Dis-Ease: Origin and Treatment
This month we introduce a new column on health and medicine by Dr. Devananda Tandavan, now retired from his long medical practice in the Chicago, Illinois, area. A highly-trained physician specializing in radiation diagnosis and therapy, Dr. Tandavan is also familiar with Indian Ayurvedic, Japanese Reiki and Hahnemannian homeopathy medical systems, making him uniquely qualified to address the medical problems of modern people with the best of the new and the best of the old. Things are often not as they seem. This is especially true in the health field and in diet and nutrition. This is a new column on the healing arts and the science of good health. We intend to explore many of these areas in order to reveal the truth as much as that is possible. Advertising in this field often borders on falsehood, and “seals of approval” may be totally without merit or meaning. The layman cannot be expected to knowledgeably wade through this jungle of misinformation and half-truths to arrive at sound judgements. Indeed, many professionals in the health-care industry do not have sufficient interest or background to give adequate advice on diet and nutrition. We hope to bring some common sense to this subject, in order that you may be able to make intelligent decisions for your health’s sake. We want this to be a dialogue and welcome any questions that you have. Send all correspondence to the offices of Hinduism Today [107 Kaholalele Road, Kappa, HI, 96746, USA] and they will be sent on to me. If for some reason you would desire a personal reply, be sure to include a self-addressed envelope. There are some time restraints, but we do intend that all correspondence will be answered in due time. Individual diagnostic problems cannot be considered due to legal restraints and various licensing requirements. For the same reasons, no treatment or prescriptions will be furnished. This writer will not be in competition with your own health care professional. He will offer advice and suggestions for alternate therapy if indicated. The etiology of dis-ease is very complex. There are illnesses that are karmic in nature, others may be due to environmental pollution, some are infectious in nature, some are due to life style and inadequate nutrition. There are a great many illnesses that are psychological in nature; that is, they are “self-inflicted” or “self-serving.” This does not necessarily imply any pathological condition of the psyche. These conditions are often produced by an ignored or frightened subconscious. In time, it is our intention to investigate and discuss each of these. We firmly believe that health of the body is a natural birthright and can be attained and maintained by most everyone, if they but follow the natural law. No one system of health care, as we know it, has all of the answers; therefore, the approach will be eclectic. There often are viable alternatives to the conventional allopathic methods [the western “symptom-curing” system]. It is generally accepted that one’s health-care practitioner must be not only scientifically trained but also psychologically attuned to the needs of the patient. In this time, everyone dealing in health care should also be trained in diet and nutrition, which has not been the case in the past. It also behooves each of us to take personal responsibility for our own state of health. Passive submission to another’s care and direction is no longer acceptable. Any disease or illness that is “caused” by the subconscious can also be “cured” by the subconscious which “he” (or “she”) can be directed to do by an act of the will. Since we are in the body to develop our spiritual selves, a healthy and happy body is desirable. There is no need for us to punish the body or mind to expiate some “guilt.” We will learn more about the subconscious and its efforts in subsequent columns. Future columns will discuss stress and its relationship to disease, weight problems and dieting, circumcision and other common, but debatable, medical practices and approaches. §
Successful Weight Loss: Part I
Obesity is the most common illness in the USA today. Obesity is defined as the disease present when the body weight is ten or more pounds over the ideal weight. If you’re overweight, what will you gain by reducing your weight to the ideal level? Besides a feeling of accomplishment and a great increase in a feeling of well-being, you will reduce the strain on the heart, reduce blood pressure, help normalize the circulation of prana and improve your ability to concentrate. In order to get to and maintain our ideal weight, we must take on the responsibility for learning why we overeat. Do we actually eat too much, or do we just eat the wrong selection of food? The truth is probably both. The best diet for man is one in which 25% or less of all caloric intake is from fats. About the same quantity of calories may be obtained from proteins, and the balance from carbohydrates. The type of protein that we eat is of vital importance. Our protein should come from grains, vegetables and milk products (such as cheese and curds). It is known that the protein from meat is digested easily, but we do not need the toxins or the vibrations from the animal source. The proteins must be balanced, which is not too difficult if we follow common sense and mix our sources. There are many excellent books on this subject. Everyone knows Diet for a Small Planet, and there are many others, still a good sourcebook on diet.. The subject of fats is a lengthy and complicated one and will be covered in detail in a future column. A generally accepted axiom is that saturated fats, especially of animal origin, are dangerous, and considered responsible for some participation in the causation or at least predisposition to certain cancers. A diet of over 20% fat is probably involved in the etiology of arteriosclerosis and a great many cancers. The carbohydrates that we eat should be complex ones that are combined with natural fiber, and should not be from refined sugars or processed grain flours. The peasant diets of India, Mexico, Italy, France, Greece and practically all countries are typically ideal and satisfactory diets for modern man. These diets usually contain very little of deep-fried foods, meats or other animal protein, and certainly very little of the highly processed sugars and other processed foods. It is axiomatic that the more processing a food goes through, the less nutritional value it has. A simple rule of thumb is: eliminate fried foods, refined or processed milk products, white sugar and to decrease the intake of salt, which tends to retain water in the system and is often a culprit in hypertension. To take an example, you have all seen the commercial that says “Soup is good food.” This is very true, providing that you make the soup yourself. Look at the labels of the commercial soups and see how much salt there is per serving. I have seen levels as high as 600-800 mgms per serving. This certainly takes it out of the realm of “good” food, especially for young, growing bodies that can easily become addicted to the taste, and for older bodies that do not need the added strain on the kidneys. Look at the labels of the hundreds of breakfast cereals on the market. You will find not only that most of them have high levels of added sugar but also high levels of salt. These, like many pre-packaged products, are not “good” foods. You should begin a diet with a little self study, in order to understand why you eat too much, and why you eat the wrong foods. It is advisable to initially maintain a diary in which you keep track of every morsel of food that you put into your mouth. Record not only what you eat, the amount you eat and the approximate caloric value, but also your frame of mind at the time-relaxed, under stress, when lonely, anxious, afraid, etc. Determine what subconscious state existed and why the subconscious mind thought that eating would satisfy the problem. After a week or so, you will have new insights into why you overeat. At the same time, make a determined effort to change your eating habits to include the good foods that are low in calories. Next month we go into the specifics of a proper diet, including properly determining one’s “ideal” weight, dealing with the subconscious mind, exercise programs and calories. §
Successful Weight Loss: Part II
Successful weight loss requires a firm commitment to continue until the desired weight is reached. Most reasons for overeating are subconscious, so we must first have a long talk with our subconscious mind. Speak to “him” as if he were a young child, command him that we will obtain our goal and that we will be better off for the new weight. We must convince him that he will not be deprived of any real needs. There may be a decrease in eating goodies, but in the long run he will be in a healthier, easier to maintain body. Frequent use of affirmations will convince the subconscious that we are serious about this new program. Several times daily we must let the subconscious know that he is loved and his well-being is considered. This is the true secret to a successful weight-loss program. A neglected or alienated subconscious will exert its formidable power to sabotage every effort at weight loss. Ideal weights are given in tables calculated separately for men and women according to body type: small, medium and large. This is determined by measuring the wrist circumference at its largest point. In women, the small type measures from 5 to 5.5 inches; medium 5.5 to 6 inches and large 6 to 6.5. In men, small is 6.5 to 7 inches, medium 7 to 7.5 inches and large, 7.5 to 8 inches. Isn’t it surprising that those of us that always considered our type to be large, are really medium or small? A very low percentage of obesity is due to endocrine problems. However, to be sure that there is no sluggish thyroid to interfere with a weight-loss regimen, we should determine our basal body temperature. This is easily done by taking our temperature in the morning before getting out of bed. Prepare the thermometer the night before. Keep it at the bedside. As soon as you awaken, place the thermometer in your arm pit for about ten minutes. Do this for four or five days. If the average temperature is between 97.2 and 98.2* F., this is normal. If the average is below 97.2*, perhaps there is a hypothyroid condition and further testing by your physician is indicated before embarking upon a weight-loss regimen. To follow our progress, we must weigh ourselves daily and chart our progress. This should be done at the same time every day with the same amount of clothing. Because loss of weight depends on so many factors, it is not always consistent. Some days there may be more loss than others. There may be days with no loss. However, there will be a loss recognized as changes in body measurements. Therefore, we should also measure and record weekly the circumference of the neck, chest, waist, hips, thighs, calves and upper arm. If there is not a weight loss of up to three pounds per week-never allow more than this-re-examine your diet. An intake of 1,000 to 1,400 calories a day should bring consistent weight loss, for the average caloric intake needed is 1,200 to 2,000, depending on activity. While decreasing total calories, the types of food eaten should also be changed. The new diet should have no more that 20 to 25% of its calories from fats, about the same percentage of protein and the balance in complex carbohydrates. Markedly decrease the amount of alcohol. Eliminate desserts, fat cheeses, fried foods, milk (except for skim or 1% fat), sugar-laden condiments such as catsup, highly processed foods, and foods that contain large quantities of salt. The typical lacto-vegetarian diet will make this very easy. One should also have three meals daily, with snacks consisting of low-calorie foods in-between. Snacks help smooth out the blood sugar curve which might otherwise drop enough between meals to cause hunger. Start slowly, progress slowly and be successful. During this program, it is advisable to increase the amount of exercise. The best exercise is brisk walking. Daily hatha yoga asanas are also useful. The exercise helps to stimulate the internal circulation of the prana, and also will aid in burning deposited fats. It is essential to consume eight glasses of water daily to eliminate the waste products produced by the body’s increased metabolism. You can consult any of the many books and lists available for detailed information on caloric and fat contents of foods, ideal weights and combining proteins for proper nutrition. §
Successful Weight Loss: Part III
After a short time on a weight loss program, one may reach a plateau and seem unable to lose more weight. With decreased food intake and insufficient exercise the metabolism level may drop and be unable to burn stored fat. Dr. Martin Katahn’s sensible, balanced ROTATION DIET can “fool” the subconscious or our body into maintaining a metabolism rate high enough to burn fats. Although there is little scientific evidence, in my experience the diet worked. A man starts with a 1200-calorie-a day diet for three days followed by four days of 1500 calories per day. The next seven days allow 1800 calories each. The third week he returns to the 1200/1500 schedule. The fourth week he returns to his former “normal” diet. The entire process is repeated until the desired amount of weight is lost. For women the calorie levels are 600, 900, 1200. Obviously, calorie levels may be adjusted upward or downward according to the individual’s activity and the rate of weight loss which should not exceed three pounds a week. Probably one pound a week is safer after the first three weeks. In order to help the dieter stay on the program, the author allowed snacks of “free vegetables:” asparagus, celery, chicory, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, escarole, lettuce, parsley, radish, spinach, watercress and zucchini. These can be eaten in unlimited quantities. If these do not satisfy the need to munch, he provided for a single “safe” fruit in place of the “free” snack. Safe fruits are apple, berries, grapefruit, melon, orange, peach, pineapple or tangerine. He felt it better to stay on the regimen by adding a few extra calories than to discourage the dieter. Another way to stimulate the metabolism is to increase exercise, e.g. to walk longer and/or faster. It is advisable to exercise at least twenty minutes a day at our target level heart rate. In other words, we walk at a speed that elevates our heart rate to the desired level. This can also be attained by any aerobic activity. To determine our target level we first find our resting pulse rate when resting with no physical activity. Then determine the maximum pulse rate by subtracting the age from 227 (female) 220 (male). The working pulse rate is then found by subtracting the resting rate from the maximum rate. Since we are probably somewhat out of shape, we will calculate a practical range of exercise pulse rate. 50% of our working rate added to our resting rate is the lower limit. 60% of our working rate added to our resting rate is the upper limit of the pulse rate. This is called the target level range: lowest rate = (50% of working rate) + resting rate; upper rate = (60 % of working rate) + resting rate. As we get into better shape this range can be raised. Every adult should maintain this pulse rate for 20 minutes per day-not only those who want to lose weight, but for everyone to have the healthiest cardiovascular system. The facts of obesity, except for very, very rare cases with hormonal causes, are simple: we take in more energy (food) than the body is able to burn. The excess unburned energy is stored as fat. When this energy imbalance is corrected by reduction of food and/or increasing exercise, there will be a loss of weight. With weight loss there will also be a loss of stored body fat. Though exercise by itself will ordinarily not reduce stored body fat, it is usually necessary to keep the metabolic rate high enough to burn the fat. Drink plenty of water to help remove the wastes from the metabolic process. Keep a balanced diet. Exercising before eating helps to control the appetite. Any aerobic exercise may be used, but walking is the least strenuous and very good. It is not really necessary to go on a special diet. Every month or so there is a new diet so obviously they generally do not work. Some of the “starvation” and “liquid food” diets are really hazardous. Choose your correct weight from the charts, make a commitment (vrata), and begin a new life of health. Our motto: use common sense, eat less fat, and walk. §
Vegetarianism: The B-12 Question
A vegetarian diet is based upon the Hindu philosophy of ahimsa. It is also the best, most nutritious diet for man. Many critics say we cannot obtain all the necessary nutrients without animal products. This is not true. But two areas of a vegetarian diet do require special attention: a balanced protein intake and adequate levels of vitamin B12, and possibly also folic acid. The essential nutrient vitamin B12 is found in meat, eggs, fish and dairy products. Though also present in sea weed and plankton, recent studies show that man cannot assimilate it from these plant sources. Nutritional yeast is not a sure source of B12; unless the yeast was grown on an animal medium, there is no B12. The amount of Vitamin B12 that is needed for proper nutrition seems to be very small. Indeed, the National Academy of Science’s National Research Council in 1980 stated that only 3 micrograms per day were needed. Lacto-vegetarians need not be so vigilant, since dairy products will usually supply adequate amounts of B12. Surprisingly, vegans, those who eat only plant foods, seem to have sufficient B12. This is perhaps manufactured by bacteria in the mouth, throat and intestines. Possibly, the body adapts to a true vegan diet and learns to manufacture this essential nutrient. Also, the body readily stores B12 in large amounts so a daily supply may not be necessary. The RDA for those under 10 years of age may not be as great as those that are older due to the large amount that is stored in the body-received from the mother during the development and nursing periods-providing that she had an adequate intake. Adults over 50 may need more B12 due to lowered hydrochloric acid production in the stomach. This acid activates the intrinsic factor secreted by the stomach which is essential for absorption of the vitamin. This factor itself may also be produced in decreased amounts as we age. Though absorbing sufficient B12 seems not to be a serious problem, there are cases of deficiency. Deficiency symptoms are related to conditions of pre-anemia and pernicious anemia, possibly accompanied by psychiatric changes. If one experiences weakness, profound lethargy, tingling, numbness in the fingers and toes, etc., consult a competent health care practitioner. Smoking, drinking coffee, regular use of alcohol, and regular use of birth control pills increase the need for greater absorption of B12. Antibiotics and tainted food products may change the bacterial flora of the bowels, stopping B12 production. Chronic illness, viral infections and aging may also change the dietary requirements. Excess consumption of fats and proteins also tend to deplete our stores of B12. Pregnancy obviously increases the need, and possibly supplementation will be required. As long as we consume milk and other dairy products, especially yogurt and cheeses (low fat), we do not have to be too concerned. But should we become allergic to milk, a frequent malady for the older patient, or should we be on mega-doses of Vitamin C, coffee, alcohol or develop an illness, then we must be conscious of the need for supplementing our diet with B12. Oral tablets are available, but only a very small amount is absorbed. The easiest way is an injection of purified B12, though admittedly this is from an animal source. There are also available doses that are placed under the tongue or into the nose so that the absorption takes place through the mucosa directly into the blood. Clinically a B12 deficiency may be confused with a folic acid deficiency as many of the symptoms are similar; however, laboratory tests will easily make the differentiation. This is mentioned only because a folic acid deficiency may after treatment mask a true hypovitamin B12 state. Folic acid in adequate amounts is found in the leafy vegetables, especially the dark green ones, and also in wheat germ, and in dried peas and beans. §