Articles by Donna DiMarco

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  It is the time of year we hear how important it is for all women to examine their own breasts; and for those in the high risk category or in their forties it is the time where we are encouraged to begin getting mammograms. 

The premise is that if we detect breast cancer early enough we could prevent dying.  I don’t know about you but I think that finding out you have something is NOT preventing it.

Did you ever notice that we rarely hear about how to prevent breast cancer?  Think about it, how many times this month have you read that there is a correlation to iodine deficiency and breast cancer?  How many times have you been encouraged to have adequate vitamin D levels to prevent breast cancer?  According to a study in the Annals of New York Academy of Science, 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.). 

What about the fact that obesity, especially belly fat, acts to produce more estrogen, which increases the risk of breast cancer in some women?  I haven’t heard that mentioned this month.  I’ve also never heard any organization warn against hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills, both which are known to increase the risk of breast cancer.  This month have you read that many countries are banning the use of Bovine Growth Hormone from the food supply? 

I’ve never heard it mentioned that that the use of pesticides, plastics, and other xenoestrogens (toxic estrogen mimickers) can lead to additional hormone imbalance.

What about the toxic load from our polluted environment that may activate a genetic predisposition to breast cancer?  Have you been warned about this lately?  Have you been warned about the hazards of toxic cosmetic ingredients, air fresheners, paints, dry cleaning, cleaning products, etc? 

Let me clarify myself; detecting cancer early increases the chances of survival up to 98% but this is NOT prevention.  And as I mentioned in a previous article, mammograms increases the risk of breast cancer significantly, so why expose yourself to a carcinogen to prevent the disease?

Maybe if some of the money used in developing more ways to slash, cut and burn breast cancer victims were earmarked to telling the public about what really causes breast cancer, we would see the numbers decline.

A great resource is The Florida Breast Cancer Resource Network.  Sandra Blank, the Executive Director, is a wealth of information.  If you, or anyone you know, has been told they have breast cancer I suggest you give her a call at (800) 696-8349.
 

Let me suggest an important book by Dr Sherry Rogers called Detox or Die.  Dr. Rogers outlines a direct relationship between toxins and cancers of all kinds.  This is an important book for those who seek health and wellness.  She also gives you step by step instructions how to identify toxins, where to look, what to avoid and how to detox your life.

Stay Healthy,
Donna

I am home recovering from a cold that came upon me quite quickly.  I want to share some of how I dealt  with it so that you can be prepared and apply this method yourself.

I want to start by saying that a cold and the flu are caused by viruses, not bacteria, therefore antibiotics are ineffective.  In fact, taking antibiotics often can help develop “smart germs”,  but especially when the antibiotics are given for a virus.  This means that the germs mutate so that antibiotics have no effect on them.  This has been a problem in the general population simply because our food supply (animal sources) is routinely treated with antibiotics to overcome the deplorable conditions in which the animals are raised.  As a result, antibiotic-resistant infections are developing faster than we can find new drugs to fight them.  The use of antibiotics for the cold and flu only add to the problem.

Here’s what I did:  a bio-energetic scan indicated that a virus was trying to invade me.  This was identified before I experienced any symptoms.  My weak spot, as indicated by this scan, was my sinuses.  Since I was symptom free, I disregarded the warning.  Seven days later I came down with a severe sinus infection that turned into a cold. 

I immediately used my Neti pot.  A Neti pot looks like a ceramic watering can.  It is designed to irrigate the sinus passages with water.  I must admit that it takes some getting used to (detailed instructions are included in each pot).  I filled the pot with pure, luke-warm water and a small amount of Celtic sea salt.  As I lean over the sink, I turn my head in one direction and place the tip of the Neti pot in the higher nostril.  I then pour the water into the nostril.  You could feel it filling the sinus cavities and may even drip a bit down the back of the throat, but with minimal adjustment of the angle and turn of the head, the water quickly drains out the opposite nostril taking any dust, pollen, dirt, etc. out with the water.  As I finish pouring in one side, a short, abrupt blow of air through the nose expels any remaining mucus and water.  I then proceed to repeat this on the other nostril.

I routinely ask clients with allergies and sinus issues to rinse their sinuses daily to clear out any allergens like animal dander, dust and pollen from sticking to the mucous membranes and causing constant irritation.  It works really well.  But in my case, when I had a cold, I repeated this nasal lavage many times throughout the day.  This dislodged much of the mucus and kept my sinuses open.  As the cold progressed toward healing, this method eliminated much of the constant blowing of the nose and actually helped me sleep comfortably each night. 

I strongly encourage you to buy a Neti pot.  They are available for $13-$20 at health food stores, drug stores and on-line.  It is a must if you suffer from sinus problems or allergies; use it once daily.  It takes about three minutes for me to do this each morning.  You will feel the difference immediately.

If you have a cold, consider using the Neti pot more often to clear the sinuses and nasal passages.
Be sure to use a good water, not tap water.  Celtic Sea Salt should be in each home for seasoning; use a little in the Neti pot as well.  It really does get easier with practice.  This is better than vaporizers, ocean spray, humidifiers or inhales steam.  It incorporates the naturopathic beliefs of using water to help heal.  While you are at it, drink copious amounts of water to thin out the mucus and replace the water lost from sweating. 

Stay well,

Donna

If you’ve read my previous article on allergies and sensitivities, you know that there is a difference, and you also know that these sensitivities cause inflammation and can eventually lead to adrenal burn out. Food sensitivities can be a reason that diabetics are unable to get a grip on their blood sugar levels; even if they stick to a low carb diet. Food sensitivities can cause arthritis and achy joints to become more inflamed and can also result in sinus problems, achy back, high blood pressure and a myriad of other issues. One of the best ways to prevent developing sensitivities is to rotate your food at least every other day; every fourth day is better still. Those who eat the same thing every day are at highest risk. What if you have sensitivities already? One way to check is to avoid the suspected food for at least three weeks in order to see how your symptoms improve, then eat a lot of that food and take notice of how you feel. The problem is that there are often many food sensitivities simultaneously, so avoiding one or two does not bring significant relief or improvement of symptoms. One way to get results is to have a blood test taken. Many doctors do an IgE test, which only identifies immediate reactions, like eating a strawberry and getting a swollen throat and tongue. This is important but it does not measure those offending substances that have a delayed reaction. This delayed reaction is measured by an IgG test. I find this to be the most accurate way to identify the offenders.This test is offered by many labs and if your doctor orders this test, it may be covered by insurance. It usually requires a blood draw and takes about a week or so to get the results. This test changed my life and ended many years of allergy suffering since all my doctors told me it was pollen and dust. Yet, when I removed these offending foods, I was able to tolerate the pollen and dust. After 30 years of allergy shots and treatments, like magic, my symptoms were gone.The latest development is the availability to do these tests by a simple finger stick at home. This test is quick and easy and less expensive than the other types of allergy testing. It doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles that help you incorporate food rotation and avoidance into your diet, but if you are creative and determined, this finger stick test is for you.In many cases, I can support the body so it can restore balance to the adrenals and immune system. Sometimes, other factors affect the results; food sensitivities are one of those factors. Unless these sensitivities are addressed and eliminated the body cannot completely heal itself.I strongly encourage you to consider doing this simple, inexpensive test to identify any sensitivities before they become an issue. Until next time…Stay Healthy!Donna