 DR. GINGER ON A MISSION TO PROMOTE ALTERNATIVE HEALTHY LIFESTYLEDr. Ginger Southall was just 20 years old when her father died of lung cancer and changed her life forever. He was only 48.
From that point on she would devote her life to living healthy and teaching others how to do the same.
“What happened to him was totally preventable,” she said. “My father was 38 when he had his first heart attack. He really didn’t take care of himself.”
The chiropractor and certified fitness trainer, known simply as Dr. Ginger has a three-pronged message: Prevention, Nutrition and Exercise.
She delivers that message in as many forums as possible, acting as a health consultant for such publications as Ms. Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, People, Allure and television program Inside Edition, serving as a delegate for the Council on Women’s Fitness in Sports, teaching at-risk children about health and nutrition and developing a niche in alternative health reporting.
“I really want to stress the importance of healthy, sound living to prevent many of the diseases that are killing Americans by the millions,” Dr. Ginger said. “Many of the illnesses this country faces are totally preventable. And I really want young people to start living healthy now. Your future health determines what you do when you’re young.”
After the death of her father, Dr. Ginger decided to pursue a career in medicine, but had no interest in traveling the traditional route.
“Traditional western medicine is more about treating and covering up symptoms and not dealing with the cause,” she said. “Alternative health as a whole is prevention oriented.”
After graduating from the State University of New York at Stonybrook, Dr. Ginger went to New York Chiropractic College and became a chiropractor. She has been pursuing an alternative health lifestyle ever since and has evolved into a health educator.
Dr. Ginger has hosted many health shows on television, appeared in numerous commercials and infomercials for health products and was the health and medical correspondent for the College Television Network. On national fitness programs, Dr. Ginger worked closely with renowned chiropractor Dr. Jack Barnathan in helping him to plan and execute the National Symposium on Fitness, working in cooperation with Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities involved in national fitness.
She also serves as the International Chiropractic Association chairperson on the Council on Women’s Fitness in Sports and as a pro official and team doctor with the International Federation of Bodybuilding.
In all those capacities, Dr. Ginger is determined to knock down all the myths that people – especially young girls and woman – have about diet and fitness. As the former spa director and chiropractic physician for The Trump Spa at Mar-a-Lago, Dr. Ginger came across some the wealthiest people in the world who didn’t know how to take care of themselves.
“There’s so many diet programs out there that don’t work, are based on out-dated science and trap people into believing that the number on the scale is more important than anything,” Dr. Ginger said. “What’s important is the percentage of body fat compared to the percentage of lean muscle mass. If you have a lot of body fat, you’re going to have numerous health problems.
“Who cares about the number on the scale? The number doesn’t matter. The number only matters to stupid, skinny girls.”
 Nature
calls during flu and cold season.
Every year, it's inevitable. The sniffles, the coughing, the hacking, high fevers, achy joints and muscles, runny noses and cold sweats. Colds and flu season is in full swing, and this year it's taking no prisoners.
Teary-eyed sufferers often search for hopes of rescue in the bottom of over-the-counter flu and cold medicines. But while there's no cure for the common cold, there are a few natural remedies and alternative treatments that can fight the bug often more effectively than traditional symptom-relievers.
Here are some of the more popular therapies used to treat colds and the flu. Some have been shown in clinical studies to shorten the duration of colds and make them less severe. However, do not resort to the therapies described below without first consulting a licensed health care provider. Herbal supplements may interact with over-the-counter drugs and/or prescription medications.
Echinacea
This herb is thought to boost the immune system, a type of treatment not found in conventional medicine. It appears that echinacea actives the body's infection-fighting capabilities. Several large, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have found echinacea effective in reducing the symptoms and duration of colds. The herb may also stop a cold that is just beginning. However, echinacea has been shown to be an ineffective prevention against colds and flu. Therefore, it is probably not worth using as a long-term preventive treatment. It is better used directly at the onset of a cold to reduce its severity and duration.
If you choose to try echinacea, get the best quality available. Echinacea has a history of being diluted with inactive ingredients or made with a large amount of crude alcohol extract. Study the reputation of the company before purchasing.
Elderberry
Elderberry flowers are potential rivals for echinacea. Many clinicians feel that elderberry is actually more effective at shortening colds and flu than the latter. According to a preliminary double-blind study performed in Israel, a standardized elderberry extract reduced almost by half the recovery time from a particular strain of epidemic influenza.
Steeping 3 to 5 g of dried flowers in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes makes elderberry-flower tea. A typical dosage is 1 cup 3 times daily. Standardized extracts should be taken according to the directions on the product's label.
Zinc
Another famous alternative treatment for colds is zinc lozenges. Sucking on high doses of zinc lozenges at the onset of cold symptoms may work by directly killing viruses in the throat. A recent double-blind study concluded that proper use of zinc lozenges can cause many cold symptoms to go away faster than they would otherwise.
It has been suggested that the exact formulation of the zinc lozenge plays a significant role in its effectiveness. Flavoring agents, such as citric acid and tartaric acid, appear to prevent zinc from killing viruses, and chemical forms of zinc other than zinc gluconate or zinc acetate may not work.
The typical dosage is 13 to 23 mg of zinc as zinc gluconate or zinc acetate, taken every two hours at the earliest signs of a cold and continued for no more than a week or two. Lozenges should not contain any other flavorings besides carbohydrate sweeteners such as sorbitol, sucrose, dextrose and mannitol. Glycine also might be an acceptable flavoring.
Ginseng
This herb may actually prevent colds and flu by strengthening the immune system.
A recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study suggests that ginseng can improve immunity. This trial enrolled 227 participants at three medical offices in Milan, Italy. Half were given ginseng at a dosage of 100 mg daily, the other half placebo. Four weeks into the study, all participants received influenza vaccine.
The results showed a significant decline in the frequency of colds and flu in the treated group compared to the placebo group (15 versus 42 cases). Also, antibody measurements in response to the vaccination rose higher in the treated group than in the placebo group.
While more research is needed, this study suggests that ginseng may be able to do what echinacea, zinc lozenges and vitamin C cannot: prevent colds.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal is frequently combined with echinacea to be taken as an "immune booster" and "antibiotic" for the prevention and treatment of colds. However, there are three things wrong with this packaging: (1) there is no credible evidence that goldenseal increases immunity; (2) the herb was never used historically as an early treatment for colds; and (3) antibiotics aren't effective against colds anyway.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is most likely the most popular natural treatment for colds. Numerous studies have found that vitamin C supplements can significantly reduce symptoms of colds and help you get over a cold faster. Benefits appear to be greater for children than for adults.
There is no real evidence that vitamin C can prevent colds in general. But it may help prevent colds when you are actually deficient in the vitamin. There is some evidence that making sure to get your dietary allowance might help keep you healthier.46
Most of us think of orange juice as the quintessential source of vitamin C, but many vegetables are actually even richer sources. Red chili peppers, sweet peppers, kale, parsley, collard, and turnip greens are excellent sources, as are broccoli, brussel sprouts, watercress, cauliflower, cabbage, and strawberries. (Oranges and other citrus fruits are good sources, too.)
Andrographis
A shrub found throughout India and other Asian countries, andrographis is sometimes called "Indian echinacea" because it is believed to provide much of the same benefits.
According to studies, andrographis can reduce the symptoms of colds and possible prevent colds. A typical dosage of andrographis is 400 mg three times daily, taken with lots of liquids at meals. Andrographis is typically standardized to its andrographolide content, usually 4 to 6 percent in many commercial products.
Coming soon.....Dr. Ginger talks about the importance of Green Foods...
In the meantime, check out Dr. Ginger's climb to Mt. McKinley for Missing Children ...More...
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