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Flax and Chia : Ancient Super Seeds
Flax and Chia seeds are two powerfully-charged Super-seeds, that have only recently been introduced to us here in America. I say recent because these two precious seeds have been treasured, consumed, and used by many ancient cultures for thousands of years.
Let's begin with the flaxseed, its origins can be traced back 6,000 years to the region of the Middle East. More accurately, the area of the Middle East in the actual vicinity where all Biblical accounts have been written about. As I did my own research on the word "Flax" and traced it back to its Biblical time period. I found out that the word flax is mentioned several times in the ancient Hebrew writings of the Bible. In the Hebrew tongue the word used for flax is "pishtah" pronounced "peesh-tah". Our Ancient Hebrew Ancestors had been blessed with the amazing flaxseed from which the flax plant is produced. As I traced the word back into the original ancient Hebrew language from which the Bible has been translated. I soon discovered the Hebrew people had a variety of uses for this precious flaxseed. I would imagine they had a great appreciation for this wonderful plant that supplied much of their sustenance, they utilized every part of the plant, and nothing went to waste. Here are some of the many ways they would have applied flax to their daily living: weaving the plant stalks into fabric and utilizing it in making all sorts of garments, shelter, and bedding. Flaxseeds were one many staple foods in their diet. They would grind it into flour, press it for oil, and also use it in medicinal applications. Our Hebrew ancestors may not have known the nutritional break down of the flaxseed that we have understanding of today. But they sure had a more intimate knowledge of the power and value that this dynamic seed possessed, and the abundance it offered to their lives.
The remarkable chia seed……Most of us growing up as children remember the commercial for the chia pet and the catchy tune that they sang…. "Cha-Cha-Cha Chia". I can recall as a child wanting a chia pet, but sadly never got one! Back then I would have never thought that as an adult I would actually be consuming those tiny seeds on a daily basis. Sheesh…with all the chia seeds I have now, I could actually make and grow my own chia farm!
Chia seeds have a pretty interesting history themselves; the first record of Chia was reported as early as 3500B.C. by Mayan and Aztec tribes. It was, in fact, one of the staple foods in their diet. Later between 1500 and 900B.C, it was grown in Mexico by the Teotihuacan and Toltec tribes. All of these tribal people had some interesting uses for the chia seed. Aside from being eaten in its whole form, the chia seed was anciently used for many things. It was readily used in medicinal aids, ground into flour for bread, pressed for oil, and mixed into drinks. It was beneficial in that it could be preserved for a relatively long time (perfect for traveling). In addition to these practical uses, the chia seed was rooted in the blood of the Aztecs. They included the use of these seeds in religious ceremonies and ritual sacrifices, they were extremely sacred to them. These ancient civilizations accredited chia seeds to granting supernatural powers. In the Mayan tongue, "chia" means "strength". This probably has something to do with the ample amount of endurance provided by the chia seed. Ancient tribal warriors attributed their stamina and vitality to these tiny seeds. Even in our present day, the Mexican Tarahumara tribe are renowned for their runners. These runners were known to drink a concoction called "Iskiate", a mixture of chia seeds, lemon, and water. After drinking, they were known to have the ability to run hundreds of miles.
Today, chia is grown abundantly in several Latin American countries, but Australia is fast becoming the main producer. What a huge gift we have within this tiny package that packs a wallop of a punch in the nutritional department.
A Powerhouse of Nutrition in Two Tiny Super Seeds
Nutritional Value of Flaxseed and Chia Seeds
- Both are a rich source of plant based Omega-3 Fatty Acids, called Alpha-Linoleic Acid (ALA). These "essential fats" also aid the body in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. "Some experts say," that making a conscious effort to consume a serving or more of the two of these seeds on a regular basis may contribute to offsetting the higher ratio of Omega-6 dominance in many. The reason being, they hold a much higher ratio of Omega-3's vs Omega 6's, the ALA profile in a serving (3Tbls.) of flaxseeds is well over 6 grams with a ratio of 4:1 and chia seeds provide almost 5 grams with a ratio of 3:1. When compared side by side to other seeds and nuts you find the complete opposite, more Omega-6 dominance. With heavy consumption of seeds, nuts, grains, and legumes that have extremely unbalanced ratios. This is a main contributor when it comes to preventing the body's ability to convert ALA omega 3 fatty acid to the more beneficial DHA and EPA.
Our bodies can't produce these "essential fats" they are only obtained through the foods we eat, its's imperative that the foods we choose are from quality sources. This is just one of many changes we can make to offer some balance of these "essential fats" to our bodies. Another crucial component to help balance the Omega 6:3 ratios is implementing a diet full of healthy-quality God designed fats like (grass-fed butter, tallow, ghee, avocados, extra-virgin olive and coconut oils) as well as making a choice to eat only free-range, 100% grass fed, wild caught meats and fish. Making a decision to completely move away from consuming the foods that are in the Standard American Diet (SAD). The reason being (SAD) is completely made up of GMO-man-made foods that are heavily processed and chocked full of chemicals, sugars, oils and fats that our bodies do not recognize and can't efficiently utilize.
- Both are ranked to be top plant based sources of protein. These are among the many reasons these two super seeds are a great addition to any individual's diet; who desires to put on lean muscle, burn fat, and balance sugar levels. Also having high levels of antioxidants as well as containing many essential minerals and vitamins many of us are deficient in. For example, both are high in magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, iron, potassium, copper, and zinc. The nutritional composition of flax and chia differ slightly in that flax has the added nutrients of selenium and vitamins B1 and B6, whereas chia is a great source of calcium and niacin.
- Both contain superior amounts of fiber, a necessary component for healthy digestion. Due to the high fiber content and healthy fats they act as a natural blood sugar balancer. Fiber is also essential for our body's ability to balance insulin levels. These seeds offer incredible benefits in the area of the intestinal tract, due to the water soluble mucilage gel fiber content they contain. When ingested they form this gelatin-gel like substance that aids digestion by keeping food in the stomach from emptying too quickly into the small intestine. This slows digestion causing you to feel fuller longer reducing sugar cravings and can also aids in improving nutrient absorption.
The Multitude of Health Benefits These Super Seeds Offer:
- Fights Breast, Prostate, Ovarian, Colon, and Cervical Cancers-(causes death in cancer cells without harming healthy cells)
- Hormonal Balancing and Menopausal Symptoms-(estrogenic properties, helps maintain cycle regularity, decreases chance of osteoporosis)
- Coronary Heart Disease/ Heart Attack- (protects the heart by lowering blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and inflammation)
- Curing Symptoms of Diabetes- (naturally balancing blood sugar and insulin levels)
- Sign of Aging/Healthy Skin and Hair-(speeds up skins repair systems, improving symptoms of rosacea, acne, eczema)
- Eye Health-(reduces dry eye syndrome)
- Weight Loss/Boost Energy and Metabolism-(curbs hunger and suppresses appetite
- Digestive Health/Bowel Regularity and Healthy Stool- (soluble-fiber works as a prebiotic supporting the growth of probiotics in the gut)
- Bone and Dental Health- (packed with many essential minerals)
Ways to Eat These Two Incredibly Edible Super Seeds:
There is a variety of ways to incorporate a serving or more of these super seeds into your meals daily. Examples of this would be adding them to smoothies, porridge, making raw pudding, yogurt, kefir, and healthy homemade baked goods like muffins, cookies, breads, and crackers. If you're not too familiar with using these seeds, allow me to share some information and tips I have learned along the way! Hopefully this may benefit you in some way, if you choose to incorporate these super seeds into your diet!
How to Use These Super-Seeds:
- First of all, when using these seeds for making baked goods keep oven temps below 300 degrees. In order for the Omega-3's (ALA) to remain stable.
- To access the most nutrients available from these seeds, specifically the flaxseed there's a few things to consider, to attain the most nutrients possible.
- IF EATEN IN THEIR WHOLE FORM FLAXSEEDS WILL PASS RIGHT THROUGH YOU UNDIGESTED. ALWAYS GROUND UP FLAXSEEDS IN A COFFEE GRINDER BEFORE EATING, IN ORDER FOR YOUR BODY TO ACCESS THE OMEGA 3's AND OTHER NUTRIENTS, THIS PREPARES THEM FOR ASSIMILATION AND DIGESTION.
- TO BREAKDOWN ANY ANTI-NUTRIENTS (Phytic Acid) FOUND IN THESE SEEDS YOU CAN ACCESS THE MOST NUTRIENTS BY SOAKING (PREDIGESTING) THEM BEFORE USING. (which means adding warm 110-degree water with 2tsp- 2Tbls. depending on the culturing medium you choose to use. Here's some options you may already have on hand, apple cider vinegar, liquid cultured whey, sea salt or lemon juice). Liquid cultured whey can be used in place of water; if you happen to have that much on hand. Mix grounded seeds with water and culturing medium (a little at a time) in a bowl till it resembles consistency of a pretty thick batter. Let rest covered in a warm 70- 80-degree area out on the counter or in the oven with the light on (oven would be off). If limited on time let soak/rest for a minimum of 6 hrs. all the way up to 24hrs, which is best. Also have option of soaking more than amount needed for recipe just place unused portion in a container in fridge for use at later time.)
* Note- The amount of water and culturing medium used is solely dependent on the amount of grounded seed flour you will be mixing. If using sea salt (natural preservative) as your medium only use amount needed for recipe…you don't want it to be too salty!
- FLAX AND CHIA CAN BE USED AS AN EXCELLENT EGG REPLACEMENT IN RECIPES. HERES HOW- FOR ONE EGG: 1-TBLS. GROUND FLAX OR CHIA SEEDS TO 3-TBLS. WATER, MIX AND LET SIT TILL WATER IS COMPLETELY ABSORBED…ITS READY TO USE AND WORKS GREAT! *Note- In my experience the flax and chia eggs work best when used in baking recipes. Those containing non-gluten grain-free flours or even gluten flour (preferably cultured/sourdough) recipes.
Crunchy Cheesy Italian Herbed Flax-Chia Cracker Recipe
Gluten-free, Grain-free, Corn-free, Yeast-free, Sugar-free, Dairy-free
Makes up to 50-60 crackers (depending on thickness and size of cracker)
- 1 ½ cups freshly ground organic flaxseeds {soaked or not}
- ½ cup freshly ground organic chia seeds {soaked or not}
- 2 tsp. Italian Herb Seasoning
- 2-3 tsp. nutritional yeast {optional: this is the cheesy flavor in recipe}
- ½-1 tsp. Himalayan pink sea salt or any quality sea salt- to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup avocado oil {can also use water in place or half/half}
Optional add Ins- once you get comfortable with making these crackers fill free to experiment and improvise: by substituting different herbs, oils, add-in or even changing up the seeds I've used. Using seeds like hemp, ground raw sunflower or pumpkin seeds, almond flour, and even coconut flour. Of course you may need to adjust the wet ingredients by adding a little more oil or water so that is sticks together well, a dough consistency.
- Preheat oven to lowest setting 180F-200F two large baking sheets. Set aside. (option: can also use dehydrator)
- Take a large mixing bowl place all ingredients in bowl in order listed above. Mix all ingredients with a fork or spoon until well combined and everything is sticking together to form a ball. Tip: taste dough before baking to make sure it seasoned to your liking.
- Divide dough into 2 portions, take 4 pieces of parchment paper the size of your baking sheets. Place ½ of the dough onto one piece of parchment paper, then place second piece of parchment on top of dough. Use a rolling pin and roll out dough evenly to about a ¼ inch thick. Score crackers into 1 inch squares with pizza cutter or sharp knife. Keeping the crackers on current sheet of parchment, transfer the sheet to baking sheet. Place that baking sheet aside and repeat same steps with remaining dough.
- Bake for 1 ½ hours or so, time will vary greatly depending on oven type and heat source; also how thick/ thin you make your crackers. Half way through baking, flip crackers over and remove parchment paper to allow the crackers to crisp up. You would like the end result to be crisp, and crunchy with no moisture left in crackers.
- Remove baking sheets from oven and allow to cool on baking sheet for 15 mins.
Now enjoy your crispy, crunchy grain-free crackers with some raw cultured cheese, maybe some homemade hummus, or some delicious creamy dip or spread (made with some fool proof mayo). Top it off with some thinly sliced veggies like cucumbers, radish, tomatoes, avocado, and maybe some fresh herbs, micro greens or some fresh green spicy radish sprouts…. So Yummy and Delicious!!
Source Articles:
10-Flaxseed Benefits and Nutrition Facts- www.draxe.com
9 Chia Seed Benefits + Side Effects- www.draxe.com
Is Omega-6 More Important than Omega-3? - www.Mercola.com
Chia Seed History and Origin- www.ancientgrains.com
E-sword android app
Post By Tara AhQuin For Align Utah
Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil
Oil Pulling: A Simple Way to Start Improving Your Oral and Physical Health
Article written by: Tia & Tara AhQuin- Abba's Set Apart Remedies / Patient @ Align Family Chiropractic
Oil Pulling: Why You Should Consider It
Oil pulling or oil swishing is an ancient detoxing practice that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. Originating in India, this method of detoxing is done by taking 1 tablespoon or so of organic cold pressed oil and swishing it in your mouth, as you would a mouth wash, for 10-20 minutes (making sure not to swallow it) and then disposing of it by spitting it out. Rinse mouth out with warm water to get rid of any remaining residue. It is recommended to do this in the morning before eating or even brushing your teeth, but you can choose to do it anytime of the day really.
What oils should you use for oil pulling?
Well, first off, whatever oil you choose to utilize, you want to make sure that its organic and cold pressed. You don't want to be using oils that have chemicals and/or pesticides in them because that basically defeats the whole purpose of oil pulling in the first place. Sesame seed oil is deemed one of the best oils to use for oil pulling. This is probably due to the origins of oil pulling itself and how this oil is readily available in India and used for a multitude of things. It also contains many antioxidants but realistically oil pulling with sesame seed oil would be very expensive to keep up with on a daily basis. This is why you can also use other oils such as organic extra virgin cold pressed coconut, sunflower, and olive oil as they also contain a variety of antioxidants.
So how do you do it and exactly how will it benefit me?
Of course you would want to know that or why bother even going through the trouble right? Well, when you first put the oil in your mouth and start swishing it mixes with your saliva, turning it into a thin, white liquid. Lipids in those oils start to draw out toxins found in the saliva. As you swish around the mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue, the oil will continue "pulling" and absorbing toxins. In turn, this will progressively change the consistency of the liquid making it thicker and whiter. When this consistency is reached, it is to be spit out to avoid any reabsorption of the toxins in the body. Again, make sure you spit it out and whatever you do be careful not swallow any of it! There is an assortment of bacteria, toxins, and other residue up in there and you wouldn't want to reabsorb any on that nastiness!
Tip: I recommend spitting this liquid out in the trash instead of the toilet or sink to avoid plumbing problems. But if you do decide to be a rebellious and spit it out into the sink, I suggest spitting it out directly into the drain while running hot water down the drain to be safe.
As far as what it does, oil pulling detoxifies the oral cavity in the same way soap cleans dirty dishes. Plant based fats are an emulsifier by nature. It cleans the dirt (toxins) out of your mouth, creating an antiseptic oral environment that can help with the appropriate flow of dental liquid needed to prevent cavities and disease.
Here's an example of what you may experience:
List of benefits from oil pulling:
·Strengthens teeth, gums, and jaws
·Prevents bad breath
·Prevents diseases of the gums and mouth, such as cavities and gingivitis
·May remedy bleeding gums
·Prevents overall tooth decay
·Prevents dryness of the lips, mouth, and throat
·Kills flu and cold germs
·Whitens teeth
·Strengthens sensitive teeth
·May treat TMJ and general soreness in the jaw area
Oil pulling is definitely worth trying out, especially if you are dealing with anything oral related as you could see improvements in symptoms. Of course, it is something that is meant to be done on a consistent basis, as most everything is anyway, in order to see noticeable changes. Some even report seeing major differences in one week. Who knows, you may even end up incorporating this method into your daily life. If you use a mouth wash, you can even switch to oil pulling for a holistic solution to kill bacteria and bad breath since many mouthwashes that aren't natural contain chemicals that are harmful to the body. Essential oils like peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, tea tree, or clove can also be added to the oil for their medicinal properties they carry. They provide awesome flavor that will add to your whole experience as well! Oil pulling, along with a healthy lifestyle in general, will be beneficial to your life and overall health for sure. I hope you would agree; this is certainly something you may want to consider implementing into your daily routine!
Try This Easy Recipe for Oil Chews: Make it Fun for the Whole Family
Coconut Oil Pulling Chews
Ingredients you will need:
1/2 cup coconut oil
20-30 drops of therapeutic grade essential oil (peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, clove, tea tree oils etc.- check with a doc or midwife if you are pregnant, nursing, or before using on children)
1.Melt the coconut oil until just barely liquid.
2.Remove from heat and add essential oils.
3.Pour into silicon candy molds and put in the fridge or freezer to harden.
4.When done, remove from molds and store in a jar.
Use one per day or as needed, to use for your oil pulling needs.
Bone Broth: Reviving an Ancient Healing Protocol
Amazing Bone Broth: By Tara AhQuin For Align Utah
You've heard the old adage "Chicken soup heals the soul". There's actually a considerable amount of truth to this old saying! Most of us haven't even given much thought as to why it was true. Little did we know, the "Chicken Soup" that was spoken about was "Bone Broth", which, in the present day we are again rediscovering. These old adages came from the era our great-great-grandmothers were raised in. They learned from their mothers, as small children, how to cook one of the main staple meals- chicken soup! I say chicken soup only because, back in that time, chicken was the most affordable cut of meat. Few were even able to afford that. They had much appreciation for what little they had. Since vegetables and animals were their primary source of nutrition, they practiced the method of extracting and demineralizing nutrients through gentle cooking. Therefore, they made it a regular practice to use every part of the vegetable and every piece of an animal. Including the parts of the animal we wouldn't dream of using. In other words, they had a no-waste mentality and understood the benefits and nutrients that were contained within these foods. Many families kept a pot of broth continually simmering on the hearth at all times. This provided a nourishing base for many meals and it was also a way to keep the broth fresh since this was before the invention of refrigerators. They made broths and stocks to stretch meals. Preparing nutritious soups and stews was the most efficient way to feed a family in that time. This was the context and time frame from whence that familiar adage was taken from.
The practice of making stocks and broths from all varieties of animal parts has been used for centuries. This method of boiling, simmering, demineralizing, and extracting every bit of nourishment as possible, was passed on since ancient times, through all cultures of people from generation to generation.
As the Bible says "there's absolutely nothing new under the sun, what has been will be again." (Ecc.1:9-10) It's so true! There really is nothing new that we are learning today that wasn't already known long ago by our ancient ancestors, especially when concerning the application of strategies and tools straight out of creation to assist the body in healing. Modern culture is finally catching up to what traditional cultures have known for years… that broth is an inexpensive and versatile source full of nutrients and medicinal properties!
Bone broth may quite possibly be one of the oldest meals on record. Hippocrates was known to extol its value and importance with gut healing. As he once said " Let Food be your Medicine and Medicine be your Food".
The Incredible Health Benefits of Bone Broth
Besides the exquisite flavor that bone broth imparts into any savory dish, it also;
- Has an abundance of minerals
- Fortifies the immune system
- Enhances digestion
- Aids in healing and sealing the gut
- Is a great source of essential amino acids
- Nourishes all body parts related to collagen. This means joints, tendons, ligaments, skin, mucus membranes, and bone
Additional benefits of bone broth include the following:
- Reduces joint pain and inflammation: Courtesy of chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and other compounds extracted from the boiled down cartilage and collagen.
- Inhibits infection: Has medicinal properties to prevent cold and flu viruses from forming.
- Boosts Immune System: Recent studies on cartilage, which is found abundantly in homemade broth, show it supports the immune system in a variety of ways.
- Combats inflammation: Amino acids such as glycine, proline, and arginine all have anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
- Promotes strong, healthy bones: Contains surprisingly low amounts of calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals, but "it plays an important role in healthy bone formation because of its abundant collagen. Collagen fibrils provide the latticework for mineral deposition and are the keys to the building of strong and flexible bones." –Donna Gates
- Helps with Hair, Nail,Wrinkles, Stretch Marks, and Cellulite: Contains collagen to make your skin supple and radiant. This delicious, mineral-rich broth can be used to make soup to support smooth, strong skin and reduce cellulite.
Drinking bone broth makes skin supple. Cellulite is not a result of carrying excess fat. Haven't you ever seen a thin person with cellulite? It's common! Most people are taught to choose skinless and boneless cuts of meat and to fear animal fats. This is why even those who are slender will not be able to shake cellulite until they change their diet.
- Cellulite comes from a lack of connective tissue.
- The smoothness of skin is from an abundance of connective tissue.
- Collagen-rich bone broth will supply your skin with the tools that it needs to support itself.
- Adding feet, animal joints, and knuckles to a bone broth will increase the amount
of collagen available.
Not sure what kind of bones to use?
Any kind will do. You can even use an assortment of different animals. Just make sure that all bones are sourced from animals that are organic and grass-fed or pastured and free-range. Remember, everything that the animal ate, how it lived, and where it lived all factor into the health benefits of your broth!
You can purchase bones ready to cook, or you can collect bones from meals and store them in your freezer until you have enough to build a good stock. Remember to only use bones and feet from animals that are grass-fed/finished or free range.
Make sure the bones, especially large bones, are cut into small pieces. This reduces cooking time and allows more material to become a part of the broth.
Basic Bone Broth Recipe
Cooking Suggestions-
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange bones on baking pan to roast for 30-45 mins.
- Place bones into a crock pot or large stock pot and fill with filtered water just till bones are covered'
- Add two-three tablespoon of Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, 32 Ounce - 1 Pack" target="_blank">organic apple cider vinegar with "Mother" to water prior to cooking. Acid is necessary component in order to extract important nutrients and minerals from the bones.
- At this time add a good amount of sea salt (The Spice Lab's - ( Food Grade ) Himalayan Crystal Salt - Dark Pink - (Coarse) - 1 Kilo 2.23 Lbs" target="_blank">Himalayan pink, Celtic Sea Salt, Fine Ground, 16 Ounce" target="_blank">Celtic, or Real Salt Sea Salt - Pouch, 26-Ounce" target="_blank">Real Salt). Optional Add-ins: fresh or dried herbs, free range egg shells (calcium), seaweeds (dried wakame, kombu, dulse, nori (mineral and iodine) also added collagen and gelatin can be added (Brands such as Great Lakes Gelatin, Collagen Hydrolysate (Beef Kosher) 16-Ounce" target="_blank">Great Lakes or Vital Proteins Pasture-Raised, Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides, (20 oz)" target="_blank">Vital Proteins are reliable sources use only from grass fed cows)
- Heat slowly. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low to simmer for at least 6 hours. Remove scum as it arises.
- Cook long and slow. Chicken bones can cook for 12-48 hours, if you have a good amount of bones. Beef bones can cook for 12-72 hours. A long and slow cook time is necessary in order to fully extract the nutrients in and around bone.
- After cooking for 12-24 hours you have the option of removing meat, marrow, and fat pieces from bones. That can be used in broth, soups, or in other dishes. Place bones back in pot or crockpot and continue cooking bone broth for the duration of time.
- When broth is finished cooking, remove bones and other additions. Strain broth out with strainer and then pour into glass quart size Mason jars, to cool. Tip: In some cases, it is possible to reuse some bones for next batch especially in the case of the larger beef bones. If the bones haven't been completely demineralized to the point of becoming brittle and crumbly. Add them to your new bones when making a new batch of broth.
- There will be a layer of fat that will harden on top of each jar. You have the option to use this layer of fat to flavor up your broths, soups, stews, and gravies. Also can be removed and used for other recipes, sautéing vegetables, frying eggs or omelets, sautéing meats etc. Use to cook with, like you would with any other type of healthy oil or fat. Note: This layer of fat is extremely beneficial in healing and sealing the gut. A great source of EFAS, vitally important nutrient for brain and heart health.
- Important note: If broth will not be used within a week or so, freeze broth in Ball Regular Mouth Quart Jars with Lids and Bands, Set of 12" target="_blank">quart size Mason jars. When freezing broth in glass jars, only fill 3/4 of the jar to leave room for expansion. Otherwise the jar will crack and explode.
Sip on the broth or use as the base in a nutrient-dense soup, stew, chili, steamed vegetables, steaming ancient soaked grains etc. Use bone broth to perform a nutrient dense healing liquid fast, an incredible ancient medicinal strategy (we will discuss this in a future blog post).
Sources: Article- "Heal your guts and lose cellulite" Donna Gates-Body Ecology Diet
Basics of the Paleo Diet
The Paleo diet has been really popular the last few decade, but like any diet, there is good information and there is bad. I believe strongly in the Paleo way of thinking (I do have my B.Sc. degree in Health and Exercise Science and Sports Medicine from Colorado State University, where the Paleo diet was founded!), but I think there are some things people should know when going Paleo, so I want to break down the basic principles of Paleo and some of the most common mistakes.
The Paleo diet is based on the observation and fact that we have no evolved significantly from our Paleolithic ancestors. While this can be argued with the common sense fact that we have gotten smarter, taller, faster, stronger (just watch athletes 50 years ago compared to today), genetically speaking, our human genome does not change very rapidly and we are genetically the same as we have been for 1000's of years. With this fact being established, we can look at the way the body is innately designed to function and what it is innately designed to thrive on and determine the right diet for us genetically. Some of these principles are based off theories about our ancestors, but they are all now backed by modern science and the research proves these dietary steps will help eliminate the causes of inflammation and prevent and reverse modern diseases.
Top 5 Principles of Paleo:
- Eat Real Food. This one is basic, but it is so crucially important. Think: If I were a caveman, would I eat this? What would a caveman think if you brought him a box of Hamburger Helper, would he or she think it was real food? No, because it's not. Eat food by God, not food by man.
- Think like a Hunter/Gatherer. You may have heard this term, but if you imagine back several thousand years ago, we hadn't yet invented farming and agriculture, we would forage on nuts and seeds and things we found in nature, but we would get most of our calories from hunting animals. Gathering and hunting. This is a natural part of the food chain (most animals hunt for food) and would sustain our energy for longer periods of time, or until the next kill, and we would snack on what we could find in the mean time. For this reason the Paleo diet is heavily based in animal products, nuts, and seeds.
- Eliminate Grains and Sugars. I love this one too. Our bodies are not genetically designed to assimilate grains and sugars, especially at the rate at which we are consuming them today. No added sugars, sweeteners, no refined sugars, but even limiting fruit as a source of sugar. Sugar impacts the insulin response and all sugars and all grains are very inflammatory, causing gut and cellular inflammation and allowing toxins into the body. Also eliminate beans and legumes, as they can also be very inflammatory.
- Eliminate Vegetable Oils - Canola oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, vegetable oil, margarine, shortening. In past decades our consumption of these oils has increased massively while our consumption of things like butter, ghee, lard, and tallow has decreased - and we have seen a massive rise in heart disease - the number one killer worldwide! Eliminate these damaged fats and oils, they are massively inflammatory.
- Others: -Eliminate dairy products. Exceptions - butter, fats from grass-fed cows like ghee, lard, tallow, or raw unpasteurized dairy is acceptable (Dr. Taylor's opinion). -Eliminate soy products and be careful around other goitrogens which can block thyroid function -Eat QUALITY ANIMAL PRODUCTS. This one is crucial because Paleo is so animal-based! You HAVE to have only: Grass-Fed beef products, organic everything, free-range chicken and eggs, wild-caught fish. The caveman didn't find a cow in a feed lot with 4000 other cattle eating grains and taking hormones. Wild game are great meat options! -Snack on nuts and seeds
Dr. Taylor's Tips for Going Paleo:
I think this is the best diet for a human being to eat for a long, healthy life. With that being said, I am not a fan of the mainstream Paleo image of: "Bacon for breakfast, bacon for lunch, steak for dinner after my crossfit WOD." I think there are several things to keep in mind when going Paleo aside from the above-mentioned principles.
- I avoid pork. Even though pork is 100% Paleo-approved (and for many Paleo-ers it is their #1 staple), it's not something I eat. Pork is typically a more toxic meat than chicken, beef, or wild game. I also avoid (painfully) shellfish and many larger fish due to their higher toxic burden, so I would be careful with some of these meat choices.
- I believe Paleo can and many times should still be plant-based. You don't hear much talk about vegetables with Paleo, but they are 100% approved and should still be the foundation of a good diet, especially when the highest quality meat products aren't available. You can still get a lot of good fats from plants (avocados, coconut products, nuts, seeds), which you want to be consuming a lot of. It's also still very important to get a full spectrum of phytonutrients in your diet, especially in today's toxic world. Make sure every single day you are eating a food from each color of the rainbow to get the full phytonutrient spectrum!
- Make sure you have a healthy gut. Adding in something like fermented foods to a Paleo diet can make a world of difference. This can be cabbage, kimchi, sauerkraut, or even fermented soy like natto or miso or fermented raw dairy like kefir - this is very important to ensure you have a healthy gut microbiome, or bacteria living in your digestive tract.
Heart Disease is Killing Us
The statistics on Heart Disease in our country are disgusting, yet I still don't feel like it receives as much attention as other diseases, like breast or prostate cancer for example. It kills more people each year than all forms of cancer combined, it kills more women than it does men, and the worst part is IT IS PREVENTABLE AND LARGELY REVERSIBLE!
- Heart disease (which includes Heart Disease, Stroke and other Cardiovascular Diseases) is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, killing nearly 787,000 people alone in 2011.
- In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 34 seconds. Every 60 seconds, someone in the United States dies from a heart disease-related event.
- Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.
- While 1 in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 dies of heart disease.
- Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women's deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute.
- Only 1 in 5 American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat.
- An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease.
- Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
- Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease.
These are STAGGERING STATISTICS, especially for women!
The downstream effects of heart disease are often seen in middle ages (heart attacks, strokes), but autopsy studies have proven that heart disease begins in childhood. Autopsies of American children have shown up to 50% having atherosclerosis, or plaquing in their arteries, by 10-14 years old! So true heart disease prevention HAS TO START IN KIDS!!!
What's worse is that the most common methods of treatment have major side effects and are often ineffective at best.
Aspirin - An aspirin a day keeps the heart attacks away right? WRONG. A recent study out of Japan studying over 14,000 people ages 60-85 "…found no major difference in heart-related deaths or non-fatal heart attacks and strokes between people who took aspirin and those who didn't." Not to mention there is evidence to support that long-term aspirin use increases internal bleeding and could lead to increased stroke risk. Just because it's what we've always been told to do doesn't mean it's true! Who told us - Bayer??
Statins - In the U.S. some 40 million people take cholesterol-lowering medications called Statins - like Lipitor, Zocor, or the generic name Simvastatin. This is the highest selling category of drugs at over $20 Billion, and Lipitor is the highest-selling drug of all time. So do they work?
They do lower cholesterol on a blood test. But they DO NOT DECREASE THE RISK OF MORTALITY/MORBIDITY!! Many review studies have been published showing their lack of efficacy in preventing heart attacks and most importantly, preventing death. One review found that "current clinical evidence does not demonstrate that titrating lipid therapy (trying to lower cholesterol with statins) to achieve proposed low LDL cholesterol levels is beneficial or safe." (emphasis mine) Following up on this, in a major independent review of studies funded by the Ministry of Health of British Columbia, Canada on statins and primary prevention, researchers reported that "statins have not been shown to provide an overall health benefit in primary prevention trials."
So the research does not really support that statins work very well. So what. Can I take it "just in case"? The side effects are even worse than the fact that they don't prevent death - they can cause it! Statins have been scientifically linked to over 300 side effects, including:
- Cognitive Loss
- Muscle Loss (including the heart!)
- CoQ10 depletion
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Erectile Dysfunction
So many people take statins "just because the doctor told me I had to." The doctor isn't your mother. I can't legally tell you what to take and what not to take, but I would strongly encourage you to do your homework on statin drugs and be well aware of the risks and the rewards.
Blood Pressure Medications - These typically include things like ACE inhibitors and diuretics. ACE inhibitors block the action of an enzyme that breaks down something called bradykinin, which relaxes arteries. So taking an ACE inhibitor means more bradykinin in the bloodstream, more relaxed arteries and lower blood pressure. This can obviously create side effect though, which include:
- Headaches, dizziness, fatigue and nausea;
- A relentless, dry cough that just won't shift;
- Angioedema, a swelling of the face, tongue and throat that can occur with alarming speed and can cause suffocation by blocking the airway;
- Impaired kidney function, particularly if taken together with diuretics and NSAID-type painkillers.
NSAIDs (like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Aleve) have been shown to cause high blood pressure and "cardiovascular events" or heart attacks and strokes! Merck's NSAID Vioxx, one of the most popular drugs ever which was pulled off the market in 2004 due to it's direct link to heart attacks and strokes, was estimated to have caused between 88,000 and 139,000 heart attacks. I hate this one because my mom was on Vioxx. Heart disease-drug-induced kidney failure is very common among patients who are combining an ACE inhibitor, a diuretic, and NSAID drugs. The medical literature calls it a "triple whammy" of devastation.
The two scariest parts of Heart Disease are:
- It's happening to EVERYBODY - your parents, your siblings, your KIDS. I have two sisters and a mother - 1 of them will die from heart disease, statistically speaking. I have two daughters and a wife. Prevention starts now. You have to be actively preventing it in the whole family, non-negotiably.
- Very rarely is somebody on only 1 medication for heart disease. More commonly it's a pharmaceutical cocktail which may include a statin, an ACE inhibitor, a diuretic, an NSAID, an aspirin...and due to the combination of chemicals and side effects, it won't be long until more drugs are added into the mix. Being on a single blood pressure medication is something that would concern me MASSIVELY because I know what happens next.
The two best parts about heart disease are:
- It's preventable. Many many things have proven to prevent heart disease, with exercising and following an anti-inflammatory lifestyle at the top of the list.
- It's reversible. Studies have shown that arterial stiffness can be improved, that arterial plaquing can be improved, that blood pressure can go down, cholesterol can balance out, triglycerides can go down. The body is the most amazing healing machine when you give it what it needs and remove any interference!
That's what we teach. Schedule a heart health consultation with us in the office. Go back through our archives and listen to podcasts, read articles, and begin implementing the Real Health Lifestyle that will keep you and your family healthy and heart- (and other) disease-free. Then go out and tell someone you love and care about and don't let them become a statistic.
- http://www.theheartfoundation.org/heart-disease-facts/heart-disease-statistics/
- Atherosclerosis Cardiovascular Disease Beginning in Childhood http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2812791/
- Bartolucci, A.A., S. Bae, et al. A Bayesian meta-analysis approach to address the effectiveness of statins in preventing death after an initial myocardial infarction. 18th World IMACS/MODSIM Congress. Cairns, Australia. 2009
- Vrecer, M., S. Turk, et al. "Use of statins in primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke. Meta-analysis of randomized trials." International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 41(12): 567-577. 2003.
- Hayward, R.A., T.P. Hofer, et al. "Narrative review: Lack of evidence for recommended low-density lipoprotein treatment targets: A solvable problem." Annals of Internal Medicine 145(7): 520-530. 2006.
- University of British Columbia "Do statins have a role in primary prevention? A review by the Therapeutics Initiative of the Department of Pharma cology & Therapeutics of the University of British Columbia." Therapeutics Letter (48). 2003.
- http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/09/statin-cholesterol-lowering-drugs.aspx
- Diuretics, ACE inhibitors and NSAIDS--the triple whammy. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10772593
- Nephrotoxicity associated with concomitant ACE inhibitor and NSAID therapy. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2218652
- Can Pharm J (Ott). 2013 Mar; 146(2): 80–83.
Article By: Dr. Taylor Krick
Click Here To Listen To The REAL HEALTH Podcast - Episode 28 - Heart Disease Is Killing Us.
Omega 6 : Omega 3 Ratio and Inflammation
We talk a lot about fats - eating fat to burn fat, increasing good fats, eliminating bad fats, ketogenesis - it's a popular topic. As it should be- damaged, inflammatory fats are one of the leading contributors to disease (especially heart disease the #1 killer!) and top threats to our health today while on the other hand, healthy fats are one of the biggest missing nutrients. All fats are not created equal though, and improper fatty acid ratios can lead to inflammation, toxicity, and cell membrane permeability issues!
Led by industry and financial ties, good fat became the enemy decades ago. This caused an increase in our intake of GMO vegetable and seed oils, like Canola, Cottonseed, Corn and Soybean oils along with a large decrease in healthy fat consumption from animals. Here are two charts showing the decrease in healthy fats and the increase in oils during the "war on fat" period. Take note of where our obesity crisis began!
As you can see, we had a shift away from natural animal products and towards rancid GMO vegetable oils.
Many people purposely avoid vegetable oils, eat things like avocados, nuts, seeds, and try to eat fish regularly, but my question to you is this:
Could you be eating too many "healthy" foods that are too high in pro-inflammatory Omega 6's without knowing it?
This is what the current scientific literature suggests regarding omega 6: omega 3 ratios and their importance in disease prevention:
"Several sources of information suggest that human beings evolved on a diet with a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA) of approximately 1 whereas in Western diets the ratio is 15/1-16.7/1. Western diets are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and have excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids compared with the diet on which human beings evolved and their genetic patterns were established. Excessive amounts of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and a very high omega-6/omega-3 ratio, as is found in today's Western diets, promote the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, whereas increased levels of omega-3 PUFA (a low omega-6/omega-3 ratio) exert suppressive effects. In the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, a ratio of 4/1 was associated with a 70% decrease in total mortality. A ratio of 2.5/1 reduced rectal cell proliferation in patients with colorectal cancer, whereas a ratio of 4/1 with the same amount of omega-3 PUFA had no effect. The lower omega-6/omega-3 ratio in women with breast cancer was associated with decreased risk. A ratio of 2-3/1 suppressed inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and a ratio of 5/1 had a beneficial effect on patients with asthma, whereas a ratio of 10/1 had adverse consequences......A lower ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is more desirable in reducing the risk of many of the chronic diseases of high prevalence in Western societies, as well as in the developing countries, that are being exported to the rest of the world." (Emphasis mine)
-Simopoulos AP1., Biomed Pharmacother. 2002 Oct;56(8):365-79.
As stated, the literature suggests that 1:1 is the ideal ratio, and while various studies have tested different ratios and their effects, he summarizes by saying that a lower ratio is more desirable in reducing the risk of disease. So what's your ratio? The only way to know is to measure it in the blood, typically as an AA:EPA ratio. I actually just picked a dozen random lab results from our office and averaged them - our patients averaged 20 : 1! I can tell you I would have never expected mine to be 30 : 1 a few years back, but after seeing these charts I've compiled below, I can understand how they got that way - avocados and nuts. My trans fats were low, my omega 3s weren't too low, I was just really really high in omega 6s.
Here are some of the foods that might commonly be found in a "healthy" diet and their Omega 6 : 3 ratios:
Vegetable and Seed Oils
Palm Oil: 45.5 : 1
Corn Oil: 46.1 : 1
Cottonseed Oil: 258 : 1
Grapeseed Oil: 696 : 1
Surprisingly Bad Ratios
Almonds: omega 6's only
Cashew: 48.3 : 1
Avocado: 15 : 1
Pistachios: 55.3 : 1
Pumpkin Seeds: 107.8 : 1
Sesame Seeds: 137.7 : 1
Olive Oil: 11.7 : 1
Differences in Meat
Grass-Fed Beef: 2.67 : 1
Grain-Fed Beef: 17.19 : 1
Good Omega 3 Ratios
Chia Seeds: 1 : 3.03
Flax Seeds: 1 : 3.86
Caviar: 1 : 83.8
Mackeral: 1 : 12.19
Salmon: 1 : 15.03
You can see why vegetable and seed oils have to be avoided at all costs, but what about a healthy "paleo" diet that is high in nuts, seeds, and avocados? Think about someone who may be having trouble losing weight, low energy, always in pain, maybe a friend (or yourself) with an autoimmune disease that is making attempts to eat a healthy diet and not getting the results they are expecting? Someone could easily eat an avocado a day and snack on cashews and almonds and be massively disrupting their Omega 6: Omega 3 ratios and fueling inflammation!
This is one of the most important lab tests someone could ever have. We have tested dozens of patients, and nobody is ever perfect and it's usually a surprise which levels are higher than others. The testing is quick and easy, you can prick your own finger in the comfort of your own home. We measure omega 3s, 6s, trans fats, and important ratios - 12 metrics in total. Contact Align today to order your test.
Article By: Dr. Taylor Krick
6 Ways to Safely Reduce Blood Pressure without Dangerous Medications
Over 65 million Americans suffer from High Blood Pressure - a very big and real problem - but like most real problems, it has real causes and real, natural solutions.
Most people are addressing the problem with medication, for example: Anything ending in -pril like Lisinopril, anything ending in -olol like Atenolol, diuretics like HCTZ, or blood thinners like Aspirin. Most typically prescribed hypertension drugs are: ACE Inhibitors, Diuretics, Beta Blockers, and Calcium Channel Blockers. These drugs all have major side effects, and they are often used in combination with other medications - even though certain combinations have proven to cause kidney failure! (ACE Inhibitor, Diuretic, and NSAIDs - "The Triple Whammy of Kidney Failure")1
Fortunately, there are plenty of safe and effective ways to bring down your blood pressure and reduce your reliance on ACE inhibitors and other dangerous drugs. Among the scientific literature, there are hundreds and hundreds of natural substances and practices that have been proven to aid hypertension, like meditation and yoga. Some of the research-proven nutraceuticals that aren't mentioned below include: flaxseed, cocoa products, grape seed extract, and L-arginine.
Here are my top 6 tips to safely and naturally reduce blood pressure (in no particular order):
- Vitamin D – a new study from the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology has shown that low levels of this essential hormone are a direct cause of elevated blood pressure. Most mainstream literature suggests supplementing with 2000 IU, I recommend taking at least 5,000 IU daily. But, you never know for sure until you get it measured! 50-70 ng/mmol is where I like to be and like my patients to be.
- Fish Oil – the blood pressure lowering effect of fish oil has recently been confirmed in a systematic review of 17 clinical trials (although the changes were small).8 The omega 3's EPA and DHA from fish oil decrease inflammation and have been shown to reduce stiffness of your arteries.9 I typically recommend between 1000-2500mg/day, but I also strongly recommend that you get your Omega 6: Omega 3 levels and ratios tested!
- CoQ10 – taking 100 to 200 mg a day can reduce blood pressure by up to 17 mmHg systolic and 10 mmHg diastolic, and in a study of hypertensive patients taking 200+mg/day, 51% were able to get off at least 1-3 antihypertensive medications 4 months after beginning taking CoQ10.4 Make sure you take the most bioavailable form of CoQ10, known as Ubiquinol. When doing Customized Supplementation Plans using blood and urine lab testing, this is the single most common deficiency and most needed supplement in our patient base, and many experience great results after beginning taking CoQ10. THIS IS A MUST FOR PEOPLE ON STATINS FOR CHOLESTEROL!
- Garlic – has been found to reduce blood pressure in several studies, including one that showed time-released garlic tablets dropped total blood pressure by more than 10mmHg.5 I think it's better to include it in your diet, the main ingredient allicin is only potent right after you have smashed it, so freshly smashed garlic is more potent than capsules or pills, although many people choose the capsules for their breath. But it's good for you!
- Exercise -- Exercise has been shown to improve hypertension for many, many years and is the single most researched health intervention under the sun. There is very little that it hasn't been shown to improve. I sometimes think it's obvious, but it's amazing how many people do not get enough exercise. This probably means you! That means movement, like walking, but it also means actually exercising and getting your heart rate elevated and giving your heart a good workout! THink about it - your heart is having to work harder to pump blood through your arteries. That's high blood pressure. So what happens if you strengthen the heart? Lower the heart rate? Increase its efficiency? Exercise is a no-brainer for high blood pressure!
- Get Adjusted! There are now dozens of studies looking at chiropractic adjustments and the responses of the nervous system, the stress response, and particularly the cardiovascular system - including many on Heart Rate Variability and Blood Pressure.6 One study has shown a total drop in BP of 27mmHg after undergoing chiropractic care to the upper cervical area!7 Many of these studies are looking specifically at adjustments of the upper cervical area, specifically the occiput or skull and C1, or the atlas bone. The proposed mechanism for the drop in blood pressure is that adjusting the atlas and brainstem area cause a parasympathetic response, which lowers blood pressure, as opposed to a sympathetic response, or fight-or-flight response. Most people today are stuck in a sympathetic dominance from far too much stress (mental, physical, chemical), and the parasympathetic response elicited by an atlas adjustment can help much more than their blood pressure, as the parasympathetic nervous system also controls things like digestion, healing, and hormone balance. So get adjusted!
Article By: Dr. Taylor Krick
- http://www.realdiabetestruth.com/blood-pressure-drugs-hidden-dangers-of-ace-inhibitors/
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10772593
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26768241 - The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, news release, June 25, 2014
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7752851
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19390538
- http://www.chiro.org/research/ABSTRACTS/Blood_Pressure.shtml
- Atlas Vertebra Realignment and Achievement of Arterial Pressure Goal in Hypertensive Patients: A Pilot Study - Journal of Human Hypertension 2007 (May); 21 (5): 347–352
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22345681
- Pase MP (2011) Do long-chain n-3 fatty acids reduce arterial stiffness? A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials" in the British Journal of Nutrition doi:10.1017/S0007114511002819
Disclaimer: These statements are of a general nature and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using any product.
Does My Insurance Cover That?
As a healthcare provider, one of the most common questions we get in the community and in the office is "Does my insurance cover that?" It's a valid question, but I urge you (as always), to CHANGE YOUR THINKING!
Americans have been trained to expect the little pieces of plastic or paper in their wallets called insurance cards to pay for their healthcare, so we don't use any health care that's not in the traditional medical/insurance model. The problem is that insurance doesn't pay for health at all- it pays for "disease management" or "sick care". It's so backwards. The modern healthcare system is so flawed that you must first lose your health to even enter it!
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, premiums have risen 87 percent in the past six years to an average of $11,480 per year for a family, which is almost what a minimum wage worker earns annually. In the meantime, NBC News ran an article recently in which the U.S. ranked dead last in overall health yet again. We are 51st in the world in life expectancy, yet we spend more money on "healthcare" than any other country in the world. Why are we getting such bad results? We have too much reliance on the failing medical and insurance "sick-care" system.
Let me explain why you should never want to use your insurance. Insurance covers "medically necessary" care. That sounds reasonable until you read the definition of "medically necessary".
According to the Medicare Guidelines, Section 2251.3:
"A treatment plan that seeks to prevent disease, promote health, and prolong and enhance the quality of life; or therapy that is performed to maintain or prevent deterioration of a chronic condition is deemed not medically necessary."
That is exactly the opposite of the purpose of Align Utah. We exist TO prevent disease, TO promote health, and TO prolong and enhance the quality of life. Our chiropractic treatments are specifically designed to maintain health and prevent deterioration of a chronic condition- subluxation. Our nutrition and detox programs are designed specifically to prevent disease, promote health, and prolong and enhance the quality of life. We are the opposite of what insurance covers, and when you read that statement it begs the question: "WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT THAT?!?"
Auto Insurance doesn't cover oil changes. It doesn't cover tire rotations. It doesn't cover brake pads. It doesn't cover anything that promotes the health of your car, or even anything to prevent deterioration.
IT'S THERE FOR WHEN YOU GET IN A WRECK. Health insurance is the same thing. If I get in a auto accident, thank God for the medical system to save my life and thank God for insurance so that I don't get stuck with a $50,000 bill.
The sooner that we realize that OUR health is OUR responsibility and not Blue Cross's, not Aetna's, not Medicare's, not Obama's or Trump's or Hillary's – the sooner you can take control of your health and direct its destiny.
Essential Oils | Peppermint
The health benefits of peppermint oil include its ability to treat indigestion, respiratory problems, headache, nausea, fever, stomach and bowel spasms, as well as for pain relief. Historically, the herb has been known for its medicinal uses, and its impressively long history often gives it the prestigious title as the world's oldest medicine. Peppermint is produced by steam distillation of the leaves.
Aromatically Peppermint is purifying and stimulating to the conscious mind and may aid with memory and mental performance.
Some common uses for Peppermint are: allergies, arthritis, bruises, colic, depression, digestive aid, fatigue, fever reducer, food poisoning, gas halitosis, headaches, heartburn, heat exhaustion, hives, hot flashes, indigestion, IBS, decrease inflammation, , memory loss, , increase mental performance, morning & motion sickness, muscle pain, nausea, respiratory aid and viruses
·Calm a Tempest. Just one drop of peppermint oil rubbed on the stomach or taken internally can calm indigestion, an upset stomach or other internal digestive commotion. A must-have when traveling!
·Restore Vitality in the Mouth. When your breath is sharp and your mouth feels furry, peppermint oil with water (and lemon oil) creates a healthy, refreshing mouth rinse that leaves a lasting crisp, clean feeling.
·It's About Air Flow. When sinuses seem to be clogged, and throats swollen and scratchy, diffuse peppermint oil (or apply topically on the chest) for almost immediate relief and revitalizing air flow. Peppermint acts as an expectorant and may provide relief for colds, cough, sinusitis, asthma, and bronchitis.
·Cool the Joints. When the ravages of time wreak havoc on your joints, leaving that hot and achy feeling, peppermint oil mixed with lavender oil cools like an ice bath, but you to stay warm and dry.
·Feel Full, Faster. Satiety. It's about feeling full, and not overeating. The aroma of peppermint oil has the ability to make you feel full, faster…especially if you breathe it in during a meal!
·Perk Up. The invigorating aroma of peppermint is a wonderful, non-stimulating way to perk up on long drives, in school, during late night homework or any other time you need to "burn the midnight oil."
·Allergies Beware. Peppermint oil has the ability to relax smooth muscles in the body — the same muscles that line our airways and become affected in allergy season. Peppermint oil (with lemon) should certainly be another arrow in your allergy treatment quiver!
·Chase Away Tension Headaches. Got a mind numbing headache? A few drops of peppermint dabbed on your temples, neck and sinuses can quickly spring into action and chase that headache away!
·Wake Up Your Mind. Peppermint oil activates the limbic function in your brain. The limbic function helps control things like emotions and long-term memory and is related to olfactory structures in your nose.
·Don't Make It Easy on the Critters. Many household bugs do not like peppermint oil — ants, aphids, beetles, plant lice, mice and cockroaches try to steer clear of peppermint. Just add to water in a spray bottle and spray where you think pests grace you with their presence!
·Alleviate Internal Strife. When used topically or internally, peppermint is a favorite for fresh relief from cramping, indigestion to diarrhea. Skip the antacids and go with peppermint oil!
·Leap from Lethargic. Feeling lethargic or in a brain fog? Peppermint has been known to improve blood circulation and awareness, leaving you with an energized, awake feeling.
·Go Eight-Leg Free. When you diffuse peppermint into the room, you'll notice fewer spiders. Why? They don't like it. It's safe, contains no harsh chemicals or pesticides. It doesn't kill the spiders, but forces them out.
Flame Retardants In Your Nursery?
Scientists from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Duke University recently released a groundbreaking study that found a biomarker of the cancer-causing TDCIPP in the bodies of all 22 mothers and 26 children tested.
TDCIPP, a known carcinogen, and other hazardous fire retardants are commonly found in furniture, nap mats, changing table pads, nursing pillows, and other consumer products. Compared to their mothers, the children's levels tested nearly five times higher, and in the most extreme case a child had 23 times the levels measured in the mother!
This is not a new problem with flame-retardants. In fact, in the 1970's research published in the journal Science showed us that children who wore pajamas treated with flame-retardants had a mutagenic metabolite in their urine that children who wore non-treated pajamas did not have. In 1977 The Consumer Product Safety Commission even banned certain flame-retardants from children's clothing after a National Cancer Institute study showed that it caused tumors in laboratory animals, and there is now clear evidence that TDCIPP causes tumors in animals in multiple organs.
Most parents would be appalled by someone sitting and smoking cigarettes next to their child, but would never even consider that the couch or the pillow the child lies on for 8-10 hours per day is having the exact same carcinogenic effect. This is because everybody knows cigarette smoke is toxic. What we DON'T know see are all of the other major sources of toxicity that our children are being exposed to –furniture, cleaners, bedding, plastic toys, GMOs, tap water, glyphosate, vaccines, food additives, etc. Combine all of these toxins and you get a health epidemic like we are seeing developing right now, and it's starting in our children.
Detox is not just for adults, it's for everyone. The bucket begins filling in utero, that's been proven through many studies. When do you start emptying the bucket? As soon as you can and as often as you can. Our girls have detoxed since they were born. They sleep with an air purifier, eat a whole foods diet, eat fermented foods and take probiotics, and even love taking CytoDetox which binds and eliminates the most dangerous of toxins. This isn't to say they are guaranteed to be toxin-free, it's just one step my wife and I have decided to take for the well-being of our children, and we recommend the same to everyone.
- http://www.ewg.org/release/ewg-duke-study-finds-five-times-much-cancer-causing-fire-retardants-children-mothers
Fibromyalgia - Is It Really Incurable?
Fibromyalgia - Is It Really Incurable?
Fibromyalgia is a tough thing to see in a chiropractic office, even though that's right where the person needs to be. Sometimes a patient is in so much pain it's hard to touch them for an exam let alone adjust their spine. They are usually skeptical, and rightfully so. Often times they have been told by friends, family, and even doctors that their problems are "all in their head". Many times they say things like "I hurt from the top of my head to the tips of my toes", "I feel like I got hit by a Mack truck", or "My arms and legs feel like they are stuck in cement". My least favorite is "I really love to exercise and I can't do anything with my kids anymore because I'm in too much pain all over. Please help me be able to exercise." It's terribly debilitating and can take a person's hope away.
Fortunately for the millions of suffering Americans this disease IS reversible, although a Google search or an outdated textbook (or medical doctor) might tell you otherwise. I can confidently tell you this because I have personally helped many people not just limit their flare-ups to virtually non-existent but actually reverse their Fibromyalgia diagnosis to merely a memory in their medical charts (listen to our podcast accompanying this article, I interview one of these patients).
We don't "treat" fibromyalgia (or any disease for that matter), but by understanding some of the basic designs and functions of the body and working with a qualified doctor and team, you can begin to understand more about your potential solutions. We implement three Real Health solutions: Nutrition, True Cellular Detox, and Chiropractic for an Innate healing solution. When used together they remove any possible interference from your body healing and are the secret to you getting your life back.
Fibromyalgia literally translates to muscle pain, or pain in the ligaments, tendons, and joints. It's characterized by unexplained pain all over the body which can vary in intensity, and is diagnosed by that too - pain all over the body in 11 out of 18 pain spots. It's one of the worst conditions to suffer from and one of the worst diagnoses to receive because it gives no real answers - you have pain all over you body. Medical doctors have no answers at all outside of switching medications from Lyrica to gabapentin to prednisone to muscle relaxers and back again in a search to relieve your pain but never finding a true cause. Fibromyalgia is much more than just pain too, it is usually accompanied by chronic fatigue, brain fog, troubled sleep, and an inability to recover from normal physical exertion. Over 10 million Americans suffer with fibro, and it affects 4x more women than men.
Although very misunderstood and mysterious, fibromyalgia is classified as a "heightened pain state". It's described as "overactive nerves". Your body produces and interprets more pain signals than it should considering the given pain stimulus, often times with no painful stimulus at all. In other words, if a 1lb weight was dropped on your normal healthy arm and you said it was a 2/10 on a 1-10 pain scale, a fibromyalgia patient would rate it a 12/10 and three days later it might still be a 5/10. The touch of a small pet's paw might make them jump off the couch. Picking up a granddaughter might lead to 2 days of bedrest. Debilitating pain - burning, aching, stabbing, shooting.
Fibro is classified as a Centralized Pain State, meaning the abnormal pain perception is occurring in the Central Nervous System, or brain and spinal cord, even though the pain is felt throughout the arms and legs. Many hypotheses exist regarding cause and cure including theories on brain and pain neurotransmitters, inflammatory cytokines, sleep disturbances, circadian rhythm of cortisol, oxidative damage, etc etc...and it's a big (and growing) part of the pharmaceutical drug industry's research and marketing. As always though, there is no one single cause, and there is no one single solution (like a drug or pill or shot).
The Real Health 3-Part Solution for Fibromyalgia
Nutrition - It Starts With Food
Good health starts with real food. It's hard to heal while eating junk. But will nutrition reverse fibromyalgia? I would argue that while you can't heal without proper nutrition, you won't fully heal from diet alone, but it's the most important place to start. You can't extinguish a fire and fuel it at the same time. The goal of eating for fibromyalgia is DECREASING INFLAMMATION. Many "diets" have had great success because the one thing they all have in common is they (typically) avoid fake food and encourage real foods including vegetables. That's a great place to start! It's an absolute MUST for anyone suffering from fibromyalgia to avoid inflammatory foods and follow a strict anti-inflammatory diet. Eating processed or sugary junk foods is like pouring gas on the fire, and that kind of self-sabotage deserves no sympathy. As I've heard many patients tell me - "No food tastes as good as NOT having fibro flare-ups feels."
I recommend a 'plant-based paleo' diet rich in a large variety of vegetables, high-fat foods like coconut products and avocados, grass-fed beef and butter, organic chicken and eggs, wild-caught fish, nuts, and seeds with very little sugar, little to no grains (no bread, pasta, rice, corn) and absolutely no processed or genetically modified (GMO) foods. I also like to incorporate different healing techniques taught originally by Dr. Pompa called Diet Variation to challenge metabolism and down-regulate cellular inflammation faster. Once you are eating a healthy diet you can then begin to "supplement" additional things (like cyclic doses of probiotics, omegas, L-Carnitine, etc etc - work with a physician!) that can also help decrease inflammation, but not until your diet is right. When these techniques are combined with detoxification and chiropractic it's magic!
True Cellular Detox - You Have to Fix the Cell to get Well!
Detox is the wrong word to use for what we do in our office and what you need to do to really truly get healthy. People think of detox as a 10-Day Detox package from their local health food store or a Liver and Gut Cleanse they read about on Pinterest. While all of those things can be helpful, they aren't going to solve the problem of fibromyalgia. You have to fix the cell to get well. What that means is that when your cells are functioning properly, your body is functioning properly and you don't have pain or symptoms. Many symptoms of fibromyalgia are linked to toxicity and the problems caused at the cellular level including low energy or chronic fatigue, brain fog, and abnormal sleep cycles. A critical part of our True Cellular Detox program we offer is getting your cells functioning properly again - decreasing cellular inflammation, repairing the cell membrane, restoring cellular energy, re-establishing an important cellular process called methylation. Fibromyalgia has been linked to toxicity from many sources including excitotoxins from food like MSG and aspartame, glyphosate (round-up), Volatile Organic Compounds (fumes), heavy metals, and more. These toxins create cellular inflammation and without effectively getting rid of the toxins, you will never eliminate the inflammation and never truly get well.
Chiropractic - The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
It doesn't make sense to me. 10 million people in our country have a debilitating disease causing pain all over the body and horrible suffering. The medical system is of little-to-no help outside of dangerous medications. All they know is that it's a problem with the central nervous system interpreting sensory information improperly and creating a heightened pain state. It begs the question - WHY AREN'T MORE FIBRO PATIENTS GETTING THEIR SPINE & NERVOUS SYSTEM CHECKED AND ADJUSTED BY A CHIROPRACTOR REGULARLY? The answer is because people have huge misconceptions about what chiropractic is and what it does.
Your spine is an incredibly complex combination of bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, and not the least - the nervous system. The spinal column surrounds and protects the central nervous system and the beginning of the peripheral nervous system, the sensitive nerve roots. Each bone or vertebra of the spine has at least 6 joints associated with it, and there are 24 moveable segments. When the spine is subluxated, or a specific vertebra or group or vertebrae has restricted motion, this decreases what's called proprioception or mechanoreception at that joint or in that given area. Decreased mechanoreception at any joint (knee, hip, shoulder, spine) has negative neurological effects on the nociceptive or pain pathways, and this leads to a cascade of neurological and eventual endocrinological consequences including an increased stress response. This is often accompanied by other physiological features such as muscle spasms and local inflammation, eventually leading to fibrosis and degeneration, adding further insult to injury and causing more and more deleterious results. This in turn affects generated pain signals in many different ways and even affects the way the brain interprets these pain signals. In the clinic we often see the most spinal damage in the lower cervical and upper thoracic area (lower neck, shoulders, upper back), and that's no surprise. Research shows that fibromyalgia patients show the same spinal cord hypersensitivity seen in a recent whiplash injury.3 The more scary fact is that these 'altered nociceptive signals' are often sub-cortical, meaning you don't consciously feel the pain although neurologically the root cause is still happening just the same and affecting your health on every level. This is the basis for the chiropractic adjustment! When combined with certain techniques like intermittent compressive/extensive traction and physical therapy exercises we can decrease subluxation, improve abnormal joint patterns, remove neurological interference and improve fibromyalgia symptoms. Spinal alignment and segmental motion is an absolute must for everyone but especially fibromyalgia sufferers.
What Do You Do Now?
Many people will try to do this on their own, and for 99% of people - you just can't. You can do a lot, but you really need a coach and a partner, and you literally have to have a chiropractor to get adjusted. No stretching or massage or yoga will take it's place. Visit our website to make an appointment or even schedule a digital consultation. If you aren't ready for that yet, read our other blog posts or listen to our podcast episodes and keep learning about your health and how you can take control of it. We don't take all patients and we don't want you until you are ready to commit to taking control of your own health. When you are ready, we can't wait to meet you and hear how we can help you!
2.Indian J Clin Biochem. 2014 Jan; 29(1): 1–2.
A Quest for Better Understanding of Biochemical Changes in Fibromyalgia Syndrome
3.Pain. 2004 Jan;107(1-2):7-15.
Evidence for spinal cord hypersensitivity in chronic pain after whiplash injury and in fibromyalgia.
Sugar AGEs Your Body Faster
Sugar A.G.E.'s Your Body Faster!
What if there was ONE THING you could do that was easy, would cost you nothing, and has been proven that it would slow down the aging process?
What if that one thing would also drastically help with your weight-loss, your hormone balance, help you decrease your chances of diabetes, heart disease, or even cancer- would you do it?
Among all the well-known negative effects of sugar, perhaps the biggest and most important one is called glycation, which makes you A.G.E., or get old faster.
Advanced Glycation End-products, or A.G.E.s, are compounds made when sugar molecules bind to proteins. It is through this glycation process that sugar can lead to:
-Cardiovascular disease
-Alzheimer's disease
-Arthritis or Degenerative Disc Disease
-Diabetes, etc
Glycation is synonymous with aging, as it leads to loss of tissue elasticity (think: wrinkles). It has also been shown that glycation is a major reason for other degenerative changes in the body including Degenerative Disc Disease of the spine. Through this process of glycation we create inflammation in the body, which can activate the immune system. The immune system then has to work to neutralize the A.G.E.s, and even though this is a healing process, it can cause quite a bit of damage. For example, inside your arteries the scar tissue created by this process is called 'plaque' and it is a major component of heart disease.
Because sugar fuels glycation, it is imperative that you GET OFF SUGAR, but
especially fructose! Fructose, otherwise known as fruit sugar, 'glycates' at a higher rate than sucrose or other sugars (at least 10x the glycation rate!).1 Because of this reason it is incredibly important to minimize your total sugar intake, but especially fructose. Many experts recommend staying below 25 grams of total fructose/day, but I would even go so far as to say it should never exceed 20 grams. Fructose not only leads to increased AGEs, but also is more work for the liver (leading to a fatty liver), increases bad (VLDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, and leads to more rapid weight gain than almost anything on the planet, including table sugar. Anybody who tells you that all sugar is created equal is behind the times on the science!
If you want to slow down the aging and degenerating process, make sure that you are actively decreasing your sugar intake, especially fructose. Change your mindset, read your labels, change your tastebuds, and if you have to, find a good substitute to use in place of sugar.
- http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2008/12/metabolic-dangers-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup/page-02
Sun, Sunscreen, and Cancer
Do you Avoid the Sun or Love the Sun?
As the weather gets nicer and we start to enjoy the outdoors more, do you tend to AVOID the sun or LOVE (and respect) the sun? A 2014 study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine followed almost 30,000 women over the course of 20 years and the conclusion of the study: Avoiding sun exposure is a risk for all-cause mortality.Not only is avoiding sun exposure a risk, the major finding of the study was - women who avoided sun exposure were 2x more likely to die early than those who sunbathed regularly.1
This goes against everything we hear through media and marketing! Sunlight causes cancer right?
Most people who avoid the sun do so to avoid the risk of melanoma, or skin cancer, a legitimate fear in the minds of most Americans. What they fail to realize is that by avoiding the sun they are actually increasing their risk. In fact, even the link between sun exposure and melanoma is debated in the actual science.
"The link between melanoma and sun exposure is unproven. There's no conclusive evidence that sunburns lead to cancer. There is no real proof that sunscreens protect against melanoma. There's no proof that increased exposure to the sun increases the risk of melanoma."
–Dr. Bernard Ackerman M.D., one of the world's foremost authorities on the subject of sun, sunscreen, and skin cancer.
This is in part due to the incredibly important sun exposure causes the body to produce the hormone called Vitamin D3, which actually helps prevent against many diseases including cancer, diabetes, and degenerative diseases. Sunscreen blocks UV ray absorption, which causes the body to produce less Vitamin D3, effectively blocking cancer fighting. In today's culture, it's estimated that 80%+ are deficient in Vitamin D3.
In fact, a 2000 Swedish study looked at melanoma rates with people who used sunscreen more or less often. What they found was that not only did sunscreen not decrease the rate of melanoma, it actually increased the rate of melanoma in people who used it more often!2
I'm not suggesting you need to turn into a bronzed statue. I'm not suggesting you deliberately spend lots of time fully exposed to the mid-day sunlight. I'm definitely not suggesting you get any sunburned skin. I'm only suggesting that you challenge the status quo and think differently about sunlight and conventional sunscreen use (which is full of toxic ingredients). Here are a couple real-life suggestions to protect yourself while at the same time exposing yourself to a safe amount of sunlight regularly:
First- cover yourself up, and cover your kids up. Lightweight long-sleeve tops work great as a sun-cover without being too hot. Our ancestors (not very long ago) would wear long sleeve shirts and pants all year long and still get plenty of sun exposure just from being outside. Hats are easy, sunglasses are easy too. Even if you forget these things you can always pick them up at a gas station and it's probably better than picking up gas station sunscreen brands. Baby swimsuits are really cute, but put a shirt and pants on the kids after too long. Our girls have bucket hats and lightweight cover-alls, and sometimes they wear long-sleeve rashguard-type swimsuit tops to cover their arms.
Second- If you are going to the pool or the beach or the waterpark, find a high-quality, non-toxic sunscreen that you like. There are many homemade DIY recipes that you can make, but if you don't want to make your own you can checkwww.ewg.org for their Sunscreen Guide and find a brand that you trust. We personally use a sunscreen from Pure Haven Essentials.
Third- Take smaller doses of sunlight more often. Spending a few minutes a day is much better for your vitamin D3 production. Think about it like the Vitamin D3 that you might take as a supplement. You don't necessarily want to take a ton at once. It's designed to be taken on a regular basis in small doses (I recommend 5,000 IU even in the summer unless you are exposed to the sun very often). Go out for 45-60 minutes in the morning or evening, or 30 minutes in the mid-day sun and maybe just let your face, neck, and arms be exposed to the sun. Like exercise, chiropractic, supplements, etc...a little bit on a regular basis goes a really long way.
- Avoidance of sun exposure is a risk factor for all-cause mortality: results from the Melanoma in Southern Sweden cohort. Journal of Internal Medicine Volume 276, Issue 1,pages 77–86, July 2014.
- Sunscreen use and malignant melanoma. Int J Cancer. 2000 Jul 1;87(1):145-50.
Essential Oils | Lavender
The health benefits of Lavender essential oil include its ability to eliminate nervous tension, relieve pain, disinfect the scalp and skin, enhance blood circulation and treat respiratory problems. Lavender oil is extracted mostly from the flowers of the Lavender plant, primarily through steam distillation.
A common recommendation for insomnia is Lavender essential oil. If you apply 1-2 drops of Lavender on your feet just before bedtime you could sleep like a baby. FYI - if you add Lemon onto feet after Lavender you'll sleep even better. Lavender helps you go to sleep but Lemon helps keep you asleep. 1-2 drops on a kids pillow can put them out for the night.
Lavender's calming scent which makes it excellent for anxiety issues. Therefore, it can also be helpful in treating migraines, headaches, depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. The refreshing aroma removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness while also increasing mental activity.
Some common uses for Lavender are: acne, allergies, antihistamine, anxiety, balance the body, bronchitis, bruises, burns, calming, cardiovascular health, cuts, dandruff, earaches, eczema, hay fever, headaches, hives, insect bites, insomnia, laryngitis, leg cramps, lymphatic drainage, increase mental clarity, nausea, neuropathy, psoriasis, rashes, scars, skin irritation, stretch marks, and sunburns
·Take the Bite Out of It. Insects, creepies and crawlies are not too fond of the smell of Lavender. In fact, they hate it. If you forget to go the prevention route, Lavender soothes bites, itching and inflammation.
·The Oatmeal Secret. Fill a baby food jar with oatmeal, and add 5-8 drops of Lavender oil. When it's time to wash your face, add water and it becomes an excellent natural scrub! A little goes a long way.
·Minor Burns, Major Relief. When you've slightly overdone it in the sun, a little Lavender oil is helpful in preventing peeling skin. It aids in your skin's healing without scarring as well!
·Boo Boo Relief. Lavender has disinfecting properties. It's great for the skin, and wonderful for relief from cuts and scrapes, especially if the cut or scrape is located wherever it's difficult to keep covered.
·Alleviate Feelings of Earaches. You can warm Lavender (don't scald it), mix with olive oil and gently massage around the ears (not in the ears) and near glands in the throat.
·A Dry Climate Answer. If you suffer from dry, itchy skin, and don't want to mess around with chemical smelling lotions, add Lavender to fractionated coconut oil and comfort will be yours!
·Allergies, Sinuses & Congestion Oh My! Lavender can calm down unruly sinus issues, defiant allergies and other respiratory issues. Just apply on the back of your neck, chest, and between your eyes.
·Soak Away Stress. Your muscles are tight. Anxiety and deadlines are eating at you. Your heart is racing. Where's the pressure release valve? Right here, with Lavender. Add to a warm bath, soak it in, soothe.
Is Your Life Just a Side-Effect?
I heard a story this week about a lady who was fed up with her marriage. Her husband didn't know what he was doing wrong, but she couldn't stand him any longer and she told him that she wanted a divorce and she was leaving him and taking their son.
They separated, and during the turmoil the wife began seeing her therapist again. After explaining the situation, the therapist immediately butted in and cut her off and told her one of the medications she had been taking called Wellbutrin, an anti-depressant, one of the most common side-effects was unexplained anger. This drug she had been taking had made her unexplainably mad at her husband and had caused her (almost) divorce. She stopped the medication and they were happily reunited.
This medication almost ruined her marriage, her family's life, and affected her son forever, and she probably never even thought of it as the cause. We all see the drug commercials and laugh about how the commercial is 30 seconds of soothing voices and cartoons but the side-effects disclaimer is over 1-minute of monotone voice (may cause diarrhea, vomiting, heart attack, loss of eyesight, impotence, and death- contact your physician if your symptoms worsen), but we still never think of the drugs as the CAUSE.
All drugs have side-effects, or as I call them- EFFECTS. If you are taking a medication, it may in fact be lowering your blood pressure, lowering your cholesterol, boosting your estrogen or thyroid hormone, taking the "edge" off your anxiety- but it is absolutely causing other EFFECTS in your body. In fact over 100,000 people die each year from properly prescribed medication- that's the right drug, at the right time, in the right dosage, and they die. We've had patients recently hospitalized for their drug-effects, we've had patients stop taking certain medications and the drug-effects go away immediately, but they never seem to look at the medication first as the cause.
We've also had many patients recently get off their medications, and that's the best thing we see! If you are on any medications this is not to say stop taking it immediately, but if you are on even just one drug- you need to do whatever you can to find the true cause, address the root of the problem, and get off the medication as soon as possible.
Top 5 Steps for Raising Non-Toxic Kids
Toxicity has proven to be one of the biggest factors at play in our 21st century health epidemic. It has been linked to: cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and other brain issues, hormone disruption, reproductive complications, heart disease, developmental issues, autoimmune diseases, intestinal permeability (leaky gut)...toxins contribute to almost all disease processes in the body by causing cellular toxicity, oxidative damage, and inflammation.
One of the biggest problems with toxins is that they can bio-accumulate, or stay in your body and build up, especially in your fat cells. I've always taught that your body fills with toxins the way a bucket fills with water, and when the bucket overflows, that's when symptoms or disease processes occur. The more 'hoses' or sources of toxins coming in, the faster the bucket fills. This is a great analogy, but it begs the question:
If my adult body is a bucket, what are my 18-month old twin daughters' - pint-glasses?
What is a newborn - a solo cup?
What is a fetus - a shot glass?
Children's toxicity is a serious issue that has to be addressed, even before conception. I recommend anyone thinking about or wanting to get pregnant to spend a few months detoxifying their life before they conceive. Your baby wants a healthy home to develop in, and their cells will thank you! (a great book on this topic is called Origins - How the Nine Months Before Birth Shape the Rest of our Lives, by Annie Murphy Paul)
Think it doesn't matter to your baby what you eat, what you breathe, what you think? Think again! Research has linked mother's exposure to pesticides to childhood cancer and particulate matter exposure (PM) in air pollution to autism (especially in the third trimester), impaired mental development, anxiety, ADHD, among others.1,2,3 How do the those chemicals get into the baby? the same way everything gets there - the umbilical cord! According to the EWG:
In a study spearheaded by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in collaboration with Commonwealth, researchers at two major laboratories found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in umbilical cord blood from 10 babies born in August and September of 2004 in U.S. hospitals. Tests revealed a total of 287 chemicals in the group. The umbilical cord blood of these 10 children, collected by Red Cross after the cord was cut, harbored pesticides, consumer product ingredients, and wastes from burning coal, gasoline, and garbage.
Of the 287 chemicals we detected in umbilical cord blood, we know that 180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests. The dangers of pre- or post-natal exposure to this complex mixture of carcinogens, developmental toxins and neurotoxins have never been studied." 4
This is critically important to the immature, developing brain. As adults we have what's called a Blood-Brain-Barrier, and it's just that - a barrier that keeps things in the bloodstream out of the brain. The blood-brain-barrier doesn't develop until about 1 year of age, so any toxic exposure before 1 year old could potentially wind up in the brain! 6
After birth the exposures don't stop, quite the opposite! Most babies are then given vaccines with ingredients like mercury, aluminum, and formaldehyde in them; many are fed formula made from corn syrup solids and cheap dairy; they are CONSTANTLY given plastic toys and bottles with endocrine disruptors like BPA and phthalates; and then they lay on bedding that contains flame retardants linked to cancer.5 Oh by the way, this is all before they start eating the standard American food supply filled with sugar, preservatives, trans fats, additives, colorings linked to hyperactivity, and other toxins. This is why allergies have skyrocketed. This is why asthma is through the roof. This is why kids get put on psychotropic ADHD drugs. This is why 'Type 2 Diabetes' is no longer called 'Adult Onset Diabetes', because it starts in kids.
So what can you do?
Here are my Top 5 Steps for Raising Non-Toxic Kids:1. Feed Kids Real Food - This concept is simple, the application - not so much. Real food helps the body detoxify, fake food is toxic. The problem is today that most kids foods are horrible. They are loaded with sugar, hydrogenated oils, preservatives, chemicals, and colorings - all which have toxic effects. Then a child may exhibit behavioral issues, and what's the cure? A psychotropic medication! This is wrong. Feed your kids real food, not food that looks like real food. Eat foods that grew on a plant, not foods that were altered in a plant. Even if it is a real food - was it sprayed with pesticides? Read your labels. Eat organic. Avoid GMO's. Know the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen. Vegetables all have amazing detoxification properties, whether it's fiber helping to move toxins out of the bowels, a cruciferous vegetable like broccoli or cauliflower which can boost Glutathione and stimulate Phase I detoxification in the liver, or something like cilantro which can help bind heavy metals - eating real food is a must and the first and most important step to raising non-toxic children.
2. Avoid Vaccines and Medications - this is a heated topic that everybody seems to have an opinion on, but regardless of what you think about how well vaccines are able to protect against transmittable diseases, there is no doubt that they are toxic. Vaccines contain metals like aluminum, preservatives like formaldehyde, neurotoxins like MSG, cells from other species, GMO ingredients and aborted fetal tissue cells. You can find the list of ingredients here. Medications are toxic too, especially to children! Antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed to children and they DESTROY the bacteria in the gut (that's their job after all) which leads to a leaky gut, decreased immune function, allergies, toxicity, inflammation….in fact antibiotic use has been shown to disrupt steroid hormone metabolism (estrogen, testosterone, adrenal hormones, etc), bile acid metabolism, and inflammatory pathways!7 I can't tell you what to take and what not to take, so do your research. There is a time and a place for medications, but the overuse leads to further disease, and they add to your toxic burden. For my kids, we wouldn't touch this stuff unless something was life-threatening.
3. Get Rid of (Some) Plastic - this one is basically impossible. Plastics are everywhere in a kid's life, so you have to limit exposures. For my wife and I, every couple weeks we 'purge our plastics', which means we get rid of some or put them up and away, but the amount of plastics our babies are still exposed to is insane. Toys, bottles, cribs, car seats, it's everywhere. We try to use as many wooden toys as possible. Cloth toys are fun, but I'm sure they have flame retardants all over them. The public has become aware of the endocrine-disrupting Bisphenol-A (BPA) in plastics, so many products are now labeled BPA-Free (careful- there are other Bisphenols like BPS that haven't received the publicity yet!) However the biggest culprit in plastics is called Phthalates. This compound has been shown to disrupt reproduction and hormone balance in both men and women, and kids have the highest levels of exposure, with levels decreasing with age.8,9 A great book on this is called Slow Death By Rubber Duck. The name says it all :)
4. Look for Other Exposures - So often we hear about something like BPA or Lead on the news or read a blog post and maybe we avoid some things like GMOs, vaccines, or plastics, but there are so many hidden culprits of toxicity. Look for other exposures in your home! Some of the other exposures could include:
-Polyurethane Foam Bedding - cribs, nursing pillows, etc have hormone-disrupting flame-retardants linked to cancer that are getting into your child's body at alarming rates according to a recent study from Duke University.5
-Heavy Metals (lead, mercury, arsenic) - in our air, soil, vaccines, dental fillings, toys from China, possibly in drinking water (look at Flint MI), etc. Long been known to disrupt brain development and function!
-Air pollution - we just bought an air purifier for our nursery to decrease toxic exposure. This is a huge issue in Utah! Read our last blog post to learn all about it.
-Get a water filter on your sink, get a shower filter on your shower, switch out your teflon cookware for non-toxic (ceramic, stainless, cast iron). Some of these steps are simple, one-time moves that can dramatically decrease exposures over time!
5. Use a Detox Product or Protocol - The last step for raising Non-Toxic Kids is to be used when you feel like your child's bucket is already full - detoxify them with a more structured detoxification protocol. *If you can keep the bucket from filling up too quickly, you never need to dump it, so if you follow the first 4 steps this may never be a need in your family.* This is the step where I would strongly recommend working with a natural healthcare provider. There are many things out there to help aid detoxification in children, from detox recipes and detox drinks, to magnetic clay detox baths, to even 'binding' products that can help bind and excrete toxins. Many parents in the Autism community have tried more in-depth methods of detoxification like heavy metal chelation. You can also measure the toxic burden to know exactly what is interfering with your child's health, but once again these are more in-depth methods that require the assistance of a healthcare provider. The concern with asking Dr. Google or doing a protocol that you read about online is that it may help and may be effective, but it also may not help. Using cilantro for a heavy metal detox, for example, is known to 'stir up metals' in those that are very toxic, but not necessarily excrete them. The analogy is often used of 'stirring up' a beehive - not good! Consult with someone who can walk you through this to make sure that it is safe and effective.
The Real Cost of Sickness
Healthcare costs in America are not just a topic that we hear about on presidential debates, it is a topic that hits close to home for far too many Americans. What the United States spent on health care in 2009 was greater than the entire GDP of Great Britain. If the United States health care system was a country, it would be the 6th largest economy in the world
Chronic diseases (lasting 3 or more months) affect approximately 133 million Americans, or more than 40% of our country. By 2020 that number is projected to grow to an estimated 157 million, with 81 million having multiple conditions. More than 75% of all health care costs are due to chronic conditions. A 2007 report showed that seven chronic diseases - cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, pulmonary conditions, and mental illness - have a total impact on the economy of $1.3 trillion annually, with that number projected to increase to $4.2 trillion by 2023. According to a study done by the Milken Institute, if we begin taking a more preventative path we could avoid $1.1 billion in healthcare costs in 2023, and increase the GDP by $5.6 TRILLION by 2050!5
This may be bankrupting the country, but what about my personal costs? I have a $20 copay….
A recent report published in The American Journal of Medicine showed that medical bills are a major factor in more than 60% of the personal bankruptcies in the U.S., with approximately 75% of the individuals involved having health insurance. In fact, one study found that 41% of working age Americans either have medical bill problems or are currently paying off medical debt. Once you get into the system it's so hard to get out! 1,2,3,4
Heart disease is the number one killer, and coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. A recent study published in Circulation, the Journal of the American Heart Association, addressed the direct costs (inpatient hospitilization, pharmaceuticals) and indirect costs (lost productivity, time away from work) for coronary artery disease (CAD). The study found that on average, lifetime costs associated with severe CAD ranged from $1,001,493 to $1,051,302.The average lifetime cost of less severe CAD reached $767,288 per case. 6
What about retirement? What do you have planned? Vacations? Family time? Relaxing? Better have a big nest egg if you aren't careful about your health! According to The Huffington Post, the average couple needs AT LEAST $250,000 for health care costs in retirement! This study was done in 2010 and it estimated that costs rise at approximately 5% per year. That means in 2016 the number would be well over $300,000, and continuously rising! What about if your health is worse than average? "Retired couples would need $416,000 for health care costs if their drug costs were far higher than average, in the 90th percentile. If that same couple lives longer than three-quarters of retirees, the estimate rises to $614,000."7
So what is the value of prevention??
We have a values inversion in our country. We would rather spend our money on cars, phones, clothes, trips, stuff, junk...than spend it on our health. We would rather invest in the stock market - in a fund, a bond, an IRA….than invest in our health. Today we spend between 7-9% of our disposable income on our groceries, 75 years ago it was 20-30%. When you see these numbers, hopefully you realize that not only is it a smart decision to invest in health now for the enhanced life experience, it really is a great financial decision to spend more money on prevention and health!
A recent study proved that it is more expensive to eat healthy - a whopping $1.50/day, or $550/year. 9
Let's say, for example sake, that by eating healthy, exercising, minimizing stress, detoxifying, and taking care of your spine and body that you can decrease your health expenses by 20% in retirement. Seems reasonable right? A Gallup poll on the cost of poor well-being showed a 60% decrease in health care costs for those who had "thriving well-being" in 5 categories (career, social, financial, physical, community) vs. those who were "thriving" in none of the categories.10 Another study done in people age 65+ who had received maintenance chiropractic care for 5+ years showed they spent ⅓ less money on health care costs than the average citizen, so I don't think it's too great a stretch to imagine a 20% savings.11
Let's also assume that with these preventative measures, you and your spouse can cut 20% off of costs. (I think these are conservative estimates!) In 2016 the nest egg number for health care costs is over $300,000, so you would save yourself over $60,000!!!
Think about all the dinner dates, the Alaskan cruises, the trips to Disney with the great-grandkids that money could buy you! Think about all the experiences, the memories, the value of being able to not just be around for those experiences, but to be able to enjoy them. Investing in your health now, no matter your age no matter your health status, investing in your health now is the best investment you could ever make with the best returns you could ever see - both financially and for your life experience.
- http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Issue%20Brief/2009/Jul/Chronic%20Burdens/1303_Cunningham_chronic_burdens_high_OOP_expenses_chronic_conditions_ib.pdf
- http://www.pnhp.org/new_bankruptcy_study/Bankruptcy-2009.pdf
- http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/28/1/15.full
- http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/28/1/64.full
- http://www.milkeninstitute.org/publications/view/618
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4105734/
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/25/retirement-health-care-av_n_512678.html
- w.ncsl.org/research/health/chronic-disease-prevention-and-health-promotion.aspx
- http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/healthy-vs-unhealthy-diet-costs-1-50-more/
- http://www.gallup.com/businessjournal/141800/price-poor-wellbeing.aspx?version=printhttp://ww
- Maintenance Care: Health Promotion Services Administered to US Chiropractic Patients Aged 65 and Older, Part II J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000 (Jan); 23 (1): 10–19
Article by: Dr. Taylor Krick