Call 847 477 5442! TY!

I'm going back to my roots of general practice so I'm eager to hear from you all and to catch up.  Please give us a holler at 847 577 4455. I'm truly eager to catch up with you.

Of the virus and we have agreed he won't come in

Until he's tested again. It's probably nothing but

For all of our safety I think this is best. I will alert

You when he is back in. We will fulfill your orders

Remotely. 

Thanks, and stay safe.

Dr. Taryn

Of the virus and we have agreed he won't come in

Until he's tested again. It's probably nothing but

For all of our safety I think this is best. I will alert

You when he is back in. We will fulfill your orders

Remotely. 

Thanks, and stay safe.

Dr. Taryn

This is such a great offer for the entire month! I would really like you to take advantage of it.  5$ off your order with the coupon code "appreciation" plus from 10 to 20% off.  We ran out of product last year so please try to get your orders in early due to Covid uncertainty at this time.

🍎🍂🍁Thank you and blessings!🍎🍂🍁

Dr. Taryn

In case you missed it, please see the note below from Dr DeCicco.  

"Hello everyone!  I miss you all so much but I am on my

Own healing journey at present with no idea when exactly 

I will return to work.

I thank you so much for your cards and phone calls

And emails they do cheer me up very much.  

Since I don't know when I can return yet I am trying

To keep Mike gainfully employed as well as pay

Our overhead there as well as at home. 

This is difficult, to say the least with no money coming

In.  I missed the Covid assistance due to being 

Hospitalized for so long.  Just got a $105,000 Bill

Today.

PLEASE, if you Will, buy some vitamins from us.

We are competitive and ship for free and it could

Really help us get through this challenging time.

Please also keep me in your prayers and send

Positive vibes.  It helps more than I can say.

THANK YOU!"

Dr. Taryn

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Hello everyone!  I miss you all so much but I am on my

Own healing journey at present with no idea when exactly 

I will return to work.

I thank you so much for your cards and phone calls

And emails they do cheer me up very much.  

Since I don't know when I can return yet I am trying

To keep Mike gainfully employed as well as pay

Our overhead there as well as at home. 

This is difficult, to say the least with no money coming

In.  I missed the Covid assistance due to being 

Hospitalized for so long.  Just got a $105,000 Bill

Today.

PLEASE, if you Will, buy some vitamins from us.

We are competitive and ship for free and it could

Really help us get through this challenging time.

Please also keep me in your prayers and send

Positive vibes.  It helps more than I can say.

THANK YOU!

Dr. Taryn

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

As a reminder, our current "normal" office hours are Monday and Thursday from 2pm-6pm.  Please call ahead before stopping by to pick up orders as we are experiencing many shipping delays and product shortages due to the COVID19 emergency.

Please continue to keep Dr DeCicco in your thoughts and prayers.

Due to this and the COVID19 emergency, we will be limiting our office hours to Monday and Thursday from 2pm to 6pm.  Mike will be available during these times to fulfill orders and answer any non-medical advice related questions.  Please call ahead before stopping by to pick up orders as we are experiencing many shipping delays and product shortages due to the COVID19 emergency.

Thank you for your continuing support during these unprecedented times.

Due to the current volatility, I have decided to reduce

My own stress by postponing my blog posts for

the foreseeable future.  I pray you all are staying

well and that things return to normal soon.

Blessings,

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Holistic Doctor

Acupuncturist 

Holistic Nutritionist

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

Take a good probiotic each day.

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

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

Best of Health,

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Holistic Doctor

Acupuncturist

Naturopathic Doctor

Holistic Nutritionist     

Scientists at ARC Centre of Excellence in Vision Science and University of L'Aquila, in Italy, suggest the spice could reverse the course of blinding diseases and may hold one of the keys to preventing the loss of sight in old age.

The researchers led by Professor Silvia Bisti have shown that saffron has remarkable effects on the genes which regulate the performance of the eye's key vision cells and not only protects the vision cells (photoreceptors) from damage, but may also slow and possibly even reverse the course of blinding diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa.

A clinical trial with patients suffering AMD in Rome has found early indications that treatment with a dietary supplement of saffron may cause damaged eye cells to recover.

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world and comes from the dried stigma of the flower of the saffron crocus - it is used in cooking as a seasoning and as a colouring agent.

Saffron is native to Southwest Asia and has a bitter taste and contains a carotenoid dye, crocin, that gives food a rich golden-yellow colour - it is a much-sought ingredient in many foods worldwide and widely used in Persian, Arab, Central Asian, European, Indian,Turkish and Cornish cuisines and in sweets and liquors.

Saffron has also been used as a fabric dye, particularly in China and India, and in perfumery.

But saffron also has medicinal applications and a long history in traditional healing for the treatment of a variety of ailments such as menstrual pain, menopausal problems, depression, chronic diarrhoea and neuralgia - modern medicine has also discovered saffron as having anticarcinogenic (cancer-suppressing), anti-mutagenic (mutation-preventing), immunomodulating, and antioxidant-like properties.

Professor Bisti, who is currently visiting colleagues in The Vision Centre in Australia, says saffron is not simply an anti-oxidant but appears to possess a number of other properties which are protective to vision - it appears to affect genes which regulate the fatty acid content of the cell membrane and this makes the vision cells tougher and more resilient.

Professor Bisti says it has been shown in animal models that a saffron diet will protect the eye from the damaging effects of bright light – something we all suffer whenever we go out in the sun and is active in affecting genetic diseases of the eye, such as retinitis pigmentosa, which can cause life-long blindness in young people.

Animal research has also shown the prospect of slowing down the progression of sight loss and when saffron was given to human patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration, which causes partial or total loss of sight to many people in old age, signs of cell recovery were seen. One product I like: FREE Shipping  Don't forget to visit our Natural Pharmacy for amazing deals and FREE shipping on hundreds of FRESH professional products.Next week join me for a discussion of the status of the Corona Virus.  SIGNUP Here so you don't miss a thing.. See you soon and as always, best of health!

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Holistic Doctor

Naturopathic Doctor

Acupuncturist

Holistic Nutritionist

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

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

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

Does it? And Is it SAFE?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Naturopathic Doctor

Acupuncturist

Clinical Nutritionist

Holistic Physician

 Image:holisticcare.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LAc, LDN 

Holistic Doctor

Naturopathic Doctor

Acupuncture

Holistic Nutritionist

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Arlington Heights, Illinois 

A new study shows how to reduce mortality in just a few steps.    Even though many of my clients are positively obsessed with step counting and their Fitbits and have been absolutely convinced that 10,000 steps daily is essential this is not based on any actual scientific data.   This misinformation has been passed on since 1965 when a Japanese company name: Yamasa designed a pedometer that translated to “10,000 steps meter”.  So it was actually a marketing ploy and not a medical finding.

Step counting has actually been around since DaVinci's day.  BUT, there is little actual evidence that informs us how many steps are needed each day  to improve health and reduce mortality.  The mortality studies that exist,  and  most of these are recent from 2015 to 2018,  demonstrate that compared to those described as sedentary,  those taking 10,000 steps per day experienced a 46% reduction in mortality in the decade  of follow up. 

The current study by Lee et al was a large one and suggests that health benefits in terms of mortality level off at 7500 steps per day.   Unfortunately, the 10,000 step goal is so deeply ingrained in our culture that to cite this fact may have people questioning your expertise if you are a health professional.  Still, it is helpful to cite actual facts which are that each 1,000 steps was associated with a 14% reduction in mortality risk, but only up to 7500 steps where those gains began to level off.   This, in my opinion, may be very helpful information for the very sedentary people in our populace those less than 2,700 steps per day as catalyst to begin exercising.

Next week, join me for a discussion on how a simple herb and exercise translates into improved heart function it's February after all.  SIGNUP  so you don't miss a thing.

Did you know that our natural pharmacy dispensary offers HUNDREDS of fresh, natural PRO health products from brands like: Metagenics, AO Medical, Klaire Labs, Thorne, Douglas, Orthomolecular and many more brands.  Orders are shipped the same day.  Our products are never warehoused and are much more effective!   FREE shipping!!!

Wishing you all a happy Valentine's Day!

Best of Health!

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Acupuncture

Naturopathy

Holistic Doctor

Holistic Nutritionist

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best of Health and Healing

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Holistic Doctor

Naturopath

Acupuncturist

Arlington Heights, IL

847 577 4455

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

We offer hundreds of professional products from brands like Douglas, Metagenics, Pure Encapsulations, Thorne, DaVinci Labs and many more.   FREE same day shipping on each order and great prices.

·        

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your brain can only do one thing at a time

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

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

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

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

More phone time, lazier brain 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As always best of health!

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Naturopathic Holistic Doctor

Acupuncturist

appointments 847 577 4455 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See you next week and best of health,

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Holistic Doctor

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

image courtesy of thehill.com

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

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

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

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

A Shocking Trend

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'Working-age' Americans are dying

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dr. Taryn

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

Holistic Doctor

Natural Pharmacy

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

#1. Just MOVE

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

#2 Drink ALOT Of Water

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

#3 Stay Positive

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

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

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

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

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

BUT:  There's some benefits to that cold:

Cold Weather Burns Calories

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

COLD WEATHER MAY HELP FORGE RELATIONSHIPS

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

Cold Weather Is Less Hospitable For Disease-Carrying Bugs

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

Cold Weather Brings Greater Appreciation Of Brighter Days

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

Cold Weather Can Reduce Inflammation

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

Cold Weather May Boost Your Body Image

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

Wishing you all a very healthy and happy 2020!  

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

This may not be the most timely post as we are entering into a feasting mode but it came up due to discussion with a dear friend of mine who asked me what I thought of Sadh Guru's discussion of intermittent fasting on FB.  It took me a couple of days to watch the video he posted on his Facebook page but I was glad I did as I agreed with it totally.  I was unaware that this is a yogic practice but it is one that I have intuitively done for all of my life.

His premise is that a minimum of an 8 hour span is necessary in order for your body to assimilate and metabolize the foods you eat.  He emphatically states  that all modern illness is due to overeating and that in 6 weeks these illnesses can be overcome by fasting intermittently.   Sounds reasonable but is there any real science behind this?

Seems like there is:

#1 IF improves lipolysis, fat burning in the body. In fact, studies show that participants lose about 7% if their waist circumference.  This is due to reductions in insulin and increases in growth hormone.  Fasting can also decrease insulin levels and lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels.

#2 IF may slow the aging process. According to research, IF keeps mitochondria in a youthful state, and literally rejuvenates our bodies.

#3 IF may be beneficial to skin disorders by triggering detoxification.

#4 Reduces inflammation,  since inflammation is at the root of most chronic disease decreasing inflammation is extremely helpful in preserving and restoring health.  Fasting controls the release of free radicals.  IF along with increased water consumption will help eliminate inflammation in some cases.

#5 Improves brain function.  Between the reduction of inflammatory chemicals and the increase of neurotrophic factors, people who try IF report feeling sharper minded and focused.

#6 Reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes.  By reducing blood sugars, and insulin levels, IF drops risk of these chronic illnesses.

#7 Reduces oxidative stress which is akin to rusting in the human body and plays a significant role in development of chronic diseases as well as the aging process.

#8 Since it is more focused on when to eat versus what to eat it may be simpler for many people to implement. I do not advocate IF for people who have chronic illness unless it is supervised well.  If you'd like more information please schedule an appointment at 847 577 4455.

This is our last blog post before Christmas so Happy Holidays to you all.  On Tuesday 12 31 I will discuss some benefits to living in cold weather.  I hope you will join us.  We will also post our topics for the month of January at that time.  Sign UP here so you don't miss a thing.  And DON'T Forget to visit our store for great prices on hundreds of amazing professional products.  Thank you for your support and Happy Holidays!

Of all the wonderful beauty products I use from my site here, I think this is one of my favorites.  This Beauty Bar wand just energizes your face, aids circulation, lifts the skin and helps your beauty products and serums penetrate deeper into the dermis. seriously what more could you want?  I own two and suggest buying two so that you can do both sides of your face at the same time.  At our prices this is a steal!  Best on the internet-lots of crappy imitations out there and FREE Shipping.  Great Gift idea or stocking stuffer!  Just $19.99 each and FREE Shipping.  Buy now as quantities are limited!

Another amazing product that is a professional product is the Time Master Pro.  This product is sold out everywhere. We don't expect to be able to ship until after the 15th of December but that does not detract from its value.  Every Master Esthetician in the world is raving about this Korean invention.  This ultrasound machine causes waves to vibrate the surrounding skin tissues known as the cascade of intracellular communication.  In lay terms it strengthens and lifts the skin like no other device.  Currently, all our purchased and back orders have shipped out and been delivered.  We are not expecting a shipment until after December 15th so I would not guarantee having it for the holidays.  Still and all it is worth the wait.  Our clients have been thrilled at the quality and efficacy.  Even at the hefty price: $699 FREE shipping.  Order NOW to avoid a long wait.

Next week join me for a discussion about intermittent fasting and it's benefits. You won't want to miss this!  Sign UP! so you don't miss a thing.    Don't Forget to visit our store where we offer hundreds of professional products at great prices and FREE shipping.   Thank you!  See you next week and best of health!

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

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

The "Body Clock"

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

The most important time to sleep!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wishing you all a healthy Thanksgiving.

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

Image:ShorInternationalINC.

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

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

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

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

Here are the risks of consuming activated charcoal:

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

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

What medications are affected by activated charcoal?

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

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

– – –

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

Best of Health!

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

Apple-A-Day-Clinic

This is not a trick! 

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

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

·         The type of calories you consume matters

·         The health of your GI tract matters

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

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

·         Immune system function via cytokine production

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

·         Neurotransmitter production (e.g., serotonin)

There are Mice Studies, But Limited Human Studies

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

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

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

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

Inflammation in the Gut

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

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

Dysbiosis and Sugar Cravings

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

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

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

·         Sugar and carbohydrate cravings

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

·         Fatigue

·         Brain fog

·         Joint pain

·         Itchy anus

·         Yeast infections

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

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

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

As always, Best of Health! and Happy Halloween

Dr. Taryn DeCicco 

Join me next week for a discussion about steroid injections and osteoarthritis including a recent case study. Sign UP!

Don't miss visiting our amazing natural pharmacy where we offer hundreds of top selling professional products with excellent discounts and FREE shipping on each order. All of our products are FRESH never warehoused and therefore much more effective.

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

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

THE HISTORY OF FLUORIDE...

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

CRITICISM OF FLUORIDE...

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

IMPORTANT HEALTH CONCERNS RELATED TO FLUORIDE...

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. DECREASED IQ AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN CHILDREN

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

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

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

2. POOR SLEEP BY DAMAGING THE PINEAL GLAND       

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

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

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

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

HOW DO I AVOID FLUORIDE TOXICITY?

FOUR EASY TIPS TO AVOID EXCESS FLUORIDE

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

1.   AVOID FLUORIDATED WATER

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

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

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

-You can also, of course just buy bottled water

2.  AVOID NON-STICK COOKWARE

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

3.     CHOOSE TEA WISELY

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

AVOID BUYING TEA GROWN IN CHINA

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

4.     USE FLUORIDE-FREE TOOTHPASTE

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

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

Image: shutterstock

Throughout history there are many different theories on how glands and organs work, repair and rejuvenate.

If one concentrates specifically on the glandular tissues then we know that they are rich in nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, polypeptides, enzymes and many other nutritional substances.

In  many cases,  like supports like.

“Some of the pioneers in nutrition believed that raw glandular tissues contain intrinsic protein factors which are separate from, but synergistic with the vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, enzymes, co-enzymes, and fatty acids contained therein.  These specific protein factors are organ — or  tissue — specific.  This means that the raw cellular material of a bovine kidney, for example, will be picked up from the lymph of the human kidney when ingested.  These tissue-specific particles apparently “target” other cooperative and essential nutrients to the gland or organ for repair and maintenance. ”

Ample research has been conducted to prove the effectiveness of glandulars. “In 1967 and 1972, Dr. A. Kment of Germany demonstrated (through radioactive isotope tracing) that the bloodstream transports specific factors from glandular tissues and  is absorbed by the corresponding glands of the patient.  This radioactive isotope confirmation of organ specificity was also demonstrated by Stein (1967) and several years later again by Starzyl (1979).”

Some researchers even believe that in order for the glands to be useful to the consumer they need to be digested and that is why oral consumption works best.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries glands and organs were used by medical doctors. In the mid 20th century pharmaceuticals began producing hormones in laboratories to replace glandulars as they claimed them to work better that glandular extracts. This production was very profitable and the stakes were high to eliminate all competition. There was propaganda against the use of glandular therapies and subsequently most doctors, using western medicine stopped using glandulars. It is however still one of the cornerstones of eastern medicine as well as naturopathic medicine and clinical nutrition practice.   Armor thyroid  has been largely replaced by levothyroxine but many patients swear by the natural version.  Very few doctors are willing to prescribe it in these days because they have been told or taught that it is difficult to manage.

In the 21st century  interest in using glands and organs has been reawakened in USA, Europe and many other countries. Today there is a thriving interest glandular supplements amongst health conscious consumers and those who lean towards natural preventative ways to health.

Glands that are used are most often derived from pig (porcine), cow (bovine) or sheep (ovine). They are both sold as only glands or as a combination of other glands or herbs.  Glands that I use frequently in my practice include, thymus, adrenal  and thyroid  glandular.  I also use supplements from organs such as liver for many deficient clients.  The organs provide those nutrients most valuable to rejuvenate the patient's organs or glands.   Results can be extraordinary.   It is extremely important though to use only very,  very clean sources of these nutrients.  That is be challenging at times.   Should you wish to learn more, please contact me anytime at 847-577-4455.  I also hope you will visit our store where we offer hundreds of top natural products at discount prices and FREE shipping.

Next week, discover why I stopped using fluoride toothpaste and you may too!  Sign up here so you don't miss a thing.

Best of Health,

Dr. Taryn

Apple-A-Day-Clinic.com

847-577-4455

Image Dr. Sam Robbins

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

Best Of Health.

Dr. Taryn DeCicco

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

This just in! Scientists have found a strong correlation between a disease involving chronic pain and alterations in the gut microbiome.

Fibromyalgia now affects 2-4 percent of the population and has no known cure. Symptoms include fatigue, impaired sleep and cognitive difficulties, but the disease is most clearly characterized by widespread chronic pain. In a paper published just today in the journal Pain, a Montreal-based research team has shown, for the first time, that there are alterations in the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tracts of people with fibromyalgia. Approximately 20 different species of bacteria were found to greater or lesser quantities in the microbiomes of participants suffering from the disease than in the healthy control group.

Greater presence or absence of certain species of bacteria 

“We used a range of techniques, including Artificial Intelligence, to confirm that the changes we saw in the microbiomes of fibromyalgia patients were not caused by factors such as diet, medication, physical activity, age, and so on, which are known to affect the microbiome,” says Dr. Amir Minerbi, from the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), and first author on the paper. The team also included researchers from McGill University and Université de Montréal as well as others from the Research Institute of the MUHC.

Dr. Minerbi adds, “We found that fibromyalgia and the symptoms of fibromyalgia – pain, fatigue and cognitive difficulties - contribute more than any of the other factors to the variations we see in the microbiomes of those with the disease. We also saw that the severity of a patient's symptoms was directly correlated with an increased presence or a more pronounced absence of certain bacteria – something which has never been reported before.”

Are bacteria simply the markers of the disease?

At this point, it's not clear whether the changes in gut bacteria seen in patients with fibromyalgia are simply markers of the disease or whether they play a role in causing it. Because the disease involves a cluster of symptoms, and not simply pain, the next step in the research will be to investigate whether there are similar changes in the gut microbiome in other conditions involving chronic pain, such as lower back pain, headaches or neuropathic pain.

The researchers are also interested in exploring whether bacteria play a causal role in the development of pain and fibromyalgia. And whether their presence could, eventually, help in finding a cure, as well as speed up the process of diagnosis.

Next Steps

Fibromyalgia is a disease that has been difficult to diagnose. Patients can wait as long as 4 to 5 years to get a final diagnosis. But that may be about to change.

“We sorted through large amounts of data, identifying 19 species that were either increased or decreased in individuals with fibromyalgia,” says Emmanuel Gonzalez, from the Canadian Center for Computational Genomics and the Department of Human Genetics at McGill University. “By using machine learning, our computer was able to make a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, based only on the composition of the microbiome, with an accuracy of 87 per cent. As we build on this first discovery with more research, we hope to improve upon this accuracy, potentially creating a step-change in diagnosis.”

“People with fibromyalgia suffer not only from the symptoms of their disease but also from the difficulty of family, friends and medical teams to comprehend their symptoms,” says Yoram Shir, the senior author on the paper who is the Director of the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit at the MUHC and an Associate Investigator from the BRaiN Program of the RI-MUHC. “As pain physicians, we are frustrated by our inability to help, and this frustration is a good fuel for research. This is the first evidence, at least in humans, that the microbiome could have an effect on diffuse pain, and we really need new ways to look at chronic pain.”

How the research was conducted

The research was based on a cohort of 156 individuals in the Montreal area, 77 of whom suffer from fibromyalgia. Participants in the study were interviewed and gave stool, blood, saliva and urine samples, which were then compared with those of healthy control subjects, some of whom lived in the same house as the fibromyalgia patients or were their parents, offspring or siblings.

The researchers' next steps will be to see whether they get similar results in another cohort, perhaps in a different part of the world, and to do studies in animals to discover whether changes in bacteria play a role in the development of the disease.

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

Reference: Minerbi, A., Gonzalez, E., Brereton, N. J. B., Anjarkouchian, A., Dewar, K., Fitzcharles, M.-A., … Shir, Y. (2019). Altered microbiome composition in individuals with fibromyalgia. PAIN, Articles in Press. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001640

Not A Surprise

As a clinician dealing with a host of microbiome type disorders I can assure you that alterations in gut bacteria are at the core of a great majority of pain syndromes.  Thusly, I truly encourage you to explore our testing and digestive programs to get to the root cause of the issue. Thank you!  Don't forget to visit our natural pharmacy where we offer hundreds of professional products with great prices, volume discounts and FREE shipping!

Best Of Health!

Taryn DeCicco, ND, LDN, LAc

Apple-A-Day-Clinic

847 577 4455  

Anxiety may well be the epidemic of our time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Please call if I can help!  847 577 4455

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

.

.

Reference:

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

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

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

Chamomile tea protect against thyroid disease

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

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

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

Chamomile is an ancient medicine!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Outdoors that is!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks and Best Of Health!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best of Health

Dr. Taryn

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

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

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

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

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

🍃🍎Our new website will be up and running shortly! The delays are due to adding features that you will enjoy immensely! Until then, I am unable to post to our blog. Through July 3rd, Cell Science Labs is offering a BIG discount on their deluxe nutrient panel, antioxidant panel and redox. This will give you your complete nutrition status as it measures 35 plus nutrients plus antioxidants and oxidative stress. It is 200$ off all 3 for $359. It is only $179 if you also get a food allergy panel which starts at $250. HURRY: tests must be performed by July 3rd. Call now to make arrangements. If you missed our email in totality here it is: 

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