this week we skinned her face and took out rose's eyeball. we have literally dissected every other part of her body and yet i felt invasive and shy when it was time to use tools on her eyeball. it took about 20 minutes to get the eye out of the socket. i was surprised how robust the eye muscles are, how deep the socket is, and how much fat is behind the eyeball. it makes sense that there is so much structure and protection for the eyeball, though. it is our most important sense, in terms of survival.
speaking of survival, i got to thinking about the optic chiasm and couldn't remember why the nerves cross, so i looked it up. at the optic chiasm, nerve fibers from half of each retina cross over to the opposite side of the brain. the fibers from the other half of the retina travel to the same side of the brain. because of this junction, each half of the brain received visual signals from the visual fields of both eyes. this is a great evolutionary benefit for humans because vision is so important for our survival.
11.17.2011
tea, please!
with the days getting shorter, darker and colder i find myself craving tea several times per day. i love the way it warms my shivering body, the smells that steam out of the mug, and the way it brings people together. fortunately, there are also some wonderful health benefits of tea.
1) tea contains antioxidants - it protects our bodies from the ravages of aging and the effects of pollution
2) tea has less caffeine than coffee - avoid jitters, indigestion, and headaches
3) tea may reduce your risk of heart attack - keeps arteries smooth and clog-free
4) tea protects your bones - may be the work of tea's many beneficial phytochemicals
5) tea gives you a sweet smile - contains fluoride and tannins that may keep plaque at bay, skip the sugar
6) tea bolsters your immune defenses - causes higher immune system activity in the blood
7) tea helps keep you hydrated - although it is a diuretic, it counts toward the daily fluid requirement
8) tea is calorie-free - as long as you don't add sweetener or milk
i'm so thrilled it is tea season again!!
1) tea contains antioxidants - it protects our bodies from the ravages of aging and the effects of pollution
2) tea has less caffeine than coffee - avoid jitters, indigestion, and headaches
3) tea may reduce your risk of heart attack - keeps arteries smooth and clog-free
4) tea protects your bones - may be the work of tea's many beneficial phytochemicals
5) tea gives you a sweet smile - contains fluoride and tannins that may keep plaque at bay, skip the sugar
6) tea bolsters your immune defenses - causes higher immune system activity in the blood
7) tea helps keep you hydrated - although it is a diuretic, it counts toward the daily fluid requirement
8) tea is calorie-free - as long as you don't add sweetener or milk
i'm so thrilled it is tea season again!!
where is healthcare going?
as i explore my career possibilities in the wellness field, i am continuously hearing the phrase "integrative medicine is the future of health care." this is great news because i would like to study western biomedicine, eastern chinese medicine, yoga, nutrition, public health, culinary arts, etc, and teach people how to eat, move and be happy!
so of course i was surprised when i learned this morning that walmart wants to be in the healthcare business. npr reported that walmart "wants to dominate a growing part of the healthcare market, offering a range of medical services from basic prevention to management of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease". it started with little quick care clinics and now they want to do chronic disease management. i wonder if it is going to work. walmart is good at what they do; they sell cheap wares because they squeeze suppliers with bulk purchasing. how that carries over to healthcare is beyond me but if anyone can pull it off it would be them. it is reported that they intend to build a national, integrated, low-cost primary care healthcare platform and become the largest provider of primary healthcare services in the nation. in a shopping super store? i won't hold my breath.
so of course i was surprised when i learned this morning that walmart wants to be in the healthcare business. npr reported that walmart "wants to dominate a growing part of the healthcare market, offering a range of medical services from basic prevention to management of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease". it started with little quick care clinics and now they want to do chronic disease management. i wonder if it is going to work. walmart is good at what they do; they sell cheap wares because they squeeze suppliers with bulk purchasing. how that carries over to healthcare is beyond me but if anyone can pull it off it would be them. it is reported that they intend to build a national, integrated, low-cost primary care healthcare platform and become the largest provider of primary healthcare services in the nation. in a shopping super store? i won't hold my breath.
a chinese winter
the ancient chinese believed that human beings should live in harmony with the natural cycles of their environment. the cold and darkness of winter urges us to slow down. this is the time of year to reflect on our health, replenish our energy, and conserve our strength.
winter is yin in nature; it is inactive, cold, and damp. remain introspective, restful, and consolidate your qi through the season and prepare for the outburst of new life and energy in the spring.
“The wise nourish life by flowing with the four seasons and adapting to cold or heat, by harmonizing joy and anger in a tranquil dwelling, by balancing yin and yang, and what is hard and soft. So it is that dissolute evil cannot reach the man of wisdom, and he will be witness to a long life.” - Huangdi Neijing Suwen
it is fascinating to learn about how different cultures view health, sickness, seasons, and all life systems. this is what the chinese believe about winter...
winter is ruled by the water element, which is associated with the kidneys, bladder, and adrenal glands. according to the philosophy of traditional chinese medicine, the kidneys are considered the source of all energy within the body. they store all of the reserve qi in the body so that it can be used in times of stress and change, or to heal, prevent illness, and age gracefully. during the winter months it is important to nurture and nourish our kidney qi. it is the time where this energy can be most easily depleted. our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter — rest, reflection, conservation, and storage.
foods for winter. winter is a time when many people tend to reduce their activity. if that’s true for you, it’s wise to reduce the amount of food you eat, too, to avoid gaining weight unnecessarily. avoid raw foods during the winter as much as possible, as these tend to cool the body. during winter you should emphasize warming foods such as soups and stews, root vegetables, beans, miso and seasweed, and garlic and ginger. eating warm hearty soups, whole grains, and roasted nuts help to warm the body’s core and to keep us nourished.
sleep early, rest well, stay warm, and expend a minimum quantity of energy.
winter is yin in nature; it is inactive, cold, and damp. remain introspective, restful, and consolidate your qi through the season and prepare for the outburst of new life and energy in the spring.
“The wise nourish life by flowing with the four seasons and adapting to cold or heat, by harmonizing joy and anger in a tranquil dwelling, by balancing yin and yang, and what is hard and soft. So it is that dissolute evil cannot reach the man of wisdom, and he will be witness to a long life.” - Huangdi Neijing Suwen
it is fascinating to learn about how different cultures view health, sickness, seasons, and all life systems. this is what the chinese believe about winter...
winter is ruled by the water element, which is associated with the kidneys, bladder, and adrenal glands. according to the philosophy of traditional chinese medicine, the kidneys are considered the source of all energy within the body. they store all of the reserve qi in the body so that it can be used in times of stress and change, or to heal, prevent illness, and age gracefully. during the winter months it is important to nurture and nourish our kidney qi. it is the time where this energy can be most easily depleted. our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter — rest, reflection, conservation, and storage.
foods for winter. winter is a time when many people tend to reduce their activity. if that’s true for you, it’s wise to reduce the amount of food you eat, too, to avoid gaining weight unnecessarily. avoid raw foods during the winter as much as possible, as these tend to cool the body. during winter you should emphasize warming foods such as soups and stews, root vegetables, beans, miso and seasweed, and garlic and ginger. eating warm hearty soups, whole grains, and roasted nuts help to warm the body’s core and to keep us nourished.
sleep early, rest well, stay warm, and expend a minimum quantity of energy.
chinese medicine
i am fortunate to have met several chinese medicine practitioners in town, and that they all love to teach. it has been an eye-opening experience to discuss a totally different method of health care.
the practice of traditional chinese medicine (tcm) is based on a system unlike that used in western modern medicine. this model centers on the concept of qi, loosely translated as energy, and its effects on physiological function and health. tcm functions to promote the bodies ability to heal itself. it uses natural laws and energetic principles rooted in taoism with the application of needles, energy, and pressure to specific points on the body. each point provides a specific function in the body in regulating the free flow of vital energy for health and well-being.
when most people hear "chinese medicine," they think of acupuncture, but there are many different facets to the tcm system. the holistic and homeopathic treatments used in tcm include massage, stress-reduction, acupuncture, exercise, cupping, lifestyle change, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. i am most interested in the herbs for a variety of reasons. i like that they come from the earth. i like that they each have a purpose, but can be (and are usually) taken in combination with other herbs. i like that they can be acquired in raw bulk, granules or capsules. and i like that i will never know all of the herbs and their purposes because of the immense amount of information available and developing.
i am anxious to learn more about chinese medicine as well as a variety of other wellness-focused curricula. i am so fascinated with the body and i want to ensure that me, my family and my community are taking care of ourselves to the best of our ability.
the practice of traditional chinese medicine (tcm) is based on a system unlike that used in western modern medicine. this model centers on the concept of qi, loosely translated as energy, and its effects on physiological function and health. tcm functions to promote the bodies ability to heal itself. it uses natural laws and energetic principles rooted in taoism with the application of needles, energy, and pressure to specific points on the body. each point provides a specific function in the body in regulating the free flow of vital energy for health and well-being.
when most people hear "chinese medicine," they think of acupuncture, but there are many different facets to the tcm system. the holistic and homeopathic treatments used in tcm include massage, stress-reduction, acupuncture, exercise, cupping, lifestyle change, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. i am most interested in the herbs for a variety of reasons. i like that they come from the earth. i like that they each have a purpose, but can be (and are usually) taken in combination with other herbs. i like that they can be acquired in raw bulk, granules or capsules. and i like that i will never know all of the herbs and their purposes because of the immense amount of information available and developing.
i am anxious to learn more about chinese medicine as well as a variety of other wellness-focused curricula. i am so fascinated with the body and i want to ensure that me, my family and my community are taking care of ourselves to the best of our ability.
10.27.2011
diet
when did "diet" become a scary word? diet is simply a word to describe the foods and drinks we put into our mouths. because people have prescribed to strict diets, made unreasonable food restrictions, and become obsessed with body image, we live in a world where the word "diet" is scary.
but food should be fun and enjoyable and delicious. we should eat with family and friends, we should eat local and we should not be afraid of or worry about food so much.
on the other hand, there are real risks related to our relationship with food. many diseases are linked to the petrochemicals which are sprayed on our food, large feed lots require a disproportionate amount of our limited resources, and many diseases list "obesity" as a risk factor. in order to have the healthiest planet and species possible, we all need to think more about the food we eat in order to lower our impact on the earth and our hearts...
obesity is reaching crisis levels in much of the developed world. according to the cdc, one third of adults in the us are obese and another third are overweight. although weight loss can be described using a simple formula of calories in < calories out, it is much a more complicated equation when we consider all of the variables. marketing, convenience, and price are all major factors when people make food choices. many factors contribute to the problem of obesity and many people can avoid obesity with simple lifestyle changes. rather than throw yourself on the mercy of some diet guru and adopt a very restricted diet program, it would be far better to adopt a few lifestyle changes that you can incorporate into your daily life without much effort. looking at our own behaviors is where we need to start. and recognizing how we feel about food and how we let cravings dictate how we eat will go a long way to giving us clues about stopping the obesity epidemic.
people will always look for the quick fix and there seems to be an insatiable appetite for pills, potions, diet programs and anything that promises to help you shed pounds quickly and without any apparent effort. the weight didn't arrive overnight, so we can't expect to lose it in a short time without moderating diet and exercise.
but food should be fun and enjoyable and delicious. we should eat with family and friends, we should eat local and we should not be afraid of or worry about food so much.
on the other hand, there are real risks related to our relationship with food. many diseases are linked to the petrochemicals which are sprayed on our food, large feed lots require a disproportionate amount of our limited resources, and many diseases list "obesity" as a risk factor. in order to have the healthiest planet and species possible, we all need to think more about the food we eat in order to lower our impact on the earth and our hearts...
obesity is reaching crisis levels in much of the developed world. according to the cdc, one third of adults in the us are obese and another third are overweight. although weight loss can be described using a simple formula of calories in < calories out, it is much a more complicated equation when we consider all of the variables. marketing, convenience, and price are all major factors when people make food choices. many factors contribute to the problem of obesity and many people can avoid obesity with simple lifestyle changes. rather than throw yourself on the mercy of some diet guru and adopt a very restricted diet program, it would be far better to adopt a few lifestyle changes that you can incorporate into your daily life without much effort. looking at our own behaviors is where we need to start. and recognizing how we feel about food and how we let cravings dictate how we eat will go a long way to giving us clues about stopping the obesity epidemic.
people will always look for the quick fix and there seems to be an insatiable appetite for pills, potions, diet programs and anything that promises to help you shed pounds quickly and without any apparent effort. the weight didn't arrive overnight, so we can't expect to lose it in a short time without moderating diet and exercise.
10.19.2011
human genome
how does the human genome compare to that of a worm or a fruit fly?
"The relevance of the fruit fly to the human genome project reflects the remarkable conservation among genes in different animals. The fly genome, which was sequenced in the year 2001, is 165 million base pairs in length (spread over four chromosomes) and contains approximately 14 000 genes.
i think it is unimaginable that the human genome only has 3-4 times as many genes as the fruit fly! we are "so complex" compared to a fly. and yet the human has about 30,000-40,000 genes compared to the fruit fly which has 13,600. it was estimated that the human genome would have 80,000-100,000 genes. but this illustrates that size does not necessarily correlate with complexity. a fruit fly is actually a complex organism, with a nervous system, a digestive system, a muscular system, eyes, legs, and a kind of external skeleton. in addition, fruit flies have wings and antennae, which humans do not. when we consider the tremendous amount of biological complexity in those 13,600 genes, perhaps it is surprising that humans have so many more genes than the fruit fly.
"The relevance of the fruit fly to the human genome project reflects the remarkable conservation among genes in different animals. The fly genome, which was sequenced in the year 2001, is 165 million base pairs in length (spread over four chromosomes) and contains approximately 14 000 genes.
The human genome contains 3-4 times as many genes but most of these are thought to have arisen by two rounds of genome doubling during the evolution of vertebrates. Therefore, humans have more genes than flies but about the same number of gene families. Since it is easy to create mutants and carry out experiments on fruit flies, the functions of many fly genes have been established.
The relationship between fly and human genes is so close that the sequences of newly discovered human genes, including disease genes, can often be matched against their fly counterparts. This provides a lead towards the function of the human gene and could help in the development of effective drugs."
-Richard Twyman (http://genome.wellcome.ac.uk/doc_WTD020807.html)
i think it is unimaginable that the human genome only has 3-4 times as many genes as the fruit fly! we are "so complex" compared to a fly. and yet the human has about 30,000-40,000 genes compared to the fruit fly which has 13,600. it was estimated that the human genome would have 80,000-100,000 genes. but this illustrates that size does not necessarily correlate with complexity. a fruit fly is actually a complex organism, with a nervous system, a digestive system, a muscular system, eyes, legs, and a kind of external skeleton. in addition, fruit flies have wings and antennae, which humans do not. when we consider the tremendous amount of biological complexity in those 13,600 genes, perhaps it is surprising that humans have so many more genes than the fruit fly.
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