NEWSLETTER: Sep 2012

West Nile Virus:
a holistic approach

Eating Healthy on the Go

Protein Powder

Smoothies

Spirulina

Conscious Breath

Welcome to September!

September seems to be such a very busy time of the year for people and over the years, this seems to be when folks start to get a little run down. This month I thought I would talk to you about how to stay healthy on the go. I continue talking about the immune system because if we go into the fall and winter seasons with a strong and balanced immune system, we have lower risk for getting ill. Also, I included an article about West Nile Virus as it has been in the media so often these last couple of weeks.

Help me help others by sharing your wisdom:

I created a blog post asking for your input on challenges and solutions you have had on your health journey. Would you take a moment to go to my blog and post a comment? Consider the impact of sharing your wisdom and guidance for people who are struggling along, trying to make changes.

Adrenal + Nervous System Formula

Wise Woman Herbals inadvertantly made up an extra 32 oz bottle of an adrenal + nervous system support formula for me earlier this year. They cannot sell it to anyone but me or one of my patients because it is a custom formula. They are holding it for me, at my request - I wanted to see if I could find someone interested in taking it as the other option is they toss it out. This formula contains ashwagandha, bupleurum, eleuthercoccus, astragalus, melissa, passiflora, glycerrhiza and piscidia. Excellent for adrenal support and regeneration and to calm a stressed, anxious, overworked nervous system. The toal with shipping would be $145 - or about a 40% discount. First come first served - just email me to let me know if you want it and I will have them send it to you.

Local Newspaper Name and Number Request

If you get a local newspaper, could you send me the name and phone number of the paper? We are posting all our free MedicineTalk teleseminars in all the papers we can find. Thanks.

For my patients: It's Time to Cleanse

Cleansing is a practice thousands of years old and used by all cultures around the world. It is designed to move out stored toxins, relieve physical, spiritual, mental and emotional stagnation and much more. I encourage my patients to detox and cleanse at least twice a year - Spring and Fall. Some folks need it more, but you know who you are :-) For those of you who have been with me for years, you know that I like this to be a gentle, healing and renewing endeavor. I do not promote major purging or complete fasting. Instead, I encourage a 7-day program, using dietary changes, 1 day of complete food fasting in the middle, water is ok, rest, skin brushing and bathing, reflecting, etc. There is of course an ideal and everything in between. If you can only do 3 days, that is OK. I would encourage anyone who needs to do a modified cleanse to come to the teleseminar so we can talk it out. I will talk about a 3 and 5 day cleanse and then be available for questions. However - if this is the very first time you have ever done a cleanse and have more than a couple of quick questions, schedule an appointment. Then you will be a pro going forward! I invite you to come to the free Detox and Cleanse Teleseminar September 12 @ 9 pm eastern (8 pm central). For patients only. Please RSVP to receive call information and handouts. If you just need handouts, email me and I will send them along.

And last.... 

Our expected arrival date in OK is October 15. I am hoping to be seeing patients by early November and will keep everyone posted. 

West Nile Virus - a holistic approach

What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile Virus (WNV) is most commonly contracted from the bite of an infected mosquito, though there are a few other rare ways of contracting the disease including transfusions, transplants, breastfeeding and even during pregnancy from mother to baby.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of WNV can be mild to severe. In fact, in almost 80% of people there are no symptoms at all! There can be mild symptoms in about 20% of people that include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. These can last from a few days to several weeks. In 1% of the populate, West Nile causes serious illness with symptoms such as high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms can hang around for weeks and the neurological effects may be permanent. It can take 3-14 days after the bite to become sick.

How to Lessen Risk of Exposure?
One of the best ways to prevent WNV is to avoid being bit by a mosquito. Do not go outside when mosquitoes are most active at sunrise and sunset. If you do need to be outdoors use long sleeved shirts, pants and a repellant. Essential oils are an excellent way to repel mosquitoes. Try mixing together 15 drops each of lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, and pennyroyal with 1 oz of almond or olive oil. This mixture can be applied directly to skin or clothing to keep insects from biting.  You will have to repeat the application frequently for best results. You can also keep the inside of your home mosquito-free by ensuring screens are in good repair and leaving doors and windows without screens closed. In the yard, empty containers to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes like to breed.
 
Who is Most Vulnerable?
According to the CDC, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk and are more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV if they do get sick. These folks should take special care to avoid mosquito bites.

Mainstream Treatment
As with many viruses, there is no specific treatment for West Nile in the mainstream medical approach. Mild cases will clear on their own and rarely need medical attention. If it is a severe case, a person may need to have IV fluids, be on a respirator or need 24 hour care. Symptoms such as severe headaches or confusion may indicate a serious situation that requires medical attention.

Naturopathic Approach

From the Naturopathic approach, there are many things to do which may help keep the symptoms at bay and keep WNV from developing into a serious condition. These are basic strategies that are helpful with any virus.

• Keep your immune system strong, balanced and healthy.
• Eat a diet rich in whole foods (raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins).
• Keep yourself hydrated with fresh and clean drinking water.
• Get sufficient rest at night and manage stress by using stress-relieving strategies.
  Keep up with your supplement regime. 
• Avoid foods that are packaged, processed and full of preservatives and additives.
• Avoid coffee, caffeine and sugar. 
• Stay away from your food allergens. 
• Supplements to consider in addition to ones you aleady take: Elderberry, Ashwagandha and Astragalus. I like to use these in tincture or tea form. Garlic, ginger and extra Vitamin C can also provide that extra immune edge.

If you feel like you may have contracted WNV and you are my patient, call or email me. I will get you a homeopathic remedy to help alleviate symptoms and help you get better faster. I will also give you other helpful suggestions, individual to you :-) Of course, remember the good old fashioned advice our Moms and Grandmothers gave us: rest, fluids and homemade soup!!!

References

• http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factSheet.htm retrieved 8_28_12
• Bove M. An Enclyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants. Chicago: Keats Publishing, 2001.
• Gaby AR. Insect Repellents. Nutritional Meicine. Concord, NH: Fritz Perlberg Publishing, 2010.
• Kuhn MA, Winston D. Herbal Therapy & Supplements: A Scientific & Traditional Approach. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2001.
• Maia MF, Moore SJ. Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development, and testing. Malaria Journal 2011 10 (Suppl): S11.
• Steele, S. (1995). Summer's sting. Maclean's, 108(26), 46.

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 Eating Healthy on the Go

Fall brings with it cooler temperatures and fast paced schedules. Often we find ourselves trying to keep our family healthy on the go. To support your immune system and energy levels, it is important to eat high quality food and to not skip your supplements, no matter how time crunched you are. Here are some suggestions for eating healthy on the go.

Starting the day

It can be tempting to skip breakfast when you are short on time. However, to maintain good health and strong energy levels all day long it is important to start with a nutrient packed meal.

• Protein Smoothies: For fast meals that are full of nutrition, try a protein smoothie. Use a high quality protein powder that is low in sugar and uses organic ingredients. Add superfoods such as probiotics, spirulina, wheat grass, fish oil, and powdered herbs and veggies.
• Cooked Grains: If you have more time, warmed whole grains like oatmeal or barley are great ways to start your day. Whole grains have beta glucans that are immune boosting. Try amaranth for a gluten-free option. Add blueberries, sprinkle on nuts (brazil nuts are high in selenium), or flax seeds for added nutrition.

Lunches

For a midday pick me up, try packing your lunch.

• Look for stainless steel bento thermoses with individual compartments to carry soups, brown rice, and steamed veggies. In fact, studies have shown that chicken soup boosts the immune system.
• Other great lunch additions are naturally fermented foods such as sauerkraut, yogurt, kimche, and kombucha. Soups and stews can be made in the crock pot the night before or even made over the weekend and frozen into individual servings.

Snacks

Having snacks on hand is a great way to get nutrition boosts throughout the day, keep your blood sugar stable, and increase your energy. Try snacks such as:

• Blueberries or other dark colored fruits, bananas, dehydrated fruit and veggies, cut up raw fresh veggies, trail mixes, hummus, nuts, and nut butters.
• Protein bars are a great midday snack but watch out for added sugar, which is an immune killer.

Dinner

• To end the day, try a hearty, well-rounded dinner filled with lots of fresh veggies and lean proteins.
• Soups and stews are great and they make handy leftovers for homemade lunches.
• Try to limit your intake of high glycemic carbohydrates like pasta, white rice and white bread. Use whole grains and brown rice when you can.

References

• Gaby, Alan. 2011. Nutritional medicine. Concord, N.H: Fritz Perlberg Publishing.
• Pizzorno, Joseph E., and Michael T. Murray. 1999. Textbook of natural medicine. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

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 Protein Powder

 Smoothies

 Spirulina

Spirulina, a blue-green algea, is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and antioxidants, including B complex, beta-carotene, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid). As with any supplement, spirulina needs to be purchased from a trusted company that does quality testing to make sure it is organic and uncontaminated by the environment where it is grown. It is an excellent source of protein containing 62% protein, along with its other nutritional properties. Animal and test tube studies have shown that it can boost immune function and reduce allergic reactions by blocking the release of histamine. It also helps good probiotics recolonize the GI tract. Research is revealing antiviral properties against herpes, influenza, and HIV. One study showed that taking spirulina seemed to reduce a precancerous lesion known as leukoplasia in people who chewed tobacco. It may help protect against liver damage and cirrhosis (liver failure) in people with chronic hepatitis. Spirulina has numerous health benefits that make it a wonderful addition your your health diet.

References

• Deng R, Chow TJ. Hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory activities of microalgae Spirulina. Cardiovasc Ther. 2010 Aug;28(4):e33-45. Review.
• Khan Z, Bhadouria P, Bisen PS. Nutritional and therapeutic potential of Spirulina. Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2005 Oct;6(5):373-9. Review.
• Lu HK, Hsieh CC, Hsu JJ, Yang YK, Chou HN. Preventive effects of Spirulina platensis on skeletal muscle damage under exercise-induced oxidative stress. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2006 Sep;98(2):220-6.
• Mazo VK, Gmoshinski IV, Zilova IS. Microalgae Spirulina in human nutrition. Vopr Pitan. 2004;73(1):45-53.
• Wang Y, Chang CF, Chou J, Chen HL, Deng X, Harvey BK, Cadet JL, Bickford PC. Dietary supplementation with blueberries, spinach or spirulina reduces ischemic brain damage. Exp Neurol. 2005;193(1):75-84.

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 Conscious Breath

Stress can present a danger to our immune system when we find ourselves continuously on the go. Our body produces stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, our muscles tense, and we begin taking short shallow breaths. One way to break the stress cycle is with the practice of conscious breathing. Conscious breath is the technique of taking slow, steady and deep breaths. This kind of breathing stimulates your lymphatic system, an essential part of your overall immune health. It can also de-stress the body by de-activating the sympathetic nervous system that takes over during high stress and anxiety and activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for our relaxation responses. Make sure to close your eyes for 5 minutes and breathe deeply with slow steady inhalations and exhalations. To increase the effectiveness of your conscious breath practice, throw in some visualization techniques by imagining you are in a safe, serene place such as your favorite vacation spot, a quiet garden, or sitting in your favorite chair. For best results repeat this several times a day, or even better, once a hour!

References

• Beck, Erin. 2011. What are the health benefits of breathing deeply. Livestrong.com. http://www.livestrong.com/article/351317-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-breathing-deeply/#ixzz246gxr3hB
• Pal, G.K. Velkumary, S. and Madanmohan. Effect of short-term practice of breathing exercises on autonomic functions in normal human volunteers. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2004;120:115-121.
• Hendricks, Gay. 1995. Conscious breathing: breathwork for health, stress release, and personal mastery. New York: Bantam Books.

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