Fight the Flu with Elderberry Syrup

Like it or not, cold and flu season is here! We should all be thinking about how to keep our immune system strong so it’s ready to combat these viruses. One of my favorite remedies to help boost my immune system to prevent these nasty viruses from taking a hold is Elderberry syrup. Loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C and immune supporting minerals, Elderberries have been used for centuries in Europe, North American, North Africa, and Western Asia, and people are catching on to its medicinal benefits. The bioflavonoids in the juice weaken the ability of cold and flu viruses to infect a cell. It enhances the body’s immune system, and can be used not only for colds and the flu, but to lower cholesterol, improve vision and heart health.




Raw or unripe elderberries contain a toxic chemical called cyanogenic glycoside. Once you cook the elderberries, the chemical is not a problem, so if you do decide to buy them to make your own syrup, don’t try them raw! Otherwise, you can find this already made in a syrup, or in capsules. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you shouldn’t take this. Otherwise, if you feel that cold coming on, you may be able to thwart it with this amazing berry! To make your own elderberry syrup, click here.

All You Need to Know About Water

By Addison Landry

-Our bodies are made up of 70% water and for good quality health good quality water is needed. 

- A common misconception. Some people are under the impression that they can remove toxins from water by boiling it. Boiling water kills harmful organisms but does nothing to remove toxic chemicals, compounds, salts, and metals.

What toxins can be found in water and how they harm the body:

Unfortunately, water quality issues are not a recent development. Industrial dumping, pesticide runoff, leaky storage tanks, and government mandates have created big problems. Let’s take a look at some of the nastiest water contaminants that may be pouring out of your tap.



1. Fluoride

Adding fluoride to drinking water is a process that began back in the 1940’s to help reduce tooth decay. However fluoride is a neurotoxin and an endocrine disruptor. It can harm the thyroid gland and calcify the pineal gland. It’s so toxic that several countries have banned water fluoridation.



2. Chlorine

Chlorine has disinfectant properties that make it useful for cleaning products and swimming pools. It’s even used to sanitize sewage and industrial waste. Chlorine is added to drinking water as a purification technique, despite not being safe.

Chlorine is a reactive chemical that bonds with water, including the water in your gut, to produce poisonous hydrochloric acid in gas form. Chlorine exposure can cause respiratory problems and damage cells . Long term effects include memory loss and impaired balance.



3. Lead

Corroded pipes are releasing up to ten times the allowable amount of lead into the water. Lead is toxic to almost every organ  and affects children the worst. Developmental issues, stunted growth, deafness, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and brain damage can all result from exposure to lead. If ingested during pregnancy, lead can cause premature birth. Lead exposure has even been linked to autism, prostate cancer, and reproductive problems for both men and women. It’s damaging to the cardiovascular system and kidneys, too.



4. Mercury

Although mercury is a naturally occurring element, “natural” does not mean “safe. Mercury is extremely toxic  and can cause brain damage, blindness, nerve damage, cognitive disability, impairment of motor functions, headaches, weakness, muscle atrophy, tremors, mood swings, memory loss, and skin rashes.



5. PCBs

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are chemicals used for industrial purposes such as insulation, machinery, oil, paints, adhesives, electronics, and fluorescent lights.

Although PCBs were banned in 1979, they’re still present in landfills and pose a danger to the environment. PCBs break down slowly and infiltrate the environment. They have been found in snow and sea water thousands of miles from where they were produced.



6. Arsenic

Arsenic, despite being poisonous, is used in a multitude of industrial processes. Environmental contamination may result from improper waste disposal, or from poorly-planned wells that hit a natural source.

Arsenic poisoning can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea.



7. Dioxins

Dioxins are released during combustion, such as burning of hazardous waste, forest fires, cigarette smoke, and burning oil and coal. They settle in the environment and destroy water sources.

Short term exposure can cause lesions and respiratory problems. Long-term exposure can affect the immune, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has declared dioxins are carcinogenic. In developing fetuses, dioxin poisoning can cause birth defects or stillbirth.



8. DDT

DDT was used as an insecticide in the 1940s to combat insect-borne diseases like malaria and typhus. It had widespread use as an agricultural insecticide until it was banned in the United States in 1972 due to environmental concerns.

It remains in use in other parts of the world and is still a major health concern for all of us. DDT molecules are persistent and can travel vast distances in the atmosphere.

Animal testing has found DDT causes reproductive problems and liver damage. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has declared DDT is a cancer risk.



9. Dactyl (Herbicide) 

Dacthal (dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, or DCPA) is an herbicide that contaminates soil and water sources. Unlike HBA and DDT, Dacthal is still in use today. Animal tests have found dacthal damages the adrenal glands, kidneys, liver, thyroid, and spleen.



Why water filtration is important: 

With all these toxins contaminating our water its extremely important to remove them for good quality health. When you drink these toxins it depletes the bodies minerals to help balance the body form the toxins. This depletion of minerals creates a nutritional deficiency as the body has lost the minerals needed to perform at a healthy functional level. With depleted minerals then follows organ dysfunction. Organ dysfunction can cause cause anything skin rashes, digestions issues, acne, lowered sex drive, changes in mood, auto immune challenges, joint pain to name a very small amount. The body is is an interconnected machine so one organ dysfunction can lead to many others. So you can see how important it is to remove toxins form you life style especially water.  



Best Filtration systems:

Zero water filters - Are a great cost effective filter option that removes total dissolved solids most specifically lead. Total dissolved solids being any chemical, metal or  toxin that will dissolve in water which includes fluoride, chlorine, lean, mercury, herbicides and pesticides to name a few. It comes with a TDS meter which allows you to test your water to see the level of total dissolved solids giving you level in which you should change the filter. They are sold on amazon, target, bed bath and beyond and come in different sizes. 



Additional ways to improve water quality:

Ozone-  In the office we recommend a machine that adds extra oxygen to your water called the Ozo-pod. The ozone process is adding a three extra oxygen molecules to the 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen molecule (2:1).Because ozone is unstable, the newly formed bond is only temporary and must be used or preserved no more than 20 minutes after creation to be most effective. 

Ozonated water in a number of scientific studies has shown to remove bacteria, viruses and eliminate impurities. When you drink ozonated water it increase energy,  and blood detoxification. Increased oxygen in the brain heightens its function. Single oxygen cells introduced into the immune system makes it stronger and better able to fight infections. Drinking cold ozone water on an empty stomach every day can detoxify your intestinal tract. For most people we suggest 16 ounces a day.  



Water on the go:

The best options for water would be glass and stainless steal. Plastic is a toxin that we test for in the office any form of plastic even if BPA free actually acts as estrogen in the body playing off our hormones and causing imbalance. If this toxin shows up in patients we ask them to stay away form all plastic where possible and help them detox through diet changes and whole food supplements. To start improving your health I would give this recommendation to everyone. The less toxins the better. 

It is hard to stay away from plastic when traveling, Voss water and Mountain Valley water have the option of water in glass bottles if it's available. If there is no glass options I would recommend Evian, Volvic or Mountain Valley water in the plastic bottles.

Water bottles to check out:
I personally use the Flaska bottle and love it!

glass: 

Flaska water bottle with cover 

Life Factory- silicon sleeve for grip and protection 



Stainless steel:

Klean kanteen 

S’well

Try Bee's Wrap Instead of Plastic Wrap

Considering how anti-plastic I am (read the blog) I can't believe it took me this long to find Bee's Wrap®!  It is kind of like wax paper but can really seal when putting over a dish and is reusable for about a year.  

I would suggest buying the assorted pack contains 3 sizes of wraps (Small 7" x 8", Medium 10" x 11", and Large 13" x 14") for $18. It is not just beeswax but also made with certified organic cotton, organic jojoba oil and tree resin.  It is amazing how reusable it is. Wash it before you use it and after every use with cool water and soap and air dry. Each wrap will last about a year with use a few times per week. Wrap cheese, half of a lemon, a sandwich (gluten-free), or cover a bowl. When wrapping this product around food or over a bowl, the warmth of your hands helps the wrap to form a seal. As the wrap cools, the seal will hold its shape.



The only warning it comes with is from the company: beeswax has a natural fragrance that can vary depending on the time of year that it is harvested. Since beeswax is the primary ingredient in this product, each piece will exude that fragrant scent. If the scent if too strong for you, we recommend you wash it a few times before the first use, which may dilute the fragrance. Additionally, during your first use, cover a container that does not allow the scent to directly touch the food. If wrapping food directly such as bread or cheese, use a cloth directly on the food and then Bee's Wrap™. Over time the scent will fade. 

I personally don't mind the scent at all.  Try it out and let me know what you think!

For the Health of it! Sprouted Grains

The health benefits of wheat, rye, rice, quinoa and other grains are entirely dependent on how they are eaten. Refined, processed grains are stripped of most of their nutrients, as the bran and the germ of the grain are removed. When making white flour, most of the vitamins B1, B2, B3, E, folic acid, calcium, zinc, iron, and fiber are lost leaving you with a useless starchy food that has a host of negative health consequences.

Eating refined grains can directly contribute to obesity, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Traditionally, all grains and seeds, including rice were SPROUTED. As much as 20x more nutrients are found in sprouted seeds compared to processed seeds.
Before the usage of commercial farm harvesters, grain naturally sprouted in the field before it was milled into flour. During the industrial revolution grain was quickly harvested unsprouted and moved to storage bins.

Sprouted foods are considered wonder foods. They rank as the most nutritious of all foods available.



Benefits of Sprouted Flour:
Easier to digest - sprouting breaks down the starches in grains to simple sugars so your body can digest them like a vegetable
Increased Vitamin C
Increased Vitamin B
Increased Carotene - sprouting increased the carotene up to eight times
Increased enzymes - enzymes are produced during sprouting
Reduction of anti-nutrients - Sprouting neutralizes enzyme inhibitors and phytic acid which is present in the bran of all grains that inhibits absorption of calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc.

Sprouted grains are significantly higher in protein, vitamins and enzymes. In fact, one of my favorite protein powders is Garden of Life because they use sprouted grains for the protein. Sprouted grains have low GI so they are digested more slowly by the body, keeping the blood sugar levels stable for longer, making people feel more satisfied. This leads to snacking less.

Those who have allergies or intolerances to wheat or grains in general may find that they have absolutely no negative health reactions to sprouted grains.

Organic sprouted grains or flour is available here. www.organicsproutedflour.net

Sprouted grains can be found in health food stores too. "Food For Life Ezekiel" has bread and cereals which are tasty. Making your own sprouted food is also an option. Read here for details.

Have You Had Your Bulletproof Coffee?

[Guest Post from Hanna Sender]

I love coffee. The smell, the taste, the morning ritual of it. However, too much caffeine, especially during certain points of a healing journey, can put a lot of stress on our bodies. It is best to stick to one cup of coffee a day and to avoid putting ourselves on that all too familiar caffeine rollercoaster! And if we’re going to be sticking to one cup a day, we should strive to make it the best cup possible, right?

Like any other food or beverage, the quality of coffee can really differ and it is extremely important to know what you’re getting. Conventional coffee is one of the most chemically treated crops around, full of toxins, pesticides, and mold that can wreak havoc in your body. To avoid accidentally drinking these unwanted toxins every morning, always choose organic and look for coffee that is proud of where it has been sourced from! Once you’ve got quality covered, you’ll be well on your way to making my personal favorite coffee drink…
Bulletproof Coffee!



You may or may not have heard of this growing trend that advocates for putting butter and oil in your coffee. Though this might sound a bit odd at first, I guarantee you will be a convert once you try it. This coffee is delicious, creamy, satiating, and moreover, good for you! It is a great way to start your day with some healthy fats, which are not only extremely beneficial on their own, but also serve to slow down the effect of the caffeine in your body (see you later, caffeine crash!) Additionally, the MCT oil helps you to feel extra clearheaded and alert. Recipe below!


Ingredients:
- Organic coffee beans or grounds
- Boiling Water
- Grass-fed butter (Kerrygold is my favorite!)
- High quality MCT oil (most health food stores carry this, or you can order it online)

Tools:
- French Press (this is my favorite way to make bulletproof coffee; it creates a rich, full-bodied, smooth flavor.)
- Blender or immersion blender

Directions
Brew French Press coffee. Once brewed, pour into blender (or large immersion blender cup if that is what you are using.) Add one tablespoon grassfed butter and 1-2 teaspoons XCT oil, and blend! Blending, as opposed to just stirring, allows the fats to become emulsified and creates a delicious layer of foam on top of your drink. Enjoy!

**Don’t worry… if coffee can’t be included as a friendly part of your diet at the moment, we have a great post on a healthy, caffeine-free coffee alternative!

Why You Need to Detox

To achieve health in the office, our goal is to get rid of toxins and with the right nutrition, the body can heal.  Healing is all about detoxing.  There are two types of toxins: external toxins (exotoxins) and internal toxins (endotoxins).  It is normal to have a certain amount of toxicity in the body.   A healthy body, toxins in, toxins out for we have our natural detox pathways where toxins end up in urine, bowel movements and sweat.  But when these pathways get overloaded by too many toxins and we can't eliminate them fast enough an imbalance occurs.  It first occurs as inflammation at the cellular level.  If this imbalance is not fixed at the cellular level then it increases to inflammation of the tissues and then inflammation of the organ.  When the organ is inflamed we start feeling symptoms. All disease starts with inflammation.  High toxicity can cause any symptom, it just depends on where it is in the body.  Manifestation also depends on the person's weak link which is determined by genetics.  Most commonly toxicity can cause digestive issues, skin reactions, feeling tired or unfocused or headaches.

Endotoxins are by-products of normal, everyday metabolic activities, but they can also be the result of destructive thoughts, emotions or stress.There are fleeting thoughts and then there are those bigger, all-consuming emotions you push aside.  You think they're gone because you're not actively thinking about them, but in fact, they may be impacting your immune, digestive or nervous systems.  Stress, anxiety and other negative emotions have a real impact on your health and so a key part of detoxing is not only nourishing the body, but also nourishing the mind.  

What creates endotoxins?

anger and resentment
anxiety
bacterial end products
bowel toxins
fear
free radicals
jealousy
hormones
self-criticism
metabolic waste
pessimism



Exotoxins enter your body when you ingest them in food or drink, or inhale them into your lungs.
What creates exotoxins?
air pollution
alcohol
skin care
cleaning supplies
food sensitvities
heavy metals

We know these toxins come out through the urine, bowels and skin but how do they get there?  Through the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a complex network of vessels and nodes that carry lymphatic fluid throughout the body, like the way arteries and veins circulate blood.  In fact, lymphatic vessels flow alongside your blood vessels.  Unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system does not have a pump (the heart).  Instead it relies on muscle movement to push fluid through its channels.  This means exercise and massage aren't just important for soothing your mind and muscles; they're also essential for a healthy lymphatic system.  

Lymphatic fluid carries white blood cells called lymphotcytes.  These cells disable harmful foreign invaders picked up from your blood.  When you are sick your lymphnodes can be swollen because they are working overtime to rid your body of foreign invaders.  

Your GALT is also part of the lymphatic system.  The GALT is the intersection of our gastrointestinal system, immune system, and nervous system and it is made up of a network of immune cells and membranes that line the inside passages of our body.  Think of it as our "inside skin".  The functions of the skin are to absorb nutrients and provide a barrier that protects toxins from getting into the body.  The GALT works similarly, but it lines the inside passages of our body including the sinuses, nose, lungs, mouth, esophagus, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, colon, vagina, urethra and bladder.

So your GALT protects you from toxins leaky from those areas into the rest of the body but when the body is overloaded with toxins the GALT barrier won't work well and toxins start to leak out in other areas of the body.  When this happens to the digestive system it is known as Leaky Gut Syndrome.  

More on the GALT and Leaky Gut Syndrome next blog.

How Scar Therapy Can Make You Healthier

In the office we check for different stressors on the body.  These stressors can interfere with health and scar tissue is considered to be one of the five major stressors.  The reason scar tissue can be a stressor is because it is shown that 80% of nerve fibers go to the surface of the skin.  This abundance of fibers is so dense under the surface of the skin that if one were able to remove the skin from the body without upsetting the network of sympathetic nerve fibers underneath, the individual would still be recognizable.  When a scar occurs and the body heals it, the skin and nerves heal in a mish-mash way creating scar tissue.  It is in the scar tissue that electronic impulses get lost and cannot flow through properly causing stress on the body. The end result can often be a concentration of electrical energy in the area of the healing scar.  Dr. Ulan (the founder of Nutrition Response Testing) refers to this effect as acting like a condenser which collects electrical energy.  As electrical energy is collected in this area it can randomly discharge amounts of this energy.  This random discharge of energy can most certainly upset the control and balance of nervous system. When the nervous system is under stress and the brain is not communicating well with the body healing will be slow.  This is why treating scars is so important.



Considering the effects of scars it is important to realize the following facts.  The size of the scar does not correlate with how much stress it can put on the body.  A small, seemingly insignificant scar may cause a great deal of harm as compared to a large scar which may have no effect on the individual.  So size has no bearing on the effects a scar may or may not cause.  Another important point of consideration is that not all scars cause the electrical stress on the body.  A scar that causes this type of stress we call active.  A scar may be active for a protracted period of time, may be active spontaneously, may be inactive for years and suddenly, for no apparent reason, become active, and vice versa.  When the possibility of scars presents itself, it is important to check and correct the active scars as often as necessary until they no longer present as active.  Periodical checking is also a good idea because of the possibility of their becoming active again later in the future.

Topical application of wheat germ oil or sesame oil, whichever the scar tests for, often will inactivate a scar.  This may occur immediately or take several weeks to accomplish.  Cold laser application is another method of inactivating a scar.  This is done for a period of four minutes, usually done in the office but the practitioner can rent out a laser or have the patient buy one for home use.