Silver and Gold Magazine Fall 2019 | Page 20

ON A CELLULAR LEVEL Am I growing a new body? W hile it may seem ‘romantic’ to imagine your body completely regenerating every 7 years, this is unfortunately a myth. Here are some interesting facts about cell regeneration: • The cells that line your stomach can renew every 2-9 days, since they’re in contact with digestive acids. • Skin cells are replaced every 2 to 3 weeks. • Red blood cells live for about 4 months, while white blood cells – the ones which fight infections – can last anywhere from 4 days to 8. • Fat cells can live for about 10 years. • The body will create new, fresh liver cells every 300 to 500 days – so you’ll constantly have a combination of new and old liver cells. • Bones also may regenerate completely, approximately every 10 years. • Cartilage cannot regenerate as it doesn’t have any blood vessels. 20 The Medicine Wheel is an ancient symbol used by Native Americans for thousands of years. It represents many cycles of life, including birth, death, rebirth. Native Americans believe the Medicine Wheel is a powerful energy vortex that brings energy focus many of us can use in our lives. On the Medicine Wheel, there are positions for the four clans: the Butterfly Clan, the Frog Clan, the Thunderbird Clan, and the Turtle Clan, which are associated with the elements of Air, Water, Fire, and Earth. Which one are you? TURTLE CLAN – Those born between the Harvest Moon (Aug 23 to Sep 22), the Frogs Return Moon (April 20 to May 20), or the Earth Renewal Moon (Dec 22 to Jan 19), you are a member of the Turtle Clan and ruled by the element of Earth. The Turtle Clan, the Clan of Earth, is filled with stable, practical, and grounded people with an appreciation of the Earth and its elemental energy. FROG CLAN – If you were born between the Big Winds Moon (Feb 19 to Mar 20), the Strong Sun Moon (Jun 21 to Jul 22), or the Freeze Up Moon (Oct 24 to Nov 21), you are a member of the Frog Clan and ruled by the element of Water. The Frog Clan people have a special closeness to Grandmother Moon, and often use Moonstone and white colored stones as Totems to show their affection. Lots more online! www.silvergoldmagazine.ca The power of stem cells: According to an article done by American Cardiologist, Dr. Joel Kahn, results of a new study done at University of Southern California show that fasting for 24 hours can boost stem cell activity in mice. In humans, prolonged fasts can be used to trigger stem-cell-based regeneration that rejuvenates the immune system. Another preliminary study shows that the polyphenols and antioxidants found in blueberries, green tea, pomegranates, goji berries and spirulina, can increase circulating bone- marrow-derived stem cells. On-going research also indicates that the response to bouts of acute exercise can increase stem cells in the circulatory system. Other natural ways to increase stem cell production is to drastically reduce sugar intake, practice relaxation techniques like Tai Chi and Meditation, and acupuncture treatments to boost the body’s ability to produce new stem cells. Studies advise that, since the body is in many ways able to heal itself, one’s diet must support healthy cell regeneration for it to properly happen. THUNDERBIRD CLAN – If you were born between the Budding Trees Moon (Mar 21 to Apr 19), the Ripe Berries Moon, (Jul 23 to Aug 22), or the Long Snows Moon (Nov 22 to Dec 21), you are a member of the Thunderbird Clan and ruled by the element of Fire. Some members of the Thunderbird Clan seem to be people of paradox: At one moment they are warm and helpful, but they can suddenly turn into a dominating, hyperactive individual. BUTTERFLY CLAN – If you were born between the Rest and Cleansing Moon (Jan 20 to Feb 28), the Corn-planting Moon (May 21 to June 20), or the Ducks Fly Moon (Sep 23rd and Oct 23rd), you are a member of the Butterfly Clan and ruled by the element of Air. This clan is composed of people that live in the moment, exploring, wandering, and looking for what is new. This image is of a medicine wheel, which everyone is to complete with their own stones and rocks. For a full- size copy and guidelines please CLICK HERE: crystalvaults.com