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Alexa Fleckenstein M.D.

Blog: On Health. On Writing. On Life. On Everything.

I Hate The Gym – You Too?

February 6, 2011
Tags: Movement, water, food, adhesives, aeration of rooms, anger, asbestos, birds’ songs, bliss, Brooks, building materials, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, cleaning supplies, confusion, copiers, correction fluid, cosmetics, craft materials, degreasing products, depression, detergent, drywalls, endorphins, energy - increased, engagement, Exercise, ficus, floor coverings, flowers, garden, glues, grass, green, gym, high blood pressure, Houseplants, I Hate The Gym – You Too?, indoor, indoor pollution, lacquers, meta-analysis, molds, muscles, music, NordicTrack machine, outdoor, outdoor pollution, paints, Parkinson's, permanent markers, philodendron – heartleaf, printers, radon, revitalization, skiing - cross-country, smell, snowstorm, soil, sounds, spider plant, tension, terrain - uneven, upholstery, varnish, wall-to-wall carpeting, waves, wax, wind, window open, wood preservatives, workout
My intense dislike of the gym just got a scientific underpinning: A meta-analysis reveals that exercise done outdoors has more benefits that the one indoors. A meta-analysis is not a study from scratch but reviews already existing studies. In this case, researchers tried to figure out if there are benefits to exercise in a natural outdoors environment vs a confined gym. The disadvantage of a meta-analysis is that the original studies might be flawed – in spite that the researchers tried to weed out those studies – and that their flaws get compounded. In this case, the original studies were furthermore hampered by not using objective measurements of wellbeing but “self-reported” statements: People just talked about how much better they felt outdoors than indoors. And so the 833 individuals sound less scientific but gushing when reporting how they are feeling after their exercise in nature: “Compared with exercising indoors, exercising in natural environments was associated with greater feelings of revitalization, increased energy and positive engagement, together with decreases in tension, confusion, anger and depression. Participants also reported greater enjoyment and satisfaction with outdoor activity and stated that they were more likely to repeat the activity at a later date.” I believe them even without a proper study because going to a gym would make me depressed – and I am not a depressed person to start with. On the other hand, when I putter around in the garden, I am suffused by bliss. Working out on my ages-old NordicTrack machine in the basement strengthens my muscles; going cross-country skiing lifts my spirit. Clearly, working out in a gym increases endorphins and makes one feel better. But outside, we have the added benefit of light in our eyes and on our skin – which has been shown to decrease depression and boost vitamin D production. For once, Boston did not have another snow storm today so that I could not fill my outdoor needs by snow shoveling but I hacked away on ice for a good hour – to prepare for the next snowfall which is forecast for this week. Outside, there's also less pollution. Contrary to common assumptions, indoor pollution generally is much higher than outdoor pollution (unless you live directly at a busy highway or near a spewing factory) – thanks to detergents and other cleaning supplies, cosmetics, wood preservatives, paints, varnish and lacquers, drywalls, molds, radon, asbestos, carbon monoxide, copiers, printers, correction fluid, glues and craft materials, wax, permanent markers, adhesives, degreasing products, building materials, upholstery, wall-to-wall carpeting and other floor coverings – to name some. Therefore it is recommended that we aerate each room at least twice a day by pushing the windows open for fifteen minutes. And that we sleep with windows open all night. Asking around, I find that not many people do either. Outside has usually uneven terrain – different from the even floor of a standard gym. The unevenness leads to better muscle workout – without that we notice the extra effort. This lowers blood pressure and might stave off Parkinson's. Another advantage of the great outdoors is the color green: We are hard-wired to love a green landscape because green signals plants that produce oxygen and food for us, and hold precious water in place. Green is soothing to our eyes, and to our minds. There is not much life in eternal ice or the dry desert – green is our life. You can reduce indoor air pollution by having houseplants – heartleaf philodendron, spider plant and ficus are not hard to keep alive. For the benefits of outdoors, let’s not forget the smell of flowers, mowed lawns, freshly turned soil. And the sounds: birds’ songs, rustling wind, lapping waves, babbling brooks – music to our ears. Of course, researchers now call for better studies to measure all that. But you and I have known it all along: Outdoors is better! Read More 
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Berlin – About Friendship

October 5, 2010
Tags: order, Berlin, Berlin – About Friendship, boyfriends, childbirth, Children, death, depression, farting, fishing, Friendship, Germany, Iran, Life, Love, Menopause, parents - old, politics, reading, work
I don’t know how I would have made it through my life without my girlfriends. When I was younger, a girlfriend and I had a saying: “Love is more important, but friendship lasts longer.” After a few false starts, I have found a wonderful man in my life. But my friendships with women still sustain me through rocky times. And give me much laughter. Without the advice and support of other women, how would I ever have raised my children? Every little domestic disaster was talked through – and the big ones too. When I had my first child, I was all alone without any friends – living in our little nuclear family, talking to nobody outside, burying myself in reading. Nowadays, I think they would diagnose me with depression. But I know I was not depressed – I was without friends. Presently, I am visiting Berlin that are filled with women friends for me, friends from far, far back, newer friends, and some in the middle. The last few days, I have reconnected with several old friends, having so much fun. During long walks, over tea or a good meal we told each other what happened in our lives since we met last time, we laughed and were touched. Men seem to discuss work and politics, fishing and farting (not that I really know what their subjects are when they are alone!). Women talk about life and love and death, about childbirth, boyfriends, menopause, children and old parents. About work too because we all have deep interests. Even politics we mention occasionally. What makes a good friendship? If you haven’t seen each other for a while – or many years – it is a sign of solid friendship if you click again the moment you meet. No repercussions why it took so long – just pure bliss that you are together again. Recently in Iran, a made new friends who will stay friends for many years to come. Berlin has renewed some old friendships. New and old friends, they make you examine your life. Without them, life is not worth living. Read More 
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Gluten-Related Symptoms and Diseases

September 24, 2010
Tags: order, abdominal pain, acanthosis nigricans, Addison’s disease, ADHD, Alcoholism, alkaline phosphatase (bone) elevated, allergic rhinitis, alopecia areata (patchy hair loss), amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period), anemia, anemia – iron deficiency, anemia – refractory, anemia - vitamin B12 deficiency, anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA), anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA), anti-tissue-transglutaminase antibodies (tTG), antiphospholipid syndrome (frequent miscarriages and other problems), anxiety, aortic vasculitis, apathy, aphthous ulcers, appetite – poor, arthritis, arthritis – enteropathic, arthritis - juvenile idiopathic, asthma, ataxia, ataxia - progressive myoclonic, atherosclerosis, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Autism, learning disorders, autoimmune cholangitis, autoimmune diseases, autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune thyroid disease, balding – premature, bipolar disorder, Bitot’s spots (foamy patches on whites of eye), bleeding – unexplained, blepharitis, bloating, blurred vision, bone fracture, bone pain, brain atrophy, brain fog, bronchiectasis, cachexia (general wasting), calcium – low, cancer - small cell of the esophagus, cancer (adenocarcinoma) of the small intestine, cancer of the esophagus, cancer of the pharynx, Candida infections – recurrent, cardiomegaly, casein intolerance, cataracts, cerebral perfusion abnormalities, cheilosis (cracked lips and corners of mouth), cholesterol – low, chorea, chronic bullous dermatosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, colitis, common variable immunodeficiency, complications during pregnancy – labor - delivery and post-partum period, congenital anomalies, constipation, copper deficiency, coronary artery disease, cortical calcifying angiomatosis, cow mill “allergy”, cutaneous vasculitis, cutis laxa, cystic fibrosis, dairy intolerance, delusions, Dementia, depression, dermatitis herpetiformis, dermatomyositis, diabetes type I, diabetes type II, diarrhea, disorientation, Down syndrome, dry eyes, duodenal ulcers, dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods), dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), early menopause, easy bruising, ecchymosis, eczema, edema, Enteropathy Associated T-cell Lymphoma (EATL), epilepsy, erythema nodosum, esophageal motor abnormalities, eyes – dry, eyes – bloodshot, erythema elevatum diutinum, failure to thrive, fatigue, fatty liver, folic acid (folate) deficiency, food allergies - blood-mediated and cell mediated, food cravings, gall bladder – impaired motility, gas, gastric emptying – delayed, gastritis, GERD - Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease, glucose abnormalities - too low or too high, gluten, Gluten-Related Symptoms and Diseases, Grave’s Disease, growth retardation, gums – bleeding and swollen, hair loss, hallucination, headache, Heartburn, heart disease, hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis - idiopathic pulmonary, hepatic granulomatous disease, high blood pressure, homocysteine elevated, hyperactivity, hyperkeratosis – follicular, hyperparathyroidism, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, hypocalciuria, hypogonadism, hypoparathyroidism, hyposplenism (atrophy of spleen), Hypothyroidism, hypotonia, ichthyosis – acquired, pulmonary hemosiderosis – idiopathic, IgA deficiency, IgA nephropathy, impotence, inability to concentrate, infertility, insomnia, intrauterine growth retardation, iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy – severe, irritable bowel syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, keratomalacia, kidney stones, lactose intolerance, lassitude, late menarche (late start of menstrual periods), leaky gut syndrome, liver enzymes elevated, loss of memory, lymphadenopathy, lymphoma - B-cell non-Hodgkin’s, lymphoma - cryptic intestinal T-cell (refractory sprue), lymphoma – non-Hodgkin, macroamylasemia, macrocytosis (red blood cells larger than normal), macrolipasemia, magnesium - low, malabsorption, melanoma, memory loss, migraine, miscarriage, monoarthritis – recurrent, multiple sclerosis (MS) – a possible link, muscle pain and tenderness, muscle spasms and cramps, muscle wasting, muscle weakness, nail problems, nausea, nervousness, neuropathy – peripheral, neutropenia (low white blood cells), nightblindness, nosebleeds – unexplained, obesity, occult blood in stool, ocular myopathy, osteitis fibrosa, osteomalacia, osteomalacic myopathy, osteonecrosis, osteopenia, osteoporosis, pancreatic insufficiency (poor digestion), panic attacks, parathyroid carcinoma, penicilllin V impaired absorption, phosphorus – low, pityriasis rubra pilaris, plasma proteins low, Plummer-Vinson Syndrome, PMS, pneumococcal septicemia, pneumonia – recurrent, polyglandular syndrome, polymyositis, potassium - low, premenstrual syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, prolactinemia, prothrombin time prolonged, prothrombinemia, prurigo nodularis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, puberty – delayed, purpura – idiopathic thrombocytopenic, rhabdomyolysis – hypokalemic, rheumatoid arthritis, rickets, sarcoidosis, Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders, scleroderma, seborrhea, short stature, Sjögren’s syndrome, skin rash – itchy, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, smell - loss of, sperm abnormalities, spina bifida, sprue – refractory (see: gluten), steatorrhea (pale, malodorous, floating, hard-to-flush stools), stomach ulcer, stroke – premature, sugar intolerance, swelling, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), taste - loss of, tetany, thrombocytopenic purpura – idiopathic, thyroid disease - juvenile autoimmune, tongue – red and/or burning, tremors, tuberculosis - increased susceptibility to, Turner’s syndrome, urinary tract infections – recurrent, urticaria - chronic hives, uveitis, vaginitis, vasculitis, vasculitis of the CNS (Central Nervous System), vitiligo, volvulus (twisted intestines), vomiting, weight gain – unexplained, weight loss – unexplained, xerophthalmia (dry eyes), zinc – low
Nearly one in one hundred people have gluten intolerance (gluten enteropathy, sprue, celiac sprue). In only fifty percent of them does the disease show with gastro-intestinal symptoms - the rest has non-intestinal symptoms. Be aware that many of these symptoms can also have other causes - this list does not replace a doctor who sees you! • Abdominal pain • Acanthosis nigricans • Addison’s disease • Alcoholism • Alkaline phosphatase (bone) elevated • Allergic rhinitis • Alopecia areata (patchy hair loss) • Amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period) • Anemia • Anemia – iron deficiency • Anemia - refractory • Anemia - vitamin B12 deficiency • Anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA) • Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) • Anti-tissue-transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) • Antiphospholipid syndrome (frequent miscarriages and other problems) • Anxiety • Aortic vasculitis • Apathy • Aphthous ulcers (mouth sores) • Appetite – poor • Arthritis • Arthritis – enteropathic • Arthritis - juvenile idiopathic • Asthma • Ataxia • Ataxia, progressive myoclonic • Atherosclerosis • Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) • Autism, learning disorders • Autoimmune cholangitis • Autoimmune diseases • Autoimmune hepatitis • Autoimmune thyroid disease • Balding – premature • Bipolar disorder • Bitot’s spots (foamy patches on whites of eye) • Bleeding – unexplained • Blepharitis • Bloating • Blurred vision • Bone fracture • Bone pain • Brain atrophy • Brain fog • Bronchiectasis • Cachexia (general wasting) • Calcium – low • Cancer - small cell of the esophagus • Cancer (adenocarcinoma) of the small intestine • Cancer of the esophagus • Cancer of the pharynx • Candida infections – recurrent • Cardiomegaly • Casein intolerance (cow mill “allergy”) • Cataracts • Cerebral perfusion abnormalities • Cheilosis (cracked lips and corners of mouth) • Cholesterol - low • Chorea • Chronic bullous dermatosis • Chronic fatigue syndrome • Colitis • Common variable immunodeficiency • Complications during pregnancy, labor, delivery and post-partum period • Congenital anomalies • Constipation • Copper deficiency • Coronary artery disease • Cortical calcifying angiomatosis • Cow mill “allergy” • Cutaneous vasculitis • Cutis laxa • Cystic fibrosis • Dairy intolerance • Delusions • Dementia • Depression • Dermatitis herpetiformis • Dermatomyositis • Diabetes Type I • Diabetes Type II • Diarrhea • Disorientation • Down syndrome • Dry eyes • Duodenal ulcers • Dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods) • Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse) • Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) • Early menopause • Easy bruising • Ecchymosis • Eczema • Edema • Enteropathy Associated T-cell Lymphoma (EATL) • Epilepsy • Erythema nodosum • Esophageal motor abnormalities • Eyes – dry • Eyes - bloodshot • Erythema elevatum diutinum • Failure to thrive • Fatigue • Fatty liver • Folic acid (folate) deficiency • Food allergies - blood-mediated and cell mediated • Food cravings • Gall bladder – impaired motility • Gas • Gastric emptying – delayed • Gastritis • GERD - Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease • Glucose abnormalities - too low or too high • Grave’s Disease • Growth retardation • Gums – bleeding and swollen • Hair loss • Hallucination • Headache • Heartburn • Heart disease • Hemochromatosis • Hemosiderosis - idiopathic pulmonary • Hepatic granulomatous disease • High blood pressure • Homocysteine elevated • Hyperactivity • Hyperkeratosis - follicular • Hyperparathyroidism • Hypertension • Hyperthyroidism • Hypocalciuria • Hypogonadism • Hypoparathyroidism • Hyposplenism (atrophy of spleen) • Hypothyroidism • Hypotonia • Ichthyosis - acquired • Pulmonary hemosiderosis - idiopathic • IgA deficiency • IgA nephropathy • Impotence • Inability to concentrate • Infertility (in both sexes) • Insomnia • Intrauterine growth retardation • Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy - severe • Irritable bowel syndrome • Keratoconjunctivitis sicca • Keratomalacia • Kidney stones • Lactose intolerance • Lassitude • Late menarche (late start of menstrual periods) • Leaky gut syndrome • Liver enzymes elevated • Loss of memory • Lymphadenopathy • Lymphoma - B-cell non-Hodgkin’s • Lymphoma - cryptic intestinal T-cell (refractory sprue) • Lymphoma – non-Hodgkin • Macroamylasemia • Macrocytosis (red blood cells larger than normal) • Macrolipasemia • Magnesium low • Malabsorption • Melanoma • Memory loss • Migraine • Miscarriage • Monoarthritis – recurrent • Mouth sores • Multiple sclerosis (MS) – a possible link • Muscle pain and tenderness • Muscle spasms and cramps • Muscle wasting • Muscle weakness • Nail problems • Nausea • Nervousness • Neuropathy - peripheral • Neutropenia (low white blood cells) • Nightblindness • Nosebleeds – unexplained • Obesity • Occult blood in stool • Ocular myopathy • Osteitis fibrosa • Osteomalacia • Osteomalacic myopathy • Osteonecrosis • Osteopenia • Osteoporosis • Pancreatic insufficiency (poor digestion) • Panic attacks • Parathyroid carcinoma • Penicilllin V impaired absorption • Phosphorus - low • Pityriasis rubra pilaris • Plasma proteins low • Plummer-Vinson Syndrome • PMS (premenstrual syndrome) • Pneumococcal septicemia • Pneumonia – recurrent • Polyglandular syndrome • Polymyositis • Potassium - low • Primary biliary cirrhosis • Primary sclerosing cholangitis • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy • Prolactinemia • Prothrombin Time prolonged • Prothrombinemia • Prurigo nodularis • Psoriasis • Psoriatic arthritis • Puberty - delayed • Purpura – idiopathic thrombocytopenic • Rhabdomyolysis - hypokalemic • Rheumatoid arthritis • Rickets • Sarcoidosis • Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders • Scleroderma • Seborrhea • Short stature • Sjögren’s syndrome • Skin rash – itchy • Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth • Smell - loss of • Sperm abnormalities • Spina bifida • Sprue - refractory • Steatorrhea (pale, malodorous, floating, hard-to-flush stools) • Stomach ulcer • Stroke – premature • Sugar intolerance • Swelling • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) • Taste - loss of • Tetany • Thrombocytopenic purpura – idiopathic • Thyroid disease - juvenile autoimmune • Tongue – red and/or burning • Tremors • Tuberculosis - increased susceptibility to • Turner’s syndrome • Urinary tract infections - recurrent • Urticaria - chronic hives • Uveitis • Vaginitis • Vasculitis • Vasculitis of the CNS (Central Nervous System) • Vitiligo • Volvulus (twisted intestines) • Vomiting • Weight gain – unexplained • Weight loss – unexplained • Xerophthalmia (dry eyes) • Zinc - low I will add to this list as I come across new links –keep checking! Read More 
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