Tag Archives: Nutrition

The Health Benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms / Acupuncture at the Jersey Shore

March 19, 2013 By in acupuncture insurance coverage, acupuncturist in new jersey, acupuncturist manhattan, acupuncturist new york city, Chinese Medicine, diet, food, health, insurance, nutrition, TCM, weight control Tags: , , , , , , , ,
The Health Benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake Mushrooms

Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, the Shiitake Mushroom (a.k.a. Japanese mushroom) is believed to hold anti-aging properties, promote good heart health, and help boost the immune system.

The shiitake has also been used for prevention of rickets, and some preliminary research shows that these tasty mushrooms lower blood fat levels and counteract cholesterol. In addition, it is now widely believed that these mushrooms can counteract certain cancers and even help slow the progression of AIDS.

Shiitake mushrooms are the second most commonly cultivated edible mushroom in the world and can be found in the produce section of most grocery and health food stores. They can be cooked by themselves or added to other dishes such as stir-fries and soups, or they can be taken in supplement form. They are a great source of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, the vitamins A, B, B12, C, D, niacin, and the minerals zinc, potassium, selenium, manganese, phosphorus, and copper.

Add some shiitake mushrooms to your diet for health and well-being.

Acupuncture in Ocean County, NJ

Patients seen by appointment only.

Nutrition and Prostate Health / Acupuncture in Point Pleasant, NJ

March 30, 2012 By in acupuncture, benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH, Chinese Medicine, diet, food, health, nutrition, pain management, pain relief, prostate, TCM, wellness Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can do a great deal to slow prostate growth, restore normal urinary function, and alleviate other symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

In addition to regular acupuncture treatments and administration of herbal formulations, one’s diet plays a key role in maintenance of a healthy prostate.

Below are some dietary and nutritional suggestions for maintaining a healthy prostate:

Foods to Avoid

  • Coffee, alcohol, corn oil and canola (use olive oil instead)

Foods to Limit

  • Dairy products (especially butter and margarine)
  • Spicy foods
  • Red meats

Recommended Supplements & Foods

  • Vitamin C: Red & hot chili peppers, guavas, bell peppers, fresh thyme & parsley, kale, mustard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kiwi, papaya, oranges, tangerines, and strawberries
  • Zinc: Oysters, toasted wheat germ, veal liver, sesame seeds or tahini, low-fat roast beef, roasted pumpkin seeds & squash seeds, dried watermelon seeds, dark chocolate & cocoa powder, lamb (mutton), and peanuts
  • Selenium: Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, fish (tuna, halibut, sardines, flounder, salmon), shellfish (oysters, mussels, shrimp, clams, scallops), meat (beef, liver, lamb, pork), poultry (chicken, turkey), eggs, mushrooms (button, crimini, shiitake), grains (wheat germ, barley, brown rice, oats), onions, and brown rice
  • Lycopene: Tomatoes, guava, watermelon, pink grapefruit, dried parsley & basil, persimmons, asparagus, liver (Pâté), chili powder, and red cabbage

Other GOOD foods include; mackerel, trout, spinach, chicory, pumpkin, berries, cherries, apricots, peaches, bananas, pears, grapes, green tea, and red wine (in moderation).

Remember: VARIETY is the spice of life!

Eat a wide variety of foods containing essential vitamins, minerals & nutrients… and, ORGANIC foods are always better. It is also important to exercise regularly and to avoid stress as much as possible.

NOTE: There are some studies, which have shown that patients who used the western herbal supplement ‘Saw Palmetto’ did not endure side effects such as decreased libido and impotence compared to those using the drug Finasteride. There are no known drug interactions with saw palmetto, and reported side effects are minor and rare.

Patients seen by appointment only.

Acupuncturist in Ocean County, NJ

Facial Rejuvenation & Anti-Wrinkle Foods / Acupuncture in Ocean County, NJ

February 13, 2012 By in beauty, Chinese Medicine, diet, face lift, facial rejuvenation, nutrition, skin care, TCM Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Anti-Wrinkle Foods in Chinese Medicine

According to traditional Chinese medicine, the following foods can have a positive effect on the condition of the skin and help with the prevention of wrinkles:

Bee Pollen

Black Mushrooms

Black Sesame Seeds (sprinkle over food like pepper)

Black Soybeans

Cherries (eaten or crushed with juice applied to the skin)

Chinese Cabbage

Chinese Dates / Jujube Fruit

Cucumber

Fish

Honey (1 teaspoon each morning on an empty stomach)

Lotus Root

Olive Oil

Peanuts (fresh peanuts)

Pine Nuts

Reishi Mushrooms

Royal Jelly

Squid (calamari)

Tomato

Walnuts (1 handful every day)

Wild Yam

Be sure to include these anti-wrinkle foods as part of your regular diet. This, in combination with regular visits to your acupuncturist, can go a long way towards helping to keep your skin looking as smooth and wrinkle-free as possible… without the need for surgical procedures.

Patients seen by appointment only.

Acupuncture in Pt Pleasant, NJ

Acupuncture and Weight Loss in Ocean County, NJ

November 27, 2011 By in diet, TCM, weight control, weight loss Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

One of the most common questions I get when people learn that I’m an acupuncturist is, “Can acupuncture help me lose weight?”

In short, the answer is yes, it can help.

Acupuncture can help curb the appetite… it can help reduce cravings… and it can stimulate the body’s metabolism to help with weight loss.

But what should be stated up front is that acupuncture is not a ‘silver bullet’ solution for weight control, and it should be used in conjunction with a weight loss or weight management program that is suited to your individual needs.

Most licensed acupuncturists should be able to help not only through use of the acupuncture needle, but also by providing you with informed counseling and guidance on diet and nutrition. He/she should also be able to advise on exercise and relaxation techniques designed to help you get through the physical and emotional trials of the weight loss process.

Weight loss is never easy, and successful long term weight loss is incredibly difficult for most people to achieve. Acupuncture is a perfectly natural way to boost your weight loss efforts, and there are no harmful side effects or chance of addiction, as may be encountered with certain medications.

Jersey Shore Acupuncture

Fall is Pear Season ~ Acupuncture in Ocean County, NJ

October 15, 2011 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , ,

Fall is the season of the pear, and therefore this is the best time of year to benefit from this fruit’s healing properties.

Traditionally, in Chinese medicine, the pear is taken for its therapeutic and nutritional value. Considered to be sweet, slightly sour, cool, moistening, and detoxifying in nature, it is often prescribed for relief of coughs, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, indigestion, difficult urination, and constipation.

Because of its viscous quality, the pear helps to moisten the lungs and stomach, providing a natural relief from some of these conditions. The pear is also a great source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, copper, and vitamin K.

Pears are very perishable once ripe, and the pears found in grocery stores are typically unripe, and still require a few more days of maturing. Try to find pears that are firm, but not too hard. The skin should be smooth and free of punctures, bruises, and dark soft spots. Brown speckles on the skin are acceptable and may even indicate a more intense flavor. Pears should be left at room temperature and are considered ripe and ready to eat once the skin yields to gentle pressure.

Following are several easy preparations of pears for use in relief of certain conditions. But please, remember… these preparations are suggested to provide relief only, and should never be taken in place of proper medical care. It is always recommended and advised that you seek proper care from your healthcare provider for any of these conditions.

* For relief of cough and thirst from fever, drink a glass of fresh pear juice in the morning and evening.

For relief from the following conditions, soak fresh unpeeled pears in vinegar:

* Indigestion – Peel 2 vinegar soaked pears and eat them.

* Sore throat and difficulty swallowing – Squeeze the juice out of 2 vinegar soaked pears and drink in the morning and evening.

Patients seen by appointment only.

Pt Pleasant NJ, Acupuncturist

Miso Soup: An Ancient Remedy for the Common Cold

September 24, 2011 By in acupuncture, acupuncture insurance coverage, acupuncturist in new jersey, acupuncturist manhattan, acupuncturist new york city, Chinese Medicine, diet, food, health, insurance, nutrition, TCM, wellness Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The people of Asia have long been aware of the health benefits of soybeans and scallions.

Documentation of the use of these ingredients as medicine dates as far back as the 3rd or 4th century, when the famous Chinese doctor Ge Hong (283–343 CE) included them in his medical handbook, ‘Emergency Formulas to Keep Up One’s Sleeve’.

Dr. Hong’s Chinese herbal formula, known as ‘Cong Chi Tang’, or ‘Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction’, is still used today as a way to help stop the common cold in its tracks. And today, we have easy access to this herbal formula in the form of a traditional Japanese soup.

Most westerners are now familiar with the dish known as miso soup. This tasty soup’s main ingredients, miso (fermented soybean paste) and scallions (green onions, spring onions, or shallots), make it an excellent choice as a home remedy for those looking to ward off the common cold. The soup is most effective in this capacity when taken at the very onset of a cold… just as indications such as a mild fever, slight chills, headache, and stuffy nose first appear.

It is important that the soup be taken immediately, within just 4 – 6 hours of the appearance of the first signs of a cold coming on. The soup can help to knock out the cold during this early stage, but any later, once the cold has further developed, is too late, and other cold remedies will be required.

The soup should be taken hot, in an effort to induce a sweat that can help to expel the cold pathogen that has invaded the body.

After drinking down the soup, it is recommended to immediately get into bed and bundle up under blankets until a sweat appears. Once a good sweat has been produced, get out of bed, towel the sweat off the body, change into dry clothes, and get back into bed to rest.

Fresh miso soup can be purchased at most Japanese restaurants or sushi houses, but it is also easy to make at home. The ingredient ‘miso’ can be found in most health food stores and in grocery stores that stock foods from around the world. Instant miso soup is also available in single-serving packages, but many of these products contain high levels of sodium and monosodium glutamate (MSG), so be careful with your selection.

There are many delicious recipes for miso soup that can be found online or in cookbooks, but here is a simple one, using only the basic ingredients:

Miso Soup

Bring 2 – 3 cups of water to a boil

Add 2 tablespoons of miso paste and allow it to dissolve

Cook for 5 – 10 minutes over a low flame

While the soup is simmering, chop 3 – 5 stalks of scallion and sprinkle them into the soup just prior to removing it from the heat.

Remove from heat and serve hot.

Enjoy and Be Well.

Patients seen by appointment only.

Acupuncturist in Ocean County, NJ

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