Author: Ann Zimmerman

Our Changing Heatlh

Written by Ann Zimmerman on August 6, 2014. Posted in Immune Health and Balance.

By Ann Zimmerman, LAc.

There is a wise saying, “the only constant in life is change”. This is certainly true when we look at our health and what it takes today to feel good verses even tomorrow.

Despite our best efforts to try to settle into a certain pattern of exercise, diet, rest or self-care our needs are always changing and what we are naturally drawn to is always changing. This is often in response to the season, stress, growth patterns or just plain aging.

The needs of a sixteen year old are very different then those of a 60 year old person. Yet, we become very attached to our certain ways of living, whether healthy or not.

In our clinic, nothing will get a quicker defensive reaction than suggesting someone change their diet….even if they know it is making them sick. We are quite stubborn in our ways and forget that nothing is static. Just because you have always eaten pizza or have worked out 6 days a week does not mean that is what you can do now. It is actually quite a “bummer” and quite beautiful! It keeps life new and keeps us present with self-study of what is working for today.

Double blind studies (and the politics of medical acceptance)

Written by Ann Zimmerman on August 6, 2014. Posted in General Health.

by Clark Zimmerman, LAc.

Western medicine is based on research. It is a system that is always seeking the latest and greatest thing. It is based on the idea that innovation is the solution to treating disease. The cornerstone of modern medicine is the double blind study. A double blind study is an experiment or clinical trial in which neither the subjects nor the researchers know which subjects are receiving the active medication or treatment. It is meant to eliminate subjective bias from the test results. These studies involve 3 groups. The first is the control group that receives no treatment, the second is given a drug or treatment to be tested, and the third is given a placebo, which is an inert substance or treatment that shouldn’t have any effect on the patient. The test is double blind if both the patient and the researcher doesn’t know who gets the drug and who gets the placebo. It is considered to be the gold standard of western science in proving that a substance or treatment works.

The Benefits to Eating in Season

Written by Ann Zimmerman on August 6, 2014. Posted in Digestion/Diet.

by Clark Zimmerman, LAc.

There are many reasons to eat locally grown food. Food that is grown locally is typically cheaper, fresher and more nutritious. Since locally grown food doesn’t have to be shipped far, it takes less resources to get it to your table. Another benefit to eating locally grown food is that is available during the season that it is grown.

Many traditional asian cultures talk of the importance of eating foods in the season that they are grown; China, Japan and India all mention the positive health effects of this practice. As the world has become more intertwined, people have more access to a wider variety of foods. Getting a banana in Minnesota in February, or a winter squash in Florida in the summer is as easy as going to the grocery store. So, many of us don’t consider the fact that food only used to be available if it was grown and picked close to home. While it is nice to have options with our food, sometimes we are missing some potential health benefits if we are eating food that is shipped from far away places out of season. Food can even contribute to illness or disease if eaten in the wrong season.