healthbriefs


Energy Drinks Harm the Heart


n addition to alertness, energy drinks may also trigger abnormal heart rhythms and increased blood pressure. Researchers from


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the School of Pharmacy at the University of the Pacific, in Stockton, California, tested 27 healthy adults. The volun- teers were split into three groups—one drank two cans of an energy drink per day, another consumed the same amount of a drink with Panax ginseng and the third a similar-tasting placebo beverage. The subjects were given cardiovascular testing before and after the trial. After three weeks, the group imbibing the energy drinks had a significant increase in abnormal heart rhythms and higher blood pressure. The ginseng and placebo groups saw no change in their heart conditions. Sachin A. Shah, a doctor of pharmacy and professor at


Pacific’s School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, says, “Our findings suggest that certain energy drinks may increase the risk of having an abnormal heart rhythm when consumed in high volumes. While we wait for more data, some consumers should exercise caution and not blindly follow the buzz.” The Center for Science in Public Interest, a consumer


health advocacy group, has reported that as of June 2014, 34 deaths have been associated with energy drinks.


Osteopathy Alleviates Low Back Pain M


ore than 600,000 people undergo surgery for back pain


every year, yet back surgery is often unsuccessful. Safer manual therapies provide a viable alternative, according to recent research. A study of 455 people with low back pain found that osteopathic manipulation therapy (OMT) helped with their symptoms. The research, published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, gave each patient six osteopathic manual therapy sessions or a placebo treatment over a two-month period. Patients were tested before and a month afterward to assess the success of the treatments, using pain severity and mobility as the main criteria. The research showed that those that started with higher disability scores of 17 or more prior to therapy had signifi- cantly less pain and more mobility. Patients with scores of seven or greater also improved, but not to the same degree. Lead researcher and Osteopath Dr. John Licciardone says, “Subgrouping patients according to chronic low back pain in- tensity and function appears to be a simple strategy for identify- ing patients that can attain substantial improvement with OMT. From a cost and safety perspective, it should be considered before progressing to more costly or invasive interventions.”


Healing Jewelry A New Way to Help Heal by Deena Kloss


Sara Yo A


fter 25 years’ experience in medical practice and research, Dr. Hannah Hershoff decided to leave her lucrative medical doctor career to create healing


jewelry. A phone chat with a cousin who took a trip from China


totally changed Dr. Hershoff’s life. Dr. Hershoff learned that the mystical stones from a remote area of Southeast China near her hometown have incredible spiritual healing properties. After extensive research, Dr. Her- shoff discovered that the key element of the stones is a crystalline mineral, Kaolin, formed millions of years ago. During a long process using local water, wood and fire in a special kiln, the stones not


only permanently formed their gorgeous colors and shine but also gained their Five-Element natural energy. About 2,000 years ago, the Chinese royal family exclusively owned the mines. This information excited Dr. Hershoff enormously. She further consulted with spiritual healers and decided to test the healing effects of the stones. Dr. Hershoff created her bracelets with these healing stones and gifted or sold to women with various levels of spirituality. A few weeks after wearing these eye-catching brace- lets, three out of four women reported they gained confidence, improved their self-image, sensed more connections to loved ones, and experienced a reduction in anxiety. A year later, Dr. Hershoff and her husband started a company and named their kaolin-comprised pieces Sara Yo Healing Stones. Dr. Hershoff says: “I am so glad I have made this career change decision, as each day I learn more about how Sara Yo helps women physically and emotionally. I am so for- tunate to do something I am extremely passionate about!”


For more information, visit MySpiritJewel.com.


natural awakenings


July 2016


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