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August 7th, 2014 at 6:04 pm

Photo: Courtesy OasisDiscussions.ca

 

About 90% of Cervical Dysplasia have been linked to HPV infection.  Dr Tori Hudson, Naturopathic Physician, Clinician, and Author of the Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine has researched and published most of the natural protocols for reversing this disorder.  I am currently formulating a supplement protocol based on her research and clinical experience as well as my own.  They will be available on this website within the next 30 days and will eliminate the difficulty,(and expense) for patients having to piece together various products, and taking multiple pills each day.  We will cover those protocols in a forthcoming article next month when the products are available.
 
Today, we will cover a very important breakthrough in the HPV/Cervical Dysplasia battle: Green Tea:
 
According to Dr. Hudson: Green Tea in suppository form is an important ally in this disorder. On Dr Hudson's Blog she states:
 
 
"Perhaps the most encouraging of the studies was an investigation of the clinical efficacy of green tea extracts delivered vaginally and/or orally in patients with HPV infected cervical lesions. Fifty-one patients with cervical lesions ranging from chronic cervicitis, mild dysplasia, moderate dysplasia and severe dysplasia were divided into four groups as compared with 39 controls. A green tea polyphenol vaginal product was applied locally twice a week to 27 patients. 20 of the 27 patients using the vaginal green tea product showed a response. An oral 200 mg EGCG capsule was taken orally every day for eight to 12 weeks in six patients and three out of the six showed a response. Group three consisted of eight patients using the vaginal product and the oral capsule. Six of eight showed a response. Group 4 consisted of 10 patients using a higher dose EGCG capsule (amount not stated). Six out of the 10 patients with this higher dose EGCG oral capsule only, showed a response. Overall, 35 of 51 (69%) response rate was noted for the green tea products compared with a 10% response rate in the untreated controls. The mechanisms involved appear to be apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, modification of gene expression and anti-tumor effects, specifically, inhibition of cell proliferation. These results demonstrate green tea extracts in the form of a vaginal delivery and an oral capsule are effective strategies for treating cervical lesions."
 
 
It is important that clients wishing to use these, do so with their health providers approval.  It is also extremely important that the client follow up regularly for pap smears etc.  We have a variety of professional products for sale for this disorder. There are also other educational articles I've written as a resource for you right here: a post about one woman's recovery from HPV, and two others: Second: another post about healing HPV naturally and third: another post about healing HPV naturally!
 
 
 
 
The almost 70% response rate of the Green Tea Suppository users is very important information and we are happy to share this good news with you.
 
I look forward to bringing you additional help in the next month.
 

 

 

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for top 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

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.

Views:
16246
July 23rd, 2014 at 5:48 pm

Image Courtesy: MNN.com

 

Waaaay back in 1997 while still a graduate student, I learned firsthand about treating autistic children by treating a good friend's year old son. I administered nutrients that were serotonin precursors and he responded fabulously.  He became way less violent, and began speaking.  Amazing response, and I have helped many psychiatric clients with nutrition and herbs and most importantly getting their body ecology corrected.

 

Here's some great news for people struggling with these issues!

 

Beneficial bacteria in  the gut are known to fight pathogens, manufacture B and K vitamins and even act as anti-cancer agents. New research appearing in the journal Cell strengthens the recent scientific understanding that the microbes that live in your gut may affect what goes on in your brain. It is also the first to show that a specific probiotics are capable of reversing autism-like behaviors. 

Researchers have for some time suggested  links between the gut--brain axis and neuro-psychiatric disorders such as autism, depression, and eating disorders. The gut contains microorganisms that share a structural similarity with the neuropeptides involved in regulating behavior, mood, and emotion- According to Karen Foster at World Health News this is a phenomenon known as molecular mimicry. Here, the body can't tell the difference between the structure of these mimics and its own cells, so antibodies could end up attacking both, potentially altering the physiology of the gut--brain axis. 

Beneficial Bacteria offset other intestinal bacteria that produce putrefactive and carcinogenic toxins. If harmful bacteria dominate the intestines, essential vitamins and enzymes are not produced and the level of harmful substances rises leading to degnerative disorders like: cancer, liver and kidney disease, hypertension, arteriosclerosis and Auto Immune disorders. Harmful bacteria can proliferate under many different circumstances including peristalsis disorders, surgical operations of the stomach or small intestine, liver or kidney diseases, pernicious anemia, cancer, radiation or antibiotic therapies, chemotherapy, immune disorders, emotional stress, poor diets and aging. 

A Correlation Between Autism-Like Symptoms and Gut Bacteria 

“The broader potential of this research is obviously an analogous beneficial bacteria that could treat subsets of individuals with autism spectrum disorder,” wrote the commentary authors of the study in Cell, who also included CU-Boulder Research Associate Dorota Porazinska and doctoral student Sophie Weiss. 

The study not causally link microorganisms to autism, but rather emphasizes a correlation between specific bacteria and ongoing symptoms and methods of addressing a possible reversal in those symptoms. 

The study underscores the importance of the work being undertaken by the newly formed Autism Microbiome Consortium, which includes Knight as well as commentary co-authors Jack Gilbert of the University of Chicago and Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown of Arizona State University. The interdisciplinary consortium--which taps experts in a range of disciplines from psychology to epidemiology--is investigating the autism-gut microbiome link. 

For the new Cell study, led by Elaine Hsiao of the California Institute of Technology, the researchers used a technique called maternal immune activation in pregnant mice to induce autism-like behavior and neurology in their offspring. The researchers found that the gut microbial community of the offspring differed markedly compared with a control group of mice. When the mice with autism-like symptoms were fed Bacteriodes fragilis, a microbe known to bolster the immune system, the aberrant behaviors were reduced. 

It's common knowledge that a mother's milk can help beef up a baby's immune system. New research indicates that the protective effects of gut bacteria can be transferred from mother to baby during breastfeeding. Work published in Environmental Microbiology shows that important gut bacteria travels from mother to child through breast milk to colonize a child's own gut, helping his or her immune system to mature. 

Scientific evidence is mounting that the trillions of microbes that call the human body home can influence our gut-linked health, but more recently, researchers are discovering that gut microbes also may affect neurology--possibly impacting a person's cognition, emotions and mental health, said Knight, also a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Early Career Scientist and an investigator at CU-Boulder's BioFrontiers Institute. 

"Research has shown that children with ASD commonly have GI [gastrointestinal] symptoms," said Christine Pennesi, medical student at Penn State College of Medicine. "Notably, a greater proportion of our study population reported GI and allergy symptoms than what is seen in the general pediatric population. Some experts have suggested that gluten- and casein-derived peptides cause an immune response in children with ASD, and others have proposed that the peptides could trigger GI symptoms and behavioral problems." 

The Autism Microbiome Consortium hopes to broaden this understanding by further studying the microbial community of autistic people, who tend to suffer from more gastrointestinal problems than the general public. 

People with autism spectrum disorder who would like to have their gut microbes sequenced can do so now through the American Gut Project, a crowdfunded research effort led by Knight. 

Why Probiotics RULE:

The following are the most well documented benefits of taking probiotics regularly: 
- Defend against antibiotic resistant bacterial strains, attack new types of pathogens (supergerms) and infections in immuno-compromised people requiring treatment (i.e. resist opportunistic infections like candidiasis) 
- Manufacture B vitamins (biotin, B3, B5, B6, folic acid, B12) and vitamin K 
- Secrete lactase, an enzyme required to break down lactose in milk 
- Act as anti-cancer factors (especially for bladder and bowel) by inhibiting bacteria that convert nitrates into nitrites 
- Inhibit bacteria that secrete carcinogens 
- Function as natural antibiotics against unfriendly bacteria, viruses and yeast like Candida albicans 
- Enhance bowel function and elimination; prevent constipation 
- Reverse diarrheal conditions (Crohn's disease, AIDS, Traveller's Diarrhea) 
- Reduce or eliminate bloating, gas, straining and abdominal pain due to any cause 
- Prevent skin problems, especially acne and other skin infections. (FYI - most chronic acne conditions in adults are often improved or eliminated by a good bowel flora balance). 
- Protect against the adverse effects of radiation and pollutants 
- Reduce blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides 
- Fight stress and food cravings and thereby prevent or reverse obesity 
- Help eliminate bad breath due to bad bacteria in the mouth
- Optimize sex hormone levels, enhance fertility and prevent osteoporosis 
- Produce lactic acid, improve the digestibility of foods 
- Oppose putrefactive bacteria like bacteroides associated with a meat-rich diet 
- Treat eczema, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome, all cancers, gastritis, duodenitis, diverticulitis, food allergies, lactose intolerance, environmental allergies, urinary tract infections, vaginitis, other chronic infections (TB, AIDS, Herpes, venereal diseases) and autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, lupus, alopecia areata, scleroderma, thyroiditis, etc.) 

Probiotic Sources 

Cultured dairy products like yogurt, acidophilus milk, buttermilk, sour cream, cottage cheese and kefir are the best known food sources of friendly bacteria. Equally effective probiotic food sources include cultured/fermented vegetables (cabbage, turnips, eggplant, cucumbers, onions, squash, and carrots). Other, lesser known or used food sources of probiotics are sauerkraut and sourdough breads.  It is unknown if dietary sources actually implant in the intestine.  Furthermore, in cases of bacterial overgrowths, it is necessary to work with someone like myself to test and treat toxic intestinal bacterias.  I do recommend several excellent probiotics in my store.   FREE shipping and top prices
Also, many of you know that I am a freak about proper digestion and health.  Visit our digestive

 

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for top 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

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.

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9963
July 10th, 2014 at 6:05 pm

Image: courtesy Farmstarliving.com

 

Prebiotics are compounds that help to promote “good bacteria” (probiotics) in the gastrointestinal tract, with which a wide variety of beneficial health effects are associated. More about that a bit later in this forum.  Zhibin Liu, from Fuzhou University (China), and colleagues enrolled 48 healthy men and women, ages 18 to 22 years, in a study in which the participants either: received 56 grams of roasted almonds added daily to their diet; added 10 grams of almond skins daily to their diet; or consumed 8 grams per day of fructooligosaccharides (control group).

  After six weeks, the data revealed that the almonds and almond skins significantly increased Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. populations. Among the almond skin group, the enhanced levels of “good bacteria” were sustained for two weeks after the intervention period concluded.  Among the roasted almonds group, the beneficial changes were not seen until week six.  Study authors conclude that: “Our observations suggest that almond and almond skin ingestion may lead to an improvement in the intestinal microbiota profile and a modification of the intestinal bacterial activities, which would induce the promotion of health beneficial factors and the inhibition of harmful factors. Thus we believe that almonds and almond skins possess potential prebiotic properties.”

Prebiotics are one of the newest fields of nutritional research and offer promising benefits for your heart, your immunity and more. Prebiotics stimulate the growth of healthy microflora that populate your large intestine. When these healthy microflora (beneficial bacteria) are allowed to flourish, they help keep you healthy and strong.

Due to many stressors inherent in the American Culture today, microbial balance is often way out of harmony setting the tone for many chronic illnesses such as gastrointestinal illness, autoimmune disease, skin disease and many more. The importance of this in human health is why I have chosen digestion as my naturopathic medical specialty.

ALSO, if parents lack a healthy inner ecosystem, they will pass this on to their children, setting the stage for a whole generation with lowered immunity. I will discuss this further in an upcoming article!

Prebiotics Versus Probiotics

In a healthy body, one's inner ecology contains enough good bacteria (microflora or probiotics) to outnumber the bad and help manage them. Probiotics may be THE buzzword in the health and wellness industry, but you may also need to consume plenty of prebiotics, to ensure you have enough probiotics populating your gut.

Prebiotics are derived from insoluble fiber and fructooligosaccharides or FOS (carbohydrate molecules made up of a relatively small number of simple sugars).

In the human  body, prebiotics are thought to nourish the microflora (probiotics) and encourage them to work more efficiently, keeping you healthy and strong. The symbiotic effect from fermented foods and drinks means that not only do they help populate your intestines with beneficial bacteria, they also help improve the survival, implantation and growth of newly added microflora strains.

Known Prebiotics

Inulin - Inulin is found in 36,000 plants such as:

§                         Herbs - chicory root, burdock root and dandelion root

§                         Fruits - such as apples, bananas

§                         Sweet vegetables - such as onions, garlic, asparagus, leeks and Jerusalem artichokes

§                         Raw apple cider vinegar

§                         Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a subgroup of inulin, is also a prebiotic and is often added to dairy foods and baked goods. It improves the taste and stimulates the growth of the beneficial bacteria, bifidobacteria.

Dairy products - studies are starting to show that lactose may be considered a prebiotic.

§                         Chronic Illness and Digestion

Because prebiotics act in your intestines, they have a profound effect on the pathogens and bad bacteria in your body that can cause disease. Prebiotics are being used to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohn's Disease, and may also prove useful for treating cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes.

§                         Fermented Foods & Drinks - The Body Ecology program has a large array of fermented foods and drinks that you can choose from to get the synbiotic effect of prebiotics and probioticsIn the later stages (after about 3 months or when you conquer candida and your inner ecosystem is re-established), add kefir and fermented soyfoods (like natto, miso and wheat-free tamari).

§                         Sour Fruit sour fruits: lemons, limes, unsweetened black currants and unsweetened cranberries.

§                         Gluten-Free Grains - While grains like wheat act as prebiotics, they also feed yeast. (amaranth, quinoa, millet and buckwheat) are gluten-free alternatives that act as prebiotics AND don't feed pathogens

§                         Sweet Vegetables - Vegetables are 80% of a healthy diet so you should eat plenty of asparagus, leeks, onions, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes and other sweet vegetables to feed healthy microflora without feeding pathogenic bacteria, fungi and yeast.

§                         Of course, it is also possible to supplement see my suggestions right here: greensfirst, Primal Defense: FREE Shipping. PLUS 10-20% OFF TOP Professional brands! Visit my digestive aisle for other great suggestions. If you need a natural digestive specialist, please contact us anytime for an appointment! Also see this article on digestive health or query my natural health library.

 

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for top 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

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.

Views:
11020
July 2nd, 2014 at 6:44 pm

 

 

 

 

 

TOP NEWS! Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease among Americans, where the natural cushioning between joints –  cartilage tissue  – wears away.  Because symptom management IE drugs are often ineffective and joint replacement is invasive surgery, many osteoarthritis suffers seek out natural approaches to offer relief.

Great News! Grapes are rich in anti-inflammatory polyphenols, compounds shown to reduce inflammation.  Shanil Juma, from Texas Woman's University (Texas, USA), and colleagues conducted a sixteen week clinical study, in which 72 men and women with knee osteoarthritis were assigned to either consume grapes in the form of a whole grape freeze-dried powder, or a placebo powder.  The data revealed that both men and women consuming the grape-supplemented diet had a significant decrease in  pain related to activity and an overall decrease in total knee symptoms – notably, improved joint flexibility and overall mobility. This beneficial effect was more pronounced in females.

 In addition: age-related differences were observed: there was a 70% increase in very hard activity for those under 64 years of age consuming the grape powder, while those receiving the placebo reported a significant decrease in very hard activity.  Attributing these observed benefits to the polyphenols found in grapes, the lead investigator comments that: "These findings provide promising data that links grape consumption to two very important outcomes for those living with knee osteoarthritis: reduced pain and improvements in joint flexibility.”

My caveat:  eating enough grapes to replicate study findings would be problematic for people that have blood sugar problems or have digestive problems due to their high sugar content. For these people I would recommend our grapeseed extract to obtain these benefits.  We also have many other articles and other supplement recommendations right here! You can als search our Blog and Library on arthritis for many of my recommendations!

Please visit my events page for July to see our upcoming forums, or better still, subscribe to receive these articles directly to your mailbox.

 

For other remedies, Please visit our store! 

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for top 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

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.

Views:
9520
June 25th, 2014 at 6:46 pm

 image courtesy prevention.com

What do skin rashes have in common?  Inflammation!  What does that have to do with your gut?  Read on to find out!

Research has demonstrated a clear association between gut problems and skin disorders. A recent study indicates that small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a condition involving inappropriate growth of bacteria in the small intestine, is 10 times more prevalent in people with acne rosacea than in healthy people led to marked clinical improvement.  14% of patients with ulcerative colitis and 24% of patients with Crohn's disease have skin manifestations. Celiac disease also has skin manifestations such as dermatitis herpetiformis, which occurs in celiac sufferers. Celiacs also have increased frequency of oral mucosal lesions, alopecia and vitiligo.

How does altered gut function impact the skin???

Intestinal permeability (or “leaky gut”) causes both systemic and local inflammation, which eventually leads to skin disease.

In an ancient study of acne patients were more likely to show enhanced reactivity to bacterial strains isolated from stool. 66 percent of the 57 patients with acne in the study showed positive reactivity to stool-isolated bacteria compared to none of the control patients without active skin disease. 

 In a more recent study involving 80 patients, those with acne had higher levels bacterial endotoxins in the blood. None of the matched healthy controls reacted to the e. coli LPS, while 65% of the acne patients had a positive reaction. Both of these studies suggest that increased imbalanced stool microbiology and intestinal permeability is a significant issue for acne patients. 

 What is leaky skin?  The main function of the skin is to act as a physical, chemical and antimicrobial defense system. Studies have shown that both stress and gut inflammation can impair the integrity and protective function of the epidermal barrier. This in turn leads to a decrease in antimicrobial peptides produced in the skin, and an increase in the severity of infection and inflammation in the skin.

The gut flora also influences the skin. Substance P is a neuropeptide produced in the gut, brain and skin that plays a major role in many skin conditions.  Problematic gut microbiology promotes the release of substance P in both the gut and the skin. The gut ecology affects lipids and tissue fatty acid profiles, and may influence sebum production as well as the inflammatory fatty acid composition of the sebum. 

 This may explain why a Russian study found that 54% of acne patients have significant alterations to the gut flora, and a Chinese study involving patients with seborrheic dermatitis also noted disruptions in the normal gut flora. 

I welcome the opportunity to assist you with your skin or gut disorder.  I work long distance with people and specialize in gut and skin problems as well as immune issues like: HPV.  Visit these links for more information:

http://www.apple-a-day-clinic.com/Health_and_Nutrition_Blog?m8:post=problems-with-the-skin-try-looking-within

Microbiology Test Kits

For other remedies, visit our store categories for digestive and skin remedies!  I also have my own skin line based on years of research and clinical experience, please visit our aisle for some awesome products!

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for top 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

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.

Views:
11394
June 11th, 2014 at 5:54 pm

 

 

Vitamin K Intake Correlated with Lower Mortality Risk, from all causes.  Must read!

The Journal of Nutrition reported in March 2014 that dietary vitamin K intake is associated with a reduced risk of mortality in subjects with high cardiovascular risk. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and naturally occurs in multiple forms including vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin K2 (menaquinone).

7,216 subjects from the PREDIMED study were evaluated all at high cardiovascular disease risk. The subjects completed food frequency questionnaires to evaluate energy and nutrient intake. The investigators calculated dietary vitamin K intake annually. The researchers followed the subjects for an average of 4.8 years to identify number and cause of deaths.

The investigators determined that higher dietary phylloquinone intake was associated with a 46 percent decreased risk of cancer death and a 36 percent decrease in the risk of death from any cause. Compared to subjects who decreased or did not change vitamin K intake, the subjects who increased vitamin K intake during the follow-up period showed a decrease in the risk of cancer death or all-cause mortality.

Specifically, increasing intake of phylloquinone was associated with a 36 percent lower risk of cancer death, a 43 percent decreased risk of death from any cause, and a 48 percent decreased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Increased menaquinone was associated with a 59 percent decreased risk of cancer death and a 45 percent decreased risk of death from any cause, but no association was found with cardiovascular mortality.

The investigators concluded:, “An increase in dietary intake of vitamin K is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular, cancer or all-cause mortality in a Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular disease risk.”

Reference:
Juanola-Falgarona M, et al. J Nutr. 2014 Mar 19.   Image Courtesy:SheSkows.com

 Special Note:

Vitamin K is rich in green leafy vegetables such as arugula and kale and is synthesized in the gut.  Impaired gut ecology can lessen the gut's ability to synthesize Vitamin K.  Supplemental Vitamin K is also available, here, however, I recommend either eating alot of green leafy vegetables or using our GreensFirst product daily in order to reap these benefits!

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for top 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

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.

Views:
10187
May 28th, 2014 at 4:50 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Omega-3s Help to Manage BP

A major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, hypertension (high blood pressure) can be treated by many non-drug approaches. Back in March 2014,   Dominik D. Alexander, from the Center for Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Computational Biology at Exponent, Inc. (Illinois, USA), completed a large-scale meta-analysis involving 70 randomized  controlled trials (RCTs) of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for blood pressure management.  The team found that consumption of EPA and DHA-Fish oils found in fatty fish such as salmon,  reduced systolic blood pressure by an average of 1.52 mmHg, and lowered diastolic blood pressure by 0.99 mmHg, as compared to subjects on placebo.   Noting that: “the strongest effects of EPA+DHA were observed among untreated hypertensive subjects,” the study authors conclude that: “available evidence  indicates that provision of  (EPA) and  (DHA)]  reduces systolic blood pressure, while provision of [more than] 2 grams reduces diastolic blood pressure.” My favorite fish oil product is right here….We offer 30% OFF Carlson Products and FREE shipping on any size order! Here Is another excellent product;

Coffee May Preserve Eyesight

The inside, back wall of the eye contains millions of light-sensitive cells and other nerve cells that receive and organize visual information. The retina is one of the most metabolically active tissues, demanding high levels of oxygen and making it prone to oxidative stress. The lack of oxygen and production of free radicals can contribute to tissue damage and loss of sight.  Chang Y. Lee, from Cornell University (New York, USA), and colleagues exposed the eyes of a group of laboratory mice to a compound that created oxidative stress and free radicals, with a second group of the animals first pretreated with chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant compound found abundantly in raw coffee.  Whereas the mice that were not pretreated developed retinal degeneration, the mice that received chlorogenic acid did not develop retinal damage.  The study authors submit that: “Our in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that coffee and its major component, [chlorogenic acid], significantly reduce apoptosis of retinal cells … and that coffee consumption may help in preventing retinal degeneration.” Coffee contains tons of antioxidants and polyphenols.  See my article Coffee Talk here for more information about coffee's controversial benefits.

Diabetes in Middle Age Linked to Brain Cell Loss in Later Years

A number of previous studies suggest that type-2 diabetes may precipitate other medical conditions.  It is well established that DMII can lead to other serious health complications. Rosebud O. Roberts, from the Mayo Clinic (Minnesota, USA), and colleagues studied 1,437 men and women, average age 80 years.  The participants had either no thinking or memory issues, or mild memory and thinking problems (mild cognitive impairment, MCI). Subjects underwent brain scans to look for markers of brain damage that can be a precursor to dementia. Participants' medical records were reviewed to determine whether they had been diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure in middle age or later.  Regarding diabetes, researchers observed that 72 people developed it in middle age, 142 in old age and 1,192 did not have diabetes. Compared to people who did not have diabetes, those subjects who developed diabetes in middle age had total brain volume an average of 2.9% smaller. In the hippocampus area of the brain, the volume was 4% smaller. They were also twice as likely to have thinking and memory problems. Conclusion?   The study authors report that: “Midlife onset of diabetes may affect late-life cognition through loss of brain volume.” See my article: Stop Diabetes in its tracks!

Walnuts are DRUGS declares the FDA

Seen any walnuts in your medicine cabinet lately? According to the Food and Drug Administration, that is exactly where you should find them. Because Diamond Foods made truthful claims about the health benefits of consuming walnuts that the FDA didn't approve, it sent the company a letter declaring, “Your walnut products are drugs” — and “new drugs” at that — and, therefore, “they may not legally be marketed … in the United States without an approved new drug application.” The agency even threatened Diamond with “seizure” if it failed to comply.

Foods that fight Inflammation

(NaturalNews) Inflammation is the body's natural way to fight infection and respond to harmful organisms, irritants, damaged tissue or toxic overload.This response should be temporary, however.  If it doesn't, you could be suffering from chronic inflammation, which is far from natural or healthy. If you're having persistent trouble with swelling, redness, pain, fever, loss of appetite or general malaise, try alleviating your symptoms with these 10 foods that fight inflammation. Better yet, contact us to get to the root cause of your inflammation….

1. Fatty Fish
Start your anti-inflammation journey by heading to the seafood counter for fresh cuts of tuna, salmon and mackerel, then bake or boil them to keep things healthy. Keep in mind that, while whitefish such as cod and sole are beneficial sources of lean protein, they do not provide the same inflammation-fighting properties as their oilier counterparts.

2. Avocado
In addition to being a great source of monounsaturated fats, avocado has the power to reduce inflammation. It's a much healthier source of fat than killer trans fats and goes well with many cuisines. Aim for five to seven servings of healthy fats per day, such as topping your salad with avocado, blending it into a dressing or just eating it plain.

3. Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens such as kale, broccoli and collards can amp up your body's inflammation-reducing abilities without changing your kitchen routine.
4. Turmeric
This traditionally Indian spice is an anti-inflammatory superstar. Its historical use in Eastern medicine has proven its use in treating a variety of inflammatory conditions, such as toothache, bruises, rheumatoid arthritis and general joint swelling, according to The World's Healthiest Foods (1). Add a dash of it to your stir-fries or curries for an easy dose of its inflammation-fighting properties.

5. Walnuts
Like other tree nuts, walnuts impart a variety of health benefits to those who eat them regularly. They have anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant properties and also possess important nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, copper, manganese, molybdenum and biotin. Shoot for an ounce, or about 14 walnuts halves, every day.

6. Peppers
Both bell peppers and hot peppers provide a whole, healthy, colorful addition to your anti-inflammatory regime. The chemical capsaicin, found in a variety of spicy peppers, is often used in topical ointments geared toward reducing pain and inflammation, says Health magazine (2). However, peppers may provoke an even greater immune response in some people. The best idea when adding them to your diet is to keep your other food choices static and watch for any changes: If you notice an increase in symptoms, speak with a nutritionist or cut out the peppers.

7. Olive Oil
Aside from its raft of other health benefits, including weight loss and lowering cholesterol, olive oil helps reduce inflammation. However, studies referenced by The World's Healthiest Foods show that only extra-virgin olive oil obtained from the first pressing of the olives delivers these benefits, so stick with the good stuff (3).

8. Ginger
Ginger not only fights inflammation but also works to stop it in its tracks by suppressing the formation of inflammatory compounds in the first place. Gingerols, the chemicals in ginger responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties, are reported to reduce pain and swelling in sufferers of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. For the culinarily adventurous, adding ginger requires nothing more than a fresh root and the will to do so; for the novice foodie, try adding a bit of ginger into your next smoothie.

9. Beets
Brightly colored and earthy-flavored, beets provide heart and cancer protection as well as vitamin C in addition to their power to reduce swelling. They taste fantastic roasted, boiled and grated raw on salads, and in summer are available in shades of red, orange, yellow and pink as well as multicolored varieties.

10. Holy Basil
Despite its highfalutin name, holy basil is actually an inexpensive and widely available herb. Look for it at specialty or Asian food stores, where it may also be labeled as tulsi or hot basil. Use it as you regularly would, but expect a kick.

Introducing foods that fight inflammation into your diet doesn't need to be difficult or stressful. Hopefully this list of whole foods will expand your grocery list and your health opportunities all at once.

 For more information on inflammation click here  We have a variety of excellent natural products that fight inflammation throughout the body, visit our store!

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for top 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

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.

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9937
May 14th, 2014 at 6:01 pm

Photo: TLCgroomingbyDanielle.com

Does Your PET need a probiotic????

 

Most veterinarians are dismissive on this subject and state  that your dog or cat does not typically need a probiotic.  As an animal lover, owner, and nutrition and immune, GI/Skin specialist for over 15 years I will respectfully disagree.  I do not think however that all pets require a probiotic.  Also, there is a huge disparity in the products themselves.  Today

I will attempt to provide some guidance regarding this important subject.

I do believe that some pets require a probiotic… Dogs and cats with:

 

  • ·         Chronic allergies
  • ·         Low immunity
  • ·         Skin problems
  • ·         Yeast Infections
  • ·         Digestive problems chronic constipation-diarrhea
  • ·         Anal Itching
  • ·         Parasites

In my opinion, dogs and cats with any or all  of these conditions will benefit from a great quality probiotic.   There are other circumstances as well.  If your pet is a rescue and was malnourished, or feral or was weaned earlier than normal your pet will benefit as well in my opinion. Pets that have taken antibiotics will also require supplementation.

 

Which ONE?

So, if your pet falls into one of these categories which probiotic should you give them?  I am hearing some pet owners giving their pet Kefir or Yogurt.  I don't think this is advisable.  Here's why: dairy is unbelievably hard on people's systems and many pets do not thrive on these products.  They may also excaberate skin conditions and allergies.

While some products can be shared between people and animals, animals require a different blend.  Also, there is a HUGE disparity in the quality of probiotics and you definitely get what you PAY FOR.  Most products never live past the stomach and are killed by stomach acids or get absorbed by enzymes.  AMAZON and Ebay are terrible places to buy supplements of any kind since most of them are fraudulent, manufacturer's discards and have been shipped all over and are stored under terrible conditions making them worthless. Read about this HERE: You're Buying FAKE, Counterfeit Supplements!

 

Two products I have used and believe in are:

RX Vitamins RX Biotic….This is a convenient powder can be mixed easily in food and is appropriate for both dogs and cats.  A jar lasts awhile and is $24.00 FREE Shipping!!! 

Another is Vetri-Probiotic by Vetri Science for dogs.  It is in chewable form and 120 are $75.20

While these products may seem taxing to your budget, consider the cost of vet bills.

 

We have an excellent array of professional PET products. Visit our Pet Aisle right here! FREE shipping

 

Best of PET Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for top 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

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.

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9798
April 30th, 2014 at 5:54 pm

Healing Acne Scars Naturally!

 

 

photo acnepictures.org

 

Are you or someone you know troubled by red marks, ugly scars and pitting from acne breakouts?  Have you given up hope regarding healing these marks short of costly laser surgery orpainful dermabrasion?  Is there a safer and more natural way to heal these scars?  In a word….YES!  Read on to learn how to heal these marks naturally…

 

First…DO NOT attempt any of these interventions until your acne is fully healed.  If you do not know how to fix your acne…call us or email us for a FREE consultation or appointment to address your acne problems.  It is important to get to the root cause of the problem and to eliminate or dramatically reduce the attendant inflammation before even thinking about the scarring. 

 

Once that is accomplished, the damage from the skin being chronically inflamed can be addressed.  Healing the damaged skin is contingent upon two factors supplying nutrients to the dermal layers both internally and externally.

 

Internally: a very clean whole foods diet with specific nutrients that nourish the skin within these include: Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, B-Complex, amino acids and essential fatty acids. This is a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, essential fats and lean protein. Proper hydration and avoidance of alcohol, caffeine, sugar, hydrogenated fats, and junk food are very important as well. 

 

Supplementing the above nutrients can be helpful for 3-12 months depending upon the severity of the scarring.  These can be taken in individual forms…link or in a formula like our DermaCare-FREE Shipping on all orders and Volume discounts from 10-20% on orders over $99.

 

The next step is exfoliating the damaged skin.  This can be accomplished many different ways.  Enzymes are one way to exfoliate mild to moderate acne scars.  Glisten Up!, our pineapple enzyme scrub can be used daily to help to debride the damaged tissue.  For more serious scarring  Shape Up! Our pumpkin enzyme peel will work wonders in exfoliating the damaged skin.  Very serious level pitting will require deeper peeling agents which require supervison for proper use.

The next step is providing nutrients topically to regenerate skin at the topical level.  Initially, professional levels of retinol (20%) this is a concentrated form of Vitamin A, and 20% of Vitamins C and E can be used to help skin regenerate.  Nourish Up!, and Fix Up! Are two of our products that provide these nutrients in high concentrations. Lastly, our Clear Up! Scar serum contains essential oils and herbs to help skin regenerate and smooth out. Visit our skin beauty aisle for our fabulous offerings here.

Please be advised that while you will see improvements in 30-45 days, it will take time, consistency and dedication to see perfect results.  Still the effort will be worth it and you will have glowing, scar free skin in seemingly no time.

 

Best of Skin Health!

 

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for top 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

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.

Views:
12435
April 9th, 2014 at 5:59 pm

Coffee Talk, the REAL scoop on the Caffeine Controversy

 

 

 

 

The US is becoming an uber “yang” culture.  Everywhere it seems, people are loud, anxious, rushed, aggressive, and sometimes hostile.  Take the rise in horn blowing drivers as but one example.  Folks in the US also tend to brag about how much they get done and how little rest they get.

 

It is interesting to then note that 90% of Americans also consume caffeine everyday, including children.  Caffeine comes in many many forms, coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks and smoothies and herbs like Guarana, Kola Nut, and Yerba Mate. Some herbs contain even more caffeine than coffee.

 

Coffee and caffeine research is confusing to most consumers.  On its positive side, coffee and tea are major sources of antioxidants for some people.  In very small amounts caffeine may be helpful in mental and sports focus and performance. Conflicting research suggests negative effects on cardiac health, blood pressure, sleep, diabetes, digestive disorders and liver health.  Other research suggests it may be helpful in actual liver disease.

Fact is, most research on caffeine is observational that is: studies which attempt to establish relationships based on consumer surveys and disease tracking, not necessarily the best way to establish cause and effect.

 

Here's what I know for certain about it:

 

First, make no mistake, caffeine in any form is a DRUG.  It is an addictive central nervous stimulant that is typically detoxified in 3 to six hours, sometimes longer but more about that later.

As is the case with ANY DRUG, usage becomes habituated over time, that is more and more of the substance is required to get the same effect.  This impact is gradual and insidious for most people.  When the amount ingested increases its side effects rise as well: increased blood pressure, anxiety, irritability, heart palpitations and insomnia or disturbed sleep, and fatigue.

 

Second, over time caffeine ultimately wears the body out.  In Chinese medical theory caffeine is “false energy” as opposed to nutrition which is true energy.  Again over time, caffeine will cause depletion of real energy.

 

Thirdly, while most authorities including the FDA state that 2-300mgs of caffeine per day are safe for most people everyone is different.  I have also identified subsets of people in my practice who I believe are better off not consuming caffeine.  These people are:

 

Adrenal Deficient People.  People who have crashed and burnt after being under chronic stress for long periods will need to forgo the java in order to recover.

 

Gastro Intestinal Disorders.  CNS speeds up every process in the body if you suffer from IBS, GERD, heartburn, or inflammatory bowel disorders like Crohn's and Colitis, avoid caffeine as it will worsen symptoms.

 

 

People who are insulin sensitive or resistant.  Being a stimulant caffeine sets blood sugars and insulin on an aberrant ride.  Getting these conditions managed properly involves avoidance of caffeine and most sugars.

 

People with inflammatory disorders, like ACNE.  Unknown to most, caffeine is very heating to the body. While NOT the cause, it will accelerate inflammation in the body.

 

Anxious overwrought people should abstain from caffeine as it worsens this condition and perpetuates a negative cycle.

 

People who detoxify slowly due to other health problems like those above or due to a “sluggish” or slow liver or intestinal dysbiosis, an area I specialize in.  These people are going to experience many more detrimental effects from caffeine.  Also recognize that VERY few of you are using caffeine in the amounts recommended by health authorities.

 

A few months ago, my body began rejecting my AM espresso…it just didn't want it anymore and I heeded that.  While I had no withdrawal symptoms many people can experience some symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, irritability, anxiety and even depression.

 

For some real energy enhancers, and the best in natural products please visit our store-FREE shipping on all orders.  For assistance in regaining your health, please contact us for a free consultation.  I do work by phone with  distance clients as well.

 

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for top 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

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.

Views:
10725