Articles by Donna DiMarco

It’s that time of year again.  We’ve all indulged over the holidays and we are starting our “getting healthy” routine. 

I am pleased to offer a new weight loss program that is inexpensive, easy to follow and healthy.  This program was designed by a doctor in California who catered to the movie industry, those with little time, who ate out a lot but wanted to lose weight and get healthy.

This program will support adrenal health, liver detoxification and fight inflammation much like my 6 week detox plan but in a more gentle and subtle way.  This program is designed for those who don’t like to take a lot of supplements.  The program is packaged in 2 month units.  You can continue on as long as you want to achieve your goal. 

The approximate weight loss is 4-8 pounds per month for women and 10-12 pounds per month for men, although results vary with each individual. 

Each 2-month supply of nutrients costs $320 and they will be delivered right to your door. You will get the required supplements, a shaker and pill box to start you on your way. The instructions are self explanatory but

 if you want more personal attention and guidance from me there will be an additional charge. 

It is suggested that you check with your physician or health care practitioner before starting this or any other weight loss program.

What better way to start off the New Year!  Contact me for more information.

Stay Healthy!

Donna

Everyone is gearing up for the Swine Flu.  You have all heard how important it is to wash your hands, avoid touching your eyes and nose, cover your mouth when you cough, and most importantly, if you feel ill DO NOT go in to work or school.  We don’t have to succomb to it though.

The good news is that we have a natural defense against foreign invaders.  Our skin and mucous membranes in our gut and respiratory tracts are loaded with natural fighters to protect us from anything that my hitch a ride on what we ingest, inhale, or touch. 

Inevitably, something will get in and we have another defense- we produce natural killer cells, interleukins and interferon.  A lot of the flu symptoms you feel is caused by the increase in interferon.  The fever we get is the body’s way to kill off the invaders. This can begin rather quickly.  The sweating we experience is how the body gets rid of viruses and toxins.  Both are good so don’t be too quick to stop these reactions; they are just doing their job.  Of course too high a fever must be addressed.  Use common sense.

A third defense is the body’s ability to tag the offenders so they can be easily identified and killed by other cytokines so if ever this type of invader comes in the body knows just where it is and how to kill it.  This is what vaccines are; we inject a small amount to tell the body to fight anything that is tagged as this pathogen.  There are some problems with this: the body may actually get the disease from the inoculation, often there are boosters needed, it takes some time for the body to build its defenses to the tagged item and the invaders change and mutate so often they get by the previous vaccine. This is what happened with this new Swine Flu, it is a combination of other viruses so flu vaccines offer no protection.  So what do we do? 

Well, a healthy body has a strong immune system and can usually fight off the invaders.  Unfortunately, sugar knocks out a lot of your immune system and we are presently consuming 150 pounds per year each in the United States.  Diabetes and pre-diabetes is rampant, even in children.  Stop the simple carbs!

Eat lots of fresh, organic vegetables and fruits and a bit of protein with each meal.  This will give your body what it needs to keep the immune system up to the fight.  Vitamin A, in particular, supports the gut and respiratory immune system.  The precursor, beta carotene is found in yellow and orange vegetables and fruits.  Cold water fish also supplies a lot of vitamin A.  Nuts and seeds, especially pumpkin, supply the zinc that has been shown to fight viruses (remember zinc lozenges?).  Fruits and veggies are loaded with vitamin C, which we all know helps the immune system.

Many of us run to the doctor for antibiotics, which are useless when a virus hits.  But there are some natural things that can be done.  First, reduce your consumption of sugar, refined products and dairy products. 
Be sure to get some exercise to keep the circulation going but also to move the lymphatic vessels, which are the vacuum system of the body.  They search around for invaders and toxins and carry them out to be disposed of.  A swollen gland is an indication that the vacuum bag is filled and needs to be emptied.  Exercise helps it empty so it can collect more debris.  A mini trampoline is excellent to stimulate lymphatic drainage.

Drink lots of pure water, never tap water unless it is filtered to remove the chlorine and fluoride and other chemicals.  Good quality water dilutes the toxins and helps the body eliminate them quickly.  Try to drink at least 8 glasses per day.  This is especially important if you get the flu and sweat a lot or lose a lot of fluid by having diarrhea.  Water with fresh squeezed lemon juice is great.

Far infrared saunas are the best to remove viruses and toxins through the sweat glands.  Be sure to remove the sweaty cloths and launder well before re-use.  The immune system is up-regulated by taking a hot shower first then immediately turning the water cold.  Europeans are quite familiar with this technique, especially around the hot springs in Northern Europe.

There are herbs like andrographis paniculata, elderberry, echinacea, oregano, olive etc., which help stimulate the immune system.  Supplements like zinc, selenium, vitamin C and vitamin A have all been shown to boost the immune system.  I carry products that have a combination of these substances in one product and at the first sign of exposure I take it to boost my resistance.

There is also a great selection of homeopathic remedies available to help prevent the flu from getting hold and for relieving the symptoms.  There are even homeopathic flu prevention remedies that are formulated each year to prevent the expected viruses.  Many people choose this instead of flu shots and they are very effective.  But when a pandemic strikes there is very little time to build the protective defenses so act now.

If you get the flu be sure to stay home and isolated.  Rest and drink lots of fluids, especially water.  One way to stimulate the body is to take a hot soak in a tub filled with water in which ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of Epsom salt has been added.  Soak for at least 15 minutes and wrap yourself up to sweat.  Be sure to change the sheets and pajamas if they become wet.  Don’t let them dry and wear them again, they are contaminated and need to be laundered.  Eat and drink warming foods like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, garlic and cayenne.  Tomato juice or soup with garlic and Tabasco is a good remedy to induce sweating.  But if your fever is too high, the body must be cooled.  I generally don’t try to reduce a fever until it is over 102°.  Please stay in touch with your doctor and follow his instructions. 

Take advantage of this flu threat to gather some of these preventive remedies so that you have them immediately if you need them.  You can contact me for the homeopathics or any of the immune boosters.
Hopefully, you won’t have to use them, but if you do, they are there. 

If you follow these simple recommendations you will grab Swine Flu by the tail.

Stay Healthy!
Donna
 

We are all familiar with the dangers of pesticides in our foods.  Not only are they toxic to us, but many of these chemicals have shown up in the umbilical cord blood of  newborns.  That means the toxins are being passed on to the child before it even takes a breath.  Some people believe that the toxic exposure to the fetus may be one of the reasons for the rampant rise in autism and ADHD. 

Pesticide exposure puts us at risk of particular cancers.  The pesticides are similar in structure to hormones, especially estrogen; it is therefore linked to breast, prostate, uterus, and ovarian cancers.  They are called xenoestrogens and they wreak havoc on the body so they must be avoided as much as possible.

But in these economic times, many people are complaining that they can’t afford organic produce; we are all in the same boat.  Hopefully, this list put out by the Environmental Working Group may help you make better choices as to the pesticide exposure to the produce you purchase

Many people think that washing and peeling will help.
When the items in this list were tested it had  already been taken into account how people typically wash and prepare produce (for example, apples are washed before testing, bananas are peeled).  While washing and rinsing fresh produce may reduce levels of some pesticides, it does not eliminate them.  Peeling may reduce exposure, but it will also remove the valuable nutrients and fiber with the peels.  The best option is to eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

How This Guide Was Developed

The produce ranking was developed by analysts at the not for profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) based on the results of nearly 87,000 tests for pesticides on produce collected by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Food and Drug Administration between 2000 and 2007.   Be sure to visit their sites at www.ewg.org.  and  www.foodnews.org

Keep in mind that this is only measuring the pesticide exposure. Many foods, like corn and soy are grown from genetically modified seeds that have weed killers placed within the genes of the plant so that the plant can withstand heavy chemical spraying.  The weeds will die but not the plants.  I avoid these also. 

Another thing is that organic produce is grown on nutrient rich soil, not depleted, over-worked soil with chemical fertilizers added, just enough to make the plants grow.  These nutrient deficiencies are reflected in the produce.  Just one more reason to buy organic if possible.

Be sure to choose from the bottom of the list; for example, conventional onions may not be as bad as conventional apples or peppers.  The last 15 items may be the safest to purchase, but if you want the items on the top 15, be sure to spend the money on the organic.  It isn’t worth the risk- your health is worth the extra money.

Stay Healthy!
Donna

RANK   FRUIT OR VEGGIE   SCORE

1.   (worst)  Peaches                       100 (highest pesticide load)
2.   Apples                                         93
3.   Sweet Bell Peppers                     83
4.   Celery                                         82
5.   Nectarines                                   81
6.   Strawberries                               80
7.   Cherries                                      73
8.   Kale                                            69
9.   Lettuce                                       67
10.   Grapes- Imported                     66    
11.   Carrots                                     63
12.   Pears                                        63
13.   Collard Greens                         60
14.   Spinach                                    58
15.   Potatoes                                  56
16.   Green Beans                           53
17.   Summer Squash                      53
18.   Hot Peppers                             51
19.   Cucumbers                             50
20.   Raspberries                            46
21.   Grapes – Domestic                 44
22.   Plums                                     44
23.   Oranges                                 44
24.   Cauliflower                             39
25.   Tangerine                              37
26.   Mushrooms                            36
27.   Bananas                                34
28.   Winter Squash                      34
29.   Cantaloupe                           33
30.   Cranberries                          33
31.   Honeydew Melon                  30
32.   Grapefruit                             29
33.   Sweet Potatoes                   29
34.   Tomatoes                             29
35.   Broccoli                                 28
36.   Watermelon                         26
37.   Papaya                                20
38.   Eggplant                              20
39.   Cabbage                              17
40.   Kiwi                                      13
41.   Sweet Peas-Frozen              10
42.   Asparagus                            10
43.   Mango                                   9
44.   Pineapple                              7
45.   Sweet Corn - Frozen             2
46.   Avocado                                 1
47. (best)  Onions                        1 (lowest pesticide load)

I often get calls from people asking for some advice in dealing with a picky eater; the child who will only eat macaroni and cheese or only pizza or some other nutrient void food.  When the parent puts anything that looks like a vegetable in front of the child, he or she will refuse to eat.  Typically, the parent gives in because the fear of the child missing a meal brings forth visions of swollen bellies and malnutrition.  The result may be a child with poor performance in school, behavioral problems, allergies, ADD and/or ADHD; but what about all the intricate workings of the body that are affected due to nutrient deficiencies?  This is how chronic disease begins.

This is really a parenting issue rather than a nutrition issue.  As long as parents offer alternatives to the healthy meal there will not be much change in the child’s diet.  It becomes a battle of will between child and parent and very often the parent gives in first. 

 I am not a psychologist but as a single parent, I didn’t have the time to prepare different menus to suit my children’s preferences.  Of course on occasion I would make a healthy meal they enjoyed but their nourishment was my first priority.  I would make a healthy meal and they had to eat it or go to bed hungry.

Here are my suggestions:
1. Try to serve mostly healthy foods along with one small amount of the child’s favorites.
2. Make less of the unhealthy foods and require that your child eat those foods only after they eat some of their vegetables.
3. Be creative with sauces, dressings and spices.  My girls didn’t like plain broccoli, but with melted butter and seasoned breadcrumbs (before we were gluten free) they loved it.
4. Get your child involved in preparing the healthy food.  During the preparation, point out the fiber on the outside of the broccoli, the carotenoids in the sweet potato, and how steaming is healthier than frying or boiling.
5. Let your child have a voice in what is prepared, for example, after he or she helps you prepare the veggies have him or her choose what they want, but be sure you make only a small amount.
6. Spend some time with younger children cutting photos of the fruits and veggies from magazines.  Save these images and use them to have the child pick out the menu (with your approval, of course).  Be sure to find mostly healthy foods but allow some of the others as well.
7. Explain to your child how the body won’t work properly if the vitamins and minerals are missing.  Explain how much bigger they’ll grow, faster they’ll run and better at school they will be by eating well.
8. Keep a growth chart and remind him or her that the growth must be because of the veggies he or she has eaten.
9. Don’t reward behavior with sugar-laden foods or drinks.  Use healthy versions of the same type, example: organic blue corn chips instead of regular corn chips, or whole wheat cookies instead of conventional.  A better reward would be to play a game or read a story instead of rewarding with food.
10. Create a recipe book with your child.  Try new recipes together and vote on whether it is good enough to add to your recipe book of things you like.  Be sure to use healthy ingredients.
11. Have your child’s friend come for dinner so he or she can show off their cooking skills and how proud you are that they eat veggies and such.
The bottom line is that the parent does the shopping, the parent prepares the meal, and the parent can choose whether or not to give in to the child.  The solution is not necessarily a nutritionist, but in the parent gaining control.

Until Next time….
Donna

Too many women still confuse detection with prevention.  They are NOT the same.  Mammography can only detect cancer - there is no way it can prevent it once it’s already in the breast.  This problem is perpetuated by the media, which persists in sending out this wrong-headed message.  Further, mammography is also being promoted as a one-size fits all screening tool, even though we know that it does not work as well on women who have dense breast tissue, which is a common condition for premenopausal women and women who still continue to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women are being lulled into a false sense of security by merely having a mammogram. Ionizing radiation is the only thing we know that definitive causes cancer (think Hiroshima). Radiation is cumulative in the body and is stored in the breast tissue. For some women, a sonogram may be a better screening tool. Since most breast cancers have a long latency period before they are diagnosed (10-20 years), some breast cancers have been caused by the amount of radiation a woman has been exposed to over many years. What is even more problematic is the idea that younger women with either a genetic mutation or a significant family history are encouraged to be screened beginning in their 30’s.  We simply don’t know that exposing these women to radiation so early will be the key that unlocks the gene that triggers a breast cancer. 

Here’s the criteria I use to determine the effectiveness of a mammogram. I tell women to get a copy of the radiologist’s report.  If the radiologist indicates that the breast tissue is very dense, then the benefit of mammography is limited.  By the way, density of breast tissue may change with a women’s menstrual cycle.  That’s why the best time for a woman to have a mammogram is after she’s had her period, but of course, no one tells women this either. Because of this, I created a handout “Getting the Best Mammogram”. I also created another handout “What Type of Screening Is Right For You?”, to help women make sense out of which is the best screening tool for them. I will gladly email these handouts to anyone who is interested.

I encourage women to educate themselves about breast cancer. Awareness of breast cancer is not the same as understanding the underlying issues. Sadly, education is not high on the list of priorities for doctors or most national breast cancer organizations that merely espouse conventional screening and treatment modalities. In these difficult times of managed care, it’s incumbent for all women to be proactive and engaged about their healthcare.
_______________

Sandra Blank
Executive Director
Florida Breast Cancer Resource Network
Email: bcfbcrn@aol.com

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

I was on vacation sitting by the pool and watching the obese adults and children enjoy the most awful snacks as they “live it up”.   I was absolutely amazed that people were drinking beer at 10 a.m. as they sat in the sun.  Of course intermittent smoking just topped off the perfect week of relaxation and leisure.

Maybe everyone else’s dietary habits were so obvious because I was fasting for the week.  I try to go away when I fast because it is easier to be away from the familiar places where I cook and eat.  This is a week of relaxation, meditation, cleansing and rejuvenation; it works for me. 

While cooling off in the pool, I overheard 4 women discussing their diabetes and other health problems.

One was bragging that her blood sugar level was over 800 before the doctor made a diagnosis and prescribed medicine.  She was the winner; the other women only had a sugar level of 600.  This was quite a lot to be proud of.

One suggested that the other try Metformin since her husband takes Metformin and eats “whatever he wants”.  That’s an endorsement if ever I heard it!

A bit earlier there were three young people discussing hangovers.  The girl said she doesn’t like the feeling so she drinks a bottle of water with each drink.  The boy stated that he never gets hung over since he was able to “do 22 rounds of Captain Morgan and not get hung over”.   He had a great suggestion for her:  besides drinking the water, she should take some B12 and vitamin C before bedtime.  That would prevent the hangover.  Well, my head turned to see this health conscious young man with real wisdom of preventing hangovers.  He was over 300 pounds with an enormous belly hanging over his swimsuit…he was only 20 years old.

What are we coming to?  Are we so numb to health that an arsenal of drugs is a normal way of life?

Have we accepted the Big Pharma lies that sickness is a deficiency of a drug and what we eat has nothing to do with it?

I start teaching a new nutrition class next week.  I have seventy students enrolled.  I have the privilege of sharing with them information that will hopefully change their lives and as evidenced by my last classes, it is significantly for the better. 

A student from my last class wrote me recently:

Dear Valued Prof, I sincerely believe that (this class) remains the most relevant course not just in US, but (for a few of us not from US) even right up to other countries. It is to me a crusade that whoever has come across should ensure that he/she keeps passing on the good news. I wish you will stay longer on the scene so as to keep the flame ever on. God bless you for all your efforts towards ensuring a healthier society. Thanks.Peter Ugwuozor  

This is why I teach.  This is why I encourage you to pass the information on.  There are too many people who don’t know, don’t believe, or don’t care that they are literally killing themselves.  

Please, just for one day a week, think before you eat!  Ask yourself if the food you will eat will make you healthier.  Let’s change the world into a healthier place.

Donna

It has been said that you are not what you eat, but rather what you digest, absorb and assimilate.  This is true.  Health begins with the food choices, but I frequently find people who make significant dietary changes, yet the issues still remain.  One of the first places I look is in the gut.  Is the food moving along the GI tract at the right speed?  Is digestion occuring?  Are the pathogens interfering?  Is there “leaky gut”?  Is there a significant amount of probiotics?  Are the wastes being eliminated?  Is the immune system in the gut functioning properly? Each of these aspects must be investigated thoroughly and must also work properly in order to restore and/or maintain health.

The stomach needs to be acid in order to break down food which will then trigger the release of bicarb from the pancreas.  If you take a lot of antacids, there won’t be enough acid to trigger the bicarb release.  Bicarb is alkaline.  The small intestines must be alkaline in order to digest food further.  When you upset the stomach, you upset the small intestines.

The GI tract is where 70% on your immune system resides.   If you are someone who gets frequent colds and is susceptible to catch whatever someone else has, you may want to support your gut.  Secretory Immunoglobulin A is a good indicator of gut health. 

 ”Leaky gut” is a term used to describe intestinal permeability.  Tiny junctions between the cells that line the GI tract become separated.  This leaves a pathway for partially digested food or pathogens to enter the body.  If it is partially digested food, it may manifest as a food sensitivity.  If it is a pathogen, it may mean an infection.  Either way, it will stimulate an immune response and send your body into an alarm state.  This causes adrenal stress and could lead to the development of an autoimmune disorder.  Leaky gut is caused by a high refined diet, steroid hormones, birth control pills and some other medications. Unfortunately, it takes a long time to reverse.

Probiotic are the good bacteria that live in your gut and help keep the bad bacteria in check, they help absorb nutrients and help provide vitamins like the B vitamins and vitamin K.  If you take an antibiotic and you get a yeast infection, it means your gut flora (probiotics) is low. A normal, healthy gut can withstan 8-10 days of antibiotic therapy without having the good guys die off enough to cause the yeast to grow.  Everyone should be on a good probiotics formula, always.  Lack of probiotics is often the cause of constipation.  Sometimes I find that food is improperly digested.  This can easily be remedied by supplementing with digestive enzymes.  There are different enzymes produced in different parts of the GI tract.  I suggest a broad spectrum digestive enzyme to skip the guess work.  But ultimately, you need to get your body producing enzymes again.  If you have indigestion and pain after eating, consider enzymes.

This is especially true of  hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is produced in the stomach.  This strong acid keeps pathogens from infecting our bodies; it helps digest food, absorb minerals and triggers the bicarb release from the pancreas.  It can be hindered by poor diet, medications, especially proton pump inhibitors, which are given for acid reflux and heartburn. There is also a bacterium called H. Pylori that can cause low HCl, but I find that the most common cause is a deficiency of niacinamide.  Low HCl sufferers typically have gas and bloating  after a meal and foul smelling stool and flatulence.  They may also have symptoms very similar to too much acid, like reflux and indigestion.  Simple supplementation with niacinamide in a hefty dose helps the body produce enough acid.  I have found that this works when nothing else does.  Be sure to use niacinamide; niacin actually works but it causes a flush and itching response to occur. Fiber is another important part of good GI health.  Fiber bulks up the waste material, which triggers the bowels to expel the stool.  Fiber also absorbs toxins, cholesterol and excess hormones released from the liver to be excreted.  Lack of fiber allows these wastes to be re-absorbed back into the body to further hinder proper function. Pathogens, parasites, yeast and fungus can all be found in the gut.  Parasitic worms are often picked  up from walking barefoot outdoors, from kissing and sleeping with pets, from casual, and of course intimate contact.  Any of these can cause the immune system to respond in an effort to get rid of the offender.  These “bugs” must be identified and destroyed so health can be restored. 

There is only one sure way to check for most of these issues– polymerase chain reaction/DNA stool test.  This state of the art exam can help you identify all these factors at one time, and with considerable accuracy.
If you have some of the symptoms described, consider this GI test for yourself.

Stay Healthy!

Donna

Dysglycemia  is a term given to the many blood sugar dysfunctions. It is in epidemic proportions in this country. Our children, young people and adults are severely over weight. Our fast food diets and high carbohydrate meals are to blame. Diabetes is a totally preventable disease, in most cases and is rampantly growing. It accounts for much of our health care costs. Let me explain what happens.

When we eat a sugars (or carbohydrates) the pancreas produces insulin to help the sugar transport into the cells to produce energy. When we eat a lot of carbohydrates we produce a lot of insulin. This sends much of the sugar into the cells, leaving little left to keep the brain happy. This is Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar- all the sugar is sent into the cells- none left for the brain.  Symptoms of hypoglycemia are you get shaky if meals are missed, along with light headedness, foggy thinking and irritability.

If we ignore these symptoms and continue to eat a high-carbohydrate diet, the pancreas will continue to produce an excess of insulin. The cells try to compensate for the abundance of insulin showering upon them so they “down-regulate”; they close up some of their receptors. This is called Insulin Resistance or  Syndrome X. The signs of insulin resistance are: craving something sweet after a meal, needing a nap after you eat and awakening after you fall asleep at night. This is the step before diabetes.

In men, insulin resistance leads to testosterone being converted to estrogen (low libido and men developing breasts) and in women it leads to  estrogen being converted into testosterone, which leads to polycyctic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and infertility.  It is suspected that if this happens to a pregnant woman, the increase in testosterone may affect the development of the blood brain barrier in the unborn baby. This protects toxins from getting into the brain. If compromised, and the baby is exposed to a toxin (like in a vaccination) it may lead to the development of autism.

Now the insulin resistant body needs more insulin to force the glucose into the cells. The pancreas puts out insulin at a frantic pace until it wears itself out and says “I quit!” This is Diabetes (type II), the pancreas is burned out from making insulin so insulin shots or pills are given to stabilize blood sugar levels. Some medications force the pancreas to work harder. This only exacerbates the issue.

Here’s the problem: insulin is very irritating to the lining of the blood vessels (even if given by injection) so it promotes inflammation but the body tries to patch it up by putting LDL’s in the arteries. This only leads to arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. This is why so many diabetics have heart disease and lose feet or toes due to poor circulation. Diabetes also causes kidney problems, blindness, and a myriad of other degenerative diseases, all of which could be prevented.

One way to avoid these disorders is to avoid the high carb diet. Eat whole, fresh fruits and vegetables with lots of fiber to slow the blood sugar level down. Whole grains, not refined must be eaten. They contain many of the glycemic factors. Avoid any packaged food, even cereals. They have been known to raise blood sugar considerably. Meals that contain protein, fat and carbs cause a slower rise in blood sugar levels than those with just carbs alone. Remember that alcohol, even wine is going to raise your blood sugar level a lot. In fact, most people with alcoholic tendencies are hypoglycemic.

Another way is to make sure you maintain a sufficient level of nutrients that help insulin to work. They include: chromium, magnesium, vanadium, alpha lipoic acid, Conjugate Linoleic Acid (CLA), etc. These are called glycemic factors. These nutrients are used up by continuous consumption of sugars and need to be repleted.

One more way to avoid dysglycemia is to eat every three hours so your blood sugar level doesn’t get too low. The worst thing you could do is skip a meal, especially breakfast. That sets up a whole new set of problems. If you just can’t handle food first thing in the morning,, you must start slowly and gradually build up to a good high-protein meal for breakfast.

If we give our bodies what it needs it will heal itself. If we continuously abuse it it will quit working properly.

Stay Healthy,

Donna

I was sent this link to pass on.  I believe not enough women understand about inflammatory breast cancer.  This news brief does a good job of getting the word out.  Please view it and have all your female friends view it as well.

http://komonews.s3.amazonaws.com/ibc/komo_ibc.wmv

Thanks,

Donna

Natural Healing is really a simple process; if there is not enough nutrients—replace them; if there are too many toxins—eliminate them; if functions like digestion, elimination, immune protection, etc. are not functioning properly—support them; and if inflammation is wreaking havoc—identify and quench it.

How simple can it be? Then why aren’t we all doing it? Because these issues often make themselves known by producing symptoms like gas & bloating, foggy thinking, constipation, weight gain or loss, headaches, joint pain, allergies, frequent illnesses and many more. Our medical mentality has been to relieve the symptom. Cover them up. If we make you feel better quick you can go on with living your life.

This may work for a while but not for long. I just got off the phone with a pilot. I explained it this way: suppose you are cruising at 30,000 feet and an alarm goes off on the control panel. Do you take out the fuse that controls the alarm or take out the light bulb that lights up the alarm? Of course not! The annoying noise and flashing light is there to get your attention to address something that is not functioning properly. There are specific alarms for different areas of the plane. Each area of the plane has its own specific function and each of these functions together keep the plane in flight. A malfunction in any one area may affect other functions so it must be addressed quickly to keep the plane safe until proper repair is made.

Our bodies are more complex than a plane, yet when the symptom alarm goes off we immediately look to take out the light bulb or silence the alarm. We are totally unconcerned that the improper function that caused the alarm may eventually hinder other functions.

A good example of this is a fever. Some people panic at the slightest rise in body temperature and immediately seek ibuprofen and such to lower their temperature. In reality, a fever is the body’s way of killing off pathogens, kind of like pasteurization, where high heat kills the germs. If we keep the fever from getting high enough to kill the germs we are actually giving them a chance to proliferate and we end up with a full blown infection. Now I am not saying that all fevers should go unaddressed. No, I am saying that a slight temperature means that the body is working properly and is trying to protect you without the need of antibiotics. This is a good symptom.

What about stomach issues? Many people take over the counter antacids to deal with indigestion. They sometimes get some relief but find they can’t function well without them. Are their bodies suffering from an antacid deficiency? I doubt it. But it is easier to cover the symptom than to identify and correct the cause.

In many cases, people who take antacids actually suffer from not enough stomach acid. This leads to the proliferation of bacteria, fungus and other pathogens like H. Pylori, which cause ulcers. The GI tract is lined with a mucosal membrane that helps keep pathogens out. It also protects the stomach from being irritated by the strong stomach acid. This acid is needed to insure proper digestion. If we are deficient in zinc or chloride or other nutrients, the stomach acid production diminishes and actually produces symptoms much like too much acid. In addition, the improperly digested food ferments and produces irritation to the GI tract. If a person is on an anti-inflammatory Cox inhibitor, they may end up with thinned mucosa, which may lead to an ulcer. If they take antacids for the gastric symptoms without determining the cause, they may actually be making the stomach worse.

Even natural health methods may fall short. Many people believe that if they take a natural remedy for a symptom that it is better than taking a drug. In some ways it is since natural methods rarely have side effects if taken correctly. But how does this help find the cause? The underlying problem still remains. Health practitioners need to be familiar with how the body functions and must be able to trace the symptoms to the cause of the issue. Fix the pathway, fix the function and the symptom will go away.

I recently had someone come to me for help because after working with several practitioners, his stomach issues still remain. Each practitioner did gastrointestinal testing. Some natural remedies were given to stop the symptoms, yet they remain. The cause of the alarm was not found.  After assessing the person I was able to trace back to the ultimate imbalance, in this case lack of stomach acid.  After this was addressed the symptoms went away. 

Think about this before you reach for the next over the counter remedy. 

Donna