May 2012 Events

I'll be redesigning my facebook page soooon......to fit the timeline format so try to be patient.

See you next week for rejuvenative ideas.

For those of you whom have supported me through my evolution....Thank you.

Best Regards!

Taryn DeCicco, ND LAc

Holistic Nutritonist

Naturopath

Herbalist

Acupuncturist

847-477-5442

apple-a-day-clinic.com

DocTaryn@aol.com

• The investigation highlighted a serious issue which the dietary supplement industry itself is concerned about.
  
• The investigation did not characterize the poorly made and tested supplement as indicative of the state of the industry as whole. At the outset of the story, Chris Hansen noted that the majority of dietary supplement manufacturers and laboratories are responsible and produce safe supplements.
  
• Dateline stressed the importance of using licensed or otherwise qualified laboratories to test dietary supplements.
  

• While this investigation revealed a significant problem, it did not include context in terms of the many reputable and responsible dietary supplement manufacturers and laboratories. The result was a report that could be interpreted to mean that the relatively few ‘bad actors’ in the industry represent the industry as a whole – which they do not.
  
• This report did not present the integrative healthcare provider as a viable solution – a knowledgeable guide for the public in their use of dietary supplements.
  
• There was no mention of the many industry self-policing activities including third party certification of manufacturing (NSF, NPA, etc.), acceptable laboratory qualification and certification practices (ISO certification, split sample testing, etc.) and additional industry self-initiated quality efforts such as our distributor: (Emerson Quality Program, Natural Products Foundation TruLabel Program, etc.)
  

• Practitioners, like myself,  have a responsibility to provide their patients with recommendations based upon reliably high quality dietary supplements.

• Emerson Quality Program^SM(EQP):
• Emerson Quality Program (emersonecologics.com/quality) provides a thorough summary of the specific quality specifications and practices of each participating brand. [Logged in practitioners can click on the seal of any EQP Partner brand and then view their detailed Quality Summary for a full view into their manufacturing and testing practices.]
• EQP Partners have been assessed by:
  - A rigorous review of their standard operating procedures, ingredient and product specifications, supplier and laboratory qualification program
  
  - Independent product testing by one of Emerson’s qualified laboratories (each one qualified by an on-site audit, document review and blind split sample testing)
  
  - On-site audit of all EQP Gold Partners and any other EQP Partner who has not been audited by a third party certifier (NSF, NPA, etc.) within the last year
  
  
• One of the most important benefits for patients who seek guidance from healthcare professionals is that they obtain individualized supplement recommendations and are then monitored for response. Regular monitoring by a trained healthcare practitioner will help to identify adverse reactions in a timely manner and thus minimize the potential for harm from supplements.
  
• We agree with the call of the dietary supplement industry to the FDA to take strong enforcement action against unscrupulous dietary supplement brands, manufacturers and testing companies.
  
• We actively support the use of safe and high quality dietary supplements in the optimization of health.

the steps you need to take in order to address
deal with your condition and help your
body heal itself you will control the fungal overgrowth from the
inside out and you can and will eliminate the pain, annoyance,
humiliation and frustration associated with this condition
and feel more in control. Additionally, as wonderful side benefits
you'll feel more energized, healthier and vibrant. You will also
enjoy improved digestion, enhanced vision, and healthier hair,
skin and nails.
 

I have helped hundreds of clients with this and other forms of intestinal dysbiosis and I am sure that I can help you.  Please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment and remember I do offer a short FREE consult which answers general questions with respect towards what to respect....Really what do you have to LOSE?

Regards!

Taryn DeCicco. LDN, ND, LAc

Naturopath

Holistic Nutritionist

Acupuncturist/Herbalist

Apple-A-Day-Clinic

Many reputatable sources are predicting a horrible allergy season here's some HOPE!Often referred to as "hay fever," allergic rhinitis can be caused by a variety of relatively harmless substances, ranging from pollen and dust to animal dander. The most common form of allergic rhinitis is seasonal allergic rhinitis, which typically occurs at the same time each year when certain plants are in bloom.

In China, acupuncture and herbal remedies have been used to combat symptoms similar to allergic rhinitis successfully for centuries. Previous research has shown, for instance, that Chinese herbal medicine can treat atopic dermatitis, while acupuncture has been proven effective in relieving the symptoms a number of allergic conditions. However, few studies have examined the combined use of acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

A study in the September 2004 issue of Allergy has concluded that a combination of Chinese herbs and weekly acupuncture sessions may be more effective than a placebo at relieving the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. The authors of the study also suggest that future research be conducted to investigate the effectiveness of an acupuncture-herb combination in the treatment of other conditions.²

In the study, a total of 52 patients between the ages of 20 and 58, all diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis, were randomly assigned to a traditional Chinese medicine group or a control group. In the TCM group, patients received a standardized 20-minute acupuncture treatment once a week for six weeks, with points on the Large Intestine, Gallbladder, Lung and Liver meridians stimulated. Additional points were selected based on each patient's individual symptoms. All of the patients were treated while in a supine position. After the needles were inserted, they were manipulated to obtain de qi. The needles were manipulated again 10 minutes after the start of treatment.

Along with acupuncture, TCM patients received a basic herbal formula (consisting of schizonepeta, chrysanthemum, cassia seed, plantago seed and tribulus), which they were instructed to take as a decoction three times per day, parallel to acupuncture treatment. In addition to the basic formula, every patient received a second formula tailored to the patient's individual TCM diagnosis.

In the control group, patients were given acupuncture at standardized non-acupuncture points distant from meridians, and were treated superficially with needles smaller than those used on the TCM patients. The needles were not manipulated, and the same points were needled at each acupuncture session. Control patients also received a non-specific herbal formula comprised of coix seed, licorice, poria, hops, oryza, barley, hawthorn fruit, and medicated leaven.

To measure the effect of each therapy, patients used a visual analogue scale to rate the severity of hay fever suffered during the previous week on a 10-point scale, and an assessment-of-change scale to measure any changes in symptoms. Patients also filled out an allergic rhinitis questionnaire to rate the severity of symptoms, and a pair of quality-of-life surveys. In addition, patients were asked to document the number of anti-allergy drugs taken for one week.

Patient Surveys Find Favorable Results for Acupuncture/Herb Combination

At the start of the study, visual analogue scores for each group were nearly identical (4.1 for the TCM group, 4.2 for the control group). By the end of the study period, however, the severity of hay fever was "significantly less pronounced in the TCM group" than in the control patients, and instances of remission (represented by a 0 or 1 on the visual analogue scale) occurred twice as often in TCM patients compared to patients in the control group.

Similar results were seen in the assessment-of-change scores and the rhinitis questionnaire. Improvement on the assessment-of-change score was observed in 85 percent of the TCM patients versus only 40 percent of control patients. An analysis of the rhinitis questionnaire, meanwhile, found that TCM patients experienced improvements in allergy symptoms in the eyes and nose, higher levels of physical activity, and an improved psychological condition compared to patients in the control group.

Intake of anti-allergy drugs also dropped dramatically among TCM patients. According to the researchers, "the permitted drug intake for allergic rhinitis symptoms decreased substantially, from 7.7 to 3.4 points in the TCM group, whereas we found only a slight decrease in the control group (7.7-6.0)."

The acupuncture-herb combination appeared to be well-tolerated by patients in both groups. Two patients in the TCM group complained of pain due to needle insertion, as did one patient in the control group. A second control patient complained of hematoma, while a third suffered from paresthesia in one arm, which persisted for 7 days. Five patients (two TCM, three control) complained that the herbal decoction either tasted bitter or made them feel nauseous. However, none of the patients experienced "severe or serious adverse events" that would have caused them to leave the trial.

Limitations and Conclusions

The scientists noted that their study methods contained some restrictions that might have impacted the quality of their research. For instance, they stated that one of the questionnaires used in the study may have been "methodologically inefficient" because of the potential for low patient compliance. In addition, the acupuncture-herb therapy used in the trial lasted only 6 weeks; other studies have indicated that longer treatment times and more individualized therapies have resulted in better patient outcomes.^3,4

After taking the limitations into account, the authors suggested that the combination of acupuncture and an herbal decoction, tailored to the patient and administered according to the diagnostic principles of traditional Chinese medicine, could be effective in treating mild-to-moderate forms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. As they noted in the study's conclusion:

"We could show that this treatment was efficacious in improving global severity rating and in affecting disease-related quality of life parameters after 6 weeks of treatment when compared with sham needling plus a non-specific herbal formulation ... Taking into account the above-mentioned limitations of the study, we conclude that acupuncture plus Chinese herbal formulations may offer relief in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Our findings support further investigations of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in this and other diseases."

References

1. Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Working-Age Population . Summary, Evidence Report/Technology Assessment: Number 67. AHRQ Publication No. 03-E013, February 2003. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.

Last Friday, The Dr. Oz show covered one of our most valued beauty staples. He featured a woman on the show who appeared MUCH older than her true age. He had the audience guess her age. When they guessed 53 years and her true age is only 44... she accepted that she's aged well beyond her years.  

Dr. Oz then recommended Argireline. Argireline is a nontoxic,  protein substance which is involved with muscle contraction.

Known as an alternative to Botox, this needle free ingredient can be found in beauty creams all over the industry, but, according to Dr Oz,  only those carrying 5-10% will have the "Botox effect."

Our own MUAC Argireline cream contains 12% of the needle-free ingredient. Clinical studies show a 17% reduction in facial lines in just 15 days and a 27% reduction in 30 days. However, these clinicals were performed with a concentration of just 5% Argireline. Remember, ours comes with 12%.

Appropriate for both men and women, within MINUTES of applying it to your skin, you'll notice a "lifted" feeling.

Today, you can see for yourself and try our MUAC Argireline Cream - again with 12% potency!  I will be getting some trial sized product in for $7.99.  If you would like to try it out please let me know by Friday March 2 so I can place an order.

Here's more about what Argireline can do for your skin:

• Reduce and reverse the degeneration of collagen...
• Smooth rough skin
• Reduces the depth of wrinkles...
• And Minimize fine lines.

Since spring is a time of rebirth and rejuvenation this months natural product showcase highlights the beauty area.  I would also like to mention our elegance facelift product.  Containing all natural ingrediants including seaweeds,  botannicals and natural silk, this facial is used every other day to obtain a skin refining and lifting effect which is very dramatic.  It can be used for cellulite, double chins, necks, knees, stretchmarks, and hands and the cumulative effect is impressive with visible results after just one treatment.  Cost for a years supply is $79.99. 

I promised to speak a bit more about telomeres.  Telomeres are getting dramatic press.  They seem to predict the aging process, and Spectrocell one of our excellent labs can now test for telomeres and predict how quickly an individual is aging and make recommendations to change the paradigm in individuals who are aging.  I have complimentary brochures available in the office for whomever is interested.

Thanks to all who stopped in last week at my open house.  I appreciate the support.

Yours, in health & (beauty) this week.

Taryn DeCicco, ND, CCN, LDN, LAc

Holistic Nutritionist,

Naturopath,

Acupuncturist

Apple-A-Day-Clinic, SC

847-477-5442

                One more BIG case for getting checked and treated for intestinal dysbiosis!  Weight Loss! I have delayed our other calendar blog topics due to this new research!

Word to the wise: Weight loss has been a side benefit of nearly every case of intestinal dysbiosis I have ever been involved with!

If you are still struggling with your weight it may be time for this novel approach.  Please contact me for a free consultation to discuss your situation!

Have a great week!

Join us at a Valentine's open house on 2/15 from 4:30-6PM!

10% off all orders that day too!

Blessings!

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN

doctaryn@aol.com

847-477-5442

#1. Weekend exercise warriors!

Exercise is great.  Irregular exercise especially playing sports without conditioning and core strengthening is just foolhardy.  15 minutes of core strengthening 3 times a week may be sufficient for some people.

Disc destruction is cumulative according to the American Academy of Orthopedists, and stress exercise such as this leads to serious back strain.

#2. Lifting children:

Picking up children exerts spinal stress. Piggyback rides or anything involving body weight directly upon one's spine is the most problematic however, lifting children as with anything requires proper form...IE keeping shoulders above the pelvix, and bending the knees.

#3. Slouching while sitting puts tremendous pressure on the lumbar spine.  It is important to move throughout the day and to observe their posture. I teach many people about proper posture.

#4. Smoking causes disk degeneration and is terrible for spine health. Spinal surgeries are usually unsuccessful in smokers.

#5. Twisting your spine....This causes microtrauma to your lower back think whiplash. I cringe when I see people do this at the gym, or perform lunges with barbells....madness!

#6. Neuro disorders such as: Chiari Syndrome, spinal cord tumor, Team disorder or tethered cord syndrome do show up though rare.  I have suspected them at times and send people to neurologists for diagnosis on occasion since they do not show up on MRI's.

#7.  Dehydration...Your discs do not have a direct blood supply bringing them nutrients so they rely on diffusion...IE water. Obviously if you are dehydrated this cannot happen...Sleep deprivation is also a huge problem since discs rehydrate during the night.

#8. Sagging mattresses.  These bend the spine in unnatural positions and that is not good. The thinking now is that the best mattress is a soft one with firm cords underneath.

#9. Exhaustion...discs form your internal structure. When discs are collapsing often years of bad habits are to blame...poor diet, lack of sleep, vitamin deficiencies, etc....healing this takes time and effort but will pay off in the end.

Herbs, acupuncture and nutrients all play a vital role in keeping your discs healthy and some attention and prevention can keep back problems from becoming a lifestyle.

Blessings, and best of health!

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc

Acupuncturist, Naturopath, and Clinical Nutritionist

Apple-A-Day Clinic, SC

847-477-5442

DocTaryn@aol.com

I'd prefer organic forms of these foods but if that is too pricey regular is FINE!

See you next week!

Blessings, and Best of Health

Taryn DeCicco ND, LAc

Nutrition, Naturopathy, Acupuncture

Apple-A-Day Clinic, SC

847-477-5442

DocTaryn@aol.com

Have a New health concern?  Please call or schedule a FREE/No obligation consultation!

CHEERS and Happy 2012!

Here is the link to Nutrition News:

http://www.apple-a-day-clinic.com/215.html

If you'd like to forward to a friend here is the link

 Sign up for email notifications!

Blessings, and BEST of Health!

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc

Apple-A-Day Clinic, SC

847-477-5442

#1: Recognize how expensive sickness is....illness costs money, doctor bills, surgeries, medications, tests, anesthetics, and transporatation and time to fufill these interventions are cripplingly expensive and that is before one even begins to think about the pain and suffering of being sick.  Traditional Chinese medicine and tradition had folks pay their Chinese doctors when they were well not sick, that way they were accountable for doing a good job.

#2 Recognize that being less than optimally well has, in economic terms, an "opportunity cost". That is:  what could you be doing if you were in wonderful health?  Earn more, be more,love more,  do more with your life.  When counselling clients I often refer to building up their health banks.  Life events can inexplicably cause large withdrawals of our health banks but investing in one's health means that you can weather those withdrawals without going bankrupt.

#3 Health is not an entitlement.  Like everything else in life....you get what you deserve and what you work for.  That doesn't mean that each chapter of life is fair...but in the longer run it is. 

#4 Eat a lot less and eat alot more nutritiously.  Fast food  becomes very expensive and very inconvenient when you factor in the destruction it does to your waistline, the wrinkles you'll have, how you may  have to retire early because you're perceived as "old", the cholesterol lowering & diabetes medications you need etc.   You do not need an expensive diet program when simple changes you can make at home will have you eating better, enjoying it more and saving money and your health at the same time.  Eating seasonal foods saves alot of money... for instance: right now we are eating alot of acorn and spaghetti squash.  My dog LOVES squash and sweet potatoes as part of his diet...he refuses dog "treats" now that he is accustomed to better food.

#5 Concerned about "organic" food prices check out sales and join a coop.  Even Whole Foods has terrific weekly sales on staples and organic meats that make them par with other markets and the toxic burden, nutritional value, and cost to the environment makes them superior choices for us all.  As I've started to vocalize lately, American's focusing only on price has turned us into a nation of imported junk from China....it's UH cheap though

#6  Eat out less...you will lose weight, eat much better, and have more energy and save big money if you pack a lunch or bring healthy leftovers to work.  I cook foods everyday and once a week or so make large quantities of chili or stew or soups and freeze them.  They are even more delicious this way.

#7 Take the money you spend on cable and buy a gym membership.  If you're like me, you'll make great friends, get in shape, and be far more engaged in wellness, and like minded people who either are or are in the process of getting in great shape. 

#8 Focus your dollars.  Most of the people I see visit multiple practioners and spend lots of money for myriad services when really only one or two are altering their health.  Figure out where you are getting the most benefit and be loyal there. I really extend myself for loyal customers who are loyal to my clinic.  Copays for unecessary visits add up quickly. 

Combine services in one day to receive a discount.  This is a program I'll begin in Janurary.

#9 Take advantage of discounts.  I run specials and coupons every month and very few people take advantage of them. Very few of you have joined me on Facebook and Twitter and the purpose of having these pages was to be able to communicate some great savings opportunities quickly.    Values are there but you have to be conscious to take advantage of them and think or even spend in advance at times but the savings are there.  Read the emails of businesses you frequent you'd be surprised at what may be available to you and your family.

#10 Focus on one health challenge at a time.  This enables you and I to get results much more quickly, and results in less expenditure than trying to fix everything at once.  I prefer to focus on the most serious issue first and move forward from there.

You'll be receiving an email of Apple-A-Day Clinic's  specials shortly.  Some of you will also be receiving gift certificates in the mail in January because you have been such exemplary clients.

Please put your health and wellbeing above dollars and you'll manage to have both.

Best of Health!

Taryn DeCicco, ND

847-477-5442

Apple-A-Day Clinic

I have just updated our website for December!  This month's theme is it is better to give and to receive with lot's of opportunities for you to get some wonderful benefits in addition to improving your health the greatest gift of all!

Hope you'll ck it all out, and take full advantage.  Some of you couldn't find it so here it is:

 http://www.apple-a-day-clinic.com/214.html

Blessings, and season's greetings,

Taryn

1. Our hair is made of a protein called keratin.
2. A hair consists in a hair shaft (what we see), a root below the skin, and a follicle from which the hair roots grows.
3. The hair’s color pigment, or melanin is produced at the hair bulb which is located at the lower end of the follicle.
4. A 50 to 100 loss of hair per day is considered normal. Any amount of hair over that, might mean that something is wrong.
5. Hair loss is directly connected to stress either physical or mental, sometimes that stress is caused by excessive work, family problems or major illness or surgeries.
6. Hair loss can be caused by hormonal problems, and correcting the hormone imbalance may stop the hair loss. Hormones problems can be caused by an overactive or underactive thyroid gland. This can happen with men the same way that with women due to an imbalance of the androgen(male hormones) or estrogen(female hormones)
7. Hair loss can seem excessive after 3 months of giving birth, this is also a hormone fluctuation; during pregnancy high level of specific hormones usually cause the body to keep the hair that was supposed to fall naturally. So is considered normal that when the hormones acquire the pre pregnancy levels, that hair falls and starts the natural growth and loss cycle.
8. Hair loss is caused by the use of certain medicines or treatments, specially blood thinner medicines (anticoagulants), gout medicines, chemotherapy medicines (used for cancer treatment), Vit A (in big amounts) as well as birth control pills and antidepressants. Hair loss should stop when you stop taking the medicines or doing the treatment. You should communicate your concerns to your physician and he can suggest you a change of medicines or treatment that won’t cause hair loss.
9. Hair loss can be caused by yeast or  fungal infections of the scalp,  or auto immune disorders.
10. Hair loss can be caused by the use of tight pigtails, cornrows, hair rollers and well as by hot oil treatment or chemicals frequently used in permanents (perms). This kind of hair loss is called traction alopecia and can stop when the pulling and the use of chemicals stop.
11. One kind of hair loss called alopecia areata is caused by the person’s own immune system. This autoimmune disease starts in small round bald patches on the scalp and can get bigger in some cases. The hair often grows back naturally within the year but those patients might experience that kind of alopecia again.
12. Hair loss can be caused by poor nutrition. Anorexic and bulimic people lose their hair because their body doesn’t get the necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals needed to make the hair grow. Vegetarian persons can also experience hair loss if they don’t get enough proteins from non-meat resources.
13. A very frequent kind of alopecia commonly called male-pattern is actually called androgenic alopecia. This might be caused not only by genetic factors but by a combination of many other factors including hormones usually excess testosterone. There is an excellent supplement formula which combats this over a period of three to four months.It is also common in people who take steroids.
14. You can benefit and take good care of your hair by eating a balanced, healthy diet. Any one of a number of nutrient deficiencies can cause hair loss.
15. You should avid rubbing your hair too vigorously with the towel, you should let it dry naturally.
16. If you are experiencing hair loss or you have a genetic factor that might cause you hair loss, you should avoid using a blow dryer or if is absolutely necessary then use it on a lowest heat setting.
17. Is better to style your hair when dry or damp, if you do it while your hair is wet, it can stretch and easily break.
18. Avoid the use of chemicals if you have experiencing hair loss.
19. If you are about to start chemicals for your hair, like straighteners or color, you should try first on a small spot on the back to check for allergies and hair loss, then after a few days proceed to the application to your whole head.

                   The type of ADD you've never even HEARD OF:

In keeping with November and Thanksgiving is a topic few of you have heard of...I actually have named it and have become increasingly aware that not only do I suffer from it,  but many of you do...and it's an insidious dark force that will ruin alot of what could be going well in our lives...

I've named it "Appreciation Deficit Disorder" and it's a different type of ADD that the one we're used to hearing about and probably far more common than most of you   would ever realize.

We've come to expect so much from ourselves, the world and others that often we spend most of our time in some type of discontented state and this is a source of stress.  Unfortunately, if our thoughts continually go towards what is wrong in our lives our bodies produce lots of stress chemicals...

How to cultivate that "attitude of gratitude", we've all heard about...

Yes, counting our blessings is a great start...and here are some other suggestions:

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank many of you for trusting me with the most important aspect of your life that of your health and your families!  Thank you for your loyalty and trust in me!

If you can, please take advantage of this month's visit promotion....I am grateful that I've been able to see some people I've not seen in a awhile and others I'd probably never met if I were not running this promotion and in this mind set...Have a week and I hope to see you soon!

Blessings,

Taryn DeCicco, ND

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

The AWFUL truth about COQ10

Speaking of this:  I need your help for a change!  If you've been helped please, support us by referring people or buying our products.  I will be running specials shortly to make care more affordable...but please remember us...thank you!

High daily doses of B-6, B-12 and foliSlow Dementia in Cases of Mild Cognitive Impairmentc acid can cut the rate of brain shrinkage in half in older people with cognitive decline, according to a newly released two-year clinical trial done by scientists at Oxford University. Vitamin B supplementation could also slow down the progression toward dementia in folks with mild cognitive impairment, (MCI) the researchers found.¹

This makes perfect sense because these B vitamins are co-factors for the enzymes involved in the metabolism of homocysteine. Homocysteine is an amino acid in the blood, and is a major risk factor for brain atrophy, cognitive impairment, dementia and coronary artery disease. Ultimately plasma concentrations of homocysteine are determined by your vitamin B status.²

In an interview with Reuters News, the scientists from Oxford University said their recent two-year clinical trial was the largest to date into the effect of B vitamins on MCI.⁴

What is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment is defined as cognitive decline greater than expected for an individual's age and education level. MCI affects between 3% to 19% adults older than 65 years, and manifests as slight problems with memory loss, language, arithmetic, and other mental functions. MCI is defined as not interfering with normal daily life, but if you can’t remember where you parked your car, or how to figure out a tip on a restaurant bill, then it definitely is going to impact your life somewhat.

Some people with mild cognitive impairment seem to remain stable or return to normal over time, but more than half develop dementia—usually of the Alzheimer’s type—within 5 years.⁵  And contrary to the misconception that Alzheimer’s is just severe memory loss, it is in fact a terminal disease.

The Oxford Study

This two-year study included 168 volunteers with MCI who were given either a placebo or a daily nutritional supplement containing very high doses of folic acid (0.8mg), vitamin B6 (20mg) and vitamin B12 (0.5mg), or a placebo.¹

Brain scans with an MRI were taken at the beginning and end of the trial to measure the rate of brain atrophy. The results, published in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) One journal, showed that on average the brains of those taking the vitamin treatment shrank at a rate of 0.76 percent a year, while those taking the placebo had average brain shrinkage of 1.08 percent.¹

People who had the highest levels of homocysteine at the start of the trial benefited the most from the treatment, with their brains shrinking at half the rate of those on the placebo.⁴

It’s important to note that the vitamins given during the trial were given in extremely high doses. The pills contained approximately 300 times the recommended daily intake of B12, four times daily advised folate levels and 15 times the recommended amount of B6.

Although the trial was not designed to measure cognitive ability, the researchers found those people who had lowest rates of shrinkage had the highest scores in mental tests.⁴

This study is significant and lends hope for the millions of people around the world who are at risk for developing mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.   OUR OWN TRIB100 is the perfect proprietary supplement for the above.  Stop in for a bottle...90 days only 22.99!!!!

Referencesic.com/15.html?m8:post=natural-chemical-found-in-grapes-may-protect-against-alzheimer-s-disease

SEE MY Previous post here:

Information on the influenza virus:

? Millions of individuals develop the flu each year and only experience mild
Symptoms.

? There is a two day incubation period before symptoms of fever, cough, chills,
sore throat, body aches, fatigue or headaches appear.

? Influenza virus spreads through coughing and sneezing, direct contact with
contaminated surfaces and objects or unwashed hands.

? Flu symptoms usually subside after two to three days and disappear within a
week.

? Once an individual has had the flu, their body will have produced antibodies that
protect them from the same strain of virus for a prolonged period of time.

? Complications from influenza infection are very rare and may occur in individuals
with an underlying medical condition, those greater than 65 years of age, and
young children that have a predisposition to respiratory infections. Pneumonia is
the primary complication of influenza and can result in hospitalization or death in
those that are at extremely high risk for complications.
Information on the ‘flu’ vaccination

? The ‘flu’ vaccination, more correctly termed the influenza vaccination, is a vaccine
against specific strains of the influenza virus.

? There are over 500 different viruses that can cause flu like symptoms. The
vaccine is formulated from the three most common strains seen in the previous
year. The vaccine is a best guess as to what virus will be most prevalent this year.

? The influenza virus is constantly changing. A flu vaccine is only effective against
the same strain of influenza virus used to develop the vaccine.

? It takes about two weeks after the flu shot to develop sufficiently high levels of
antibodies to protect you from the influenza virus. These antibodies start to lose
their effectiveness within a few months.

? According to Health Department , the influenza vaccination is recommended for
individuals at high risk for developing serious complications if they were to
contract the influenza virus.

? High risk groups include all people aged 65 years or older, people with serious
long-term health problems, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, immunosuppressive
disorders, children on long-term treatment with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA/
aspirin); as well as, health-care workers, residents / workers / volunteers of
nursing homes, chronic-care facilities and retirement homes and women who will
be more than 3 months pregnant during the influenza season.

? The research from Health Canada suggests that the flu vaccine that closely
matches the current seasonal influenza strains temporarily prevents the flu in
healthy persons less than 65 years old about 70% of the time.

? In individuals over 65 years of age the efficacy rate of the flu vaccine is reported
to be less than 30%.
?
75% of individuals have prolonged (up to 2 days) soreness at the site of the
injection.

? Children are at the greatest risk of side effects including: fever, body aches,
allergic reactions and potentially a severe paralytic illness.

? There is a rare risk of allergic reaction in individuals with an allergy to eggs.
Warning signs include: breathing difficulties, hoarseness, wheezing, hives,
paleness, pronounced weakness, rapid heartbeat, or dizziness.
Reported concerns and contraindications to the flu vaccine.

? According the manufacturer of the vaccines, the flu vaccination should NOT be
given to persons with an acute respiratory infection or with any other active
infection or serious febrile (fever) illness.

? Vaccination is also not recommended for individuals who develop anaphylactic
type reactions (hives, swelling of the mouth and throat, difficulty breathing,
hypotension and shock) when they eat eggs. Immunization should be avoided in
patients with an active neurological disorder until they are stabilized.

? The normal immune response following influenza vaccination may not develop
properly in individuals undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. This includes
those taking high doses of systemic steroids.

? Thimerosal, a mercury containing compound, is commonly used as a preservative
in flu vaccines. This is in the process of being taken out of vaccines in California.

? There is a mild risk of a paralytic disorder called Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Points to consider before making a decision on flu prevention:

1. If you already have had the influenza virus this year, your body will have developed antibodies to the influenza virus. Antibodies, developed by the body, when one has actually have the flu are more robust than antibodies from the flu vaccine and will protect one for a longer time.

2. The selection of the influenza strains that make up the vaccine is a hypothesis or guess. There is no way of knowing what strains will be the most prevalent in any given season.

3. The flu vaccine only promotes temporary (about 2 months) immunity to the viral strains or closely related viral strains contained in the vaccine.

4. The only way to acquire natural and long term immunity to a strain of the influenza virus is to recover naturally from the flu.

5. The process that is used to destroy the viruses and create the vaccines often uses formaldehyde, heavy metals (mercury) and chemicals. There are concerns and need for more extensive research about the effect that these substances on the human body and the lack of long term safety associated with their use, especially with the potential for increased risks that yearly vaccinations might entail.

6. Vaccinations prevent the body from naturally responding to external pathogens like viruses and bacteria. Individuals, who regularly maintain a strong healthy immune system will protect themselves from any adverse effects of the flu, will build permanent immunity and will decrease the potential for developing unknown side effects from long term exposure to vaccinations.
The flu vaccination was developed by the allopathic (conventional) health care system to decrease the risk of contracting the influenza virus. However, the best way of preventing any flu or complications from any flu is through prevention. The main focus of prevention needs to be on daily healthy habits that ensure an optimum immune system and overall health. A strong immune system is the most effective prevention strategy against the flu or any other virus.

Please schedule an appointment to discuss your personal plan for strengthening your immune system.  We also have a cold flu resistance package available for purchase. 

Remember, your product purchases and appointments support Apple-A-Day Clinic and the valuable work we do.  We'd like to be here the next time you need help....Thanks for your referrals!!!!

If you are having extreme anxiety or panic attacks please consider acupuncture to help harmonize your emotions amd get your thoughts better synced up with your emotions.

Your product purchases and appointments support our valuable work.  Please make certain we are still here the next time you need help by recommending our clinic to your family and friends and purchasing products from us. We really and truly appreciate it! Thanks!

   Duke researchers found that the combination of the blood-pressure drug Diovan (valsartan) and the anti-diabetes drug Starlix (nateglinide) failed to reduce risk of heart attack at all and that Diovan was only slightly successful in slowing -- but not necessarily preventing -- development of type 2 diabetes.

   Furthermore, practically all anti-diabetic drugs result in weight gain and eventual total dependency upon insulin injections, according to researchers Krentz, Nichols, and Gomez-Caminero in 2 recent articles published in Current Medical Research Opinion and Diabetes Obesity Metabolism.

   Lead researcher Robert Califf of the Duke study said, "This is a sobering confirmation of the need to continue to focus on lifestyle improvements."

   Unfortunately, the medical mainstream has failed miserably to help diabetic patients reverse their diabetes naturally. This failure is inexcusable considering that anyone can reverse type 2 diabetes and stop type 1 diabetes in its tracks in less than 4 weeks with the right plan -- a plan that....

   Unfortunately, very few diabetics know what actually does work. And that's because most doctors simply lack the necessary training and knowledge to steer their patients in the right direction.

   "These are alarming numbers that show how critical it is to change the course of type 2 diabetes," said Ann Albright, Ph.D., director of the CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation. "Successful programs to improve lifestyle choices on healthy eating and physical activity must be made more widely available, because the stakes are too high and the personal toll too devastating to fail."

   Obviously, herbs and a mineral alone aren't going to single-handedly reverse your diabetes permanently, but such powerful supplements combined with the right effective, easy, and inexpensive natural methods can put you on your way to ending diabetes. No drug in the world can do that, no matter what..    Consider the drug Avandia, once the most popular diabetes drug in the world, which was found in 2008 to dramatically increase risk of heart attacks and death. It took the FDA until last month to finally pull Avandia from the U.S. market.

   Another popular diabetes drug, Actos, has its own array of ugly side effects, including average weight gain of nearly 9 pounds and a higher risk of dangerous and possibly deadly fluid buildups. Furthermore, Actos's heart risks may be almost as bad as Avandia's, and some researchers have linked this drug to bladder cancer.

   A handful of doctors are getting behind the push to educate patients about what really works to cure diabetes. Dr. Scott Saunders. M.D., says natural approaches are the key. "Studying natural medicine is power," he says, explaining that you can absolutely reverse your diabetes yourself with simple steps that ...

	Are fast, painless, safe, and natural
	Based on proven home remedies
	Have zero negative side effects
	Will help you save thousands of dollars in medical bills, drugs, and hospital stays
	Will free you from stress and fear of diabetic symptoms
	Can halt the degenerative side effects of diabetes
	Are safe for type 1 & type 2 diabetes
	Will improve your overall health and immune system

   If you suffer from diabetes or pre-diabetes, you cannot afford to ignore the truth about how to stop this dangerous degenerative disease. Diabetes can kill you ... unless you take action!   But the good news is you don't have to let that happen. And you don't have to fear blindness, heart disease, chronic wounds that won't heal, or even amputation. And you definitely don't have to rely on expensive, dangerous drugs that don't work and have terrible health ramifications!   Schedule an appointment for yourself or family member to learn about diet, exercise and supplements designed to reverse the PROCESS that caused diabetes in the first place.

We will also be hosting massage therapy, facial aesthetics, reiki, and we are discussing hosting yoga classes so stay tuned for announcements!

Within minutes of placing the needles, the patient began sobbing and I was thrilled because I knew that this heralded a powerful emotional release, a rebalancing and harmonization.

My patients have found my acupuncture treatments extremely powerful in harmonizing emotional distress due to life circumstances, hormones, shifts or whatever.

If you are in need of a tune-up, please consider this modality next time you are not yourself.

This is the first study to evaluate the ability of grape-derived polyphenols to prevent the generation of a specific form of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide, a substance in the brain long known to cause the neurotoxicity associated with Alzheimer disease. In partnership with a team at the University of Minnesota led by Karen Hsiao Ashe, MD, PhD, Dr. Pasinetti and his collaborators administered grape seed polyphenolic extracts to mice genetically determined to develop memory deficits and Aβ neurotoxins similar to those found in Alzheimer's disease. They found that the brain content of the Aβ*56, a specific form of Aβ previously implicated in the promotion of Alzheimer's disease memory loss, was substantially reduced after treatment.

Previous studies suggest that increased consumption of grape-derived polyphenols, whose content, for example, is very high in red wine, may protect against cognitive decline in Alzheimer's. This new finding, showing a selective decrease in the neurotoxin Aβ*56 following grape-derived polyphenols treatment, corroborates those theories.

"Since naturally occurring polyphenols are also generally commercially available as nutritional supplements and have negligible adverse events even after prolonged periods of treatment, this new finding holds significant promise as a preventive method or treatment, and is being tested in translational studies in Alzheimer's disease patients," said Dr. Pasinetti.

The study authors emphasize that in order for grape-derived polyphenols to be effective, scientists need to identify a biomarker of disease that would pinpoint who is at high risk to develop Alzheimer's disease.

"It will be critical to identify subjects who are at high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, so that we can initiate treatments very early and possibly even in asymptomatic patients," said Dr. Pasinetti. "However, for Alzheimer's disease patients who have already progressed into the initial stages of the disease, early intervention with this treatment might be beneficial as well. Our study implicating that these neurotoxins such as Aβ*56 in the brain are targeted by grape-derived polyphenols holds significant promise."

I was shocked when I read this!

This condition is called Andropause.

Symptoms of low testosterone levels include anxiety,
reduced libido, loss of lean muscle mass and low stamina,
as well as depression.

Do you suffer from any of these symptoms, or do you
know any men with these issues?

The medical community has been very slow to recognize
how serious this problem is and it is likely that
your doctor has never discussed it with you before.

There is however, good news.

It is possible to increase your testosterone levels
with testosterone creams and injections. Unfortunately, these
methods can be very expensive and also come with increased
risks for prostate cancer, so your blood must be checked
on a regular basis to monitor for any possible negative
effects.

Here is REALLY GOOD NEWS!

We can help you naturally increase your bodies
levels of testosterone to levels that were previously
only possible with expensive and potentially dangerous
testosterone injections and with none of the side effects!
 

Here are the benefits that the subjects in our tests have
reported and you may receive as well!

1. Increased energy and stamina
2. Increase in Libido.
3. Ability to lift more weight during workouts.
4. Faster recovery from workouts with no sore joints
4. Increase in lean muscle mass.
5. Increase in testosterone levels in 21 days
6. Fat loss especially around the stomach area

Call and make an appointment today!

MONDAY, Aug. 1 (HealthDay News) — Despite the popularity of colon cleansing, there's no evidence that the procedure -- which can be done at home or in day spas -- offers any health benefits, a new study finds.

However, colon cleansing can cause serious side effects ranging from vomiting to kidney failure and death, the authors of the report say.

Colon cleansing -- also called colonic irrigation or colonic hydrotherapy -- often involves the use of chemicals followed by flushing the colon with water through a tube inserted in the rectum, explained the Georgetown University researchers.

They analyzed 20 studies about colon cleansing that were published over the last decade and found little evidence that the procedure offers any benefits. Instead, a number of the studies noted side effects such as cramping, bloating, vomiting, electrolyte imbalance and kidney failure.

The findings appear in the August issue of The Journal of Family Practice.

"There can be serious consequences for those who engage in colon cleansing whether they have the procedure done at a spa or perform it at home," lead author Dr. Ranit Mishori, a family medicine physician at Georgetown University School of Medicine, said in a university medical center news release. "Colon cleansing products in the form of laxatives, teas, powders and capsules ... tout benefits that don't exist."

It's also important for consumers to know that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has no authority to monitor these products, she added.

Mishori also noted that many colon cleansing services are offered by people who call themselves "colon hygienists," but have no significant medical training. She pointed out that the National Board for Colon HydroTherapy (NBCHT) and many other groups that promote colon cleansing require hygienists to have little more than a high school diploma.

But Dick Hoenninger, a spokesman for the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy (I-ACT), which oversees the NBCHT, took issue with the findings.

"Colon hydrotherapy when performed by a trained therapist using FDA registered equipment and disposable speculums or rectal nozzles is safe," he said. According to Hoenninger, the study also "mixes up laxatives, both pharmaceutical and herbal; and colon hydrotherapy. Most of the studies referenced are for the use of laxatives, not colon hydrotherapy."

He also noted that, "I-ACT therapists are trained in the proper use of the [colon cleansing] equipment and are told to not make any statements or advertisements that cannot be verified in peer reviewed literature."

Wishing all of our clients a safe and healthy July 4th!  Mike will be on vacation on Wednesday Thursday and Saturday so I'll be running solo...just a heads up....

The researchers found that those who used acetaminophen at least four days a week over four years had almost a twofold risk for some blood cancers. These cancers include: myeloid neoplasms, non-Hodgkin lymphomas and plasma cell disorders.

The mechanism for these disorders is thought to be that acetaminophen or Tylenol have toxicity effects on the bone marrow which can lead to these disorders.

People use Tylenol most commonly for pain relief!  There are many natural anti inflammatory agents for chronic head, neck and back pain.

Also, acupuncture and Chinese medicine are well established for pain relief and relief of common problems like migraine, lower back pain and muscle pain due to stress, fibromyalgia, and digestive ailments....

In the case of back pain....acupuncture outperformed every other CAM modality.

Please schedule an appointment to see us should you need immediate pain relief!

Blessings!

Taryn

Don't be afraid to forward our information to a friend!

847-577-4455

But what they might not realize is that pain relief is just the tip
of the iceberg.

You see, if your diverticulitis attacks are frequent, or you
develop an abscess or other complication, you could have some or
all of your colon surgically removed (called a colon
resection).

As if that weren't bad enough, the outlook AFTER a colon resection
isn't rosy.

First of all, if you don't change how you eat, the diverticulitis
can recur in the remaining parts of your colon.  That might mean
having even more taken out.

And depending on how much of your colon is taken out, it may be
necessary to get a colostomy.  This is where a hole is created in
your abdomen and the end of what's left of your
colon is surgically attached to that hole.  You then wear a bag
glued over the hole to catch feces that can leak out 24/7.  

So it's understandable that people with diverticulitis want to
avoid surgery at ALL cost.  

A Stool Microbiology helped  Joanne do just that.  

You doing a great job.  Thank you Sherry for referring me and God bless you for
the help you have given to all of us.

Joanne T.

*******************

 

Please support my clinic and the valuable work I do by scheduling appointments or purchasing products from us.  We'd Like to be here to help you the next time you need help.

Oftentimes it's due to just too much clutter both mental and physical....  Here are some quick tips to simplify your life.

1.  Avoid bringing in more confusion to your life.  Stop buying stuff for awhile beyond necessities, it helps you get a handle on what you really need,

2.  Inventory belongings room by room and get rid of or donate stuff you are not going to use get in motion...

3. Go for purchasing experiences versus tangible items...it can be much more fulfillling

4. Get off the computer, spend more quality time connecting with friends and loved ones

5. Get paper clutter under control by eliminating mailing lists and getting rid of junk mail immediately...

6. Work on your diet to help get rid of internal clutter

7. Spend time on meditation and visualization or yoga or other spiritual practices to help you unclutter your spirit.

8.  Use practices such as acupuncture, supplements and homeopathy to help balance and unclutter your body.

Blessings,

Taryn

Need help with stress digestive health a detox....call us for an appointment!

Oftentimes it's due to just too much clutter both mental and physical....  Here are some quick tips to simplify your life.

1.  Avoid bringing in more confusion to your life.  Stop buying stuff for awhile beyond necessities, it helps you get a handle on what you really need,

2.  Inventory belongings room by room and get rid of or donate stuff you are not going to use get in motion...

3. Go for purchasing experiences versus tangible items...it can be much more fulfillling

4. Get off the computer, spend more quality time connecting with friends and loved ones

5. Get paper clutter under control by eliminating mailing lists and getting rid of junk mail immediately...

6. Work on your diet to help get rid of internal clutter

7. Spend time on meditation and visualization or yoga or other spiritual practices to help you unclutter your spirit.

8.  Use practices such as acupuncture, supplements and homeopathy to help balance and unclutter your body.

Blessings,

Taryn

Need help with stress digestive health a detox....call us for an appointment!

Our current issue of Nutrition News has been published in the Newsletter portal of the website. I hope you'll check it out!

Digestive trouble?  Digestive Health!

Best, and thanks for your patronage!

Taryn

Our Natural Products Catalogue is now available at the Clinic and Store...Come on in and get a copy!

OUr new facebook page for Apple-A-Day is up and running connect with us there at

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Apple-A-Day-Clinic-SC/186901671320588

Don't forget to "like" the page so you get the most up to date news, health tips, and coupons!

Enjoy this beautiful day!

Taryn

• Learn the proper way to cleanse your body for spring!
• Taryn will discuss the historical and current biochemical reasons for detoxification.
• You will learn about a proper detoxification diet 
• Supplement protocol and therapeutic teas.         

All materials, teas and supplements included!

Cost is $149.00

Register by 3/20/2011 to secure your spot...friends and family can attend.  You do not need to be a client to attend. Class size is limited and a non refundable payment in full is required to secure your spot.  Call 847-577-4455 or email us at DOCTARYN@aol.com

This post is about my survival and recovery from a rare illness called Stevens Johnson's Syndrome.  I learned about it after struggling with a chronic form of the illness for over three years from a client no less!!!  She knew about it because a young child in her neighborhood had gone blind from the illness.

Not much is known about Stevens Johnson's syndrome other than it is a severe skin inflammation that turns into a systemic inflammatory disorder. The immune system goes ballistic usually due to a prescription or over the counter drug.  In my case, using neither...it was a sunscreen...but it can be any substance that creates an immune overkill response.  The most common cause is antibiotics and many victims are children.  The affected skin becomes very inflammed and just falls off. Mine appeared to burn and then peel off and itched just horribly both from the inflammation and then when the affected skin was peeling off.  My scalp was very much affected and I lost alot of hair, and had bald patches.  My scalp has been the most difficult area to heal.

I had no idea what actually was going on and neither did the dermatologic experts I consulted. They were incredulous that a sunscreen could do such a thing or that any substance could be absorbed into the body through the skin...guess they never heard about dermal patches, huh?

They did want me to get on intravenous cortisone but I refused this. As it turns out, the jury is out on whether this helps or hurts the situation.  Most of the time I felt unbelievably toxic and like I had swallowed a hot poker. People could feel the inflammation coming off my skin and scalp and my skin looked burned and leathery after repeated burns. I also constantly complained about my eyes and they appeared red and irritated.  Hence the term, auto incineration syndrome.  While, I had  an overactive immune system in many ways, it became tired very quickly and I was quite susceptible to infections of all kinds for years.  Believe it or not I am actually still recovering!!!  I am,  I think about 85% recovered but I still have bouts when I come into contact with things that antagonize my immune system such as allergens, chemicals, toxins viruses, and other health stressors such as lack of sleep.

Due to the problems inherent from this illness I learned alot about the immune system and how it functions and the many factors that influence it.  I also learned a tremendous amout about skin health and how to regenerate the skin organ.  Most importantly, I learned not to fear illness and death, and to have even more compassion for my patients and clients who were in crisis and afraid and suffering.

While I have always been a compassionate person, I didn't really understand fully what it was to really suffer.  I also had no real idea how long it takes to get better and how confusing that path can be at times.  I really didn't start to feel consistently better for almost two years and even then it was touch and go.  I also did not fully appreciate how lucky I was to recover at all until my client told me what I had, about her neighbor child and I did my own research.  Another aspect of it was how toxic drugs and chemicals are to some of us...I ahve always understood somehow that my vibration was somehow "different" and I did not respond well to drugs even over the counter safe drugs like benedryl.  By the time I had my wisdom teeth pulled at age 15 and nearly died from the anesthestic I knew that drugs were somehow not an option for me and that knowlege led me down this healing path.

The things that helped me were acupuncture, flower essences, diet therapy and rebuilidng the body's ecology via the gut....and I am still doing all this!!!  Now though, I feel grateful to be alive, vibrant and able to share my story with others.

Hey regarding being alive, I am going great guns with my songs got aired on UCLA radio today and much more and I have a show Saturday 10/9...sorry I am going to be closed due to that.  If you are so inclined I have a tuneplayer at the very bottom of this page and in the contact us portal where you can check out my songs!

Thanks for being in my life!

Taryn

http://www.reverbnation.com/taryndecicco

http://www.MikeKara.com/radioshow.html

August site will be published tomorrow.  Thanks, Taryn

I have decided to add a bit of humor to each week's topic by adding a health cartoon to try to lighten things up everywhere...I hope it makes you smile!!! :)

A couple quick things before I get to this week's topic...I will be closed on 6/22 this Tuesday taking a vacation day before my show at the Cubby Bear...I can do that right????  If you need to pick something up NO Problem that can be arranged...so just contact me, Thanks.

I have some free gifts with supplement purchase this month so remind me, we have a new product catalogue in progress and an Anatomy of Nutrition seminar coming.....early July.

This week's topic is about natural help for skin disorders.  The skin is the body's largest organ and provides some important roles in immunity and detoxification!  Many of you will recall a few years ago my terrible debacle with a sunscreen product which led to my battle with seborrheic dermatitis...it has just sucked, and long before that happened to me I will tell you that both in my naturopathic training as well as acupuncture chinese medicine training sages in both fields would really shrug when people appeared with chronic skin problems because they were so difficult to get rid of...

I have found that to be so myself, clinically and personally....I finally think I have figured out why and I believe it's that the human body is so intelligent it tries to keep pathogens and toxins at the skin level away from more visceral organs but this makes it hard to resolve.

In a health process view, I have found  skin problems to fall into categories of: bacteriology or toxicity...IE acne,  Digestion: IE Rosacea, eczema, Psoriasis...can all result from bacterial imbalances in the body which affect immunity and create skin inflammation, Immunity: Eczema, Psoriasis, Sebborrhea....due to low immunity, chronic allergies or toxic triggers from the environment...Emotional Disorders: Hives, rashes dermatitis, eczema.

Oftentimes, to make things even more difficult several issues occur simultaneously...

In my case....a known toxin triggered an amazingly strong inflammatory response in my body....my body's immune system became overactive initially creating tons of inflammation and then hypoactive leading to eczema and finally psoriasis, as things worsened.  Finally, again in my case, as I rebuilt my immune system, I had to finally address the chronic anxiety I experienced from not knowing how I would feel from minute to minute which then created a viscious cycle of itching and anxiety...addressing all these pieces has allowed me to recover to a great extent, and I continue to improve daily.

I have seen many people recover the health of their skin and their overall health has benefited significantly as well....there is no need to suffer.

Sincerely,

Taryn DeCicco LDN, ND, LAc

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

847-577-4455

Nutrition News and natural products update is next week....see you then!!

Your referrals, product purchases and visits are warmly appreciated!!!

If you have a chance check me out at http://www.reverbnation.com/taryndecicco

One: I should have a new natural products catalogue available by next week..and it's worth waiting for believe me....second...I have great personal products gifts for inhouse purchases this month, and lastly, I have finally tested and endorse a wonderful probiotic that does not require refrigeration for those of you wanting a product to take on vacation..it is relatively heat stable and available by special order..please allow 5 days.

I have replaced some old lines & products with better and more available products and sometimes less expensive ones as well so check me out!!!  I am always available to you for product advice.

This week's topic is how to avoid the most dangerous food additives...I encourage all of you to eat minimally processed foods and go organic as much as you can...better for us...and the planet but I do recognize it is a commitment...

In reviewing this information I realized, (AGAIN) how dangerous these ingredients are...and while you may never experience health problems as a direct result..who really knows??  So here's my list of the most important additives to avoid in table form...please forward on to your friends and family!!!

There are many others but these are a good list to avoid particularly if you have allergies or skin problems...more about that next week.

Your visits, referrals, and product purchases are warmly appreciated. Thank you.

Have an excellent week!

Taryn DeCicco, LDN, LAc, ND

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.Com

This week's topic has to do with STRESS , yes that again...I believe an awful lot of people are struggling at this moment.  I have been extremely downhearted about the BP disaster,  and what is happening to the flora and fauna....this is causing me alot of stress at the moment.

Yesterday, a patient mentioned I might be better off going there to help and that was a great suggestion...If I think my immune system can handle more toxicity I may go.  Feeling powerless, is a very stressful state for me.

While conventional medicine measures heart rates and rythyms under exertional stress via an EKG...a different, and I think very important gage of chronic stress is a blood chemical called cortisol.

Cortisol is a byproduct of the fight or flight response...and usually a relaxation response is activated after a stressful event.  In our culture, however, the body's stress response may be activated so often the body never has a chance to return to normal, resulting in a state of chronic stress.

High levels of cortisol have been associated with: impaired cognitive function, adrenal insufficiency, thyroid problems, hair loss, nutritional deficiencies, blood sugar imbalances, decreased bone density, decreased muscle mass, high blood pressure, menstrual irregularities, early menopause, severe menopausal symptoms, low immunity, inflammatory problems, weight gain, diabetes, metabolic syndrome..including storage of abdominal fat and insulin resistance....high cholesterol, sleep disturbances and more!!!

When I question many patients about their stress levels many are in denial, and while I can as an objective observer see the tell tale signs..they usually can't.  Sometimes, a cortisol test saliva and or blood will convince them that their stress levels are very high, and may therefore be a huge player in their health problems.

Cortisol secretion varies among individuals....some may hypersecrete cortisol in response to a situation that would cause another very little problem.  Studies have shown that those high secreters eat way more food, and it's usually carbohydrates.

Cortisol levels must be kept in balance in order to remain healthy....Acupuncture, massage, meditation, guided imagery, arts, breathing and sex are all helpful in lowering cortisol.

I have a variety of methods, and products which can help naturally lower cortisol...I can also test you to see if your levels are in a dangerous zone.

Please let me know if I can help you or a friend or family member...

Next week...I will help you avoid dangerous food additives...see you then.

Respectfully,

Taryn DeCicco LDN, ND, LAc

847-577-4455

Apple-A-Day-Clinic

Your appointments, product purchases and referrals are warmly appreciated.

TCM believes that addressing the root causes of illness by treating the whole person and balancing the immune system will lead to substantial long-term health benefits, including better health with less suffering from allergy symptoms.

Hayfever or allergic rhinitis results from an imbalanced immune system.  An overzealous immune system releases IgE anitbodies in response to an environmental trigger such as tree pollen.  These antibodies then attach to white blood cells known as mast cells. As these cells become stimulated they release histamine and other chemicals.

One theory of allergy which I ascribe to is the total load theory which postulates that exposure to one allergen is not sufficent to trigger a response for most people but triggers of several may result in an allergic response.

Medical treatment of allergens typically result in inhibiting an allergic response, including antihistamines, decongestants, and steroids or nervous system inhibitos such as epinephrine. Other treatments are desentization where small amounts of allergens are injected to gradually neutralize antibodies.

Side effects such as fatigue, immune problems, and overreliance on meds  may cause some people to seek out alternatives.

Chinese medicine views allergies as related to wind, which usually coincides with a deficiency of wei or protective qi.  People who are deficient in wei qi catch colds easily and they may progress rapidly to respiratory infections.

The practioner if they are like me will also look for constitutional or more deeply rooted problems in the person.  Often the person has chronic deficiencies in the lung, spleen or kidney meridiens which can be strengthened with acupuncture and herbs.  Typical interventions may include some dietary modification, special herbal formulations, and acupuncture.

I recently did a comprehensive program for several patients which involved some immediate acute care, to alleviate symptoms and then began strengthening their constitutions.  This allergy season they have fared much better, and have not needed any western drugs although the allergen counts are much higher.

Should you or someone you know need help with allergies I welcome new patient appointments.

Thank you, your visits, product purchases and patient referrals are warmly appreciated!!!

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.COM

847-577-4455