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September 11th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
 
Image Courtesy: aquarium-fish-tips.com
 
Wow, people do seem to enjoy getting tested medically or quasi medically.  They seem to relish the whole scientific method, forming a hypothesis, the testing process, getting a "working"  diagnosis and the like.  In fact, hundreds of  billions of dollars are spent on medical and alternative medical tests each year. 
 
As any good clinician knows, a lot of testing is unnecessary.  A good history, exam, and eyeballing the client will lead to the proper conclusion over 90% of the time.  But people do love their tests.  I see many new clients who bring in a sheaf of papers of "screening" alternative tests:  allergy testing medical and alternative, adrenal profiles, hormone panels, candida antigens and no one has any idea what to do with them until they get to me and we get to work. On occasion, even conventional medical tests like the PSA for men are called into question.  In addition, even the very best of tests are only about 75-80% accurate, so it is important to choose a practioner with great clinical skills.  Some tests are downright quackery and live cell microscopy may fall into this category.
 
People are impressed with the images of their blood on a darkfield microscope and are given health and nutritional advice based on these images.   Often this advice is alarmingly similar, I've discovered.  Some of the "findings"  I've been hearing about are:
 
  • Excess protein in the blood
  • Fermenting RBC's caused by mold or yeast overgrowth
  • Bacterial mold toxicity
  • Basophiles in the RBC's due to latent allergies
  • Crystals in the blood due to excess proteins or leaky gut
  • Toxic infection of the RBC's
Unfortunately, none of these "findings" has any basis in fact or real science according to microbiology experts.  See quackwatch.com for details about this testing.
Upon the patient's findings, interventions such as expensive detox or cleansing programs are employed.  They may or may not involve colon hydrotherapy.  Expensive supplements are prescribed and people are asked to return frequently for updated testing and supplements.  Sometimes their symptoms improve for a couple of weeks due to the placebo effect but in time this wears off and the client is no better off and his wallet lighter.
 
When I was training in acupuncture in China we shared this anecdote.  If a westerner opened a clinic in China and gave the same exact antibiotic treatment to each person a few patients might be helped.  If an easterner opened a clinic here and gave the same chinese herbs to each patient a few people would be helped but most would not be.  There are two concerns with this testing: number one, people delay real exploration and treatment and get worse, they ignore important symptoms requiring medical treatment and get worse, AND they tend to become dismissive towards alternative medicine due to these experiences.
 
My advice?  Seek a reputable practitioner with a solid reputation in alternative care.  An ND or nutritionist has solid western training and knows when to refer out and also will have higher standards regarding testing using hopefully the scientific method AND experience to make clinical judgements.  Clients: STOP wasting your time and money chasing your symptoms for entertainment sake and sit down, commit and WORK with someone reputable. We offer a full range of functional testing right here at our store!
 
In the final analysis, that is the only way I know to REALLY improve your health.  Special GLUTEN report on Friday!
 
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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:
14205
September 10th, 2013 at 7:13 pm

Hello!!!

 

Thank you!  We have just been notified of TWO awards!  We are the top Acupuncture Clinic in Arlington Heights!

 

 

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:
12264
September 4th, 2013 at 2:30 pm

 Back to school time with ADD, ADHD?

Back to school time can be a stressful time for most families but for those families who have children with ADHD or ADD it can be even more so.  ADHD is a behavioral condition characterized by attention difficulties and hyperactivity while ADD is characterized by attention difficulties and inattentiveness. Both ADD/ADHD are common among children but can also be present in adults and may cause adjustment, social self esteem and learning difficulties . 

 


Children with ADD/ADHD typically demonstrate some degree of behavioral issues and may perform poorly academically in school. Adults may be forgetful and have difficulty prioritizing and executing tasks. The root cause of such symptoms can vary greatly, and it is paramount to determine this cause in order to develop an appropriate treatment plan.  There is tremendous pressure on parent to drug their children if diagnosed with attention deficit of either type.  Many parents are understandable conflicted about the medical treatments available for their child.

We understand NOW that chronic inflammation or infection is commonly found in individuals with attention and hyperactivity issues. Chronic inflammation  may affect moods by alternating brain and hormone chemistries. Root causes of inflammation (infections, allergies, or hypersensitivities) should be investigated as part of your healthcare practitioner's standard evaluation. 
 

A New Scientific Approach to Attention and Hyperactivity Issues

Neuroscience and their laboratory Pharmasan has developed a thorough evaluation of neurotransmitters which can be quite useful in determining the cause of these behavioral issues, as well as help to develop a non-drug treatment plan to address symptoms and reveal the particular imbalances specific to the person. In many cases symptoms such as these may be accompanied by a high level of excitatory neurotransmitters; symptom resolution is often achieved by addressing these imbalances with calming support nutrients  example Kavinace.

Root causes of inflammation (infections, allergies, or hypersensitivities) should also be investigated; for example, food sensitivities are a common cause of attention and hyperactivity issues in children.
 

Symptoms of ADD ADHD:

  • Switching tasks frequently
  • Difficulty focusing on one task
  • Focus issues
  • Impatience
  • Excess energy, inability to sit still
  • Trouble following instructions
  • Impulsive behavior
 
 
 
This is VERY uplifting news for a lot of parents!   Various basic and expanded neurotransmitter panels are available for VERY affordable prices.  Testing ranges from $200-550 and entails urine and possibly saliva samples.   I have been quite impressed with the testing sophistication, products offered by NeuroScience and most of all LASTING results.  We also have a children's natural product aisle with awesome natural products and FREE shipping on all orders!
Please contact us if you are interested in learning more or would like testing performed for yourself or your child.
 We also have 2 DVD's FREE regarding the dangers of psychiatric drugs for children.  Please contact me as soon as possible if you would like to pick one up.  Thanks!
 
 
PSS We have updated our calendar for September.  Visit all the great offerings we have this month!
  

Photo: Courtesy reloblogspt.com   Thank you.

 

                          

 

 

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:
10564
August 27th, 2013 at 9:48 pm

Today's Topic: My top pics for real energy building supplements!  When I drive around the Chicagoland area I am struck by how "yang" or excess people's energy is.  Think horn blowing, red faced angry people.  They have too much "false" energy.  Too much yang energy eventually leads to things likes strokes.

 

                    Photo: courtesy of Arkansas Energy Law

 

As a board certified expert in both nutrition and acupuncture as well as naturopathy,  one of the most common health complaints is hear daily is "lack of energy".  Chinese medicine among it's many strengths recognizes the difference between "real"  and "false" energy.  False energy is the energy which relies on adrenalin, caffeine and stimulant drugs including nicotine, cocaine and methamphetamine. According to oriental medicine philosophy alot of one's energy is a God given birth right.  Other energy must be repleted with the correct herbs and nutrients.  Often Chinese herb formulas are tonics which serve to strengthen the adrenals.

Up it with Superfood Nutrients & Antioxidants

Every day our bodies are exposed to much wear and tear. Superfoods with their high levels of phytochemicals and antioxidants work to eliminate free radicals that are created daily. Superfoods like chorella and spirulina , kale, sprouted grains  and probiotics also keep immune system functioning at its peak to ward off illness and keep the liver and lymphatics strong as well.

Increased stress also depletes our bodies of nutrients quickly just when we need them most. Superfoods contain Vitamin C  a critical nutrient needed to replenish the adrenal system. Another antioxidant in superfoods is vitamin E.  Vitamin E supports six enzymatic reactions for creating adrenal hormones.  Natural E from superfoods contains the balance nature intended.  An excellent product we sell and I take every day is: Green's First which contains a balance of superfoods and probiotics and supplies 14+ servings of fruits and vegetables in a delicious shake. We stock both the green tea flavor and the Berry.  This product loses potency quickly since it contains many live nutrients so it is optimal to buy it from us since we control it's environment and temperature and turn over our product each week so it is freshest.  Most people see an increase in energy immediately upon using this supplement.  

 

Also critical are: B vitamins which supply major elements in the body's energy production cycle. Stress depletes B's rapidly. Without enough of them, the body won't be able to produce enough ATP, our natural energy source.
Niacin is critical for adrenal function because it facilitates crucial reactions in the adrenal cascade.
Vitamin B6 is also a critical co-factor for many enzymatic pathways in the adrenal system. Fifty to 100mg per day can help restore normal adrenal function and thus increase energy.
Douglas's TriB100 is a top seller at my clinic. It gives a balance of all the B vitamins at the highest dosage and in a time released form, all necessary for energy production, and very helpful to have ALL the B 's available in a balanced formula when you need them most including pantothenic acid, biotin and folic acid.

 

 

Other Natural Enhancers:

Coenzyme Q10 is used in every cell's energy production cycle. CoQ10 increases the efficiency of each cell's energy use. Low levels of CoQ10 have been linked to chronic fatigue syndrome and are a factor in general fatigue, adrenal and thyroid disorders. While individual needs do vary I typically prescribe 50-100mgs per day for energy enhancement. Getting a quality product is a problem as most dol ittle or nothing.  One of the best we use at our clinic is by Metabolic Maintenance.

Chinese Herbs:

Chinese Herbs that can support natural energy production are always  FORMULAS not single herbs (as popular in western medicine) include licorice root, ginseng root-various types and ginger. These herbs can be taken as supplements, in extracts, or steeped in teas. They have antioxidant powers and support normal hormone levels and metabolism levels.  Two favorite tonics for energy that I often prescribe for a couple of months are by Health Concerns.  They work on the energy center of the body to strengthen it and can be helpful used seasonally or for a a month or two.  You can check them out right here: Astra Essence and Longevitytabs.  Please discuss any supplements with your health advisor.  I am also thrilled to answer any product question for any of our customers.  You may also check out my energy aisle of my store to see the entire aisle at a glance. 

We appreciate YOU, your business and support.  I appreciate serving you. Mike and I are looking forward to bringing you the BEST in natural products and testing anywhere!  I have redesigned our Facebook and Twitter pages.  We are VERY close to 100 likes.  Help us get there and join us for great fun and original health tips.  We have the ONLY online and local" all things natural"  vitamin store with experts, one a Pharmacy tech actually filling your orders.

 

Next week a whole new EVENTS calendar for September.  To kick off the "back to school" season-Next week's Forum:  Should you drug your child?  New Natural Help for ADD, ADHD.  Very exciting and timely good news.


 

 

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:
10820
August 21st, 2013 at 11:54 am

                                          

Backaches are nearly as common as headaches and are a major cause of addiction to pain medications.  Some backaches  are a sniper attack: You never seem them coming and then  WHAM! You can barely stand up or lie down. Others start with a twinge or a pinch -- subtle warnings of the dull, throbbing agony to come.  Whether back pain is a front assalt or a sniper attack, the fact is YOU've  probably been laying the groundwork for spinal troubles for months, or even years. All kinds of  bad habits -- from how you walk to whether you smoke -- cause chronic back problems.  Here is some of what I have observed in my practice as some majors. Correcting them could save your back . . . and your marriage even your job.  Read on!

Smoking: Besides ruining just your health lungs, brain and breath, smoking also nearly triples your chances of back pain, especially if you're a woman. Reason?: The carbon monoxide in smoke forces oxygen out of your bloodstream, so muscles, ligaments, and other back supports become oxygen-deprived. Another? : Nicotine constricts blood vessels, further shrinking your oxygen and therefore nutrient supply. Need help with smoking cessation?  Try acupuncture.  My success rate with clients is 97%!  Needles not for you?  Try our homeopathic tobacco withdrawal product here.

Chronic Dehydration: Starving muscle and ligament tissue is what happens if you don't drink enough, often enough.  If you exercise, sweat profusely or eat a diet high in salt or caffeine you need MORE FLUID than others.

Slouching: That hipster slouch you may have been cultivating  (unwittingly, of course!) stresses the ligaments that stabilize the joints in your spine -- and that is almost famous for weakening abdominals and  causing back pain. Not only is it not cool it HURTS!

Couch/computer surfing: To widespread surprise, review of almost a decade of medical studies concluded that being sedentary is not linked to low back pain. But consider the side effects of doing little more than switching from keyboard to clicker and back again: gaining weight, losing muscle strength, weakening abdominals and hunching or slumping for hours at a time. Talk about a perfect scenario for back disaster. I have found that daily cardio: fast walking,  running, jogging, etc. aligns the back, and everything else,  every time. I learned this at age 18 after a serious car accident that years of physical therapy didn't even TOUCH.

Sleeping awkwardly: A bunched-up or cramped sleep position (bed too small?) fall asleep on the couch too often ? can leave your back stiff. So can sleeping on an old mattress. So can sleeping with small children or God forbid PETS.  A well-made, medium-firm mattress is worth the price, University of Oklahoma researchers discovered this: Low back pain is significantly more common among people who sleep in cheap or worn out beds.

You're Too Tired: I have observed time and time again that people with back pain are too tired, exhausted in fact.  This weakens the entire structure of the body.  Many of them are "wired and tired"  not even aware their bodies are falling apart.  This leads to weight gain, hormonal issues, and of course stress, poor posture and poor health habits which all conspire to spiral downward into even MORE back pain.

Pregnancy/Childbirth: I have noticed that many women report chronic back pain which ensued during or after their first pregnancy.  Many women become deficient in nutrients at that time and never recover until it is diagnosed and properly remedied. Often, the chronic back problems resolve when those nutrients are repleted.  I often prescribe Disc Discovery and Back Bone to support disc health in my cases.  It makes such a difference. Check out my Joint/Ortho aisle for more great products.

Lose the weight: You've heard this before. Carrying too much weight causes your body to fall out of alignment.  It also creates risks in it's attempts to realign itself as things are out of balance. 

  1. Stressing out: Tense jobs cause tense muscles, which can magnify back pain. In fact, workers with the highest stress levels are five times more likely to have problems, say researchers. J. Sarno discovered this in his treatise on back pain many years ago.  When stress has you tensed up, head to toe, take some calming, muscle-relaxing deep breaths.  It takes practice so find one you like and DO IT, meditation, qi gong, yoga, etc., daily.
  2. Sooooo what to Do When Your Back Is against the wall?
  3. First, stay mobile, even if you just take short indoor walks. A day or two of bed rest is okay if you've had an acute sprain and are really hurting, but muscles begin to atrophy with amazing speed, which makes your back weaker and future injuries and pain more likely. These simple, proven all natural treatments will help ease your aches and get you back in action.

Hot and cold therapy: Cold packs every 20 minutes or so reduce swelling and inflammation during the first day or two. After that, the warmth of a heating pad or a hot water bottle soothes muscle tension and spasms.  Sometimes alternating heat and cold is even more effective. See what works best for you.

Epsom Salt Soak: Soaking in magnesium rich epsom salts can help loosen tight muscles quickly.  If it helps racehorses I am sure it will help you.

Pain Relief: Our natural sports and injury enzymes right here give some quick short-term relief. Just don't exceed the dosing instructions. See your doctor if your situation does not improve.

Rub-on relief: Tiger Balm , ICE and  Pain-easing ointments, gels, and creams often reduce stiffness and muscle soreness, not least because massaging them in feels soothing and increases circulation and nutrients to the area.

#back pain, back aches, pain  Photo: Courtesy MyHealthcareReviews.com

 

PS Next time! My selections for top energy building supplements. Subscribe below so you don't miss a thing!

 

 

Visit our Store:  FREE shipping on all orders, VOLUME discounts, and GREAT products/ExpertAdvice

 

 

 

 

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:
10910
August 13th, 2013 at 10:18 pm
  • I am starting a new column called Tales from the Trenches where I will talk to you about natural healing for a specific condition.  This episode is about HPV and Cervical Dysplasia.  While I have helped MANY, (hundreds) of  women- one of them MYSELF!~ achieve long term remission for this condition, I remember one woman who came in with late stage cervical carcinoma a couple years ago who asked me whether she should have a LEEP procedure the next day.  I did not advise her not to, preferring as I always do that she make her own decision regarding that with her medical team and she died during the procedure. She was 34. Sometimes, in my business it's the people you can't or didn't help that you always remember....
 
  • HPV and cervical dysplasia are fairly commonplace.  
  • Diagnosis & Treatment

    1. HPV is typically identified through a routine pap smear; HPV has no outward symptoms. If a pap smear shows atypical or abnormal cells (within a certain range) doctors may perform further testing to determine the presence of HPV and the extent to which the cervical cells are affected with a biopsy.
  • There is no cure for HPV, and Avoidance of laser and surgical intevention may be contingient upon  on a woman's age, treatment preferences,  childbearing intentions and other medical factors, whereby traditional treatments and potential aftereffects may be undesirable, or risky. 
  • Considerations

  • While there are many alternative therapies for HPV and cervical dysplasia, not all of them are effective or safe. Waiting --  but with regular MEDICAL checkups and retests -- is often recommended. But, because cervical dysplasia can develop into cancer,  always consult with your health care practitioner before starting any type of treatment to ensure the option is a good fit for you and your health and that you are being followed appropriately.

  • Alternative Therapies

  • Because the body has it's own natural ability to clear up the infection without intervention, this is often the best place to start if you've received a high-risk HPV/cervical dysplasia diagnosis. Most alternative therapy options should involve strategies designed to invigorate your immune system. Diet, regular exercise,  stress reduction, smoking cessation,  and getting adequate sleep all play a role in supporting your body's ability to heal itself effectively,  reduce inflammation and bolster immunity.

  • Nutrition

    1. Avoidance of junk foods and eating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant phyto nutrients is a critical step toward boosting your immune system. Enjoy fresh whole foods, especially dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale and swiss chard. Other deeply colored vegetables such as squash carrots, beets and cabbage are also credited for improving immune function.
    2. Limit your intake of alcohol, caffeine and high-fat and sugary foods.  addition to eating well, try supplementing your diet with antioxidant B vitamins, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E and indole-3-carbinol.
    3.  Green tea (in suppository or pill supplement forms) can also be beneficial. Recommended amounts of these supplements vary by source, so extensive research and education, and a consultation with a traditional nutrition/ naturopathic specialist and/or alternative health care provider, can be immensely helpful in making dosage decisions.  I use the above with suppositories to help reverse early tissue changes and recharge the immune system.  I often prescribe immune tonics such as: M/R/S, high dose folic acid as Folixor, Green Tea Suppositories, and vag pack suppositories we offer them to you right here in our store!
    4. Soon we will offer our own protocol available in the  which will contain the nutrients recommended by naturopathic physicians to correct this disorder.
Results speak for themselves. Exceptional results for almost all patients.
It is important to NOT panic when one receives this diagnosis.  The body has an amazing healing ability which is your birthright if handled properly.  Nutrition, herbs, suppositories and health promoting behaviors like stress reduction and smoking cessation can help turn this condition around in a matter of months.  I believe completely in nature's ability to help heal our bodies and have seen success without exception if people are dedicated and  do what needs to be done.
 
 
 
 

 

 

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:
14708
August 7th, 2013 at 1:17 pm

 

 

Albert Einstein is widely credited with the statement that if the honeybee were to become extinct, mankind would only survive  for four years.
 
 
CCD,  What is Colony Collapse Disorder?
Scientists and beekeepers have been baffled by Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) which is characterized by the sudden disappearance of the hive's worker population.

According to the USDA, Symptoms of CCD include few or no adult honeybees present, honey and immature bees (broods) remain present in the hive suggesting a sudden abandonment of the hive--a possible response to stress. However, the bees are never found elsewhere, they simply disappear and die. Usually, the queen bee is left behind but dies without establishing a new population.

The disorder has significantly affected bee populations since the 1970s with a sharp increase in losses since 2006. The 2013 year now marks the highest loss on record with at least 50 percent of all European honeybees in the U.S. reported lost to CCD. The attrition rate for honeybee hives is normally around 5 to 10 percent per year. After 2006, that rate increased to about one third. This year, it is one half.

That one-half figure is a critical point beyond which many beekeepers think Food availability and prices will be affected.

Bees are important because they pollinate most of the fruit and vegetable supply in the United States. They also produce honey, which is still widely consumed as a sweetener on bread and in a variety of other products. 

What's killing the bees?
 
Scientists admist it remains a mystery but beekeepers are devastated,  approaching their hives to find hundreds of worker bees dying outside the hives each day. As the bees die, farmers lose the ability to pollinate crops, reducing yields and thereby the food supply. Farmers are now projecting that the decrease in the supply of fruits and vegetables will be so great that prices will be impacted by the summer of this year.

A number of beekeepers blame pesticides for the loss of their bees, specifically as class known as neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids are a form of pesticide that work by blocking the nerve endings in insects, paralyzing them so that they die slowly by starvation. Beekeepers think their bees are being exposed to the pesticides and are dying as a result.  Another Hypothesis is GMO corn which is causing an intestinal disorder causing the massive die off.  Europe has already banned the use of neonicotinoids in a summit recently.  Organic farmers and gardeners have NOT seen evidence of this die off, interestingly.  Most scientists believe a collage of environmental factors are responsible for the demise.

Research done one dead bees confirms the pesticide is occasionally present.
This has prompted beekeepers to work together to sue the EPA for failing to ban neonicotinoids.

Others still think the causes could be more complex, a combination of natural and man-made, even cell phone towers which are contributing to stress and  the extreme mortality rate.

What researchers have widely observed is that bees are being exposed to a wider variety of chemicals in the environment that previously supposed. A virtual cocktail of pesticides and chemicals could be contributing to their demise.

Other research has looked into the possibility of diseases such as parasites or viruses, but no single factor has demonstrated the lethality that beekeepers are reporting.

Although the cause remains inconclusive, the effects are now beyond question. The dramatic reduction in honeybee population means fewer crops will be pollinated and farmers will pay more for their beehives. That means less food and higher costs for fruits and vegetables later in the year.
 
And to look deeper, Could not the honeybee be a canary in the mine, heralding disaster for all of us environmentally?
 
PLEASE support organic farming and NON-GMO foods by buying these foods.  Contact the Environmental protection agency and ask them to ban neonicotinoids and protect the health of the environment and food supply.
 
"I never saw a Miracle of Science, that didn't go from a blessing to a curse"....
Sting
If I ever Lose Faith in You.
 
 
 

Category: Environmental Health# Honeybee Deaths#

 

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:
10753
August 2nd, 2013 at 12:45 pm

                 JUST WHEN

you thought the case for omega 3 fish oil was closed forever comes a study linking Omega 3 supplementation to increased risk of prostate cancer.

 

Here's what top experts are saying about that study:

 

"A TIDE of evidence washes away flawed fish oil study".  ANH-Europe.org

"Dangers of fish oil and prostate cancer based on flawed science".  Fast and Furious News

 

"Fatally Flawed Study"-Philly.com.

Do Omega-3s Raise Men's Prostate Cancer Risk? Not Bloody Likely...

For DECADES, Foods rich in omega-3 fats have been demonstrated time and time again to prevent prostate cancer from spreading.

 

One famous  study (opposed to the featured study, which was observational and therefore cannot establish causality) was published in the British Journal of Cancer14 in 2006. This study concluded that while omega-6 fats (the kind found in most vegetable oils) increased the spread of prostatic tumor cells into bone marrow, the spread of cancer cells was actually blocked by omega-3 fats, suggesting that a diet rich in omega-3 fats could potentially inhibit the disease in men with early stage prostate cancer.

This conclusion has been supported by population studies as well.

Despite your concerns , telephone calls and emails, I assure you this study is not good information.

As a nutrition supplement expert and clinician, I am continuing to recommend Norwegian Salmon Oil as a health promoting supplement, and my family and I will continue to take it. Visit our store for top products at a major discount and FREE shipping on all orders!

 

 

 

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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10325
July 30th, 2013 at 10:24 pm

  Before Getting to this week's important topic, I have several VERY exciting announcements to make.  Apple-A-Day just won it's SECOND annual Best of Arlington Heights award for MEDICAL, and it's SECOND CONSECUTIVE  Talk of the Town Award.  Additionally,  I have been asked to be an editor for Bio Info Journals. More about these great things later.  Above is the Logo I have designed for my naturopathic skincare products which have arrived TODAY.  If you can wait just a bit longer my line will be in my store. We are waiting on the final label proofs, then photography and in our Beautiful Skin Boutique right here!

 

As a Naturopath and Acupuncturist I have learned that problems with the skin almost always come from within.When I studied in China the top hospital physicians were always dismayed when skin patients arrived because skin troubles are so difficult to treat. I have learned that this is because the body is so intelligent it is tenacious in keeping illness at a superficial level as long as it can.  Chinese Medicine Practitioners look to the face to see if any organs and systems are in disharmony, as this will show up as blemishes, wrinkles,  rashes and other minor problems. Healthy skin begins first with great nutrition and then with the  healthy circulation of blood. Here is what Chinese medicine says about the world's most common skin difficulties.

  • Occasional blemishes: Eating a fair amount of fatty and sweet foods can cause blemishes. Problematic foods reduce the energy in your digestive system, leading to inflammation, acid build-up and stagnation or weak circulation.
  •  Along with blemishes, you might have difficulty concentrating and sluggish digestion.
  • The answer is to cut down on sweets and fatty foods. In half is best. Certain herbs could help clear up blemishes and small rashes by cleansing the skin and blood at the same time. They include burdock root, yellow dock, dandelion and dried honeysuckle. Chinese remedies are often cooling and detoxifying at the skin level.
  • Rashes, Hives: Rashes and itchy skin caused by allergies could be treated with couple of herbal approaches. One good approach is to drink tea made with a handful of honeysuckle flowers and  of dandelion as well. These are detoxifiers, as are two lesser-known Chinese remedies. If you have chronic rashes or hives, try taking four pills of Yinchiao Chieh Tu Pien or Lien Chiao
    Pai Tu Pien. The latter is a good skin cleanser that could treat itchy, reddened skin.
  • Wrinkles: You could restore smooth skin, as wrinkles set in when your blood or qi(energy)  is weakened. First you need to eat nutritiously. Second, try any of the following teas, believed to make your skin more brilliant and toned: chicory root, burdock root, red clover flowers, Pau d'arco elderberries, rose hips, nettle, coltsfoot, and comfrey. These can all be beneficial.. To send nutrients straight to your skin, add a few pinches of powdered pearl.
  • Aging Skin: Many items can cleanse and rejuvenate your skin because of the ingredients they contain. These are all excellent herbal tonics, according to Chinese medicine: nettle, alfalfa, red clover, comfrey, and gotu kola. I have incorporated all of these into my skincare line, depending upon what is needed to be accomplished.. 
In Naturopathic Medicine, problems with skin are almost always related to digestion in some way.  Food allergies when chronic and undiagnosed can lead to eczema and psoriasis, as can undiagnosed bacterial or yeast problems, toenail fungus is another form. Alopecia, or hair loss is but another form. Since the skin is the first barrier in the immune system it is also the first thing to break down when something is amiss. We have terrific professional products for hair loss and hair health.

 

Proper Testing and assessment as well as skilled correction will make huge improvements in the skin over time.  There are also helpful nutrients and topicals for more pedestrian problems.
 
This is a quick overview of a highly complex topic.  Please feel free to contact us for more information. Visit our Natural Pharmacy for exceptional products, at GREAT Prices and FREE shipping!
 
 
I have been working day and night to make our all about health store a seamless shopping experience for all.  Let me know what you think.  Thank you!  
 
Next week's Nutrition and Health BLOG Forum:  Dead Honeybees don't Lie. This is an article you do NOT want to skip.

 

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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13639
July 23rd, 2013 at 9:38 pm

   

  Sugar blues?

 

How Sweet it... Isn't  

Are any sugar replacers safe?  How bad is sugar exactly?  Seems like this is a good time to

probe that subject.  At the heart of the matter is Splenda, the leader in calorie-free sweeteners.  Its seemingly overnight success has made Splenda the number one branded artificial sweetener in the country.  It was actually under development when I was still a graduate student, in 1996.  Splenda can be found in over 3,500 products and over 80 countries.  Despite its widestream popularity, some controversy has arisen.  What is Splenda exactly, and is it safe?

 

 At it's forefront in controversy is Johnson & Johnson...with one of the most successful marketing campaigns..EVER.  "Tastes like sugar because it's made from sugar".....HMMM.....let's see.

 

A quick visit to Johnson & Johnson's website is all it takes to recognize that Splenda is NOT natural and certainly no longer SUGAR.

 

Splenda is a synthesized CHEMICAL.  Starting with a molecule of sugar, with three hydroxyl groups, which are atoms composed of hydrogen and oxygen, the three hydroxl groups are removed and replaced with.....Okay now are you ready for this???????????  CHLORINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

This chlorination process is what makes Splenda indigestible, by the time this chemical sleight of hand has been carried out Splenda is a Chlorocarbon..Many well known chlorocarbons exist, and I do not think for a moment that one has any place in the human diet, as they are extremely toxic.  Some infamous chlorocarbons are: DDT and Lindane. Lindane is widely used for killing lice.

 

What about research?  Not ONE single long-term research study has ever been conducted on Splenda, other than the one that is being conducted on the public right now.  In the following chart, I have listed some natural sweeteners for your consideration.  Please recognize though that even all-natural sweeteners will wreck havoc on your body if not used in moderation.   As far as I am concerned, I would like to see all artificial sweetners, as well as high fructose corn syrup banned from use on this planet.  Following are some healthier sugar replacers, and I have one chinese one right here which doesn't raise blood sugars, lead to weight gain, or cause any health problems.

 

 

                     Natural Sugar Replacers

Agave Nectar Versatile, 75% sweeter than sugar, digests slowly
Barley Malt Powder Contains some nutrients, good in baked goods
Brown Rice Syrup Contains nutrients, 50% less sweet than sugar.
Date Sugar Can be used as a brown sugar replacement
Honey Contains nutrients, antioxidants, and enzymes
Stevia Herbal sugar replacement, use sparingly, VERY sweet
Sugarcane Less sweet than sugar
Xylitol Naturally produced sugar alcohol 40%less calories than sugar, inhibits oral bacteria

 

 All Replacers are: 20-25 KCALS per teaspoon.   COPYRIGHT 2012, Dr. Taryn DeCicco, All Rights Reserved.

 My favorite and one I consume daily tastes like brown sugar we sell it in our store right here

 

We offer: GREAT health products, AWESOME prices,  Superb same day service, and FREE shipping.  Naturopath and Pharmacy Tech on site to answer your questions. What more could you want?

 

 

 

Save 10-20% on TOP brands and products.  Visit our store above.  It PAYS to be well at Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

 

NEXT WEEK, new August Events and Alternative Health Blogs.

Tuesday Forum:  Issues of the Skin Come from WITHIN.

 

More about that next week!           

 

 

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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10902