Due to the current volatility, I have decided to reduce

My own stress by postponing my blog posts for

the foreseeable future.  I pray you all are staying

well and that things return to normal soon.

Blessings,

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Holistic Doctor

Acupuncturist 

Holistic Nutritionist

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Last week I promised a Corona virus update and here it is….  I personally have been distancing myself from media and online news about the virus.   Judging by how stressed I feel when I leave my home I think this is probably a good idea.   Stress and fear are the number one way you can drop your immune system and make yourself more vulnerable to this, or truly, any illness. 

Lack of sleep, poor eating especially sugars or other simple carbohydrates will also make your much more susceptible to the virus.   Right now, avoiding social contact is probably a good idea and does seem to be having a positive effect on slowing the pandemic aspect of the Corona virus.

So what can you do to make you and your family less likely to contract this illness?

Eat a healthy diet,  making sure you are getting a variety of whole foods.   Avoid junk foods and foods high in processed or even natural sugars as they will depress your immune system.

Take a good multi vitamin mineral supplement each day.  This will help to fill in some dietary gaps.

If you are stressed out about the situation take at least 500-1000 mgs buffered time released vitamin C and a good B-Complex vitamin  also time released… 

Take a good probiotic each day.

If you are forced to engage with others I would also like to suggest some anti viral immune tonics.  Most people know about elderberry but that is more effective at the early stages of viral infection.  Two products that I feel are safe for PREVENTION for most people and children are Astra 8 by Health Concerns and Argentyn 23 by Allergy Research.  We also have products for those immune compromised people needing more help but I will not cover these here.   Should you need help please give a call and we can do a phone consultation to discuss your needs in depth.

Next week join me for a discussion about how nutrition affects your mental health.  Sign UP so you don't miss a thing.  And PLEASE visit our natural pharmacy for great deals on hundreds of professional products and FREE shipping on each item.

Best of Health,

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Holistic Doctor

Acupuncturist

Naturopathic Doctor

Holistic Nutritionist     

The process works by providing the user with a direct infusion of vitamins and minerals, like high doses of vitamin C or magnesium. Receiving vitamins through an IV allegedly allows the nutrients to bypass the digestive system for faster vitality. There are various different formulations of vitamins you can receive depending on your needs.

Fans of the treatment ― from Bravo reality stars to Adele to Chrissy Teigen ― and companies that offer the service advertise that it will help with various health concerns.

Does it? And Is it SAFE?

Most treatments cost from 300-$500 and last from 20 minutes to one hour.  The most popular treatment is called a “Myers Cocktail” which contains a drip of saline solution, magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin C.  A licensed health professional must oversee the procedure and it is best if a Medical Doctor is there in the facility in case emergency procedures need to be implemented which is what happened to Kendall Kardashian a short while ago.

Most healthy people with functioning GI tracts do not need IV therapy.  It bypasses nature, costs a lot of money and opens the door for all kinds of complications to occur.

What kind of complications?  Well for starters you really don't have any idea what is in your IV.  A woman recently died from a turmeric IV she was getting to treat eczema which was due to a mistake by the compounding pharmacy that created it.  IV clinics are not regulated by the FDA so you really have no idea what you are getting…

While technically the person administering the IV should have training the training standards vary widely across the country.  IV clinics don't have sufficient information about your medical history to provide safe care.  If you have diagnosed or undiagnosed heart disease you should not do this as it will put an added strain on your heart. 

Insertion of an IV can cause bruising, infection, blood clots and vein inflammation.  

When one considers the risk and expense of IV therapy, in my opinion no ethical doctor will advocate or prescribe it except under extreme medical conditions.

Many of my patients are being treated for long term digestive problems and have a multiplicity of vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  We customize patches for these clients and they work extremely well and circumvent the above risks.  Contact me if you'd like more information about this!  I think most of the hype of IV treatment comes from the increase in energy one will experience immediately upon getting hydrated. Obviously drinking  16 ounces of water does not seem exciting to people,LOL. Next week join me to learn how ONE nutrient can stop blindness and cure eye disease.  SignUP so you don't miss this.   We proudly offer brands like: Douglas, Pure Encapsulations, Thorne Research, NeuroScience, Allergy Research and so many more.  Please visit our natural pharmacy for great deals and FREE shipping on hundreds of FRESH products.  We ship same day in most cases.  Thank you and best of health!

Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Naturopathic Doctor

Acupuncturist

Clinical Nutritionist

Holistic Physician

 Image:holisticcare.com

Curcumin the active compound in turmeric may repair exercise intolerance faced by patients with heart failure, suggests a new research. People with heart failure have a reduced function of the left ventricle the chamber of the heart that pumps blood out to the rest of the body called reduced ejection fraction. This is linked to decreased ability to exercise. The findings showed that curcumin treatment improved muscle function, exercise capacity in mice with heart failure and healthy controls.

Curcumin, a chemical that comes from the turmeric plant, has been used as a traditional Asian medicine for centuries, primarily to treat gastrointestinal ailments and skin wounds.

Researchers from the University of Nebraska in the US, theorised that a reduction in the normal signalling of a protein Nrf2 may play a role in the impaired expression of antioxidant enzymes.

The antioxidant enzymes both prevent and repair damage from oxidative stress as well as improve exercise performance.

For the study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, the researchers gave one group of mice with heart failure daily doses of curcumin -- which is known to promote activation of Nrf2 -- for 12 weeks, while another group did not receive treatment.

The results demonstrated that the expression of Nrf2 increased and levels of antioxidant enzymes improved in the animals with heart failure that were given curcumin.

In addition, both groups that received curcumin -- even the animals without heart failure -- had improved exercise capacity when compared with the untreated groups, suggesting the effects of curcumin on skeletal muscle is not exclusive to heart failure. I recommend this curcumin to my clients on a daily basis-FREE SHIPPING!

"These data suggest that activation of Nrf2 in skeletal muscle may represent a novel therapeutic strategy to improve ... quality of life" in people with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the researchers noted.  This may have a real impact on various health situations in humans. Next week, I will discuss IV vitamins.  IV vitamins are all the rage in Hollywood but is there any true benefit?  Sign up! here  to find out.  Have a great week and I look forward to seeing you next week.

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN 

Holistic Doctor

Naturopathic Doctor

Acupuncture

Holistic Nutritionist

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Arlington Heights, Illinois 

I'm often asked for referrals across the country for "holistic doctors like you."   It's so hard for me to give personal recommendations because I couldn't possibly know that many people.  Also, selecting your own practioner is part of taking responsiblity for your own health care.  This means creating an environment where you can flourish.  I will not accept appointments made by a third party like a husband or a wife or a sister, etc.  This never works out.  After all, if someone is unwilling to do the work of finding a practioner, are they going to do the work of actually getting well?  Not in my experience.  Except of course for very young children.

To find a good fit begin by asking a healthcare provider you know and trust.  Your fit with a holistic doctor must be based on your needs and values.If they do not meld the relationship will not be a good therapeutic one.  Another source of referrals is from actual patients who are satisfied with the care they receive.

Credentials are important as they demonstrate that at least in the case of board certifications, a doctor has completed rigorous training over a long period of time.  Credentials do not always gage the talent of a doctor clinically.  Often the doctor with a better emotional IQ is less highly credentialled than one who has tons plaques on the wall but not very good interpersonal skills.  It's often true as well that some very gifted "healers" have no real credentials whatsoever.  Sometimes, in the case of specialties mine are digestive and skin disorders you are well served by working with the most knowlegable experienced person there is even if you have to do it long distance.  This is why I do this and clients are very appreciative as well.

Ask yourself the most important question there is. Does the holistic doctor seem like a healer?  Do you leave their office feeling uplifted and reassured?  Do you feel as though you are in good hands?  This is paramount to a good therapeutic relationship so trust your gut and intuition on this.

Don't be vicitimized by Insurance.  Over the years Ive heard so many people say that they couldn't come in or take supplements or do much of anything because their "insurance wouldn't pay for it".  Invariably these people suffer from bad health compared to those who say they will do whatever it takes to get and stay well.

You and only you are responsible for your health choices.  Insurance should really only be reserved for crisis intervention the rest if up to you.  Building a healthful life will never be covered by insurance it is up to each and everyone of us and is about choices we make each and every day.

While a holistic doctor is an expert in a body of knowlege, you are the expert of your own body.  When you find the right relationship your health cannot help but flourish.

Best of Health and Healing

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Holistic Doctor

Naturopath

Acupuncturist

Arlington Heights, IL

847 577 4455

Next week join me for a discussion on how you can decrease your mortality risk in just a few steps. SignUP so you don't miss a thing.

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·        

Scientists aren't yet sure if technology is destroying our brains, but they're pretty confident it can trigger some obsessive behaviors that look a lot like addiction, and lead to depression.   It's also slowing down our thinking processes.  Most tasks are better done off the phone, research suggests.

All day long, most people are inundated by interruptions and alerts from devices. Smartphones buzz to wake us up, emails stream into our inboxes, notifications from coworkers and long distance friends appear on our screens, and "assistants" chime in with their own electronic voices.

People want technology to help with our busy lives, but at what cost?

The human body may have a different view: These constant alerts jolt our stress hormones into action, starting our fight or flight response; our heartbeats quicken, our breathing tightens, our sweat glands burst open, and our muscles contract. Since this is now all day every day, we were simply not built to live like this. 

Phone apps are taking advantage of our needs for security and social interaction and researchers are starting to see how terrible this is for us. A full 89% of college students now report feeling "phantom" phone vibrations, imagining their phone is summoning them to attention when it hasn't actually buzzed. 

Another 86% of Americans say they check their email and social media accounts "constantly," and that it's really stressing them out.  Obsessive smartphone behaviors are all too prevalent if you go anywhere or do anything.

Endocrinologist Robert Lustig tells Business Insider that notifications from our phones are training our brains to be in a near constant state of stress and fear by establishing a stress-fear memory pathway. And such a state means that the prefrontal cortex, the part of our brains that normally deals with some of our highest-order cognitive functioning, goes completely haywire, and basically shuts down.

"You end up doing stupid things," Lustig says. "And those stupid things tend to get you in trouble." 

Your brain can only do one thing at a time

Scientists have known for years what people often won't admit to themselves: humans can't really multi-task. This is true for almost all of us: about 97.5% of the population. The other 2.5% have freakish abilities; scientists call them "super taskers," because they can actually successfully do more than one thing at once. That means every time we pause to answer a new notification or get an alert from a different app on our phone, we're being interrupted, and with that interruption we pay a price: something called a "switch cost."

Sometimes the switch from one task to another costs us only a few tenths of a second, but in a day of flip-flopping between ideas, conversations, and transactions on a phone or computer, our switch costs can really add up, and make us more error-prone, too. Psychologist David Meyer who's studied this effect estimates that shifting between tasks can use up as much as 40% of our otherwise productive brain time.

Every time we switch tasks, we're also shooting ourselves up with a dose of the stress hormone cortisol, Lustig says. The switching puts our thoughtful, reasoning prefrontal cortex to sleep, and kicks up dopamine, a brain chemical that plays a key role in pursuing reward and motivation.

In other words, the stress that we build up by trying to do many things at once when we really can't is making us sick, and causing us to crave even more interruptions, spiking dopamine, which perpetuates the cycle.

More phone time, lazier brain 

Our brains can only process so information at a time, at a flow of 60 bits per second.

The more tasks we have to do, the more we have to choose how we want to use our precious brain power. So it's understandable that we might want to pass some of our extra workload to our phones or digital assistants.

But there is some evidence that delegating thinking tasks to our devices could not only be making our brains sicker, but lazier too.

The combination of socializing and using our smartphones could be putting a huge tax on our brains.

Researchers have found smarter, more analytical thinkers are less active on their smartphone search engines than other people. That doesn't mean that using your phone for searching causes you to be "dumber," it could just be that these smarties are searching less because they know more. But the link between less analytical thinking and more smartphone scrolling is there.  

We also know that reading up on new information on your phone can be a terrible way to learn. Researchers have shown that people who take in complex information from a book, instead of on a screen, develop deeper comprehension, and engage in more conceptual thinking, too.  Often, I am told that I am the only person who ever has a “real” book in their lap…at the hairdresser for instance.

Recent research on dozens of smartphone users in Switzerland also suggests that staring at our screens could be making both our brains and our fingers more jittery.

Last year, psychologists and computer scientists found an unusual and potentially troubling connection: the more tapping, clicking and social media posting and scrolling people do, the "noisier" their brain signals become. That finding took the researchers by surprise. Usually, when we do something more often, we get better, faster and more efficient at the task. 

But the researchers think there's something different going on when we engage in social media: the combination of socializing and using our smartphones could be putting a huge tax on our brains.

Social behavior, "may require more resources at the same time," study author Arko Ghosh said, from our brains to our fingers. And that's scary stuff.

Despite these troubling findings, scientists aren't saying that enjoying your favorite apps is automatically destructive. But we do know that certain types of usage seem especially damaging.

“Pathological” usage of the internet has been linked to depression in teens and may even cause the shrinking of the brain.  Other research is beginning to demonstrate short term memory loss and changes in brain chemistry.

I have been aware of these effects since smart phone use began.  I have never enjoyed being interrupted by pinging and those sounds have been turned off on my phone.  I do pay attention and could feel the stress and cortisol when I started using smart phones.  I would certainly limit time on smart phones and computers in general as well as social media.  After I backed away I decided to learn Spanish and Italian and feel good about the few minutes spent each day learning new words.  I guess I just prefer a more meaningful life and I think most people confuse that with a”busier” one.I nfo for this article abridged from business insider.com Next week join me to learn how to select a holistic doctor SignUP here.  See you then and please don't forget to visit our natural pharmacy where we offer hundreds of FRESH NEW Professional products at great prices and FREE shipping!  We offer brands like: Metagenics, Thorne, Pure Encapsulations, AO Medical, Rx Vitamins, Douglas and much more. 

" Thank you, you people are terrific to work with and I will look for excuses to do business with you again".  Kathleen R. 1/21/20

As always best of health!

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Naturopathic Holistic Doctor

Acupuncturist

appointments 847 577 4455 

For some time Americans have been supporting alternative medicine in the United States.  Almost 40% of adults are participating in treatments like: nutritional therapy, acupuncture, yoga, meditation and homeopathy.  Most of the treatments are being used by adults though,not children.  I am estimating but guess 90% for adults and only 10% for children at present.

Interestingly, people without health insurance and people in lower income brackets spent a much larger proportion of their incomes on alternative medicine.  A recent review shows that pain therapies were very popular.

Statistically speaking, 70% believed in the positive effects of complementary and alternative medicine.

The latest statistics show that Americans spend almost 10% of their annual incomes on alternative therapies. The annual amount spent in the USA is over 30 BILLION dollars per year.  

Clearly, complementary therapies are not going away.  One reason is the time and attention given by holistic doctors versus conventional ones.  Getting to the root cause of a health concern is another issue.  Safety and efficacy is yet another and a realistic one since western medicine is now the third leading cause of death in this country.

Personally speaking, I am somewhat surprised at the low numbers of participation for both children and for higher income families. I suppose this is due to greater pressure to conform to conventional care from both peers and also institutions like major employers and schools for instance.

These percentages have remained flat for probably close to a decade. More reason for you to be proud to have chosen a different path.

Next week I will discuss the latest health concerns relative to smart phones.  SignUp so you don't miss a thing.  Also please visit our fabulous natural pharmacy where we offer hundreds of FRESH, professional supplements I have hand selected at great prices and FREE shipping on each order.

See you next week and best of health,

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Holistic Doctor

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

image courtesy of thehill.com

Between 1959 and 2014, the average length of time that Americans were expected to live was on the rise. Now, for the third year in a row, it's declining, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

"Americans operate under a lot of misconceptions about how superior we are in many facets of our lives and this is not one of them," the study's lead author Steven Woolf told Business Insider. "We may think we have best medical care in world and highest life expectancy ... but that's not the case."

This decline can't be linked to just one ethnicity, gender, or geographic area, either: It originates among an entire age group. People between the ages of 25 and 64 in the US are dying at higher rates, wracked by health problems like opioid addiction, obesity, alcoholic liver disease, and suicide.

Despite having the highest per capita health care spending in the world, Americans are "more likely to die before age 65 than people in other countries," Woolf added. "Their children, too, are less likely to live as long." and that is another topic for another day...

A Shocking Trend

Woolf and his co-author Heidi Schoomaker's new study looked at more than 50 years' worth of data on US life expectancy from the US Mortality Database and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER database.

Results showed that, in the 1970s, the country experienced a rapid and significant jump in life expectancy. But by the 1990s, that increase started to level off.

In 2011, US life expectancy plateaued, and three years later it started to drop.

"We've reached the point where we're going into a free fall," Woolf said.

Medical advances, particularly in the realms of cancer treatment and heart health, prompted an almost 10-year increase in the average American's lifespan. Between 1959 and 2013, life expectancy rose from 69.9 years to 78.9 years. Now, however, that average has dropped to 78.6 years.

The news isn't good if you compare it to other countries, either. In 1960, Americans had the highest life expectancy of any country in the world. But in the past couple of years, the US has plummeted to the bottom of the list of countries with a similar GDP and high average income, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

In fact, the US is currently ranked in the mid-40s globally in terms of life expectancy, squished between countries like Lebanon, Cuba, and Chile, which have GDPs that fall far short of our own.

That troubling dip, according to Woolf, can be linked to the fact that deaths among Americans ages 25 to 64 are increasing.

'Working-age' Americans are dying

These deaths can't be traced back to a single cause, either. Woolf's research revealed that mortality among members of this age group has increased from 35 different causes. However, drug overdose, alcohol abuse, and suicide  appear to be the primary culprits.

This age group experienced a nearly four-fold increase in fatal drug overdoses between 1999 and 2017.

Suicide rates went up by nearly 40% for people between the ages of 25 and 64, and by 56% for people ages 55 to 64 during the same time frame. For Americans between the ages of 25 and 34, the rate of alcohol-related disease deaths spiked almost 160%, as well.

Obesity-related mortality rates among this age group also went up by 114%, and deaths linked to high blood increased by about 80%.

"Working-age Americans are more likely to die in the prime of their lives," Woolf said. Between 2010 and 2017, midlife US adults experienced a 6% total increase in mortality rate.

The largest increases in death rates occurred among people living in New England states (middle-aged New Hampshirites saw a 23.3% uptick; Maine residents, 20.7%; Vermont dwellers, 19.9%) and residents of the Ohio Valley (West Virginians experienced a 23% increase and Ohioans, 21.6%).

Not all parts of the US experienced the same trend, however. Life expectancy between 2010 and 2017 increased for Americans living in Hawaii, California, and parts of the Pacific Northwest. Many medical researchers and scientists are attributing this alarming trend to income disparity and employment volatility.  If you found this article interesting please SIGNUP!  Also did you know we offer hundreds of professional caliber products with FREE same day shipping in our natural pharmacy?  Visit and check out our wonderful products and see our major discounts on the freshest products available anywhere!  Next week don't miss a discussion on why more Americans are choosing alternative medicine. See you then and as always, best of health!

Dr. Taryn

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Holistic Doctor

Natural Pharmacy

I promised to share my 2020 health resolutions with you and here they are!  Any or preferably ALL are the most important steps a person could ever take to improving their health.

#1. Just MOVE

I decided that I had gotten semi lazy after hurting my shoulder back in August and it was true.  After a month of relative inactivity I had never gotten back up to my previous level of activity.  Over the holidays, I had decided to extremely limit my time on social media, as well as the smart phone and computer in general and that has helped loads. When I am not sitting staring at those objects I am infinitely more active.  Each morning I limit my time checking emails to just a few minutes and get moving.  I find my house is getting cleaner by the minute and I feel better having strenous physical activity and the feeling of accomplishing things.  Movement is one of the most important requirements the human body has and it is no secret that a sedentary lifestyle is linked to every chronic disease there is.  Aim for at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity it's important and it feels great especially once you get used to it.

#2 Drink ALOT Of Water

I believe I have mentioned that in Japan it is customary to drink a huge glass of water upon arising in the morning. Even I did not drink much water in the morning but I realized I needed to change that....and I have.  I try to now drink one half to three quarters of a liter of mineral water in the morning before lunch. If your urine is not very light yellow or colorless you are not drinking enough water.  This is true even in the presence of supplements.  Without water most metabolic processes in the body are hampered.  Thirst is not a reliable indicator of hydration.  By the time you are thirsty or your urine is yellow you are dehydrated.  Drinking coffee or tea in the morning is extremely dehydrating.  I gave up caffeine about 5 years ago and that certainly helps but you simply MUST drink water.

#3 Stay Positive

I do my best to remain positive and that is largely due to staying away from news headlines.  Unfortunately, social media means you are literally forced to ingest large quantities of bad news everyday.  I know it had an impact on my attitude so I don't participate anymore and I feel better.   When you feel better emotionally your health HAS to improve.

Well, these are just some thoughts on my 2020 health resolutions.  I hope they are helpful to you.  Should you need assistance with your health and wellness this year, please contact us anytime for an appointment at 847-577-4455. Above, I have posted our other upcoming topics for January.  Don't miss why the US life expectancy is on the decline for several years now.  Sign up here for notifications.  

Did you know we offer 500 professional products from brands like Douglas Labs, Metagenics, Neuroscience, Rx Vitamins, Pure Encapsulations and so much more!  You can even test kits on our website for many health concerns you may have.    Our current best selling item is the TimeMaster Pro!  Get yours Here! They are sold out everywhere!   Thanks and see you next week!

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Most people really dislike winter.  And for good reason:  With extreme cold weather comes health hazards like frostbite, seasonal affective disorder, SAD,  and even an increased risk of heart attacks.

BUT:  There's some benefits to that cold:

Cold Weather Burns Calories

You may have heard of "brown fat," a type of fat found naturally in parts of the body that, when triggered, can burn off other "white" fat. In a 2012 study, researchers found that cold weather seemed to set the brown fat into motion, and that simply being cold could cause significant calorie burn. (Exercise may have a similar effect, as demonstrated in a study from around the same time, the New York Times reported.) The study, admittedly, was small – however.

COLD WEATHER MAY HELP FORGE RELATIONSHIPS

Staying indoors may help relationships.  With less distraction people may focus more on their relationships.

Cold Weather Is Less Hospitable For Disease-Carrying Bugs

Winter and its effect on the disease-spreading mosquito population. The pests thrive in milder climates, meaning  they were able to survive -- and breed -- all winter, just waiting to feast come spring. Freezing or below-freezing temps might kill off some of them (and ticks), thereby protecting you from the illnesses they are known to spread.

Cold Weather Brings Greater Appreciation Of Brighter Days

Research suggests that if the weather never changes, you start taking that sunshine for granted. Shivering through the cold makes those warm spring days seem even better when they finally come along, according to Psychology Today.  I notice this all the time in Chicago. A day with sunshine is a day where people positively bloom

Cold Weather Can Reduce Inflammation

There's a reason putting ice on an injury works. That drop in temperature reduces inflammation in, say, a sprained joint. But the theory also works on a big scale, too -- cold temperatures can reduce inflammation and pain all over.  A 2011 study found that, at extremely low temperatures, such treatments, called cryotherapy, did more for athletes to recover from physical activity than simply resting. Runners who were exposed to temperatures as low as -166 degrees F recovered from exercise faster than those who given other therapies or told to rest.

Cold Weather May Boost Your Body Image

While I can't advocate chowing down on wintertime comfort foods, there is an escape from the pressure to get a "bikini body." It's a great time to focus on fitness -- hello, New Year's resolutions -- without the pressure to do so for your looks alone.  On Tuesday I will disclose my New Year's Health resolutions.  SignUP!  If you'd like to hear them.  Did you know we sell over  500 professional products from brands like: Metagenics, Thorne, Health Concerns, Orthomolecular products, Pure Encapsulations, RX Vitamins, and many more. Visit our store to see our great prices and FREE shipping on every order!  Thank you!

Wishing you all a very healthy and happy 2020!  

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Human beings have always had a strong powerful connection to sunlight that has evolved over thousands of years. Before the advent of electricity we were bound by the constraints of daylight, and our sleep cycles followed suit. But today, electricity and technological stimulation allow our minds and bodies to be active long after sundown, which can wreak havoc on our health. Many hormonal processes in our body are literally hardwired to be orchestrated by sunlight and the absence of sunlight. It is no surprise that adhering to a normal sleep pattern is therefore very important to maintaining optimal health.

The "Body Clock"

Many people report that they fall asleep easily, but wake at the same time in the middle of the night. This can be frustrating, especially if you can't fall back asleep and wake up tired the next day. The concept of an “Organ Clock" in Chinese medicine is a useful tool in understanding why this occurs. In Chinese medicine, energy or qi, moves through the body's meridians and organs in a 24 hour cycle. Every two hours the qi (or energy) is strongest within a particular organ and its functions within the body. And that's not all - the body, mind and emotions are inseparable in Chinese medicine - meaning that if you have disharmony in your physical body, it is tied to your emotional state. So if you wake up at 3 AM, when Liver energy peaks, you may be suffering from Liver Qi stagnation, which could be related to an unhealthy diet, excess alcohol consumption, unresolved anger or high levels of stress. If you consistently wake at 4 AM - it could be due to an imbalance in your Lungs, which is related to grief and sadness, fatigue, or reduced immune function. 

The most important time to sleep!

According to Chinese medicine, it's not only how much sleep you get that matters, but also when you get it. A bedtime of 10:30pm (at the latest) is advised so that you are asleep by 11pm when the Liver and Gallbladder start to regulate qi, process emotions, balance hormones and detoxify the body. According to Chinese medicine, the window from 11 PM - 3 AM, which correlates to the Liver and Gallbladder, is most important in terms of maintaining health, especially as we age. Many of us have heard the old adage: “Every hour of sleep before midnight is worth two after midnight.” This idea is backed by modern sleep science - we experience the deepest part of sleep during the first third of the night. This deep sleep, or Slow Wave Sleep (SWS), is the most restorative part of our sleep. During these hours the stress hormone cortisol is reduced and parasympathetic nervous system activity increases, which allows us to fully rest and move away from the fight or flight responses that dominate during waking hours. SWS is associated with memory and learning. A lack of this type of sleep can lead to reduced daytime functioning and alertness as well as waking feeling unrefreshed. Further, human growth hormone, which is essential to repairing our bodies from daily injury and maintaining health, is released from 9pm-7am, making each hour of sleep during this time critical. 

Check out the guide below to find some insight as to why you may be waking up at a certain hour.  Acupuncture is a great way to balance the qi within your body to improve sleep and energy and balance emotions. Yoga, meditation, physical activity, a healthy diet and adhering to a consistent bed time will also greatly impact your sleep. 

9 PM - 11 PM  //  Triple Burner (related to the Heart and Pericardium)
Emotion: Joy or lack of joy, depression, hopelessness.
Functions: The Triple Burner is not a distinct organ but is related to our endocrine and lymphatic systems. It controls metabolism within the body. 
Symptoms of imbalance: Mania, feelings of guilt, depression, adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalance, sluggish metabolism, frequent headaches, fatigue, earaches, swollen lymph nodes, fibromyalgia, thyroid disorder, alternating chills and fever. 
Tips: Consider going to bed earlier, establish a calming nighttime routine, avoid artificial light after 9pm. 

11 PM - 1 AM  //  Gall Bladder (strongly tied to the Liver)
Emotion: Indecisiveness
Functions: The Gallbladder stores and excretes bile to facilitate proper digestion. It also rules the decision making process, controls the sinews and tendons and governs dreams. 
Symptoms of imbalance: Indecision, frequent sighing, rash decisions, poor judgement, difficulty making decisions, shyness, timidity, high cholesterol, resentment, dream-disturbed sleep, weak tendons, tendonitis. 
Tips: Avoid alcohol, transfats and spicy foods. Eat a small dinner well before bedtime and avoid snacking before bed. 

1 AM - 3 AM  //  Liver
Emotion: Anger/Irritability
Functions: The Liver is responsible for detoxifying our bodies and processing emotions each night. The Liver stores the blood and governs the qi of the body. It is associated with the tendons, nails and eyes. Think back to a night when you had too much to drink or a period of intense frustration at work. Did you wake up around between 1-3am unable to fall back asleep? From a Chinese medicine perspective your liver was overloaded with and struggled to do its work.
Symptoms of imbalance: Explosive outbursts of anger, bottled up emotions, resentment, irritability, moodiness, frustration, high blood pressure, chest distention, PMS, bitter taste in mouth, digestive upset, dizziness, migraine headache, breast tenderness, blurred vision, eye floaters, red face, tendonitis, frequent sighing. 
Tips: Make sure to drink alcohol in moderation and eat your last meal a few hours before bed. Consider a whole foods cleanse. Cut out coffee for a week and replace it with green tea. Find ways to deal with your anger and frustrations in a healthy way. Get regular exercise. 

3 AM - 5 AM  //  Lung
Emotion: Sadness/Grief
Functions: The Lungs govern the respiratory and immune system, regulate the sweat glands, and moisten the skin.
Symptoms of imbalance: Feelings of sadness or grief that have not been dealt with, shortness of breath, sweating easily, weak voice, shallow breathing, fatigue, cough, frequent cold/flu, fever with chills, sore throat, runny nose, headache, allergies, asthma, chest pain, pale complexion, dry skin, depression, crying.
Tips: Try breathing exercises, Qi Gong,  meditation or yoga to improve your lung capacity. Consider getting counseling or talking to a friend about feelings of sadness or grief. Write in your journal about your emotions before bed each night.  Did you know I offer acupuncture, cupping, facial acupuncture, moxibustion and much much more?  Call us to schedule an appointment. $20 off if you call NOW. 847 577 4455.  Next week I will showcase some amazing holiday gift ideas.  Don't miss this.  Sign Up Here.  Don't forget to visit my natural pharmacy for hundreds of fresh new health products which are updated daily.  FAST, FREE shipping on each order. 

Orders placed by 5PM are typically shipped that same day. 

Wishing you all a healthy Thanksgiving.

Thank you for your support, Dr, Taryn DeCicco, Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

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Activated charcoal has one real use: accidental posioning or drug overdose. Activated charcoal removes these poisons through a process called adsorption.  I recently became aware of a new health craze regarding activated charcoal around Halloween of this year. At the root of the new activated charcoal health fad is the misuse, or misunderstanding, of the word “toxin”. In a detox- crazy-fad world, toxins are used to refer to impurities or anything undesirable in your body: stains on your teeth, dirt or dust on your skin, naturally present sugars in your juice, a hangover after a night out,too much Halloween candy?

Personal care products (like teeth whiteners, face masks, soaps, shampoos, and deodorants) containing activated charcoal bank on the idea that impurities can be drawn out during use. Since these products are meant for external use only, they perhaps won't cause any real harm. But there is little to no research to prove that the trace amounts of activated charcoal, combined with other ingredients, in these products are effective or more just marketing.

Activated charcoal products meant to be taken by mouth or eaten, however, are a different story.   The same detox effects of activated charcoal can disrupt your regular diet and medication regimen. Whatever foods or other supplements are  sitting in your stomach can potentially adsorb to the activated charcoal in your detox .

Though the recommended starting dose of activated charcoal for adults (25–100 grams) may not seem like a lot, a teaspoonful of the powder has the same surface area as a football field. Since supplements and retail restaurants are not regulated by the FDA, it's hard to know the exact amount of activated charcoal used, so it's possible that there's enough to cause some harm. Regular intake of activated charcoal may even cause nutrition deficiencies malnutrition or malabsorption.

Here are the risks of consuming activated charcoal:

1. It can prevent your body from digesting food and absorbing nutrients.
2. It can make medications and other supplements WAY less effective.
3. Side effects can include diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and blockage of the digestive tract.

Last summer, New York City, under orders from the FDA, had to ban activated charcoal in restaurants—presumably because the city had become a mecca of activated charcoal treats.

What medications are affected by activated charcoal?

As  above, almost anything taken by mouth can adsorb to activated charcoal given the right circumstances. There is really no safe way to take this and no health advantages to doing so.

People taking ongoing or chronic medications (like statins, antidepressants, the birth control pill, and blood pressure drugs) can be affected the most by activated charcoal, since staying on schedule is important for managing the condition.

– – –

While activated charcoal definitely has a place in the medical world, consumer products and foods containing activated charcoal are not proven to have any medical benefit. Always discuss with your holistic physician or nutrition specialist if you're thinking about changing your diet, starting a new supplement, or going on a detox cleanse. Also, be a lot more discerning of information found on the internet.  Next week join me for a discussion about if you are awakening each night at the same time, Chinese medicine may explain why.  Until then, I hope you will visit my Natural Pharmacy for great deals on hundreds of amazing.  FRESH health products and FREE, superfast shipping on each order. I am an authorized distributor of every product we sell so you know they are100% authentic and have never been warehoused.  Please sign up for notifications of blog topics, special events and sales on our website. I look forward to sharing this topic with you next week and as always:

Best of Health!

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic

This is not a trick! 

Weight Loss can be a very complex and frustrating situation for the average person. This is because:

·         Metabolism is VERY complex and unique to each and every person

·         The type of calories you consume matters

·         The health of your GI tract matters

For example, those following the ketogenic diet (high fat, low protein, low carbohydrate) tend to lose weight rather quickly as the body is in a state of ketosis, which is its fat-burning mode. The ketogenic diet, which is typically higher in calories, may be helpful for quick weight loss, but it may not be beneficial long-term for supporting the gut microbiome as a high fat diet may negatively affect diversity of microorganisms in the gut.   

Research shows that the gut-brain axis can influence metabolism via many different pathways,and microbes are partly responsible. We know that microbes directly influence the following, mainly through communication with the vagus nerve:

·         Immune system function via cytokine production

·         Short chain fatty acid production (e.g., butyrate)

·         Neurotransmitter production (e.g., serotonin)

There are Mice Studies, But Limited Human Studies

Researchers have revealed some pretty interesting connections between gut microbes and weight, but we don't have many human studies to back up their findings. For instance, if bacteria from obese mice are transplanted into the intestines of germ-free mice (mice bred with a sterile gut, i.e., no gut microbiome), the germ-free mice tend to gain weight. Think about that for a moment. 

What we do know from human trials is lean twins tend to have greater diversity of gut microbes compared to obese twins. What this means is that certain bacteria, like Bacteriodetes, may play a role in the breakdown of dietary fibers and utilization and production of energy by the body.

Findings like these do not necessarily suggest that human fecal microbial transplants from lean people into overweight people will lead to weight loss. These types of studies are being conducted right now, though, so this scenario might be a possibility in the future. 

What about antibiotics?  For example in one animal study,  when mice are administered low levels of antibiotics similar to what livestock receive, they can put on 15% more body fat than mice not given low dose antibiotics. Blaser goes on to explain that in certain areas of the USA, particularly the South where antibiotics are heavily used, the obesity rates are higher. This makes a stronger case for buying organic and pastured-raised animal products to minimize exposure to antibiotic residues. 

Inflammation in the Gut

If you have ever known anyone that's suffered with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, you know keeping weight on can be a problem for them. There are many reasons why IBD can lead to weight loss or the inability to gain weight, but chronic inflammation in the gut is likely the major cause. 

When the gut is inflamed, the cells lining the intestine are more likely to be damaged and absorption of nutrients is affected. As the body does not receive an adequate supply of nutrients from food, basic metabolic functions are disrupted, and muscle growth and fat storage are less likely to occur. When IBD sufferers are given steroids and/or supported through personalized medicine treatments, weight usually stabilizes and tends to return over time. 

Dysbiosis and Sugar Cravings

Dysbiosis is a term used to describe an imbalance of gut flora. It usually indicates an overgrowth of an organism, like yeast or bacteria or even a parasite. Dysbiosis can develop for many reasons such as frequent antibiotic use or chronic stress or poor diet, and I find that many people with chronic gut issues have dysbiosis. 

What I've seen clinically, and experienced personally myself, is that overgrowth of yeast can cause sugar cravings. Yeast throw a party when sugar and simple carbohydrates are present; eating these foods keeps the party going. 

When patients come in and complain of the following constellation of symptoms, I like to rule out bacterial, fungal and/or yeast or candida overgrowth in the intestines, or even SIBO:

·         Sugar and carbohydrate cravings

·         Skin rashes, or pruritus (itching of the skin)

·         Fatigue

·         Brain fog

·         Joint pain

·         Itchy anus

·         Yeast infections

Of course, this presentation of symptoms can be due to other factors, but if I hear all or some of the above symptoms, I'll investigate further by running a stool test and candida antibodies of blood work. Once I've backed up my findings and I'm certain that dysbiosis is present, I'll treat the dysbiosis with antifungal, antibacterial herbs and major dietary changes to change the intestinal terrain. There will also be a reimplantation of the beneficial bacterial strains the patient is deficient in.  Usually within 8 weeks, sugar cravings are down and weight tends to plateau or even decrease as dietary habits improve, as well as many other health markers.

If you have been unsuccessful using conventional methods to achieve weight loss, please give us a call at 847 577 4455.  I know you will be glad you did. 

PS. Many of our clients love this product for the metabolism. 

As always, Best of Health! and Happy Halloween

Dr. Taryn DeCicco 

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After doing some exhaustive research a few months ago, I decided to take a break from fluoride for awhile.  This followed some marginal thyroid hypofunction that I had been wishing to eradicate for many years.

Fluoride has been touted as a risk-free, effective way of preventing tooth decay. Its daily use had been supported by the American Dental Association, World Health Organization, and Center for Disease Control. It is thought to prevent tooth decay by depositing onto teeth during a process called remineralization, a natural process whereby minerals are deposited back onto areas of teeth that have been demineralized (areas of mineral break down). By depositing onto teeth, fluoride is thought to enhance the remineralization process by speeding it up and attracting other minerals, like calcium, to help strengthen teeth. Moreover, fluoride has been shown to inhibit cavity-causing bacteria.

THE HISTORY OF FLUORIDE...

Since the 1940s, the addition of fluoride to the drinking water supplies (termed, ‘fluoridation') became widespread in the United States. This was reported to have drastically lowered the rates of tooth decay. However, over the past decade, fluoridation has come under scrutiny, as evidence emerged that the declining rates of tooth decay may not be related to widespread fluoridated water supply, but rather improved dental hygiene (i.e., consistent daily flossing and tooth brushing). The World Health Organization (WHO) published data on tooth decay trends internationally, and found that tooth decay rates have ‘precipitously declined' in all western countries regardless of whether or not the country fluoridated the water. Moreover, in countries that have abolished fluoridated drinking water, the rates of tooth decay have not increased.

CRITICISM OF FLUORIDE...

In the recent years, fluoridated drinking water has come under ethical scrutiny, as many critics argue that US populations are receiving medical treatment without consent.  Additionally, the appropriate ‘dose' of fluoride intake is difficult to control due to the variation of fluoride levels in various water supplies, as well as its presence in a multitude of foods and products. Moreover, fluoride is not considered to be biologically useful to the human body (there has never been a documented case of ‘fluoride-deficiency').

IMPORTANT HEALTH CONCERNS RELATED TO FLUORIDE...

More concerning was the emerging evidence that fluoride ingestion could be harmful. Excess fluoride was discovered to lead to:

Skeletal fluorosis - a health problem caused by excess accumulation of fluoride in bone, characterized by pain and tenderness of major joints as well as brittle bones and increased risk of bone fractures.

Dental fluorosis - tooth discoloration and pitting- This can easily occur in young children who should avoid ingesting fluoride.

Thyroid dysfunction - fluoride competitively binds to iodine and slows the production of thyroid hormones (Peckham and Awofeso, 2014). This can lead to hypothyroidism, a disorder in which the body produces too little thyroid hormone, which can lead to a multitude of symptoms, including weight gain, depression, fatigue, and cognitive problems.

There is also evidence that supports that chronic fluoride exposure is a possible cause of uterine and bladder cancer (Peckham and Awofeso, 2014).

FLUORIDE TOXICITY CAN HARM THE BRAIN. FLUORIDE TOXICITY HAS BEEN RELATED TO:

1. DECREASED IQ AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN CHILDREN

-A multitude of published studies support that fluoride can harm the developing brain of children. In 2012, Harvard published a meta-analysis of 27 different fluoride studies, and found that fluoride exposure was associated with reduced IQ in children.

-A recent meta-analysis published in 2018 found that greater exposure of children to high levels of fluoride in water was significantly associated with reduced levels of intelligence in children.

-A review published in the Lancet concluded that fluoride is a neurotoxin that damages the developing brain, thus increasing the risk of autism, developmental delay, ADHD, and learning disabilities.

2. POOR SLEEP BY DAMAGING THE PINEAL GLAND       

Fluoride can cross the blood brain barrier (the special protective layer between the blood vessels and the brain) and deposits itself in brain tissue. When fluoride binds to aluminum, another common molecule ingested regularly, it becomes even more permeable to the blood brain barrier and thus can damage neurons more easily.

-The pineal gland secretes a hormone called melatonin, which is important for regulating our sleep patterns. Melatonin is also a potent antioxidant and neuroprotector. Calcification of the pineal gland leads to impaired melatonin secretion. Reduced melatonin can lead to insomnia. Reduced melatonin levels are also observed in various diseases, such as dementia, mood disorders, severe pain, cancer, and diabetes type 2  (Hardeland, 2012).

3. POOR MEMORY AND/OR LEARNING BY DAMAGING THE HIPPOCAMPUS

-Fluoride can induce neuron damage and increase inflammation in rat brains, especially within the hippocampus (Yang et al, 2018). The hippocampus is a region in the brain that allows us to learn and form new memories.

HOW DO I AVOID FLUORIDE TOXICITY?

FOUR EASY TIPS TO AVOID EXCESS FLUORIDE

While topical fluoride has been shown to help prevent dental cavities, excess exposure can lead to harmful health consequences.  How do you minimize your risk of fluoride toxicity? The best way is to limit your exposure to it. It is important to be aware of the commonly used products that contain fluoride, to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of fluoride use, and to make well-informed decisions about the products you use.

1.   AVOID FLUORIDATED WATER

Given the abundant data that reveals an association between fluoride and low IQ in children, this is especially important for women planning a pregnancy or who are already pregnant, and for those with young children.

The CDC website allows you to search your county to identify if it fluoridates the water supply.

If your city fluoridates the water and you make the decision to drink non-fluoridated water, you can purchase a water filter that filters out fluoride. Royal Berkey Water Filter and APEC are both high quality filters, that are recommended by experts but are a bit costly.  If you are looking for a less expensive option, Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher is cost-effective, filters out fluoride, and is also BPA-free.

-You can also, of course just buy bottled water

2.  AVOID NON-STICK COOKWARE

Most non-stick cookware contain fluoride-containing chemicals called fluoropolymers (i.e., Teflon and perfluorooctanoic acid/aka PFOA). While these chemicals make non-stick cookware easier to cook, they are also toxic and are released into the food we cook at high temperatures.  Make sure to read product labels carefully, because products claiming to contain no Teflon can still contain PFOA. Given that the chemicals used in nonstick cookware have also been associated with female infertility, I have avoided non-stick cookware for years, and instead use ceramic, cast-iron, glass, and stainless steel cookware .

3.     CHOOSE TEA WISELY

Who doesn't enjoy a hot cup of tea on a cold winter day? It is important to make informed decisions about the tea you drink. Certain tea leaves absorb a particularly high amount of fluoride from the soil, which can lead to high fluoride levels in tea drinks. But not all teas carry the same risk. Herbal teas and white teas contain the lowest amounts of fluoride, while black, green, and oolong teas have the highest content.  If you drink tea infrequently, I doubt it is an issue but if you consume large quantities it is probably worth rotating your favorites with those lower in fluorides.

AVOID BUYING TEA GROWN IN CHINA

WHERE tea leaves are grown is also important because of the variation of fluoride content of fluoride in different regions.  For instance, green tea from China contains more fluoride than the green tea grown in Japan due to lower fluoride content in Japanese soil. Other areas with high fluoride soil content include Sri Lanka, India, parts of Africa and the Middle East. Also, the age of the tea leaf makes a big difference: the younger the leaves are, the less fluoride content they have been shown to have. Older mature leaves (which also on a side note, have less of the antioxidant EGCG than younger leaves) have up to 20 times more fluoride than younger leaves! The best bet if you want to avoid fluoride and still receive the health benefits of tea is to go with White Tea. If you desire black, green or oolong tea, drink tea from leaves grown in areas with low environmental fluoride (i.e. the US or Japan) or younger tea leaves.

4.     USE FLUORIDE-FREE TOOTHPASTE

There are a few brands that offer this option. My favorite is right here FREE SHIPPING. The toothpaste contains no artificial dyes, sweeteners or flavors, and the taste is pleasant and leaves my mouth feeling just as fresh as regular toothpaste.   I will tell you that after approximately 3 months, I just got the best thyroid panel results I have had…I cannot for certain ascribe it to this lifestyle change as I did a few other helpful things as well but I am sure it has had an impact.  If you are concerned about your dental health sans fluoride, I would ask you to investigate oil pulling.  I think this, if practiced consistently, will do wonders for your dental health.  Here is an article I previously published on the benefits of oil pulling and remineralizing teeth-https://www.apple-a-day-clinic.com/Health_and_Nutrition_Blog?m8:post=regrow-tooth-enamel-and-get-healthier-teeth-with-these-tips. NOTE: I have an entire library of hundreds of articles you can peruse by searching.  Next week join me for a discussion on a Glaucoma breakthrough.  I have treated a few patients naturally and successfully for this chronic disorder and this research has confirmed things I have learned on my own.  SignUP NOW so you don't miss it!   Don't forget to visit our natural pharmacy where we offer hundreds of professional products at great prices with FREE shipping.

If you'd like to try our clinic whether in person or by phone, here is an offer for you but make your appointment by next Tuesday to get the discount.  Call 847-577-4455 to arrange the appointment.  Thank you!

Image Dr. Sam Robbins

 

 

Fall and winter will be upon us shortly and the forecast is that this will be another long, severe one.  I am going to stay positive but already this season, I have seen many clients that are suffering with sick children, spouses and other family members not to mention work and school associates.

Just a few years ago, a medical doctor recommended this product to me as something that would be effective against a very potent strain of intestinal bacteria called Klebsiella.  I see a lot of this in my practice and also discovered this bacteria in my stool culture at that time.  Needless to say, I tried it immediately and was pleased with the results I experienced as well as how gentle it is.  This is a homeopathic silver product so the silver particles are so tiny and reduced in the solution that even infants could ingest this product safely.  This information been confirmed by a third party laboratory.

I do not, and (NEVER have) use colloidal silver in my practice due to risks of metals building up but this product does not pose any risk of that.  This silver hydrolsol product however does not pose that risk. In fact, this product has been endorsed for efficacy and safety by Health Canada and the EU and is categorized in the trace element area.  

I think this is a great product to have in your armamentarium this fall and winter as a great preventive for example while travelling etc. or when your immune system needs a boost. It is also effective taken at the first signs of getting sick.

As a homepathic, a small amount of liquid (between one half and one teaspoon) is ingested and held under the tongue for 30 seconds before swallowing.  I think it is a terrific product and hope you will give it a try-FREE Shipping!   I normally do not devote a blog post to one product but I think this is safe and effective for the vaast majority of people. Should you have questions or concerns please let us know.

Best Of Health.

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Next week,join me for a discussion about glandular medicine and how important it is to the human body and your health.  Sign up! So you don't miss it. Don't forget to visit our store where we offer hundreds of professional products at amazing prices, discounts and FREE shipping. What are you waiting for?

Anxiety may well be the epidemic of our time.

And now, a new human scientific study from Japan has found a significant correlation between panic/anxiety attacks,  and vitamin B6 and iron levels in the blood. [1]

This study indicates that if you get occasional panic attacks marked by episodes of hyperventilation, you may be suffering from a simple deficiency syndrome.

Panic attacks and hyperventilation attacks are serious psychiatric events, and the symptoms occur suddenly without warning  although often they follow a state of chronic anxiety.  Panic attacks are diagnosed by the sufferer experiencing at least four of the following symptoms: palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath.

Numerous other studies have also reported this finding. In this particular study, Vitamin B-6 and Iron were those associated with anxiety symptoms. However, it is worth noting that B vitamins in general are associated with better mental health,in fact, pantothenic acid or B5 is called the anti stress vitamin. Other symptoms of vitamin B deficiency may include agoraphobia, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, and emotional instability. I think it is unwise to supplement with single B vitamins as they work in concert in a constellation of metabolic functions.  Also, supplementing just one can cause deficiencies in the others.

For food sources, pumpkin seeds are a rich source of tryptophan. Other rich tryptophan sources include turkey (responsible for the sleepy feeling after turkey dinner!), grapefruit juice, tuna, eggs, Mozzarella, chia seeds, sesame seeds, pistachios.  Foods highest in B vitamins include brown rice, other whole grains and red meat.  Iron of course is highest in organ meats, soybeans, red meat , cooked oysters and lentils. Iron should NEVER be supplemented without a test establishing need and treatment supervised by a health professional.

Serotonin, the brain's “happiness chemical” is synthesized in the brain and gut from its precursor (“building block”) tryptophan, and it is well established that vitamin B6 and iron each play important roles as cofactors in the synthesis of serotonin in the human body. An additional factor includes obtaining tryptophan, an amino acid, from the diet, of course this is not helpful in cases of intestinal dysbiosis.  I have found a huge correlation between gut dysbiosis or bacterial imbalances and various mood disorders including anxiety and panic.  In fact, it is usually one of the first symptoms of serious gut imbalances along with sleep disturbances and it one of the first symptoms to improve upon embarking on a treatment program.  As a nutritrion specialist and experienced clinician, I will tell you that anxiety and panic can and will manifest due to any and all nutritional deficiencies not just these.  Our nutritional panels often reveal surprising deficiencies…  If you would prefer to take supplements here are two  I recommend  trying  FREE shipping!: Buffalo Liver by Carlson Labs Tri-B-100 by Douglas Labs - Free Shipping If you are going to benefit from these it will not take very long.  Often though, remember anxiety and panic attacks are just symptoms not diseases.  As such, it behooves you to get to the root cause to establish exactly why you are so depleted. For anxiety and panic related to emotional trauma I cannot recommend acupuncture highly enough.

  Please call if I can help!  847 577 4455

As always, best of health!  Next week join me for a groundbreaking discussion about fibromyalgia.  Please Sign UP so you don't miss a thing.  Thank you! 

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Reference:

[1] Low Serum Concentrations of Vitamin B6 and Iron Are Related to Panic Attack and Hyperventilation Attack. (2013) Full study (PDF). http://wwwacta/pdf/67_2_99.pdf.lib.okayama-u.ac.jp/www/

Recently, researchers tested chamomile tea against various laboratory cell lines and found it selectively killed thyroid cancer cells, but did not harm healthy blood cells. There was also a clear dose-response effect, with increasing doses having more powerful anticancer results.

The active chemicals were identified as types of polyphenol known as flavonoid glycosides and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, and the researchers suggested that research was needed in real people, rather than their cells, to assess the full benefits.Later, new study, published in the European Journal of Public Health, has now shown that drinking chamomile tea offers significant protection against both thyroid cancer and benign thyroid conditions such as nodules and autoimmune inflammation like that which occurs in Hashimoto Thyroiditis.

Chamomile tea protect against thyroid disease

In the latest study, Greek researchers compared the chamomile tea intakes of 113 people with thyroid cancer, 286 with benign thyroid diseases and 138 healthy controls with no thyroid problems. The results showed that people who drank chamomile tea two to six times a week, on average, were 70% less likely to develop thyroid cancer and 74% less likely to develop benign thyroid disease than those who drank no chamomile tea at all.

These astonishing results remained even after other potential confounding factors such as age, gender, BMI, smoking, alcohol and coffee intakes were accounted for.

The duration of consumption was also inversely associated with thyroid disease, so that people who'd enjoyed chamomile tisanes for 30 years were almost 80% less likely to develop thyroid problems than those not drinking camomile tea.

Chamomile is an ancient medicine!

I find it fascinating that herbal teas have such a long history of medicinal use in Europe and other countries where this research-Greece was carried out. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, selected chamomile tea to treat fevers and, although we call it German chamomile, its common name comes from the Greek: chamos means ‘ground' and melos means ‘apple' – a name it earned due to its low-growing habit and apple scent.

If chamomile tea is so popular in Greece, could that mean that thyroid disease is less common in that part of the Mediterranean than in other countries where chamomile tea is less traditional and enjoyed less frequently?

Guess what – the Greek incidence of thyroid cancer is right at the bottom of the W.H.O. International league table!

Although the United States doesn't feature on this list, the annual incidence of thyroid cancer among US men and women is 13.5 per 100,000, placing it around the same level as Italy – right at the top.

Many other factors are involved such as following a Mediterranean-style diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, veg, oily fish, olive oil and garlic, as well as sunlight to synthesise vitamin D. But then again, Italy is also a Mediterranean country and features all these healthy foods in their national diet, yet are right at the top of the global list for thyroid cancer incidence. Perhaps chamomile is the missing factor that protects the Greeks from thyroid cancer and other thyroid diseases.  Chamomile has many studied and folk health benefits so I do not see any harm in trying it.  It also works wonders for stress and anxiety.  Since in these studies, benefits are dosage dependent my product below is a very strong version. It is an alcohol tincture and can be used as a tea by steeping for 30 seconds in hot water the alcohol is eliminated.  I do use and prescribe this herb frequently and think great things of it.  REMEMBER we are authorized distributors of all the products we sell and guarantee them to be fresh from the manufacturer and never warehoused.  FREE shipping on all orders!  Next week join me for a discussion about vitamin deficiencies and their links to anxiety and panic disorders!  Sign UP so you don't miss this!  Anxiety is the disease of our time.  Thank you for your business and best of health!

Gardasil, the vaccine for HPV (human papillomavirus), may not be as safe as its backers claim. In fact, Gardasil has been removed from the market in Japan, Denmark and is being removed in Spain.

Judicial Watch has announced it has received documents from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revealing that its National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has awarded $5,877,710 dollars to 49 victims in claims made against the highly controversial HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines. To date 200 claims have been filed with VICP, with barely half adjudicated.

“This new information from the government shows that the serious safety concerns about the use of Gardasil have been well-founded. Public health officials should stop pushing Gardasil on children.” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

The CDC recommends the Gardasil vaccine, made by Merck Pharmaceuticals, for all females between 9 and 26 years to protect against HPV. Furthermore, the CDC says Gardasil is licensed, safe, and effective for males ages 9 through 26 years. 

The facts appear to contradict the FDA's safety statements. The adverse reaction reports detail 26 new deaths reported between September 1, 2010 and September 15, 2011 as well as incidents of seizures, paralysis, blindness, pancreatitis, speech problems, short term memory loss and Guillain-Barré Syndrome. The documents come from the FDA's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) which is used by the FDA to monitor the safety of vaccines.

That's 26 reported deaths of young, previously healthy, girls after Gardasil vaccination in just one year.

In response to the concern about death reports among those who received Gardasil, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) insists  “there was no unusual pattern or clustering to the deaths that would suggest that they were caused by the vaccine.” 

While it is not clear exactly what is causing so many adverse reactions, Gardasil does contain genetically engineered virus-like protein particles as well as aluminum, which can affect immune function.

Further, according to the vaccine manufacturer product information insert, “Gardasil … not been evaluated for carcinogenicity or impairment of fertility.” (2007 [227] p1986 )

In fact, Merck studied the Gardasil vaccine in fewer than 1,200 girls under 16 prior to it being released to the market under a fast-tracked road to licensure. To date, most of the serious side effects, including deaths, that occurred during the pre-licensure clinical trials and post marketing surveillance have been written off as a “coincidence” by Merck researchers and government health officials.

Neurologist Dr. Ian Sutton reported negative neurological side effects from Gardasil. He reported five cases of multiple sclerosis-like symptoms emerging shortly after women received the Gardasil vaccine, noting:

“We report five patients who presented with multifocal or atypical demyelinating syndromes within 21 days of immunization with the quadrivalent human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil. Although the target population for vaccination, young females, has an inherently high risk for MS, the temporal association with demyelinating events in these cases may be explained by the potent immuno-stimulatory properties of HPV virus-like particles which comprise the vaccine.”

From its inception, the use of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines for sexually transmitted diseases has been hotly disputed.  According to the Annals of Medicine: “At present there are no significant data showing that either Gardasil or Cervarix (GlaxoSmithKline) can prevent any type of cervical cancer since the testing period employed was too short to evaluate long-term benefits of HPV vaccination.”

There are more than 100 types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Of them, about 40 types of HPV are sexually transmitted and 15 of these types are most associated with cervical cancers and genital warts in women and men.

HPV vaccines have been illegally administered to millions without informed consent, as the risks rarely disclosed.

Not only are there questions about the safety of the vaccine, there are questions about the need for the vaccine. Over 90 percent of women infected with HPV clear the infection naturally within two years, at which point cervical cells go back to normal.

Meanwhile, Merck is benefitting tremendously from vaccine sales. The vaccine is expected to reach $1 billion in sales next year, and could reach more than $4 billion in sales in five years, according to Wall Street analysts. There are many natural ways to treat HPV infection.  Please see my articles.  We will be following these developments closely.  Next week join me as I discuss a natural treatment for thyroid disease.  Please sign up so you don't miss this leading edge discussion.  Don't forget to visit our new natural pharmacy where we offer hundreds of top natural products at great prices and FREE shipping on each order!  ALL of our products are NEW, fresh and we are authorized distributors so they are much more effective.

Dr. Peter Lind sourced this information for the New York Times and practices metabolic and neurologic chiropractic in his wellness clinic in Salem, Oregon. USA. He is the author of 3 books on health, one novel, and hundreds of wellness articles. His clinical specialty is in physical, nutritional, and emotional stress. He is virtual staff doctor for https://www.thealternativedaily.com/fructosetoxic.html

For more information about HPV Treatment please see the following blog articles:

https://www.apple-a-day-clinic.com/15.html?m8:post=adventures-in-healing-one-woman-s-recovery-from-hpv-and-cervical-dysplasis-naturally

https://www.apple-a-day-clinic.com/15.html?m8:post=tales-from-the-trenches-healing-hpv-and-cervical-dysplasis-naturally

https://www.apple-a-day-clinic.com/15.html?m8:post=vaginal-suppositories-and-their-history-in-treating-hpv-cervical-dysplasia

https://www.apple-a-day-clinic.com/15.html?m8:post=another-big-natural-gun-in-the-hpv-battle

https://www.apple-a-day-clinic.com/15.html?m8:post=this-just-in-this-natural-compound-reverses-hpv-happy-holidays

https://www.apple-a-day-clinic.com/15.html?m8:post=great-news-about-reversing-hpv-cervical-dysplasia-naturally

https://www.apple-a-day-clinic.com/15.html?m8:post=gardasil-hpv-vaccine-firestorm-breaks-out-in-denmark

Outdoors that is!

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA)-93% of our time is spent indoors.  This is really not optimal because s being outdoors is the easiest way to improve our overall health and wellbeing.

A compendium of research suggests strongly that being outdoors functions as a natural health tonic.  It will enable you to improve your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Spending sufficient time outdoors is also linked to a lowered risk of premature death.  It may also enable you to live a happier life.  In my opinion, that aspect is what is probably at the center of the other benefits.  Even a few 5 minute breaks out of doors can have huge, far reaching health benefits.  Here's how to reap the benefits:

1.  Being outdoors makes you happier.  People report big increases in mood as well as decreases in anxiety and depression. No one knows why this is exactly but my theory is that by observing the wellbeing in nature, it floods into our personal experience as well.

2. Improves short term memory.  Again, researchers don't know why but I will postulate that being in nature increases focus, and mindfulness or just being in the present moment. 

3. Stress relief. Time spent outdoors affects the brain similarly as meditation does. Heart rate and blood pressure slow.

4. Lessened inflammation: One recent study showed that students asked to spend time in a forest had less markers of inflammation than those in the city.

5. Higher Energy Levels: According to University of Rochester research, 90% of participants achieved higher energy levels by participating in outdoor activity levels.

6. Heightened creativity: spending more time outdoors is linked to higher creativity, clarity and concentration.

7. Boosts vitamin D: Most everyone knows this but worth a reminder.

8. Improved immune systems: A recent study showed that adults who hiked twice a day for 4 days improved their white blood counts by 40%.

Simple ways to accomplish some time include doing some work outside if working at home, read on your porch or deck, starting a garden, walking outdoors, getting or walking your dog, eating meals outside, taking your kids to the park, and planning some outdoor activities each weekend.  Current research recommends at least 2 hours per week to derive these benefits as a minimum.  Let us know how you are working outdoor time into your lifestyle.

Thanks and Best Of Health!

As we have observed for several years, now researchers are catching up!  Scientists are quickly discovering that gut microbiomes may hold the key to a vast amount of health issues including Parkinson's, ALS, MS and even Autism.  

Researchers at the Weizman Institute of Science in Israel have demonstrated in mice that intestinal microbes, collectively known as the gut microbiome may affect the course of ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. As reported recently in the journal Nature, progressive of an ALS like disease was slowed after mice received specific strains of gut microbes or substances known to be secreted by and the preliminary findings suggest that these findings are likely applicable to humans as well.  

The researchers, while far from declaring a cure for the diseases are optimistic that various means of altering the microbiome may be harnessed for developing new therapeutic options for ALS.

According to other recent research at the institute, gut bacteria abnormalities play a role in motor neurone diseases according to early studies in animals and people.  The research team at the Weizman Institute says its studies suggest that the microbiome alters the brain in MS, autism and Parkinson's disease.   These illnesses are a group of diseases that stop messages from the brain and spinal cord from reaching the muscles.

Following successful interventions in mice, the group has published their research in prestigious journals but are cautious not to imply that they have stopped, cured or reversed the diseases.  There is some early stage work in people as well.  Results showed that differences were found in the microbiomes and nicotinamide in the body suggesting a different metabolism for those people suffering from these illnesses.  More research is planned. 

Curious about your microbiome?  Please check out our array of amazing products and available testing in our natural pharmacy.   FREE shipping on all orders... Even better, visit us for an office or phone appointment.  You can schedule online anytime, or call us at 847 577 4455.  Thank you!   Next week join us as we review the results of the HPV vaccine.  Sign up so you don't miss a thing.

A few weeks ago I noticed something with my hair just wasn't right.  It seemed to lack life, seem dry, and overall bleh...I became concerned because this can be a strong indication of thyroid trouble or iron deficiency anemia which I have experienced in the past.  Then one day, I looked at the new hair products I had been using and said A HA!  Overproteinization!  Too much protein buildup in my products had caused my hair to become dehyrated, frizzy and unruly.  I had never experienced this before. So of course I stopped using those products and started moisturizing like mad but this would wear off by mid day and my hair would become unruly again.  So what do do to restore my hair health?  My hair is long and I really didn't want to cut it all off.

I could wait and ask my hairdresser but I didn't have an appointment for 6 weeks.

Then, inexplicably while researching another topic I came across this information. There might be a simple solution to my dilemma ...

Blackstrap molasses is a by product of the sugar refining process. As part of the boiling process of sugar refining molasses is born. It has the lowest sugar content of any sugar cane product.  Unlike sugar products which actually leach nutrients from the body Molasses is a plethora of nutrients including iron, calcium, magnesium, B6, and selenium.  

Molasses has major benefits to treat anemia, build bones, and help with potassium needs. 

Believe it or not it also defrizzes hair! Even permed, bleached or colored hair. That is the good news.  The bad news is that applying it can be a bit of a challenge like handling a tar baby to apply.  I have found that getting it in your hands, mixing it with warm water and applying over the sink is the least messy way.  You also will need to cover it with a plastic cap and leave on for 15 minutes. I shampooed afterwards and you will need to rinse very well.

After that, voila!  Smooth hair that lasts.  I would guess that about 80 to 90 % of the damage has been resolved in two treatments and the shine and bounciness has returned.  I plan to continue to use this.  It also seems to work for coarse unruly hair like beards or eyebrows in men.

The only caveat I see is that if you suffer from dermatitis or seborrhea or even dandruff the sugar content in this may be enough to aggravate it for a few days. If you have very light natural blonde, bleached or gray hair this may discolor your hair as well.  Otherwise I think this is a great natural treatment once you get the application down.

We have wonderful health and beauty products for sale on our website!  FREE shipping so I hope you will check them ALL out . I hope you will see how easy it is to make purchases on this new website.

Next week, join me for a discussion on what Parkinson's, ALS and MS have in common.  Sign Up so you do miss this leading edge forum.

Best of Health

Dr. Taryn

Did you know that pet's illnesses often mirror that of their owners?  Sometimes they provide a warning in advance of what is to come. I noticed long ago that friends would get pets that would have similar disorders and later on they would present with the same conditions almost as if the pet was a mirror to their internal organs.  Often, after losing pets, they adopt another pet with the exact same health disorders.

In my own case, I wish I had taken my Shiba Tre's anxiety levels more seriously. I was told that “ it was the breed”, but in truth I was much more high strung  back then.  People's anxiety translates easily to their pets.  Recent studies have demonstrated that pets pick up on people's moods, stress levels and even phobias.   In cats, chronic cystitis is frequently related to stress within a household.  It tends to resolve when the stress is alleviated or another home located more suitable to the pet's comfort.

Allergies, too can be consistent from pet to owner on a frequent basis.   If you and your pet have “allergies”, take a look at your home environment.   Secondhand smoke can be a real trigger for allergies and asthma in both humans and pets.  and Pets reacting to smoke can oftentimes be a real incentive for owners to quit.   Cleaning products as well as other household toxins can also be more problematic for pets, at least initially because they are more in the line of fire and also are more sensitive so they will experience adverse events sooner.

If your pet is heavy or is gaining weight better check yourself.   Have you gained some unwanted pounds too? It is no coincidence that obese pets are on the rise just as obesity in people is.  Check your pet's diet, treat intake, including people food and daily activity level.  Show your pets TLC with more activity, preferably outdoors and it will benefit both of you.   Just as in humans, diabetes, heart disease and autoimmune disorders are showing up more frequently in pets.  And, just as in people, the microbiomes in pets are radically altered from optimal when they present with skin conditions, inflammation, and gut problems.  

I am offering a low cost pet nutrition consult for a limited time, just $99. Give us a call at 847 577 4455 to schedule.   Thank you!  Also check out some of our new pet products in our natural pharmacy, FREE shipping. Next week, I am excited to tell you about an all natural way to defrizz hair using something you may already have.  Sign UP below!!!  You may also want to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In or Instagram.  Our YouTube channel will be implemented shortly.

"We have essentially confirmed what many smaller studies have suggested," says Jill Crandall, MD, professor of clinical medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the Bronx, who led the new study. "There is a small but significant risk of developing Vitamin B12 deficiency when people take metformin."

The finding, she adds, ''has implications for the consequences of B12 deficiency." These can include cognitive impairment, nerve problems (neuropathy) and anemia (low red blood cell count). B12 is crucial for the proper formation of red blood cells, for neurological functioning and for making DNA.

The link between taking the popular diabetes drug and deficiencies in vitamin B12 has been discussed as long ago as 1969, according to Dr. Crandall. However, few studies have looked at long term use, as her new study has done, tracking people for up to 13 years.

The new study was published online Feb. 22 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Overview of the Metformin Study

The researchers evaluated more than 2,000 men and women enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program and the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study. In these studies, researchers enrolled overweight people who had prediabetes (blood sugar levels higher than normal but not high enough to be termed diabetes) to see if modest weight loss or treatment with metformin could prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, then followed them to see if the effects endured.

Half of the participants were given 850 milligrams of metformin twice daily and half got placebo pills. At the 5-year mark, more of those in the metformin group than the placebo group had low B12 levels, affecting 4.3% of the metformin group but just 2.3% of the placebo group. However, the gap narrowed at 13 years, with 7.4% of the metformin group and 5.4% of the placebo group having low B12 at that point. The narrowed gap seems counter-intuitive until Dr. Crandall explains what is happening.  "As time goes on, the groups are a little contaminated," Dr. Crandall says, because some in the placebo group, as time went on, developed diabetes and had to begin taking metformin.

Years of use was linked with an increased risk of B12 deficiency, Dr. Crandall found. Those taking metformin were more likely to have anemia, regardless of their B12 status. Those taking metformin with low B12 were more likely to have neuropathy.

The study findings suggest that routine testing of Vitamin B12 should be considered in patients on metformin treatment, Dr. Crandall says. Experts think that metformin affects the way Vitamin B12 is absorbed by the body. "People should be aware of this possibility," Dr. Crandall says of the metformin and low B12 link. Currently, she says, there are no official recommendations for B12 testing of those on metformin. 

Metformin & Vitamin B12: Second Opinion

"I think it lends more support to a practice that is already in place with endocrinologists," says Minisha Sood, MD, director of inpatient diabetes at the Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, of the study findings. She reviewed the research but didn't participate in it.

She screens for Vitamin B12 deficiency in her patients ''at least annually if on metformin."  According to Dr. Sood, many endocrinologists do screen for B12 deficiencies in those on metformin. However, she says, many patients with diabetes who are on metformin are cared for by general practice physicians or internists. These patients should ask their doctor's advice about getting screened for B12 deficiencies, Dr. Sood says. 

B12 Deficiency Symptoms & Treatment 

Symptoms of B12 deficiency may include numbness, tingling in the feet, and memory problems, Dr. Crandall says. Loss of appetite, weight loss and fatigue can occur. The deficiency typically develops slowly over time, so the regular screening could detect it early.

Treatment includes a weekly B12 injection and then switching to oral vitamins. 

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for B12 is 2.4 micrograms for those age 14 and older.  Foods high in B12 include cooked clams and beef liver, fortified breakfast cereals and fish such as salmon and trout. You can also take a sublingual B-12 Lozenge-FREE Shipping. And of course, best practice is to take care of your diabetes and eliminate your need for meds.CALL US to learn more at 847-577-4455.Next week, join me for a discussion about how acupuncture is gaining momemtum for all kinds of health concerns. SIGN up so you don't miss it.  Our new responsive website is nearing completion and I cannot wait for you to see it.

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Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN

Naturopath

Acupuncturist

Clinical Nutritionist

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We specialize in Acne, Skin, and Digestive disorders!  Please contact us for a free consultation!  I do work long distance.  Thank you from the bottom of our cart!  We truly appreciate your product purchases, visits, and referrals!  They enable us to give people the help they need and continue our valuable work.

The FDA has recently issued a warning after assessing reports that have associated certain diets with cardiovascular disease. 

Researchers have found that pet foods with peas, lentils, potatoes and other legume seeds have been linked with instances of canine dilated cardiomyopathy, CDC,  a disease of the heart muscle in dogs. The condition can enlarge the heart, often leading to heart failure.

Although the illness is typically found in larger breeds like Great Danes and Newfoundlands, the FDA said “highly unusual” reports of dogs not vulnerable to the disease have contracted it. 

Diets in cases reported to the FDA frequently list potatoes or multiple legumes such as peas, lentils, other “pulses” (seeds of legumes), and their protein, starch and fiber derivatives early in the ingredient list, indicating that they are main ingredients. Early reports from the veterinary cardiology community indicate that the dogs consistently ate these foods as their primary source of nutrition for time periods ranging from months to years. High levels of legumes or potatoes appear to be more common in diets labeled as “grain-free,” but it is not yet known how these ingredients are linked to cases of DCM. Changes in diet, especially for dogs with DCM, should be made in consultation with a licensed veterinarian.

In the reports the FDA has received, some of the dogs showed signs of heart disease, including decreased energy, cough, difficulty breathing and episodes of collapse. Medical records for four atypical DCM cases, three Golden Retrievers and one Labrador Retriever, show that these dogs had low whole blood levels of the amino acid taurine. Taurine deficiency is well-documented as potentially leading to DCM. The Labrador Retriever with low whole blood taurine levels is recovering with veterinary treatment, including taurine supplementation, and a diet change. Four other cases of DCM in atypical dog breeds, a Miniature Schnauzer, Shih Tzu and two Labrador Retrievers, had normal blood taurine levels. The FDA continues to work with board certified veterinary cardiologists and veterinary nutritionists to better understand the clinical presentation of these dogs. The agency has also been in contact with pet food manufacturers to discuss these reports and to further the investigation.

The FDA encourages pet owners and veterinary professionals to report cases of DCM in dogs suspected of having a link to diet by using the electronic Safety Reporting Portal or calling their state's FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. Please see the link below about “How to Report a Pet Food Complaint" for additional instructions.  I am currently pursuing advanced education in veterinary nutrition and am a pet lover and animal advocate so this is of great interest to me and I am sure to many of you.  Please be exceedingly careful in changing your pet's diet, as pets, just like people are very sensitive to dietary deficiencies.  Feel free to set up a consultation for guidance about your pet's nutritional needs or discuss with your veterinarian.   Next week join me as I discuss a popular diabetes drug that causes vitamin B-12 deficiency.  Sign UP Here.  You can also follow us on our social media pages, links below.  Our 500+ item Natural Pharmacy features brands like: Douglas Labs, Pure Encapsulations, Thorne Research and more.  FREE shipping on every order!  Thanks!

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Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for the best prices and FREE SHIPPING on hundreds of natural products from professional brands like: Metagenics, Douglas Laboratories, Pure Encapsulations, Integrative Therapeutics, Thorne Research, and Carlson Labs!

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN

Naturopath

Acupuncturist

Clinical Nutritionist

Dietitian

Professional Vitamins and Supplements

Chinese Herbs

Natural Skin Products

Arlington Heights, IL

www.apple-a-day-clinic.com

We specialize in Acne, Skin, and Digestive disorders!  Please contact us for a free consultation!  I do work long distance.  Thank you from the bottom of our cart!  We truly appreciate your product purchases, visits, and referrals!  They enable us to give people the help they need and continue our valuable work.

LOCAL TREATMENT (Vaginal Suppositories)- APPLIED TO THE CERVIX in cervical Dysplasia and Cervical Cancers:

Risk Factors for cervical dysplasia or cervical cancers include: multiple sexual partners, young age at first intercourse, unprotected intercourse, HPV, Chlamydia, and HIV, poor immune status, poor nutritional status, smoking, use of oral contraceptives, and more.  The purpose of today's post is to address use of various vaginal suppositories such as green tea suppositories, vag pak, vaginal depletion pack and others in the quest for remission of cervical dysplasia. I receive daily requests for information regarding buying these vaginal suppositories on a daily basis.  Here is a brief history on their use, my recommendations will follow below.

Vaginal Suppositories: Escharotic treatment
The use of escharotic or caustic treatments for epithelial cancers is based on a centuries-old observation that select plant and mineral extracts could be used to treat topical skin lesions. Two small studies show the efficacy of this treatment in reversing cervical dysplasia in women. This treatment is used for CIN I and II after a satisfactory colposcopy is performed and if there is no disease in the endocervical canal and no glandular cells present. Escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia involves the local application of a natural enzyme, bromelain, to the surface of the cervix. This is left in place for 15 minutes with heat applied to activate the enzyme. The protein dissolving properties in bromelain dissolve the top layer of cells on the cervix which are infected and damaged by the HPV virus. A mixture of zinc chloride and a plant (Sanguinaria) is applied to the cervix to cause sloughing of abnormal tissue. Zinc chloride is caustic and acts to disrupt the cellular membrane integrity and the mucus over coating to allow the Sangunaria to penetrate the cells. Sanguinaria has been shown to have anti-neoplastic qualities. The treatment is performed twice per week with at least two days in between treatments for 4-5 weeks. The ZnCl solution is made by a compounding pharmacist.

Vaginal suppository treatment
Vaginal depletion packs have been in use since the 1800s. Vaginal depletion packs, Vag pak, work by the action of the substances within the packs, which draw infection out of the cervical cells and boast the immune system. Each suppository contains: magnesium sulfate, glycerin complex, hydrastis tincture, thuja oil, tea tree oil, bitter orange oil, vitamin-A (as palmitate) 100,000 iu, ferric sulfate,ferrous sulfate in polybase. Hydrastis canadensis is effective against many microbial pathogens, as are the essential oils of tea tree, thuja and bitter orange.Vag Pak suppositories are often used for mild dysplsia and/or high risk HPV.

Green tea suppositories are also effective for cervical dysplasia and HPV. ECGC in green tea was evaluated on cervical epithelial; cells and cervical cancer cells and HPV. Green tea inhibited cancer cell growth, induced apoptosis, decreased gene expression, and cell cycle changes. As mentioned green tea has been shown to be effective against HPV.

Critics of natural medicine say there is no published evidence that these options work or are backed in science. There are several recent published articles explaining the science and patient outcomes. One can be found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19679625

SUMMARY
As a specialist in the area of HPV, cervical dysplasia etc, I feel it is important that a woman be informed of her options for managing cervical health. In my opinion, and clinical experience the very best outcomes occur with an individualized program addressing the patient's immune system, diet and lifestyle factors. The least invasive, most natural, safe and effective treatments that address the cause should be offered. There are times natural medicine is not an exclusive option for treating cervical cell changes due to the severity and location of disease but in many cases naturopathic treatment of cervical dysplasia and HPV is the safest and most effective option. I do not advocate suppositories alone as the condition can and does recur. With the right comprehensive treatment protocol, most of my clients reach remission in 3 to 6 months.  I do work long distance with clients so please feel free to call to schedule an appointment at 847 577-4455.  Thank you!  Next week I will investigate a phenomenon causing deaths of dogs due to pet food. Sign up here for more information and future blog posts.   Don't forget to visit our Natural Pharmacy for great prices, FRESH NEW EFFECTIVE products and free shipping on hundreds of "doctor only"products.We add new products daily. If you'd like us to offer something send us an email at DocTaryn@apple-a-day-clinic.com and I will be happy to add it.  Thanks so much. Our new website is still being developed I appreciate your patience as we perfect it. Thank you!

REFERENCES
1. Synder U. A look at cervical cancer. Medscape OB/GYN & Women's Health. 2003;8(1):1-12
2. Wheeler C. Advances in primary and secondary interventions for cervical cancer: prophylactic human papillomavirus vaccines and testing. Nat Clin Pract Oncol. 2007;4(4):224-235.
3. ACOG.org
4. Wright TC, et al. 2006 consensus guidelines for the management of women with abnormal cervical cancer screening tests. Am J OB/GYN 2007;11:346-355.
5. Wright TC, et al. 2006 consensus guidelines for the management of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or adenocarcinoma-in-situ. Am J OB/GYN 2007;11:340-345.
6. Synder U. A look at cervical cancer. Medscape OB/GYN & Women's Health. 2003;8(1):1-12
7. Weinstein SJ, et al. Low serum and red blood cell folate are moderately, but nonsignificantly associated with increased risk of invasive cervical cancer. J Nutr. 2001;131:2040-2048.
8. Schiff MA, et al. Serum carotinoids and risk of cervical epithelial neoplasia in southwestern American women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2001;10:1219-1222.

Join our weekly health blog for FREE Natural Health tips!

Interested in saving a TON on awesome, professional products with FREE shipping and Volume discounts??? Then:

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for the best prices and FREE SHIPPING on hundreds of natural products from professional brands like: Metagenics, Douglas Laboratories, Pure Encapsulations, Integrative Therapeutics, Thorne Research, and Carlson Labs!

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN

Naturopath

Acupuncturist

Clinical Nutritionist

Dietitian

Professional Vitamins and Supplements

Chinese Herbs

Natural Skin Products

Arlington Heights, IL

www.apple-a-day-clinic.com

We specialize in Acne, Skin, and Digestive disorders!  Please contact us for a free consultation!  I do work long distance.  Thank you from the bottom of our cart!  We truly appreciate your product purchases, visits, and referrals!  They enable us to give people the help they need and continue our valuable work.

Image: WillisOrchardsdotcom

Several studies have confirmed the immune-boosting power of elderberries.

In fact, studies from 2004 and 2009 demonstrated its ability to cut flu duration in half, and in many cases eliminate symptoms within 48 hours.

A more recent 2016 study, shows the berry works similar miracles on colds.

The 2004 study, published in the Journal of International Medical Research, showed that when elderberry extract is used within 48 hours of the onset of the influenza A or B virus, it shortens the duration of flu symptoms by an average of four days.Bottom of Form

Patients received 15 ml of elderberry syrup four times a day for 5 days.

In a 2009 study, published in the Online Journal of Pharmacology, H1N1 and avian flu patients were given four 175-milligram doses of elderberry extract daily.

While a group of patients receiving a placebo showed no improvement or worsening symptoms, those who received the extract “showed significant improvement within 24 hours.”

Fever, headache, muscle ache and nasal congestion were all significantly reduced within 24 hours.

“Within 48 hours of treatment, nearly 90% of the elderberry extract treated patients were either symptom free or had only mild symptoms,” the researchers wrote.

A 2016 study, published in the journal Nutrients, showed elderberry to reduce the duration and symptoms of a cold in air travelers.

Travelers using this herb from 10 days before travel until four to five days after arriving overseas experienced on average a two-day shorter duration of colds and also a significant reduction in cold symptoms.  You need a FRESH,quality product for these benefits. Try ours: FREE Shipping and discover the hundreds of PROFESSIONAL quality natural products we offer online, and at our office.    Next week I will discuss the benefits of vaginal suppositories in the treatment of HPV and cervical dysplasia.  Sign UP and receive notifications of articles by email.  A beautiful, responsive design website is nearing completion. Until then I am unable to publish a calendar for the month.  Our facebook page@appleadayclinic is also available for health tips.  Hope to see orders, visits and referrals from you. Thanks!

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Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for the best prices and FREE SHIPPING on hundreds of natural products from professional brands like: Metagenics, Douglas Laboratories, Pure Encapsulations, Integrative Therapeutics, Thorne Research, and Carlson Labs!

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN

Naturopath

Acupuncturist

Clinical Nutritionist

Dietitian

Professional Vitamins and Supplements

Chinese Herbs

Natural Skin Products

Arlington Heights, IL

www.apple-a-day-clinic.com

We specialize in Acne, Skin, and Digestive disorders!  Please contact us for a free consultation!  I do work long distance.  Thank you from the bottom of our cart!  We truly appreciate your product purchases, visits, and referrals!  They enable us to give people the help they need and continue our valuable work.

Depression and anxiety disorders are on the rise. These emotional problems peak between the ages of 30 and 44, and almost 20% of Americans experience at least one anxiety episode annually.

Environmental and genetic factors are influential, but experts believe that there are also other potential associations and causes of anxiety, like nutrition and diet. They also maintain that there is a growing link between anxiety and gut health.

I have seen countless cases where treating the gut has effectively eliminated depression and anxiety. Scientists have shown that anxious people often suffer from gastrointestinal disorders, and experience symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and irritable bowel syndrome, which are also called ‘co-occurring disorders'.  In fact, in most new client cases involving mental health disorders, I will typically order a microbiology analysis to get to the root cause of their disorders.

Here is how gut health improves mood and help in the case of mental disorders:

Eliminates inflammation, and some scientists believe that depression is an inflammatory disease

Elevate the levels of tryptophan which supports the release of serotonin; the ‘happy hormone'

To boost your mental health and reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety, eat a diet rich in anti-anxiety foods, such as pickles, Korean kimchi, dark chocolate, yogurt or kefir, and Japanese miso.

As part of a complete heath program, you can take high potency probiotics. Probiotics will not in any case rectify intestinal dysbiosis in and of themselves. Also, they might raise the risk of side effects of other drugs, like corticosteroids, antibiotics, diet remedies, and immunosuppressants. So,if you want lasting relief from these disorders I would recommend correcting the root cause. For an appointment please call us at 847 577-4455. This concludes our series for December.  I will publish our new calendar on January 1^st for next month.  Happy New Year! Sign UP so you don't miss a post or Like us on Facebook!  We are looking forward to having a very beautiful website for your ordering convenience.  Visit our Natural Pharmacy for great prices and FREE shipping on hundreds of professional products. Thanks and Happy New Year. Best of Health!

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Interested in saving a TON on awesome, professional products with FREE shipping and Volume discounts??? Then:

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for the best prices and FREE SHIPPING on hundreds of natural products from professional brands like: Metagenics, Douglas Laboratories, Pure Encapsulations, Integrative Therapeutics, Thorne Research, and Carlson Labs!

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN

Naturopath

Acupuncturist

Clinical Nutritionist

Dietitian

Professional Vitamins and Supplements

Chinese Herbs

Natural Skin Products

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Sunlight helps to protect against a wide range of disabling conditions including heart attacks, strokes, asthma, obesity, and multiple sclerosis beside the effects of vitamin D, and has been shown to boost libido and mood.

Exposure to the sun is believed to prompt the body to produce nitric oxide which helps to protect the cardiovascular system, as well as the feel good chemical serotonin; and there is a correlation between more sun and less disease in many conditions such as atherosclerosis.

Karolinska Institutet researchers have concluded that avoiding the sun is just as bad for a person as smoking. Non-smokers who avoided the sun were found to have had similar life expectancy as smokers in the highest sun exposure group.

Dr. Richard Weller of Edinburg University suggests that advice on healthy sun exposure should be reconsidered, publishing a report warning that older individuals in particular need more sun exposure. His team established that sun exposure may lower blood pressure and cut risks for stroke and heart attack due to sun exposure lowering blood pressure by causing blood vessels to widen.

Cambridge University scientists suggest that sunlight alters gene behavior, showing the expression of 28% of the genetic make-up varies from season to season. Researchers reported activity of anti-inflammatory genes increase in summer, and sunlight may prompt the body to shut down inflammatory responses.

Sunlight may even help to keep the body slim and healthy according to a team of researchers from the Universities of Edinburg and Southampton, results show that ultraviolet radiation may suppress development of obesity and symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

People tend to feel happier when exposed to the the sun. Research shows the main wavelength of light in sunlight helps to stimulate sensors in the retina which regulate the body clock, that in turn regulates the amount of melatonin the body releases, disruption of which is linked to depression, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Those who live in sunnier climates do have more skin cancer, but there is no proof that sunlight shortens life. Epidemiology studies suggest overall those who get more sunlight tend to live longer despite getting more skin cancer.

Avoiding sunlight or using sunblock constantly could be a new risk factor for heart disease. However it is not recommended to spend hours sunbathing. Sunscreen should still be used sparingly so as to not block out all of the benefits of sunlight. Vitamin D3 influences healthy telomere length. The sun appears to be a double edged sword as the right amount is beneficial but too much or too little is not.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer representing about three quarters of all skin cancer deaths. New studies now suggest avoiding the midday sun will decrease risk of sunburn, but it can increase risk of cancer.

Optimal time for sun exposure turns out to be between 10AM and 2PM as you will need shorter exposure time, and when the sun gets lower in the sky UVB is filtered out more than UVA; UVA is correlated with wrinkles and melanoma while UVB is what produces vitamin D.

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A study published this week in the journal Cell follows multi-generation immigrants from Southeast Asia to the United States. As they moved, their gut microbes responded. Once in the United States, the immigrants' gut diversity dropped to resemble the less-varied microbiomes in European Americans. At the same time, obesity rates spiked.

“We found that moving to a new country changes your microbiome,” said Dan Knights, a computational microbiologist at the University of Minnesota and an author of the paper. “You pick up the microbiome of the new country and possibly some of the new disease risks that are more common in that country.”

 In the United States, immigrants in the study ate foods richer in sugars, fats and protein. Microbiomes changed within months of moving. “People began to lose their native microbes almost immediately after arriving in the U.S.," Knights said. “The loss of diversity was quite pronounced: Just coming to the USA, just living in the USA, was associated with a loss of about 15 percent of microbiome diversity.”

Obesity rates among many of the study immigrants increased sixfold. Those who became obese also lost an additional 10 percent of their diversity. “And the children of immigrants,” Knights said, “had yet again another 5 to 10 percent loss.”

As microbial diversity decreases, the risk of diseases such as obesity and diabetes increases. “It's been known from previous studies that people in developing nations tend to have more gut microbiome diversity and lower risk of metabolic diseases,” Knights said. “It was also known that moving from a developing nation to the U.S. increases your risk of those diseases.” But no one had tested whether the microbiome changed after immigration, too.

 “The association made between changes in dietary factors, toward a more ‘Westernized' nutritional diet, and the loss of bacterial diversity” was “particularly striking,” said Eran Elinav, who studies the human microbiome at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. (In 2014, Elinav and his colleagues reported that traveling to distant time zones by plane alters the microbiome, as though the germs were jet-lagged.)

But changes in diet were slower than changes in microbiome, suggesting factors beyond American food were at play. “We found that diet alone wasn't enough to explain the rapid Westernization of the microbiome,” Knights said — differences in drinking water and antibiotics possibly contributed as well.

The new study supports hypotheses that Western lifestyle influences the microbiome. Industrialization is correlated with a drop-off: Indigenous South American people, for instance, have about twice as many species in their guts, compared with a person in the United States.

  “We have known from some small, not well controlled studies that the microbiome does change — and we have known for many years that adopting a Western lifestyle is associated with an increase in disease,” said microbial ecosystem expert Jack Gilbert, director of the University of Chicago's Microbiome Center, who was not involved with the current study. “This brings those two concepts together.”

Knights and his colleagues examined microbiomes in stool samples from more than 500 women. Two ethnic groups from Asia, the Hmong and Karen people, represent a large portion of immigrants in Minnesota. (Men were not included, because substantially more women from these communities moved to the state.)

Some Hmong and Karen women in this study lived and remained in Thailand. Others were first- and second-generation U.S. immigrants. To get a before and after snapshot, researchers also took microbiome samples from 19 Karen women before their departure and after their arrival. The scientists compared all of these microbiomes with those of 36 European Americans born in the United States.

  The dominant species in the gut changed from strains of bacteria called Prevotella to a group of bacteria called Bacteroides. Prevotella bacteria produce enzymes that digest fibrous foods more common in Asia than the United States. In Thailand, the women ate more palm, coconut, a fruit called tamarind and the bulbous part of a plant named konjac.

“The diet analysis is as good as it can be for any populations. Yes, lifestyle factors could influence these trends, but the trends we observe could easily be explained by diet changes,” Gilbert said.

"We know from studies in animals that having the wrong set of microbes can cause obesity,” Knights said. In pioneering work at the Washington University in St. Louis, scientists took germs from obese women and transplanted the microbes into healthy mice. Those mice grew heavier, even when they ate the same food as their lean rodent equivalents.

  The authors of the current work, though, do not have evidence the microbial changes directly increased obesity risk in immigrant women. It is possible that a Western lifestyle leads to obesity while the microbiome independently adjusts. Or a sequence of events could occur: A new diet and lifestyle leads to different microbes, and those microbes, as the mouse studies suggest, have a direct effect on obesity. For the time being, no “formal proof” exists to link microbiome alterations to human disease, Elinav said.

Knights suspects these patterns hold for people elsewhere across the world who adopt Western countries or lifestyles as their own. “Because we were able to confirm the same findings in two different ethnic groups, we expect that we would see something similar happening in the other immigrant groups,” he said. But, as always, future research will show whether this prediction rings true.  Sources for this article include the Journal Cell and the Washington Post.  If you would like to learn about your microbiome, please contact me for an appointment at 847 577-4455. To learn more about stool testing click this link.   May I also suggest our highly regarded Maxbiotic, and other top quality probiotics available from our store-FREE shipping!  We sell hundreds of professional quality products from brands such as Metagenics, Thorne, Pure Encapsulations and much more at GREAT prices, and are authorized distributors.  Our new website is being updated as we speak and it is GORGEOUS!  You will love it!  Next week discover the health risks of too little sunshine!  SignUP! 

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A  NEW study published in the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology found that children born via C-Section have a higher risk of developing food allergies, compared to babies born through a natural birth.

The study looked at one million children born between 2001 and 2012 in Sweden, and discovered that 2.5% of those kids were diagnosed with a food allergy later in life.

Among those children, a majority of them were born via cesarean section, making babies born via this delivery method 18% more likely to develop a food allergy, while babies born via an emergency C-section 21% more at risk.

That's not the only thing researchers discovered about C-section births...

Mothers who had asthma and pulmonary disease while pregnant were also more likely to have offspring that developed food allergies later in life.

Now, it's clear that the way a child is delivered has a strong impact on the development of their immune system.

"It has previously been implied that mode of delivery is a significant determinant of postpartum adaptation of the immune system," the authors explain. "Cesarean delivery seems to delay and alter the development of the offspring's immune system, subsequently increasing the risk of [allergic] disease[s]."

1 in 5 children in the U.S. currently are obese according to Wikipedia.

Other health issues that C-section births have been linked to are: obesity, asthma, diabetes, and other chronic health problems.  

"To me, that evidence says that it is reasonable to believe that cesarean sections have the potential for long-term adverse health consequences for children," Jan Blustein, from New York University's Wagner School, said in her study on C-section births.  This should be discussed with your OB-GYN before making decisions as to birthing method. Next week join me for a discussion about: the American diet and what it does to gut microbes. SignUP right here so you don't miss a thing. You can also follow Apple-A-Day Clinic on instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Linked in!  Did you know we offer hundreds of professional products right here on our website. With FREE shipping and discounts from 10-20%?  Shop Now!  Gift Certificates available.

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Rising levels of carbon dioxide could make crops less nutritious and damage the health of hundreds of millions of people, research has revealed, with those living in some of the world's poorest regions likely to be hardest hit.

Previous research has shown that many food crops become less nutritious when grown under the CO2 levels expected by 2050, with reductions of protein, iron and zinc estimated at 3–17%.

Now experts say such changes could mean that by the middle of the century about 175 million more people develop a zinc deficiency, while 122 million people who are not currently protein deficient could become so.

In addition, about 1.4 billion women of childbearing age and infants under five years old will be living in regions where there will be the highest risk of iron deficiency.

Among other problems, zinc deficiencies are linked to troubles with wound healing, infections and diarrhoea; protein deficiencies are linked to stunted growth; and iron deficiencies are tied to complications in pregnancy and childbirth.

“This is another demonstration of how higher CO2 could affect global health that may not be as well recognised,” said Dr Matthew Smith, co-author of the study from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. “Continuing to keep up our vigilance around reducing CO2 emissions becomes all the more important because of this research.”

Writing in the journal Nature Climate Change, Smith and co-author Samuel Myers, also from Harvard, describe how they drew on data from a host of sources, including figures from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, to explore food supply in different countries. In total Smith and Myers looked at 225 different foods including wheat, rice, maize and specific vegetables, roots and fruits.  This is a very serious situation. The world is becoming so volatile there is no telling what is next.  Support the environment in your political decisions.  Visit our store for GREAT prices and FREE shipping on hundreds of professional products. Gift certificates available. Gift health this year! This concludes our series for November. SignUP! to receive our upcoming topics.  Thanks!  We will post our new calendar on Monday.  Sources for this article include Nature Climate Change and the Guardian.

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How Your Gut Affects Your Joints

Many people who experience different types of joint pain try to find a “fast fix” by masking the pain with drugs or topicals. These are only temporary solutions. Though it is true that some types of arthritis in joints have no cure, don't lose hope. The origin of the problem may be in your gut.

Someone who is experiencing a form of leaky gut syndrome will often experience the spread of inflammation and toxicity. When toxins, bacteria, undigested food particles, and other pollutants escape through the damaged walls of your gut, they will find new places to wreak havoc. If you have a tendency toward inflammation in your joints, this could be a problem for you. Recent studies have connected leaky gut syndrome to rheumatoid arthritis. So, if you're having issues in your joints, you may be focusing on the wrong spot in your search for a solution.

Thankfully, there are ways to work on healing your gut so that your health can be restored. One of the most important steps to take in reestablishing healthy gut flora is having a digestive analysis.  Many bacterial infections begin in the gut and migrate to the joints causing different forms of arthritis.  Generalized inflammation also wreaks havoc on joint health.  Foods that help gut health are:

·         Sauerkraut

·         Yogurt

·         Cottage Cheese

·         Kefir

·         Whey

·         Kimchi

·         Natto

·         Tempeh

·         Fermented tofu

What Are the Different Types of Arthritis?

Translated directly from the Greek, arthritis means “inflammation of the joint,” and it comes in many forms. Here are forms of arthritis you should know:

Osteoarthritis Joint Pain

This is the most common form of arthritis in joints, referring to the “wear and tear” you usually develop in your fifties or older.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Joint Pain

This type of arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. In this case, the thin membrane that lines the joints is the tissue that is being targeted, resulting in pain and inflammation. Unfortunately, since this is an autoimmune disease, it can only be managed—not cured.

Gout Joint Pain

People who have high uric acid crystals in their blood may develop this type arthritis. The acid can form small, sharp crystals in a joint that can cause severe pain, soreness, and inflammation.

Bursitis Joint Pain

This joint pain comes from an inflamed bursa which is a sac-like structure that contains fluid you need to lubricate areas like a muscle or tendon that rubs over a bone or another muscle. Many people experience this pain in joints like their shoulder or knee.  

How to Relieve Joint Pain Naturally

If  you're experiencing joint pain, I'd recommend figuring out the origin of the problem first. In addition to that, here are some natural ways to relieve joint pain:

Rehydrate Your Joints

Joints are enclosed capsules that need fluid, making dehydration an often-forgotten issue. I recommend drinking at least six to eight cups of water a day as a way to help joint pain.

Diet: Foods that Reduce Inflammation

I recommend filling your diet with foods that reduce inflammation. Some of these include:

·         Fruits (kiwi, cherries, papaya)

·         Vegetables (broccoli, leeks, onions

·         The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric make it an effective supplement for alleviating symptoms of joint pain and stiffness. Preliminary cell studies propose that the curcuminoids in turmeric work to stimulate an anti-inflammatory response by hindering the expression of the COX-2 "pain" enzyme.  One, I often used is linked above. FREE shipping!

Taking oral supplements can help reduce joint discomfort throughout the body. I recommend starting with 2-3 capsules a day. If you want to treat specific joints, you can apply turmeric topically. To make the topical paste, mix two tablespoons of turmeric powder and one tablespoon of lime juice. To this mixture, add a small amount of boiling water to help form a uniform thick paste.

Exercise: These are some of the best exercises for joint pain relief:

·         Moving the joint under water in a heated bathtub, or hot tub, etc.

·         Stretching

·         Walking

There is a lot of research on Hyalauronic Acid for joint pain.  Quite a few oral hyaluronic acid supplements have been shown to help in the treatment of arthritic joints—though they are quite expensive, we offer hefty discounts and FREE shipping. Collagen powder may also work for some people.  They are made from the same compounds found in bovine (cattle) and properly processed shark cartilage which can help repair and protect numerous joints throughout the body.  Acupuncture is a GODSEND for managing many types of arthritis.  Please call me at 847 577-4455 if I can be of any assistance with these ailments.   Best of Health and Happy Thanksgiving.  Nexr week we will how explore the ways climate change is causing nutritional deficiencies. SignUP! So you don't miss anything.  ALSO: Don't forget to visit our store, a redesign is under way and I KNOW you will be delighted with it.

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For most people, taking the “typical” OTC  probiotic supplement doesn't result in any side effects because most products don't really do anything after an hour or so due to the actuality that the good bacterias are destroyed by stomach acids and other biochemical factors in the GI system. If you have a pristine gut that just needs good flora, for example, if you just came off of antibiotics after being very healthy… you may only experience higher energy and better digestive health. But for some—particularly those whose gut bacteria has been out of balance for years—there can be a real tug of war in the gut where many existing symptoms like gas, bloating, loose stools and or constipation are exaggerated.

This aspect of taking probiotics isn't often discussed, which is unfortunate. Many people look at their worsening symptoms and conclude that not only is the supplement not working as expected, but it's actually making their situation worse. Consequently, they just stop taking the product.  If you cannot tolerate a good probiotic supplement due to worsening symptoms, you owe it to yourself to address the underlying trouble which is intestinal dysbiosis. Contact a specialist, such as myself, for assistance in testing your gut and receiving a treatment program that will address these complexities.   Intestinal dysbiosis refers to other bacterias that have taken up residence in the gut displacing the beneficial bacterias that should be there.  These must be removed in order to “grow” a good, healthy microbiome.

If you're experiencing probiotic side effects, please understand that while the symptoms may be inconvenient (and, I'll admit, occasionally embarrassing), they also are a dramatic sign that your gut needs attention!

The normal pH (the acidity/alkalinity scale) of the colon should be between 6.7 and 6.9. A pH of 7.0 is neutral; anything below that is acidic and anything above is alkaline. To inhibit pathogenic bacteria and encourage the growth of good gut bacteria, your colon needs to be slightly acidic.  Hypochlorhydria or low stomach acid is also a factor that frequently co exists with intestinal dysbiosis.

Stress, antibiotics, chlorine in the water supply, drugs (prescription and over the counter), are factors that wipe out gut bacteria and make the environment of the colon more alkaline. When you start taking a probiotic supplement, these newly introduced friendly bacteria change the pH to become more acidic—a much more hospitable environment for them. This can be a struggle in the beginning because the other bacteria are so firmly entrenched. I find that it isn't much of a struggle if the pathogenic bacterias are treated concurrently.

If not, the colon's pH changes from alkaline to acidic and the good and bad bacteria go through a type of war, whereas some people may begin to experience grumblings, pain,  gas, loose stools, or other uncomfortable bowel symptoms.

How long this lasts can vary from individual to individual. For example, if you're taking antibiotics or other drugs that kill good gut bacteria, the transition could take a long time or may never even happen. Common medications such as painkillers, analgesics, steroids, anti-inflammatories, sleeping pills, birth control pills, antacids, vaccines, and many others either kill or interfere with the growth of beneficial flora. If you can eliminate or, at the very least, minimize these drugs, you will have a much better chance of restoring your bowel flora to normal.  Some highly stressed individuals suffer the same plight.

Discontinuing the probiotic may get rid of your worsening symptoms, but it won't give your good bacteria a chance to take over.  And,  you won't experience the health benefits associated with a healthy colon.  Leave that to an expert, like myself, you will be glad you did!  Contact us for an office or phone appointment at 847 577 4455.  You can also email at doctaryn@apple-a-day-clinic.com, or fill out our new patient inquiry form on the appointment button.  Next week, I will discuss ways to lower your blood pressure naturally.  SignUP so you don't miss a thing.  and please, as always,  visit our store for great prices on hundreds of natural products. FREE shipping on every order!   Wishing you all a healthy week!

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Depression is now a global epidemic.  It is the main factor behind suicide, which now claims more than a million lives per year worldwide. One in four Americans will suffer from clinical depression within their lifetimes, and the rate is increasing with every generation.

It robs people of sleep, energy, focus, memory, sex drive and their basic ability to experience the pleasures of life, says author of The Depression Cure Stephen Ildari. It can destroy people's desire to love, work, play and even their will to live.  If left unchecked it can cause permanent brain damage.

Depression lights up the pain circuitry of the brain to such an extent that many of Ildari's psychiatric patients have called it torment, agony and torture. “Many begin to look to death as a welcome means of escape,” he said in a Ted Talks presentation.

But depression is not a natural disease. It is not inevitable. Ildari argues, like many diseases, depression is a disease of civilization. It's a disease caused by a high-stress, industrialized, modern lifestyle that is incompatible with our genetic evolution.

Depression is the result of a prolonged stress-response, Ildari said. The brain's “runaway stress response” – as he calls it – is similar to the fight or flight response, which evolved to help our ancestors when they faced predators or other physical dangers. The runaway stress response required intense physical activity for a few seconds, a few minutes, or – in extreme cases – a few hours.

“The problem is for many people throughout the Western world, the stress response goes on for weeks, months and even years at a time, and when it does that, it's incredibly toxic,” Ildari said.

Living under continually stressful conditions – as many modern humans do – is disruptive to neuro-chemicals like dopamine and seratonin, which can lead to sleep disturbance, brain damage, immune dysregulation and inflammation, Ildari says.

Civilization is the disease

Epidemiologists have now identified a long list of other stress-related diseases as “diseases of civilization” – diabetes, atherosclerosis, asthma, allergies, obesity and cancer. These diseases are rampant throughout the developed world, but virtually non-existent among modern-day aboriginal peoples.

In a study of 2000 Kaluli aborigines from Papua New Guinea, only one marginal case of clinical depression was found. Why? Because the Kaluli lifestyle is very similar to our hunter-gatherer ancestors' lifestyle that lasted for nearly 2 million years before agriculture, Ildari said.

“99.9 percent of the human experience was lived in a hunter-gatherer context,” he added. “Most of the selection pressures that have sculpted and shaped our genomes are really well adapted for that environment and that lifestyle.”

In view of nearly 3 million years of hominid existence, since homo habilis first began use of stone tools, our genus has undergone rapid environmental change since the advent of agriculture about 12,000 years ago. And in the last 200 years, since the industrial revolution, our species has had to cope with what Ildari calls “radical environmental mutation.”

While our environment has radically mutated, our human genome is essentially the same as it was 200 years ago, Ildari says. “That's only eight generations. It's not enough time [for significant genetic adaptations].”

“There's a profound mismatch between the genes we carry, the bodies and brains that they are building, and the world that we find ourselves in,” he said. “We were never designed for the sedentary, indoor, socially isolated, fast-food-laden, sleep-deprived frenzied pace of modern life.”

The Cure

Though he's not entirely opposed to medication, Ildari says we can throw all the drugs in the world at the depression epidemic, and it won't make a dent.

Anti depressant use has gone up 300 percent in the last 20 years, but the rate of depression has continued to increase. One in nine Americans over age 12 is currently taking an antidepressant, and one in five have been on them at some point.

The answer, Ildari says, is a change in lifestyle. He advocates 6 things:

1. Exercise

2. Omega 3 Fatty Acids-FREE shipping

3. Sunlight

4. Healthy Sleep

5. Anti-ruminative activity..IE: Meditation

6. Social connection

In his presentation, he emphasized the importance of exercise and social connection, as they are two of the hardest parts of the program for modern Americans to achieve.  Source for this Article: ReturnToNow.  Next week, join me for a simple solution for better sleep. Sign Up so you don't miss a thing.  Visit our STORE for FREE shipping and major discounts on hundreds of professional products.  Thanks!

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Did you know that there is a country with the lowest infant mortality rate, highest life expectancies, that has banned several vaccines mandatory in the United States? I didn't either…Read on for the important facts…

Japan has the lowest infant mortality rate following their ban on mandatory vaccinations, and they urge other countries to follow this firm stance

The citizens of Japan are statistically proven to be the healthiest and achieve the highest life expectancy of any people in the world. This country also has the lowest infant mortality rate on the planet. It may therefore, come as no surprise to many that the Japanese Government hasbanned a number of vaccines that are currently mandatory in the United States Japan also has strict regulations in place for other Big Pharma drugs and vaccines in general. Japan's anti-vax policies have long been criticized by vaccine pushers in the US who claim that vaccinating the public “promotes health.”

However, Japanese people live longer, healthier lives than Americans, with babies born in the US twice as likely to die in infancy than those born in Japan. It's clear to see that Western nations have a lot to learn from the Japanese when it comes to their approach to vaccinations and issues facing public health. The Japanese are vaccine sceptics, to put it simply, and due to adverse reactions suffered by Japanese children, have banned many vaccines.

The Japanese are well educated on the dangers of over-vaccinating their children and oppose the use of multi-shot vaccinations such as the MMR vaccine. Following a record number of children developing adverse reactions, including meningitis, loss of limbs, and even sudden death, the Japanese government banned the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine from its vaccination program, despite facing serious opposition from Big Pharma.

Despite the fact that it has been blamed in vaccine courts for causing autism, supporters still deny the correlation between the MMR vaccination and skyrocketing rates of autism spectrum disorder, which now affects at least one in 45 children, and even higher rates of diagnosis among boys. However, the vaccine carries other serious risks in addition to the autism links, which has led to an outright ban of MMR jab in Japan.

The MMR Vaccine's Troubling History in Japan

The MMR vaccine was introduced in Japan in April 1989, and parents who refused the compulsory vaccine were fined. After three months of analysis, officials realized that one in 900 children developed adverse reactions to the vaccine, a rate that was 2,000 times higher than expected. Officials had hoped to resolve the problem by switching to another version of the vaccine, but the excessive amount of adverse reactions persisted, with one in 1,755 children affected.

Testing of 125 children's spinal fluid determined that the vaccines had entered one child's nervous system, with two additional suspected cases. Four years later, in 1993, the government removed the MMR mandate against measles and rubella.

A doctor from Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare admitted that the separate, individual doses of measles and rubella cost twice as much to administer and he defended the decision, stating, “but we believe it is worth it.” Furthermore, a member of the health ministry also stated that the ban has not caused an increase in deaths from measles. Japanese officials were also concerned about the MMR vaccine causing additional cases of mumps, citing numerous studies in The Lancet. Mumps and Hepatitis B vaccines are not part of the National Immunization Program in Japan.

Twice as many infants die in America than in Japan

What most parents don't know about the MMR Vaccine is the list of adverse reactions.  Side effects to the MMR vaccine, straight from Merck's vaccine package inserts, are long and alarming. A shortened version of the vaccine damage associated with the MMR vaccine includes: vomiting, diarrhoea, anaphylaxis, ear pain, nerve deafness, diabetes, arthritis, myalgia, encephalitis, febrile seizures, pneumonia, and death.

Consequences of vaccinations are vastly under-reported

As acknowledged by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The National Vaccine Information Center estimates that less than one to ten percent of adverse reactions to vaccines are reported. Many of the numbers reported above could, therefore, be multiplied by one hundred to determine a more accurate amount of adverse reactions.

The people of Japan put children s health before big pharma profits and also take a protective stance against other Vaccines. The flu vaccine has also been the subject of controversy in Japan after 100 deaths occurred from the vaccine by the end of 2009.

Japan's health ministry has been criticized for its cautious stance against vaccines, but so far, government officials have wisely defended their position, citing public safety as the paramount concern. Finally, the Japanese government has also taken a protective stance against vaccines on behalf of its young girls, suspending the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine in 2013 after numerous cases of serious adverse events were reported, with one report citing as many as 1,968 adverse events, 358 of which were classified as serious. Japanese officials were MORE concerned about the well-being of their young citizens, despite having invested $187 million in the program.

Damage payments to only a fraction of the victims who have suffered adverse reactions to the HPV vaccine have reached $6 million. Additionally, since 2011, at least 38 infants have been reported to have died after they had been vaccinated against Haemophilus influenza B and Streptococcus pneumonia, according to records compiled by the health ministry in Japan.

Japanese Officials Speak Out

Japan has been criticized for being behind the times when it comes to vaccination. Vaccine advocates claim that Japan has not kept pace with other developed countries regarding the use of vaccines. Despite listing 110 infectious diseases in a government registry, Japan offers vaccines for only 22. Some Japanese health experts disagree, however. Hiroko Mori, a vaccine researcher, is one of those experts. He was the former head of the infectious disease division at Japan's National Institute of Public Health. He has noted that Japan has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world and has advocated for fewer vaccines, stating that the country's excellent sanitation and nutrition has boosted children's health: He states:

“Medicine is supposed to be about healing, but babies who cannot speak are being given unnecessary shots because parents are scared. Children are losing their ability to heal naturally. “There are so many people who have suffered side effects. All we are asking is to establish the right to say ‘no.' The right to choose should be recognized as a fundamental human right.”

Tetsuo Nakayama, Dean of Kitasato University's Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, is an expert who supports vaccines, but he, too, acknowledges the risks of vaccination, stating that: “There is no guarantee that your child will not be that one out of 1,000. You have to compare the risks between the side effects and what will happen if you are infected with the disease naturally… Under the existing law, the decision to vaccinate your child or not is basically left up to the parents, but there is not enough information out there for them to make an informed decision.”

Masako Koga, a former representative of the Consumers Union of Japan, has shared his concerns about the ulterior motives behind mass vaccination programs: “Vaccines should only be given to those who need them but that is not happening. The global industry is being driven by a strategy that promotes VPD [vaccine preventable diseases].

“We must put a stop to it. Vaccines have close ties to funding. From development to circulation to research on side effects, there are a lot of vested monetary interests involved.”

He also summarised what motivates many parents' decisions not to vaccinate their children: “There is no knowing who will suffer side effects as a result of vaccination. [Proponents of vaccination] say the chance of suffering a side effect is 1 in a million. For parents, however, that one is everything.”

Conclusion

Japanese officials have made the decision that the health and safety of their citizens comes first and so have removed vaccines with dangerous side effects from their national vaccination program. Japan boasts a low infant mortality rate, despite — or perhaps because of — mandating only a fraction of the vaccines required by other developed countries, including the United States. Has your child suffered an adverse reaction to the MMR vaccine or the HPV vaccine, both of which have been removed from Japan's national vaccination program?

More than 9 billion US dollars have been awarded for vaccine injuries alone last year in the USA and consider that  those are the ones that could afford to take the time and vast sums of money needed to take a case through our entire legal system. 

If you have concerns about vaccines PLEASE, schedule an appointment to discuss...there ARE ways to mitigate side effects. Thanks!  847 577 4455.   Take advantage of our fall intro special,AND:Don't Forget to Visit our Store: FREE shipping on all our AMAZING products!  NEXT WEEK,  Join us for a discussion about Depression and WHY it has become an epidemic...You DON'T want to miss this so SIGN UP HERE!                

Sources: Healing Oracle: Pubmed.gov,  NCBI & Neon nettle 

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Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN

Naturopath

Acupuncturist

Clinical Nutritionist

Dietitian

Professional Vitamins and Supplements

Chinese Herbs

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www.apple-a-day-clinic.com

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