|
|||
 |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||
|
Ongoing groups include a weekly drop-in weight loss
group on Mondays from 12:30 to 1:30 pm (led by
Juleeanna Andreoni, MS, RD / cost:$15 per session)
and weekly group psychotherapy for individuals with
binge eating disorder or bulimia on Mondays from 5 to
6:30pm (led by Christine Howard, PsyD / cost: $45
per session). Please call us for additional information.
For up-to-date information about our upcoming
workshops and classes, please check our website or
give us a call. Registration and payment in advance
are required for all ph&w events and space is limited
to
12 (cooking classes are limited to 6). We strongly
encourage early registration.
|
||||
|
||||
|
||
Although sauna is not nearly as popular in Oregon as
it is in Finland (where there are an estimated 2 million
saunas for a country with 5 million inhabitants), there
are many reasons to try it out. Winter is the time of the
year when going into a hot, steamy room sounds
appealing, but sauna can provide therapeutic benefits
year-round. In addition to learning about the health
benefits associated with the regular use of sauna, this
article will also explore the history of sweat baths.
Sauna has a long and tumultuous history. While many
people think of Finland as the birthplace and capitol of
sauna, the origin of sweat bathing likely goes back
several thousand years. The exact birthplace of sauna
is
unknown, but it is likely that sweat baths were used by
many cultures throughout the world. The Finnish
sauna, the Russian bania, the Turkish hamman, the
Japanese furo, the Mexican temascalor, and the
Native American sweatlodge are all terms used to
describe sweat bathing. Our ancestors as far back as
6,000 years ago likely used sauna as a means of
promoting good hygiene and relaxation. Primitive
sweat houses were actually holes dug into the ground
and heated by fire pits. When the Finns abandoned
their nomadic lifestyle, sauna likely evolved from
portable structures similar to Native American
sweatlodges to small, wooden structures. These
structures were often used for multiple purposes,
including a place for giving birth and healing the ill.
During the 1700s, there was great pressure on
Finland to abandon saunas altogether. By then, this
form of bathing had lost favor in most of Europe,
largely as a result of the Reformation movement.
Despite the pressure, Finns continued their use of
sauna. Sauna gained popularity in Finland and
abroad after World War II.
Sauna is more than a recreational activity. In
addition to aiding in relaxation, sauna bathing
produces some transient cardiovascular and
hormonal changes. Sauna is widely used by the
Finnish throughout the lifespan; it is well tolerated by
most healthy adults, including women with
uncomplicated pregnancies, and children. Although
there have been concerns about pregnancy and the
use of hot tubs, there is no evidence linking regular
use of sauna to birth defects or indicating that sauna
bathing should be avoided during pregnancy.
There are several studies suggesting that long-term
sauna bathing may help lower blood pressure in
individuals with hypertension. In a recent literature
review, sauna bathing did not impose a risk to
medically treated and stable patients with
hypertension, coronary heart disease and congestive
heart failure. There is limited data indicating that use
of sauna may lead to improvement in patients with
chronic congestive heart failure. A small study recently
found that use of sauna daily for 2 weeks in patients
with at least one coronary risk factor resulted in
decreased systolic blood pressure as well as reduced
levels of 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha), thereby aiding
in the prevention of atherosclerosis. In stable patients
with congestive heart failure, sauna bathing was found
to significantly improve exercise tolerance in a small
study.
Sauna bathing produces transient improvement in
pulmonary function; this may provide some relief to
individuals with asthma and chronic bronchitis. In
individuals with rheumatic disease, use of sauna may
help alleviate pain and improve joint mobility. There
are reports that individuals with psoriasis may find
sauna bathing beneficial. Sauna therapy may be
useful for chronic fatigue syndrome, but more
research is necessary.
As healthy as sauna may sound, there are a few
conditions in which use of sauna should be avoided
altogether. If you have recently had a heart attack, or
have unstable angina pectoris or severe aortic
stenosis, you should absolutely not use sauna. If you
are on medications to lower your blood pressure, you
should exercise extreme caution as your blood
pressure may drop precipitously after sauna bathing.
Individuals with atopic dermatitis may experience
increased itching as a result of sauna bathing.
There is very little research on the use of sauna in
individuals with diabetes. Since it may help reduce
the risk of atherosclerosis, it is possible that sauna
therapy may be beneficial for diabetics. Diabetic
patients should check with their physicians prior to
initiating sauna therapy. For most people with stable
coronary heart disease, including an old myocardial
infarction (heart attack), sauna bathing is safe and
may even offer some health benefits. The number of
people who experience acute heart attacks or sudden
death in saunas is extremely small. Avoiding alcohol
consumption during sauna bathing (which increases
the risk of low blood pressure, arrhythmia, and
sudden death) and limiting the amount of time you
spend in the sauna can help
minimize risks.
The bottom line on sauna: it may offer some
benefits to your health in addition to
providing an opportunity for relaxation. If you are
healthy, sauna can help you relax and experience a
greater sense of well-being. Sauna’s role in the
prevention of disease in healthy individuals has not
been well-studied. If you have any of the health issues
mentioned above, make sure you consult with your
physician prior to using the sauna. There is limited
but encouraging research on the potential health
benefits of sauna. In some cases, sauna may provide
health benefits above and beyond the benefits
associated with relaxation.
|
||
|
|
||
|
creamy lentil soup
This thick and creamy soup is easy to prepare and
tastes great. Although you will need to allow several
hours of preparation time, it is worth the wait!
May be prepared in advance and re-heated.
Makes 4-6 servings.
2 c of lentils, sorted and washed;
4 c of boiling water; 1 small onion; 3 stalks celery ; 1
c chopped frozen spinach; 1 TBSP tomato paste; 1
ham hock; 1/2 tsp marjoram; salt and pepper to taste.
SORT and WASH lentils and place in a crock pot (or
sturdy pot.) COVER lentils with boiling water and turn
crockpot on high. ADD ham hock to pot. Cook for 1
hour. SLICE celery and onion and SAUTE in olive oil
until onions are soft and translucent. ADD onions and
celery to soup. ADD tomato paste and marjoram.
Continue to COOK until the lentils are soft.
When lentils are fully cooked, remove about a cup of
soup and
PUREE in a blender. ADD this puree back to the
soup. ADD the chopped spinach. STIR well and
season with salt and pepper to taste. PLACE soup in
bowls. GARNISH with parsley. Serve with warm,
crusty bread. ENJOY.
|
||
|
|
|
|
copyright 2007 portland health and wellness We are very interested in your comments and suggestions. Please let us know if you have a topic you would like to see covered in future newsletters. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
the staff of
Portland Health and Wellness
email:
infoph_w@comcast.net
phone:
503.236.4506
|
|