Toxins are a Hidden Factor in Slow Metabolism

Researchers and medical experts recently uncovered a disturbing fact. Toxins from your food, water, and environment can make you gain weight.  They call these toxins obesogens. From blood sugar imbalance to insulin resistance and more, toxins can change your metabolism and may just be the reason you can’t shed excess weight like you used to.  If you’ve ever struggled with stubborn fat, where diet and exercise aren’t working like you think they should… it’s time to focus on detox.  The body is smart and does not want environmental toxins in the organs so there's two places it goes: into the fat cells and into joints. If it goes into our fat we gain weight in an unexplainable way and if it goes into our joints we will have joint pain or stiffness that will eventually lead to arthritis.  Helping you detox is how we can help! 

We use muscle testing to identify what specifically needs detoxing.  Using homeopathic vials we test for heavy metals, heavy chemicals, food sensitivities, parasites, candida, and bad gut flora like bacteria, and viruses.  For more details on what we test for visit: www.muscletestingnyc.com.  No matter what your health concern is we muscle test all these toxins on every visit.  The whole point of health in our office is to help the body detox and with the right nutrition your body can heal.  

Once we identify the toxin stressing out the body we then muscle test for the supplement that is going to help detox.  The majority of supplements we use come from an organic farm in Wisconsin called Standard Process. We truly believe food is medicine and giving the body the right nutrition can help so many of your symptoms and also prevent disease.  If you are observing the health of your parents and want to prevent going down the same road as them know that there is hope.  For example, detoxing aluminum not only helps the brain function better, helping our dementia and Alzheimer’s patients but it also helps prevent Alzheimer’s.  Another example is for both men and women, detoxing plastic at any age below 45 helps with fertility and hormones. 

Besides using organic food supplements from Standard Process we also use BIND from Systemic Formulas.  Detoxing does not have to cost $3,000+ in I.V. chelation.  Besides the cost, I don’t prefer chelation because it forces the body to dump the toxins too fast which burdens the liver and kidneys and usually makes a patient feel worse before better.  In our wellness center the key is to help the body detox by supporting the body’s own detox pathways with the right food and supplements, not to force the body to get rid of toxins.

BIND is a powerful supplement that combines super-activated carbon with humates and key botanicals to efficiently bind and eliminate toxins. And while most activated charcoals interfere with nutrient absorption, BIND is designed to eliminate up to 300x its weight in toxins while providing critical minerals, not blocking their absorption.

If you think BIND can help you detox ask at your next visit.  Less toxins = better health.

The Benefits of Lymphatic Therapy

At Healing Arts we help people detox, removing toxins from their body, while supporting their body with the right nutrition for better health.  In doing this, one of our main concerns is to make sure the lymphatic system of the body is moving toxins through effectively.  If the lymphatic system slows down then toxins get backed up causing all sorts of problems in the body.  

The lymphatic system is composed of vessels throughout the whole body that carry lymph fluid through lymph nodes and particular organs and then through more vessels in order for the lymph to be dumped and recirculated into the blood stream at the collar bones.  Unlike blood vessels which have a heart to pump blood, lymphatic vessels don't have a pump to move lymph.  Lymph moves by contraction of your muscles.  That is why exercise is important for detox among other things.

If the lymph gets backed up and toxins cannot be moved through the body to be detoxed headaches, brain fog, fatigue, mucus in the morning, recurrent sore throats, frequent colds, constipation, unable to lose weight,  joint stiffness in the morning, sore breasts, itchy skin and more can occur.  These toxins can literally reek havoc in all sorts of ways.    

To help the lymphatic system not get backed up with toxins dry brushing, oil pulling, and foot detox bath all help with the lymph and so does a lymphatic therapy session.  

Lymphatic therapy aims to improve the efficiency of not only your lymphatic system but also your circulatory system. By dropping the volume of retained fluid and the pressure this special type of treatment can also reduce the risk of impeded circulation. Lymphatic drainage therapy has the potential to improve your immunity and is really beneficial post-surgeries and postpartum.  Dr. Armitstead loved getting lymphatic therapy after delivering her daughters to help with recovery postpartum. 

We use the Lymphstar Pro Fusion machine which is an electronic instrument that is amazing at moving the lymph at a deep level. It uses low grade electrons to move the lymph and also improve microcirculation and general circulation by the massage therapist running bulbs across the skin. When the glass bulbs sticks to the skin there is lymphatic congestion and when the glass bulb smoothly glides over the skin there is no congestion. If the bulb sticks to your skin then the massage therapist slowly goes over the area until it no longer sticks. There are only a handful of these Lymphstar Pro Fusion machines in NYC and we are so happy to have one to give patients amazing results.

 Lymphatic Therapy Is Beneficial For:

• Cellulite fat accumulation
• Pre-Post Surgery Swelling
• Lymphoedema
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Swollen legs or arms due to fluid retention
• Hormonal & emotional imbalances
• Breast tenderness & congestion
• Post-mastectomy or breast cancer treatment
• Fibromyalgia & Lupus
• Depression & Anxiety
• Recurrent infections

Healing Arts offers 30 min and 75 min lymphatic therapy sessions to increase the lymphatic flow and circulation that is needed to help heal the body.  John Montalto will guide you through the session and follow up sessions as needed.  

Healing is About Loving Yourself

Healing is About Loving Yourself

We make hundreds of choices a day.  To what time we wake up, to what we wear, to what we eat etc.  Every time you put something in your mouth is a choice.  So choose love.  The loving choice for food would be something nutritious that would give the body the fuel it needed to get through to the next meal.  Respecting the body is love.  Love is not indulging in your second cup of coffee knowing that it will give you heart burn.  

When people know what the healthy choice is and they aren’t making it it’s because there is a lack of self-love.  It takes love to make the ‘right’ choice.  But what is right for you may be wrong for someone else.  You know your choice is right for you when it comes from love.  When you are at peace with your choice and you can stand in your own power about it without any self-judgement.  Right is only a perspective and don’t let anyone change your perspective if you truly know what is right for you.  

We help patients make the right choice for them.  The first step is to identify what the healthy choice is for them by muscle testing their body.  With this biofeedback from the body we know what their body sees as toxins and help the patient avoid them as much as possible while they heal.  A healthy body would not hold onto toxins.  A healthy body can detox and eliminate toxins easily.  The goal is to support your body with the right nutrition so that it can do that.  

We are aware that to even make an appointment and commit to a nutrition program in our office takes a good amount of self-love.  To follow the program in any capacity one has to confront old habits and want to change them and that takes a lot of will power and we applaud our patients for it and support them in many ways to help them on their journey.  But it is their journey.  Our goal is to meet them where they are and help them be able to confront their choices to make better ones as their body heals.  Helping patients create more self-love is our recipe for success in the office.  This allows them to take their health into their own hands and create a healthy lifestyle for life.  This is what we want for each and every one of you.  

Health Benefits of

Diatomaceous Earth

Food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is a white powder that is almost entirely made of silica.  Silica is a mineral that is already in our body and is an important component of our  ligaments, cartilage, and muscles. When taken as a supplement DE may help to absorb mercury, E. coli, parasites, viruses, pesticide, radiation, drug residues and other toxins.

The only cautionary side effect that we have found relating to food grade diatomaceous earth has to do with direct inhalation and is essentially the same caution that is advised when handling any fine powder. Diatomaceous Earth is a very fine powder. 

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is 89% Silica.  It was established in the 1940s that life can’t exist without Silica. More recently, in her book “Water & Salt” Dr. Barbara Hendel states: “Silica is the most important trace element in human health.” Silica plays an important role in many bodily functions and has a direct relationship to mineral absorption.

Yet most people are, in fact, silica deficient.  We carry around 90mcgs of silica per 1 gram of hair we have on our bodies and we carry around 100mcgs of silica per 1 gram of bone.  Silica is in all of our connective tissue and it is so very important to include this mineral in our diets. Silica is mostly found in the fiber portions of whole grains, and the skins of fruits and vegetables.

Among other things, enough silica in the body is vital for calcium absorption to allow calcium supplements to work.

Reported Health Benefits of Silica / Diatomaceous Earth Include:

1. Maintaining Healthy Blood Pressure Levels
2. Maintaining Healthy Cholesterol Levels
3. Better Calcium Utilization for help with Osteoporosis and Healthier Joints
4. Stimulates Weight Loss
5. Improvement in Hair, Nails, Teeth & Gums
6. More Energy

According to Kayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN and Galen D. Knight, PhD in their article “Mad as a Hatter” there is no better product to detox heavy metals and radiation from your body than with Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth!

Take diatomaceous earth daily on an empty stomach. I recommend starting small and slowly working your way up to a higher dose; begin with a teaspoon added to at least 12 ounces of liquid. Mix vigorously and drink immediately.  Some people don't like the mildly chalky flavor and gritty texture. If that describes you, try adding DE to a drink with more flavor (milk, orange juice, coffee, smoothies) or to light foods like yogurt, oatmeal, or applesauce.

As your body begins to detox, you may experience what is commonly known as "die off," which sometimes gives people mild flu-like symptoms for a couple days. This is a side effect of toxins leaving your body, not a side effect of DE itself. You can counteract these symptoms by increasing your fluid consumption, as well as reducing your DE dose for a couple days.

For gum health, because DE is one of the most nourishing substances for your gums, as your gums are connective tissue, which needs silica. To use it, mix 1 heaping tablespoon with water into a paste consistency. Pack it into your gums overnight after you brushed your teeth. Your gums will absorb the diatomaceous earth.  

If you have other ideas on how to use DE please share!

How Toxic is Your Drinking Water?

By Addison Landry

Water has a universal symbolism of birth, purity and fertility and with that it stems as the basis of life on this planet. From the oceans to our own bodies, water is essential to our existence and survival. Interestingly our bodies are made up of 60% percent water making it essential to our health and vitality. With such importance to our bodily functions such as digestion, blood pressure and removal of toxins, as well as our energy level, it's key to ensure that the abundance and quality of our water is of highest regard. There are many factors that can contaminate our water supply which can then negatively affect the body’s health, so understanding how this can occur and how to prevent it will allow you to make the best choice for optimum health.

It can be tricky as there is so much information out there about toxins in our water supply, the chemicals in the plastic water bottles, and the confusion about water filters. I am here to help make it clear and easy. A three-year study conducted by the environmental working group found 316 chemicals and metals in our water.  These toxins were found in our water supply throughout the United States and even in some water bottles.  Some water in plastic containers actually disrupt the natural function of the body by disrupting our body’s hormones, immune function, nervous system function and causing reproductive issues depleting our health and vitality. Here are some of the main toxins that are found in our water supply:

·      Atrazine- herbicide used on food supply that runs into our water stream

·      Lead- old piping, affects nervous system and brain function

·      Chlorine- added to kill bacteria that effects the body’s lymph system that helps remove toxins

·      Plastic- leaches chemicals into our water that effect hormonal balance

·      Fluoride- a neuro toxin affecting the brain, added to protect our teeth

Understanding that these toxins wreak havoc on the body we prevent this toxic overload in our body by filtering out these toxins. There are so many water filter options out there that it can be confusing so I have come up with a list that’s affordable and removes most of these nasty toxins.

·      Zero water filter

·      Soma water filter

·      H2O + Brondell H630 Cypress counter top water filter system

·      Ideal earth water whole house filter ($$)

We understand when on the go it’s not easy to always have filtered water but here are a few of the best bottled water brands that we recommend based on the filtration and bottle type.

1.         Mountain valley spring- glass bottle

2.         Voss water– glass bottle

3.         Fiji water – plastic bottle

4.         Volvic- plastic bottle

5.       Evian - plastic bottle

Water is key to life and specifically our health and at Healing Arts NYC sharing this information is important to help our patients on their healing journeys. Remember the next time you take a sip of water, you are actually made of more of this prosperous liquid than anything else in the body.  If you want, at your next appointment bring in your drinking water in a glass container and we'll muscle test it for you to make sure it's good for your body.

The Art of Dry Brushing

After writing last weeks post on Detox Baths patients were asking more questions about dry brushing so here's my answer...in a nutshell, dry brushing is the process of brushing your skin, preferably before a shower or bath with a dry brush.
Why would we want to do that?

Right below your skin is a network of blood vessels, capillaries, fat, and lymph nodes. They are working hard to circulate through the body, but sometimes our lifestyles and the toxins we have stored in our body will hinder our bodies from doing a really good job of circulating those fluids.

Dry brushing will . . .
1) Help drain your lymphatic system
2) Re-Circulate old or stagnant blood
3) Move toxins out of fat cells to be eliminated by the body
4) Exfoliate dead skin

Starting at the feet and legs, use small brisk strokes always moving TOWARDS the heart. Concentrate on areas on the back of the legs and butt as well as areas where your lymphatic system is concentrated such as the groin area, armpits and the glands on the neck.  For video demonstration: https://youtu.be/PlgJVAtgJTI



This only takes a few minutes and feels refreshing and rejuvenating, especially in the morning.

You can purchase a dry brush at any drug store for about $20 dollars or you can purchase one online: https://healingartsnyc.com/shop/szwdohm7ql8022zpg5c5getwwdcxb0. Make sure you get one with medium bristles. Too soft won’t do anything and to hard of a bristle may be too harsh on your skin. Dry brushing is best done right before showering or bath, once a day but can be done any time of day. Make sure you wash your brush once a week with soap and let it dry thoroughly.