Improve Heart Failure Patient Longevity with Spirituality By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Although difficult to study, spirituality has been evaluated and deemed to have a beneficial effect on multiple measures including global quality of life, depression and medical compliance in the treatment of patients with heart failure.” – J Naqhi Cardiovascular disease is […]
By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Theories differ as to how meditation might boost telomeres and telomerase, but most likely it reduces stress. The practice involves slow, regular breathing, which may relax us physically by calming the fight-or-flight response. It probably has a psychological stress-busting effect too. Being able to step back from […]
“People seek out retreats for themselves in the country, at the seaside, on the mountains…but nowhere can a person find a retreat more full of peace than one’s own soul. Make use then of this retirement continually and regenerate thyself.” – Marcus Aurelius The genes govern cellular processes in our bodies. One of […]
By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Tai Chi Chuan, the great ultimate, strengthens the weak, raises the sick, invigorates the debilitated, and encourages the timid.” –Cheng Man-ch’ing The aging process involves a systematic progressive decline in every system in the body, the brain included. The elderly frequently have problems with attention, thinking, and […]
Improve the Health of the Elderly with Depression with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “adding a mind-body exercise like tai chi that is widely available in the community can improve the outcomes of treating depression in older adults.” – UCLA Health The aging process involves a systematic progressive decline […]
Improve Cardiorespiratory Function in the Elderly with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Long term regular [Tai Chi] exercise has favourable effects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness in older adults.” – Youlian Hong The aging process involves a systematic progressive decline in every system in […]
Improve Inflammatory and Stress Responses with Yoga By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “yoga could slow the harmful physical effects of stress and inflammaging.” – Harvard Health The immune system is designed to protect the body from threats like stress, infection, injury, and toxic chemicals. One of its tools is the Inflammatory […]
Increase the Levels of the Anti-Stress Hormone Dehydroepiandrosterone with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Best known by researchers as the “longevity molecule” and stress counter-puncher, DHEA is one of the most important hormones in the body. As we get older our DHEA levels decrease year after year, opening us up to disease and […]
Improve Physical Ability, Balance, and Flexibility with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Tai Chi is a relatively safe activity that can result in gains in general motor function and improve bradykinesia and balance. “ – Xiny Yu Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice involving mindfulness and gentle movements. It is […]
Reduce Complications from Type-2 Diabetes with a Yoga Lifestyle By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Yoga can be used as an effective therapy in reducing oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes. Yoga in addition to standard care helps reduce BMI and improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients.” – Shreelaxmi V Hegde […]