October 1st, 2009 at 10:57 am

A new study from John Hopkins School of Medicine now links a diarrheal causing bacteria to one type of colon cancer.

 

In a study conducted on mice, the bacteria: Bacteroides Fragilis was identified as possibly setting the stage for malignancy in the colon.

 

The bacteria seems to trick immune cells into allowing colon tissue to be continuously inflamed eventually setting the stage for colon cancer.  Dr Cynthia Sears director of the study stated that this could be the H Pylori of the colon.  H. Pylori is the bacterium known to cause stomach ulcers and a majority of stomach cancers.

 

Bacteria that cause diarrheal illness have been linked to 40% of colon cancers in a turkish study.  Some people experience no symptoms at all while others may experience diarrheal illness and colon inflammation.

 

This information was reported in September 2009.

 

My notes on topic are that colon bacterial imbalances seem to be far more important than anyone realizes.  Microscopic investigation of stool and balancing the ecology of the gut always makes a great positive impact on health, in my 13 years of testing.

 

It stands to reason that bacteria can and do cause inflammation, I am fairly certain that this process will not be found to be limited to only one type of bacteria.

 

I am also certain that as science progresses bacterial infection will be found to have much to do with many degenerative diseases.

 

It you are interested in your gut ecology, a simple stool test by Genova Diagnostics is quite revealing and costs only $145.  This is a forum so I welcome your questions or comments

 

Have a great week!

 

 

Taryn DeCicco, ND, CCN, LAc

Apple-A-Day-Clinic Weekly Health Forum

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September 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 pm

This weeks topic is who really needs a flu shot.  Since spring and early summer, the government and drug companies have been ramping up a vaccine against swine flu....question is who really needs it?

 

This year not surprisingly, health experts have new recommendations on who should get a flu vaccination.  Health officials are saying YUP, no exceptions....EVERYONE NEEDS a Flu vaccination.  What's up with that?   Well for one, there is a huge quantity of vaccine on hand....and I guess the government just doesn't want to waste any more of it's taxpayer money.

 

Flu season is always a guessing game whereupon governements and drug companies must predict which flu will be most prevalent and how much vaccine to have on hand in order to stave off potential pandemics.

 

Outside the U.S., where vaccines are not as plentiful, healthcare workers and young children are given priority.

 

With respect to actual virology reports of the Swine Flu, the facts are: the worst impact of the virun is on people with other chronic health problems such as: asthma, diabetes, cancer and AIDS/HIV, anemia, kidney disease, or are on immune suppressive drugs due to an organ transplant for instance..  Pregnant women, the elderly, 65+, and overweight people seem also to be more susceptible to this virus.

 

Because the flu virus is grown inside eggs, people with egg allergies should not receive a flu shot.

 

If you are a caregiver to young children or an elderly relative,or other high risk individual, it is sometimes recommended to have a flu shot in order to protect them.

 

In terms of actual illness, the H1N1 virus has proven to be much less deadly than feared. Also, the actual vaccine available may not do much or anything with regard to the current strain of virus. ALso, another flu may turn out to be more problematic than the swine flu.

 

I certainly do not believe everone needs a flu shot. Certainly,  high risk individuals should discuss the pros and cons with their healthcare providers.  People living in nursing homes or college campuses in marginal health may be good candidates as may high risk pregnant women, and certainly immune compromised people and those with underlying chronic illness who could die from the flu virus.

 

I think the rest of us will do fine by taking care of ourselves, and our immune systems.

Please call or stop in should you wish to discuss ways to boost your immune system.

 

Life is complicated enough...without complications.

 

Best, Taryn DeCicco, ND, CCN, LDN, MS, LAc

Certified: naturopath, nutritionist, and acupuncturist

847-577-4455

 

Next week we'll discuss new information regarding the second most common form of cancer in the United States...See you next week.

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September 16th, 2009 at 4:47 pm

Hello everyone....just a quick note to let you know September's Nutrition News has been posted in the Newsletter Portal with some great information and tips about your health, the environment and information of new Nutritional Tests which I will soon be offering at Apple-A-Day-Clinic. 

 

See you Soon!

 

Taryn DeCicco, ND, CCN, LAC

9/16/09

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September 12th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

Hello!  After a long rest, I have published September's Website with updoming articles activities, new testimonials and music a cover this month!  Here is an article updating cellphone safety.  Next week on Tuesday with a brand new nutriition newsletter and article on state of the art testing!  See you soon!  

 

Taryn DeCicco, ND

 

 

   EWG reports that cellphone radiation varies widely!

 

While scientific evidence has not made a hard link between cellphone usage and cancer, recent studies are showing an increased risk of brain and mouth tumors in people who have used cellphones for at least 10 years.

 

CTIA the cellphone lobbying organization disagrees strenuously!

 

Still, 6 other countries have limited cellphone usage, especially for children.

 

The FCC has required that radiation emitted from all cellphones be at 1.6 w/kg or lower.

 

There is a huge disparity in radiation emitted from each cell phone.

 

Watchdog organization the Environmental Working Group released a list ranking cell phones with respect to the radiation emitted.

 

To see how your phone fares visit: http://www.ewg.org/cellphone-radiation

 

 

Regards & see you next week:

 

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, CCN

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July 15th, 2009 at 4:22 pm

Hello, I have just published the Website with promotions for the next few weeks, and announcing a great deal which is our community walk in clinic with very low cost nutrition and acupuncture visits.  Hope you will visit!!!

As always, I do offer absolutely FREE consultations to any new or existing patients no appointment needed, anytime!!!

 

This week we are going to discuss the best GREEN cleaning products.  These were announced by Good Housekeeping magazine after rigorous competition and testing.

 

For any product to be considered, "GREEN" it must be biodegradable, phosphate and chlorine free and derive its ingredients from plants rather than chemicals or petrolchemicals. 

 

Good Housekeeping found "winners" in three categories: Laundry detergent, dish detergents and all-purpose cleaners.

 

 

And the winners are:

 

Laundry Detergent:  Arm & Hammer Essentials 2X's concentrated which removed difficult stains like pen and blood. Runner up was Purex Natural Elements.

 

Dish Detergents:  Baked on difficult food residues were tested.  Planet Ultra dishwashing detergent was the standout.

 

All purpose cleaners were tested with grease and dust applied to appliance enamel, painted walls and laminate surfaces.

 

Winner?  Sun & Earth All Purpose, with Green Works all natural cleaner by Chlorox a close second.

 

 

Hope you'll try some of these out at home!

 

Best of Health and Hope to see you soon.

 

 

Taryn

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July 9th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

#1.  There definitely is a FAT GENE.  About 20% of the population is genetically programmed to be obese.  I am one of those people, however, and therefore predisposition is No absolute sentence.

 

 

#2. Some people have more fat cells.  Current research shows that there are times when it is possible to greatly add to fat cell disposition, actually childhood.  Things slow down by adolescence however.  What seems to be most important about this is that a set point is formed which makes it harder but not impossible to lose and maintain weight.

 

#3. You can change your  metabolism but it takes WORK.  Namely exercise.  I have learned clinically that the higher one's fat mass is the slower is one's metabolism and the harder it is to lose weight.

 

#4. Stress adds pounds.  Stress hormones trigger release of insulin which causes a vicious cycle of sugar cravings and blood sugar  dysregulation.

 

#5.  What mom ate during pregnancy could be causing you problems in the present.  Eating poor foods can upset the appetite stabilizing and metabolic systems in developing fetuses.

 

#6. Sleep more...lose more....Researchers have found that sleep deprivation sets off release of weight gain hormones in susceptible individuals.  ALso, many people use food as a sleep subsitute.

 

#7.  Your significant other's weight matters.  If you are living with an overweight person, it nmay affect your motivation to take better care of yourself.  Likewise, if your partner loses weight and attracts attention it may motivate you to do likewise.  As I often tell my patients, if you want your partner, or child to lose weight the best strategy is to do so yourself.

 

#8. Some viruses may result in weight gain.  Adenoviruses can cause stem cells to become fat cells under the right circumstances. Al the more reason to take care of your health!

 

#9.  Foods can become addictive and release dopamine.

 

#10. Chronic ear infections can taint your taste buds. Cravings for sugary foods can be due to underlying imbalances in the bodies bacteria.

 

#11. Antioxidants can prevent us getting old and fat.  Lack of antioxidants can prevent neuro cells from signalling we're full.

 

#12. Most diet books these days are becoming startingly similar.  Still, enhancing metabolic activity is a largely individual endeavor. Probably why these efforts fail.

 

#13. You can be overweight and healthy!! It is possible by eating properly, exercising, taking supplements that are right for you to be healthy and to have healthy markers such as low cholesterol, blood pressure, triglycerides, body fat even though you are technically overweight.

 

These days...all we really have is ourselves and our health.

 

Watch for our July activities within the next few hours.

 

Best of Health

 

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc

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July 2nd, 2009 at 7:14 pm

I'll resume our schedule of topics next week, until then don't forget:

 

Special Pricing through Tuesday: That is, just 79$ new patients and $59 existing patients!  Also 10% off all clinic products through Wednesday. Please Note: we will be open from 9:30 to Noon on Saturday.

 

Thursday, July 9th and Friday July 10th I will begin our Community Clinic which will be 15 minute visits for Nutrition/Naturopathy for $25, and 30 minute acupuncture visits for $59....no appointments needed.

 

This week's shocking article is one near and dear to my heart...about my father's miraculous recovery from cardio myopathy following my perfectly health mother's stunning death at age 67 from an aortic aneurysm in late October.

 

Most of you do not realize that my father, age 70, and also extremely healthy,  developed serious heart problems almost immediately following my mother's death.  We consulted top medical experts and he was diagnosed with cardio myopathy, a generalized weakening of the actual heart muscle itself and placed on beta blockers, and diuretics to improve his shortness of breath and cardiac output.  His symptoms improved nearly immediately from the medications, but he was not comfortable taking them long term.  Also, we wished to investigate the cause of his disorder.

 

In late March, After workups and echo's, mugatests etc....I flew to Chattanooga to discuss findings with  his cardiac team.  The results were daunting at best.  My dad's cardiac output had dropped 50% to about 20%.  His cardiologists wanted to insert a defibrillator, surgically and expressed with good medical care he "might" have two years.

 

We also scheduled a sleep study since I had been concerned about possible apnea for several years.

 

After a deep breath, I discussed my protocol of supplements with his cardiologists, as well as his exercise regimen, and plan for stress reduction.  I told them we would return in three months, and discuss these invasive options at that time.

 

I put my dad on a regimen of vitamins, herbs, chinese herbs and flower essences designed to reduce his hearts workload and to strengthen the heart muscle itself.  I had hoped to see his cardiac output double.....He also increased his exercise, decreased sodium in his diet, and lost 6 pounds although he is thin.

 

Well, he repeated his tests last week...6 weeks later at best....and astonishingly his cardiac output TRIPLED!!!!!!!

 

Instead of having a discussion about surgery, we had a discussion about reducing his medications over the next six month to a year until he is once again taking NO MEDICATION.

 

I think this healing adventure illustrates why I chose to do this work, and the best combination of healing modalities.

 

My dad needed medication...and still may for awhile so we are grateful it is available.  It also clearly indicates what is possible for anyone at any age given their motivation to work at their health.

 

 

Have a Safe and Healthy 4th of July.

 

Blessings,

 

Taryn DeCicco, ND

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June 24th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

Junes Issue of Nutrition News has just been posted. Please do not miss blurbs about Co q-10 and cancer, sick care, global downturn in crop production and a whole lot more...

 

                       Also DON'T MISS:

 

•               $79/59 Visit Promotions through 7/7!
•             10% off Sale in Clinic on all Products
•             Low cost community clinic coming soon!

 

See You Soon!

 

Taryn DeCicco ND

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June 12th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

After major tech problems...thanks for the heads up from my clients, I have published the new website which will be up until July 6.  There are some great promotions including $59 visits, so open you emails and check out all the offerings including a product sale.

 

Coming soon are better , extended hours for many of you and a low cost community clinic on Thursdays and Fridays!!

 

See you all Very SOON!!!

 

Best, Taryn DeCicco, ND

 

847-577-4455

 

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