Have You Had a Cocktail Lately?

We are no longer only what we eat, we are also what we absorb. As we know, healthy eating and lifestyle are key in keeping our body balanced and well. However, increased nutritional demand, reduced absorption, lack of nutrition and can drastically reduce our body’s nutritional status and overall health. Increased nutritional demand can be associated with conditions such as chronic stress, insomnia, travel, pregnancy, athletic performance, viral and bacterial infections, and chronic illness. On the other hand, reduced absorption can result from a variety of common issues including acute or chronic stress, ulcers, allergies, diarrhea, constipation, inflammation (IBS, IBD, Crohn’s) and excess or deficient stomach acid.

Intravenous (IV) Vitamin & Mineral therapy is an excellent way to increase your nutritional status. IV Vitamin therapies, such as Myers’ Cocktails developed by Dr. John Myers, MD, use highly concentrated vitamin and mineral infusions that are administered intravenously. This ensures maximum absorption and delivery of nutrients at the cellular level, bypassing the digestive limitations discussed above.

Common vitamins and minerals used in Vitamin IV therapy include: Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, B complex, Magnesium and Calcium.

Intravenous (IV) Vitamin & Mineral therapy is an excellent way to increase your nutritional status. IV Vitamin therapies, such as Myers’ Cocktails developed by Dr. John Myers, MD, use highly concentrated vitamin and mineral infusions that are administered intravenously. This ensures maximum absorption and delivery of nutrients at the cellular level, bypassing the digestive limitations discussed above.

Common vitamins and minerals used in Vitamin IV therapy include: Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, B complex, Magnesium and Calcium.

IV therapy is especially useful in improving and treating conditions such as:

-colds and flus
-fatigue and high levels of stress
-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
-Fibromyalgia
-allergies and hayfever
-malabsorption and digestive problems
-migraine headaches
-cancer
-cardiovascular dis.
-athletic recovery and endurance
-anti-aging

THe Power Of Acupuncture

The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that bodily functions are regulated by an energy called “chi” or Qi (?) which flows through the body. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for disease. This energy travels through meridians or channels. The use of acupuncture is an ancient traditional form of healing involving the stimulation of specific acupuncture points along these specific energy meridians or channels. These acupuncture points are likened to the circuit breakers in your house that flip when the circuit is overloaded. When the acupuncture meridians go out of balance due to diet, weather, or emotions they can short circuit and create imbalance in these acupuncture energy systems.

Using needles has been the traditional way to assist in balancing the energy meridians but there are other methods to accomplish this balancing. Cold laser is a more recent way, as well as using electro-acupuncture using micro-current technology.

In 1993, I was on a 3 week Physician Tour in China. The Tour included spending two weeks learning advanced acupuncture in a few of the hospitals of Beijing and Hangzhou. It really was an eye opener to see acupuncture in action. The response to individuals health after having acupuncture needles inserted for 30 minutes and then withdrawn was amazing. I remember on elderly man who had suffered a stroke, limping in with the use of a cane and unable to speak easily. After his 30 minute needling he walked out without the use of his cane and was conversing with his companion that had brought him. This was an amazing transition of his function that I had not experienced as a physician in North America.

One of my elderly patients ended up with a stroke several months ago when his daughter told me he was in the hospital and what more could be done for him. I mentioned that acupuncture could be very helpful for his recovery. We made arrangements with the hospital so that he could receive needle acupuncture in the hospital. The hospital staff was amazed how quickly he progressed with his post stroke recovery.

Acupuncture is not just used for pain relief. It can be used for fertility, insomnia, digestive problems, headaches, arthritis, and other health conditions. As Naturopathic Physicians both Dr. Justyna and I utilize acupuncture at the Semiahmoo Wellness Center.

It Is That Time of Year to Detoxify.

I trust that you had a wonderful holiday season and have hit the ground running this year with new goals and fresh ambition!

January and February is the perfect time of year to clean up our diets and get back on track with our health. Christmas and New Years parties are a thing of the past and most of the cookies and chocolates are gone by now. For most of us, the holidays have left us with a few extra pounds and feeling a little slow and bloated.

It’s January 27th, How are you doing on your New Years Resolutions? Are you losing your momentum?

Whether I eat unhealthy, a little too much, or even if I eat very well, I like to begin the new year with a detox. I eat extra clean, take some probiotics and drink plenty of water.

Join me in making this year, the year that YOU, takes care of YOU! Of course anything that you do for your health is going to have a good effect on your body. More importantly, what you do for your health is going to help you be better for your family. Becoming healthier is not a physical challenge; its a mental one!

REMOVE – RESTORE – REPAIR – REPLENISH

Remove: toxins, parasites, infections and dietary allergens. They need to be safely eliminated.
Restore: the good bugs (bacteria) in your gut. They help remove toxins and help in restoration of the gut lining.
Repair: Heal the gut lining using key nutrients to repair the lining of the intestines and the mucosal cells
Replenish:enzymes to assist in digestion for optimal function of the digestive tract.

Eliminating refined foods, sugars, and alcohol are important. Eating healthy fresh organic foods. Consume at least 1/2 gallon of fresh, clean water. Eliminating artificial sweeteners and preservatives is another important step for gut health and healing.

Remember- Remove, Restore, Repair, Replenish!

INFRA-RED SAUNAS

Infra-Red Saunas are great to help in assisting the detox kick start. The rays penetrate into the tissues and stimulate the release of toxins that are stored deep within the body. Eliminating toxins from your body helps protect you from developing cancers and degenerative diseases. Once cleansed, you’ll have more energy to do the things you love to do. Saunas have shown to assist in getting rid of heavy metals in your system. Our bodies are continually interacting with heavy metals in our environment.

Your immune system also benefits from saunas. By raising your core temperature your body can fight off those nasty bacteria and viruses.

Lastly, the sauna is a good way to burn some of those calories while you relax and read or meditate.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a Global Concern

Another year almost over! Lots of learning and a lot of changes as we move into the New Year. I was attending a seminar on ” Healthy Aging” last weekend and it sure drove home how the daily decisions we make about our food choices and health greatly impact our present and future health. One of the hot topics was Alzheimer’s Disease which is becoming quite a Global concern.

There presently are 750,000 Canadians suffering from Alzheimer’s or related conditions. Of the G 8 countries, Canada is the only country that does not have a prevention strategy. People with Alzheimer’s will double by 2033.Alzheimers is now considered to be Type 3 Diabetes. The key is to prevent it. There is a Prevention Protocol that has been developed with 14 items which we are starting to implement in our office starting December 18th. This is also a strategy that may help someone already dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease. If you are interested in knowing more or want to start using this protocol phone our office to make an appointment with one of our Naturopathic Physicians.

How to Prevent Those Trips to the Dentist

The Naturopathic Doctors at the Semiahmoo Wellness Center are pleased to bring this important piece of information to you regarding your teeth. We are always being told that we need make sure we brush and floss our teeth but what else can we do to save those trips to the dentist to get your teeth drilled and filled. Dr. Mercola recently published an article on “Minimal Dentistry” which highlighted many tips and information on how to minimally take care of your teeth and have the work that was done on your teeth last longer. One of the dentists he interviewed touched on how you get cavities and how to prevent them. Most tooth decay develops from the interaction of bacteria and acidity coming together which creates a bacterial bioflora in your mouth. If you are continually lowering your Ph in your mouth then you will start losing calcium which is necessary for strong healthy teeth. The lack of calcium will lead to porosity of the teeth and plaquing will start creating the holes in the tooth. Dr. Rainey the dentist interviewed, recommended brushing with plain baking soda at night to counter the acidity build up. Then to brush your teeth in the mornings, using toothpaste containing calcium and phosphate salts, or even hydroxyapatite, which can help remineralize your teeth. You can brush, floss, rinse, or waterpik with baking soda. see the full article here:http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/02/03/minimally-invasive-dentistry.aspx

COLD LASER THERAPY HAS HELPED MANY CANADIANS!!

September is National Arthritis Month. Conventional therapies focus on pharmaceuticals which mask the symptoms and very often have adverse side effects. These side effects have led arthritic sufferers to seek out natural safer alternatives.

Do you suffer from chronic pain throughout your day? Do you have to take medication everyday just to function? Cold Laser Therapy has helped many Canadians -from ordinary people to elite athletes – get rid of pain and get back to the activities they enjoy most: playing their sport, a round of golf, gardening, or playing with the grandkids.

The most common form of arthritis is degenerative osteoarthritis, affecting approximately 80% of the population by the age of 65. A clinical study of 98 patients presenting with osteoarthritis of the knee at the Meditech Laser Rehabilitation Centre in Toronto, Ontario showed a significant improvement rate in excess of 92%.

Cold Laser Therapy uses light energy which penetrates the tissue and converts it to bio-chemical energy. It’s effect is at the mitochondrial level of the cell giving the cell energy thereby increasing the healing effect for regeneration and repair.

The bioflex laser that we use at the Semiahmoo Wellness Center in South Surrey/White Rock is a non invasive, non-toxic therapy that works great for both acute and chronic conditions. We have experienced great success with osteoarthritis of the hip, knees, and spine.

Jump Start Your Brain

The nervous system and brain are getting a lot of attention recently especially since the baby boomer population is aging. I am going to blog a few articles over the next month on how to jump start your Brain, improve your I. Q., and improve memory and focus. This will be helpful for everyone especially the aging population and students.

Water is very critical, drinking 17 oz.of water can increase your metabolism by 30% and this includes improving brain function. Never skip meals – attention span shortens and performance decreases. Carry a bag of nuts or low carb protein bar for situations when you feel you don’t have time for breakfast or lunch. Do not use energy bars as they are overloaded with sugar. Do not eat sugar before long study periods or taking exams. Thirty to forty minutes after eating a dose of sugar or starch the body creates a low blood sugar level which will reduce energy and brain function. As Dr. Barry Sears stated, “Food is the most powerful drug in the world. The door swings both ways.Food can be the magic elixir to anti-aging or it can be what causes your worst nightmare with your health”. Chose wisely.

Allergies and GMO Foods.

I have been testing and treating allergies and food intolerances for many years now. I am seeing an interesting pattern emerging in our office. That is the emergence of sensitivities to GMO grains, yet not testing positive for organic grains. Patients will come in and test negative for a grain like wheat (organic) and will come in the next appointment and say they are still reactive to that grain. We will then test them for the GMO related grain and they will test positive to it. Research is now emerging that rats fed GMO grains end up growing tumors. This is independant research that has not been supported by the GMO giants like Monsanto. Eight countries in Europe have now banned GMO food and yet North America has been so resistant or the pro GMO lobbyists have done a great job of gaining government support. It is time for us to stand up and be visable by buying organic and refusing to ingest GMO food products. We also owe it to our families.

Alzheimers now considered ” Type 3 Diabetes “

Well, I just got back from a seminar in Phoenix on “INFLAMMATION”. One of the keynote speakers “Dr. Dan Murphy ” stated that a new theory of Alzheimer”s Disease was that it was a similar mechanism of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is caused by a problem in the way your body makes or uses insulin. Insulin is needed to move blood sugar (glucose) into cells, where it is stored and later used for energy.

When you have type 2 diabetes, your fat, liver, and muscle cells do not respond correctly to insulin. This is called insulin resistance. As a result, blood sugar does not get into these cells to be stored for energy.

When sugar cannot enter cells, high levels of sugar build up in the blood. This is called hyperglycemia.

Type 2 diabetes usually occurs slowly over time.

Now the brain is a glucose hog. It runs on glucose and needs glucose also to produce energy or ATP. When glucose can’t get into your cells in other parts of your body, it also can’t get into your brain cells. If the neurons of the brain can’t get the energy they need they will begin to die off. Dr. Murphy claimed that patients with Alzheimers who went on a low glycemic diet and used other strategies for regulating glucose metabolism had favourable responses.

See the following article: http://www.naturalnews.com/036708_Alzheimers_type-3_diabetes_brain_disease.html.

The Semiahmoo Wellness Center in South Surrey has put together blood tests and strategies to evaluate individuals who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Food as our Pharmacy

As we transition from fall into winter we lose our sunlight and Vitamin D. We also see more children`s immune system`s becoming compromised at our office at the Semiahmoo Wellness Center. Whether it is because they are staying up late doing homework, have several sport practices per week, or like my grade 12 daughter trying to cramp everything she can in her final year at high school. Parent`s rather than waiting until they start exhibiting the flu or a cold why not be proactive with boosting their immune systems now. Their are many strategies that you may find helpful. Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Astragalus. Zinc, and Echinacea are all products that can help improve your immune system to assist in preventing the common cold or flu. Honey, garlic, and ginger are staples of cold treatment in Ayurvedic medicine along with black pepper, cinnamon and turmeric. Turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory.Ginger has been used for over 4000 years in Asia and research shows it to relieve inflammation, fever and muscle and joint pain.Grated ginger root with hot water and honey is great to warm up the insides from the chills that accompany the flu. Food has for centuries been used as our Pharmacy by many cultures. So simple yet very effective. These can be purchased at most grocery stores, health food stores and at your naturopathic doctors`office.