The Anti-Inflammatory Diet, Part 2:

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet, Part 2: Foods That Affect the Inflammation Response

By G. Douglas Andersen, DC, DACBSP, CCN

As promised in part 1 of this article (Sept. 23 issue), this installment includes lists of foods that tend to up-regulate and down-regulate the degree of inflammatory response during the metabolic processes that follow ingestion. They are not inclusive. It is important to note that small amounts foods which up-regulate inflammatory reactions will not nullify the effect of a mainly anti-inflammatory meal.

An example would be a packet of sugar and pat of butter on a large bowl of oatmeal. On the other hand, foods that down-regulate inflammation may lose some or all of their benefit if they are prepared incorrectly, such as battered, deep-fried vegetables.

In part one, we identified the five major dietary causes that promote an imbalance favoring an excessive inflammatory response. Four of them - too much saturated fat (and the related partially hydrogenated family),¹ too many refined carbohydrates (including sugars)¹ and the dietary ratio imbalances of omega-6/omega-3 oils² and sodium/potassium³ - are well-known. However, energy imbalances that cause body-fat accrual are often overlooked as a cause of systemic inflammation.

Foods Generally Considered Pro-Inflammatory American cheese, bacon, bologna, bratwurst, brownies, (white) breads - including buns, rolls and bagels, butter, cake, candy, cereals,* cheese (American, cheddar, creamed, gouda, jack, mozzarella, provolone, Swiss) cookies, corn chips, corn syrup, crackers*, cream, croissants, corn chips, Danish, doughnuts, egg rolls, French fries, French toast, (deep) fried foods, fruit juices, granola,* hamburgers, hash browns, honey, hot dogs, ice cream, jam/jelly, margarine, molasses, muffins, noodles,* onion rings, pancakes, pastrami, pepperoni, pie, pickles, pita bread,* pizza, pasta,* popcorn, potato chips, pretzels, puddings, relish, ribs (beef or pork), rice (white), salami, sausage, sherbet, shortening, sodas/soft drinks, syrup, tortillas (flour), tortilla chips, waffles, whipped cream, whole dairy. *Unless 100% whole grain and high fiber. Foods Generally Considered Anti-Inflammatory Acai, amaranth, anchovies, apples, apricots, arugula, artichokes, asparagus, avocado, bananas, beans (green beans, black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, lima beans, soy beans), bean sprouts, beets, berries (blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, goji berries gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries) bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, canola oil, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, cranberries, cucumbers, dairy (nonfat), eggplant, endive, gooseberries, grapes, grapefruit, herring, honeydew, kale, lemons, lentils, mackerel, mango, mangosteen, millet, mushrooms, mustard greens, nectarines, noni, nuts - raw (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, filberts, hazelnuts, macadamia, pecans, peanuts, walnuts), oats, okra, olive oil, onions, oranges, papaya, parsnips, pears, peas, peaches, peppers (bell and hot), persimmons, pineapple, pomegranate, plums, poultry (no skin), prunes, pumpkin, quinoa, rhubarb, rutabaga, salmon, sardines, scallions, seeds (flax, poppy, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower), spices (cinnamon, cayenne, garlic, ginger, green tea, parsley, pepper, nutmeg, oregano, rosemary, turmeric), spinach, squash (butternut, crook neck, summer, winter, zucchini), sweet potatoes, tomatoes, trout, tuna (water-packed), turnips, water chestnuts, watermelon, wild game, yams.

It appears that simply eating too much, too often may be the most powerful factor in the promotion of an exaggerated inflammatory response.⁴ For example, 444 teenagers (249 boys and 195 girls) were studied for the purpose of evaluating how fitness can prevent cardiovascular disease.⁵ They were divided into four groups: normal body-weight and physically fit; normal weight/unfit; overweight and fit; and overweight/unfit. Testing revealed serum levels of C-reactive protein were not associated with fitness level. Rather, CRP corresponded to the subjects who were overweight:

• Twenty-three percent of the normal-weight, fit teens had CRP elevations.
• Twenty-four percent of the normal-weight, unfit teens had CRP elevations.
• Fifty percent of the overweight, fit teens had CRP elevations.
• Fifty-six percent of the overweight, unfit teens had CRP elevations.

Body weight had a much greater effect on systemic inflammation than the degree of fitness did. The dietary imbalances we discussed in part 1 yield a food pattern (fatty, starchy, sweet and salty) that promotes overeating by triggering neurochemical responses that hyperstimulate our appetites. We prefer to eat these foods together; therefore, they drive inflammation by both their individual biochemical properties and the overlooked effect of hunger amplification during consumption.

For example, consider how a plate of celery and carrot sticks affects your appetite compared to the same plate filled with fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies. When you start eating the celery and carrot sticks, after a few you've had enough. But with cookies (each of which has 10-20 times more calories than the celery/carrot sticks), the more you eat, the more you want until you're really full. And what do we get when we eat chocolate chip cookies? Refined starch, sugars and saturated fat.

Although there is not a significant amount of sodium in chocolate chip cookies, my analysis of five brands/recipes revealed sodium/potassium ratios from 7:1 to 3:1, with an average of 5:1. The recommended daily allowance for sodium and potassium (2,400 mg and 3,500 mg, respectively) works out to a 1:1.5 ratio.

Finally, chocolate chip cookies are not a significant source of polyunsaturated fats. However, the small amounts they do have yield a 10:1 omega-6/omega-3 ratio. That is not as bad as the 15:1 ratio the average American consumes, but is still high enough to promote inflammatory marker increases and symptoms in some conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.⁶

References

1. Esmaillzaded A, Azadbakht L. Home use of vegetable oils, markers of systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. AJCN, 2008;88(4):913-21.
2. Zhao G, Etherton TD, Martin KR, et al. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid reduces inflammatory and lipid cardiovascular risk factors in hypercholesterolemic men and women. J Nutr, 2004;134:2991-97.
3. Cook NR, Obarzanek E, Cutler JA, et al. Joint effects of sodium and potassium intake on subsequent cardiovascular disease. Arch Intern Med, 2009;169(1):32-40.
4. Basu A, Devaraj S, Jialal I. Dietary factors that promote or retard inflammation. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 2006;26:995-1001.
5. Warnberg J, Ruizn JR, Sjostrom M, et al. Association of fitness and fatness to low-grade systemic inflammation in adolescents. The AVENA Study. Med Sci Sport Exerc, 2006;38(5):S8, A-613.
6. Simopoulos AP. The importance of the omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio in cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. Exp Biol Med, 2008;233:674

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, ARRHYTHMIAS AND IODINE

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, ARRHYTHMIAS AND IODINE
By Bruce West, D.C.

[In Health Alert, June 2006, Volume 23, Issue 6. To order, call 831-372-2103, weekdays. Or write Health Alert, 100 Wilson Road, #110, Monterey Ca 93940.]



Too many years ago medical experts determined that high doses of iodine were dangerous, despite a hundred-year history of extremely high doses (in today’s terms) of iodine prescribed by doctors for just about everything—with great results. As is often the case, the flawed results of this study became medical dogma. And today, more than 50 years later, organized medicine still follows that dogma when it comes to iodine therapy.

This is particularly sad for those who do not have access to alternative medical care and are suffering from problems with thyroid and goiter, female reproductive diseases, menopause, diabetes, obesity, liver disease, polycystic ovaries, breast disease, heart disease, and most especially arrhythmia problems.
Missing Link
Iodine supplementation may be the missing link in a good percentage of heart arrhythmia cases, especially atrial fibrillation. The body needs adequate stores of iodine for the heart to beat smoothly. After close to a year now of using Iodine Fulfillment Therapy, I can attest to this fact. Most of the stubborn cases of cardiac arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation that we were unable to completely correct with our cardiac protocols have now been resolved with adequate supplies of iodine added to the protocol.

Even I was fooled for years—fooled away from using adequate doses of iodine. But thanks to bona fide experts like Dr. Abraham, I was able to see the decades-old medical iodine phobia for what it really was—a mistake. Carefully and slowly at first, I started having patients take sufficient doses of iodine. Much to my surprise, there were no problems, just many great results, especially with arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation.
Iodine Fulfillment
Iodine fulfillment means the entire body has adequate stores of iodine to function properly. Although iodine can be found in every organ and tissue in the body, some areas utilize more iodine than others. It is not only the thyroid gland that uses iodine but also the heart, breasts, ovaries, muscles, liver, and adrenal glands. We are also discovering that while it may take smaller doses to fulfill the thyroid’s needs, it often takes much larger doses to fulfill the rest of the body’s needs, including the needs of the heart.

These parts of the body are iodine sensitive—that is, if they are starving for iodine, they do not function properly. Since there are so many iodine-sensitive sites in the body, medical experts are finding that iodine therapy can be a “panacea” of sorts for all types of stubborn problems. Just as physicians noted 60 to 100 years ago, iodine therapy can help people with hypo- or hyperthyroid (with or without goiter), fibrocystic breasts, polycystic ovary syndrome, brain fog, constipation, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. In addition, it may prove essential treatment if you suffer from heart disease, arrhythmias, and atrial fibrillation.

In the past, with just about every patient with heart problems, arrhythmias, and atrial fibrillation, I would always use a protocol from Standard Process that included Cataplex F. Cataplex F is a combination of liver extract, omega-3 fatty acids, and iodine. But the typical dose of four to six Cataplex F tablets contains less than one milligram of iodine. While this dose was adequate for most people, some failed to respond, or only got partially better. Old-time physicians used to routinely prescribe up to 100 milligrams daily for all kinds of problems with excellent results. Now I know that they were on the right track.
How Much Iodine, and For How Long?
As I see people with stubborn arrhythmias getting better on 10, 20, 30, and even up to 50 mgs of iodine daily, I know that large doses are sometimes needed by the body. This is what Iodine Fulfillment Therapy is all about. Iodine fulfillment simply fulfills all of the body’s needs for iodine. For those deficient, this may require up to 50 mgs daily for three to four months.

If you have been unable to resolve your heart arrhythmia with one of my protocols, the simplest way to proceed with Iodine Fulfillment Therapy is to add Prolamine Iodine from Standard Process to your heart protocol. Begin with one Prolamine Iodine tablet daily. If there are no problems after a few days to a week, increase the dose to two daily. Continue this procedure, increasing the dose by one more daily until your heart begins to beat smoothly. At this point, you have reached iodine fulfillment. Stay at this dose for a full three months.

Since each Prolamine Iodine tablet contains 3 mgs of iodine, your body may require from 1 to 15 tablets daily for three months. Most people achieve results after 3 to 10 tablets daily. After three full months at your iodine fulfillment dose, begin to cut the dose back by one to two tablets daily each week. If you begin to feel your heart act up again, you have gone past your maintenance dose. Add back one more tablet daily. You will generally end up with a dose of one to four daily—and this dose should be maintained for 12 months. Thereafter, you will probably need even less.
Don’t Take Prolamine Iodine and Amiodarone
Amazingly, while medicine shuns iodine therapy, their most popular anti-fibrillation drug, Amiodarone, actually is iodine in a toxic, sustained-release form. This drug can produce a smooth heartbeat when the body has accumulated about 1,500 mgs of iodine—the exact amount of iodine retained by your body when iodine fulfillment is achieved by natural supplementation with Prolamine Iodine.

Unfortunately, Amiodarone is an extremely toxic form of iodine used by the medical profession. The side effects are often too great (and even life threatening) for most people to endure long enough to achieve a normal heartbeat. In addition, once you stop this drug, your original problem returns. Iodine therapy, on the other hand, fulfills the body’s needs safely, then maintains the smooth heartbeat with a low-maintenance dose.

Because Amiodarone is iodine, you cannot use iodine fulfillment therapy while you are taking this drug. Rather, your doctor needs to wean you off this drug first, so you can then begin natural iodine treatment. In other words, iodine fulfillment therapy is done in place of Amiodarone, not together with it. Amiodarone and iodine at the same time can be dangerous.

If you are on a heart protocol that has been only partially effective, or your arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation problem is stubborn, you will need to test iodine fulfillment therapy. However, you will maintain your original heart protocol with one change. Once iodine therapy has started (even at one Prolamine Iodine tablet daily), you will no longer need to take Cataplex F. Everything else in your protocol remains the same.
The Iodine Test
In the past we held that if it took less than 24 hours for tincture of iodine to disappear from the skin then there was a need for iodine supplementation. Today, I am not so sure this is a good indicator of iodine need. There are just too many variables involved in how quickly the tincture disappears from the skin.

However, tincture of iodine, available in drug stores everywhere for pennies, cannot hurt. Common sense dictates that if the iodine first disappears in a few hours, but stays in place for more than 24 hours after iodine fulfillment therapy, it is a good test. I will leave it up to you if you want to challenge this test.

As far as I’m concerned, I am finding more and more people deficient in iodine—even those I would not have thought would have this problem. At this stage, unless you know you are allergic to iodine (a very rare condition), it would be best to fulfill your body’s needs for iodine if you have any of the problems mentioned in this article.

Simply proceed with caution, slowly and carefully. For anyone setting out on a course of iodine fulfillment therapy, please send us a self-addressed envelope with two stamps and say IODINE. We will send you our full article so you will know exactly how to proceed. The best course of action is to proceed with iodine therapy safely, as there have been some problems reported in certain individuals. I recommend that you proceed only when you have our Iodine flyer in your hands.
Problems and Allergy to Iodine
Few problems have been reported when iodine therapy is accomplished slowly and safely—as outlined in my flyer. Sensitive individuals may experience skin irritation; watery eyes, nose, and saliva; nervousness or headache. Some highly sensitive individuals may also experience a racing heart or irritation of the esophagus. These are extremely rare (I’ve seen very few of these potential problems), and they are easily resolved by either immediately reducing the dose or quitting the iodine.

The greatest problem arises when an individual with a known allergy to iodine tries iodine therapy. This therapy cannot be used by these folks unless their allergy to iodine is resolved.

Resolving an allergy to iodine may be possible with an acupuncture technique called NAET. To find out if your allergy to iodine (or other substances, for that matter) can be resolved, check out the acupuncture site of an old friend of Health Alert, Dr. Devi Nambudripad, at

http://www.naet.com.



The second greatest problem can occur if you try iodine therapy while taking an iodine drug like Amiodarone. This will cause problems that can require medical attention. Do not attempt to take large doses of iodine when you are taking Amiodarone, Pacerone, or Cardarone. If you want to try iodine therapy, your doctor will first have to wean you from these drugs.

In conclusion, if you suffer from heart arrhythmias or atrial fibrillation, or any of the problems listed in this article, keep iodine therapy in mind. If you use iodine therapy, please feel free to send me your results. As I’ve said, I have been nothing but pleasantly surprised with results coming back better and better. And I can finally reach some of those really stubborn arrhythmia and fibrillation cases that just would not respond completely to my protocol containing only a milligram or two of iodine.

It is now beyond a doubt that adequate iodine is necessary for a smooth heartbeat. This ongoing research is truly wonderful news.

Soy: In the Pink?

Soy: In the Pink?

By Dr. Kaayla T. Daniel

Does soy prevent breast cancer or increase the risk? The debate heats up every October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Sadly, soy is not the ticket to breast cancer prevention or reversal. Indeed, numerous studies suggest that it can cause, contribute to, or accelerate the growth of cancer -- especially breast cancer. Of course, this hasn't stopped the soy industry from stepping up its efforts to feed women's fears while urging health-conscious women to feed on soy foods, soy milk, energy bars and other products. Witness how Vitasoy will give away its soy milk in bright pink containers – called “Pinkies” – to women attending Komen Races for the Cure.

All soybeans – organic, commercial and GM – contain the phytoestrogens known as isoflavones. Although not identical to human estrogens, these plant estrogens are similar enough to fool the body, and can cause significant endocrine disruption. That can lead to a wide variety of symptoms, including thyroid disorders, reproductive problems, breast cell proliferation (a widely acknowledged marker of breast cancer risk), and even cancer itself.

The idea that soy isoflavones could prevent cancer is ludicrous given the fact that they are listed as “carcinogens” in many toxicology and chemistry textbooks. Furthermore, modern industrial processing techniques used to make soy protein isolate, textured vegetable protein and other modern soy products leave toxic and carcinogenic residues. Despite these well-known hazards, the soy industry makes the improbable claim that soybeans are the key to cancer prevention and reversal. After all, Asians have lower rates of breast cancer and “everyone knows” they eat a lot of soy.

In fact, Asians eat soy in very small quantities, as a condiment in the diet and not as a staple food. What's more, they eat old-fashioned whole soy bean products such as miso, tempeh, natto and tofu, not the new heavily processed products sold by the soy industry such as soy milk, veggie burgers, shakes and energy bars.

The Israeli Health Ministry, French Food Agency, German Institute of Risk Assessment and Cornell University's Center for Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors have all warned women to “exercise caution” regarding soy consumption if they've been diagnosed with, or have a family history of, breast cancer. Clearly, possible benefits are far outweighed by proven risks.

Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN, is known as The Naughty NutritionistTM because of her ability to outrageously and humorously debunk nutritional myths. She is the author of The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America's Favorite Health Food, which has been endorsed by leading health experts including Russell Blaylock, Kilmer McCully, Joseph Mercola, Doris J. Rapp, Jonathan Wright and JJ Virgin. A popular speaker and seminar leader, she will speak at the November 2009 Weston A. Price Foundation conference. In 2010 Dr. Daniel will take her three-day workshop on healing infertility nationwide. She is available for nutritional consultations and can be reached at kaayla@drkaayladaniel.com, on Facebook or at 505-266-3252.

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The Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Dynamic Chiropractic – September 23, 2009, Vol. 27, Issue 20

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet, Part 1: Dietary Causes of Inflammation

By G. Douglas Andersen, DC, DACBSP, CCN

In the past year, I have seen growing interest concerning "anti-inflammatory diets" from both patients and medical doctors who refer patients for nutritional consultations. The two most common questions are: "What do you think about this new anti-inflammatory diet stuff?" and "When I looked it up, nobody seems to agree on exactly what it is." My standard reply is that I first heard the term more than 15 years ago and at that time it was a concept, rather than a specific diet. I explain that instead of getting hung up on Web definitions (such as all-organic, free range, all raw foods or GMO* free vegetarian), they should focus on the basic underlying themes that fuel inflammation (Table 1) and see if patients have any areas that need to be addressed.

Table 1: Common Dietary Imbalances That Inflame

Too many calories

Too much saturated fat

Too much sugar and refined carbs

High omega-6 to omega-3 ratio

High sodium to potassium ratio

The sources and/or causes of the imbalances in table 1 just so happen to be the same things that doctors, nutritionists and dieticians have counseled patients on (for years) to reduce and/or avoid (Table 2). Please note that there are exceptions for every scenario in table 2. Some examples would be: You can order moderate portions of healthy food at restaurants; protein powders with vitamins and minerals are highly processed, yet generally healthy; and consuming two sodas and a candy bar after running 26 miles does not have a negative effect on physiology. (Of course, the same cannot be said about those who have that snack while watching the race on TV.)

Table 2: Sources of Pro-Inflammatory Imbalances

Too much fast food

Too much fried food

Too much junk food

Too many soft drinks

Too many meals out

Too many servings per meal

Too much processed food

Too much high-fat animal food

Too many desserts

Too much alcohol

Conversely, a typical fast-food lunch of, let's say, a cheeseburger, fries and a soft drink, delivers a meal that is high calorie, high saturated fat, high sodium, high refined carbohydrate and low omega 3 fatty acid. In other words, all five dietary imbalances that can promote inflammation are present in a very common, very popular meal. If this person then has dinner consisting of three slices of pepperoni pizza, salad (iceberg lettuce, cherry tomato, croutons with blue cheese or Italian dressing) and a beer (not exactly an unusual dinner), the result is a second consecutive five-point pro-inflammatory exposure (high calorie, high saturated fat, high refined carbohydrates, high sodium to potassium ratio and high omega 6 to omega 3 ratio).

Next time, we will continue to explore this topic, including looking at a pro/anti-inflammatory food list and how to apply the concepts of reducing inflammation in practical ways for normal, busy people.

To Your Health
July, 2009 (Vol. 03, Issue 07)

Eating Light, Eating Right

Healthy Foods for a Healthy Summer

By Keegan Sheridan, ND

Summertime is here, which means longer days, warmer temperatures and best of all, plenty of fresh produce. The beauty of summer's produce is not only in the breathtaking color that sweeps through grocery stores or farmer's markets.

The true beauty is actually within the produce. Summer brings health-promoting antioxidants in berries, fiber in corn, vitamin A in peaches, and lycopene, also an antioxidant, in tomatoes and watermelon.

Even cooks with the most basic skills can take advantage of the wonders of summer foods and prepare delicious, good-for-you meals in just minutes. When you combine a little bit of education with simple preparation, it can be fun to mix and match flavor combinations and natural ingredients to create well-balanced meals with optimal benefits. Here are a few quick examples.

Berries Start the Perfect Summer Day

Breakfast is the perfect opportunity to learn how to work seasonal produce into your meals because there are so many quick options that take advantage of summer's offerings. A well-designed breakfast with protein and fiber means fewer cravings later in the day and more active hours to digest nutrients effectively. A simple way to add a taste of summer to this breakfast is with berries.

Berries, together with almonds, make a great topping on all-natural granolas and high-fiber cereals to provide your body the tools it needs for proper digestion. While the granola/cereal supplies the whole grains needed to fuel your body, the fruit is full of antioxidants and fiber. Best of all, this meal can take on entirely new flavors by making the slightest changes, such as strawberries one week and raspberries the next. Berries that are more exotic, such as goji berries and "yumberries," are becoming a healthy trend and easier to find in natural food stores. These are also great mixed when added to your favorite breakfast foods, like whole-grain waffles.

If you're looking for even more of a change from the ordinary, try making a homemade smoothie with 1 cup of plain yogurt, 1 tbsp nut butter, a banana and ½ cup frozen berries. A smoothie made from these types of ingredients is especially refreshing and energy-boosting on hot summer days because it is full of nutrients, fiber and protein to keep you satisfied all morning long.

Between the variety of good-for-you cereals, yogurts and summer berries, breakfast can take on many personalities and flavors. And most importantly, a well-balanced breakfast starts your day right because it gives you the foundation to continue making smart food choices throughout the day.

Noooo!!!!! Not More Poop!!!

Noooo!!!!! Not More Poop!!!

OK, I KNOW that many of you are taking a peak and a sniff now when you eliminate your waste material! It's OK, I have planted a seed of curiosity and have given you some interesting topics of conversation! Well, I'm not done yet. There are some of you who truly have healthy intestines, but many of you don't and you don't even realize it. I want to just give you some additional things to think about while you are flushing away that information.

1. Partially digested food leaves the stomach and goes to the small intestine. Stomach acid and digestive enzymes determine what type of "bugs" are in there and the rates at which they grow. The benefits of having healthy levels of all of this stuff is well developed villi (finger like projections that are binding sites for nutrients) in the intestine. (It is the villi in Celiac disease that becomes damaged and creates a laundry list of problems.) So, what do you think happens if you are not making enough stomach acid or enzymes? Things get out of wack and you develop problems. I will talk more about this later.
   
2. Healthy pooh consists of 3/4th water and 1/4th dry solid matter. The recipe for this is the following:
   
   
   • 30% bacteria
   • 10-20% fat (this is primarily produced from bacteria, some from cells and unabsorbed dietary fat)
   • 10-20% inorganic matter
   • 2-3% protein
   • 30% undigested food roughage
   
   You should be making this concoction 24/7 and flushing it daily. You must be properly hydrated to make "poops to be proud of". Your hydration can be checked on your next office visit.
   
3. The brown color comes from bilirubin which is a combination of bile from the gallbladder and old red blood cells. This should answer the age old question "What color should my fecal elimination material be?" Next, "Should it have an odor and where does that come from?" In general, there should not be much of an odor. I know that at this very moment you are thinking of someone who's pooh could make your eyes tear. Odor is created based upon what you eat and bacteria eating what you eat. Remember you are not just feeding yourself, but millions of other critters too! Your intestinal flora is your own personal chemical factory. (They also make vitamins, but that is not as much fun to talk about!)
   
4. Antacids (Tums, Priolsec, etc.) will cause an overgrowth of yeast and bacteria.This happens because these medications decrease stomach acid. Stomach acid is what kills off the bugs that enter on your food and in water. It also provides an opportunity for parasites to get past the stomach and set up residence in the intestine. When you have an overgrowth of bugs (no matter what type), they produce toxins, instead of the nutrients that WE need. Antibiotic use most bacteria, except for the strains that are resistant. The resistant strains just get stronger because the good guys (bacteria) that help to maintain balance got wiped out. There is nothing to keep them in check. By the way, all of these critters love simple sugars. Things like pancakes, candy, bread. You get the picture. By the way, this also includes gluten free products that are now available. Just because It is gluten free or came from Trader Joe's does not mean that it is healthy, so beware.

At this point you should be wondering what symptoms you might notice if things get askew. The more common ones are abdominal bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain. Some that are not so commonly known are food intolerances, skin rashes, poor exercise tolerance or shortness of breath. Memory problems, fatigue, joint and/or muscle pain may not be due to the aging process, but to your bad "poop making factory". Don't accept your age as an excuse to not feel great! Fevers from unknown causes can be another flag that something is wrong with your equipment. Look at the list of conditions that often have an underlying cause from trouble in the gut.

• Childhood hyperactivity
• Itchy skin
• Eczema
• Acne
• Chronic Fatigue
• Celiac Disease

This is not a complete list, I just included the more common ones that I see daily in the office. Wouldn't it be nice to flush with the confidence that all is well from the inside out!!

Inspiring the way you live,
Dr. Mikell Suzanne Parsons

Want To Use This Article
In Your Newsletter Or Website?

You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Dr. Mikell Suzanne Parsons is a doctor of Chiropractic, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition and Neurology. Currently she is founder of the Natural Path Health Center in Fresno, California where she continues to specialize in chiropractic, nutrition and chiropractic neurology. Visit The Natural Path Center website - http://www.naturalpathfresno.com

To Your Health
July, 2009 (Vol. 03, Issue 07)

Portrait of a Healthy Mom

It may sound impossible, but many women actually find the time and clarity to eat right, exercise consistently and maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle even with children, a job, a spouse and myriad other responsibilities. How do they do it? By learning simple, effective ways to prioritize their own health and wellness.

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Being a mom is tough, especially when it comes to finding time to exercise, eat right and just plain relax while doing all the other things moms do every day. In short, moms are continuously challenged to treat themselves with the same care and concern they selflessly dedicate to their children, their spouse and countless others. Finding the time is one of the biggest challenges, but it's an absolute necessity for your sake and the sake of your loved ones. Here are four ways to stay healthy - physically and emotionally - in the midst of the chaos:

1. Make the world your gym. This might sound strange, but it's great advice, especially when you're running around with your head cut off and can't possibly see yourself making it the gym for an hour a day, three or four days a week. "I don't have the time" is no excuse for not exercising, not when there are so many ways to get a great workout with limited equipment and time. At home, you can increase your metabolism (which promotes weight loss) and tone your muscles with simple body-resistance exercises (push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, squats, etc.) in as little as 10-15 minutes a day. If you're with the kids at a park, bring a few cones and set up a sprint course for you (and them) to run. Even riding the swings can be a heart-pumping, muscle-toning activity. Commit yourself to exercise and you'll find a million easy, enjoyable ways to do it, no matter where you are or how little time you seemingly have.

2. Plan ahead - way ahead. This is a great suggestion in general, but with respect to ensuring proper nutrition for you and your family, it's essential. Why wait until the last minute and end up rushing to prepare breakfast, get lunches ready or whip up dinner after work? In the end, not only do your kids likely suffer from a higher percentage of prepackaged, processed, microwaved foods, but so will you. To combat this all-too-common trend, plan weekly meals. On the weekends, shop for the week, paying particular attention to purchasing a variety of healthy, easy-to-prepare foods you can turn into quick meals. Anything that can be prepared beforehand and/or in large quantities is perfect - leftovers are a great way to ensure good meals during the hectic week. And involve your children in the process; it will take some of the work off your shoulders while teaching them the value of good nutrition.

3. Give yourself a break. Sometimes finding time to do nothing is just as important as finding time to exercise, eat right or do something. Just because you've finally found an "extra" 20 minutes in your day doesn't necessarily mean you've got to fill it with an activity. Taking a few moments to unwind, de-stress and get away from it all can do wonders. If the kids are asleep or otherwise occupied, kick off your shoes and relax in your favorite chair with soft music and aromatherapy (or complete silence, if that's possible); if the house is still bustling, a casual walk around the block can be just as freeing. This can also be a great time to review your day and work through any negative emotions or stresses in a calm, relaxed atmosphere.

4. Put yourself on your list of priorities. This is a no-brainer, but it's the key to accomplishing all of the above. One of the very qualities that makes moms so special - selflessness - can also be their downfall. To avoid this, make sure you're on your priority list (and not at the bottom); this doesn't mean being selfish or putting yourself ahead of your children or your other responsibilities; it's really about identifying when you need your time - and then taking it without feeling guilty. If you're convinced that sacrificing your own health and wellness to ensure the same for your children is acceptable, think of it this way: By giving to yourself, you'll be giving to them, too. By exercising, eating right and maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle, you'll be in an infinitely better position to provide for them in every way. And isn't that what being a mom is all about?