But first a quick heads up...We'll be closed Christmas week and will reopen on Tuesday the 30th at 3:30 til 7:00PM, I will also be open on New Years eve, December 31st from 9:30-1PM.   You are welcome to pick up items or come in for appointments or even emergencies on those days!!!  Next week's topic is the magic of Music for healing...music is a form of vibrational medicine, so visit next week, too!!

 

In China's TCM hospitals, acupuncture and herbal medicine are used for weight loss frequently.  In the USA, most oriental medicine based treatment programs focus on using acupuncture to break food addictions.  While this is a viable use for a small segment of the overweight population, it denigrates chinese medicine and the real heart of it which is to establish a pattern specific to oriental medicine and treat or harmonize that pattern.

 

There are several patterns and causes of disharmony which pertain to reasons such as food stagnation-digestion, metabolism, inactivity, or emotional disturbance.

 

In chinese medicine, the doctor takes a history of the problem, pulses and tongue diagnosis as well as palpation to make and confirm a diagnosis.  Acupuncture points and accessory techniques such as: moxibustion, (warming points), cupping, applying a suction type device to specific points, massage or herbs will be selected and treated once or even twice per week.  Dietary therapy is given and is limited to foods to eliminate and decrease and foods to increase.

 

There is a minimum of a three month program in China's TCM hospitals and patients there will lose 10% or more of their body weight.

 

I am interested in starting a program at my clinic.  This program will involve unlimited visits for three months and be affordable.  If you are interested please call us at: 847-577-4455 or email me at doctaryn@aol.com!!!!

 

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!

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       Nutraceuticals are nutritional supplements that act as pharmaceuticals in the natural sense by promoting health of a particular organ or system.  This week we are going to learn about joint health and nutritional interventions for healthy joints.

 

Joint health is impacted by two major diseases the first, most common type is osteoarthritis, which is considered a degenerative process.  Some research scientists, cutting edge, I might add find that osteoarthritis is related to osteoporosis, a bone thinning disease common in both sexes as they age.  Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disease which results in substantial joint destruction and is not related to the aging process.  I believe RA should be treated by establishing the cause as to what is triggering the immune system to go wild.  This week's discussion will pertain to osteoarthritis only.

 

Naturopathic treatment of osteoarthritis will relate to investigation of the bone, calcium, hormones, vitamin D levels and blood and liver function.  These studies will determine what natural products the person is most likely to respond to.  Many factors influence joint health: psture, body weight, activity level, bone health, heredity, diet, hydration, digestive health, and levels of toxins which create generalized inflammation.

 

According to a 1961 Pathology textbook changes in cartilage tissue after age 50 is primarily due to nutritional deficiency.  This still is not being practiced!!! Osteoarthritis is the number one disease of aging, experienced almost universally after age 50 although individual involvement varies greatly.  Over 5 million Americans per year are disabled by osteoarthritis, along with many others from disc disease, and other conditions.

 

There is substantial evidence that osteoarthritis can be reversed!!!

Most of you have heard of glucosamine and chondroitin.  I have had many patients come in complaining that it had not worked for them on their own but after me configuring a comprehensive treatment plan for them, they were pain free after 4 weeks!!!  Often people do not take the amounts needed in divided doses for three to four months.  Due to the lack of a direct blood supply to these tissues, hydration and time are critical.  It will take a period of time to see results and it is necessary to be consistent as well as patient.

 

Cutting edge nutrients for joint health are: niacidamide a flush free form of niacin which has been studied since the 1940's for joint mobility. In studies, this B-vitamin has been found to reduce symptons in 70% of participants.

 

Pantothenate: Stiffness and pain reduction resulting in suspention of pain medicines were seen in several small studies using this B-vitamin but no further research has been done despite promising results in both OA and RA patients!

 

Vitamin C:  a precursor for proper cartilage formation, high doses have had a major impact on studies of osteoarthritis patients.

 

Horsetail: a herb that is a natural source of silica which has a role in both bone and cartilage health.

 

Exciting new developments:

 

Green Lipped Mussel Extract: A righ source of Glycosaminoglycans are an integral component of all connective tissues.  A few studies have found that GAG's are helpful especially for knee arthritis.  See my product Lyprinol.

 

Hylauronic Acid: A natural component of synovial fluid, HA is very effective in lubricating dry joints with a lot of "cracking".

 

 

I'd like to help more people with arthritis so I'm taking 20% off all joint supplements by mentioning this weeks article.  I will be featuring free arthritis consults for people with the disorders next month on Freebie Friday.

 

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

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I have just published your  new December website with a calendar of events, upcoming forums, meditation room, dedicated to my mother in heaven,  new testimonials, and a promotion or two.... but you'll have to look for them to find them.  Hope you'll visit soon. Best of health and happy holidays!  Doc Taryn  847-577-4455

 

PS Your beautiful cards and prayers were a huge help to my family this Thanksgving and I have just begun responding to them, I am still receiving your notes and cards daily...THANK YOU.  Thank you so very much for your kindness and please keep us in your prayers.

 

 

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!

As far as I'm concerned, I don't think that diet or anything else can extend our existence on this planet by one millisecond but that is my spiritual belief, and always has been.  Healthspan, in my opinion is quite another matter.  Here, diet and other important lifestyle choices can have an amazing effect on our healthy years, the aging process and the presence or absence  of degenerative diseases.

 

In animal studies lifespan has been extended...although due to individual variation who's to say how long any being is "supposed" to live?  More importantly, healthspan and the aging process has been dramatically impacted by dietary changes and that is this week's discussion forum.

 

Research pioneered by Dr. Roy Walford a pathologist at the University of California, who succumbed to Lou Gehrig's disease at age 79 spent much of the last 30 years of his life following something called the Biosphere Diet.  This diet was about 30% lower in calories but very nutrient dense and devoid of any "junk" foods, sugars, or fats, and primarily vegan.

 

Both animal and people studies have confirmed that this diet has led to major health improvements including lessened incidence of diabetes, cancer, insulin resistance, lowered blood pressures, and low cholesterol levels.  Both animals and people have benefitted fron a sharp reduction in markers of aging such as: graying hair, wrinkles, lessened muscle mass, and lowered immunity and bone density, energy levels and cognitive function remain at levels of those much younger.

 

Researchers project that this alone would save the medical system almost $10,000 per PERSON,  per year, in medical treatment, important as our population ages.  Have you visited our Natural Pharmacy?  We have hundreds of natural professional products, FREE shipping and volume discounts on brands like: Metagenics, Douglas and many more.

 

 

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 hope you have had time to review our offerings for October, and I hope you enjoy my attempt at some lighthearted animation for Halloween, and in the meditation room!

 

This week's topic is:  Can nutrition and natural medicine reverse or prevent hair loss? (alopecia)  , and the two are related, not only in terms of nutrition but also in Chinese Medical theory.  According to a recent scientific study, males were more likely to be attracted to a partner with thick, long hair than any other attribute.  The researchers hypothesized that hair quality was genetically programmed to signify fertility. Even biblically, beautiful hair is considered a woman's greatest glory.  In Chinese Medical Theory, the quality of the hair reflects the health of the kidney, which is the root of good health...pun intended.

 

Common hair problems can be related to serious health or medical problems, hormonal imbalances as well as nutritional problems and should not be ignored, or self treated at home.  Here we'll talk about those interventions.  

 

Symptoms of nutritional deficiencies or imbalances are: premature graying/brittleness, slow or no growth, thinning, texture changes,  spot balding, or overall balding, scalp problems including sebborrhea, and dandruff.

 

Foods that help with hair health and growth are the ones that help your overall health for sure!  Some "super foods" for healthy hair are: acai or goji berries which are full of antioxidants, amino acids, minerals, and non-inflammatory fats.  Allium vegetables such as garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, chives contain bioflavonoids which help the body excrete toxins and carcinogens...certainly important since the hair shows toxins more than any other body tissue.

 

Sprouted Barley, and barley grasses chorella, spirulina and sea vegetables which contain essential fatty acids, and also help the body excrete toxins.  Recommendation: our excellent Green's First product which contains all the items recommended in this article.  Other recommended foods are:  beans and lentils excellent for proteins without adding inflammatory fats, hot peppers, which have beneficial effects on circulation & nutrition to hair capillaries, nuts and seeds, which contain beneficial fats, minerals and phyto chemicals. Sprouts of any source,  contain enzymes which help you digest and assimilate foods into creation of living tissue.  Lastly: probiotics such as yogurt with live cultures and kefir are necessary for a functional immune system, and youthful digestive tract.

 

Dietary changes will take at least four months to show up in your  hair so keep it up!

 

Nutrient deficiencies and hair loss

 

Premature greying is usually due to mineral imbalances or shortages of calcium, magnesium or zinc.  Iron or long term anemia can also rob pigment from the hair.  A simple blood test can reveal deficiencies. An in office zinc test can reveal zinc deficiency which is not usually checked by non-nutritionists.

 

Spot balding or thinning can be due to deficiencies of several nutrients: magnesium, niacin, biotin, inositol, zinc and pantothenic acid, vitamin B-5.  Interestingly these are typically low in those with tons of stress!  Identification and resolution of the deficiency leads to hair restoration in most case.

 

Balding can also be due to a toxic reaction to something, or even poisoning!  For instance,  taking high dosages of Vitamin A for months will cause hair loss.  Stopping megadoses will reverse the problem in most cases.  If hair loss or changes are due to environmental poisons a hair test can reveal alot.

 

Balding can also be a sign of food allergies.  Many celiac disease sufferers, those allergic to gluten,  have very poor hair until their condition is diagnosed. Uncontrolled allergies can cause an auto immune response to the hair follicle and is far more common than most people suspect.

 

Scalp problems such as seborrhea may also be due to food allergy.  Elimination of the offending substance often does wonders!  Other times, hormone imbalances or fatty acid imbalances are to blame and when resolved the condition disappears!

 

Dandruff may be due to anemia or zinc deficiency.  Biotin or B-5 may also manifest this way.

 

Hormonal imbalances such as low thyroid, menopause, andropause, high testosterone levels and insulin resistance can have deleterious effects on hair health.  If caught and addressed early these can be reversed.  I have used acupuncture & Chinese Herbs in very serious, chronic cases with excellent long-term results!

 

Slow growth may be due to protein deficiency, stress, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, other illness, or metabolic disorders.

 

Some supplements that can be helpful for reversing hair loss are: Biotin, panothenate, magnesium, vitamin b-6, iron, zinc, niacin, inositol, vitamin c which improves capillary circulation to the scalp, L-cysteine and L-methionine, two amino acids which may help with growth and texture by prolonging the hair cycle. Please be aware that these treatments need to be tailored to the person, a "hair supplement" is almost never effective in reversing these types of problems.  Chinese herbs which nourish the kidney and blood also result in lush abundant hair especially when combined with acupuncture so there is no reason to despair about your hair!  We have a wonderful array of natural products for alopecia and hair loss: Visit our HAIR REGROWTH aisle here! FREE Shipping on any size order and volume discounts for larger orders!

 

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!

But first a quick reminder that this Friday is "Freebie Friday" and I will be in from 9:30-12noon with answers to your questions, performing free consults for your family and friends and, if all else fails, passing out free samples....I look forward to seeing you there!

 

This week I'd like to tell you about some cutting edge tests it may make sense to get even if you have to pay for them yourself.  As we all know, insurance is charging more and more to cover less and less but these few tests may be so important to your long term health I'd encourage you to get them anyway, even if you have to pay, especially if you are at high risk for illness.

 

The first is called a CRP or c-reactive protein which can monitor subtle amounts of inflammation in the body, such as the veins, heart or connective tissue.  High CRP levels are a red flag that things need to change, and high levels in a cardiac CRP were indicative of imminent heart attack even in persons whose cholesterol levels were normal or  low. This test runs between $75-100.

 

Pillcam Colon Video is another test which can predict polyps, colon cancer, Barrett's esophagus, and relies on a camera which one swallows which videotapes the digestive tract and can help make a diagnosis in cases of unexplained bleeding or inflammation.  This test is expensive $500-2,000 but can be a real lifesaver for those at high risk of digestive cancers.

 

Hormone assessment panels can run from $250 to $1500 or more depending upon where you go however declines in hormone levels are associated with accelerated aging.  A good test will monitor estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, HgH, and DHEA levels.  If low, a compounded prescription can be prepared and monitored on a regular basis.  These hormones must be monitored by a doctor due to possibility of breast, ovarian, uterine, or prostate cancer if levels get too high.

 

CEA/CA125 are two tests around $100 each which are a Godsend for those who have already had cancer.  Despite false positives, these tests have merit for establishing precancerous or cancerous lesions in their earliest form in the thyroid gland, digestive tract, (CEA), and the female reproductive tract CA125.

 

Serum Vitamin D-3 is an affordable test under $50 which has merit for preventing cancers in the breast, prostate, prevention of autoimmune disorders and of course valuable in bone health as in anyone with osteopenia or osteoporosis.

 

When people ask me why insurance doesn't cover more of these tests I usually respond that they are not responsible for placing you in optimal health, that is a commitment, and responsibility on your part and very much up to you!

 

I think it is certainly worth it and attainable for many people. Check out our full array of functional medical tests right here in our store!

 

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!

Before we get to this week's very important topic, I have two brief announcements!

 

#1 We are growing and I need to add a part-timer for the following hours: 9-12:00 or 1:00 PM Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-5 or 5:30...there may be more hours if desired!  Please have any candidates contact me at: 847-577-4455 anytime...the sooner the better!!

 

#2 I am considering publishing a quarterly or monthly newsletter geared towards chinese medicine only. If you would be interested in receiving it by email please let us know by email or phone. You can opt out if you do not find it useful but I think you will!

 

Okay, on to this week's topic, natural healing for emotional disorders.

I remember being very surprised a few years ago at the sheer percentage of clients who were taking psychoactive drugs. It was

70% or even greater!!! Patients were taking antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, sleep drugs, sedatives, and of course this didn't include all those using abusing alcohol or recreational drugs, or painkillers to get through this thing called life.  It also didn't include those taking the medications to get through a stressful time such as a divorce.  I truly was stunned!!! Also, true to myself, I also wondered how much of these difficult emotions needed to be medicated or medically managed.  I had come through some extremely difficult times in my life and had struggled with major emotional turmoil and felt it had served a purpose in my personal evolution. Would I be the same individual if I had obliterated the signs that I was out of balance?  Would my growth had been compromised?  Does suffering serve a purpose?

 

The first item to establish is if someone is in crisis.  If the emotional load is debilitating and one cannot function it may need to be treated medically in the short run.  The same is true if it is due to major biochemical swings as in post partum depression.  In cases like that it may be impossible and even very dangerous to avoid treatment and try to tough it out...in the short run. In other cases, it may be a lower grade problem, that has become a chronic state of affairs. In the long run, I would like to see some real healing occur, and I have seen time and time again that that is really possible.

 

The armamentarium of dealing with emotional disorders is not all that different from dealing with physical disorders.  The most important aspect is to establish what is out of balance and why.  After establishing that, selecting appropriate natural treatments is much easier, and more likely to work quickly and effectively.

 

First and foremost, getting personal habits in line is very key.  A nutritious diet that is individualized to one's personal biochemistry is very important to getting balanced emotionally.  Also, developing a personal exercise program, since over 2,000 studies support a link between exercise and depression for example, as well as appropriate sleep hygiene, help to significantly reduce stress on a person and strengthen their healing powers.  Dietary allergies, and physical problems such as a low thyroid or poor digestion or blood sugar imbalances can and often do manifest as anxiety or depression or agitation, or even hyperactivity. Seasonal Affective Disorder affects many people in our area and is treated with light therapy.

 

Nutrient deficiencies and biochemical imbalances often cause emotional symptoms. For instance: a vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause severe depression and is very common in older people.  Some people are lacking serotonin due to conversion problems and can be helped with substances such as 5HTP.

 

Occasionally, a traumatic event or life event can throw someone's balance completely off leading to a chronic emotional problem.  In those cases  I may use acupuncuncture and chinese medicines to balance the seven emotions.  It has been so effective that I have been able to help people avoid institutional interventions in some cases!

 

In deeper cases I am a big proponent of flower essence therapy  which is a form of homeopathy that focuses on the emotional health of a person.  It works by selecting and balancing deeper issues and can be subtle for awhile.  As things progress, it is akin to peeling away at an onion skin getting ultimately to deeper healing from deeper issues.  I have used flower essences for 10+ years in my practice.  These can be combined with even heavy duty medications, as they have no interactions with either western or herbal medications!  Visit our emotional health aisle for more information and to purchase these products:

 

I rarely prescribe herbal treatments for mood disorders due my commitment to getting to the root cause and treating it.  This has meant that my clients often in a short time are not needing to take anything because they no longer require treatment!!! In my opinion that is the best possible outcome.

 

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 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.

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This weeks forum deals with memory loss and Alzheimer's prevention. Due to our aging population, Alzheimer's affects over 5 million Americans. 500,000 of these victims are UNDER age 65.  Some memory loss is a normal consequence of time.  When memory loss is accelerated, frequent, or affects short term memory, however,  it interferes with functioning in daily life.  The good news is that you can improve brain function and reduce your risk of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia with improvements in diet, supplementation, exercise, (mental & otherwise), and environmental interventions.

 

According to the most recent research on brain function and supplements, experts agree that the most important intervention, and aggressive prevention is customized nutritional supplementation geared towards the individual's deficiencies, as any nutrient deficiency has a major impact of brain function and aging.  Sophisticated blood analysis is available for several hundred dollars, but a trained nutritional professional who is proficient in blood analysis can spot these from a conventional lab work up....our cost around $150 if you do not have health insurance.  These should be conducted annually.

 

Dietwise, again most experts agree that keeping cholesterol levels and inflammation in check is very important.  A low-fat, heart healthy diet which emphasizes lots of fruits and vegetables has been demonstrated to reduce risk substantially.  Furthermore, most recent research has shown that fruits such as apples, and grapes contain substances that chelate "hardening" substances from vessels, improving blood flow.

 

Brain tasking activities mean mental gymnastics and the term "use it or lose it" applies here.  Crossword puzzels, memorization or other stimulating or new activities will keep the mind sharp. It is akin to exercise for the body.

 

Speaking of exercise, 30 minutes of cardio per day burns excess sugar and fat, and enhances blood flow and hormonal balance all of which helps the brain to function optimally.

 

Environmental factors include avoiding heavy metal overload from sources like cadmium, mercury, lead, and aluminum.  A simple hair test can reveal one's status, and much more.  Lab cost is $125, and reveals nutritional imbalances as well.  Avoidance of cigarette smoke, mercury in shellfish and tunafish, as well as aluminum in pots and pans or deodorants,  containing aluminum chlorhydrate are important, as is avoiding lead based paints or toys. 

Check out our brain building products right here!

 

Best of Health!

 

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Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN

Naturopath

Acupuncturist

Clinical Nutritionist

Professional Vitamins and Supplements

Chinese Herbs

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Arlington Heights, IL

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