1. Commit acts of kindness
Plan 5 things you can do everyday for another person. Let someone merge in front of you a the freeway, for example.
2. Cultivate gratitude.
a)Think about 3 things that went well today and why.
b) Write a thank you letterto the people who have made a difference in your life
3. See your life in 10 years as being the best possible life you can imagine.
4. Maintain strong relationships with others
Find things that you appreciate about others, even when they might make you frustrated
5. See the good side of life
There are always at least two ways to see a situation. When you start to feel angry, frustrated, impatient, etc., try to find something good out of whatever is going on.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Effects of extreme foods on the body
Fat and Cholesterol (hamburgers, pizza, fried foods, dairy products, meat, eggs, snack foods)
Hard body, inflexible, clog blood vessels, and inhibit body functions. Skin looks tired, pores get blocked, and we look dull, can’t take in moisture, or release toxins. Get dry, dead cells, scaly shins, heels, elbows, lines between the brows, dark circles under the eyes, tight, dry skin, oily skin.
Sugar including maple syrup, high fructose corn syrup, fructose, sucrose, molasses, honey, organic cane juice, turbinado, brown sugar, white sugar, white flour, white rice, potatoes (think of candies, chocolates, soft drinks, snack foods, bread, pasta, cereal, salad dressing, sauces, and other processed foods)
Highs and lows in blood sugar, affecting energy levels and moods. Stresses adrenal glands, and over time, wears us down. It steals essential minerals from bones, teeth, and skin. Causes skin discoloration (red, broken capillaries, freckles, age spots). We get puffy and weak, overweight and lethargic.
Salt including processed, refined, in potato chips, popcorn, nuts, processed foods and meats.
When using sodium chloride, or natural, unprocessed, sun dried sea salt, traditionally processed miso, or tamari in small amounts it is beneficial to the body. However, the other types cause tightening and constriction, inhibiting blood flow to the organs. We grow stiff and hard. Our skin dries and wrinkles, bones degenerate, growing brittle, and we are then unable to stand straight and tall.
Liquid including too much water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, fruit juices, alcohol.
Expands or loosens the body, weakening us. Overworks the heart, kidneys, bladder, and
sweat glands. Gives us a ‘washed out’ look, as well as loose skin. We grow flaccid, get
puffy, get wrinkles in the forehead and under the eyes, or instead, puffy bags. Avoid
eating too much dry foods, animal protein and fat, sweets, salt, and baked foods.
Hard body, inflexible, clog blood vessels, and inhibit body functions. Skin looks tired, pores get blocked, and we look dull, can’t take in moisture, or release toxins. Get dry, dead cells, scaly shins, heels, elbows, lines between the brows, dark circles under the eyes, tight, dry skin, oily skin.
Sugar including maple syrup, high fructose corn syrup, fructose, sucrose, molasses, honey, organic cane juice, turbinado, brown sugar, white sugar, white flour, white rice, potatoes (think of candies, chocolates, soft drinks, snack foods, bread, pasta, cereal, salad dressing, sauces, and other processed foods)
Highs and lows in blood sugar, affecting energy levels and moods. Stresses adrenal glands, and over time, wears us down. It steals essential minerals from bones, teeth, and skin. Causes skin discoloration (red, broken capillaries, freckles, age spots). We get puffy and weak, overweight and lethargic.
Salt including processed, refined, in potato chips, popcorn, nuts, processed foods and meats.
When using sodium chloride, or natural, unprocessed, sun dried sea salt, traditionally processed miso, or tamari in small amounts it is beneficial to the body. However, the other types cause tightening and constriction, inhibiting blood flow to the organs. We grow stiff and hard. Our skin dries and wrinkles, bones degenerate, growing brittle, and we are then unable to stand straight and tall.
Liquid including too much water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, fruit juices, alcohol.
Expands or loosens the body, weakening us. Overworks the heart, kidneys, bladder, and
sweat glands. Gives us a ‘washed out’ look, as well as loose skin. We grow flaccid, get
puffy, get wrinkles in the forehead and under the eyes, or instead, puffy bags. Avoid
eating too much dry foods, animal protein and fat, sweets, salt, and baked foods.
Urdhva Prasarita Padasana Part 1
Article URL: http://starbulletin.com/2006/10/29/features/yoga.html
© 19962006
The Honolulu StarBulletin
| www.starbulletin.com
Vol. 11, Issue 302 Sunday,
October 29, 2006
Yoga For You
Ray Madigan and Shelley Choy
Urdhva Prasarita Padasana
Stage 1 (Upward Expanded Leg Pose) » In this pose, the abdominal muscles are strengthened, and fat around the abdomen is reduced. The abdominal organs become toned and the back muscles are strengthened. This pose helps relieve gastric problems and flatulence.
1. Lie on the floor on your back with feet together and body straight.
2. Bend your knees and bring the feet close to the buttocks.
3. Use your hands to lengthen the buttock flesh toward the heels so the lower back feels long.
4. Stretch your arms overhead in line with the shoulders. Keep them straight and flat against the floor with your palms up. Stretch your arms so that your trunk is lengthened toward the arms.
5. Now, slowly extend the left heel along the floor, maintaining that stretch in the back until the leg is straight. Extend the other leg. Both legs should now be straight against the floor.
6. Stretch the arms and legs away from the body and feel the length in the trunk. Do not let your lower back arch.
7. Keep this stretch in the trunk as you bend your knees and take your thighs toward the abdomen. Do not lift your buttocks off the floor or allow your the back to round.
8. Now, keeping this extended spine, slowly straighten the legs until they are vertical.
9. To stretch the spine, extend the arms and press the leg bones away from the trunk. You should try and feel the same extension as you did when the legs were on the floor. Do not let the legs
move away from the vertical position.
10. Hold for up to 30 seconds without strain. To come out of the pose, bend the legs, folding the knees to the abdomen, then take your feet to the floor. Rest and repeat. With practice you will be
able to hold this pose in comfort, then you will be ready for Stage 2, which we will show next week.
Remember, do not let your face or eyes get tense while in this pose and breathe softly. Learn to focus on the symmetrical performance of the pose so that your mind becomes absorbed in the moment.
Ray Madigan and Shelley Choy are certified Iyengar Yoga teachers and codirect the Manoa Yoga Center at Manoa Marketplace. Visit www.manoayoga.com or call 3823910.
Manoa Yoga Center, the authors and the StarBulletin take no responsibility for any injury arising from the practice of these yoga postures. Readers should seek a doctor's approval before commencing this yoga practice.
© 19962006
The Honolulu StarBulletin
| www.starbulletin.com
Vol. 11, Issue 302 Sunday,
October 29, 2006
Yoga For You
Ray Madigan and Shelley Choy
Urdhva Prasarita Padasana
Stage 1 (Upward Expanded Leg Pose) » In this pose, the abdominal muscles are strengthened, and fat around the abdomen is reduced. The abdominal organs become toned and the back muscles are strengthened. This pose helps relieve gastric problems and flatulence.
1. Lie on the floor on your back with feet together and body straight.
2. Bend your knees and bring the feet close to the buttocks.
3. Use your hands to lengthen the buttock flesh toward the heels so the lower back feels long.
4. Stretch your arms overhead in line with the shoulders. Keep them straight and flat against the floor with your palms up. Stretch your arms so that your trunk is lengthened toward the arms.
5. Now, slowly extend the left heel along the floor, maintaining that stretch in the back until the leg is straight. Extend the other leg. Both legs should now be straight against the floor.
6. Stretch the arms and legs away from the body and feel the length in the trunk. Do not let your lower back arch.
7. Keep this stretch in the trunk as you bend your knees and take your thighs toward the abdomen. Do not lift your buttocks off the floor or allow your the back to round.
8. Now, keeping this extended spine, slowly straighten the legs until they are vertical.
9. To stretch the spine, extend the arms and press the leg bones away from the trunk. You should try and feel the same extension as you did when the legs were on the floor. Do not let the legs
move away from the vertical position.
10. Hold for up to 30 seconds without strain. To come out of the pose, bend the legs, folding the knees to the abdomen, then take your feet to the floor. Rest and repeat. With practice you will be
able to hold this pose in comfort, then you will be ready for Stage 2, which we will show next week.
Remember, do not let your face or eyes get tense while in this pose and breathe softly. Learn to focus on the symmetrical performance of the pose so that your mind becomes absorbed in the moment.
Ray Madigan and Shelley Choy are certified Iyengar Yoga teachers and codirect the Manoa Yoga Center at Manoa Marketplace. Visit www.manoayoga.com or call 3823910.
Manoa Yoga Center, the authors and the StarBulletin take no responsibility for any injury arising from the practice of these yoga postures. Readers should seek a doctor's approval before commencing this yoga practice.
Urdhva Prasarita Padasana Part 2
Article URL: http://starbulletin.com/2006/11/05/features/yoga.html
© 19962006
The Honolulu StarBulletin
www.starbulletin.com
Vol. 11, Issue 309 Sunday,
November 5, 2006
Yoga For You
Ray Madigan and Shelley Choy
Urdhva Prasarita Padasana
Upward Expanded Leg Pose, Stage 2 »
Last week we presented the first stage of this pose, in
which the legs are held up vertically with the trunk long and extended. In Stage 2, the legs are
taken lower and the effects are greater. In this pose, the abdominal muscles are strengthened
and fat around the abdomen is reduced. The abdominal organs become toned and the back
muscles are strengthened. Urdhva Prasarita Padasana helps relieve gastric problems and
flatulence.
1. Lie on the floor on your back with the feet together and body straight.
2. Come into Stage 1 of Urdhva Prasarita Padasana. Hold your legs tightly with the thigh
muscles. Keeping your legs straight and vertical, stretch your legs and arms away from each
other to extend the trunk. Roll your outer thighs inward so your kneecaps face directly toward
you.
3. As you stay here, observe as the action of your arms and legs create the feeling of expansion
in the trunk, bringing your lower back closer to the floor. If the lower back arches, extend your
arms and legs with equal effort to lengthen the back and take out the arch.
4. Keep this extension in the trunk by stretching arms and legs as you lower your legs 30 degrees toward the floor. Lower your legs by pushing out through the heels, maintaining firmness in your thigh muscles. Continue to roll your outer thighs inward. Hold briefly, then bring your legs to a vertical position, bend your knees, place your feet on the floor and relax.
5. Repeat this sequence several times without losing the extension in your back. Keep your legs
tight and knees gripped. Keep your arms actively extending. Do not hold your breath or tighten
your face, but stay calm and breathe softly through your nose. Your mind should stay completely focused and quiet and absorbed in maintaining an even extension throughout the limbs and trunk. As you gain the ability to perform this pose without strain, you will become ready to take the legs to 60 degrees. Then lower the legs to just above the floor.
Ray Madigan and Shelley Choy are certified Iyengar Yoga teachers and codirect
the Manoa Yoga Center at Manoa Marketplace. Visit www.manoayoga.com or call 3823910.
Manoa Yoga Center, the authors and the StarBulletin take no responsibility for any injury arising from the practice of these yoga postures. Readers should seek a doctor's approval before commencing this yoga practice.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Party Tricks
http://www.yogajournal.com/dailyinsight/103006.html
You’ve may have heard the saying, "Calories don't count when you're with friends." That may be a wonderful reminder to let loose and have fun while you're visiting friends. Unfortunately, however, the calories, fat, and sugar you take in during that time count just as much as they do during your lonely digressions.
A little indulgence is natural at friendly gatherings and parties. But get carried away and you'll end up bloated, tired, and bummed-out. According to Ayurvedic principles, there's a physiological reason for this: When you eat in moderation, your body and mind are happy. But when you eat too much, you overwhelm your agni (digestive fire), creating chaos in your belly and inviting unpleasant imbalances such as gas, weight gain, and depression.
The key to making sure you're not eating too much in the company of friends—or anywhere else your attention is diverted—is to bring your awareness back to the task at hand, your food. As a rule of thumb, any time you're ready to sit down to eat, remove yourself from distractions. Turn off the television, step away from your computer, hang up the phone, or step away from your friends so you can really focus on what you're taking into your body. That way you'll be able to savor the flavors, and you'll be able to tell when you've had enough. When you're done, you can rejoin the party feeling nourished, but not weighed down.
An Ancient Cure for Modern Life
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/647_1.cfm?ctsrc=nldn
Choice Eats
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/2022_1.cfm?ctsrc=nldn
Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/1925_1.cfm?ctsrc=nldn
Yoga Journal
You’ve may have heard the saying, "Calories don't count when you're with friends." That may be a wonderful reminder to let loose and have fun while you're visiting friends. Unfortunately, however, the calories, fat, and sugar you take in during that time count just as much as they do during your lonely digressions.
A little indulgence is natural at friendly gatherings and parties. But get carried away and you'll end up bloated, tired, and bummed-out. According to Ayurvedic principles, there's a physiological reason for this: When you eat in moderation, your body and mind are happy. But when you eat too much, you overwhelm your agni (digestive fire), creating chaos in your belly and inviting unpleasant imbalances such as gas, weight gain, and depression.
The key to making sure you're not eating too much in the company of friends—or anywhere else your attention is diverted—is to bring your awareness back to the task at hand, your food. As a rule of thumb, any time you're ready to sit down to eat, remove yourself from distractions. Turn off the television, step away from your computer, hang up the phone, or step away from your friends so you can really focus on what you're taking into your body. That way you'll be able to savor the flavors, and you'll be able to tell when you've had enough. When you're done, you can rejoin the party feeling nourished, but not weighed down.
An Ancient Cure for Modern Life
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/647_1.cfm?ctsrc=nldn
Choice Eats
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/2022_1.cfm?ctsrc=nldn
Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/1925_1.cfm?ctsrc=nldn
Yoga Journal
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Macro Beauty Cutie!
Q: What is beauty?
A: Beauty is your birthright to be your best natural self (not covering up the truth with cosmetics or plastic surgery). Beauty reflects your day-to-day life, and when a person is in balance, it comes from deep within, radiating your deepest spiritual self. Beauty is being in harmony with nature.
Q: What creates your appearance from day to day?
A: Daily life, food choices, exercise, activity, environment, attitudes, emotions
Q: What factors most influence your beauty?
A: Clean air, water (drinking, bathing, cooking), sunlight, lush green vegetation, peaceful setting, and daily diet. Food creates your cells, muscles, tissues, and bodily fluids!
Q: What factors do you have control over? What can you do?
A: Follow some type of whole foods diet such as the Standard Macrobiotic Diet (see handouts), avoiding extreme foods in particular, live a healthier lifestyle, and do a body scrub daily, if possible.
Q: What tools are there for creating your beauty?
A: Balanced diet, exercise, daily grooming, natural body care, positive attitude
Check out the book Glow, by Christina Pirello, for more information and great recipes.
A: Beauty is your birthright to be your best natural self (not covering up the truth with cosmetics or plastic surgery). Beauty reflects your day-to-day life, and when a person is in balance, it comes from deep within, radiating your deepest spiritual self. Beauty is being in harmony with nature.
Q: What creates your appearance from day to day?
A: Daily life, food choices, exercise, activity, environment, attitudes, emotions
Q: What factors most influence your beauty?
A: Clean air, water (drinking, bathing, cooking), sunlight, lush green vegetation, peaceful setting, and daily diet. Food creates your cells, muscles, tissues, and bodily fluids!
Q: What factors do you have control over? What can you do?
A: Follow some type of whole foods diet such as the Standard Macrobiotic Diet (see handouts), avoiding extreme foods in particular, live a healthier lifestyle, and do a body scrub daily, if possible.
Q: What tools are there for creating your beauty?
A: Balanced diet, exercise, daily grooming, natural body care, positive attitude
Check out the book Glow, by Christina Pirello, for more information and great recipes.
check out this rare film clip
Chuck Berry, John Lennon, Yoko Ono make macrobiotic food
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u63Q4pCfKg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u63Q4pCfKg
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill
Self Confidence Formula
First. I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life; therefore, I DEMAND of myself persistent, continuous action toward its attainment, and I here and now promise to render such action.
Second. I realize that the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action, and gradually transform themselves into physical reality; therefore, I will concentrate my thoughts for 30 minutes daily upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture of that person.
Third. I know that through the principle of autosuggestion that any desire that I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object back of it; therefore, I will devote ten minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of SELF-CONFIDENCE.
Fourth. I have clearly written down a description of my DEFINITE CHIEF AIM in life, and I will never stop trying until I shall have developed sufficient self-confidence for the attainment.
Fifth. I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure unless built upon truth and justice; therefore, I will engage in no transaction that does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness, and cynicism by developing love for all humanity – because I know that a negative attitude toward others can never bring me success. I will cause others to believe in me because I will believe in them and in myself.
Sixth. I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory, and repeat it aloud once a day, with full FAITH that it will gradually influence my THOUGHTS and ACTIONS so that I will become a self-reliant and successful person.
First. I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life; therefore, I DEMAND of myself persistent, continuous action toward its attainment, and I here and now promise to render such action.
Second. I realize that the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action, and gradually transform themselves into physical reality; therefore, I will concentrate my thoughts for 30 minutes daily upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture of that person.
Third. I know that through the principle of autosuggestion that any desire that I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object back of it; therefore, I will devote ten minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of SELF-CONFIDENCE.
Fourth. I have clearly written down a description of my DEFINITE CHIEF AIM in life, and I will never stop trying until I shall have developed sufficient self-confidence for the attainment.
Fifth. I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure unless built upon truth and justice; therefore, I will engage in no transaction that does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness, and cynicism by developing love for all humanity – because I know that a negative attitude toward others can never bring me success. I will cause others to believe in me because I will believe in them and in myself.
Sixth. I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory, and repeat it aloud once a day, with full FAITH that it will gradually influence my THOUGHTS and ACTIONS so that I will become a self-reliant and successful person.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Rise and Shine
The starting point for your healthier lifestyle can be your breakfast. Your brain and body need healthy fuel to function efficiently. Eating a healthy breakfast has many benefits, such as increased energy and concentration.
Naturally, as the sun rises in the morning, so do you. Eating foods that contribute to that fresh, uplifting, energized time of day are the most beneficial. In contrast, loading your body with heavy, greasy, salty, and dry foods common in the Standard American Diet can create sluggishness and mental fogginess, as well as hunger and cravings as your body attempts to balance these extremes.
Enjoying warm, whole grain cereals made from tasty grains such as millet, brown rice, quinoa, or oatmeal, and a variety of lightly blanched or steamed vegetables in the morning, will start your day off right!
When I started eating vegetables in the morning, and stopped eating granola with soymilk, I was less hungry throughout the day, lost weight, and decreased symptoms such as bloating and gas (ICK!). Those were wonderful unexpected improvements in my own health.
On weekends, (especially in the fall) I enjoy a heartier breakfast, such as a tofu scramble and some kind of muffin recipe. The smell of muffins baking is so cozy.
Here is my recipe for the scramble:
Tofu Scramble
1 package firm tofu
1 carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 onion, diced
1/2 cup organic corn
1/2 cup mushrooms
1 tsp sesame oil
shoyu
scallions, as garnish
Heat a frying pan and saute the vegetables in the following order: onion, carrot, mushroom, celery, corn. Crumble the tofu into the pan, add shoyu, cover, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off the lid and toss in some chopped scallions. If you'd like fresh scallions, sprinkle on top.
Vegetables can be varied according to your personal taste, and you might also want to top it with some kind of roasted seeds or nuts.
Naturally, as the sun rises in the morning, so do you. Eating foods that contribute to that fresh, uplifting, energized time of day are the most beneficial. In contrast, loading your body with heavy, greasy, salty, and dry foods common in the Standard American Diet can create sluggishness and mental fogginess, as well as hunger and cravings as your body attempts to balance these extremes.
Enjoying warm, whole grain cereals made from tasty grains such as millet, brown rice, quinoa, or oatmeal, and a variety of lightly blanched or steamed vegetables in the morning, will start your day off right!
When I started eating vegetables in the morning, and stopped eating granola with soymilk, I was less hungry throughout the day, lost weight, and decreased symptoms such as bloating and gas (ICK!). Those were wonderful unexpected improvements in my own health.
On weekends, (especially in the fall) I enjoy a heartier breakfast, such as a tofu scramble and some kind of muffin recipe. The smell of muffins baking is so cozy.
Here is my recipe for the scramble:
Tofu Scramble
1 package firm tofu
1 carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 onion, diced
1/2 cup organic corn
1/2 cup mushrooms
1 tsp sesame oil
shoyu
scallions, as garnish
Heat a frying pan and saute the vegetables in the following order: onion, carrot, mushroom, celery, corn. Crumble the tofu into the pan, add shoyu, cover, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off the lid and toss in some chopped scallions. If you'd like fresh scallions, sprinkle on top.
Vegetables can be varied according to your personal taste, and you might also want to top it with some kind of roasted seeds or nuts.
Yoga Journal's Daily Insight
I thought this was interesting. Don't know if it's true or not.
Cured with Candy
Tutankhamen was buried with it to guard him from evil spirits in the underworld. Greek and Roman legionnaires chewed it to quench their thirst as they marched through the desert. Even the Kama Sutra recommended drinking it with milk and sugar as an aphrodisiac. Far from being an ancient nutritional fad, the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra—more widely known as licorice—remains one of today's most extensively used and scientifically investigated herbal substances.
Licorice has been shown to soothe bowel and kidney irritations, cleanse the colon, and strengthen the liver. It provides a mild laxative effect and expels mucous from the lungs, making it helpful in the treatment of bronchitis, laryngitis, and sore throats—especially when taken as a tea.
Learn more about the healing powers of licorice.
Come Clean
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/660_1.cfm?ctsrc=nldn
A Candy and a Cure
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/71_1.cfm?ctsrc=nldn
Cured with Candy
Tutankhamen was buried with it to guard him from evil spirits in the underworld. Greek and Roman legionnaires chewed it to quench their thirst as they marched through the desert. Even the Kama Sutra recommended drinking it with milk and sugar as an aphrodisiac. Far from being an ancient nutritional fad, the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra—more widely known as licorice—remains one of today's most extensively used and scientifically investigated herbal substances.
Licorice has been shown to soothe bowel and kidney irritations, cleanse the colon, and strengthen the liver. It provides a mild laxative effect and expels mucous from the lungs, making it helpful in the treatment of bronchitis, laryngitis, and sore throats—especially when taken as a tea.
Learn more about the healing powers of licorice.
Come Clean
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/660_1.cfm?ctsrc=nldn
A Candy and a Cure
http://www.yogajournal.com/health/71_1.cfm?ctsrc=nldn
Monday, August 14, 2006
Tumors Use ‘Hijacking’ Trick to Evade Attack by Immune Cells
The following release about gene activity pattern discovery was
sent to reporters under embargo on Wednesday. The embargo
lifted today:
Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Cancer Institute
CONTACT:
NCI Media Relations Branch
(301) 496-6641
ncipressofficers@mail.nih.gov
Monday, August 14, 2006
5 pm EDT
Tumors Use ‘Hijacking’ Trick to Evade Attack by Immune Cells
Researchers have identified a potential mechanism by which tumors
in miceescape attack from antitumor immune cells. This escape is
facilitated when tumors produce a molecule called adenosine that
inactivates antitumor immune cells by binding to receptors on
their cell surfaces, the researchers found. Consequently, the
immune cells behave as though the tumors are normal tissue, and
an attack is averted. This research was conducted by scientists
at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), both part of the
National Institutes of Health (NIH), and their collaborators.
Theresults are reported in the August 14, 2006, online issue of
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*.
“This work may be complementary to efforts of cancer
immunologists who have developed many clever ways to improve the
development of antitumor T cells,” said NIH Director Elias A.
Zerhouni, M.D. “The cross-fertilization of research between the
field of immunology and cancer is a fruitful one that is paying
dividends with this new finding.”
“Tumors have hijacked a mechanism that evolved to protect
normal tissues from collateral damage that occurs when the body
mounts a defense against infection,” said lead researcher Misha
Sitkovsky, Ph.D., who until recently was at NIAID. Sitkovsky is
now at the New England Inflammation and Tissue Protection Institute,
a consortium at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass.
The findings extend research published in Nature in 2001 by
Sitkovsky and colleagues into the role of adenosine in regulating
inflammation. Inflammatory chemicals produced by the immune
system in response to infection or injury must eventually be
switched off so that excessive tissue damage can be avoided.
Sitkovsky and his colleagues have shown that one consequence of
inflammation -- a drop in oxygen levels in the inflamed
tissues -- triggers the release of adenosine from surrounding
cells and serves as atissue-protecting stop signal. This is because
when adenosine binds to so-called A2A adenosine receptors on
immune cells in the inflamed region, the production of
damaging inflammatory molecules is slowed.
In the new study, the researchers tested whether the same
mechanism protects cancerous tissues from antitumor T cells
by evaluating the effects of genetically deleting A2A adenosine
receptors in mice. The experiments showed that antitumor T cells
that lack A2A adenosine receptors can overcome tumor defenses and
eradicate tumor cells.
“We showed that if antitumor T cells do not express A2A
adenosine receptors due to a genetic deletion, then these antitumor
T cells can overcome adenosine-based tumor defense mechanisms.
As a result, the majority of these mice rejected their tumors and
survived significantly longer,” said co-researcher Scott Abrams,
Ph.D., of NCI’s Center for Cancer Research. By comparison, normal
mice that had antitumor T cells with intact A2A adenosine receptors
experienced uncontrolled tumor growth and died. Abrams added,
“These proof-of-concept experiments also raise the idea that this
type of tumor escape mechanism may serve as a target for
therapeutic intervention.”
To begin to explore that idea, the researchers pharmacologically
inactivated the A2A adenosine receptor using substances such as
caffeine and others to make antitumor T cells less susceptible
to inhibition by tumor-produced adenosine. The majority of mice
in these experiments had much better antitumor immune responses
and delayed tumor growth.
The genetic inactivation strategy was not effective in about 40
percent of the mice, however. The researchers suggest that one
reason may be the existence of other adenosine receptors in these
mice, and identifying these molecules will be a focus of future
research.
“Now we may be able to prevent a hostile tumor microenvironment
from inhibiting the antitumor T cells. I have been extremely
fascinated and puzzled by the paradoxical coexistence of tumors
and anti-tumor immune cells in the same cancer patient,” added
Sitkovsky. “I have been considering this contradiction for the
past 30 years.”
“Greater understanding of the tumor microenvironment and its
relationship to other cells in the body is not just enhancing
our knowledge of cancer; it could eventually lead to new treatments
and better ways to monitor those treatments,” said NCI Acting
Director John E. Niederhuber, M.D.
###
* Ohta A, Gorelik E, Ronchese F, Lukashev D, Prasad SJ, Wong MKK,
Huan X, Caldwell S, Liu K, Smith P, Chen JF, Jackson EK, Apasov S,
Abrams S, and Sitkovsky M. A2A adenosine receptor protects tumors
from anti-tumor T cells. PNAS. Online August 14, 2006.
The NIH -- The Nation's Medical Research Agency -- includes
27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for
conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical
research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures
for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH
and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
For more information about cancer, please visit the NCI Web site at
http://www.cancer.gov, or call NCI’s Cancer Information Service at
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
NIAID supports basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose
and treat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually
transmitted infections, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria and
illness from potential agents of bioterrorism. NIAID also supports
research on basic immunology, transplantation and immune-related
disorders, including autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergies.
sent to reporters under embargo on Wednesday. The embargo
lifted today:
Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Cancer Institute
CONTACT:
NCI Media Relations Branch
(301) 496-6641
ncipressofficers@mail.nih.gov
Monday, August 14, 2006
5 pm EDT
Tumors Use ‘Hijacking’ Trick to Evade Attack by Immune Cells
Researchers have identified a potential mechanism by which tumors
in miceescape attack from antitumor immune cells. This escape is
facilitated when tumors produce a molecule called adenosine that
inactivates antitumor immune cells by binding to receptors on
their cell surfaces, the researchers found. Consequently, the
immune cells behave as though the tumors are normal tissue, and
an attack is averted. This research was conducted by scientists
at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), both part of the
National Institutes of Health (NIH), and their collaborators.
Theresults are reported in the August 14, 2006, online issue of
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*.
“This work may be complementary to efforts of cancer
immunologists who have developed many clever ways to improve the
development of antitumor T cells,” said NIH Director Elias A.
Zerhouni, M.D. “The cross-fertilization of research between the
field of immunology and cancer is a fruitful one that is paying
dividends with this new finding.”
“Tumors have hijacked a mechanism that evolved to protect
normal tissues from collateral damage that occurs when the body
mounts a defense against infection,” said lead researcher Misha
Sitkovsky, Ph.D., who until recently was at NIAID. Sitkovsky is
now at the New England Inflammation and Tissue Protection Institute,
a consortium at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass.
The findings extend research published in Nature in 2001 by
Sitkovsky and colleagues into the role of adenosine in regulating
inflammation. Inflammatory chemicals produced by the immune
system in response to infection or injury must eventually be
switched off so that excessive tissue damage can be avoided.
Sitkovsky and his colleagues have shown that one consequence of
inflammation -- a drop in oxygen levels in the inflamed
tissues -- triggers the release of adenosine from surrounding
cells and serves as atissue-protecting stop signal. This is because
when adenosine binds to so-called A2A adenosine receptors on
immune cells in the inflamed region, the production of
damaging inflammatory molecules is slowed.
In the new study, the researchers tested whether the same
mechanism protects cancerous tissues from antitumor T cells
by evaluating the effects of genetically deleting A2A adenosine
receptors in mice. The experiments showed that antitumor T cells
that lack A2A adenosine receptors can overcome tumor defenses and
eradicate tumor cells.
“We showed that if antitumor T cells do not express A2A
adenosine receptors due to a genetic deletion, then these antitumor
T cells can overcome adenosine-based tumor defense mechanisms.
As a result, the majority of these mice rejected their tumors and
survived significantly longer,” said co-researcher Scott Abrams,
Ph.D., of NCI’s Center for Cancer Research. By comparison, normal
mice that had antitumor T cells with intact A2A adenosine receptors
experienced uncontrolled tumor growth and died. Abrams added,
“These proof-of-concept experiments also raise the idea that this
type of tumor escape mechanism may serve as a target for
therapeutic intervention.”
To begin to explore that idea, the researchers pharmacologically
inactivated the A2A adenosine receptor using substances such as
caffeine and others to make antitumor T cells less susceptible
to inhibition by tumor-produced adenosine. The majority of mice
in these experiments had much better antitumor immune responses
and delayed tumor growth.
The genetic inactivation strategy was not effective in about 40
percent of the mice, however. The researchers suggest that one
reason may be the existence of other adenosine receptors in these
mice, and identifying these molecules will be a focus of future
research.
“Now we may be able to prevent a hostile tumor microenvironment
from inhibiting the antitumor T cells. I have been extremely
fascinated and puzzled by the paradoxical coexistence of tumors
and anti-tumor immune cells in the same cancer patient,” added
Sitkovsky. “I have been considering this contradiction for the
past 30 years.”
“Greater understanding of the tumor microenvironment and its
relationship to other cells in the body is not just enhancing
our knowledge of cancer; it could eventually lead to new treatments
and better ways to monitor those treatments,” said NCI Acting
Director John E. Niederhuber, M.D.
###
* Ohta A, Gorelik E, Ronchese F, Lukashev D, Prasad SJ, Wong MKK,
Huan X, Caldwell S, Liu K, Smith P, Chen JF, Jackson EK, Apasov S,
Abrams S, and Sitkovsky M. A2A adenosine receptor protects tumors
from anti-tumor T cells. PNAS. Online August 14, 2006.
The NIH -- The Nation's Medical Research Agency -- includes
27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for
conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical
research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures
for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH
and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
For more information about cancer, please visit the NCI Web site at
http://www.cancer.gov, or call NCI’s Cancer Information Service at
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
NIAID supports basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose
and treat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually
transmitted infections, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria and
illness from potential agents of bioterrorism. NIAID also supports
research on basic immunology, transplantation and immune-related
disorders, including autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergies.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Dessert! Yum!
This picture shows a cous cous cake with a blueberry topping, a green tea mousse with an azuki bean topping and mochi dumplings, and a strawberry parfait with tofu whipped cream.
Recent meals
Here are some of the things I've cooked lately: red lentil loaf with sesame gravy, tempeh stew, and spinach ohitashi
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Leslie, Mie, and Reni
Reni and I got to see our respected teachers Mie and Hiroyuki Naka at the KI Summer Conference. Here's beautiful and talented Mie. Does she look about 16 years old? She's 43!
Reni, Leslie, Paige
I'm so lucky to have two such wonderful macrobiotic friends. Thanks, Reni, for coming to visit, and thanks, Paige, for all the time we worked together!
Cooking Class Team
Paige (left) and I (right) co-managed a team of 8 cooking class volunteers. These were a few of our great team members, Kevin, Ceri, Barbara, and Anita. They helped us a lot doing a really demanding job.
Leslie at the Kushi Institute in Becket
This was my first ever trip to the KI. I was super exhausted after a week of working 12 to 17 hour days non-stop as the KI Summer Conference Cooking Class Team Leader. The reason for going up was to help put away the cooking utensils and food from the 5-day conference. It was great to be in Becket and to finally see what the KI is like. The food is sooo yummy!
A message from the KI Summer Conference
“Macrobios Global”
spoken by Michio Kushi on 7/29/2006 at the Kushi Institute Summer Conference
Michio’s Goals
1) Health recovery in the next 2 years. His ascending colon was 98% blocked which caused a water control problem for him. Since they removed part of the upward colon, where it was attached to his small intestine and appendix, this has been causing trembling and weakness in his legs. Left untreated, his condition could have led to a heart attack. His B-12 synthesis has been reduced and sometimes he requires shots. In the next couple of years, he’ll remain on a reduced schedule and try to recover his health. He said he’s been getting better and better all the time.
2) He’d like a comprehensive book of “Macrobios Whole View” or infinity from beginning of time to the end
3) He’d like a World Macrobiotic Federation with about 100 senior macrobiotic leaders from all over the world. The goals of this WMF would be to:
a. have 2 – 3 days of special studies with group tours between countries
b. hold more international events
c. have the countries/centers do their events (e.g., summer conferences) at different times to enable people to attend everything
d. make borders obsolete
e. create a world Constitution (i.e., Declaration of Independence-like document) and present to current world leaders in 2 to 3 years.
4) He’d like the current form of energy to change or to have another Industrial Revolution. At the moment, we’re using too much energy, digging too many minerals and oil, and burning too much oil, causing extensive pollution. The additional developing countries are now adding to this pollution. We need to avoid more global warming, and he makes this a 10-year goal. We need a new energy source such as:
a. the energy of Earth’s rotation
b. the transmutation of atoms from the 8 light elements into heavier elements
5) We need to recognize our ultimate purpose of having a spiritual and peaceful human kind, and practice self-love and love towards others. Religion, in his estimation, is not making a definite contribution to peace. The focus should be removed from the physical and instead should be refocused on more developed spiritual and mental states. He estimates this will take approximately 2000 years to accomplish. Health should overcome violence, sickness, and conflict, creating a new civilization.
While Michio is still alive, he plans to teach more. One example of this would be to teach a new type of visual diagnosis. For example, currently, each part of the face represents a different organ. Another way to do this is to take the whole face to read each organ. Specifically, if you’re looking at a woman’s face and wanting to diagnose the reproductive system, the eyes represent the ovaries, and the area around the eye represents the fallopian tubes. The nose is the uterus, and just below the nose is the cervix, the lips the vagina, and around the mouth is the endometrium. Another example is the lungs; the right side of the face is the right lung, and the left side the left lung, respectively. He’d like to be able to teach several styles of visual diagnosis to us all.
He wants a teacher’s health curriculum.
He thanks everyone for the work they have been doing and though he may not remember names, he remembers faces.
spoken by Michio Kushi on 7/29/2006 at the Kushi Institute Summer Conference
Michio’s Goals
1) Health recovery in the next 2 years. His ascending colon was 98% blocked which caused a water control problem for him. Since they removed part of the upward colon, where it was attached to his small intestine and appendix, this has been causing trembling and weakness in his legs. Left untreated, his condition could have led to a heart attack. His B-12 synthesis has been reduced and sometimes he requires shots. In the next couple of years, he’ll remain on a reduced schedule and try to recover his health. He said he’s been getting better and better all the time.
2) He’d like a comprehensive book of “Macrobios Whole View” or infinity from beginning of time to the end
3) He’d like a World Macrobiotic Federation with about 100 senior macrobiotic leaders from all over the world. The goals of this WMF would be to:
a. have 2 – 3 days of special studies with group tours between countries
b. hold more international events
c. have the countries/centers do their events (e.g., summer conferences) at different times to enable people to attend everything
d. make borders obsolete
e. create a world Constitution (i.e., Declaration of Independence-like document) and present to current world leaders in 2 to 3 years.
4) He’d like the current form of energy to change or to have another Industrial Revolution. At the moment, we’re using too much energy, digging too many minerals and oil, and burning too much oil, causing extensive pollution. The additional developing countries are now adding to this pollution. We need to avoid more global warming, and he makes this a 10-year goal. We need a new energy source such as:
a. the energy of Earth’s rotation
b. the transmutation of atoms from the 8 light elements into heavier elements
5) We need to recognize our ultimate purpose of having a spiritual and peaceful human kind, and practice self-love and love towards others. Religion, in his estimation, is not making a definite contribution to peace. The focus should be removed from the physical and instead should be refocused on more developed spiritual and mental states. He estimates this will take approximately 2000 years to accomplish. Health should overcome violence, sickness, and conflict, creating a new civilization.
While Michio is still alive, he plans to teach more. One example of this would be to teach a new type of visual diagnosis. For example, currently, each part of the face represents a different organ. Another way to do this is to take the whole face to read each organ. Specifically, if you’re looking at a woman’s face and wanting to diagnose the reproductive system, the eyes represent the ovaries, and the area around the eye represents the fallopian tubes. The nose is the uterus, and just below the nose is the cervix, the lips the vagina, and around the mouth is the endometrium. Another example is the lungs; the right side of the face is the right lung, and the left side the left lung, respectively. He’d like to be able to teach several styles of visual diagnosis to us all.
He wants a teacher’s health curriculum.
He thanks everyone for the work they have been doing and though he may not remember names, he remembers faces.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
An Inconvenient Truth
Roger Ebert, perhaps the country's premier movie reviewer,
said in his review of this film [An Inconvenient Truth]:
"In 39 years, I have never written these
words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to
see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should
explain to them why you decided not to."
This is one of the most powerful and well-made movies to come along in a while. It's deeply profound and frightening to see what Al Gore presents. Please see this movie, and go to www.climatecrisis.net so that you can find out what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint on the earth.
Macrobiotic people are already doing some of these things, but we can always do more.
said in his review of this film [An Inconvenient Truth]:
"In 39 years, I have never written these
words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to
see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should
explain to them why you decided not to."
This is one of the most powerful and well-made movies to come along in a while. It's deeply profound and frightening to see what Al Gore presents. Please see this movie, and go to www.climatecrisis.net so that you can find out what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint on the earth.
Macrobiotic people are already doing some of these things, but we can always do more.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Macrobiotic "yajna": eco spirituality
Whenever I read my yoga magazines, I find so much overlap with what I learned in my macrobiotic studies. I loved this excerpt from Yoga International's March 2006 issue called Re-enchantment by Sandra Anderson. It said:
The Ritual of Life
"Yajna is ritual fire sacrifice on the one hand, but it's more general meaning is that which contributes to the beauty and well-being of creation. Yajna is that which sustains and nourishes the matrix of life. Swami Rama writes in his translation of the Bhagavad Gita, "In the universe, every action is a ritual, and the ritual is performed for the sake of sacrifice. The raindrop sacrifices itself to become part of the plant, the sun gives up its energy to give light and life to all beings." He was fond of saying "Giving is the law of the universe." Selfless actions, he would tell us, unconditional love, the offering of inner vitalities to the Lord of Life, working with less attachment to the outcome and more attention to our highest values -- these are yajnas."
Fragrant yajna offerings are burnt and the smoke ascends to the subtle realms "to nourish and propitiate the forces of nature. Acknowledging this interdependent matrix of life, the Bhagavad Gita says, "Beings are born from food; food is produced from the rain; rain is produced from sacrifice (yajna), and yajna arises from action." The actions of humans living in harmony with the environment nourish the atmosphere, keeping the rain in balance, and protecting the soil, plants, and entire food chain."
I feel good knowing that my dietary choices attempt to realign with nature and that somehow I am doing what I can to help nourish not just myself and the people that I cook for, but also the planet. Practicing macrobiotics is a form of yajna. I have a choice not to eat meat, dairy, sugar, and other extreme foods that would not only hurt my health, but in doing so also harm others.
The Ritual of Life
"Yajna is ritual fire sacrifice on the one hand, but it's more general meaning is that which contributes to the beauty and well-being of creation. Yajna is that which sustains and nourishes the matrix of life. Swami Rama writes in his translation of the Bhagavad Gita, "In the universe, every action is a ritual, and the ritual is performed for the sake of sacrifice. The raindrop sacrifices itself to become part of the plant, the sun gives up its energy to give light and life to all beings." He was fond of saying "Giving is the law of the universe." Selfless actions, he would tell us, unconditional love, the offering of inner vitalities to the Lord of Life, working with less attachment to the outcome and more attention to our highest values -- these are yajnas."
Fragrant yajna offerings are burnt and the smoke ascends to the subtle realms "to nourish and propitiate the forces of nature. Acknowledging this interdependent matrix of life, the Bhagavad Gita says, "Beings are born from food; food is produced from the rain; rain is produced from sacrifice (yajna), and yajna arises from action." The actions of humans living in harmony with the environment nourish the atmosphere, keeping the rain in balance, and protecting the soil, plants, and entire food chain."
I feel good knowing that my dietary choices attempt to realign with nature and that somehow I am doing what I can to help nourish not just myself and the people that I cook for, but also the planet. Practicing macrobiotics is a form of yajna. I have a choice not to eat meat, dairy, sugar, and other extreme foods that would not only hurt my health, but in doing so also harm others.
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