Real-Life Goblins and Ghouls and A Simple Remedy

Every culture in the world has had stories of mischievous or malevolent creatures that interact in our human world in various ways. Goblins may be even be kind of cute and not really harmful, expect for those few who behave in a more sinister manner. Of course, the same could be said for humans!

Ghouls, however, are a different story. The word itself comes from the Arabic “to seize.” Ghouls were known in folklore to lure people into graveyards or deserts to eat them. Greedy or glutinous people have sometimes been referred to as ghouls. It makes sense when you consider that certain types of addictions (including money) seem to replace the soul and destroy the person from within.

Halloween seems like the perfect time to evaluate our own protection against these creatures. Recently I had a very interesting conversation with someone who has years of experience in private security, as well as extensive military and counter-terrorism training. He told me that the two most important aspects of security are deterrence and buying time.

We can apply this to our goals for a long health span and avoiding the debilitating consequences of chronic ill-health that plague the majority of Americans.

There are a vast number of steps that can be taken to deter ill-health. You can probably list a number of them for yourself. Most of them are common sense and fundamental, without even adding in all the bio-hacks from the gurus in fitness and extreme sports.

The often unknown and rarely considered element is buying time. What is the most challenging aspect of a cancer diagnosis? It’s the fact that the cancer may be encroaching on the body rapidly and the oncologist will push for immediate treatment. This causes a panicked approach in the patient and the family to get it out NOW. The time seems to be sucked out, allowing no nuanced or holistic approaches to how the cancer took root in the first place. The oncologist is applying his/her training, that nothing else except poisoning by surgery, drugs and radiation will work quickly enough, or at all.

In some cases, this may be true regarding an aggressive cancer. Other life-threatening conditions seem to rob us of the time we have to be healthy and productive. Neurological conditions are an example, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons, and Dementia. These may linger for decades with a slow decline.

Diabetes is an epidemic in the United States and causes more blindness, amputation, and kidney failure than any other cause.

Here is the crazy truth. These are all metabolic diseases. They are all caused by choices we make, and the lack of regulation from the agencies who decide what is allowed in our food and our environment.

I wonder how different our lives would have been if we didn’t have ultra-processed foods like seed oils and high-fructose corn syrup in all our prepared foods or if our food crops weren’t GMOed and sprayed with glyphosate and other pesticides?

Would Americans be the most unhealthy of all the Western countries? And would we be spending 17.3% of our GDP (gross national product) on “healthcare,” which should actually be called by what it really is-sick care. i

You might say that these diseases are ghouls and goblins, but those who profit by selling us garbage to eat, and market sickness to us at every turn are the real ghouls.

Okay, you know that our food and environment is affecting our health. But you are busy and there are other more pressing issues for you right now. So, what can you do that doesn’t require more time and money than you want to spend right now?

If you look at disease progression, what happens is that toxins and harmful chemicals and seed oils and excess sugar damage cells and tissue. That is the simplicity of what occurs. So, first is deterrence, which means eliminate the dangerous substance. Maybe pick one area that you know is toxic, such as a personal care item or processed food and change it out for something healthier.

The second one is buy time. Chronic health problems usually take years or even decades to reach a critical level, although the time period has gotten shorter, especially for people who have lots of pharmaceutical interventions of any kind, even when they are life-saving.

Getting rid of some of the toxins can help buy time for your body to rebalance and repair. Big detox programs are wonderful and highly recommended on a regular basis. But you have to carve out time to do those when there aren’t a million distractions.

I have been using a new Detox product that is for daily use, and I have seen some excellent results. Some weight loss, better sleep, less congestion, less joint pain, more energy and stamina are a few. Start with one capsule and work up to 3/day. There may be a very slight detox response at first. I was a bit more tired and achey but also slept very well. I take one first thing in the morning with warm water and again in the evening. This detox product is mostly made of enzymes, with some herbs for liver, inflammation and parasites. Take the Detox supplement on an empty stomach, and take digestive enzymes (Biozyme, Enzycore, Zypan, MF 90) with meals.

This is a great preparation for the Holidays coming up, and could be used right through the Holiday feasting.

One of the interesting things about the body is that the more healthy things you do, the less the body wants unhealthy things. So, simple changes like adding regular detoxification and digestive enzymes may subtly improve your health and make it easier to avoid the constant temptations all around us.

Also, this is a simple remedy for those people in our lives who aren’t making the healthiest choices and really don’t want to learn (or hear) about it.

There are fairly painless ways to resist the Ghouls, and avoid the Goblins, improving your defense. Some wise prevention can help you avoid the crises moment when there is no time to think clearly. I don’t want anyone to have to give up the Ghost any sooner than they have to. So, I hope this little Trick will be the real Treat your body needs for your health and happiness

Let me know if you want to try the Detox supplement. We ship every from the office every day.

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Allergies? And What's So Important About Your Lymph?

I have lots of new things to share from the homeopathy and herbal worlds. Low energy or seasonal allergies can make you miserable, but there are some great solutions that come in liquid form, so that means less pills. This seems to be a strong pollen year here in many places, so let me know if you need some relief. Allergies can be handled at a root cause level.

You don’t need energy drinks, but you can jumpstart your energy and metabolism at a cellular level using homeopathic remedies, herbal medicine or nutritional supplements. This is one way to handle inflammation. I am using some homeopathy that directly influences the cells to make more ATP, which is cellular fuel for function.

Speaking of inflammation, how about a Lymph detox? The Lymphatic system is the white blood cell system in your body, and you have a number of sites like thyroid, spleen, tonsils and Lymph nodes that have lymphocytes, the cells of the Lymphatic system. It is an integral part of the immune system and carries lymph to the heart and carries away cellular waste products.

In Asia and Europe, lymphatic drainage is ofter performed to clean out the lymph system. There is a homeopathic lymph remedy that will help clear out the Lymph system. This may clear out old “stuff” and maybe even illnesses that have left a residue in the system.

There are reputed beauty benefits because the lymph does help remove toxins that affect skin. The Japanese beauty company Shiseido found a link between lymph and sagging skin. iCongested lymph vessels may cause swelling called “lymphedema” and this may contribute to skin sagging.

Anything that rids the body of waste products is bound to produce healthier skin, and enhanced immunity, so there is no downside to supporting this vital organ system.

Traditionally, lymphatic drainage is performed through massage. But not everyone has access to a massage therapist or acupuncturist trained in the technique. So, I am very excited about these homeopathic remedies to flush out the lymph system. Let me know if you want to find out more and order for yourself.

Are You Eating Gluten-free Bread?

With all the concerns about wheat these days, many people are turning to gluten-free bread. Gluten is one of the proteins in wheat. It helps make bread dough elastic, and gives bread a light soft texture, instead of the heavy, chewier texture of whole grain breads.

What is it about bread that is so hard to give up? Toasted, snuggling up to sandwich ingredients, or slathered with butter, bread is a comfort food for many of us.

Modern commercial wheat has been genetically modified, laced with pesticides and stripped of nutrients. Even people who are not allergic to gluten, or to wheat, are turning to other flour choices for bread and crackers.

It is also possible to have sensitivity to other grains, or to grains in general. If eating grains in the form of bread, pasta, or crackers causes bloating, gas, constipation, indigestion, or changes in your stool, consider that your body may not do well on grains. Buckwheat, wild rice, and quinoa are not grains, and are good substitutes. One cup of quinoa contains 222 calories, 39 grams carb, 8 grams protein and 3 grams fat. It also has some vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy food. But the carb content means you should limit serving size. It is a better choice than rice for carbs and protein. http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/10352/2

In order to mimic the light soft texture of standard American bread, manufacturers have turned to ingredients like tapioca starch and potato starch. Tapioca is a root and was often used to make a pudding in the past. It is the high starch content of gluten-free breads which can sabotage blood sugar and cause weight gain. Starch is metabolized like sugar, so can spike and drop blood sugar just like cake. Udi’s Gluten-free Bread has tapioca and potato starch as the first ingredients. For 140 calories (2 slices) you get 22 grams of carbohydrate. My personal favorite is Food for Life Gluten-free Bread. The first ingredient is rice flour, and it has safflower oil instead of canola oil. Two slices are 110 calories.

There are other healthy choices, especially if you bake at home. Gluten-free flours from Bob’s Red Mill or Pamela’s, coconut flour and nut flours have less starch and higher protein generally. They will not mimic soft white bread, but they can be used for cookies, baked goods and crackers. Here is an easy recipe to try. http://theprettybee.com/2013/10/easy-gluten-free-cracker-recipe.html

If you are trying to lose weight, the best thing is to break the bread habit completely, and that can take some time. It really calls for some creative solutions to drop out the sandwich and toast habit. Bread and flour products are very filling, so your body may try to tell you that you are hungry, even if you have had plenty of calories. Add some more healthy fat to your diet, and that will help satisfy your appetite. You can also eat veggies in bulk, maybe with some healthy dip, like guacamole or hummus. Sliced jicama, celery, and cucumber can be used as dippers or carriers for things normally eaten with bread, such as tuna salad or nut butters.

How to know how much bread, pasta and starchy carbs you can eat? If you can eat starches without gaining inches or weight, your activity level and metabolism can handle the starch. If you are at all over-weight, you are eating beyond your body’s metabolic needs. Even if you are eating “whole grain” wheat and bread, you may be getting too much starch that turns to sugar. Ezekiel bread is still too high in carb content for many, if not most. Our activity levels just do not support high grain diets these days. The nutrition benefits are not balanced by any weight-gain that signifies a sugar metabolism problem.

If you are concerned about your gluten tolerance, come in for a blood spot test that will identify your true food sensitivities. You may be surprised by the foods that your body can’t tolerate that you may not have suspected.

For a detox or blood sugar program that helps break the bread/starch habit, come see us or call the office. 818-562-1400.

It has been said that man does not live by bread alone, and you can prove it to yourself by breaking the bread habit.

What's In a Flu Shot?

Nobody wants the flu. But getting a flu shot is like eating last year’s Christmas dinner for this year’s Thanksgiving. The current flu vaccine was made months ago, long before anyone knows what kinds of flu viruses will hit this year. The vaccine manufacturers try to guess what kinds of flu we will have. Based on what? Crystal ball gazing? There is absolutely no scientific way to guess what flu virus will make the rounds. So, you are exposing yourself to a new set of flu viruses that you might never have been exposed to.

Then there are vaccine additives that are highly toxic to human bodies. Ethylene glycol (also known as anti-freeze), Formaldehyde (used on dead bodies as a preservative and a known carcinogen), Aluminum (documented to cause neurological disorders), Mercury (one of the most toxic substances for humans in minute amounts), just to name a few.

Many flu vaccines are grown on eggs, so watch out if you have an egg allergy. I just found out that I have an allergy to egg yolk, which was a big surprise. Ask me about our new food allergy testing.

For more on the documented side-effects of flu vaccine see here. http://vaccineimpact.com/

In fact, the flu vaccine is only considered to be 56% effective across all groups and only 9% effective in seniors over 65. That may explain why you hear such varying reports from people, with some saying that the vaccine works and others complaining they had the worst flu ever after the vaccine. And don’t forget that the most common side-effect is flu-like symptoms. Isn’t that just like getting the flu?

If you choose to skip the vaccine, boost your immune system naturally. Most of my patients tell me that their immune system is much stronger on their supplement program and they can escape the flu even when everyone around them is sick.  A personalized program is best.

Here are some general tips:

Vitamin D is part of a good defense. Take a high quality fish oil supplement. Make sure it contains Vitamins D and A, which is how Nature always packages Vitamin D. Remember that it is not the dose that counts with vitamins, but how much your body can assimilate.

One of the strongest defenses against flu virus is to get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet. Many offices have candy and pastries shared daily, and sugar will lower your immune system for hours after consumption. The white blood cells that patrol for pathogens become lethargic after sugar consumption. Excess coffee and alcohol will also dehydrate you and lower your immune system.

Poor digestion will make you more susceptible to flu or any disease. The stomach acid needs to be strong in order to help you absorb minerals. Minerals help to keep cells walls strong. Viruses are not alive. They need to invade through cell walls and use the cell’s own mechanism to create more viruses. Digestive enzymes that contain Betaine HCL improve stomach acid. Apple Cider Vinegar is an old remedy for increasing stomach acid, as well.

The intestine is where the immune system resides mainly, so Probiotics may help to keep your gut flora stronger. Eating processed foods like white flour and junk foods gunks up the system and creates an environment for candida and other unhelpful organisms to grow out of control and take over. This is like having your garden over-run with weeds. Doing a gut detox before colder weather sets in would be a perfect way to prepare yourself for a healthier winter.

Adrenals are key for the immune system. Those little glands over the kidneys are involved in your stress response, whether stress is physical or emotional. If you have any allergies or asthma, your adrenals need support.

There are several supplements you can take to keep yourself stronger. Immuplex can be taken like a multi-vitamin. Herbal supplements like Echinacea Premium and Astragalus have immune support and anti-aging properties, as well.

We are here to help you stay well, not just in the winter, but all year.  This is a perfect time to do a Detox program, so get 10% off Detox supplements before November 5. That will give you enough time for a Detox by Thanksgiving. Or do a 10 Day Blood Sugar Balance program to get a grip on sugar cravings. You will sleep better and have more energy.

Be well!