Sometimes, we could help ourselves just by paying attention to our body's reactions to food, to environment, to people. After retirement from work, we've got the time and patience to do it.
Like any other human being I seek interest, pleasure and relaxation in Nature, and in whatever the Outside world has to offer in terms of entertainment, culinaria, travel .
However, I also try to devote some time to sort of 'exploring' my soul and body to find out about their needs, and how this could help my physical and mental issues.
I once wrote a post ( 'A Matter of Health' - July 7, 2021) on this topic. I mentioned , among other things, how I discovered after intensive 'detective' analysis, that the rather heavy backpack I was carrying on my back, caused me palpitations. Palpitations is no light matter.
There's a medical procedure for the above condition (if meds are not effective), known as ablation (eliminating heart tissue which when triggered , interferes with its electrical system). However, this procedure doesn't work for everyone . In certain cases people turn to the doctor again and undergo a second, third... ablation. Just reading about this and the various stories behind it, kept me away from even thinking about the subject.
Anyway, since the backpack discovery ten years ago - no backpack, no palpitations either, thank God. Everything heavy gets in my shopping cart or a wheeled duffel bag, when leaving home.
During Covid 19, we were encouraged to take vitamin D3 - something to do with immunity strength . After a while, I noticed that the intake of this vitamin caused boosting of hair and nail growth. Though it didn't prevent hair loss, the mere boosting of hairgrowth pleased me .
(I'm not sure the above has happened to others too, as things are often individual. Haven't done any research on that:).
Anyway, I've stopped taking this vitamin since then, yet , so far I don't see any change in the hair/nail growth. Perhaps the vitamin has 'awakened' something that used to slow down the growth. Go figure!
I agree, you're the expert on your own body. It pays to study what bothers it and what works well. When you have time, it's worth pursuing. One size doesn't fit all.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Boud, for your very wise words!
DeleteEgg yolks, fatty fishes (trout, salmon, tuna) and fish liver oils are among the best sources of D3. Which would be fine for me, since I don't eat meat.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to note that fish oils provide the best source for every vital function in the body.
DeleteKnowing what works for your body is a great way to keep the medical profession at bay.
ReplyDeleteRight. It's only natural and logical, that we are the first to find out about our problem, before contacting medical care. This will also give us time to try and use homemade remedies.
DeleteIt is interesting how these things work. I take Vitamin D because I have RA and it affects that. Unfortunately, I haven't seen changes in my hair! :)
ReplyDeleteMain thing it helps with your issue of RA, Mari. I've experienced boosting of hairgrowth, but no prevention of hair loss which is much more important, I think.
DeleteDo what works for you! I have to remember to take my Vd...kept forgetting about it.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, Angie! One should do whatever one feels it works for him/her.
DeleteI take vitamin D all the time. Whatever works for each of us!
ReplyDeleteIf you feel it works for you, then keep on taking it by all means.
DeleteParents of young children complain how heavy their backpacks are when school starts.
ReplyDeleteI agree, we should pay attention to what our body is telling us.
Vitamin D3 is really a unique vitamin, because our body – if exposed to sunlight – can make it.
However, due to our climate, we don’t produce enough and so it is recommended we take a supplement. That is what I do every single day.
Based on my own experience, I would hesitate to reccommend the backpack to either children or adults. It might trigger that tissue that in certain cases interferes with the heart's electric circuit, and might cause palpitations.
DeleteI take Vitamin D every morning and so far everything seems fine to me.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear, all's well, Bill.
DeleteI have afib but haven't had to have an ablation yet. I'm controlled with medication. And I do take vitamin D, largely because in the winter we are in one of the darkest/most cloudy states in the US (well, not just the winter, but at least in the summer you get out into what sun there is!). I used to have a deficiency and when I started it, my energy level changed. But you are so right -- we have to pay attention, ask questions, try things (or not) and figure out what is best.
ReplyDeleteUntil the Covid crisis, I've never taken vitamin D. This is the sunshine vitamin, and we have quite enough sun here. I'm glad I 've tried it, and so far, it's harmless.
DeleteListening to our own bodies/minds is very, very important. As is paying attention to what they say. Surgery (of any kind) is a last resort for me.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's never too much to repeat that. Surgery, I think, is the last resort for everyone.
DeleteLet us listen to our bodies always. Great advice, Duta. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, indeed! Blessings to you too, Martha!
DeleteSometimes it is just a crap shoot, too!
ReplyDeleteSorry , Jenn. I don't know what 'crap shoot ' is referring to. Probably a slang expression not known to me.
DeleteYes we all must listen to our own bodies. I was told to take zinc at the onset of a cold, but in never helped me one bit. Maybe for others it does. Janice
ReplyDeleteI do take Zinc picolinate (Solgar) at the onset of a cold, and it seems to help me.
DeleteI also agree one has to listen to their own bodies. I have benefited from a probiotic blend recommended by my urologist but I know people who have not had good luck with probiotics. For hair and nails, I've been taking D3 for years but what helped me was biotin, which is a B vitamin. Made a definite difference - for me. Also, I think "crapshoot" is American slang - it means something is unpredictable. The term may originate from a dice game called craps (don't know why the name) where players make bets on the number that will come up in the next roll of the dice.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Alana, for clarifying the 'crap shoot ' for me. The word 'unpredictable' does make sense about things in life, and in health especially.
DeleteGlad to hear probiotics worked for you.
Yes, listen to what your body is telling you usually works for me. I don't take any supplements as yet and I'm old.
ReplyDeletei'm glad, Margaret, you don't need any supplement, as your body tells you what to do to feel well.
DeleteRegarding vitamin D3, I never read that it strengthens hair but it does serve to fix calcium in our bones. It became fashionable during the Covid pandemic because we did not sunbathe and it is necessary to fix calcium in our bones.
ReplyDeleteHi, Norma. No strenghtening of hair, but hair growth boosting. That's what I've noticed.
DeleteThank you so much for reading and commenting. I so appreciate your words. Oh, well..I am now down to 30 calorie Unsweetened Almond milk. It seems my blood sugar spikes from dairy milk..but not so much if it's a lite cheese. Thus, my nails are so strong..and I am hoping my bones too..from all that calcium they put in Almond milk. I have learned fats rise my blood sugar. Although, I am only taking one diabetic med instead of two as of late. I did learn Friday that I could get Trulicity again. I was only taking it as to not have a stroke. Not weigh loss. However, I have lost weight ..by just taking Jardiance. Still, I feel it had a lot to do with calorie counting and experimenting with only eating veg and tofu. It seems meat will spike my blood sugar. Sorry, if this is a very long comment. Anyway, I feel we are always experimenting as we go on our journey.
ReplyDeleteIt seems you're eally paying attention to things: calories, blood sugar, almond milk, fats, calcium, tofu, vegs , etc..
DeleteGood for you and for your health, Ellie!
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Hi duta
ReplyDeleteIn terms of people -- avoid toxic and dysfunctional ones. I have known a few really negative people and sometimes even aggressive, and they really get your mental energy down. And then they bring your mood and disposition down. So, I just avoid these people.
Definitely. Some time ago I estranged myself from a friend because of her tendency to argue a lot on every possible subject. I couldn't stand that any more.
DeleteI still take Vitamin D if I don't forget, but haven't noticed anything. You are right, I was really lucky to have found this place when I didn't look for a retirement home ! It was pure coincidence ! I thought it was a castle with a restaurant and a park around !
ReplyDelete
DeleteVitamin D can do you only good.
Kudos to you , Gattina, for finding such an ideal retirement home! Hopefully, you'll have many good years at this wonderful place!
You are so right, my friend, when you say that we can sometimes help our health just by paying attention to how our bodies react to foods, etc. I know this one first hand because of when I was first diagnosed 20 years ago with fibromyalgia. There are definitely foods that trigger inflammation and in turn cause pain. I'm glad that you discovered what was causing your palpitations and was able to be relieved of them without medical treatment by giving up your backpack. The information you shared about Vitamin D-3 is quite interesting as well. Have a wonderful week, Duta! xx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad, Dianna dear, you were able to deal with fibromyalgia in its start, by learning about foods that trigger inflammation and pain, and applying the knowledge to your condition.
DeleteWishing you a wonderful week as well!
You are so right, Duta. Until a few months ago I had heartburn/acid reflux at least once a week and it was getting old. So I changed some of the things I eat and especially drink. Since the beginning of the year I've had it twice, and I can live with that. I am now aware what can trigger it, and I only found out by simply paying attention.
ReplyDeleteI'm used, since childhood, to drink soda water with every meal . I believe this drink does good to the digestive system. Try it, Carola!
DeleteI think we do have to pay attention to the clues our body gives us and to listen and follow it!
ReplyDeleteMy son is a doctor and does ablations on children.
OMG, children undergoing ablation! I'm sure , Sandie, with your son, the doctor, they're in the best hands possible.
DeleteTienes toda la razón en que la mejor forma de mejorar es, soltando ese lastre que llevamos en la mochilla, y con ello veremos como mejora nuestra salud y somos más felices.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo, amiga Duta.
It happened some ten years ago. I noticed that I don't have palpitations at home, so this gave me the clue to my 'detective' work - find out why palpitations outside or in a shop. The answer - in both these places, I was carrying a backpack.
DeleteI often find the opposite, I expect things to improve my body, take the pill or supplement and then find they don't do a thing! I prefer it your way! Having said that, though, I'm always amazed how even a small amount of exercise can improve things.
ReplyDeleteYes, diet and exercise can improve things more than pills and even supplements.
DeleteDoctors always want to throw more pills at you when you have a problem.
ReplyDeleteWell, the doctor will tell you that his job is to detect the problem, and give you the adequate pill/s. That's how doctors define their job.
DeleteGood on you for being aware, Duta. Excellent detective work;) Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks , Sandra, for your encouraging words.
DeleteLearned something new here (the backpack) Must keep a watch on this in future. (and I happen to be the one who always "volunteer" to carry the extra load in a group)
ReplyDeleteYes, Haddock, the backpack is not for everyone; so it would seem from my personal experience.
DeleteI have a backpack bought when we traveled last year, but it also has a handle and can slip over a wheeled suitcase so that's how it's used. I have never slung it over my back and am not sure I ever will especially after reading about your experience, Duta.
ReplyDeleteI think every backpack has some sort of handle. The thing is, after my experience I want no heavy pack even in my hands; everything except a purse goes into the wheeled cart or bag.
DeleteHere in England, UK it is government advice that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
That's good advice, I suppose.
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