476 FBF: Medical Anthropology & Lifestyle Changes with Sydney Ross Singer

Today's Flash Back Friday comes from Episode 104, originally published in August 2012. What is making us sick? We know our lifestyle is the problem, but on this episode of Holistic Survival, we will learn how some common lifestyle choices and cultural beliefs may be a factor in many of our issues, such as migraines, obesity, and breast cancer. Jason Hartman interviews medical anthropologist and author, Sydney Ross Singer, to shed some light on these problematic factors. Sydney begins with his newest research on sleep. "People in our culture sleep too flat," he states, explaining the impact it has on circulation to the brain and body. All sorts of conditions can result, such as migraines, sleep apnea, compression of nerves that can cause carpel tunnel, compression of organs, change in bone structure, and many other traumas to the body that one wouldn't even consider. These conditions as a result of how we sleep are confirmed by NASA studies of the effect of gravity on fluid pressure in the brain and other parts of the body. Sydney also talks about compression injuries from tight clothing, including a link between tight braziers and breast cancer. Tight clothing and shoes restrict circulation, causing a back up of fluids in our tissues. Toxins in clothing and pesticides, and the common tonsillectomy are associated with weight gain. Stress levels affect overall health. Sydney encourages people to take responsibility for their own health by eliminating different lifestyle choices and give the body a chance to heal. He recommends people experiment with Self Studies to see what may be causing problems, such as wearing loose clothing for a month, raising the head and feet instead of sleeping flat for a week, going a month without a bra. Many diseases and conditions, especially chronic conditions, may be prevented and cured by a simple alteration in lifestyle. Website: Sydney at Academia