I am not alarmist, as many of you know,  but I learned firsthand last year of the dangers of some personal care products when I got deathly poisoned by an Aveeno Sunscreen product. See Saving Your Skin.

As a healthcare provider I have also encountered difficult cases that were solved by looking at environmental factors.  This week, I am going to address some common causes of household toxins.  When you are doing everything possible to take care of yourself on the inside, it is good to look at some of these common household toxins.

#1 Cooking at high temperatures.  Frying oils at high temperatures or grilling constantly forms some carcinogenic compounds.  Do not grill foods without using a form of marinade which prevents these compounds from forming.  Never heat oils to a smoking point.

#2 Household air fresheners contain phthalates chemicals which cause known endocrine or hormone disruption and birth defects.

#3 Baby powder can cause respiratory distress and suffocation in infacts.  Talc is a known carcinogen.

#4 Formaldehyde, is a common chemical in carpeting, building materials, and particle board.  The Centers for Disease Control has found that long-term exposure can cause increased risk for lung cancer and other respiratory illness.

#5 Over 40% of childhood allergies could be eliminated by removing toxins and allergens in the home according to a 2001 study published in the Journal of Pediatrics.  Culprits include: dustmites, cockroaches, tobacco smoke, pets, wood smoke, drywall, wallpapaer, paneling materials, carpeting and mold.

#6 Incense, can cause cancer, asthma, and other respiratory illness, as well as possible mutagenic effects on DNA.  Candles often contain lead.

#7 Many antibacterial products contain a substance called triclosan which can lead to toxic poisoning in infants.  Also, use of antibacterial products can lead to overgrowth of antibiotic resistant pathogens. I have had families literally have to abandon their homes due to the illness provoking atmosphere of their house.

#8 Personal care products can contain lead, aluminum, and other heavy metals, fragrances may contain toulene a chemical noted to cause allergy and asthma in susceptible people.

#9 Pesticides in food....please see Is organic really better, in this module for tips on reducing your exposure to pesticides.

#10 Mold exposure due to a moist environment or dripping appliance, or faulty roof can be the source of severe illness.  I did diagnose one child with exposure to Staccybotris, or "black mold", a few years back, which was causing the young boy very serious health problems.

#11 Radon an odorless, radioactive gas gains access to your home via cracks in the foundation, or basement. 

#12 Unfiltered water, contains high amounts of chlorine which is a known risk factor for bladder cancer.  Carbon filters like Brita are effective at removing chlorine.

#13 Wood burning fireplaces can release high amounts of nitrogen dioxide or carbon monoxide, and ventilation and levels of these gases should be checked.

#14 Toys, containing lead and phthalates pose a big risk to children due to their undeveloped immune and neurological systems.

Visit the detoxification aisle of our store for great products and even GREAT prices and FREE shipping right here...

 

For information about materials and products please visit: http://www.ewg.org, and http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm.

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc

Apple-A-Day Clinic

8/12/08

 

PS: a special announcement:  Gardisil, a new vaccine for HPV infection has been associated with some unpleasant side effects including paralysis in some users, I will report more as the news unfolds. Thanks.

 

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.

Share the HEALTH!

FREE Shipping and Save 10-20% on over 500 TOP Professional Products

Like US? Join us on FB!

We LOVE to Tweet! Join us on Twitter!

Visit our Natural Health Library for many GREAT Articles!

Don't Miss a thing! Subscribe now to get our new articles via email.

Send this article to a friend!

First, an announcement OR Two: Don't Miss out on FREE nutrition consults for your PETs THIS  Friday: 7/18/ 08,  AM from 9:30-12:00 Noon. This will kick off this summers "Freebie Fridays" series where once a month I will offer free consultations to a specific segment of your families. I hope you can join us! I have samples of the Honese Kitchen organic,  grain free pet foods available for attendees.  Second, I truly appreciate all the great comments about my musical work, and YES... I promise, I will get a schedule up within two months.   I have been out playing but either in Chicago, Evanston or even further away, so I will let you know when I'm closer to "home".

 

Okay, now to the "drug problem".  The popular press, beginning with a story last month in Men's Health has recently identified 8 drugs doctors would never take based on their very risky information in the PDR. they are still widely prescribed, however.  I will cover them here along with my natural medicine recommendations in place of the drug's indications.

 

#1: Advair, an asthma medication has been linked to over 5,000 instances of sudden death.  Short-term corticosteroid therapy is risky but not as risky as this drug.  In my opinion, asthma is a manifestation of uncontrolled allergies.  I have had many patients successfully treated by identifying and resolving their allergies and this has led to an elimination in asthma symptoms and therefore meds.  To me the only responsible way to treat asthma is to establish the root cause. Once this is resolved, asthma ceases to be a problem.  Please see NEXT month's testimonials for some cases.

 

#2: Avandia, a drug used to treat Type II diabetes. As if Type II diabetes wasn't enough of a health issue, this drug brings on heart attacks, in over 42% of users.  The FDA has asked Glaxo-Smith-Kline for long term studies but they haven't even begun yet!  Natural Medicine for Type II diabetes involves individualized diet, exercise and supplementation designed to resolve the cause which is acquired insulin resistance in the patient. In my opinion, no motivated person ever needs to take diabetic medication long-term. This illness is CURABLE, even in those with strong genetics!

 

#3: Ketek, an antibiotic prescribed for respiratory infections carries a huge risk for liver damage. In February, the FDA limited its use to pneumonia but it is still precribed.  Natural Medicine Strategy: bolster your immune system by avoiding sugar, getting a grip on allergies, getting sufficient sleep and learning how to manage stress.  Smoking, or past history of smoking, must be resolved. If this is an area of constitutional or genetic weakness, Chinese medicine is brilliant at strengthening this area.  Flu shots may be a viable option for older people whose immune systems are not up to par.

 

#4: CeleBrex, still available even though all its other cohorts have been pulled off the market. CeleBrex has been proven to cause liver and kidney damage and stomach bleeding. Heart attack is now considered even a bigger risk.  Natural Medicine: Acupucture has been PROVEN to be more effective than arthritis medications even in combination with physical therapy and exercise.  I have seen nothing short of miracles with this treatment...with no pain or risks! 

 

#5,6: Prilosec and Nexium, the FDA is now investigating a link between these drugs and heart disease.  Decreasing stomach acid may also increase your risk of pneumonia and osteoporosis since calcium absorption is significantly decreased, risk of fractures are exponentially higher in people taking these drugs especially long-term.

My opinion, find out what your digestive symptoms really mean.  While our society accepts a significant amount of digestive distress as "normal", often these symptoms are just the tip of the iceberg and may signify some real dysfunction long-term.  Visit my candida/dysbiosis page for more information on what these symptoms relly mean.  Naturopathic medicine holds digestion as the cornerstone of human health, and takes proper digestive function very seriously, due to its relevance to long-term health.

 

#7: Visine, I think most people are aware that constant use of these drops can cause rebound redness and broken blood vessels. Still, what is the reason for using them.  Dry eyes? Consider Chinese medicine which is brilliant at addressing various organ problems related to eye dryness. Environmental factors such as: overuse of computers, bad glasses or contacts are other factors. Flower essences such as: Yarrow Environmental Solution can really give relief. Eye exercises and frequent breaks are also important and must be balanced.

 

#8: Pseudoephedrine, decongestants not only constrict blood vessels in the nose but also in the sinuses, it also raises the heart rate and blood pressure. Over years, it can lead to heart attack and stroke, also: it worsens prostate disease and glaucoma.  What does chronic sinus problems signify?  In natural medicine,  often food allergies are responsible, or an imbalance in the intestinal ecology revisit the CandidaRx page for futher information.  Enviornmental Allergies are often culprits and can be dealt with easily.  Also a Neti Pot is a real help for chronic sinus inflammation, especially in combination with establishing its cause.

 

Please consider investigation of symptoms rather than just obliterating them  Symptoms are the way the body tries to get your attention.  About time our culture started listening.  Thanks!

 

 Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc

7/15/2008

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for great 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.

Share the HEALTH!

FREE Shipping and Save 10-20% on over 500 TOP Professional Products

Like US? Join us on FB!

We LOVE to Tweet! Join us on Twitter!

Visit our Natural Health Library for many GREAT Articles!

Don't Miss a thing! Subscribe now to get our new articles via email.

Send this article to a friend!

 My fabulous honorable

                  Tre (san), a Shiba Inu,  a Pariah dog from Japan.

If you are...and I certainly hope you are...taking a multivitamin each day does it stand to reason that you should do likewise with your dog or cat?  Do animals require special handling with regard to supplementation?  Many of my clients have seen a real change for the better in their pet when supplements were begun.  Some beneficial changes were a return to playfulness, lessened signs of aging, better mobility, reduced incidence of cataracts , very common in dogs, improved temperments, and lessened allergy signs and symptoms.

If your pet has signs of arthritis, or hip dysplasia, pet formulations of glucosamine and chondroitin are helpful.  Cats thrive on fish oils, especially as they age, while they can be problematic for dogs who have a much faster metabolism.  Certain herbs like St John's Wort can be trouble for pets, even toxic reactions can develop, something I never want to see.

It is absolute folly to use supplementation in pets without the advice of a nutritionist or veterinarian trained in veterinary nutritional medicine, as there are vast differences between animals and people and dogs and cats.

Another concern is that independent laboratory results of animal supplements has found that they are in general of much lower quality than those for humans.

Dr. Tod Copperman, president of consumerlabs.com stated in a recent interview that over 50% of verterinary products fail their inspections. They urged consumers to speak to health professionals before self-medicating or even just buying products in stores or over the internet.

Dr. John Bauer, professor of clinical nutrition at University of Texas's College of Veterinary Medicine, offered up some considerations when evaluating products.  1. Product quality...who is the manufacturer, how much of the active ingredient is present? 2. What is the scientific basis to support the supplement? 3. Check tolerance carefully when administering something new. 4. Safety: the products label should indicate how it was tested.

 

Most of you know how much I adore animals, and we are carrying some wonderful pet products in the pharmacy Pet's Natural Products

section.  Also, I would like to offer FREE consultations in July regarding pet questions and natural supplements.  Please check next month's calendar for details.  The anticipated date is Friday July 18th, from 9:30-1:00PM.  I will be posting a new nutrition news volume next week with articles on weight loss and chinese medicine for fertility issues see you then.

 

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for great 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.

Share the HEALTH!

FREE Shipping and Save 10-20% on over 500 TOP Professional Products

Like US? Join us on FB!

We LOVE to Tweet! Join us on Twitter!

Visit our Natural Health Library for many GREAT Articles!

Don't Miss a thing! Subscribe now to get our new articles via email.

Send this article to a friend!

It's been acknowleged for at least thirty years that a postive mental attitude has major health benefits...but how does negativity affect your health? Is it even possible to remain in a postive place, in such a negative time in history?  Really, what can be done?  This week we will probe answers to this topic.  Please remember: this is a discussion forum, so if you have questions or comments please post them, and they will be addressed this upcoming week.

 

Conquering negative emotions is as important to your health as eating a healthy diet, exercising and getting restful sleep.  According to recent research, when one experiences negativity, stressful emotions such as:  anger, frustration, and hurt or victim feelings surface.  Learning to let go of negativity is very important to your wellbeing.  By holding on to negativity, circulation, digestion, respiration, hormones such as cortisol and the like are affected.  Negativity also affects the immune system making you more vulnerable to all diseases.

 

If unresolved negativity is affecting you,  you are probably experiencing a lot of negative mind chatter throughout each day.  You may be indulging in alot of negative self talk or imagining or fantasizing about some downfall or retribution with respect to the fate of your foes.  When a person is thinking in this way it creates significant physiologic stress in the body.

 

Pay attention to your body.  For example, anger can express itself in a clenched jaw or shoulders, dry mouth, shallow breathing, or a raised voice.  These signs are superficial.  Internally: raised blood pressure, increased heart rate, and gut tightening may occur.  Adrenalin is released which constricts blood vessels, causes migraines, and cardio vascular disease.

 

It has been known for thirty years that the #1 difference between type A persons known to be at increased risk for cardiac disease, and more relaxed type B's is one emotion: Hostility.

 

Anyone who lives in our culture, knows that hostility is rampant, the chinese have a syndrome named after it in acupuncture theory called: angry liver syndrome.

 

I personally believe that living in our culture now requires some sort of "negativity management" daily such as: meditation, affirmations, prayer, yoga, or any other daily practice that restores some balance and hope. Visit my meditation pond for a little stress breather.

 

It is also important to limit your exposure to negative elements such as: news, gossip, negative, "energy vampire people", and anything else that reduces your joy and happiness in life.

 

If you are fighting a losing battle, consider a consultation for help with the above.  This is vitally important if your spouse or someone else close to you IE boss, is sapping your vitality and cannot be eliminated from your life.  Acupuncture treatments, flower essences, or nutritional therapy can help restore your balance.  Please take advantage of our special visit rates to get rebalanced today! Visit our store aisle for help with this.

 

 

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.

 

Most authorities on the subject state that the riskiest health issues related to cellphone usage is it's correlation to motor accidents...still, over 30% of US citizens are concerned....

Is your risk of a brain tumor directly related to usage of cellphones? What steps can be taken to minimize exposure to any harmful effects of non-ionizing radio frequency waves which power your cell phone and appliances like your microwave oven.  Today, we'll take a look at the current findings.

No studies have found a clear cause/effect relationship between cellphone usage and brain tumors. There have been individual reports, one by an MD, who insist that their tumors were caused by cell phone usage.  Some study findings have been downright controversial in that increased cell phone usage actually decreased risk factors for brain tumors. Also, epidemiology or the study of population data is imperfect, and sometimes takes several generations to observe.

Call me cynical, but the cellphone industry is huge and each and every cellphone manufacturer suggests that ear pieces are essential to decrease risk of radiation effects, each phone manufacturer also recommends purchasing an appropriate holster which keeps direct contact of the radio waves away from your head and body.  Blue tooth technology and other handsfree headsets which attach directly to your head are not recommended, by many experts. Common sense wise, it is an established fact that inflammation, IE (heat) is destructive to human cellular tissue. Several minutes of cell phone exposure definitely increases heat to the area exposed to it. Several manufacturers recommend using the handsfree speaker phone if it is an option on your particular phone.

I personally believe that there is a limit on the amount of EMF/and other forms of radiation appropriate for humans and to be exposed to more than that creates biologic stress, and for some, psychological stress as well.  A wonderful remedy for this type of exposure is called YES drops, a flower essence that helps rid the body of this build up....helpful if you are exposed to heaps of EMF, and other radiation.

It was developed during the Chernobyl disaster to assist victims, and is available in the Natural Pharmacy.

I think it is important to avoid excess radio frequency radiation, and I certainly intend to follow the above safe guidelines, taken directly from the folks who create the products--Do they know something we did not?  I also think its important to break from technology, frequently and engage with nature, and interact with others on a regular basis.  Walking with my dog helps me do that on a daily basis.

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for great 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.

Share the HEALTH!

FREE Shipping and Save 10-20% on over 500 TOP Professional Products

Like US? Join us on FB!

We LOVE to Tweet! Join us on Twitter!

Visit our Natural Health Library for many GREAT Articles!

Don't Miss a thing! Subscribe now to get our new articles via email.

Send this article to a friend!

I have posted a new issue of Nutrition News in the Newsletter Portal, 05/08.  This month it updates drugged waters, gives a new test for Alzheimer's , How to Save your Skin and  M o r e!!  Cellphone safety has been postponed until next week. I will be posting a whole new promotional and educational calendar for June on Tuesday. Please watch your mail and Email... All NEW Great offers for our great clients. Have a great week!  Hugs, Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc

 

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for great 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.

Share the HEALTH!

FREE Shipping and Save 10-20% on over 500 TOP Professional Products

Like US? Join us on FB!

We LOVE to Tweet! Join us on Twitter!

Visit our Natural Health Library for many GREAT Articles!

Don't Miss a thing! Subscribe now to get our new articles via email.

Send this article to a friend!

 

Stroll down any supermarket aisle these days and you'll see growing areas of organic produce, even in conventional grocery stores.  Popularity is way up despite these uncertain economic times.  Consumer demand has almost tripled the sale of organic products in the past few years, presumably due to the consumers desire for improved health.

 

Organic farmers use only natural methods to grow produce, such as barriers and insect predators, whereas, in contrast:  traditional farmers use chemical means such as as: synthetic fertilizers, and weedkillers, Herbicides.  Unfortunately, conventionally grown food is often tainted with chemicals which are harmful to human beings and other animals. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 60-70% of herbicides are carcinogenic.

 

Health problems linked to these chemicals are: neurotoxicity, dysruption of the endocrine system, cancers, of various types, male reproductive problems and miscarriages in women.

 

Conventionally grown produce has also been shown to have less nutrients than that grown organically.  Studies have shown that on average organic produce contains about 20% more nutrients than conventional produce...it also tastes better.

 

Despite the great stuff going for organics many people simply cannot afford it.  Here are some options for getting better organic produce at lessened cost.  #1 Select organic from the fruits and vegetables that tend to have higher levels of pesticides.  That list is:  Peaches, apples, starberries, nectaries, pears, cherries, imported grapes, spinach, bell peppers, celery, potatoes, and hot peppers. 

 

It is also possible to wash conventional produce with a product such as" veggie wash" to remove some of the contaminants.  It is also possible to peel vegetables such as:  potatoes and apples for example to remove some contaminants.

 

Please remember that eating vegetables and fruits of any source is far preferable to eating none.  Freshness also counts in nutrition! A fresh traditionally grown tomato has far better health value than an organic one past its prime.  If you are not eating produce quickly, stayfresh bags, made out of CO2 or even frozen produce is far more healthful.

 

Lastly, locally grown or coop produce tends to be better nutritionally and otherwise.  I am offering patients that are interested a $5 off voucher for baskets at Merry Feast a wonderful organic coop in Arlington Hts, Please stop in during our office hours and pick up the coupon and ordering information.  I'd love to see more people express their demand for organic,  healthy fruits and vegetables so the prices would come down and make healthier eating choices accessible for everyone.   Remember, we vote with our dollars. Visit our natural pharmacy for great deals and free shipping on the best natural products.

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for great 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.

Share the HEALTH!

FREE Shipping and Save 10-20% on over 500 TOP Professional Products

Like US? Join us on FB!

We LOVE to Tweet! Join us on Twitter!

Visit our Natural Health Library for many GREAT Articles!

Don't Miss a thing! Subscribe now to get our new articles via email.

Send this article to a friend!

This week's Forum continues our discussion to natural alternatives to the top three prescription drugs.  Just because a person is prescribed a medication does not make it the best therapeutic option.  Doctors often recommend drugs soley because of savvy, sophisticated marketing efforts by giant pharmaceutical companies.  Those companies are certainly not going to suggest, cheaper,  more natural alternatives to drugs they have spent billions of dollars bringing to market.

 

#1 HRT-(Premarin, et al.) Wyeth Labs made over one BILLION dollars last year in estrogen replacement therapy for Premarin alone.  Estrogen-replacement is widely prescribed for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.  Naturopathic physicians, such as myself,  are dismayed that this marketing has turned a natural process into a disease, requiring treatment.

 

About 75% of women taking estrogen replacement therapy quit within one year due to side effects. Especially significant are gastro-intestinal symptoms.

 

Natural alternatives: Soy Isoflavones such as: foods like tofu, soy nuts, soy cereals, or soy supplements. One I recommend is Soy Easy, available in my pharmacy.  Black Cohosh is an herb with a long history for balancing hormones, in folk medicine. While soy isoflavones act as weak plant estrogens, Black Cohosh does not contain any estrogenic properties according to the most current research, so it considered safe for women with high estrogen levels such as endometriosis.  I prefer MMS, and Vitanicas standardized extracts due to their long history, and excellent track record.

 

#2 Antibiotics: Amoxicillan is the number one antibiotic in the United States.  It kills germs, certainly, but also breeds resistant bacteria, and destroys the good or beneficial flora in the body leading to problems with immunity, and leading to other infections.

 

Natural alternatives: Acupuncture can bolster the immune system and eliminate the need for antibiotics in many cases.  I have used acupuncture successfully to treat all kinds of infection, and it has worked quickly and thoroughly.

Garlic is also a substance that will boost the immune system while simultaneously fighting microbial infection.  High doses of garlic can be used without professional supervision.

Probiotics, can also boost the immune system by adding to the amount of "good guys" your immune system has. Beneficial products are scarce though.  I have come up with four in 12 years of practice, that I feel are beneficial.

 

#3-Prozac, and other antidepressants.  A few years ago, after four years in practice I took an informal count of my 335 patients and found that 70% were on anti-depressants or other mood alterning drugs...I was dumbfounded!

 

My top remedies for mood problems are: flower essences a form of emotional homeopathy, and again acupuncture to harmonize the emotions.  In 94% of my patients, we were able to gradually wean off over time, and they remain medication free!!!  I am not as satisfied with mainstream protocols such as St. Johns Wort, although they are extremely safe unless combined with medication.  Please note:  I never combine herbal and prescription medications!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Next week we will discuss the use of "statin" drugs for cholesterol lowering.  Is cholesterol really bad?  Stay tuned.

 

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.COM 4/14/2008

 

Best of Health!

 

Visit our Natural Product Pharmacy for great 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.

Share the HEALTH!

FREE Shipping and Save 10-20% on over 500 TOP Professional Products

Like US? Join us on FB!

We LOVE to Tweet! Join us on Twitter!

Visit our Natural Health Library for many GREAT Articles!

Don't Miss a thing! Subscribe now to get our new articles via email.

Send this article to a friend!

I just learned today that Botox travels from its injection site to the brain where it affects neurotransmitter firing.....I'll be talking about cosmetic acupuncture and SAFE ways to improve your appearance, naturally  in an upcoming article.

 

This week and next week I'd like to speak to you about some natural alternatives to drugs.  The following are alternatives to the top 3 over the counter drugs.

 

1.  Pain relievers such as: Tylenol and Advil are the best-selling OTC drugs in this country.  Most pain relievers are used to lessen pain from arthritis, muscle strain or sports injury.  Aspirin falls into this category.

In the natural medicine field, pain can be relieved by: herbs such as Devil's Claw and White Willow Bark, natural anti inflammatories. Enzymes such as: papain and bromelain can also work wonders for many people. One product I recommend is: Arth-Plus, which contains all the above and is available from the natural pharmacy.  Another remedy is: capsaicin a substance isolated from Chili Peppers...I love the band, too.  Applied topically, capsaicin can improve surgical healing, headache and arthritis.  It can have a warm or even burning sensation which disappears with regular use.

 

2. Antacids, or "Heartburn" Drugs- Heartburn has become big business by drug companies in the last few years, with occasional indigestion suddenly becoming a "disease".  Pepcid AC is a huge drug in the US, and Tagamet and Zantac are big sellers as well.  Please note that chronic indigestion or heart burn IS a medical problem and can lead to esophageal erosion and even cancer.  In Natural Medicine, its cause is usually food allergies, or intestinal dysbiosis. Please see my page on Candida, linked here.  For occasional heartburn due to poor dietary choices, I love the Papaya Enzyme we have from ADL, because it does not contain fake sugars and sugar alcohols which all others do. Papaya enzyme helps to digest enzymatically proteins, and also neutralizes acid naturally.  DGL, a form of licorice root that does NOT raise blood pressure is also available in lozenges and helps to soothe the esophasgus and neutralize acid.  I like RX vitamins lozenges, and recommend them for anyone to have on hand in their natural medicine chest.  Avoiding late eating and simply learning how to chew properly are very helpful in preventing this common disorder.

 

3. Cold Remedies: such as-Hall's, Robitussin, NyQuil, Theraflu etc., are the third popular OTC medication. Several antihistamines have been linked to dangerous rise in blood pressure.  The others only relieve symptoms.  Natural Medicines can reduce the recovery time, and sometimes even abort the illness altogether if taken at the first sign of symptoms.  Zinc lozenges can be taken every hour or two for two days to help shorten recovery time. Research has demonstrated hastening recovery time by 50%.  High dosages of vitamin C have a similar effect. 1,000 Mgs of Buffered C...again see my pharmacy for product details, can be taken every hour to bowel tolerance, whereupon stools become soft.  NAC, can be very effective at reducing phlegm, and also bolster the immune system.

 

 Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.COM  4/7/2008

 

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.

Share the HEALTH!

FREE Shipping and Save 10-20% on over 500 TOP Professional Products

Like US? Join us on FB!

We LOVE to Tweet! Join us on Twitter!

Visit our Natural Health Library for many GREAT Articles!

Don't Miss a thing! Subscribe now to get our new articles via email.

Send this article to a friend!