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!

Mercury Toxicity and a Must See Video

When patients need to do a mercury detox at Healing Arts most of them are aware that mercury is contained in some of the fish we eat and from metallic dental fillings. Mercury is also contained in some of the products we use at home and in schools. And when exposed mercury at high levels can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. When affecting the brain, symptoms may include impairment of vision; disturbances in sensations ("pins and needles" feelings); lack of coordination; impairment of speech, hearing, walking; and muscle weakness. When it is breathed in as a vapor where it is absorbed through the lungs symptoms include tremors, emotional changes, insomnia, weakness, muscle atrophy, twitching, headaches, disturbances in sensations, changes in nerve responses, and performance deficits on tests of cognitive function. All studies that look for mercury toxicity in humans seem to find measurable mercury in most of participants and that both blood and urine mercury levels tend to increase with age.  Scientists have decided that if a mercury blood level is less than 85 micrograms per liter (µg/L) then it is safe but I feel to be truly healthy that the body should have zero mercury in it.

When coal is burned, mercury is released into the environment. Coal-burning power plants are the largest human-caused source of mercury emissions to the air in the United States, accounting for over 40 percent of all domestic human-caused mercury emissions. Burning hazardous wastes, producing chlorine, breaking mercury products, and spilling mercury, as well as the improper treatment and disposal of products or wastes containing mercury, can also release it into the environment. Recycling of mercury-containing products is one of the best ways to help prevent mercury releases to the environment by keeping these products out of landfills and incinerators. We can also contribute by not buying mercury containing products. For a complete list of products that contain mercury you can go to this link of the EPA.

Mercury in the air eventually settles into water or onto land where it can be washed into water. Once deposited, certain microorganisms can change it into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that builds up in fish, shellfish and animals that eat fish. Fish and shellfish are the main sources of methylmercury exposure to humans. Methylmercury builds up more in some types of fish and shellfish than others. The levels of methylmercury in fish and shellfish depend on what they eat, how long they live and how high they are in the food chain.

The silver fillings used by dentists to restore teeth are composed of a metal "amalgam" containing roughly 50% elemental mercury and 50% other metals (mostly silver with some tin and copper). Amalgam is one of the most commonly used tooth fillings, and is considered to be a safe, sound, and effective treatment for tooth decay. Amalgam has been the most widely used tooth filling material for decades. It remains popular because it is strong, lasting and low-cost.

Yet the mercury found in amalgam fillings has raised some safety concerns over the years. Amalgam can release small amounts of mercury vapor over time, and patients can absorb these vapors by inhaling or ingesting them. To see a video on how sensitive the amalgam filling is to releasing mercury vapor Click Here.

Unfortunately, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is little scientific evidence that the health of the vast majority of people with dental amalgam is compromised, nor that removing amalgam fillings has a beneficial effect on health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consumer update on dental amalgam advises, as a precaution, that pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure should discuss DENTAL TREATMENT options with their health care practitioner.

If you do need to get a cavity filled there are other options you can ask your dentist about that include:

resin composite
glass ionomer
resin ionomer
porcelain

Also you should be aware of the less known sources of mercury that include:

batteries
fluorescent light bulbs
necklaces and other jewelry
paint
skin-lightening creams

To help detox all heavy metals from the body we highly suggest a series of ionic foot baths that help pull heavy metal out of your body.  For more information, click here.

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.

Detox Bath Recipes

Nothing is more relaxing than a warm bath… except perhaps a relaxing warm detox bath that also helps cleanse the body. Some of you may already have the epsom salt bath recipe from me that one of my patients shared with me but here are two other ones I would like to share with you as well! These detox baths will help remove toxins from the body and they also tend to make you tired so I suggest doing them before bed!

If you are detoxing, have a weak immune system or have skin issues these natural recipes are a simple and easy way to boost health! I’m always up for a warm bath, and these natural add-ons help improve health while you relax!

Before starting any bath dry brushing is recommended for it will help stimulate the lymphatic system and open up the pores for a deeper detox.

DEAD SEA SALT BATH

Dead Sea salt is rich in magnesium, bromide, sulfur, zinc, and sodium, which, when absorbed, all reap many health and beauty benefits.  While both magnesium and sulfur can be poorly absorbed through the stomach, studies show increased magnesium levels from soaking in a bath enriched with Dead Sea salt! Magnesium and sulfur are both easily absorbed through the skin. Sulfur plays an important role in the formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. They stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and are thought to help detoxify the body of medicines and environmental toxins and is great as an after-workout treat for it helps with sore muscles.

Directions:

Warm to hot bath (the hotter the water, the more intense the detox)
3-4 cups Dead Sea Salt
1 cup baking soda
Then pour 32 oz Hydrogen Peroxide right as you get into the water
Soak for about 20-30 minutes. Ideal to do at night, but any time of day will work!

You can also put grated fresh ginger (wrapped in cheese cloth or old nylon stocking) into the bath so it warms the skin and opens the pores for more oxygen to get into the system.


APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (ACV) BATH

This bath is a great overall detoxifier. It is also the best detox bath choice for those with candida issues that affect the skin as it returns the skin to an optimal, slightly acidic ph which is a difficult environment for candida to thrive. An ACV bath also draws excess uric acid out of the body. Uric acid is created when the body breaks down substances called purines in certain foods and drinks. Most uric acid is eliminated via the kidneys in the urine, but some folks such as those with gout can have issues with excess levels. An ACV cleansing bath can provide welcome relief for those with joint problems, arthritis, gout, bursitis, or tendonitis. It also is very helpful for those with excessive body odor problems.

Add 2 cups of pure apple cider vinegar (ACV) to a regular sized tub of water as hot as tolerated. Stay in the bath until the water has cooled which will be about 45 minutes. Towel dry and don’t shower for at least 8 hours.


CLAY DETOX BATH

This bath is great for removing a lot of toxins as the clay binds to heavy metals and the epsom salts help pull a variety of toxins from the body while replenishing magnesium levels.

1/2 cup bentonite clay
1/2 cup epsom salts
essential oils if desired

Dissolve the epsom salts in a warm/hot bath and add essential oils if desired. For the clay there are two options:

1) Vigorously mix the clay in to a small amount of water until the clumps are mostly dissolved. Do not use metal for this! I mix with a wooden spoon in a glass jar. Add the clay mix to the bath and soak for at least 20 minutes.

2) Mix that clay with a small amount of water to make a paste. Stand in the tub full of water and rub the clay mix all over your body to create a skin mask and let dry for 5 minutes before sitting down. This provides direct contact with the skin and effectively pulls toxins from the skin. Soak in bath at least 20 minutes or as long as desired. While soaking, use a wash cloth to scrub any remaining clay off the skin.

Hair Detox for Beautiful Hair

I help my patients detox from the inside out but what if we detoxed from the outside? I help people with premature balding, hair thinning and hair breakage that is beyond the normal wear and tear of over treated hair. I have even created my own Hair Rejuvenation supplement which people get great results with.  Even though a lot of times the hair loss is due to a heavy metal reaction and I am helping the body deal with those stressors with whole food supplements, wouldn’t it be nice to get the hair healthy from the outside too?

After you have eliminated all dead ends, you will need several basic items to detox your hair. Most of the items used are products that you will have around the house or can be purchased very inexpensively from the store. You will need:
1. Baking soda
2. Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
3. Bentonite clay
4. Raw honey
With these four basic products, you will perform a simple hair cleansing and detox regime. Instead of using shampoos and conditioners full of chemicals, you will use the the baking soda and ACV. Raw honey is used for deep conditioning.

Hair Care Procedure:
• Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of filtered water in a bowl.
• Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one cup of filtered water in a second bowl.
• In the shower, first work the baking soda mixture through your hair. Rinse with cool water.
• Follow with the apple cider vinegar mixture and rinse with cool water.
• For added condition and shine, use a generous amount of raw honey after the ACV rinse. While your hair is completely wet, massage the raw honey through your hair, let it sit for a few minutes and rinse.

Now, the more often you wash your hair with baking soda and ACV, the faster your hair will detox. If your main goal is to detox, you can wash your hair with these mixtures every day.

Bentonite Clay Hair Mask to Hasten Hair Detox

To quicken the process, you can also use a Bentonite clay hair mask. Bentonite clay, essentially an absorbent ash, draws the toxins and excess oils out of your hair and scalp. I use bentonite clay in capsules for internal detoxing too.
The Bentonite clay hair mask is not a part of a daily cleansing regime, but should be used once a week at most.
To prepare the mask, you will mix equal parts bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar until it is the consistency of mustard.
After making the mask, cover your hair completely from roots to ends with the clay. Allow the mask to sit for about 30 minutes but take care to avoid letting it dry completely. You want your hair to still be pliable in order to easily wash it out.

Essential Oils and Such
During the hair detox, it is very important to avoid using any conventional products. After conditioning your hair with the apple cider vinegar, you may notice the smell lingering in your wet hair. Generally, the smell will dissipate in about a month as the detox process continues. Until then, you can use essential oils like lavender, jasmine, peppermint, or any of your favorite scents.
Here are two ways to apply the essential oils.
1. Before you get in the shower, you can mix the essential oils directly into the apple cider vinegar mix and cleanse as directed.
2. When you get out of the shower, you can apply a few drops of your favorite essential oil throughout your hair.

To replace conditioning or moisturizing products after cleansing, there are number of oils you can use. I’ve had good results 100% pure, organic argan oil to condition and heal the hair. Argan Oil has been used for centuries and is made from the Argan tree in the deserts of Morocco.

Wheat germ oil or coconut oil can also be used for conditioning. The great thing about all three of these oils is not only do they condition the hair, but they also protect against the ends from breaking off. As a result, the hair is strengthened which promotes hair growth.

Alternatives to Baking Soda for Hair Cleansing
Baking soda is inexpensive for detoxing your hair, but everyone’s hair is different. If you find your hair is detoxing, but reacting badly, fear not! Instead of the baking soda mixture, use pure Castile Soap instead. This soap achieves the same detoxing effects and even works better for some people. It’s all about finding what is best for you!
Enjoy beautiful hair!

Use Food Instead of Antibiotics to Fight a Cold

We need to be careful when we are sick to not automatically start taking an antibiotic but instead do everything we can to fight a cold naturally first and then use antibiotics as a last resort. This is our only way of combating the threat of antibiotic resistance, which can happen when antibiotics are used too often and lose their power to treat bacterial infections.

Antibiotic resistance is “a worldwide problem,” Tom Frieden, MD, director of the CDC, said. “This is an urgent health threat and a threat to our economic stability as well.”  Some 2 million become sick each year because of antibiotic-resistant infections, Frieden said, noting those estimates are conservative. Such infections can also complicate treatments for conditions like cancer, he said. The infections are estimated to cost $20 billion in direct health care costs, with far more costs in lost productivity.

Use of antibiotics is the single most important factor leading to resistance, Frieden said. Although antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed drugs, half of those prescriptions either aren’t needed or aren't optimally effective as prescribed and the only solution the government has is to make more drugs.

But instead of producing more drugs to fight antibiotic resistant bacteria what if we used food instead? Standard Process, a whole foods supplements company makes these:

~Immuplex – This is my first line of defense when it comes to the immune system and has zinc and vitamin C in it.
~Congaplex – This supplement is very good to handle bacterial infections and has vitamin A and C in it from carrots and alfalfa.
~Thymex – I like using this for a generally weak immune system and inflammation due to sickness by using calcium and magnesium.
~Spanish Black Radish – This supplement is just that, pure radish. I use this a lot in the office to help the body get rid of mucus that builds up due to being sick.  It is also a great colon cleanser.  

Great supplements to keep in your cabinet, for anytime you start feeling sick!  For more information about the supplements or to order, click here. 

Dr. Armitstead also created her own herbal product to help boost the immune system called Wellness Blend.  She created this supplement in 2018 because she wanted one supplement that boosted the immune system and killed everything.  She wanted a natural antibiotic, antiviral, anti-parasitic, and anti-fungal all in one.  Patients were coming to the office not feeling well and she would have to give them anywhere from 1 to 5 new supplements to help their immune system and it was just too much.  Wellness Blend kills everything because it has kyolic garlic, liposomal vitamin C, mugwort, echinacea, oregano, lysine, eucalyptus, beta glucan and goldenseal in it. For more information on Wellness Blend, click here. 

Lastly, here's Dr. Armitstead's immune boosting tonic recipe you can make at home to keep your immune system nice and strong

Ingredients:

• 2 small fresh lemons (~1/2 cup) – (with the skin or not, cut into large chunks)

• 1/2 cup fresh ginger – (peeled, cut into chunks)

• 1/2 cup fresh garlic cloves – (peeled)

• 1/2 cup raw organic Manuka honey

Instructions:Add all ingredients roughly chopped in a blender, pulsing for a few seconds until everything turns into a paste.

The mixture contains not only the juice but also the fibers from the whole fruit/vegetable which makes it even more beneficial for your gut microbiome.
This immune boosting tonic is best taken on an empty stomach in the morning and/or half an hour before meals or before going to bed.

As a preventive measure you can take one or two teaspoons per day based on personal requirement.

If you are in the middle of fighting a cold or an acute infection take 1 teaspoon every 3-4 hours.

The benefits of this tonic are best experienced if used regularly. 

Storage:

Store the immune boosting tonic in a seal-able glass container in the fridge. The longer its sits in the fridge the more potent it gets.

Shopping Guide to the Highest Quality Foods Available

I just started using the "Find Real Food" app and am in love! Yes, that's right, in LOVE! For those of you who are conscious of where your food comes from and whether or not it's hormone-free, pesticide-free, wild-caught, etc. this is the app for you! I drive myself crazy sometimes reading all the labels and trying to find the safest, most healthiest food and now I can breath a little easier knowing that this company has already done the research. It costs $5 for the year and is priceless. The app comes from Westonaprice.org which is an amazing website for the foundation is dedicated to restoring nutrient-dense foods (like what our ancestors ate) to the human diet through education, research and activism.

It supports a number of movements that contribute to this objective including accurate nutrition instruction, organic and biodynamic farming, pasture-feeding of livestock, community-supported farms, honest and informative labeling, prepared parenting and nurturing therapies.

The app has over 13,000 thoroughly researched foods and brands highest in nutrition without additives or processing. So no matter what food restrictions I give you "Real Food" is what you should be eating. Save time and money with this easy-to-use grocery guide. For example, "Best" rated foods are in their whole form, have no additives, artificial flavors, MSG, or trans-fats. Dairy and beef must come from grass-fed or free-range cows. Eggs must come from pastured hens that are preferably not fed soy. Veggies and fruit must be organic or biodynamic, preferably local and in season.

Once a user of this app, you become part of the community and can rank and review products so you can share your experience with others and learn from theirs. You can also suggest new foods or brands to be reviewed by the Weston A. Price Foundation.

Wheat is a Genetically Modified Poison!

Eating gluten-free is hot right now. Many grocery stores and restaurants have gluten-free options but what exactly is gluten, why are people choosing to stay away from it and why do many of my patients who have food sensitivities eat wheat-free diets and not necessarily gluten-free diets? Burning questions, I know!

Gluten is a protein found in grains that include wheat, oat, spelt, rye, and barley and some people have a true allergy to it where their body cannot digest it so when consumed, their digestive track becomes inflamed, the intestinal wall damaged and over time celiac disease forms. Celiac disease is diagnosed by blood tests and examining a small piece of tissue from your intestinal track to see if it's damaged.

But a lot of people who feel that gluten may be an issue for them go for the celiac disease test and it comes back negative, yet they know they somehow feel better if they don't eat gluten. So even though there is no true gluten allergy causing a disease there could be a gluten sensitivity causing symptoms. That is why I muscle test to see if gluten is a problem for the body to digest and once off gluten their symptoms become dramatically better. Symptoms helped by not eating gluten when indicated by the muscle testing (also known at Nutrition Response Testing) include acne, constipation, diarrhea, gas, acid reflux, headaches. A lot of the times patients inform me about weight loss that occurs as a result as well.

Sometimes though, when testing the body, I don't find gluten as a problem for the body to digest but wheat itself is a problem. Whereas the other grains, oat, rye, spelt, etc. are okay for the patient to eat. So why would wheat be an issue but not gluten? The answer is because it has been genetically modified and the body looks at it as a toxin instead of a food. So for some bodies it is a "perfect, chronic poison," according to Dr. William Davis, a cardiologist who has published Wheat Belly. Davis said that the wheat we eat these days isn't the wheat your grandma had: "It's an 18-inch tall plant created by genetic research in the '60s and '70s." This thing has many new features nobody told you about, such as there's a new protein in this thing called gliadin. It's not gluten. The gliadin protein is an opiate. This thing binds into the opiate receptors in your brain and in most people stimulates appetite. Opiates include chemicals like morphine, heroin and opium.

So when people stop eating wheat, just like when people stop eating gluten, they tend to lose weight. My patients have also found relief in digestive issues, fatigue, headaches, acne, severe PMS and brain fog. When making food options while staying off of wheat you know if it's gluten-free then it won't have wheat so buying/ordering gluten-free is an easy way to go about cleaning up the wheat in your diet.

Besides staying off of the bread, pasta, bagels, pretzels which are obvious white flour/gluten containing foods one should be careful of gravies, soups and salad dressings which tend to use wheat as a thickner. Soy sauce has gluten in it as well and so a lot of my patients go to a health food store and get gluten-free soy sauce and bring that to the restaurant when ordering sushi or sashimi.

Miracles of Coconut Oil

Over the last year there has been a surge of new coconut products - coconut sugar, coconut butter, coconut water, etc. I highly recommend these products to my patients as healthy alternatives to white refined sugar, margarine or fruit juices. A few weeks ago I blogged about the benefits of oil pulling and after sesame seed oil the next best oil to use is coconut oil and I wanted to take the time now to talk more about how much one can benefit from adding more coconut oil into their diet.

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, cholesterol level maintenance, weight loss, boosted immune system, proper digestion and regulated metabolism. It also provides relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, and cancer, while helping to improve dental quality and bone strength. These benefits of oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and their respective properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial and soothing qualities.

Hair care:
Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrients for your hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair and gives your hair a shiny quality. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing and healing damaged hair. By regularly massaging your head with coconut oil, you can ensure that your scalp is free of dandruff, even if your scalp is chronically dry. It also helps in keeping your hair and scalp free from lice and lice eggs.

Heart diseases:
There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for heart health. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. In reality, coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in actively preventing various heart problems like high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as you commonly find in vegetable oils. Coconut oil does not lead to increase in LDL levels, and it reduces the incidence of injury and damage to arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.

Digestion:
A tablespoon taken before each meal can help improve digestion. It can also be taken in warm ginger tea to sooth heartburn or nausea.

Skin care:
Coconut oil is an excellent massage oil for the skin. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skin and has a natural SPF 4. It also delays the appearance of wrinkles and sagging of skin which normally accompany aging. It makes for a great after-shave lotion. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. It can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically. When put on cuticles it helps nails grow and also makes a great eye-makeup remover!

Weight loss:
Coconut oil is very useful for weight loss. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and endocrine system. Further, it increases the body’s metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas, thereby burning more energy and helping obese and overweight people lose the weight.

Immunity:
Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system because it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat.

Candida:
Coconut oil has been shown to prevent and even cure candida. It provides relief from the inflammation caused by candida, both externally and internally. Its high moisture retaining capacity keeps the skin from cracking or peeling off. Further, unlike other pharmaceutical treatments for candida, the effects of coconut oil is gradual and not drastic or sudden, which gives the body an appropriate amount of time to slowly kill the fungi and prevent adverse symptoms that can occur when killing the fungi too fast. Adverse symptoms of treating candida to aggressively is known as a die-off reaction. But, in the treatment of this condition, people should systematically and gradually increase their internal dosages of coconut oil and shouldn’t initially start with a large quantity. When having a yeast infection you can soak a tampon in coconut oil and insert it overnight for topic treatment.

Purpose————–Preferable Type to Buy

Cooking————–Refined Coconut Oil

Weight Loss———Virgin Coconut Oil

As a Carrier Oil—–Virgin Coconut Oil

Good Health———Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Coconut Oil

Massaging———–Pure Coconut Oil, Refined Coconut Oil

Hair——————–Pure Coconut Oil, Refined Coconut Oil

Medicinal uses—–Virgin Coconut Oil, Virgin Organic Coconut Oil

For more information read "The Coconut Oil Miracle" by Bruce Fife

Formaldehyde Toxicity

A common chemical that I help patients detox in my office is formaldehyde. Now you may be asking yourself, "isn't that what they use to preserve dead bodies?" and the answer is yes! Formaldehyde has been classified as a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Even with formaldehyde labeled as such it is used in new clothes, new cars, new carpets, new mattresses, new etc. It is that new clothes smell. Industries use formaldehyde as a fire deterrent. So if the warehouse catches on fire products are less likely to burn if they are sprayed with formaldehyde. Solution: wash all your new clothes once and when getting a new carpet or new couch air ventilation is key because it will eventually gas off.

Formaldehyde is also found in nail polish, wood pressed furniture, hair dye and straightener treatments, other treated lumber, and cigarette smoke. People who consume diet food will also need to detox formaldehyde for better health for aspartame (the artificial sweetener that is used instead of sugar) is a chemical that the body doesn't know how to breakdown so it turns it into formaldehyde where if enough aspartame is digested formaldehyde builds up in the body. Formaldehyde is also in vaccines as a preservative including flu vaccines. A great alternative to the flu vaccine is flu nosode which is a tincture we sell in the office that provides homeopathic aid in relief of flu symptoms. Formulated specifically for this year's flu strain it can also be taken as prevention against the flu or as an alternative to getting the flu shot.  If you already received the flu shot and are having symptoms of any sort let me know and we can help the body detox from it. 

Formaldehyde toxicity can cause headaches, migraines, skin rashes, allergies, asthma, and any type of ears, nose, throat symptoms. Best way to avoid it is to wash new clothes once and notice if you get symptoms while shopping too long in a store and make note if it's after 15 minutes of being in the store or 60 minutes, etc. and cut the time you shop so you are within your range to not get symptoms until you are healthier to handle exposure to formaldehyde at a later date. Also use natural hair dyes and nail polish and don't eat or drink anything with aspartame in it. Formaldehyde levels in homes can also be reduced by ensuring adequate ventilation, moderate temperatures, and reduced humidity levels through the use of dehumidifiers.

EPIC, an Awesome Protien Snack!

I'm always looking for new snacks to try because day in and day out I can get tired of almonds, cashews and carrot sticks, as I'm sure you can too. Unfortunately, before I go further, I must state that what I'm about to write is for my omnivore patients. I'm a fan of protein snacks especially if I'm busy in the office and haven't had time to eat lunch and it's already 3pm. Eating protein helps me keep going for sure! I've always been a fan of beef jerky but have stayed away from eating it because it's made with all sorts of preservatives, soy and sugar. Even the "natural" jerkys out there still have sugar and soy in them. I've been debating whether or not to get a dehydrator and make my own but the thought of the amount of counter space that is needed for it overwhelms me. So I am happy to have found Epic. Epic bars are grass-fed meat with a minimal amount of fruit. They are gluten-free, milk-free and soy-free. They advertise paleo-friendly if you are familiar with the paleo diet. With eleven grams of protein per bar you can't go wrong.


Finally, jerky without the junk, so exciting! I have tried the "bison bacon cranberry". I want to try the "turkey almond cranberry" next. They also have "beef habanero cherry" and "lamb current mint". I found them at Whole Foods for $3 a bar which is on the expensive side but when you are in a pinch for some quick protein it's priceless. If you buy it off the website you save $2 for a box of 12.

The Benefits of Oil Pulling

Oil pulling was first introduced in Ayurvedic medicine. I finally decided to blog about it as I ask many of my patients to do it. Whether it's for oral healthcare, digestive health, to clear out the sinuses or an immune system booster I've seen it help many patients in many ways!

Oil pulling as we know it today, was introduced in 1992 by Dr. F. Karach, MD. He claimed that oil pulling could cure a variety of illnesses ranging from heart disease and digestive troubles to hormonal disorders. Dr. Karach’s method of oil pulling emphasis swishing, not gargling, the oil in the mouth. The oil is “worked” in the mouth by swishing and chewing it around the mouth and ‘swizzling’ it (pushing it through the teeth) for a period of 15 to 20 minutes. The best time is in the morning before eating breakfast, but can be done before any meal on an empty stomach.

Oil pulling instructions:

Use 1-1.5 spoonfuls of unrefined, high quality, organic sesame seed oil (non-toasted) and 'swizzle" in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Sesame seed oil is the best oil to swish with.  I love using Banyan Daily Swish

Once completed, spit the oil out (we recommend spitting in the trash as it can clog your sink or toilet over time).

Follow it by a thorough mouth rinse with water.  Warm water with sea salt is best.

Never swallow the used oil because it is loaded with bacteria, toxins, pus, and mucous. It is a good idea to brush your teeth afterwards to really clean out any leftover toxins and wash the sink afterwards as well if you don't spit it out into the trash.

Benefits:

Strengthens teeth
Can help reverse gingivitis
Prevents tooth decay/whitens teeth
Strengthen immune system
Improve digestion
Reduce skin problems (acne, eczema, psoriasis)
Reduce allergies
Lessen headaches
Help hormonal imbalance
Clear out sinuses

Tips:

Be sure you are using a high quality, organic, non-toasted sesame seed oil.
Set timer for 15-20 minutes because it's going to feel like a long time and I don't want you to guess that it's been 15 minutes when it's only been 5 minutes.

Precaution:

If you are allergic to a particular brand of oil, then change the brand of oil.

DO NOT SWALLOW.

One of the first cleansing symptoms you will experience is an increased flow of mucous from your throat and sinuses. Mucous drainage is one of the body’s methods of removing toxins. While you are oil pulling mucous may build in the back of your throat. You may even have to expel the oil and clear the mucous from your throat before reaching a full 20 minutes. If so, take another spoonful of oil and continue swishing for a full 15-20 minutes.

I usually do oil pulling when I am feeling sick to help clean my lymphatic system and boost the immune system. Your lymph takes about 7 minutes to circulate through the body. It is important to do oil pulling for a minimum of 15 minutes so you can clean out all of the lymph at least twice. But if during the 15 minutes your mouth begins to tire or stomach becomes sensitive start with 5 minutes and work your way up to 15-20 minutes.

Are Parasites Causing you Harm?

Dr. Oz says that 90% of Americans will have a parasite problem at some point in their lifetime. We, at Healing Arts NYC, tend to agree.

One of the most undiagnosed condition in America is parasites. The various statistics I have seen show that anywhere from 30% to 90% of Americans have parasites. Parasites can cause seemingly random symptoms in various organs of the body, with various degrees of severity. Some symptoms of parasites are the source of great agony, and some are barely noticeable. The most common symptoms are clenching or grinding of the teeth or jaw, bowel discomfort and anal itching. Read through this article to get more of an idea if you might be affected by parasites.

Parasites can be big, like tapeworms: fifteen feet long. They can also be single-celled; only visible with a microscope. They can live anywhere in the body; in the sinuses, around the ears, in the heart and, of course, the intestines. But don't worry, for in my experience, all parasites are treatable and once gone give patients a lot of symptomatic relief.

One of my colleagues grew up in a family of butchers. He could see which cows were sick just by cutting the jaw muscles. Upon slicing the jaw muscles of the sick cows, parasite eggs could be seen. This is a common reason why people grind their teeth at night--because parasites inhabit the jaw muscles. Jaw grinding happens primarily at night when parasites are more active.
Not all parasites lay eggs but some do. The eggs hatch around the time of the full moon, give or take four days. When they hatch, it makes people act crazy. This is why police, teachers and emergency room doctors dread full moons--they will be busier.

In our office, we have seen parasites cause psoriasis, heart problems, constipation, diarrhea, muscle weakness, floaters in the eyes, junk food cravings, excessive appetite, allergies and depression. Many people who complete a parasite program report not only symptomatic relief but also that they are happier and enjoy the company of others more.

To get rid of parasites, Mother Nature has provided us with certain plants. In Japan, people use wasabi (with sushi) and in Mexico, it's hot peppers. In India, people use curry and turmeric to stay free of parasites. Many cultures throughout the world do a parasite cleanse every six months or once a year. The World Health organization recognizes Wormwood as an effective herb to kill parasites. When worms die, they can cause intestinal cramping, pain, diarrhea or constipation. In the toilet, the worms often look like angel hair pasta with a frayed end. They could be a few millimeters long to six inches long. One of my clinician friends had a patient who excreted a two foot roundworm.

To kill egg-laying parasites, it is necessary to take the herbs for ten days, then stop them for five days. This is because for ten days you are killing the "mother" parasite. It releases a chemical that prevents the eggs from hatching. When the mother is dead, the eggs start to hatch. Let them hatch for five days, then start back on the herbs. If you don't, the baby parasites will fight each other to become the next dominant worm. Cycle the program like this for 2 to 3 months. I have had many clients do a parasite program that they picked up at the health food store. I have never seen one of these work, primarily because there is no cycling of the herbs. The herbs may also be ineffective even when cycled properly because they may not be the correct herbs to target the specific parasite a person has. Certain herbs are more effective for certain parasites, and we can discern which herbs are appropriate via muscle testing. Parasites that do not lay eggs do not require cycling of the herbs.

Parasites are largely ignored by the medical profession. I have heard a lot of M.D.'s dismiss the topic by saying, "We don't have parasites in this country." Truthfully, the University of Michigan Parasitology Department identifies 100 parasites a day! I am amazed at the number of people who have health problems from parasites.

The sneaky thing about parasites is that out of more than 1,000 different kinds of parasites that can infect us, we can only detect about 50 of them through regular medical testing. The other 950+ can be found only through alternative methods of testing like Nutrition Response Testing. To be sure that you are free of parasites, call the office and asked to be checked. Bring your family as well, because we often share parasites with each other and our pets.

Plastic Toxicity

Many of you are familiar with the need to buy BPA-free plastic. Bisphenol A (BPA), is an estrogen-like endocrine disruptor that may leach into food. Research finds that BPA leached from the lining of tin cans, dental sealants and plastic bottles can increase body weight of lab animals' offspring. A more recent animal study suggests that even low-level exposure to BPA results in insulin resistance, which can lead to inflammation and heart disease. There are now BPA-free products, yet, in 2011 it was reported that "almost all plastic products" sampled released chemicals that acted like estrogen.

Plastic products contain a variety of additives, some of which can be toxic. For example, plasticizers are often added to brittle plastics to make them pliable enough for use in food packaging, toys, and many other items. Traces of these compounds can leach out of the product. Due to concerns over the effects of such leachates, the European Union has restricted their use in some applications, and the United States has limited the use of them in children's toys. Some compounds leaching from food containers have been proposed to interfere with hormone functions and might cause cancer.

So what do we do with this information, other than live in a bubble? The goal is to avoid plastic whenever possible. Avoid plastic forks, knives, spoons by having stainless steel ones at work and even carry them in your purse. You can do the same with straws and buy stainless steel straws on Amazon. Instead of buying water in plastic water bottles carry your water with you in a stainless steel bottle or now they have glass bottles as an option too which I love.  I even have ones in the office where the glass is specially made to restructure the water and even have the office logo on them. To learn more about the Flaska water bottle, read here.

Instead of storing your food in plastic containers buy Pyrex which is glass containers with rubber tops. I use Pyrex for my daughter's school lunches too instead of ziplock bags. Yes, the lunch bag is a little heavier but definitely doable. When ordering takeout I try to get my takeout put in cardboard boxes like those used at Chinese restaurants or styrofoam. When buying fruits and vegetables get them out of plastic bags as soon as you can. Do the same when buying a salad. If you are going to take it back to the office/home take it out of the plastic bowl and put it into your own ceramic bowl. The same can be done with iced coffee. With hot coffee, just take the plastic lid off and drink straight from the cup.

Plastic is harder to avoid when eating yogurts, using a water filter or buying frozen vegetables so I ask my patients when detoxing plastic to do the best they can to avoid it and within weeks the plastic detox can be finished because they made a few key changes that allows the body to no longer be overloaded with plastic toxins and whatever plastic is still leaching into the body, the body can detox on it's own.

A healthy body is able to handle a little plastic toxicity every now and then. It's over time a buildup can occur with constant plastic use. The whole point of health in our office is to identify toxins and support the body to detox them while restoring health. Of the 14 heavy chemicals I check for in the office plastic comes up often so it's good to understand that all plastics are a concern and not just plastics containing BPA.

Juice Press is a Must

After many weeks of saying, 'I should check out Juice Press' I finally went this last Saturday. One of their locations being only 10 blocks from my office (1050 Third Ave. at 62nd St.) a friend and I took a stroll and loved what we discovered.

There was an assortment of choices for juices and one could easily get overwhelmed but Juice Press does a good job of labeling to make it as easy as possible. Green labels were used for super green drinks, blue labels were used for green drinks with fruit or starchy vegetables and orange labels were used for fruit drinks. Actual ingredients are listed for all products so you know exactly what is in it, no guessing necessary! My friend has been before to the 239 Columbus Ave. at 71st St. and was looking forward to his 'Horny Gorilla' juice but they don't make that one at this location, so something to keep in mind. Instead he got the 'Lait de Coconut' which even though on the expensive side of the average juice price at $13, tasted like coconut candy. All it is is coconut water blended with coconut meat but it's so rich and creamy. Now remember, all my patients out there that have to stay off of fruit, coconut is a nut, not a fruit, so if you are in the mood for something sweet I highly recommend it!

Besides all the juices, they have smoothies and I decided to get 'D-tox Super Smoothie'. It was $10 and was so rich it could have been a meal for me. I loved the consistency for it was as thick as an actual milkshake and stayed that consistency the whole time I was drinking it. Ingredients were coconut water, acai berry, avocado, cashew, agave, coconut meat, cacao powder, coconut oil, vanilla and mint. It wasn't too sweet which I liked and the taste reminded me of carob. It wasn't minty at all and if I did not read the ingredients list I would not have known there was any mint in it.

My friend and I decided to share the 'Sin-o-Bun' which at $9 is about a $1 a bite. Expensive as it was I thought it was well worth it. It was soooo delicious, tasted like a sweet cinnamon roll (not the same texture), and the raw dessert was made of buckwheat, date, golden flax, cinnamon, vanilla with an icing of Irish moss, coconut, coconut sugar and vanilla.

Ambiance was pleasant. They played a mix of music from Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" to Frank Sinatra's "Polk-a-dots and Moonbeams". At the time we went it was not busy and we waited 4 minutes for my smoothie, so just a FYI for New Yorkers on the go. Unfortunately everything they sell comes in plastic so bring your stainless steel straw with you when you go. My smoothie did come in a Greenware cup which is made from plants, not petroleum and will compost in a commercial facility in 50 days. So kudos to Juice Press for being environmentally aware!

Juice Press does advertise a juice cleanse (6 juices a day) so if your in the mood you may want to check it out on their website. And if you decide to go to the one on Third Ave. and feel like eating out Anassa Taverna is a delicious Mediterranean restaurant at 200 E. 60th St. at Third Ave.

I am lucky that Juice Press has a location in Williamsburg at 144 N. 8th St., 7 blocks away from my Brooklyn office. I'll have to check out their lunches next!

Which Salt is Best?

Patients ask me a lot about whether or not they should have salt in their diet. As long as they are not suffering from water weight, kidney dis-ease or high blood pressure, salt is a great thing to add to your food. The real question is what kind of salt? And my answer is the pink one!

Over the last couple of years there has been a rave about sea salt being a healthy alternative to table salt but do you know why it's better or have you just been using it because you like it's texture and you think it tastes better?

Sea salt is obtained directly through the evaporation of seawater. It is usually not processed, or undergoes minimal processing, and therefore retains trace levels of minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium.

Table salt, on the other hand, is mined from salt deposits and then processed to give it a fine texture. This processing strips table salt of any minerals it may have contained, and additives are also usually incorporated to prevent clumping or caking. Chlorine is also used to make the salt the pearly white that it is. Yes, that's right, they use chlorine, meaning that they bleach it, just like we use bleach to make our whites whiter that's what they use to make table salt white.

Some say there are no real health advantages of sea salt because one can receive the trace minerals found in sea salt in other healthy foods and that table salt does have iodine added since the 1920s to prevent the iodine-deficiency disease goiter. And I say that given the choice of trace mineral filled salt or salt with synthetic iodine, bleach and other preservatives I'll go with the all-natural sea salt.

An even better salt than sea salt is Himalayan salt which I think tastes even better and has 84 trace minerals in it compared to sea salt's 7. Trace minerals are important to the nutrition of the body in order to regulate many enzymatic reactions. If we aren't getting enough minerals from our diet then a trace minerals supplement can always help.

I wonder if all the problems we attribute to consumption of too much salt is actually due to the toxicity of chlorine or food additives or the stripping of minerals from the salt. I wonder if the salt, not having its natural minerals, causes our digestion system to borrow the minerals from the body in order to digest it properly and in the long run actually cause deficiencies in the body that turn into water imbalances in the body that if left long enough these imbalances turn into disease - high blood pressure, heart disease or kidney dysfunction. Just food for thought or should I say, salt for thought? :-)

Best Water When No Alternative

A lot of my patients get muscle tested for plastic toxicity in my office. As they are making the transition out of plastic water bottles they ask me when they are out for the day and stuck having to buy water in plastic, for many stores don't carry it in glass, what water is best to buy? After thoroughly muscle testing and finding what bottled water test best, here are the results in order, #1 being the best:

1) Mountain Valley

2) Volvic

3) Evian

Aluminum Toxicity

A normal, healthy body naturally heals from most types of conditions, whether from illness or injury. If you have a health condition that is not healing, there must be a barrier to your health that has to be identified and addressed. In this way your body can overcome that barrier and your ability to reach optimal health is possible.

Typical barriers to healing include stressed emotions, a weak immune system, food allergies and the effects of toxic chemicals and metals in the body. In the office, we identify what toxins are stuck in your body and give you supplements to help open the body's detox pathways so the body can detox it.  Helping the body by opening your natural detox pathways is important so the body can detox on it's own.   Patients are usually amazed at how fast healing starts with just a few key changes in their life.

Aluminum often comes up as a heavy metal that needs to be detoxed. So after testing patients for the supplement they need to help open up the body's own detox pathways, it's also important that they stop putting aluminum in their body. Metal toxicity can cause many different symptoms in the body including headaches, digestive issues, insomnia, depression, anxiety and much more.  Aluminum toxicity is known for causing Alzheimer's.

Where does aluminum toxicity come from and how to avoid it?

1. Aluminum cans

2. Aluminum foil

3. Aluminum take-out containers

4. Deodorant
Many aluminum-free deodorants are available including Raw 4 Beauty, Tom's, JASON, Native, and Every Man Jack. Here's also a great recipe for making your own!

5. Anti-acids
Maalox and Mylanta contain aluminum. Rolaids and Tums are alternatives that don't contain aluminum.

6. Aluminum pots, pans, baking sheets, scratched teflon
Cook with stainless steel, ceramic, glass and cast iron

7. Antidiarrheal Products
Watch labels carefully for any mention of aluminum salts.
Products containing loperamide such as Imodium AD usually do not contain aluminum salts.

8. Buffered Aspirin
Buffered aspirin can contain up to 14.4 to 88 milligrams of aluminum hydroxide or aluminum glycinate. Ordinary aspirin is aluminum free as are many other pain killers.

9. Douches
Many popular douche products contain aluminum salts. A homemade version of vinegar and water can be substituted.

10. Food Additives
Cake mixes, frozen doughs, self-rising flour, and sliced process cheese food all contain from 5 to 50 milligrams of sodium aluminum phosphate per average serving. Baking powder has 5 to 70 milligrams of sodium aluminum sulfate per teaspoon. Starch modifiers and anti caking agents also contain varying levels of aluminum compounds. The processed cheeses used on cheese burgers at fast food restaurants also contain aluminum, which is added to make the cheese melt better.

11. Shampoos
A number of anti-dandruff preparations contain magnesium aluminum silicate. Watch labels carefully for aluminum lauryl sulfate, which is a common ingredient in many popular shampoo products.