April 2005

This newsletter is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice

• The Pacific Wellness Institute Renovation is now complete
• Long Awaited Baby Boy Arrived on Christmas Eve!
• An Important Notice: Fee Schedule Change
• Research: Lumbar Muscle Coordination and Acupuncture
• Asthma: Struggling for a Breath of Fresh Air
• Nuts for Proteins; Recipe
• Kidney and Bladder Meridian = Purify and Give Impetus

The Pacific Wellness Institute
80 Bloor Street West, Suite 1100
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2V1
Tel: 416-929-6958
Fax: 416-929-6365
e-mail:
website: www.pacificwellness.ca

Newsletter 

The Pacific Wellness Institute Renovation is now complete.

As many of you have noticed, we have renovated a part of our facility in January. We have more private rooms available to accommodate massage and naturopathic clients and we made the Shiatsu section more spacious. All new rooms are separated by sound reducing walls to ensure your privacy and relaxation.

Despite the extensive nature of the work, the project went surprisingly smooth with minimal disturbance to our practice and was completed in less than two weeks! We would like to thank our building landlord Krugarand Corporation for their kind assistance and arrangements and contractor, Con-Well for their excellent and timely job.

We would like to express our appreciation to our clients for their understanding and patience during the time of renovation.

Success Story: Long Awaited Baby Boy Arrived on Christmas Eve!

Carmen, a 44 year old successful photographer, naturally conceived and delivered a healthy baby boy, Carlos, last Christmas Eve. Thank you Carmen and Calin for letting us share your family photo. All of us at The Pacific Wellness Institute wish the family all the best for a happy and healthy future.

We would like to thank the exceptional team at The Pacific Wellness for their quality services. The special environment and friendly people made us spend quality time and enjoy wonderful moments. Our special thanks go to Claudia, Joanna, Noah and of course Dr. Tanaka.

The picture attached shows our baby Carlos Armand Dorian, born on December 24, 2004. We consider that Dr. Tanaka made this possible. We'll be forever grateful.

Carlos, Carmen and Calin Fudulu

An Important Notice about a Change in our Fee Schedule

We would like to inform you that as of April 11, 2005, we are going to have a new treatment fee schedule which is available at the reception. Fees for the Special Care Program will remain the same until May 16, 2005.

We, here at The Pacific Wellness Institute, are committed to continuously providing you with the highest quality of care and we thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Research: Lumbar muscle coordination and acupuncture

Dr. Tanaka's on-going work in the efficacy of acupuncture for correcting muscle asymmetry and enhancing muscle coordination has promising implications for the treatment of chronic back problems and prevention of sports and occupational injuries. As a result, he has been receiving a growing number of professional inquiries. The summary of this research which was presented in part at last year's 53rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion is now uploaded on our website. Go to http://www.pacificwellness.ca/ and click on the Research tab.

Asthma: Struggling for a Breath of Fresh Air
By EeVon Ling BSc. ND

Asthma is an allergic reaction of the lungs. When an asthma attack is triggered, many things occur. White blood cells release histamine and cytokines that increase inflammation. The lung cells become "leaky", mucus and fluid build up, preventing any gas exchange. The smooth muscle of the airways spasm, limiting lung expansion. Breathing is suddenly very difficult. All these events can result in the individual literally suffocating to death.

There is a growing rate of asthma, especially in children. Ten percent of all Canadian children have asthma. Why is it increasing? The increase in chemicals in our air, water and food over-tax the digestive and immune system. Genetically modified foods promote cross reactivity. Thus we are increasingly being exposed to more things that can trigger an asthma attack, or any allergy for that matter. In fact, asthma, being an allergic condition, is usually accompanied by eczema, migraines, allergies and/or digestive problems.

Air Quality

We are aware of air pollution-air borne particulate matter from industry and vehicles, pollens and moulds irritate the lungs. But did you know that your home and office account for 80% of your daily toxin exposure? Computers, printers, and photocopy machines produce radon and ozone which are lung irritants. Household cleaners, air deodorizers and building materials contain volatile solvents that irritate the lungs. Lawn and garden fertilizers and pesticides irritate the lungs. Microscopic pests such as mites and dander from pets along with dust and moulds irritate the lungs. When you breathe in toxins, they enter the blood and eventually your liver has to process them.

Immune System

Our immune system is very sophisticated. Through lifestyle, diet and the environment, the immune system must learn and remember how to respond to everything that comes into contact with our body. The immune system produces different kinds of antibodies that produce different immune system reactions depending on the "intruder". IgE antibodies are responsible for allergic responses. IgA antibodies are responsible for general surveillance and neutralizing toxins and potential allergens. Interestingly enough, IgA antibodies are passed onto to the newborn through breast milk. IgA is found in large quantities in the lungs, the mucosa of the eyes, mouth, intestines and on the skin. IgA acts as our first line of immune defense. Those with asthma, allergies, migraines and eczema tend to produce high levels of IgE and low levels of IgA. Thus, allergic conditions are the result of an imbalanced immune system.

Digestion

In Chinese medicine, the lungs are associated with the large intestine. In a medical sense, we can see similarities between the lungs and intestines: both are mucosal surfaces that must filter out toxins and exchange nutrients, both contain high levels of IgA antibodies, both regulate water in the body, both are susceptible to allergic responses. In treating asthma, it is equally important to address digestive function as well as lung function. Unhealthy digestion may not be breaking down food completely, allowing allergenic particles into the blood that overwhelm the immune system. An unhealthy diet may be full of allergenic foods that compromise both digestion and the immune system. Thus, a healthy diet and healthy digestion are crucial in controlling asthma.

Naturopathic Medicine

The naturopathic approach to asthma is comprehensive: recognizing the toxins in your environment, addressing diet and digestion and stabilizing your immune system. Because asthma is usually accompanied by other allergic conditions, the naturopathic approach can help improve all allergic tendencies. If you are interested in how naturopathic medicine can help your asthma and allergies, make an appointment with the naturopathic doctor.

Nuts for Proteins
By Haruko Ishihara, Holistic Nutritional Consultant

Whatever you call them, carb restrictive diets seem to be in fashion these days. It is common to hear that someone is trying to cut down on carbohydrates and increase their consumption of proteins. Apart from the argument whether carb restriction is healthy or not, let's think about protein sources.

Proteins are important to build up and to repair tissues such as muscles, skin, hair, nails and internal organs. They are also a large component of hormones, antibodies (immune system), enzymes and haemoglobin. Proteins are made up of amino acids. Out of 22 amino acids there are 9 essential amino acids that cannot be manufactured in the body and need to be taken from foods (or supplements).

Many people connect protein directly to meat, ie. they believe that they need to eat red meat, poultry, or fish in order to get enough protein and/or to get all 9 essential amino acids. However there are many other foods you can obtain plenty of protein from and many ways to obtain all 9 essential amino acids. For example, nuts and seeds are an excellent source of protein. Believe it or not, many of them contain close to 20% protein. Unlike red meat and poultry, the fats contained in them are essential fatty acids, the good fats. They are high in B vitamins, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc. Moreover nuts and seeds contain a good amount of fibre! Nuts and seeds are plant proteins and they don't always provide you with all 9 essential amino acids but by combining nuts with legumes you can solve the problem. It is very important to keep in mind that nuts are damaged by light and heat, and easily get rancid. So try to avoid roasted nuts, buy them in small amounts in their shell and store them in the fridge or freezer.

This recipe, Grilled Eggplant with Miso & Walnut Sauce Donburi, is great for getting all nutrients, proteins, carbohydrates (they are complex carbs, the good ones!) and good fats.

Grilled Eggplant with Miso & Walnut Sauce Donburi
(for 2 people)

Ingredients

2 Japanese eggplants: slice into 1 cm thickness, eitherdiagonally or vertically
3-4 green onions: cut finely
1.5cm ginger: cut finely
½ - 1 carrot: cut finely
5-6 Shiitake mushrooms: cut finely
3 tablespoons sesame oil

sauce:
2 tablespoons miso
2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
1 hot red pepper: cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons of walnuts: cut finely
1 teaspoon kudzu (arrowroot) or cornstarch
2 tablespoons peas: boiled
2 big bowls of brown rice/mixed rice (white & brown)

Method

1. Put 2 tablespoons of sesame oil into a pan and fry eggplants over medium heat until they are soft. Take them out of the pan.

2. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, green onions and ginger into a pan and cook for a few minutes or until fragrant.

3. Add carrots and Shiitake mushrooms and cook until they are soften.

4. Add the sauce and cook for few minutes.

5. Mix the arrowroot with 1 small spoon of water, add it and walnuts into the pan and stir.

6. Add peas and eggplant and mix over low heat.

7. Put mixture on rice Donburi bowls.

Kidney and Bladder Meridian = Purify and Give Impetus
By Emily Robinson Dipl. ST, CST, CR

In Chinese classics the kidney and bladder meridians are associated with one's bones, teeth, pupils of one's eyes, quality of head hair, reproductive organs, and ear function. These two meridians act like the supervisors towards the other organs, supply vital energy to the body: giving impetus for daily living. They are also responsible for purifying body fluids.

The kidney meridian controls the entire body via hormonal regulation. This includes the sex hormones, adrenal glands, and homeostasis of body fluids and the regulation of organ metabolism. The other two responsibilities of this meridian are blood purification and urine formation. In Chinese classics the right kidney represents the "fire of the life gate" and reflects the endocrine system and adrenals. The left kidney represents the "water kidney" and controls urine formation and water metabolism.

Kidney meridian imbalances can include symptoms of phobias and excess fearfulness, fatigue, and/or lack of perseverance to finish what one starts. The skin tends to be dark and prone to swelling, the lower legs feel chilled and/ or with leg cramps, and one can find it hard to sleep soundly through the night even though ones head feels heavy from lack of sleep.

The bladder meridian controls the endocrine system through the pituitary "master" gland. It also controls reproduction as well as the uterus.

Bladder meridian imbalances can include excess nervous tension with one being prone to over-reacting. The low back can feel weak while the rest of the back and muscles feel rigid. Other common symptoms are discomfort in the inside corner of ones eye, headache (especially in the rear occipital area), chills to the low back and legs, and/or a change in urination frequency.

Meridian exercise:

Sit with your legs straight out in front of you, breathe deeply into your belly, stretching your arms above your head (palms outwards) as you do so. Exhale and bend forward from your hips, keeping your back and legs straight. Breathe again into your belly. Reach as far forward as possible between your feet as you exhale. On the third exhalation relax your body further towards your legs. Take another slow, relaxing breath in and out. Return to the original position on the fifth out-breath. Starting from the hips uncurl your spine like a happy cat.