healthbriefs
A Natural Solution to Sleep Apnea A
ccording to a National Institutes of Health study, most people believe that sleep apnea is caused by a sagging soft pallet or by some other
obstructive tissue in the throat. Actually, it’s the result of a diminishing signal from the brain to the diaphragm (causing one to breathe) that can occur during the transition from initial semi-wakefulness into the next stage of lighter sleep prior to REM sleep. In some people, the unintended reduction in the signal is signifi cant enough that breathing goes beyond being shallow— and completely stops.
After a short period of time, the brain, realizing the need to breathe,
forces a rapid inhalation to restart respiration that literally drags the sagging localized soft tissues into the airway, as reported in Sleep Apnea: A New Approach to an Emergent Problem by Master Herbalist Steven Frank of Nature’s Rite. For some, there’s no indication of potential problems when they are awake as the tissues remain in their normal state and the throat doesn’t close off during the day or when relaxing or resting. However, they experience an obstruction problem when trying to go to sleep. Instead of resorting to surgery to remove neck tissue or using a machine
to force air into lungs, natural herbal solutions can work to increase the pertinent brain signal that maintains continuous breathing without the breakdowns that necessitate rapid inhalation. According to the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, ingesting herbs like lobelia, thyme and camp bark can intensify the signal from the brain to the diaphragm, increase the gas-transfer effi ciency of the lungs and relax some of the skeletal muscles that can obstruct the propagation of the signal. For more information, call 888-465- 4404 or visit
NaturesRiteRemedies.com.
Mindfulness Meditation Can Hinder Onset of Alzheimer’s
A
pilot study from the Harvard Medical School
indicates yet another benefi t of meditation. The researchers tested 14 people with mild cognitive impairment, which often leads to Alzheimer’s
disease, and provided them with either Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training or standard care. Brain imaging tests indicated that those engaged in meditative training had increased activity and connections among three areas of the brain—the posterior cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex and left hippocampus. Although larger studies are needed, study authors remark, “These preliminary results indicate that in adults with mild cognitive impairment, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction therapy may have a positive impact on the regions of the brain most related to mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.”
September 2014
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