If You Suffer From Hair Loss

There can be lots of reasons for hair loss and when I work with patients with hair loss, men and women alike, one common reason is there tends to be a circulation problem where the hair roots aren't getting enough blood to them. Without enough nutrients the hair prematurely falls out. What I suggest doing is spending a full minute in the morning and another full minute at night massaging your scalp to increase blood flow to the hair roots. You may find that as you massage in small circular motions using your fingertips, tender spots and it is those spots in particular you want to concentrate on for they are tender due to lack of circulation. You will notice as you massage the tender spots they will become less tender. Continue to do every day, twice a day, for at least 2 weeks in order to see a change.

I also love this supplement called Hair Rejuvenation to give the hair the right nutrition to help it grow.

Sometimes hair loss is due to the body (or hair) not having enough of the right nutrition.  This is why I developed my own hair supplement called Hair Rejuvenation.  It uses black current seed, saw palmetto, dandelion, rosemary, pomegranate, raspberry leaf, vitamin C and vitamin E to give the body the boost it needs to grow hair.  Vitamin C, vitamin E and pomegranate are used for their antioxidants which helps the body have less stress on it from toxins.  Pomegranate also contains punicic acid which stimulates the hair follicles for better hair growth. This will strengthen the hair follicles and stimulates strong and fast hair growth. Also to help detox is dandelion which supports the liver.  Dandelion is also rich with vitamins A, C, B-complex and E. It also contains biotin, iron, sulfur, magnesium and calcium. These all enrich the hair by stimulating and strengthening the hair.   Rosemary has been tested in clinical trials and shown hair growth just as good as Rogaine on men after 6 months of use.  Raspberry leaf supports the hormones while black current seed and saw palmetto are direct hair support.  Hormone support is important because too much testosterone can cause hair to fall out.  Black Currant Seed contains omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids, which help provide moisture for your hair and encourage hair growth and strength. Specifically, the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in black currant seed oil is an omega-6 acid that can help prevent hair thinning, splitting and dryness.

By taking the oxidative stress off the body, while also supporting the hormones and liver as well as the hair I have seen the best results with my patients’ regrowth of hair.  Unfortunately it takes time and it’s usually only in the 4th month that patients start noticing a difference.  

Is Your LIver Toxic?

When working with people in getting rid of toxins I help the body pull the toxins out of the cells and into the bloodstream to then be detoxed by the liver and kidneys and then out through the bowels or urine. Sometimes the liver is already burdened and cannot do this job well so to help jump start the liver and allow the person to detox without problems I suggest a liver flush. I also suggest one when the patient has a history of or I suspect, gallstones.

There are quite a few varieties of liver flushes out there. The one I like the most is from Standard Process with my own slight variations. Here are the steps:

1. From Monday morning to noon on Saturday, in addition to your normal diet, add 4 malic acid a day, 2 at breakfast and 2 at dinner. Dosage may vary person to person so it is best to get the malic acid muscle tested for correct, personal dosage.

2. At noon on Saturday, eat a normal lunch, including salad.

3. Three hours after lunch, take 8 capsules of Disodium Phosphate by Standard Process.

4. Two hours later, take 8 more capsules of Disodium Phosphate. This should be done at least one hour before dinner.

5. Saturday dinner should be only organic citrus or organic citrus juice.

6. At bedtime, drink 4 ounces (1/2 a cup) of unrefined, extra virgin, first-pressed olive oil with the juice of half a lemon. Follow this with a small glass of grapefruit juice.

7. Go to bed. Lie on your right side with your right knee up for 30 minutes.

8. Go to sleep.

9. Upon rising and at least one hour before breakfast, take 8 capsules of Disodium Phosphate again.

10. Sunday will be your cleansing. Continue your regular diet, and you will usually have a loose bowel movement within an hour of step 9. In some individuals this may happen the night before.

11. After this bowel movement do not flush toilet. Instead check for any stones of gelatinous balls. Evaluate their approximate size and number. Report this to your practitioner. Here is an example of what they may look like. Variations of green and greenish brown colors are common.



12. This procedure will leave some people weak. Be prepared to rest after this procedure.

13. If stones or balls are present, this procedure can be repeated in 2 weeks. Talk with your practitioner to make a plan.

14. The number and size of balls will generally diminish when subsequent procedures are done as suggested by practitioner.

15. Some people experience nausea after taking the olive oil. This usually diminishes by the time you go to bed. If olive oil induces vomiting, do not repeat the procedure at this time and discuss with your practitioner.

When a patient vomits or I feel that the liver flush may be too extreme for some patients who I suspect have gallstones or that a sluggish liver is holding back their progress in my office, I then suggest taking malic acid or Chanca Piedra on a regular basis (whichever one the patient muscle tests better for) to help break down gallstones and move sluggish toxins through liver. Slowly but surely this can also get the job done over time!

The Benefits of Fermented Foods

Fermentation is the breakdown of carbs, like starch and sugar, by bacteria and yeast that helps preserve food.  Because fermented foods are loaded with good bacteria and yeast adding them to your diet could help with any digestive issues including bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea. I have also seen it help people with acne and people with low immune systems. The key is to eat a small portion of fermented foods on a very regular basis. One serving every day with a meal is best.  The consistency of doing it every day is very beneficial. Fermented foods include sauerkraut, natto (fermented soybeans, be careful, it's an acquired taste!), fish sauce, miso, kimchi, shrimp paste, soy sauce, tabasco sauce, tempeh, kefir, yogurt (if you can have cow milk, Fage brand muscle tests the best), kombucha, and pickled vegetables. Do not eat fermented foods if you have or suspect candida.

Here are four explanations of how eating fermented foods help the body:

Explanation #1: Traditional fermented foods help balance the production of stomach acid. Fermented foods have the unique ability to ease digestive discomfort related to having either too much or too little stomach acid. When the production of hydrochloric acid by the stomach is low, fermented foods help increase the acidity of gastric juices. On the other hand, when the stomach produces too much acid, fermented foods help protect the stomach and intestinal lining.

Explanation #2: Traditional fermented foods help the body produce acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter. In simple terms, it facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses. In practical terms, it helps increase the movement of the bowel, and can alleviate constipation problems. It also helps improve the release of digestive juices and enzymes from the stomach, the pancreas, and the gallbladder. So by helping your body produce acetylcholine, fermented foods act as potent digestive aids.

Explanation #3: Traditional fermented foods are beneficial for people with blood sugar problems, including diabetes. In addition to improving pancreatic function, which is of great benefit to diabetics, the carbohydrates in lactic acid–fermented foods have been broken down or "pre-digested." As a result, they do not place an extra burden on the pancreas, unlike ordinary carbohydrates.

Explanation #4: Traditional fermented foods produce numerous compounds that destroy and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Many pathogenic forms of bacteria are sensitive to acidic environments and will not grow.

See if you can incorporate eating or drinking a serving of fermented food/drink every day. Fermented foods include:

• kefir
• kombucha
• sauerkraut
• pickles
• miso
• natto 
• tempeh
• kimchee
• raw cheese
• yogurt
• apple cider vinegar

Due to the high good bacteria content of fermented foods, the most common side effect is an initial and temporary increase in gas and bloating.  So if this happens to you start off small. Try 1/4 or 1/2 a serving of fermented food/drink to start and then work your way up to a full serving.

How to Eat to Manage Stress and the Adrenal Glands

Chronic stress is a major culprit in the lives of New Yorkers, contributing to ongoing cycles of fatigue, poor nutrition, waves of exhaustion, mood swings, and hormonal imbalance. When I ask my patients what they think is the reason for their symptoms, their answers have one common thread: too much responsibility that is impossible to manage. Trying to help themselves through each day, many people find themselves overloading on caffeine, sugary or salty snacks, alcohol, and even sleep aids to manage stress, all of which can disrupt our body’s normal rhythms.

Research shows that when we experience chronic stress, our adrenal glands, or the tiny glands that moderate the stress response as well as regulate other hormones, will suffer. The adrenals, which are the size of walnuts, have an enormous job. They produce many hormones that regulate our body’s functioning, including cortisol, a hormone activated when our stress levels rise, signaling our body to enter a heightened state of emergency. But high cortisol levels are intended to be short term, not remain elevated.

When our cortisol levels stay elevated, people feel like they are stuck in the 'fight or flight' response and it interferes with many functions in our body, including immune function, digestion, sleep, and even the ability to produce other essential hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormones. This can lead to high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and inflammation. In the meantime, our health is compromised, along with our moods, and even our sex drive.

When the adrenal glands continue to be compromised long term, they have a decreased ability to produce cortisol, and instead produce extra adrenaline, causing us to feel irritable, shaky, lightheaded, and anxious. Adrenal fatigue is a syndrome that can, over time, cause low blood pressure, allergies, and pure exhaustion.

These issues, although very concerning, can also be relieved when adrenal dysfunction is healed. And the good news is, it can be healed. Along with decreasing chronic stress, adjusting our emotional responses to stressors, and changing what, when and how we eat, we can reverse adrenal fatigue. Let’s take a look at some of the dietary approaches we can utilize to not only support our adrenals, but also improve our energy and promote better sleep.

First: Time Your Meals and Snacks

When we go for long periods without food, our adrenal glands work hard to release more cortisol and adrenaline, to try to maintain the body’s normal functioning. When our blood sugar dips for extended periods, this creates a stress reaction, taxing the adrenals. It’s important to know that our body always needs energy, even when we are sleeping. Cortisol works to moderate blood sugar in between meals and at night, so regulating our cortisol levels by eating timely, healthy meals and snacks is key.

Cortisol levels begins to rise around 6 am, peaks around 8 am, and then throughout the day naturally rises and falls as needed. It tapers off at night, and reaches its lowest levels while we are sleeping.

Timing our meals, and how much we eat, can help regulate cortisol and its natural cycle. Eating larger meals earlier in the day naturally helps support cortisol levels, while eating smaller, lighter meals at the end of the day helps maintain hormonal balance.

Exercise will also increase cortisol levels, so enjoying lighter activities while trying to heal adrenal fatigue is important. To keep cortisol levels as smooth as possible, heavier exercise is recommended in the morning or early afternoon when cortisol is higher, and lighter exercise, such as walking or gentle stretching such as restorative yoga, is better in the evening.

The old adage about breakfast being the most important meal is actually true. Eating a nutritious breakfast that includes protein within an hour of rising will help balance your metabolism and cortisol throughout the entire day. But it’s hard to eat when we don’t feel hungry, even if we know it’s important.

Here are reasons we may not feel hungry in the morning:

1) Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) levels can dull the appetite when it enters the bloodstream at a fast rate first thing in the morning.

2) Decreased liver function can accompany adrenal fatigue, which also can quell morning hunger.

Here are some tips to help support your natural cortisol cycle:

-Eat breakfast within an hour of getting up, or by 8 am to restore blood sugar levels that were depleted during the night.
-Eat a healthy snack around 9 am.
-Try to eat lunch between 11 am and noon to prevent a large dip in cortisol levels.
-Eat a healthy snack between 2 and 3 pm to help off-set the natural cortisol dip that occurs around 3 or 4 pm. Many people notice this dip every day and reach for extra caffeine or carbohydrate-loaded snacks, which will actually impede hormonal balance.
-Try to eat dinner between 5 and 6 pm and although it may be difficult at first, try to eat a light meal. Eventually your body will enjoy digesting less food in the evening.
-Eat a nutritious, light snack around 9PM.

Stress and exhaustion, when combined with hunger, can impede our ability to make healthy choices. When we aren’t aware of the effects that too much caffeine and refined carbohydrates have on our bodies, we may not realize we are affecting our hormones and how they function, as well as our sleep patterns by consuming them.

In addition to cortisol levels, our serotonin may also be off balance, signaling our body to rest. That doesn’t always mean sleep — sometimes deep breathing or a 10-minute walk outdoors can help boost serotonin and ward off fatigue.

My patients are always surprised when I tell them to give in to their cravings of salt during periods of adrenal fatigue. Salt cravings in adrenal insufficiency are related to low levels of a steroid hormone called aldosterone. This hormone helps the body maintain salt and water as a way to help regulate blood pressure. When cortisol goes up, aldosterone goes down. Like cortisol, aldosterone fluctuates throughout the day, and is also influenced by stress. Chronically low levels of aldosterone can impact electrolyte balance, and sodium intake is one way to help correct this imbalance.

If you experience lightheadedness when you get out of bed in the morning, you may have low blood pressure. This is a common side effect of adrenal insufficiency, so adding good quality-salt, such as a pinch of Himilayan salt to your drinking water, could be helpful to manage those symptoms.

Vitamins and minerals are essential to restoring adrenal health, and supporting the entire endocrine system. Not only can they help the healing process, but they can provide extra nutrition to our cells, and support proper adrenal functioning every day. Here are some important ones.


Drenamin supports adrenal function and helps maintain emotional balance and energy production
Vitamins C, E and all the B vitamins help regulate stress hormones.
Magnesium provides energy to the adrenal glands.
Calcium and trace minerals including zinc, manganese, selenium, and iodine provide calming effects in the body.

Herbal support is also a consideration when treating adrenal fatigue. Adaptogens are herbs that actually adapt to the individual needs of your body, providing the additional essential support your adrenals need. Begin with the first two herbs listed below, along with B vitamins. If you do not notice improvement within a few weeks, be sure to consult with a naturopathic or functional medicine provider for evaluation and a program that evaluates your specific needs.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Eleuthero / Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus)
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
Rhodiola rosea
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

It’s amazing to think that the adrenal glands have so much power over our functioning. When they are working properly they offer balance – providing us with energy when we require it, and helping us feel relaxed when it’s time to rest. The burden is great on our adrenals, and they can become impaired under the heels of long term stress. But we can make small choices that can dramatically impact their functioning for the better. With proper nutrition, exercise, relaxation, and sleep, our body’s natural rhythms will be supported. By reducing stress levels, our adrenal glands will work in harmony with us, and our energy and vitality will be renewed.

Nuts, Grains and Beans, Oh, My!

Nuts, grains and beans are packed with healthy fats, protein and minerals, but to get that all good stuff assimilated into your body, it is recommended that you prepare them by soaking them. See, nuts, legumes and seeds contain phytic acids and enzyme inhibitors to keep them from sprouting until nature delivers the sun and rain that they need to grow. Have you heard people, maybe even yourself, say “nuts or beans are hard on my stomach”? Well, enzyme inhibitors/phytic acids are the reason. By soaking, enzyme inhibitors are neutralized, the beneficial enzymes are activated and the vitamin content increases. Soaking makes seeds, nuts and legumes easier to digest and the nutrients more easily absorbed. The process helps to alkalize the body. Why is this important? Bacteria and disease don't seem to flourish in alkaline environments. When nuts are soaked or sprouted, their pH increases, which makes them more alkaline and in turn can be a part of an alkaline-rich diet that takes your body from more of an acidic state (think inflammation), to an alkaline state. The process helps to alkalize the body.

How to use? It depends on what sprout we’re talking about and how to use it but in general I love adding fresh sprouts to salads, sandwiches, smoothies, or as a snack.

Sprout seeds: With sprouting seeds such as alfalfa/broccoli/mung bean/clover sprouts I use these mostly in salads and sandwiches because they’re much lighter in texture and mesh really well.
Grains: With grains such as sprouted quinoa or buckwheat I love making cereals, granolas, or desserts with them.
Legumes: With beans/legumes, I’ll cook them after sprouting or steam them and enjoy them just as you would cooking them without the soaking/sprouting process.
Nuts/seeds: With nuts and seeds I enjoy these soaked using them in homemade nut milks, or sprouted and dehydrated for a crunchy snack and cinnamon to them.




Guide To Soaking and Sprouting

STEP 1, SOAK // In a large glass mason jar, pour your seed/grain/legume along with enough water to cover completely with an each or two above. The measurement of water doesn’t matter here, it’s only for soaking purposes.

Where to buy: If you’re looking for sprout seeds (alfalfa, broccoli, mung, etc.), check out your local health food store (such as Whole Foods) or online retailers.

STEP 2, WAIT // Let the nut/seed/grain/legume soak for the given time. Soaking and sprouting times differ amongst each grain, seed, nut, or legume. Refer to chart above on specific times.

STEP 3, RINSE // Follow the soaking process with thorough rinsing. Rinse the water until it becomes clear, pour the old water out, fill with new clean water and repeat until clear. If you’re using a sprouting jar this is incredibly easy because you just pour water through the mesh lid and rinse as well- no needed to use a strainer. If you’re using a strainer simply rinse water on top and pay close attention for the water to become clear.

The process can stop here for most nuts/seeds and grains as they can be used just soaked and not sprouted. For example, making your own nut milks from the soaked nuts/seeds is perfect. Also, if you want to cook immediately your soaked grains and legumes, you can do so. Another option is to continue to STEP 4 with nuts/seeds/grains/legumes and sprout them, dehydrate, and then enjoy.

STEP 4, SPROUT // Refer to the soak/sprouting chart above for the times on how long it will take each nut/seed/grain/legume to sprout as they all differ. Essentially what you will be doing for this sprouting time is rinsing with filtered water several times/day- think of it as “watering” a plant (do this at least twice/day). The goal is to rinse the nut/seed/grain/legume and drain the rest of the water off (I do this by putting my sprouting jar upside down at about a 45 degree angle in my kitchen dish drying rack, it’s perfect because all the excess water goes right down the sink and gives the seeds enough air circulation to grow!

STEP 5, GROW // As the nut/seed/grain/legume starts to sprout, you’ll notice tiny “tail” coming from the seed, this mean it’s growing and sprouting! Sprouting times can vary from 1-4 days, you’ll know it’s finished when the seeds have a tail or they’ve sprouted greens!

STEP 6, STORE // Keep sprouts fresh in the fridge by wrapping them in a mesh cheesecloth and use within 3-4 days.

Note: sprouts are at risk for contamination with food illnesses and bacteria such as e. coli. This can simply be avoided by keeping your kitchen clean, jars cleaned, hands washed, and purchasing organic seeds/nuts/grains/legumes. I’ve been sprouting almost weekly for the past 8 years and I’ve never had an issue. Just make sure you consume them fresh out of the fridge and within 3-4 days.

Holiday Cheer, Not Fear

This blog was inspired by the need for my patients to have a special holiday plan during the month of December so they stay on track with their nutritional recommendations and not fear the holiday season with all the extra sweets around. The holiday season is the hardest time of the year to stay on track with holiday parties, extra holiday treats at the office, and the holiday desserts we think we must have when we celebrate. We justify one cheat that throughout the month turns into a month of cheating and weight gain. With a little extra thoughtfulness both can be avoided.

1) Have snacks around

You never know when your coworkers are going to bring in something to the office that looks irresistible and you know you shouldn't have it. Worse yet, when you are starving and so will power takes a back seat. Or if your spouse brings home leftovers. It's best to have snacks around at the office or home that are part of your diet and you enjoy. This way you have a back up plan so when you are hungry you don't reach for whatever is around or when there is something hard to resist you have a better chance of resisting it with a replacement option.

2) Plan ahead

Besides planning snacks ahead of time it is a good idea when going to any holiday gathering where there is going to be food you bring your own dish. It always looks thoughtful for you to bring something and this way you know there is going to be at least one thing there that you can eat. This also brings the temptation down to cheat.  You can also eat before going to a party.  Being full creates less temptation at the party.

3) Be creative

We all have childhood memories around the holidays of having special treats. Whether it was a certain cookie, pie, or main dish the emotional connection makes it extra hard to resist so the best thing to do is if it has ingredients that you aren't supposed to have to again plan ahead and find a recipe that does work. There are so many alternative healthy recipes at the click of a button when you Google. Substitute apple sauce for eggs, coconut sugar for white refined sugar, and almond flour for regular flour. You don't have to figure it out yourself just Google a healthier recipe. And if you have any questions about a new recipe feel free to ask me! You can still have your favorite holiday treat, just a healthier version.

With these three steps the holidays can actually be more enjoyable because you aren't feeling the aftermath of eating poorly or the weight gain either. Enjoy the season, for health is wealth!

The Terror of GMO

Some of my patients have heard of genetically modified foods and some understand that they are harmful to our health while others have heard of it but have limited understanding of their harm, while some patients don't have a clue about it which is okay because that's how our government would like to keep it. I'm writing now to get the word out and make the gray areas more black and white so you can make better health food choices.

I'm going to expose two GMO crops of America now, wheat and soy. America's wheat was genetically modified in the 1970s from a long stalk to a bush with many shorter stalks that created 3 times the amount of wheat gathered per acre of wheat harvest. Sounds great but this genetic modification included 3 times more gluten in the wheat and I believe this to be the cause of all the gluten sensitivities/allergies. 'Heritage wheat' as it is now called is the non-GMO kind which is the type Standard Process harvests when making their whole foods supplements. Can you believe that? Wheat is the GMO kind and they came up with a new name for the original wheat.

When it comes to GM soy it was fed to rats for 15 months and showed significant changes in their uterus and reproductive cycles, compared to rats fed organic soy or no soy at all confirmed from Jeffery Smith, the director of the Institute of Responsible Technology. Dr. Stanley Ewen, a United Kingdom pathologist, says something in the GM soy was "wrecking" the ovaries and endometrium of the rats and strongly suggested one possible cause is the weed killer used on the beans. Further testing would have to be done to differentiate whether the hormonal problems were coming from the fact that the seeds have been genetically modified or from the fact that they were grown in soil poisoned with glyphosate. Monsanto, however, has a history of not allowing outside testing on their patented seeds.

Where there is GMO soy there is glyphosate. Monsanto's version of glyphosate is called 'roundup' and their genetically modified soybeans are called 'roundup ready'. The seeds have a bacterial gene inserted which allows the plants to survive a normally deadly does of Roundup Herbicide. Jeffery Smith further states that there is so much glyphosate in GM soy beans that when they were first introduced to Europe, the regulatory agencies had to increase their allowable glyphosate residue levels by 200 fold!

Europe changed their laws about GM soy for the worst and America's laws aren't great either. America's laws don't make food companies label GMO food but there are conscious food companies out there that will use the NON-GMO label

so for right now that is our best bet until Michael Taylor leaves the FDA. He is the Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the FDA and wrote the policy on genetically modified food in 1992. The Policy reads: "The agency is not aware of any information showing that food derived by these new methods differs from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way." This policy remains intact for the past 20 years despite strong vocal opposition from the FDA's own scientists.

Now here's the clincher. Michael Taylor was an attorney at Monsanto prior to writing the FDA policy on GMO's in 1992. He then left the FDA to return to Monsanto in the role of vice president and is now back at the FDA serving as the man in charge of our food safety. Such lack of integrity in government agencies is nothing new but buyer beware!

And JUST LAST WEEK Oregon lost the vote to label GMO foods by 3/4ths of a 0.1% and a recount is being pushed. So people are aware and fighting but we aren't winning yet. So if you know of any ways to support labeling of GMO foods please do not hesitate!