Are You Eating Anti Freeze?

Is Propylene Glycol a Healthy Additive?

Propylene glycol is a substance commonly used as a food additive or ingredient in many cosmetic and hygiene products.The U.S. and European food authorities have declared it as generally safe for use in foods. However, it has become controversial since it is also an ingredient in antifreeze. This had led to health concerns about possible toxic effects from eating foods that contain it and putting it on your skin.  

Propylene glycol is a synthetic food additive that belongs to the same chemical group as alcohol. It is a colorless, odorless, slightly syrupy liquid that is a bit thicker than water.  In foods, propylene glycol may be used in the following ways:
    •    Anti-caking agent: It helps prevent food components from sticking to one another and forming clumps, such as in dried soups or grated cheese.
    •    Antioxidant: It extends the shelf life of foods by protecting them against deterioration caused by oxygen.
    •    Carrier: It dissolves other food additives or nutrients to be used in processing, such as colors, flavors or antioxidants.
    •    Dough strengthener: It modifies the starches and gluten in dough to make it more stable.
    •    Emulsifier: It prevents food ingredients from separating, such as oil and vinegar in salad dressing.
    •    Moisture preserver: It helps foods maintain a stable level of moisture and stops them from drying out. Examples include marshmallows, coconut flakes and nuts.
    •    Processing aid: It is used to enhance the appeal or the use of a food, for example, to make a liquid clearer.
    •    Stabilizer and thickener: It can be used to hold food components together or thicken them during and after processing.
    •    Texturizer: It can change the appearance or feel of a food.
Propylene glycol is commonly found in many packaged foods, such as drink mixes, dressings, dried soups, cake mix, soft drinks, popcorn, food coloring, fast foods, bread and dairy products 

It is also used in injectable medications, like lorazepam, and in some creams and ointments that are applied to the skin, such as corticosteroids. 

Due to its chemical properties, it is also found in a wide variety of hygiene and cosmetic products. Additionally, it is used in industrial products like paint, antifreeze, artificial smoke and e-cigarettes. 

Propylene glycol is “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (reference).  In the US, it can be used as a direct and indirect food additive. In Europe, it is only allowed to be used in food as a solvent for colors, emulsifiers, antioxidants and enzymes, 

The World Health Organization recommends a maximum intake of 11.4 mg of propylene glycol per pound of body weight (25 mg/kg) per day. The estimated exposure to propylene glycol through foods in the US is 15 mg per pound (34 mg/kg) per day. (reference)

When consumed in toxic quantities, the buildup of lactic acid can lead to acidosis and specifically bothers the kidneys. Acidosis occurs when the body cannot get rid of the acid fast enough. It begins to build up in the blood, which interferes with proper functioning. At toxic levels, propylene glycol has been found to cause neurological symptoms. There have also been cases of nausea, vertigo and strange sensations.

The American Contact Dermatitis Society has stated that 0.8 and 3.5% of people are estimated to have a skin allergy to propylene glycol (reference). The most common skin reaction, or dermatitis, is the development of a rash. People who already have sensitive skin are at particular risk of allergy to this additive. For people with allergic dermatitis, it is best to avoid all sources of propylene glycol. 

While propylene glycol is generally considered safe by our government agencies, it makes sense to choose to avoid it as much as possible.  It is found in many different food products and can be identified by checking the ingredients list. The names it may be listed under include:
    •    Propylene glycol
    •    Propylene glycol mono and diester
    •    E1520 or 1520

Common foods include soft drinks, marinades and dressings, cake mix, frosting, popcorn, food coloring, fast foods, bread and dairy products.  Unfortunately, if propylene glycol is used as a carrier or solvent for another additive, such as flavor or color instead of a direct ingredient, it may not be listed on the food label.

However, the majority of foods containing it are highly processed junk foods. By consuming a fresh, healthy, whole foods diet, you can avoid most sources without too much trouble.
You can also check the labels of cosmetic products, though avoiding it may be difficult. There are several helpful websites that can help you identify which products contain it.

8 Health Benefits of Honey

I have been using Manuka honey to boost my immune system at the first sign of feeling sick.  I add bee pollen to my morning smoothie to get the anti-inflammatory benefits that I read about. With recently researching ‘sour honey’ for anticancer properties I stumbled on the work apiculture.  

Apiculture is the science and art of prolonging, sustaining, and retaining health by using products obtained from honeybee hives, such as honey, bee bread, bee venom, bee pollen, propolis, and royal jelly. I feel like just the last couple of years I have seen the growth of bee products in lots of different ways and did more research on what is actually proving to be affective. Here is the info I collected on the benefits of bee products, including honey, propolis, and royal jelly.

Honey is being recognized worldwide due to its high nutritive components that are beneficial for human well-being. It has been traditionally used by Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese to heal wounds and diseases of the gut, including gastric ulcers. It has also been used as a remedy for cough, sore throat, and earaches. In India, Lotus honey has been traditionally used to treat eye infections and other diseases. 

Propolis is generally known as the “bee glue”, which is a generic name that refers to the resinous substance accumulated by the bees from different types of plants. Propolis functions in sealing holes and cracks and for the reconstruction of the beehive. It is also used for retaining the hive's internal temperature, preventing weathering and invasion by predators. Propolis has numerous applications in treating various diseases due to its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer, properties. Part of the reason it has such applications is it contains important vitamins, such as B1, B2, B6, C, and E and useful minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron.

Royal jelly, a white and viscous jelly-like substance, is a form of hypopharyngeal and mandibular gland secretion from the worker bees. It is also known as a “superfood” that is solely consumed by the queen bee. Royal jelly is also fed to the honeybee larvae upon hatching. This superfood is the main reason for the longevity of the queen bee compared to the other bees. Royal jelly is widely used as a dietary nutritional complex to help combat various chronic health conditions and is seen to be antibacterial, antitumor, antiallergy, and anti-inflammatory. Approximately 185 organic compounds have been detected in royal jelly. Royalactin is the most important protein present in royal jelly. In addition, royal jelly has hormones such as testosterone, progesterone, prolactin, and estradiol that can be very helpful.

8 Health Benefits of Honey

1. Wound Management

Honey has traditionally been used to treat wounds, insect bites, burns, skin disorders, sores, and boils. Scientific documentation of the wound-healing capabilities of honey validates its efficacy as a promoter of wound repair and an antimicrobial agent.  

Honey has a beneficial effect on child dermatitis caused by excessive use of napkins and diapers, eczema, and psoriasis. The effect of honey mixed with beeswax and olive oil was investigated on patients with psoriasis showed significant improvements (reference)

2. Gastrointestinal (GI) Disorder

Natural honey is composed of enzymes that facilitate the absorption of food.  Honey also provides some nutrients, such as minerals, phytochemicals, and flavonoids, that aid digestive processes in the body Manuka honey has antibacterial properties as well.  Studies have also shown that natural honey contains high amount of prebiotics, hastening the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.

3. Oral Health

Honey is useful for the treatment of many oral diseases, including periodontal disease, stomatitis, and halitosis. In addition, it has also been applied for the prevention of dental plaque, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, and periodontitis. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of honey can stimulate the growth of granulation tissue, leading to the repair of damaged cells 

4. Pharyngitis and Coughs

Pharyngitis, commonly known as sore throat, is an acute infection induced by Streptococcus spp. in the nose and throat.  In addition to streptococci, viruses, nonstreptococcal bacteria, fungi, and irritants such as chemical pollutants may also cause sore throat. Manuka honey is effective for treating sore throat with its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Honey coats the inner lining of the throat and destroys the harmful microbes while simultaneously soothing the throat.  The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of honey aided in minimizing persistent cough and ameliorated sleep for both children and adults following honey intake (2.5 ml). A comparative study on children with different natural products reported that honey was found to be the widely used remedy for pneumonia 82.4% [reference].

5. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a mucosal infection caused by contents of abnormal gastric reflux into the esophagus. Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, inflammation, and acid regurgitation. Consumption of honey helps this condition by coating the esophagus and stomach lining, thus preventing the upward flow of food and gastric juice. Honey can further stimulate the tissues on the sphincter to assist in their regrowth and finally reduce the chances of acid reflux.

6. Bowel Movements

Honey has been known to minimize the duration of viral diarrhea compared to conventional antiviral therapy. Manuka honey on an empty stomach helps with inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) experiencing severe diarrhea or constipation, bloating, and stomach discomfort.

7. Liver and Pancreatic Diseases

Honey helps to soothe pain, balance liver systems, and neutralize toxins. Complications in the liver system can be attributed to oxidative damage. Honey exhibits antioxidant activities that have a potential protective effect on the damaged liver. Honey, which has a 1 : 1 ratio of fructose to glucose, may help to promote better blood sugar level, which is useful for those suffering from fatty liver disease since it provides adequate glycogen storage in liver cells. Insufficient glycogen storage in the liver releases stress hormones that impair glucose metabolism over time. Impaired glucose metabolism leads to insulin resistance and is the main factor of fatty liver disease. 

8. Breast Cancer

Imbalance in estrogen plays a role in breast cancer growth. Phytoestrogens are chemicals found in nature that when ingested act like estrogen in the body.  Honey has phytoestrogens in it. Very specifically Tualang honey shows highly specific and selective killing effects towards breast cancer cell lines and has a good potential as a chemotherapeutic agent [reference].

Having a Healthy Relationship with Your Body

Think about when you first wake up in the morning.  What are your first thoughts as you roll out of bed?  Do they have anything to do with how your body feels?  I tend to get a yes to that question only if that person is in pain or is afraid something is wrong with them.  If we are feeling fine we tend to ignore the body and go on with our day. We can’t be bothered by it. In our office we try to change that awareness.  We teach people to be aware of the food they eat, to make healthy choices and also be aware of the chemicals and heavy metal they are using in their daily life.  This change in awareness is about taking their health into their own hands and making those daily choices to create health in the body.  It takes a dedication, a determination and also self love to confront the body and take care of it. It takes courage to really look at ourselves, our body and do something healthy for it. That’s why a lot of people don’t come to the office unless their body is screaming at them. The body screams in the form of a symptom.  It is only with a headache, stomach ache, anxiety, weeks of insomnia, constipation etc. that people make an appointment.  That is, the majority of the people.  That is how we are trained. To actually go to the doctor’s when you are healthy doesn’t cross people’s mind.  Many doctors are trained in disease. They don’t know what to do if you are healthy.  If you don’t have a symptom they don’t have any advice for you.  Yet, as consumers we should have a new goal.  Our goal should be to keep the health we have.  Preventative healthcare is the best healthcare.

When we bring people’s awareness to their lifestyle and want to help them make changes that would improve their health part of that goal is to help them build their intuition with their bodies.  Listening to their body and what the body is trying to tell them is a new skill set for most people.  When listening to the body I don’t want to deepen the mind-body connection.  Instead, I want to get my patients out of their mind and into the body.  In the body is where your true power lies.  Meditation has it correct.  The goal in meditation is to quiet the mind and we do that by concentrating on the breath.  This concentration on breath gets us into the body and it is there that we find our center.  The center that is beyond the mind and beyond the body.  The center is where we are at peace no matter what is happening around us.  The center is our soft voice that is forever loving.  The center is our Spirit, our Higher Self, our love.  Call it what you would like.  Every religion has a different name for it.  It is our center, beyond anything in this physical world.     

The book by Eckart Tolle, The Power of Now talks about how the body loves your attention. It even states that the more consciousness you bring into the body, the stronger the immune system becomes. I find this to be true but let me specify our body loves our positive attention.  It loves to be loved,  not judged so watch your thoughts.  You think loving thoughts towards your body and you believe the body has the power to heal itself and it will.  If you think negative thoughts and put them in your body dis-ease can occur.  The book, Feelings Buried Alive Never Die is great at explaining that concept.  

A clear example of getting into the body to help it heal is how exercise makes us mentally feel better.  I often tell patients to exercise for better stress management.  I used to think that exercise helped get the stress off the body by changing the biochemistry of the brain but now I realize that exercise reduces stress by getting people to stop thinking and instead putting their attention into the body.  This change in attention from whatever is going on in the mind to the body allows feedback from the body to the brain so that exercise encourages the production of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain. Exercise also produces endorphins, the ‘feel good’ chemical in the brain.  In this way exercise is nature’s antidepressant and is really good for helping people with all sorts of things like ADHD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, blood sugar imbalances, hormone imbalances etc.  You name it and exercise can help because it gets you to pay attention to the body and the body responds by changing the brain chemistry.  

The way to a healthier, happier life is by embracing the body, loving the body.  Start having a positive relationship with your body by checking in with it and listening to it.  If it is hungry, feed it healthy food.  If it is full, step away from eating.  If it is tired, go to bed at a decent hour.  If you know your body doesn’t do well with coffee, skip that afternoon cup.  There are so many choices we make a day to either help or hinder our body.  Be compassionate with yourself  and your body and know your only goal is to make better choices than yesterday and that we are here to help.  

Are Parasites the Cause of Your Health Concerns?

Are you having trouble sleeping, fatigue, or mood swings? Trouble with your bowel movements or bloating? When you go to your MD these types of complaints are considered manageable and if treated, they are treated usually with over-the-counter medication to only get symptom relief without addressing the real issue.  In my office very frequently these symptoms are indicators of something that most doctors are not trained to look for, adding to the number of undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and wrongly-medicated cases. PARASITES!

The truth is emerging and unbiased science is backing it up. Parasites may be responsible for many common conditions like joint pain, chronic fatigue, immune and digestive disorders; however, most doctors who practice Western medicine are not properly educated to recognize signs of parasitic infections.

What is a parasite?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define a parasite as an organism that lives on or in a host organism and derives its food from or at the expense of the host. Right away you may be thinking intestinal worms, which is correct, but the parasitic population is much bigger.

According to a report from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), the helminth (worm) class of parasites alone is estimated to be between 75,000 and 300,000 species strong. PNAS also indicated that they have no credible way of estimating the number of parasitic protozoa due in part to the continual discovery of new species and extinction of others [Dobson et al.. (2008). Homage to Linnaeus: How many parasites? How many hosts?. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America , August(105), 11482-11489. Retrieved 26 May, 2015, from  http://www.pnas.org/content/105/Supplement_1/11482.full].

Not Just a Problem in Developing Parts of the World

The majority of parasitic infections are reported in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Topping the charts as the most fatal parasitic infection is malaria, which, according to the World Health Organization, was responsible for an estimated 584,000 deaths in 2013 from the nearly 198 million cases reported [World health organization.(2015). 10 facts about malaria.Retrieved 22 May, 2015, from http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/malaria/en/].

But parasites don’t care where you live or whether or not you have access to adequate healthcare. We’re all equal opportunity hosts. Parasites are prevalent, even today in developed countries with advanced public health and safety practices designed to keep harmful organisms out of food and water supplies. Because total eradication of parasites is impossible, they just might be one of the greatest hidden health threats contributing to under diagnosed diseases and conditions in the West, and indeed all over the world.

I get asked a lot from my patients who are doing a parasite cleanse how they got the parasite in the first place.  There is no way to know for sure but unwashed fruits and vegetables can have parasites on them.  Raw meat or fish, contaminated water (think Mexico), insect bites (insects carry parasites) and pets are the most common places.  In 2014 there were 304 confirmed cases of illness caused by Cyclospora. Of those cases, 133 were linked back to eating contaminated fresh cilantro imported from Mexico [Centers for disease control and prevention.(c2015). Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Investigations — United States, 2014. Retrieved 22 May, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/2014/]. 

In 2007 there were 31 confirmed cases of waterborne Giardia in a New Hampshire community. After a thorough investigation, the illness was linked to the community’s treated water supply [Daly et al..(2010).Epidemiology and Infection. Outbreak of giardiasis associated with a community drinking-water source ,138(4),491-500. Retrieved22 May, 2015, from http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1017/S0950268809990744]. And these cases are just a tiny fraction of the parasitic infestations that have occurred in the United States within the last decade.

Your best defense to not getting a parasite is a strong immune system. That way if you eat an apple with a parasite in it or some raw fish sushi, you would ingest it and the acid in your stomach would start killing it, sending signals to the immune system that there is an invader and the immune system would do the rest.  In a healthy body, parasite in, parasite out.  Parasites thrive in individuals with compromised immune systems. Young children and the elderly are also at greater risk due to fragile immune systems that have not built up sufficient immunity or have lost immune strength respectively. But even those considered healthy with relatively good immune function are becoming susceptible to parasitic infections due in large part from daily exposure to pollutants and toxins that overstimulate and exhaust the immune system, resulting in diminished ability to fend off pathogens naturally. Pollutants include solvents used in the manufacturing of products, including food. Solvents weaken the natural immunity barrier that should protect us so detoxing heavy metals and chemicals is also part of a good parasite cleanse.  If you have any heavy metal or chemicals in your body it creates an environment in your body where parasites can thrive.  

Diagnosing Parasites

Despite the prevalence of parasites and their ability to cause a multitude of health problems, the diagnosis of a parasitic infestation as the primary cause for many ailments is often overlooked. Why? Largely because the medical community doesn’t know what to look for. Physicians schooled in what is considered modern, Western medicine are typically not trained in parasitology, and therefore are not readily equipped to recognize the correlation between symptoms of illness and parasites.

Common ailments, including skin rashes, gastrointestinal discomfort, and insomnia are easily affiliated with other diseases. Certainly the changes the body undergoes as it passes through different stages of the lifecycle can also mask signs of a parasitic infestation, as can the body’s reaction to something ingested, exposure to a chemical, or even seasonal climate changes. This leaves the door open for inconclusive testing, misdiagnosis, and treatment for symptoms instead of the undefined cause.

Testing for Parasites

Considering that many people harboring a parasite don’t know they are infected, and because there are few clear signals that point to a parasitic infestation directly, how can you get tested if your own doctor doesn’t think a parasite is the likely cause of your ailment? Be your own advocate. Insist on being screened for a parasitic infestation. Tests can be performed to look for evidence of parasites, even in medical facilities that follow the Western medicine approach.

More than one type of test may be needed to confirm the presence of a parasite.

1. Stool Sample

This test is looking for eggs from parasites that cause intestinal issues such as diarrhea, loose or watery stools, cramping, and gas. A single stool sample may be inconclusive and perhaps only show evidence if the sample were taken around the time the adult parasite laid its eggs. A more reliable test would utilize three or more stool samples since the elimination of eggs in the stool tends to be cyclical. Parasites in the upper GI tract may not leave evidence in a standard stool sample.

A purged stool test using a powerful laxative may yield more conclusive results. This type of test is more useful when looking for Giardia, amoeba, roundworms, threadworms, tapeworms, flukes, Cryptosporidium, and hookworms.

2. Rectal Mucus Sample

Sampling rectal mucus may be a more reliable way than a stool sample when looking for a parasitic infestation because parasite eggs are prone to adhere to the mucus.

3. Direct Tissue Sample

Parasites that do not inhabit the lower GI tract, but rather in muscles and other tissues, will not show up in stool samples. Direct tissue samples will need to be obtained and tested.

4. Blood Test

Some blood tests can be used as a general indicator of a parasitic infection, but may not be relied on alone for confirmation. Blood tests can also be used to look for specific antibodies to some parasites, but in an individual whose immune system is already compromised to the point that they’ve stopped making antibodies, a blood test may be of little use. 

5. Endoscopy & Colonoscopy

Endoscopy and colonoscopy can be used to look for parasites and other abnormalities in the GI tract. The procedure is done by inserting a tube equipped with a mini camera down the mouth (endoscopy) or through the rectum (colonoscopy).

6. X-ray, MRI, CAT

These imaging tests can be utilized to look for some parasitic diseases that cause lesions in the organs.

7. Biofeedback

Some holistic doctors, including myself, use one of the increasingly popular biofeedback tests (muscle testing) to gauge physiological function and to determine the presence of a foreign stressor, such as parasite.  

Treating Parasites

Treatment for parasitic infestations is not a one size fits all deal. And unfortunately it’s certainly not something that can be cleared fast.

Prescription drugs are often oral pesticides with toxic chemicals that would otherwise not be suitable for consumption, and there’s no guarantee that they will work.  Sometimes they kill 90% of the parasites but the other 10% is remaining to continue causing havoc in your body. Some of the prescribed drugs are recognized as teratogens, agents that can cause malformation of a developing fetus.

Prescription parasiticides are designed to be effective against a single organism. They generally don’t have a broad reach and as with most prescriptions, they have side effects. If you have more than one parasite (which is common), you need to take more than one drug and suffer the side effects of multiple medications. But before medication can be prescribed lab testing is needed to clearly identify the organism. Unfortunately, testing for parasites is not an exact science, so there’s a chance that you may never know just how many parasites are in your body.

Much like strains of drug-resistant bacteria that have evolved over the years, parasites learn to adapt and can become resistant to certain medications and deterrent chemicals that were once thought to be effective forms of treatment. Chlorine, for example, was once believed to be a powerful disinfectant and preventative measure that could keep waterborne illnesses in check. However, outbreaks of Cryptosporidium and Giardia have been reported from water sources that met the chlorine treatment standards of quality at the time.

The CDC was forced to make a bold admission, stating that Cryptosporidium eggs are resistant to chlorine. Their findings were based on several outbreaks of legionnaire’s disease, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia linked to the use of chlorinated hot tubs, public spas, and swimming pools [Shields, J.M, Gleim, E.R & Beach, M.J. (2008). Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp and Giardia intestinalis in Swimming Pools, Atlanta, Georgia. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 14(6), 948–950. Retrieved 26 May, 2015, from  doi: 10.3201/eid1406.071495].

Admittedly, sometimes looking to the past for answers is wise. Some individuals choose to approach parasitic infestations like our ancestors did. Herbal remedies that were used in tribal and folk medicine for centuries have made a comeback thanks in part to trained healers keeping these practices alive and to patients looking for an alternative to prescription medications.

Herbs do not have the toxic, synthetic chemicals found in prescription medications, and they are less likely to have the unwanted side effects of prescriptions. Further, herbs support the theory of strengthening the immune system and keeping intestinal flora in balance so that parasites are less likely to thrive. Compared to the prescription drug approach it’s easy to see that parasite cleanses with herbs and potent essential oils can be far more beneficial.

For parasitic infections, among the most common herbs that people test for in my office are black walnut hull, garlic, wormwood, and cloves. While each herb has its own antimicrobial properties, they are often used together for greater effectiveness. Essential oils can also be used effectively against parasites.  Using muscle testing (biofeedback) we develop a specific designed clinical nutrition program for you.  

Patience must be practiced when using herbal remedies. You will most likely need to take them for a few months, even if you start feeling better sooner. You must continue to take the herbs over the entire lifecycle of the parasite. The adults are likely to be killed first, but not the eggs. Being persistent about continuing the treatment better ensures that the maturing parasites will eventually die off as well.

Ultimately, the best treatment for parasites remains prevention. But with the prevalence of parasites in and among our everyday lives, we’re all potential hosts on the cusp of being infected.

You may also need to consider cleansing the body of other accumulated toxins that suppress immune function and allow parasites to thrive. Toxic heavy metals and overgrowth of Candida yeast can strain the immune system over long periods of time without clear signs of doing so. There’s often a correlation between heavy metal toxicity, Candida overgrowth, and parasitic infections with unhealthy biofilms in the gut. So cleansing heavy metals and Candida to improve the health of intestinal biofilms and to empower immune function is often what I help patients with when cleansing parasites.  

Life After Treating Parasites

Once your parasitic infection has been cleared, certain lifestyle changes are encouraged to prevent re-infestation. Now the focus shifts to strengthening the immune system through a combination of protocols:

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Store and prepare food properly.
• Get your water tested for both microorganisms and toxins (remember, parasites like weakened immune systems, including those weakened by toxins).

It’s a complex and detrimental human health problem when many of our physicians would never think to look for a parasite infestation as a primary cause of illness. This leaves patients undiagnosed or misdiagnosed while parasites continue to cause damage to organs and tissues and steal essential nutrients from the body. This scenario also leaves physicians prescribing strong drugs that cause further stress on the immune system and the liver by introducing potentially toxic chemicals into the body.

In a nutshell, it comes down to this:

• Take preventative measures.
• Be your own health detective and get tested for parasites.
• If you have a parasite, weigh the pros and cons of each treatment type and decide which course of action to take.
• Be diligent, yet patient with your treatment – you won’t be cured overnight.
• Strengthen your immune system and keep up with the preventative measures to limit re-exposure.

Psych-K: What You Believe Does Affect Your Body

Psych-K: What You Believe Does Affect Your Body

Rob Williams (founder of Psych K) quoted very well, how most people spend their lives, and keep adding stress to it on a daily basis. 

"We are a people, who are convinced to spend money on things we don't have to buy things we don't need to make temporary impressions on people we don't care about"

Do you feel frustrated with your daily activities, because they don't fill the needs that are important to you? Is it true in your life too? If you say yes - even secretly in your mind - so, what do you want instead?

Would you like to have a choice?
Many people feel that they don't have any other choice. That it was a kind of chosen for them - maybe they were born in the wrong family? Maybe they just got wrong cards in life? Maybe it was some other reason, that they aren't aware of?

What kind of stories do you keep telling yourself, that keep you bound to your life choices?
Or, are they only our beliefs about our life, our health, our job that we don't like?
PSYCH-K® is a process for creating and changing any limiting perceptions at the subconscious level.

I love using PSYCH-K® because it is simple, it honors you and the wisdom that's inside of you as the main source of wisdom and it is efficient. I wanted to learn the technique to help people heal when everything we were doing on the physical body (diet, supplements, lifestyle changes) wasn't giving me the results I wanted.  I felt like there was a piece missing and after reading The Biology of Belief I understood that piece was how our subconscious beliefs interfere with our healing and our life.  

During a session we talk briefly first, then you define what do you want to change in your life: what is not working the way you would like to or what do you want to improve there. I'll help you set up a goal towards which want to go, what do you want to have instead. Then we do the balancing process together.
Every session brings you closer to your desired outcome, whether that is a better relationship with your partner, finding a job or getting into better health.

How many sessions?
Sometimes one session is enough for you to achieve your wishes, sometimes we need to work on the possible issues around it and to meet more often. We are all individuals, spiritual beings in a physical body, and we learn in different ways and at a different pace. It's good to remember that PSYCH-K® is a process, not a quick fix program, although it can work very fast!

After the sessions it's good to observe what has changed, how do you react differently in similar situations or do you need another session. Normally you will feel some transformations in some areas of your life (usually the ones we have worked with), sometimes in many areas of your life. The Action plan is often needed to achieve results faster or at all. You may be surprised with the changes.
Because we live in one universe and energy travels through space, we can use PSYCH-K® via Skype also. In that case I will be surrogating you during the balancing. As odd as it may seem, it is as efficient as seeing face-to-face. I suggest we use this possibility in case you do not live nearby to do an appointment in the office.  

The change process is called a PSYCH-K® Balance.
The PSYCH-K® Balance is a whole new way of combining the wisdom that's inside of us all, using it with your conscious goals and aligning it at the subconscious level. The result is that you can see new perception of the old situation and can act in a different way.
I came back from the Advanced training in PSYCH-K® and I learned:

CORE BELIEF BALANCE This process addresses 13 “Core Beliefs” that often keep us from tapping our full potential in life. It is a general belief change process that prepares the mind/body system for accelerated change.	BELIEF POINTS Learn how to use 12 “energy points” on the body that are derived from ancient acupressure. Each point represents key beliefs that give you valuable information about how you are limiting yourself in a given situation. These points make beliefs easy to access and easy to change, usually in a matter of seconds!
LIFE BONDING BALANCE The “trauma of birth” and the “fear of death” are two powerful aspects of human experience. This balance utilizes breath as a means of re-programming the negative impact of these influences in our lives. By directing the breath back and forth between two power points in the body, you will learn to transform stress associated with the birth and ‘death’ experiences.	SURROGATE BALANCING A possibility for “change at a distance.” Surrogation works with a substitute person for muscle testing and balancing in the absence of the person for whom the change work is being done. Surrogation can be used to help friends, relatives, and even your pets!
RELATIONSHIP BALANCE This balance will help you transform personal issues with others and better understand the lessons to be learned in the relationship. It will provide a clearer perspective on the value of relationships between parents, children, spouses, friends, and lovers.	RAPPORT Learn how to create a deep sense of trust and safety with others in a matter of minutes, making it easier to identify issues that may otherwise be difficult to acknowledge and change.
ENERGY FOCUSING A safe and effective process that allows you to focus energy to a Belief Point in order to change subconscious beliefs quickly and easily.

If any of the above interests you please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have to see if PSYCH-K® works for you!

Two of My Favorite Healthy Powders

Prebiotic Powder

A prebiotic powder is great to add to your diet.  Prebiotic fiber is in foods like bananas, onions and garlic, Jerusalem artichoke, the skin of apples, chicory root and beans. Prebiotic fiber goes through the small intestine undigested and is fermented when it reaches the large colon. This fermentation process feeds beneficial bacteria colonies (including probiotic bacteria) and helps to increase the number of desirable bacteria in our digestive systems that are associated with better health and reduced disease risk. Chicory root fibers (inulin and oligofructose) have proven health benefits such as weight management, improved calcium absorption besides supporting digestive health.  Chicory root fiber can be found in a variety of foods, including nutrition bars (ThinkThin), yogurt (Oikos Triple Zero), smoothies and oatmeal. You can get tested for a prebiotic powder at the office to see if you need it to help your good gut flora grow or have your probiotic work better for you. Standard Process also has a probiotic with the inulin in their supplement called Prosynbiotic. 

Blueberry Powder

Research published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that daily consumption of the equivalent of one cup of fresh blueberries, given as 24 grams of freeze-dried blueberry powder, showed positive changes in cognitive function in older adults over a placebo. Eating for brain health is so important. Alzheimer's disease is now being referred to as "Type 3 diabetes" and "brain diabetes," as both conditions involve insulin resistance and deficiency.  

A randomized control trial of the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH intervention for neurodegenerative delay) diet is looking into the benefits of a nutrient-rich diet emphasizing foods such as green leafy vegetables, nuts and berries in preventing Alzheimer's disease. Frozen blueberries are being given to participants because they are rich in antioxidants that may be beneficial for the brain, particularly when it comes to memory loss in aging.

Thyroid Health

What to Eat for Thyroid Health

Knowing how to nourish your thyroid is one of the foundational steps in keeping  all your hormones healthy.  Women have a higher risk of developing a thyroid condition, about 5 to 8 times more likely to have thyroid disease so doing what you can now to prevent a thyroid disorder is just as important as treating one. 

“What foods are good for my thyroid?” 
I’ll never forget the day I found out that eating a kale salad everyday for lunch wasn’t great for my thyroid health.

What?! How could kale not be good for me?!

The problem wasn’t necessarily with kale itself (it’s still one of my favorite veggies), the problem was that I was eating raw kale EVERY single day. And juicing it for breakfast too.  I was eating about 4 cups of raw kale a day!

It turns out that foods have naturally occurring compounds called goitrogens. Consumed in excess, these can have a negative impact on the thyroid gland. 

The thyroid is responsible for some major functions in our body. Things like controlling our metabolism, regulating body weight and body temperature, and determining our energy levels. It even impacts fertility. Personally, I want to have steady energy all day long and a metabolism that’s on my side, and if you do too, then it’s important to take care of your thyroid. 

The signs and symptoms for an unhealthy thyroid range widely, but some of the common complaints include fatigue, unexplained weight gain or weight loss, depression, constipation, sleep disturbances, and more. These symptoms can have a serious impact on our everyday experience of life, and whether you know you have a thyroid condition or not, eating in a way that supports the thyroid can support your overall well-being.

Thyroid Foods and Nutrients

There are several different types of thyroid conditions, and the most common is hypothyroidism, or having an underactive thyroid. In most cases, the root cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. While dietary guidelines for treating hypothyroidism versus an autoimmune disease vary slightly, the foundational nutrients your thyroid needs to function at its best remains the same.

Are Goitrogens Bad for Your Thyroid? 

Fortunately, the short answer is no! The most common types of goitrogenic foods are cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. These foods are nutrient powerhouses serving as excellent sources of vitamin C, potassium, folate, vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium. 

Several studies have been conducted on cruciferous vegetables and their anti-cancer compounds. Due to their high nutrient density, completely eliminating foods in this family would not be a good idea if you can help it.  Everyone reacts differently and getting muscle tested is what one needs to be specific.  

The safe amount of goitrogenic foods in your diet will depend on your unique nutritional status, especially your amount of iodine. Low levels of iodine have been associated with increased sensitivity to goitrogens.  Goitrogenic foods are something to be aware of, but definitely not something to fret about!

In the case that you have a hypothyroid condition, it’d be best not to have goitrogen containing foods raw, and in large quantities. For instance, do not eat a raw kale salad every single day for lunch. Also, most forms of cooking reduces goitrogens.

If you’re eating a varied, balanced diet, chances are you are not over-eating goitrogenic foods to the amount that they are having a negative impact on your thyroid.

Consuming sauerkraut as a condiment, or having a serving of cruciferous vegetables per day, is unlikely to have a significant negative impact on your thyroid health, unless you are iodine deficient.

A Day of Good Thyroid Foods

Stick with a whole food diet that includes balanced meals of protein and fat, along with plenty of nutrient-dense vegetables and a few booster foods. Booster foods for the thyroid that give the thyroid good nutrition are apples, seaweed, Brazil nuts, green tea, garlic, avocado, salmon, olive oil, eggs. 

Here's an example:

Breakfast:

2-3 egg omelette with spinach, and green onions. Serve with tomato and avocado and a hot mug of green tea or bone broth.

Lunch:

Grilled chicken and a large baby green mixed salad with shredded carrots, sliced red bell pepper, and Brazil nut with dressing of lemon juice, garlic, and extra-virgin olive oil

Dinner:

Baked salmon and asparagus alongside red leaf lettuce salad with toasted almond slivers and dulse seaweed.

Snacks:

Celery sticks with almond butter, or sliced cucumbers and black olives or Brazil nuts.