Monday, February 18, 2008
What an Exciting Weekend!
What an exciting weekend! This was the fifth weekend of the Wholistic Kinesiology practitioner course, the bodywork portion. It was an exciting weekend for myself and the class. Billy Beck III from Fort Lauderdale Florida, Al Musalin from Guelf Canada, Deborah Schrameck from Palm Springs California, and Jaime Hall from New York, all personal trainers, were able to combine their skills with the Wholistic Kinesiology with great results!! They were not only able to evaluate the nutritional status of their athletes but were able to balance the musculoskeletal system, optimize joint function, do emotional balancing and design a very exact workout program for their clients. The rest of the class learned a lot from watching the combination.
All participants got their postures evaluated before and after muscle optimization and joint optimization. The pre and post evaluations were remarkably different. Laura, one of the students, had fallen off a horse ten years earlier and had been living with neck pain since. After her treatment, all pain was gone. The following day she reported some soreness in the muscle but the joint pain was gone!!
Dominick had a similar experience with chronic low back pain. He became pain free immediately after years and years of dealing with severe pain. The following day was still pain free.
This class is so enthusiastic and excited about the possibilities. Final exams and graduation are next month. A whole new group of practitioners is about to be let loose on the world. I’m really impressed with their skills, and I’m so excited about how much good they will do for their clients!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Sunscreens, Sunburns, Sunshine and Vitamin D
Getting sunburned can put a crimp in your style while on vacation. Often vacationing, especially in tropical areas, will involve being in the sun more than you are used to at home. Preparing for your trip by getting sun before you leave can increase the amount of time you will be able to stay out in the sun and help you avoid the damaging and painful effects of sunburn. In addition, more and more information is coming to light about the toxicity of some sunscreen ingredients, and the benefits of sun exposure. There are healthier natural ways to prepare, prevent and even repair sunburn damage.
Most dermatologists will tell you “NO TAN IS A HEALTHY TAN”. They cite dozens of studies that link sun exposure to premature wrinkles, cataracts, and skin cancer. Some recommend that you avoid the sun as much as possible to prevent these conditions and slather on sunscreen whenever you go out, even if you're only going out for a few minutes. But the latest research says differently. "Anybody who tells you you're supposed to wear sunscreen in the winter all day every day, even in the office, hasn't looked at the data," says Marianne Berwick, Ph.D., a researcher and epidemiologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. In fact, research shows that sun exposure is necessary for good health; it boosts your mood, strengthens your bones, and may lower your risk for certain cancers, among other benefits.
Experts now agree that according to the new research, moderate sun exposure offers many health benefits. Doctors are now recommending sunshine to their patients to improve their energy, happiness levels, longevity, and overall health. While there is some risk with burning, the benefits far outweigh the risk.
How long you can safely stay in the sun depends on your latitude (the farther you are from the equator, the more time you need), the season, and your risk factors. In these amounts you will get the sun's health benefits, while minimizing your chance of wrinkles, cataracts, and skin cancer.
If you are at high risk for skin cancer (family history) Get up to 20 minutes of sun daily, for any longer periods. Wear a hat, long sleeves, and pants, and seek shade.
If you are taking a sun-sensitizing medication like birth control pills, St. John’s wort or antibiotics: Get sun exposure according to your skin type. If you experience a reaction to sunlight like a rash, see a doctor and consider dietary sources or supplements for vitamin D (a minimum of 400 IU daily) instead of relying on sun exposure.
What about Sunscreens: Are they safe?
Sunscreens have recently become controversial. A recent article in the New Scientist reports on a suspected link between some chemicals "that mimic the effect of estrogen [and] are common in sunscreens .... trigger developmental abnormalities in rats" Richard Sharpe from the Medical Research Council's Reproductive Biology Unit in Edinburgh, Scotland, is quoted in the article: "It's not good news that we are lathering ourselves with creams with hormonal activity."
The sunscreen chemicals in question are:
• 4-methyl-benzophenone-3 homosolate
• 4-methyl-benxylidene camphor (4-MBC)
• octyl-methoxycinnamate
• octyl-dimethyl-PABA
http://www.newscientist.com/newsletter/news.jsp?id=3Dns228733
A 2000 study conducted by the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority showed that low doses of octyl methoxycinnamate killed mouse skin cells. According to researchers, their results suggest that OMC may be toxic to human skin tissue as well. So until we know more about OMC, the Norwegian research suggests that it would be wise to look for sunscreen alternatives that don't contain this chemical.
According to researchers at the ] Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Zurich, “Our findings indicate that UV screens should be tested for endocrine activity, in view of possible long-term effects in humans and wildlife.”
PMID: 11333184 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland. schlumpm@pharma.unizh.ch
In order to protect consumers from ultraviolet (UV) radiation and enhance light stability of the product, three to eight UV filters are usually added to consumer sunscreen products. High lipophilicity of the UV filters has been shown to cause bioaccumulation (build up over time) in fish and humans, leading to environmental levels of UV filters that are similar to those of PCBs and DDT. “Experiments all supported our hypothesis that mixtures of UV filters act additively to activate the estrogen receptor (ER). In view of our results and observed plasma levels it cannot be excluded that daily exposure to sunscreen formulations may have estrogenic effects in humans.”
PMID: 16183391 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, PO Box 80176, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands. M.Heneweer@iras.uu.nl
Sunscreens are designed to prevent skin cancer by absorbing ultraviolet radiation from the sun before it gets to the DNA in skin cells.
Researchers at the American Physical Society presented findings that indicated that the octyl methoxycinnamate can bind to DNA, and cause alterations and damage.
American Physical Society Annual March Meeting, March 20-24, 2000 Minneapolis, MN, abstract #F36.093
Zinc Oxide
Many sunscreens contain the active ingredient zinc oxide. The problem with zinc oxide is that it is a natural anti-inflammatory. Normally, you would think that this was a good thing, but in a sunscreen, you don’t want a false reading! Zinc oxide prolongs the illusion that you are not burning beyond the point where damage has already occurred. Zinc oxide has been banned for use in Europe because it tends to hide the effects of sun-damage, possibly prolonging one’s exposure to harmful UV rays. In fact, A class action lawsuit filed recently in Los Angeles accuses sunscreen makers of exposing millions of people to cancer and other dangers through false and misleading claims about the effectiveness of their products.
This would explain the phenomenon where you might use sunscreen and stay in the sun all day with no apparent damage. Then the next day, your skin is completely raw. This is because the zinc oxide in your sunscreen hid the fact that you were already burnt!
Titanium Dioxide
Titanium dioxide is another ingredient found in many sunscreens, but again it is a compound whose toxicity remains unclear. Researchers now say the chemical can be absorbed by human skin. Titanium dioxide is a fine, white powder, used in sunscreens because of its ability to reflect and scatter ultraviolet light. The compound's full effects on human health are still under investigation. The U.S. government's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) labels the chemical "a potential occupational carcinogen." Skin & Allergy News (February 1997, p. 15)
And do they work?
Although the American Academy of Dermatology will have you bathing in sunscreen, it is one of the LAST things you want to put on your body. It is full of toxic chemicals that can cause problems in your system. Even if it didn’t contribute to disease, the central issue is that it doesn’t even work.
SPF numbers only refer to UVB (burning ray) in the 290- to 320-nm range protection. SPF numbers do not protect you from a different part of the ultraviolet light spectrum, the UVA (tanning ray) in the 320- to 400-nm range. UVA is what causes skin damage, including skin cancer, advanced aging and wrinkling. Many popular sunscreens provide a high UVB protection but very little or no UVA protection.
A British dermatologist published an article earlier this year which showed no clear indication that sunscreens worked. Another study in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology last year found the same thing. A far more logical solution would be to use clothing to protect yourslf against the sun.
The rising rate of skin cancer has put using sunblock right up there with flossing your teeth when it comes to healthy habits. In 2002, 50 percent-- approximately 1.1 million cases--of all cancers in the United States were skin cancers, of which nearly 10,000 cases were fatal. It is easy to understand why many people have become fearful of the sun's warmth and glow.
Researchers at the UK's Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT) acquired skin samples from consenting patients undergoing surgery (such as breast reduction). In separate tests, three commercial sunscreens with high sun protection factors (SPF) of 20 or more were applied to the skin samples. The samples were then exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) light at intensities comparable to that of sunlight.
Using electron spin resonance spectroscopy (which determines natural radiation concentrations), the researchers found that free radical damage beneath the surface of the skin was reduced by approximately 50 percent in skin samples treated with sunscreen, compared to unprotected skin. And while that may seem at first to be effective, researchers determined that the actual "free-radical protection factor" was only 2.
In other words, the sun protection factor of 20+ held true only with ultraviolet B (UVB) rays - the rays that cause sunburn. But protection from the free-radical damage that corrupts DNA and may prompt skin cancer was judged to be insufficient.
The authors of the study fear that because sunscreen use helps prevent burning, people feel safe spending many extra hours in the sun. Meanwhile, those additional hours of exposure may add up to cumulative DNA damage and skin cancer because a considerable amount of UVA rays are still getting through.
Skin cancer experts have warned that sunscreens do not offer full protection against malignant melanoma, a highly dangerous form of skin cancer, even when they are applied correctly. Professor Roy Sanders and colleagues at a British medical charity called the Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust found that sunscreens were not very effective at blocking ultraviolet A (UVA) light even when the packaging stated that the product offered protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Many people think that sunbathing is safe as long as they apply sunscreens, however Sanders says that this is not the case and that sunscreens may actually increase the risk of developing melanoma as people wearing them tend to stay out in the sun for much longer. Cases of malignant melanoma in Britain have doubled every 10 years since the 1950s. CATEGORY: Cancer
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 29th September 2003
Sunscreens May Not Prevent Melanoma
Sunscreen can prevent the most common types of skin cancer-- basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas -- but it does not protect against melanoma, a more rare but deadly type of skin cancer, according to a researcher from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
Instead, genetic factors such as a tendency to develop moles, combined with fair skin and fair hair increase melanoma susceptibility. Those with red or blond hair and light colored eyes and pale skin are six times more likely to develop melanoma than those with darker features, and those with numerous moles also have six times the melanoma risk as those with fewer moles. Those who use sunscreen do not have a lower risk of melanoma, even though it has been theorized that preventing sunburns in childhood with sunscreen might lower the risk of cancer.Based on the evidence, researchers concluded that sunburn itself probably does not cause melanoma.
The study was presented last week at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Philadelphia. Indeed, because sunscreen prevents sunburn it might encourage light-skinned individuals to spend more time in the sun, possibly increasing melanoma risk, said the researchers.
Cases of melanoma are on the rise, and it is now the 10th most common form of cancer in the US.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Leaky Gut, Molecular Mimicry and Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune Diseases have been particularly difficult to treat in the past. As we gain new understanding about their origin we begin to make inroads into the treatment and resolution of these health issues. Several mechanisms of disease have recently come to light.
An autoimmune disease is a disease characterized by the body’s own defense mechanism attacking itself. In the case of Rheumatoid Arthritis, the body attacks its own cartilage and synovial tissue. In the case of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the body attacks its own thyroid tissue, in the case of Lupus, connective tissue is at risk and in Multiple Sclerosis the myelin tissue is targeted. Autoimmune diseases generally have a hereditary component, which is triggered by another factor in the person’s environment or diet. The genetic tendencies are not necessarily expressed if we can avoid the triggering event that begins the autoimmune response.
Increased intestinal permeability, commonly referred to as “Leaky Gut”, is thought to be a predisposing factor to the autoimmune disorders. Leaky Gut is characterized by increased permeability of the small intestine. Normally the small intestine is a very tight barrier to invading organisms such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxins and undigested foods. Leaky gut can occur as a result of several mechanisms. Parasites, candida imbalance, viruses, food allergies, use of NSAIDS (non-steroidal antiinflammatories) antibiotic use and various other drugs can lead to increase in the permeability of the small intestine. This increase in permeability allows unwanted toxins, undigested foods and other pathogens direct access to the blood stream.
Once in the blood stream, these invaders can cause a chain of events or reactions to unfold. The first event comes from the adrenal glands, which essentially sound the alarm that an invasion has occurred. This alerts the immune system to react and “send out the troops” in the form of macrophages, which are a type of white blood cell. These white blood cells are in charge of cleaning up the debris in the blood. If they are overwhelmed by the amount of debris around, they release a chemical called histamine in order to facilitate the process. Histamine is an inflammatory substance. When histamine is released it may cause some unwanted side effects such as joint pain, headaches, mucus production, congestion, fatigue, brain fog, etc. Once the body has identified the invader, further exposure to these invaders can have a quicker response from the immune system. Food allergies and sensitivities are created in just this way. These food allergies or hyperimmune responses may further aggravate an already existing leaky gut situation.
Signs and symptoms of leaky gut include fatigue, muscle pain, abdominal pain, bloating, fever, skin rash, food allergies, migraines, diarrhea, and chronic diseases. Causes of “Leaky Gut Syndrome” include: consumption of allergenic foods, premature birth, whole food exposure before 4-6 months of age, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, radiation therapy, alcohol consumption, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, secretory IgA deficiency, corticosteroids, lack of variety of foods, amino acid deficiency, zinc or vitamin A deficiency, digestive tract infections (bacteria, candida, viruses, parasites) bioflavonoid insufficiencies, excess stress, poor digestion, antibiotic therapy and excessive sugar consumption.
Molecular Mimicry
Bacteria, viruses, and undigested foods can share similar protein sequences with our own human tissue. Thus these invaders may look like “us” to the immune system. Here is where we get into serious trouble with autoimmune responses. When these substances activate the immune system (in genetically susceptible people), antibodies are formed to attack the foreign substances or antigens. The problem is that the antibodies also recognize the protein sequences in the self or human tissue that are similar to the foreign protein in the bacteria or virus. This is called cross reactivity.
People with hereditary predisposition for autoimmune diseases are particularly susceptible to food interactions with the immune system. Some common culprits are milk proteins, wheat gluten, and kidney beans. Lectins are often responsible for these reactions. Other lectin containing foods include lentils, peas, jack beans, peanuts, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice and soy.
Treating and Preventing Autoimmune Disorders
Treatment of these disorders necessarily requires a multi-tiered approach. One of the first things to address should be the digestive system. If the foods are not broken down properly and the stomach is not producing enough hydrochloric acid to kill pathogens and break down food proteins then the autoimmune responses will continue. Hydrochloric acid and pancreatic enzymes should be considered.
Repair of the leaky gut should be considered next. It is extremely important to “close the door” to incoming antigens (allergenic substances) and pathogens. Allergy testing and removal are critical. We must address the food sensitivities that are involved and remove them from the diet for a period of time to allow the immune system to rest and to help repair the leaky gut.
Getting the digestive system working well, repairing the leaky gut, and removing allergens from the diet is only the beginning, however. Once the autoimmune response has been triggered it is extremely difficult to stop this response of the body. At least it has been in the past. However, with the use of Cetyl Myristoleate this has become much easier to accomplish.
Cetyl Myristoleate to the Rescue
Cetyl Myristoleate was developed by Harry W. Diehl, a scientist who was doing research on populations of rats to try to find a cure for arthritis. He wondered why he was able to induce arthritis in populations of rats but was unable to duplicate this in mice. He soon isolated a substance called Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO) that protected mice from arthritis. Dr. Diehl began injecting this substance into rats and found that he was unable to now induce arthritis in these rats. Cetyl Myristoleate provided a sort of immunity to the disease.
In 1991 CMO appeared on the market as a dietary supplement and has been proven effective in relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It seems to work by turning off the autoimmune response. Certain nutrients are recommended along with the CMO to increase it‘s effectiveness. Omega 3 fish oils, or flax oil, 300-500IU Vit. E, Glucosamine sulfate, pancreatic enzymes, lipase, lecithin and ox bile should be considered. Usually only one month on this regimen will be sufficient. In some cases it may take longer. Carbonated beverages, citrus juices, sugar; alcohol and caffeine intake should be avoided.
Case Studies
Case of Margaret M.
Margaret was a 57 year-old Caucasian woman who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1988. Her daily pain level was so severe that she was forced to quit her job as a counselor and go on disability. She was on 10 medications when she came to the office for treatment. (Guafinesen, SMZ/TMP, Cyclobenzaprine, Effexor, Clonazepan, Hydrocodone, Levoxyl, Calulose, Ambien, Vicadin-PRN). In addition she also had Type I insulin dependent diabetes, a paralyzed colon, severe fatigue, sleep disturbances (that usually accompany fibromyalgia) and severe hair loss. On August 13, 2001, her first visit, we started her on a regimen of supplements that included Total Multimmune-an immune support blend with IP6, and power mushrooms, Calcium D-Glucarate to decrease her estrogen levels which were found to be inordinately high, PSI Nighttime to help with sleep, Progest E- a very potent form of natural progesterone, and Cetyl Myr-Plus.
On September 17, 2001 Margaret was seen for a follow-up visit and reported that she was now pain-free. She had discontinued all medications except Levoxyl, and Effexor on her own and still had no pain. She also reported that she was sleeping a normal 8 hours and waking refreshed and that her energy levels were great.
Case of Mark H.
Mark was a 47 year old male Caucasian who had been seen in our office for complaints of severe asthma, allergies, chronic sinus infections and fatigue since he was a child. He had been using inhalers (Vanceril, and Maxair) for 8 years. We had been seeing him since 1998 with good results but he still had to use his inhaler almost nightly. His energy was good, he was able to work out without breathing problems and able to fight off infections well. We started him on 2 Cetyl Myr Plus a day on May 31, 2001 along with a protocol for treating leaky gut problems. He was seen for a follow-up visit on June 27, 2001 and reported significant relief from the asthma with only occasional use of the inhaler. His sense of smell was returning, and he was feeling great. We continued on the protocol and will do a follow-up visit in October.
References:
1. Toohey, Lynn Nutri-Notes , Vol. 5, #2 Mar-Apr 1998.
2. Dr. Charles Cochran and Dr. Raymond Dent, “Cetyl Myristoleate-A Unique Natural Compound Valuable in Arthritis Conditions“, Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, July 1997, PP. 70-73
3. Ackerson, Amber N.D., Nutritional Management of Intestinal Permeability Defects, Abstract
4. Goldberg, Paul A. MPH, DC, Musculoskeletal Complaints and Intestinal Permeability, Nutritional Perspectives.
5. Appleton, Jeremy ND, Leaky Gut Syndrome: Restoring Integrity of the Intestinal Mucosa, Advancing the Standard Volume No. 2, Issue No. 1, February 1999.
6. Toohey, Lynn MS, PhD. The Little Buggers Steal the Headlines Again, Nutri Notes, Vol. 3, # 1, Jan-Feb 1996.
An autoimmune disease is a disease characterized by the body’s own defense mechanism attacking itself. In the case of Rheumatoid Arthritis, the body attacks its own cartilage and synovial tissue. In the case of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the body attacks its own thyroid tissue, in the case of Lupus, connective tissue is at risk and in Multiple Sclerosis the myelin tissue is targeted. Autoimmune diseases generally have a hereditary component, which is triggered by another factor in the person’s environment or diet. The genetic tendencies are not necessarily expressed if we can avoid the triggering event that begins the autoimmune response.
Increased intestinal permeability, commonly referred to as “Leaky Gut”, is thought to be a predisposing factor to the autoimmune disorders. Leaky Gut is characterized by increased permeability of the small intestine. Normally the small intestine is a very tight barrier to invading organisms such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxins and undigested foods. Leaky gut can occur as a result of several mechanisms. Parasites, candida imbalance, viruses, food allergies, use of NSAIDS (non-steroidal antiinflammatories) antibiotic use and various other drugs can lead to increase in the permeability of the small intestine. This increase in permeability allows unwanted toxins, undigested foods and other pathogens direct access to the blood stream.
Once in the blood stream, these invaders can cause a chain of events or reactions to unfold. The first event comes from the adrenal glands, which essentially sound the alarm that an invasion has occurred. This alerts the immune system to react and “send out the troops” in the form of macrophages, which are a type of white blood cell. These white blood cells are in charge of cleaning up the debris in the blood. If they are overwhelmed by the amount of debris around, they release a chemical called histamine in order to facilitate the process. Histamine is an inflammatory substance. When histamine is released it may cause some unwanted side effects such as joint pain, headaches, mucus production, congestion, fatigue, brain fog, etc. Once the body has identified the invader, further exposure to these invaders can have a quicker response from the immune system. Food allergies and sensitivities are created in just this way. These food allergies or hyperimmune responses may further aggravate an already existing leaky gut situation.
Signs and symptoms of leaky gut include fatigue, muscle pain, abdominal pain, bloating, fever, skin rash, food allergies, migraines, diarrhea, and chronic diseases. Causes of “Leaky Gut Syndrome” include: consumption of allergenic foods, premature birth, whole food exposure before 4-6 months of age, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, radiation therapy, alcohol consumption, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, secretory IgA deficiency, corticosteroids, lack of variety of foods, amino acid deficiency, zinc or vitamin A deficiency, digestive tract infections (bacteria, candida, viruses, parasites) bioflavonoid insufficiencies, excess stress, poor digestion, antibiotic therapy and excessive sugar consumption.
Molecular Mimicry
Bacteria, viruses, and undigested foods can share similar protein sequences with our own human tissue. Thus these invaders may look like “us” to the immune system. Here is where we get into serious trouble with autoimmune responses. When these substances activate the immune system (in genetically susceptible people), antibodies are formed to attack the foreign substances or antigens. The problem is that the antibodies also recognize the protein sequences in the self or human tissue that are similar to the foreign protein in the bacteria or virus. This is called cross reactivity.
People with hereditary predisposition for autoimmune diseases are particularly susceptible to food interactions with the immune system. Some common culprits are milk proteins, wheat gluten, and kidney beans. Lectins are often responsible for these reactions. Other lectin containing foods include lentils, peas, jack beans, peanuts, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice and soy.
Treating and Preventing Autoimmune Disorders
Treatment of these disorders necessarily requires a multi-tiered approach. One of the first things to address should be the digestive system. If the foods are not broken down properly and the stomach is not producing enough hydrochloric acid to kill pathogens and break down food proteins then the autoimmune responses will continue. Hydrochloric acid and pancreatic enzymes should be considered.
Repair of the leaky gut should be considered next. It is extremely important to “close the door” to incoming antigens (allergenic substances) and pathogens. Allergy testing and removal are critical. We must address the food sensitivities that are involved and remove them from the diet for a period of time to allow the immune system to rest and to help repair the leaky gut.
Getting the digestive system working well, repairing the leaky gut, and removing allergens from the diet is only the beginning, however. Once the autoimmune response has been triggered it is extremely difficult to stop this response of the body. At least it has been in the past. However, with the use of Cetyl Myristoleate this has become much easier to accomplish.
Cetyl Myristoleate to the Rescue
Cetyl Myristoleate was developed by Harry W. Diehl, a scientist who was doing research on populations of rats to try to find a cure for arthritis. He wondered why he was able to induce arthritis in populations of rats but was unable to duplicate this in mice. He soon isolated a substance called Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO) that protected mice from arthritis. Dr. Diehl began injecting this substance into rats and found that he was unable to now induce arthritis in these rats. Cetyl Myristoleate provided a sort of immunity to the disease.
In 1991 CMO appeared on the market as a dietary supplement and has been proven effective in relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It seems to work by turning off the autoimmune response. Certain nutrients are recommended along with the CMO to increase it‘s effectiveness. Omega 3 fish oils, or flax oil, 300-500IU Vit. E, Glucosamine sulfate, pancreatic enzymes, lipase, lecithin and ox bile should be considered. Usually only one month on this regimen will be sufficient. In some cases it may take longer. Carbonated beverages, citrus juices, sugar; alcohol and caffeine intake should be avoided.
Case Studies
Case of Margaret M.
Margaret was a 57 year-old Caucasian woman who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1988. Her daily pain level was so severe that she was forced to quit her job as a counselor and go on disability. She was on 10 medications when she came to the office for treatment. (Guafinesen, SMZ/TMP, Cyclobenzaprine, Effexor, Clonazepan, Hydrocodone, Levoxyl, Calulose, Ambien, Vicadin-PRN). In addition she also had Type I insulin dependent diabetes, a paralyzed colon, severe fatigue, sleep disturbances (that usually accompany fibromyalgia) and severe hair loss. On August 13, 2001, her first visit, we started her on a regimen of supplements that included Total Multimmune-an immune support blend with IP6, and power mushrooms, Calcium D-Glucarate to decrease her estrogen levels which were found to be inordinately high, PSI Nighttime to help with sleep, Progest E- a very potent form of natural progesterone, and Cetyl Myr-Plus.
On September 17, 2001 Margaret was seen for a follow-up visit and reported that she was now pain-free. She had discontinued all medications except Levoxyl, and Effexor on her own and still had no pain. She also reported that she was sleeping a normal 8 hours and waking refreshed and that her energy levels were great.
Case of Mark H.
Mark was a 47 year old male Caucasian who had been seen in our office for complaints of severe asthma, allergies, chronic sinus infections and fatigue since he was a child. He had been using inhalers (Vanceril, and Maxair) for 8 years. We had been seeing him since 1998 with good results but he still had to use his inhaler almost nightly. His energy was good, he was able to work out without breathing problems and able to fight off infections well. We started him on 2 Cetyl Myr Plus a day on May 31, 2001 along with a protocol for treating leaky gut problems. He was seen for a follow-up visit on June 27, 2001 and reported significant relief from the asthma with only occasional use of the inhaler. His sense of smell was returning, and he was feeling great. We continued on the protocol and will do a follow-up visit in October.
References:
1. Toohey, Lynn Nutri-Notes , Vol. 5, #2 Mar-Apr 1998.
2. Dr. Charles Cochran and Dr. Raymond Dent, “Cetyl Myristoleate-A Unique Natural Compound Valuable in Arthritis Conditions“, Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, July 1997, PP. 70-73
3. Ackerson, Amber N.D., Nutritional Management of Intestinal Permeability Defects, Abstract
4. Goldberg, Paul A. MPH, DC, Musculoskeletal Complaints and Intestinal Permeability, Nutritional Perspectives.
5. Appleton, Jeremy ND, Leaky Gut Syndrome: Restoring Integrity of the Intestinal Mucosa, Advancing the Standard Volume No. 2, Issue No. 1, February 1999.
6. Toohey, Lynn MS, PhD. The Little Buggers Steal the Headlines Again, Nutri Notes, Vol. 3, # 1, Jan-Feb 1996.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Emotional Freedom at Last!
Emotional Freedom technique is sweeping the country! It is the most profound technique to come out of natural healing and energy medicine to date. With this technique many have been able to overcome limiting beliefs, phobias, traumatic events and anxieties very quickly and permanently. This stunning discovery in how the body works sound almost too good to be true. What has been discovered is that “The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system”, according to discoverer Dr. Roger Callahan.
Dr.Callahan, a psychologist with over 40 years experience, developed Thought Field Therapy. TFT was further refined by Gary Craig a Stanford Engineer who became interested in personal improvement. He developed the technique known as EFT, which is changing the practice of psychology. You no longer have to spend years in talk therapy to achieve results. You can achieve amazing results and progress with emotional issues sometimes within minutes. There is no long drawn out “tell me your life story” feature to EFT. There are no pills. There is no painfully reliving past traumatic events. By correcting the energy imbalances created by emotions you can take the charge out of them.
Our electrical systems are vital to our physical health. When energy stops flowing, we die. About 5,000 years ago, the Chinese discovered a complex system of energy circuits that run throughout the body. These energy circuits or meridians are the core of many healing techniques today. EFT uses this knowledge to unlock the trapped emotions in the body and release there hold on the conscious and unconscious mind. Once the energy meridians are balanced the emotional intensity goes away. This is the most powerful thing you can learn about your emotions, they are caused by energy disruptions. If a memory can no longer cause a disruption in the body’s energy system, the negative emotion can no longer occur.
These techniques can give you the freedom that allows you to blossom. They allow you to rise above whatever hidden hurdles keep you from performing to your capacity. Freedom to earn that greater income, make those business calls, start a new business, improve your golf score, lose that weight, approach people with ease, get rid of that phobias that keeps you from living your life fully.
Can you imagine freedom from years of self doubt and torment? We see consistent results using this technique. Most problems vanish in minutes, a few problems take longer, maybe two or three brief sessions. The most difficult ones tend to require anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. However, these are in the minority.
A new innovation such as this technique naturally meets with skepticism because it violates people’s beliefs. EFT contradicts just a about every belief there is about psychology. Quick relief for “difficult” emotional problems are generally considered impossible. If your reaction to the claims in the previous paragraph sounds a little too good to be true, I’m not surprised. This is a common response to these techniques. But I urge you to try it out before you pass judgment. I have seen these techniques perform true miracles right before my eyes. And people make improvement despite their skepticism.
One other advantage of this technique is that once you learn it (it’s easy to learn) you can perform it on yourself. You can continue to work on your emotions at home on a continuous basis. (I do this technique on myself almost daily!) And according to Dr. Mercola, one of the biggest fans of EFT, “Perhaps the biggest limit you will encounter in using EFT is not recognizing how much you can do with it. “ You’ll never know how good you can be until you try!!
I introduced EFT to the professional athletes and trainers at a Charles Poliquin seminar in Phoenix this year. It was incredibly well received by these folks. They saw the true value of clearing underlying belief systems in their clients. Many of these clients are Olympic athletes, trying to achieve their personal best. We all know that our thoughts and beliefs are incredibly important in these endeavors. The mental game is every bit as important as our physical game in achieving the results we are after.
Wholistic Kinesiology Center is located at 9809 Candelaria NE. Opened in 1996 by Dr. J Dunn, the center has become the focal point for education in Natural healing in the community. Seminars and lectures are given on a regular basis. Dr. J Dunn is the developer of Wholistic Kinesiology®. Six month courses in Wholistic Kinesiology are given twice a year. (EFT is taught as part of the course) All of our practitioners are trained in EFT. Come check it out-you’ll be amazed!! For a Free mini demo Call 275-9809 today!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Adrenal Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common complaints among adult patients. If you also have symptoms such as:
· Fatigue
· Anxiety
· Allergies
· Frequent infections
· Arthritis
· Dizziness
· Lightheadedness
· Depression
· Reduced memory
· Difficulties in concentrating
· Reduced sex drive
· Insomnia,
· Need for coffee or stimulants to get going in the morning,
· Cravings for salty, fatty, and high protein food
· Increase symptoms of PMS (women)
· Pain in the upper back or neck with no apparent reasons
· Inability to lose weight after extensive efforts
· Food and or inhalant allergies
· Dry and thin skin
· Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
· Low Body Temperature
· Heart Palpitations
· Unexplained hair loss
· Alternating constipation and diarrhea
· Dyspepsia
You may be suffering from adrenal fatigue.
Our modern lifestyles contribute to incredible amounts of stress. Especially our American lifestyle of more and more work hours, cramming phone calls in between appointments and on the road, working long hours on the computer. We are constantly on the go from sun up to sun down and then some. The onset of this disease can creep up on you. Adrenal fatigue has so many symptoms which many doctors don’t recognize as coming from the adrenal glands. Patients are told that they are stressed and need to learn to relax more. We are told that stress is hard on us, but I think it is largely underestimated how it can affect every system in our bodies.
Maintaining a balance of stress and rest along with being able to adapt well to stressful situations is the key to survival. Underlying emotional issues can be responsible for an ongoing underlying stress level. Undetected infections can also be contributing to the issue, genetic tendencies may also be involved. Many things may be involved in the underlying imbalance. With Wholistic Kinesiology, we can sort through all these possible contributing elements and begin to restore balance and adaptability to the body.
If you have many of these signs and symptoms, it is time you consider adrenal fatigue as a possible cause once you have ruled out other organic pathologies. There are several tests available to evaluate the health of the adrenals. Experts agree that saliva tests will reveal the most information on the adrenals, however using Muscle Testing techniques can reveal the myriad of underlying issues that might be leading to your adrenal problems. Using this approach has many advantages to the expense and snapshot approach revealed through blood, saliva and urine tests.
Using Wholistic Kinesiology® techniques we can evaluate how well your adrenal glands are functioning and devise an individualized program for restoring your health and balance.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Combining the Best of Both Worlds
The Line has been drawn and it needs to be erased. Where is it written that you can’t combine natural medicine with allopathic medicine?? It is very rare that you run into a practitioner on either side and get a balanced viewpoint about the other. With all the talk about integrative medicine, there really doesn’t seem to be movement on either side to really do this. I believe it’s up to us as patients or warriors in the battle of preventive health to call the shots and demand that both sides begin to bury the hatchet.
I recently had a brush with death at the hands of a medical intervention. I was infected with a rare and slow growing bacteria in the hospital when there for a routine appendectomy. I eventually had to return to the hospital to get medical intervention again, as I was unable to get on top of this infection through natural means. I was on three different antibiotics. My doctor asked if I was taking any natural supplements and asked me to stop. I refused. They were helping me avoid a yeast infection, reducing the inevitable gas and bloating that occurs with these medications and keeping my energy up. I know not to combine medications with certain supplements, so I am confident in what I was doing.
Really, I am a self proclaimed medical basher, but I learned a few things through this experience. One very important lesson is that there is a place for both philosophies and they can be used together very effectively. So many people are frightened by their medical doctors into not combining the two because they don’t have any knowledge of natural medicine, and natural health practitioners are equally as guilty of believing that all procedures and medications given by the MD’s are bad, poisonous, dangerous and completely unnecessary.
It’s time for a new paradigm and a blurring of the lines between the two disciplines. We need to start demanding what we want as consumers of health care. It is up to us to make choices and to vote with our feet. I propose the following bill of rights for us medical consumers that want more out of our health care professionals.
Patient bill of rights:
1. We demand to be listened to, we demand that you take your time and really understand our complaints and feel our pain.
2. We reserve the right to choose our own course of medical care with your expert advice to help guide us and we don’t want to be bullied into procedures or medications that we don’t fully understand.
3. We demand to have every procedure or medication or supplement explained to us in a manner and in language that we can understand. We need to know the risks, outcome and goals of each.
4. We want to be given choices, where a noninvasive, less expensive procedure will suffice let us be given the choice.
5. We demand health care providers that will refer us out to others more competent when they are not the right one to take care of our needs. We want practitioners that put our health above their egos.
Using Natural Health Care with modern Allopathic Medicine: What would that look like?
How about a combination of the two that really covered all our needs. What if we could go to a natural health care practitioner that took care of our needs for preventative medicine. They would check us for nutritional deficiencies that would later lead to disease processes. They would make sure we were getting the proper supplements. Our diets, and lifestyles would be evaluated and we would be counseled on ways to improve our chances of remaining well. We would be evaluated, and corrected for structural imbalances that could lead to further injury later in life. We would have basic vital signs measured to be sure there were no signs of dangerous medical conditions impending. We would also see on occasion a medical practitioner that would do a more detailed physical and include occasional blood work to evaluate our path to optimal health. When such an occasion arose for emergency medical intervention, we would be referred to the appropriate health care provider. If medication was absolutely necessary, our natural health care provider would be well enough informed to counsel us on nutritional supplements to reduce the side effects and not interfere with the medication. What a concept! Let’s demand that now, it’s up to you!!
Visit our website at
www.wholistickinesiology.com
I recently had a brush with death at the hands of a medical intervention. I was infected with a rare and slow growing bacteria in the hospital when there for a routine appendectomy. I eventually had to return to the hospital to get medical intervention again, as I was unable to get on top of this infection through natural means. I was on three different antibiotics. My doctor asked if I was taking any natural supplements and asked me to stop. I refused. They were helping me avoid a yeast infection, reducing the inevitable gas and bloating that occurs with these medications and keeping my energy up. I know not to combine medications with certain supplements, so I am confident in what I was doing.
Really, I am a self proclaimed medical basher, but I learned a few things through this experience. One very important lesson is that there is a place for both philosophies and they can be used together very effectively. So many people are frightened by their medical doctors into not combining the two because they don’t have any knowledge of natural medicine, and natural health practitioners are equally as guilty of believing that all procedures and medications given by the MD’s are bad, poisonous, dangerous and completely unnecessary.
It’s time for a new paradigm and a blurring of the lines between the two disciplines. We need to start demanding what we want as consumers of health care. It is up to us to make choices and to vote with our feet. I propose the following bill of rights for us medical consumers that want more out of our health care professionals.
Patient bill of rights:
1. We demand to be listened to, we demand that you take your time and really understand our complaints and feel our pain.
2. We reserve the right to choose our own course of medical care with your expert advice to help guide us and we don’t want to be bullied into procedures or medications that we don’t fully understand.
3. We demand to have every procedure or medication or supplement explained to us in a manner and in language that we can understand. We need to know the risks, outcome and goals of each.
4. We want to be given choices, where a noninvasive, less expensive procedure will suffice let us be given the choice.
5. We demand health care providers that will refer us out to others more competent when they are not the right one to take care of our needs. We want practitioners that put our health above their egos.
Using Natural Health Care with modern Allopathic Medicine: What would that look like?
How about a combination of the two that really covered all our needs. What if we could go to a natural health care practitioner that took care of our needs for preventative medicine. They would check us for nutritional deficiencies that would later lead to disease processes. They would make sure we were getting the proper supplements. Our diets, and lifestyles would be evaluated and we would be counseled on ways to improve our chances of remaining well. We would be evaluated, and corrected for structural imbalances that could lead to further injury later in life. We would have basic vital signs measured to be sure there were no signs of dangerous medical conditions impending. We would also see on occasion a medical practitioner that would do a more detailed physical and include occasional blood work to evaluate our path to optimal health. When such an occasion arose for emergency medical intervention, we would be referred to the appropriate health care provider. If medication was absolutely necessary, our natural health care provider would be well enough informed to counsel us on nutritional supplements to reduce the side effects and not interfere with the medication. What a concept! Let’s demand that now, it’s up to you!!
Visit our website at
www.wholistickinesiology.com
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