Interesting point about dryness, didn't realize that was so key to the barrier. Interesting symbolic meanings there - water is typically associated with healing in many cultures.
Also with mineral oils, curious as to why those are not as effective as natural oils? And what type of natural oils can you recommend, like coconut oil?
Isn't it? I thought it was interesting also that Chinese Medicine mentions "wind as the king of all pathogens" in the sense that air is drying and therefore dehydrating, which creates that susceptibility to permeability.
As for mineral oils, they are petroleum-based, so unlike natural oils (usually Vitamin-E based ones like coconut, almond, jojoba), human cells cannot incorporate it into the cell membrane to create that fatty phospholipid bilayer which protects the cell against environmental insults.
With natural oils, you get a physical barrier on the micro as well as macro-level. I think of it kinda like each skin cell that is in integrity forms part of a grid to keep out the riff raff!
I will now and forever picture myself as a pool noodle! Seriously, though, this is so clear and well-stated. I would add that menopause is the drying-est desiccator and I'm enthusiastically pro-hormone replacement for just this reason (if the individual's risk profile is ok). Can't be healthy if everything from the outside through the inside is dry!
I'm curious if you're taking precautions re:COVID at this point. If not, I'd like to revisit this in a couple years and see how our respective approaches have maintained our health. I haven't been sick since 2020 and my allergies seem to have improved.
Curious what you're doing - that is awesome! Psycho-neuro-immune modulation FTW
Which COVID precautions are you talking about? What I do for myself now is the same as pre-pandemic, the only exceptions are wearing a mask at the clinic and taking a COVID test when asked.
Mostly wearing a respirator when breathing air with others. I was surprised that wasn't mentioned here at all, especially given recent wastewater data and the new Eris variant.
Are you not worried about long COVID? The science on repeated infections doesn't look reassuring to me at this point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdUgDNSwo-8
Just kidding LOL yes I will drink more hot water like Chinese auntie (with electrolytes)
This is good. "I'd rather die than be like you - a bitchy trampoline." LOL!
Actually, also thinking - your daily bath ritual is probably a great habit too!
is it??? I think it net decreases hydration b/c I make it so hot hahahha
Interesting point about dryness, didn't realize that was so key to the barrier. Interesting symbolic meanings there - water is typically associated with healing in many cultures.
Also with mineral oils, curious as to why those are not as effective as natural oils? And what type of natural oils can you recommend, like coconut oil?
Isn't it? I thought it was interesting also that Chinese Medicine mentions "wind as the king of all pathogens" in the sense that air is drying and therefore dehydrating, which creates that susceptibility to permeability.
As for mineral oils, they are petroleum-based, so unlike natural oils (usually Vitamin-E based ones like coconut, almond, jojoba), human cells cannot incorporate it into the cell membrane to create that fatty phospholipid bilayer which protects the cell against environmental insults.
With natural oils, you get a physical barrier on the micro as well as macro-level. I think of it kinda like each skin cell that is in integrity forms part of a grid to keep out the riff raff!
I will now and forever picture myself as a pool noodle! Seriously, though, this is so clear and well-stated. I would add that menopause is the drying-est desiccator and I'm enthusiastically pro-hormone replacement for just this reason (if the individual's risk profile is ok). Can't be healthy if everything from the outside through the inside is dry!
I'm curious if you're taking precautions re:COVID at this point. If not, I'd like to revisit this in a couple years and see how our respective approaches have maintained our health. I haven't been sick since 2020 and my allergies seem to have improved.
Curious what you're doing - that is awesome! Psycho-neuro-immune modulation FTW
Which COVID precautions are you talking about? What I do for myself now is the same as pre-pandemic, the only exceptions are wearing a mask at the clinic and taking a COVID test when asked.
Mostly wearing a respirator when breathing air with others. I was surprised that wasn't mentioned here at all, especially given recent wastewater data and the new Eris variant.
Are you not worried about long COVID? The science on repeated infections doesn't look reassuring to me at this point.