What to eat?

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Birgit Lueders |

As an Iridologist I spend a lot of time focusing on people’s eyes. By looking into people’s iris I am able to identify people’s genetic predispositions. Iridology categorizes each iris into different constitutions like Lymphatic, Uric Acid or Biliary Constitution just to name a few. Once I identify certain constitutions for an individual, I can point out what area needs more nutritional nourishment so disease can be prevented.

Most of the times my clients seem very excited to receive information like this, but at the same time they can get quite overwhelmed and confused about what to eat and what not to eat.

Out of necessity LVIT was born.

Livit stands for live-it. I use the term LIVIT instead of DIET. Livit is very easy to follow, just focus on a high nutrient dense diet. No more counting points, no more weighing your food, no more calculating the right ratio between protein and carbohydrates. Just simply eat high nutritional food. Did I mention no more counting of calories!

We have been focusing for too many years on protein, carbohydrates and fat. Don’t get me wrong this is important too, but in the meantime we have forgotten to keep the main focus on eating foods that we were meant to eat.

Look at the animals in a zoo. Every zookeeper will tell you with pride that they feed the animals the exact foods that they would eat in their habitat. Do you think our bodies can digest rice crispy cakes, chicken wings with barbecue sauce, chunky monkey ice cream, pina colada chewing gum and four cheese pizza?

I am absolutely sure that our bodies have not adapted yet to the new chemical enhanced cuisine. Just look at the statistics, chronic disease is at its highest. Scientists tell us that the new generation won’t out live the older generation. If this would happen to the animals in the zoo, I am absolutely sure the zookeeper would immediately start changing the animal’s diet.
Remember Albert Einstein’s quote about INSANITY: “Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results!”

Bring back your vegetables, whole grains and fruits onto your plate. We are meant to eat what Earth provides us for millions of years. We have taken the wrong turn on the road of nutrition, time to make a U-turn. Our ancestors have been eating like this for decades why on earth have we decided to outsmart nature and create our food in a science lab?

Here are the DOs and DON’Ts of Livit

• 80% of your food intake should be vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seeds and nuts
• If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat!
• Eat according to the season
• Eat on a table, not in your car, on your office desk or standing at your kitchen counter.
• Avoid drinking during a meal, only before or after a meal.
• Don’t eat alone, seek out company.
• Laugh out loud and/or smile before, during or after a meal.

If you are interested to learn more about LIVIT, Iridology, herbs read my articles on 4wholeness.com

Your Iridologist- Birgit

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Dr Todd Hoover, Homeopathist, Interview

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Todd A. Hoover |

Many patients are stuck between two worlds: one is they have a conventional doctor, but they’re not fully satisfied. It doesn’t seem like they’re addressing the whole body or their whole nature. So they’re looking for something else.

At the core conventional medicine is built on a reductionistic model. There’s a problem with this part and we need to fix that part all the way down to the genetics. There a problem with the genetics so we need to fix the genetics. Is there a problem with the breasts, we need to fix the breasts. And holistic medicine are coming into us and really saying, “We have a system issue here and how do we best manage the system in balance such that your health is better?” These two worlds rarely cross over. So the patient who’s looking for a little of something from both is stuck a bit.

So they’ll ask their conventional doctor, “Who could I see as an acupuncturist.” And the doctor will say, “Well I don’t really know much about the acupuncture stuff because there’s no real studies for it,” and it’s not that the doctor has researched acupuncture in depth and looked to see if there was studies. More or less has a feeling that it doesn’t have a robustness of conventional medicine and maybe they’re looked at a few reviews and said, “There’s not enough evidence for me to actually refer somebody for this.” However on an individual, by individual basis, acupuncture might be the perfect thing for that patient. But the patient doesn’t know, is acupuncture the right thing for me? Is homeopathy the right thing for me? Is herbal medicine?

I think is very much prudent for holistic, good holistic practitioners to refer to conventional therapy and I think both models are actually valid. But they need to be used in a complimentary fashion, which is very complex and is difficult to comprehend by individuals who are trained one way or the other way. So I think the best physicians really look at, “Where are we at now, and if I was able to look into the future what’s likely to develop for this individual?” Taking that into account, and homeopathy I think does that beautifully, it’s really built to do that. We can then predict, is this person likely to develop cancer or not? If so, what steps can we take now that have been shown either through randomized controlled trials or just by a strong body of historical evidence to make a difference for that individual?

How can we optimize health?

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Dr Deanna Attai, Breast Surgeon, Interview

Posted on May 2, 2012 by deanna |

So it’s important to realize there are things that we can control and there are things that we can’t. We can’t always say that we can prevent disease but we can at least help to reduce the risk of disease, whether that be cancer or other diseases.

There are a few specific factors that we know that will increase a woman’s risk of developing a breast cancer: a high fat diet and a sedentary lifestyle. And those factors also increase the risk of recurrence in a woman that’s been treated for breast cancer. I am definitely a believer in a good balanced diet, high in fruits and vegetables, all different colors on your plate, just like your mom told you. Minimal saturated fats, I personally am a minimal to no processed foods. Again, we don’t have any evidence that this is going to reduce the risk of cancer or other disease but to me it’s just a healthier way to live. I tend to stay out of things that came in boxes, bags or cans. I don’t necessarily recommend that for my patients but it’s something that we do talk about.

The environmental angle is a really interesting one because we are really learning a lot more about the role of chemicals and toxin exposures. Again, not only with breast cancer but in disease… There are several chemicals that have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, studies ongoing. Again, this is one of the reasons that I tend to recommend trying minimizing toxins from your life. And I look at toxins in a global sense, not just the plastic that you microwave your food in but your whole environment, your whole mental outlook, the people you surround yourself by and trying to create a more calming, peaceful, nurturing environment in every aspect of your life.

Personally I think that’s where we need to be looking is not just diet, not just exercise, not just proper sleep, but looking at everything in your life and where can you make little tweaks and little changes to reduce the toxicity?

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mind-body connection

Posted on May 1, 2012 by pk131 |

I attended a seminar today, given by Dr. Lee Bowers PhD, on the mind-body connection. I thought “I’ve read so many things about this already, I wonder if I’ll learn anything new” but went with an open mind, hoping that I would glean some piece of useful information. I came away with so much!

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “it’s all in your head”. Maybe you’ve wondered that yourself, or worse still, had it said to you about a problem you’re experiencing. So is it all in your head? Or maybe it’s all in your body. It could be that it’s both! Perhaps we can’t separate the two because they are intimately connected.

In her book “The Molecules of Emotion” Candace Pert talks about how our thoughts affect us on a cellular level. Everything we think affects our body. Positive thoughts can strengthen us and negative thoughts can weaken us. Think about how you feel when you’re with a happy, positive person (uplifted) or with a person who complains all the time (drained). It has been shown that neuropeptides (small protein-like molecules made by nerves in the body) communicate our thoughts to our cells. If we can keep ourselves surrounded by positive thoughts and energies, we will be healthier.

So how can this knowledge help us? Have you heard stories of how the power of positive thinking can heal problems in our body? Dr. Bowers shared many stories of how her patients had improved/healed their physical problems through positive visualizations for just one minute a day. One of her patients was suffering from pain from an ovarian cyst and was scheduled for surgery to have it removed. Dr. Bowers suggested that her patient practice the following visualization daily – 30 seconds first thing in the morning & 30 seconds before sleeping. Her patient imagined the cyst being packed in ice and first shrinking to the size of a raisin then disappearing to less than a speck of dust. The patient practiced this and reported that initially her pain subsided, then on follow up appointments, her cyst was shown to be completely gone!

Dr. Bowers also shared how firewalkers are able to walk on burning coals and not be burnt or feel pain. Aside from going into a deep trance, they tell themselves they are walking on Styrofoam peanuts. This is the message that the neuropeptides transmit to their cells, so they are able to walk on the hot coals with no ill-effects.

Of course, I’m not suggesting you try this at home, but if there is a physical problem you are dealing with, how about trying one minute of positive visualization everyday? Think of a picture where the problem is dissolving away. Involve all your 5 senses and really try and feel it. Only focus on the positive, not the negative and don’t use any negative words. For example, don’t think “ my pain is no longer here” but instead, “I am completely at ease, comfortable, and moving around easily.”

Let me know how things work out for you. I know I am going to try it for my aches and pains … after all, there’s nothing to lose.

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Eat Food for Medicine

Posted on April 23, 2012 by KinkoHamilton |

How would you like your journey to be?

Life is a journey. The question is, what kind of a journey will it be for you? How would you like your journey to be?

According to American Cancer Society, over 95% of cancer is caused by the damaged DNA. We often hear that we all are going to get cancer and it is a matter of “when.”

I am not a big fan of being told by others how my life would be, so I began to research the answer to my question, “what can we do to protect myself and my family from cancer?”

There are several common factors among the hospitals and doctors who have been successfully helping cancer patients. Successful practitioners are following the same core protocol, which is to improve a quality of their lifestyles. Cancer is not about cancer cells but the body environment, which manifests cancer cells.

How can we change our body environment? As it is often said, we are what we eat; therefore, proper nutrition is the key. Nutrition is not only preventative but also has a curative role.

Although the definition of proper nutrition is varied among individuals and professionals, when it comes to people with cancer, Orthomolecular Nutrition has been proven to be the most effective nutrition (diet therapy). According to “I have Cancer: What Should I Do?”, Ortho (to normalize) molecular nutrition is about eating food that:

  • Minimize the secondary effects (toxins) of the oncology treatment
  • Reinforce the immune system to help treat the disease
  • Treat disease directly with appropriate management of macro- and micronutrients
  • Help with the patient with the recovery

Cancer cells use fermentation of sugar for energy to grow. Cancer cells accumulate lactic acid. Its cellular chemical construction is abnormal (saturated by sodium as opposed to a healthy cell is made from mixture of Magnesium and Potassium).

A diet that targets these characteristics of cancer cells would contribute to normalize their cellular construction, therefore their activity and growth. Orthomolecular nutrition is not only for those with cancer but also for those want to prevent and recover from it.

We are what we eat. This is a proven truth. How would you like your journey to be? We can regain the control by eating food as medicine. Please visit my profile here and website and see if we can help you.

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Are you looking for a naturally effective solution to your health?

Posted on April 6, 2012 by KinkoHamilton |

Over 70% of world population is depending on holistic approach to health and, in the US, the number of people who would prefer natural approach to a lifestyle has been tripled over the last few decades.

Are you looking for a naturally effective medicine to your condition? Would you rather take medicines that offer no side effects or addictions? Would you like to know how to build an immune system and also help yourself heal at the same time?

Aromatherapy is not widely known or used in the US; however, it has been proven to be one of the most effective alternative treatments, which has a long history. Essential oils were the mankind’s first medicine and even the Bible has 188 references to essential oils. In Europe, aromatherapy is covered by insurance in some countries. You may also find its own department in some hospitals in Asia.

Aromatherapy has three major applications; aromatic, topical, and internal. Essential oils are used in all applications and they are very small in molecular size that they can almost immediately penetrate the skin.

What are essential oils? They are aromatic compounds, natural extracts, from various parts of the plants. They are usually steam distilled, very concentrated, and know to be at least 70 times more powerful than herbal medicines.

So, how do essential oils affect us? Aromatic constituents, called sesquiterpenes, found in essential oils are known to be able to pass the blood-brain barrier, which is the cell membrane between the blood and the brain. This barrier protects brain cells from damaging substances to reach the brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid. This means, essential oils would directly work on the cells. On the other hand, there are no man-made chemical substances found to go through the barrier.

According to National Institute on Drug Abuse, “the biggest and fastest growing part of America’s drug problem is prescription drug abuse.” Essential oils offer the significant health benefits with no side effects or addictions.

There are so many essential oils available on the market and you may wonder which one to get. Here is a tip: get a supplement-registered essential oil. Make sure a bottle says “for internal/ dietary use” or I would suggest you not to even open it because if it is not safe to drink, it is not safe to use at all.

I would like to invite you to take a look at a bright side of healthcare. A lifestyle is the cause of the majority of the diseases and aromatherapy would bring you a positive lifestyle to your health.

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Best Amount Of Vitamin D3 For A Breast Cancer Survivor?

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Georgia Tetlow |

What Is The Best Amount Of Vitamin D3 For A Breast Cancer Survivor?

In my clinic, the way I dose vitamin D depends sun exposure, individual absorption and current co-morbidities/medical history, as well as other factors. Let’s discuss the breast cancer survivor population. As a general rule, I target a vitamin D3 range around 50, which is the lower to middle range of the 30-100 ng/ml “normal range” listed on lab results. This is also the general target range suggested during my two year fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona–I graduated a few years back and already had an established private integrative medicine practice in Philadelphia. The medical community needs well-designed studies to assess the cost benefit analysis of lower versus higher vitamin D levels in the breast cancer survivor and other populations. It takes funding to do longitudinal studies that look at secondary prevention of breast cancer, especially when so many factors are involved and it is challenging to accurately attribute cause to this single factor. New studies address a multipronged approach and its benefits, rather than seeking to isolate one factor to assess its involvement.

The Nurse’s Health Study first established by Dr. Frank Speizer in 1976 and later by Dr. Walter Willett in 1989 revealed that women who take in more calcium are statistically less likely to develop breast cancer to begin with. It’s established that higher vitamin D levels correlate with higher calcium absorption…so an indirect conclusion might be made here. Keep in mind that this correlation relates to primary cancer prevention, not prevention of a recurrence. Also calcium and vitamins D levels may matter more or even most when women are growing and developing, and there’s much more to learn here—the role of vitamin D during human development for prevention of later illness.

The reason that vitamin D may play a role in secondary prevention of breast cancer is that vitamin D acts as a hormone that affects proper immune function, and the immune system surveils the body and, ideally, destroys and recycles precancerous cells so that they do not develop into cancer. Again, much more research is needed to understand vitamin D’s extraordinary role in this and many other physiological functions.

In terms of how much daily vitamin D is needed to get to a specific target range, that varies widely. People absorb and metabolize vitamin D very differently. Many primary doctors recommend 2,000IU daily dose for maintenance, which I would say in the low end of the spectrum, especially if levels need to be repleted, but just maintained. For those with hypovitaminosis D, or low vitamin D, I may dose as much as 10,000IU daily for differing amounts of time to replete the D level. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble and need to be monitored for adequate but not excess repletion, so you need to work with your doctor. I do measure a serum or ionized calcium if I am concerned that levels are too high (this is a rare occasion), because higher levels of vitamin D translate to increased calcium absorption.

As a clinical anecdote, many with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis notice that higher serum vitamin D levels translate to improvements in range of motion, morning stiffness, pain and other parameters. Of course more research is needed here, too.

The Institute of Medicine has guidelines for dosing and target levels, so please research their recommendations as well: http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Dietary-Reference-Intakes-for-Calcium-and-Vitamin-D/DRI-Values.aspx

I always individualize vitamin D dosing and target range recommendations, and watch and learn how my patients absorb and metabolize water vs. fat soluble vitamins, as well as food in general.

Take care,

Dr. Georgia

Georgia Tetlow, MD, FAAPMR practices integrative medicine and specializes in wellness, chronic illness and cancer recovery. In support of a whole person approach, she addresses how conventional medicine can be infused with evidence-based approaches from a wide range of traditions to achieve balance and health. Addressing body mind and spirit, she takes the time to listen, educate and empower you. Dr. Tetlow works with your treatment team, and your recovery plan is personalized to your needs to address prevention, tolerance of conventional therapies, and wellness, not just the absence of disease. Trained in “alternative medicine” such as mindfulness and mind body medicine, biological therapies including supplements, alternative medical systems, hands on therapy and energy medicine, she also practices functional medicine, a more holistic conventional approach to care. She looks forward to seeing you in her Ambler, PA office.

 

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JoAnne White, Cancer Coach Interview

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Jo Anne White |

JoAnne White explains how she works as a cancer coach to support the mind and spirit of her patients. Located in Southern New Jersey, JoAnne uses a variety of therapies, some utilizing sound and vibration.

The journey that I take women through is both mind centered and heart centered.

I support women throughout the different life stages that occur when a woman first learns she has breast cancer through the treatment through the resolution of it, through whatever she needs to go through. So through the different stages.

Often times women who have breast cancer feel that they don’t have control. That their control has been zapped because suddenly they’re facing a disease and something that’s foreign to them that has sort of taken over.

Women who are going through breast cancer have to look at ways of helping themselves get better mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Finding that sense of spirit connection through relationships, through loving people, through laughter, through joy, through music, through nature, through quiet.

Heart centeredness is important. It’s about feeling a sense of energy, a sense of passion that I’m going to be able to do what I need to do. Even if it’s about doing something as making some changes in my diet or my sleep cycle or about how I’m going to tell my children where I am at this point, or my spouse, or talk to my family, or go to work, or find something. So heart centeredness helps women really access, again, their core system, who they really are.

Women need to feel empowered and they need to feel that they’re handling it and they’re moving through it with as much personal power and strength that they can obtain, that they can find.

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How Might Calcium Help Prevent Cancer?

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Georgia Tetlow |

Recent discoveries have shown calcium plays an integral role in regulating adiposity (fat deposition), insulin resistance, and hypertension–all risk factors for coronary vascular disease (heart disease).

How might calcium help prevent cancer?  According to the National Cancer Institute, the exact mechanism how calcium may help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer is unclear, and most research has been done on colorectal cancer.  We do know calcium binds to bile acids and fatty acids in the gastrointestinal tract to form insoluble complexes known as calcium soaps. These “soaps” reduce the ability of the acids (or their metabolites) to damage cells in the lining of the colon and stimulate cell proliferation to repair the damage. Calcium may also act directly to reduce cell proliferation in the lining of the colon or cause proliferating colon cells to undergo differentiation, i.e. to not become cancerous. Calcium also may improve signaling within the cell itself and cause cancer cells to differentiate and/or die (1, 2).

On average, Americans consume only 600 mg of calcium daily despite recommendations by the National Academy of Sciences for adolescents to consume 1300 mg/d and adults under age 50 to consume 1,000 mg/d, while adults over 50 should consume 1,200 mg (3). The best calcium supplement is calcium citrate, as it is most easily absorbed.

 

Food sources for Magnesium

Magnesium rich foods
All Bran

2/3 cup

191 mg
Spinach, cooked

1/ cup

158 mg
Pumpkin kernels

2 Tbsp

151 mg
Millet, cooked

1 cup

138 mg
Tofu

4 oz

117 mg
Sunflower seeds

2 Tbsp

100 mg
Almonds

1 oz

100 mg
Broccoli, cooked

1 cup

94 mg
Wheat germ, toasted

1/4 cup

91 mg
Blackstrap molasses

2 Tbsp

84 mg
Lentils, cooked

1 cup

71 mg

 

Low magnesium intake has been associated with adverse cardiovascular events, including atherosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension and even sudden cardiac death. There has also been an association noted with diabetes. Severe magnesium deficiencies are reportedly rare, however certain medical conditions, such as electrolytes imbalances, diuretic therapy, malabsorption, pancreatitis, postsurgical stress, vitamin D-resistant rickets, diabetes, and parathyroid gland disorders, are associated with more acute depletions (4). Good food sources of magnesium are listed above, and include seeds, legumes, cereal grains, dark green leafy vegetables, milk and other dairy products. The best form of supplementation is magnesium glycinate, as it has the least bowel side effects.

  1. Whereas not all evidence has been supportive, a number of clinical studies appear to support a role for adequate magnesium intake for reducing the risk for CVD. It is hypothesized that magnesium may be protective against atherosclerosis and thrombosis. There are numerous studies that address the role of magnesium in different types of cancer prevention, and research is ongoing.

The current recommended daily intake for adult males age 19-30 is 400 mg/d and 420 mg/d for males over age 30. Adult females age 19-30 should consume 310 mg/d while females over age 30 should take in 320 mg/d (5).

For more info on Dr. Tetlow, please visit her profile page!

  1. Milner JA, McDonald SS, Anderson DE, Greenwald P. Molecular targets for nutrients involved with cancer prevention. Nutrition and Cancer 2001; 41(1–2):1–16.
  2. Lamprecht SA, Lipkin M. Cellular mechanisms of calcium and vitamin D in the inhibition of colorectal carcinogenesis. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2001; 952:73–87.
  3. Committee to Review Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin D and Calcium, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2010.
  4. Anderson and Braun, Pathophysiology: functional alterations in human health. Lippincott Williams &Wilkins: Philadelphia, 2007.
  5. Trumbo et al, Dietary reference intakes: vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. J Am diet Assoc. 2001 Mar;101(3):294-301.

 

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Inner Peace Is Yours

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Jo Anne White |

I’ve been giving an old idea more space in my life and it’s very satisfying. I’ve invited calm in and made a comfortable place for her to reside.

In turn, she’s taught me to experience what it’s like to be truly centered and balanced. How empowering it feels to act and make decisions from this place.

Gift of Creativity:

I’m not suggesting I’ve attained perfect results; I’m human after all. Yet, there are rewards in viewing our lives in a less volatile manner, such as increased ease and clarity.

From this calm comes the most exquisite creativity. When our minds are freed from the shackles of worry and reaction, bountiful creative ideas flow easily. Why not catch one.

Give Inner Peace A Chance:

In spite of what’s going on around you with loved ones, your job,  your health, the political climate or the economy, you too can create a place of quiet inside, that’s not affected by prevailing external conditions.

Inner calm and peace can be your constant companion through which you gauge the world.

Sound Bites:

There are many ways to reach that calm more efficiently. Music helps us relax and transcend our experiences. Turn on music, that vibratory wonder, to help tune your brain waves to calm.

Play music when possible to train your mind and body to become more comfortable with this state. The idea is to reproduce frequently and at will, this peaceful state that you’ve grown accustomed to.

Movement to Ease You:

Walking, especially in nature, gives us another wonderful vehicle for inner calm. I find this to be one of my favorite times to take in the beauty all around me and feel more connected to everything and so much fuller because of the experience.

Meditation:

Meditation is a wonderful opportunity to quiet the mind and can transport you to greater understanding and knowing within and beyond yourself. This takes practice and some effort to teach the chattering mind-child within to quiet down. As you listen to what’s not being said, you gain wisdom and peace from the inner quiet.

Prayer also has a quieting effect that’s powerful and uplifting and allows you to feel that you count and you’re heard.

Too often, I’ve met adults who are uncomfortable just being alone. For them, each moment needs to be filled with others, with external noise and inner chatter.

Yet, it’s so valuable to take time to be in the quiet. These moments can give us a different spin on what’s important and teach us.  Practice is necessary and patience is one of your greatest allies.

For me, these quiet moments are among my greatest teachers. The inner peace doesn’t have to disappear. Calm can be sustained.  As I learn to transfer more calm into my daily living, I become more grateful. You can too!

International author and speaker, Dr Jo Anne White, is a Certified Professional Coach, Business Consultant and Energy Intuitive. For over two decades, she’s been teaching the Law of Attraction, using the principles to enrich the lives and businesses of her clients.

 

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