashes?

Fatigue? Weight gain? Dr. Stephanie takes a holistic, individualized approach toward natural female hormone balance where she helps facilitate the healing process with simple, safe and effective therapies such as herbal medicine, whole food nutritional supplementation, and dietary and lifestyle modifications.

For Less than $3 per day...

You Can Start Marketing Your Business!

You Can’t Even Boost A Facebook Post To 30K People For This Price!

Reach over 30K Lowcountry Area Natural Health & Wellness Readers per month with a Community Resource Guide Listing

Reiki Treatments and Classes plus Teacher Training mentorship programs. NCBTMB approved classes locally, nationally and internationally. Maureen has been a Usui Reiki Master/Teacher since 2003.

You will also receive: one News Brief or *Health Brief every 6 months (your opportunity to share what’s new with your business or to expound upon a health issue within your area of expertise) – approximately 200 words Plus up to 3 calendar events per month!

listing appears both in print and online! *Health Brief needs to be backed by reputable studies, etc.

Contact Us Today: 843-821-7404 or email Publisher@NALowcountry.com January 2020

29

An Attractive Smile Makes a Lasting Impression!

Personalized Consultations with Tiffany Jackson, ND

Improve Digestion • Decrease Inflammation Reduce Pain • Lose Weight Better Sleep • Improve Skin Health Increase Energy

• Ozone Therapy • Safe Amalgam Removal • BPA-Free Fillings Biological General Dentistry & Cosmetic Dentistry

Call Us Today: 843-884-1215 1571 Mathis Ferry Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 mathisferrydentistry.com

843-884-4466 info@ecohealthwellness.com ecohealthwellness.com 1303 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Suite 7 Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

KANGEN WATER™ CHANGE YOUR WATER CHANGE YOUR LIFE®

YourWaterGirl

™

YourWaterGirl.com 843.647.8885

Water the way nature intended. Clean, micro-clustered, anti-oxidant rich, alkaline Kangen Water.

Call to learn about your FREE trial today!

30

NA Lowcountry Edition

NALowcountry.com

DIRECT PRIMARY CARE - USING A HOLISTIC & INTEGRATIVE APPROACH Lowcountry Wellness Center offers Direct Primary Care, a membership-based primary care model that focuses on putting the patient at the center of healthcare.

NOW ACCEP TING NEW PATIEN TS!

Dr. Penni Vachon, APRN Offering Holistic & Integrative Primary Care

• Affordable and Effective Primary Care for ages 13 and up

Best Family Doctor

• DPC Membership based program with low monthly payments • DPC monthly membership fee covers annual wellness exams, including women’s wellness • Other benefits include greatly discounted medicines, in-office procedures, and added savings of discounted labs and imaging

(843) 793-1353 | info@lowcountry-wellness.com 1483 Tobias Gadson Blvd | Suite 201 | Charleston, SC

FREE SESSION* BEAUTY | PAIN | STRESS modacu.com

NOW OPEN IN BELLE HALL 608-G Long Point Rd. Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 | 843-352-2298

*The laws relating to the practice of acupuncture vary from state to state. Please visit modacu.com/sc001 for clinic ownership information, offer details and any state specific disclaimers. Franchises available.

January 2020

31

WHY CHOOSE ZIRCONIA DENTAL IMPLANTS? •MORE BIOCOMPATIBLE •MORE AESTHETIC •NON-CORROSIVE •NON-CONDUCTIVE Are you missing one or more teeth due to injury, gum disease or decay? Have you considered getting a dental implant to restore your smile to its original luster?

Not only do missing teeth affect your appearance, but they can also make eating uncomfortable and lead to bone loss. For these reasons, we recommend dental implants to rejuvenate our patients’ smiles and prevent further deterioration to the mouth and gums.

Today’s dental implants are stronger and better than ever, and they also look completely natural. This advancement is thanks to the availability of zirconia implants, which originated in Europe and recently available in the US. They are quickly becoming the preferred material for patients and dentists alike, due to their safety, effectiveness, and appearance.

DR. JOANNA DOVER 3731 Forest Drive Columbia, SC 29204 803-782-8786

COLUMBIADENTISTRY.COM