Hydration/Dehydration

With our emphasis on nutrition I wanted to give a gentle reminder to myself and everyone else that one of the most important nutrients is also one of the most overlooked and that is water.

"Almost every fluid, with the exception of water and most non-diuretic botanical teas, causes dehydration. Notably, caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, and juices can actually "rob" the body of water and needed electrolytes. Water is the single most important nutrient for optimal biochemistry and functioning."

On an average day the human body loses approximately 2.5 liters of water and extra water is needed during times of extra water loss. These can include; exercise and sweating, diarrhea, vomiting and diuretic use.

How much water should I drink? The old recommendation of 8 glasses of 8 ounces/day was easy to remember but not very sensible. If I am 6'2" 195 lbs and you are 5'2" 110 lbs we have different water needs. The easiest and most individual way to determine that is to take your body weight in pounds then divide by 2 and drink that amount of water in ounces daily. A 200 lb. person needs 100 ounces of water and a 100 lb. person needs 50 ounces of water.

When choosing water you can look to the blog posted on 3/28/2011 entitled "Water isn't just water".

Enjoy the water and drink for health.
Some information is from D. Weatherby, N.D. and S. Ferguson, N.D.: Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective.

Nutrition and Crime

I am finishing a small book entitled "Diet, Crime and Delinquency" written by Alexander Schauss, PhD. Quoting the summary on the back jacket: "Using case histories, graphs and illustrations, Criminologist Schauss clearly and concisely documents how food allergies can foster violence...how nutrition and vitamin therapy help alcoholism and drug addiction...how lead poisoning can lead to behavior disorders...how junk foods and environmental pollutants favor the development of crime."

This book is only 108 pages and it has great references. Dr. Schauss wrote this book 40+ years ago and it reads as if he wrote it today with the only difference being the numbers of people affected have increased as have the food colorings and additives that he shows have such a negative effect on us all.

Enjoy the read.

Exercise and Cancer Prevention

Here is a good article from the BBC concerning the importance of exercise and cancer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14417084

Real Honey

I received this article from a friend and I wanted to share it with you. It talks about the processing of honey and how it is fast becoming a non-food when bought from most supermarkets. So even when you think you are doing good for yourself and your family the food processors are harming us.

There is still hope. This article lists stores that still carry real honey that does pass the honey as food test and most importantly as safe food.
Enjoy the article and please shop accordingly.

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/

Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Vitamin D

Calcium supplements are the most purchased supplement in America. So this entry is intended to share information which will help you avoid wasting your time and money on unnecessary or unhealthy purchases.

Calcium lactate(Calcium citrate is your second choice, recipe at the bottom) is a very easily absorbed form of Calcium. Calcium is best absorbed in an acidic environment and the lactate or citrate help there. Calcium lactate becomes usable by your body in one easy step as compared to calcium carbonate (limestone) which would take 12 steps making it almost totally useless and how tasty is stone anyway. The reason I mention calcium carbonate is that this is a very popular form used in many of the cheaper supplements. They may be using carbonate because it’s cheap and it sounds like the form your body uses which is calcium bicarbonate, the form found in spring water.

Calcium ratios: Calcium:Magnesium=5:1(some researchers recommend 2:1), Calcium:Phosphorus=10:4

Calcium:Phosphorus supplements can be particularly useful  in relation to calcium deficiencies demonstrated by hyperirritability, spasms, hyperperistalsis, etc. It is especially useful to support soft tissues.

Phosphorus levels are important to hold calcium in solution and low Phosphorus levels may show as kidney stones, excess tartar, arthritis or cataracts depending on where the calcium settles out.

Vitamin D is needed to move the calcium from the digestive system and puts it in the blood stream where it can be moved into the cells.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids then move the calcium into your cells where it is used. The best sources of PUFAs are in nuts, seeds, fish, algae, leafy greens, and krill. Omega-3 fatty acids in algae oil, fish oil, fish and seafood may help in preventing heart attacks.

Some indicators for Calcium, Magnesium or Phosphorus level problems are:

-Low blood pressure may indicate low blood calcium levels (or possibly weak adrenals).

-Itching skin may indicate low polyunsaturated fat and or tissue calcium levels.

-Hives from sun exposure may indicate low tissue calcium levels.

-Canker sores that develop inside the mouth may indicate low tissue calcium levels.

-Excess dental tartar may indicate low Phosphorus levels.

-Tooth erosion could indicate normal phosphorus levels and low calcium levels.

Calcium Citrate:

-Place 30 tablespoons of lemon juice in a glass bowl, put in 12 eggs (in the shells) and soak overnight in the refrigerator.

-Put eggs back in their carton, be careful the shells are soft.

-Take one tablespoon per day of Calcium Citrate one of the most easily absorbed forms of Calcium.

The acid in the lemon juice pulls the calcium off the shell not affecting the egg inside saving you time and money since most of us have these in our homes already.

Much of this information was gathered from SP

Reduce Hair Loss During Cancer Treatment

This information is taken from the book entitled Natural Strategies For Cancer Patients, pg. 88, by Dr. R. L. Blaylock ( I recommended this book and another of his books in the reading list posting on 9/29/2011). As he stated in another portion of his book, you do not need to do everything on this list. You should talk to a professional and determine what recommendations would most benefit you.

 -Take 3 mg of biotin twice a day throughout your treatment and for two weeks afterward. Then cut back to 3 mg once a day thereafter.
-Take a multivitamin-and-mineral capsule every day.
-Take 400 iu of vitamin E succinate three times a day.
-Take 500 mg of quercitin three times a day with meals.
-Take 500 mg of hesperidin three times a day with meals.
-Take 500 mg of curcumin three times a day. Dissolve the contents of one capsule in one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
-Take 100 mg of decaffeinated green tea extract with each meal.

Several nutritional steps you can take to reduce cancer tumor invasions

This information is taken from the book entitled Natural Strategies For Cancer Patients, pg. 56, by Dr. R. L. Blaylock ( I recommended this book and another of his books in the reading list posting on 9/29/2011). As he stated in another portion of his book, you do not need to do everything on this list. You should talk to a professional and determine what recommendations would most benefit you.

There are several nutritional steps you can take to reduce tumor invasions. They include:

-Decrease your intake of omega-6 oils, found in corn, safflower, soybean, sunflower, peanut, and canola oil.

-Increase your intake of the omega-3 fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

-Take supplemental magnesium ascorbate, citrate, or citramate every day to bring your total intake up to 1,000 mg.

-Take 25 mg of zinc every other day.

-Take 100 mg of grape seed extract three times a day. Grape seed extract prevents the destruction of blood vessel barriers and is a powerful antioxidant.

-Instead of grape seed extract, take 50 mg of Pycnogenol three times a day. Pycnogenol also increases the strength of the blood vessel barrier walls and is a powerful antioxidant.

-Take 100 mg of bilberry extract three times a day. Bilberry extract strengthens the walls of the blood vessels.

-Take horsechestnut extract every day. While aescin, a component of this extract, is known to strengthen the blood vessel walls, it is difficult to calculate the appropriate daily dose of the extract itself. Most horsechestnut extracts come in 300 mg capsules, with the recommended dose being two-three capsules per day. Because of its blood-thinning effect, horsechestnut extract should not be used with anticoagulant drugs, such as aspirin or Coumadin, or herbs with anticoagulant effects, such as ginger, garlic, or curcumin.

-Take 500 mg of curcumin three times a day. Dissolve the contents of one capsule in one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Curcumin has a slight anticoagulant effect, so it should not be combined with aspirin or anticoagulant drugs.

-Take 500 mg of luteolin (artichoke extract) twice a day.

-Take 500-1,000 mg of quercitin every day.

-Eat at least ten servings of fruits and vegetables (mostly vegetables) or drink about three to four servings of blenderized fruits and vegetables every day.

My note: Horsechestnut contains compounds called saponins which at high doses may cause GI irritation.
Curcumin's anticoagulant effect is at high doses.

Vitamin D Research & Cancer

I. Cancer and Vitamin D: Ultraviolet light from sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancers and melanoma. Nonetheless, where sun exposure is low, rates of several cancers have been reported to be high, including prostate, breast, and colon cancer. The geographic distribution of colon cancer is similar to the historical geographic distribution of rickets. Breast cancer death rates in white women also rise with distance from the equator and are highest in areas with long winters. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 1999;889:107-19.

Included here is a link that will take you to the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Mortality Maps & Graphs:  


http://ratecalc.cancer.gov/ratecalc/

II. Dr. Edward Giovannuci, a Harvard University professor of medicine and nutrition, was a speaker at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting in 2005.

His research suggests that vitamin D might help prevent 30 deaths for each one caused by skin cancer. He presented powerful data linking vitamin D deficiencies to numerous cancers. 

Among the benefits he mentioned were decreased angiogenesis (new blood vessels for tumors), metastatic potential and cell proliferation (cancer cells spreading), and increased apoptosis (cell death).

"I would challenge anyone to find an area or nutrient or any factor that has such consistent anti-cancer benefits as vitamin D." "The data are really quite remarkable."

Presentation at American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, April 19, 2005. Anaheim convention Center. Anaheim, CA

When considering a vitamin D supplement the preferred form is D3 cholecalciferol not weaker and less effective D2 ergocalciferol that many food manufacturers use to fortify their pasteurized and processed foods.

A Reading List

I've was looking at my bookshelf and thought it might be a good idea to share with you some of the books that have provided great information to both myself and my patients.

I put them in this order on purpose:
1. "Pottenger's Cats; A study in Nutrition" by Dr. Frances Pottenger- Part one is enough but the whole read is great and it is a small book.
2. "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration" by Dr. Weston A. Price- Get the one published by the Price-Pottenger Foundation extended edition.
These two books by themselves lay all the groundwork for everything in nutrition.

3. "Eat Fat, Lose Fat" by Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon- awesome explanation about fats and good health.
4. "Health and Nutrition Secrets" by Dr. Russell Blaylock- long read but great references so everything you learn you know has research behind it.
5. "Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients" by Dr. Russell Blaylock- again well referenced and practical suggestions.

6. "The Female Hormone Journey" by Pamela Levin- real down to earth, informative, easy read for anyone who cares for, interacts with or is a woman.
7. "Going Back to the Basics of Human Health" by Mary Frost- small, easy to read and practical.
8. "Why Your Doctor Offers Nutritional Supplements" by Stephanie Selene Anderson- small easy to read explanation for the need for supplemental support.

Enjoy and remember as Herbert Spencer said: "The great aim of education is not knowledge but action."

Drug Depletions

With the billions of dollars being spent on drugs every year and the nasty side effects they all have this is a short list of supplements to help alleviate or avoid some of those problems.

If you take:

Oral Contraceptives: If you are a woman taking contraceptives for any reason you should add the following supplements to your diet Calcium, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 (Folic acid), B12, tyrosine, vitamin C (the whole vit. C not just the ascorbic acid), vitamin E (preferably from wheat germ oil), Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc.

Statins- add CoQ10 this protects against muscle breakdown and heart damage from the drug itself. Remember, when lowering your cholesterol the brain and nervous system are made up largely of Cholesterol.

NSAIDS (aspirin)- add Folic acid because aspirin can increase homocysteine which is a major indicator for an increased risk of Heart Attack & Stroke.

Acetaminophen- add Milk Thistle to protect your liver from damage and Milk Thistle replaces Glutathione which protects antioxidants throughout your body most importantly in your brain and liver.

Ace Inhibitors- add Zinc

Beta blockers- add CoQ10

Calcium channel blockers- add Potassium

Antacids- block acid/HCL production and you need stomach acid to breakdown your food. It may seem counter intuitive but most indigestion is caused by to little stomach acid which allows the food to sit in your stomach to long and ferment with this being the actual reflux and discomfort not excess acid production. Add Apple cider vinegar for acid support, if it burns then heal your stomach damage first using Chlorophyll supplements, then introduce acid/HCL support again when it no longer burns.

Final Facts:

-The statin Lipitor is #1 prescribed drug in the US. Statins require CoQ10 for heart, muscle and liver support, liver support (Milk Thistle) and fat soluble nutrients to protect the brain and decrease the pain caused by statins.CoQ10 also protects the blood vessels.

-The antacid Nexium is the #2 drug prescribed in US, plus all of the OTC antacids that are sold.

Fever: Friend & Foe

  Now that everyone is a proud parent of happy healthy children and all the parents out there are happy and healthy themselves as a result of the "Conception Preparedness" articles here is some information concerning an important aspect of a healthy immune system that is, the fever.

  Fever is a normal adaptive immune response to a pyrogenic (heating) stimulus, such as tissue trauma or more likely infectious organisms.

   It has long been recognized that fever seems to have an empirical upper limit, rarely exceeding105.8˚F. The initial chill phase, 100.0-102.0˚F, causes peripheral vasoconstriction as the body sets a higher temperature to activate the immune response. Phagocytic (killing the invaders) activity increases and pathogens (the bad invaders) are killed. The patient feels hot and the periphery then opens up indicating that the fever has broken and is on the way down.

  If the temperature is 104˚ its significance depends upon the patient feeling hot or cold. If the patient feels hot then the temperature is probably falling. However, if the symptoms or signs indicate cold then the temperature is still rising and the fever needs to be steadied. This can include tepid bathing or herbal peripheral vasodilators, and diaphoretics which can be given in a variety of forms including herbal teas.

  Possibly the best herb for preventing infection is Echinacea, but it must be the roots of E. angustifolia and/or E. purpurea. Echinacea is safe during pregnancy, as demonstrated by a large scale prospective study of the gestational use of Echinacea during organogenesis (organ growth), which found no association with an increased risk of malformation. Echinacea is the key pediatric herb for immune support.

   Sometimes it may be necessary to support or increase a fever as long as there is no underlying contraindication. This can be a successful strategy in chronic low-grade infections and persistent catarrh or mucous producing problems. This can be as simple as using cinnamon, ginger, garlic, and cayenne. 

  This information was taken from one of my favorite herbal therapy resources: "Phytotherapy Essentials: Healthy Children; Optimizing Children’s Health with Herbs." As with other information in this blog I have not sought FDA approval for any of this information.

Conception Preparedness: Before & After

This part 3 in this 3 part series 

Digestive Function

Improved eating habits, supplementing with a good whole food supplement and detoxifying will not be as effective if the parents-to-be have poor digestive function. This concept may be the most important to ensure long term improvement. Poor digestive function impairs your nutrient status and individuals must have good digestive system function to be able to detoxify correctly. One of the biggest indicators of poor digestive function is your bowel movement. You should have a bowel movement for every meal you eat. For anyone who has had a dog you know that you have to get that dog outside within an hour or two of eating or you are cleaning up after them also. If you eat more than once a day or more than once a week you should have more than one movement per day or per week.

Some causes for poor digestive function are:

·      Abnormal growth of harmful gut flora in the small and large intestines.

·      These harmful bacteria create toxins and waste products that irritate the intestinal wall causing inflammation and “leaky gut”.

·      Harmful parasites in the intestines

·      Yeast overgrowth

·      A diet high in pre-packaged and processed foods creates a sugar-rich environment which encourages growth of the unfavorable bacteria/flora.

Common causes of a poor intestinal environment are:

·      Low levels of stomach HCL

·      Low fiber diet

·      Chronic use of antacids

·      Repeated use of antibiotics

·      Regular use of NSAIDS- Aspirin

·      Long term stress

·      Food allergies

·      Nutrient deficiencies

·      Alcohol abuse

·      Immune deficiencies

In some cases food sensitivities may indicate that these foods are being eaten too often. If this is the case then the patient should rotate the consumption of these foods rather than eating them on a daily basis and increase the variety of foods in their diet.

The main action step needed in addition to the lifestyle changes is to have both parents tested to determine what whole food supplementation and herbal program may be needed to clear any parasites, yeast or harmful bacteria overgrowth, and to heal and support proper digestive function. Remember, poor digestive function impairs nutrient status and the ability to detoxify safely.

Optimize Fitness Levels

The following concepts are important for both parents but, if you care to ask someone who has ever given birth, you will find that the following are especially important for the birthing mother.

·      Improved stamina

·      Reach and maintain the ideal body composition and BMI

·      Develop core strength and flexibility

Pregnancy is not the time to get into shape. You should be in shape prior to conception and then you want to maintain yourself at approximately 70% during pregnancy.

Improved stamina and endurance is important during your entire pregnancy and especially during the delivery. During pregnancy your body has changed and you are no longer working for one but two now.

Starting your pregnancy at your ideal body composition is important because your body will change. The stress of pregnancy is great and you do not want to have to face that at less than your best and you do want to give your child the best of everything so why not let that include the best start from the best you.

Last but not least, core (abdominal and pelvic area) strength and flexibility. This is especially important to the end of your pregnancy at delivery. A strong you will be better prepared to handle the physical demands of the delivery and even though the female physique is designed for the birth process you will find that an increased strength and flexibility is always helpful.

As long as there are no contraindications to exercising the following is a short list of benefits from exercise prior to and during pregnancy. Studies have shown:

·      The exercise group had a lower level of anxiety and insomnia with a higher level of psychological well-being.

·      Exercise during the second half of the pregnancy significantly reduced the intensity of low back pain and had a significant effect on flexibility of the spine.

·      Regular exercise in the first two trimesters of pregnancy may be associated with reduced risk for cesarean delivery in first time mothers.

The action steps needed here are:

·      Have your current health level assessed

·      Have a professional create a fitness program that includes endurance, flexibility and strength (especially in your core) components

Most importantly: Get started.

(Info from Angela Hywood and the Green Medicine Institute)