A TOXIC WORLD

HEALTHY HEART

DIABETES

FATIGUE

WEIGHT LOSS

HORMONES

DEPRESSION and ANXIETY

DIGESTION

FATIGUE

Energy Level Test
Tick the symptoms that are familiar and persistent for you.
If you ticked five or more symptoms then you need help.

• Feeling tired all the time
  
• Using coffee, tea or cigarettes to get you going in the morning
  Feeling unrefreshed after a nights sleep
  
• Experiencing energy slumps during the day
  
• Having mood and concentration swings
  
• Craving sweets, starchy foods, coffee, tea and cigarettes
  
• Getting angry easily
  
• Overreacting to pressing or antagonistic issues
  
• Regularly feeling inpatient
  
• Feeling anxious or nervous

Due to the fast pace of modern life many people suffer with fatigue. It is normal to feel tired after a week of getting up early, working hard or going to bed late, but not on a regular basis. Some people experience tiredness every day and constantly feel worn out and drained. They become emotional and irritable with family and friends.

With a little effort you can identify and tackle the root cause of your fatigue and adopt a diet and lifestyle that truly energizes you.

It is important to identify the cause of fatigue before starting on a treatment. There may be a simple answer to fatigue such as anemia or low thyroid. A blood chemistry panel can identify these and they can be easily corrected.

Blood sugar fluctuations are another cause of fatigue. Over the past few decades there has been a trend towards low fat diets. These diets are often high in carbohydrates. Sweet, sugary and carbohydrate-rich foods temporarily fill a craving brought on by sudden tiredness, but they also cause our blood sugar levels – and with them our energy and mood – to yoyo.

It is essential to maintain an even blood sugar level. This can be achieved by avoiding high glycaemic foods such as sugary foods and drinks. Try eating five small meals a day. Eat whole grains, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and avocadoes. The more fiber, protein and healthy fat eaten with a carbohydrate the better your blood sugar will be regulated.

SUGAR BUZZ & SUGAR BLUES

Energy rush! Simple sugars rapidly enter the blood stream, providing a temporary release of energy and a sugar buzz due to the release of a feel good factors called endorphins

Pancreatic panic! The high blood sugar panics the pancreas

Rash Response! The pancreas works overtime, releasing large amounts of insulin into the blood in an attempt to rebalance blood sugar levels

Fast crash! The overcompensation by the pancreas causes a rapid fall in blood sugar, leading to fatigue and irritability: sugar blues

And again! To feel better, you reach for more candy, and …….. repeat.

In other instances the fatigue may be related to stress. Stress can be due to emotions, toxicity, nutritional deficiencies, lack of sleep or over-work. The adrenal glands are our body’s primary shock absorber and determine our response to stress. When we are under stress our adrenal gland produces hormones - adrenaline, DHEA and cortisol - that allow us to go beyond our usual limits of endurance. However, if the stress is ongoing it will result in metabolic and nutritional imbalances.

Stress can affects our sleep patterns, immune system, muscle wasting, blood sugar regulation, male and female hormones, bone mineral density, mental clarity and energy.

There are Specialized Scientific tests that provide vital information about the adrenal glands. These tests enable nutritional programs to be tailored to meet your needs. Your program may include stress reduction, blood sugar regulation, rest, B-vitamins, vitamin C, minerals and herbs such as licorice root or ginseng. Products such as DHEA and cortisol should only be taken after specialized testing to establish their levels.

WEIGHT LOSS

Statistics show that obesity affects more than half the population of many countries. In the United States a third of the population is obese. Obesity is a significant risk factor for many diseases, including type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoarthritis and respiratory problems. In the United States obesity is considered to be, directly or indirectly, one of the primary causes of death.

Most of us have tried one of the many diets or diet products that are on the market. Most of us know what it is like to be on a diet - months of deprivation with varying degrees of success. We are a nation of yoyo dieters. Our extremely low calorie crash diets are followed by a return to our old habits and a steady weight gain until we start our next diet.

Not only is this pattern demoralizing, it is also harmful. Nutritional deficiencies develop, our body composition changes to a higher fat to muscle ratio, the adrenal glands become exhausted and our energy drops.

Unfortunately, in common weight loss programs the focus is often on calorie restriction to the point of starvation, and the bodies nutritional requirements are ignored. For a diet to be successful it must ensure that muscle mass is maintained, that there are sufficient nutrients to drive the energy cycles in the cells, and that it does not activate the bodies coping mechanism that are in place to conserve energy in order to survive times of famine.

Successful weight loss should heal your metabolism and improve your health. In my practice we aim for a steady reduction in weight that can be maintained long term without triggering food cravings. It is not about eating less, but eating more wisely so that you can achieve your desired weight loss.

HORMONES

Hormone replacement and hormone balancing therapies are extremely popular today. Millions of women have used hormones over the last fifty years for contraception, menopause and acne. Many more seek assistance with their hormone balance than ever before. This huge demand has caused an entire industry to spring up in response to the growing popularity of hormone treatment.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been promoted for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and the prevention of heart disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s. However, new research casts doubts on the benefits of HRT and highlights the potential risks of long-term therapy – mainly an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, blood clots, gall bladder disease and cardiovascular events. Ironically many women who start taking hormone therapy do so because they believe it will reduce their risk of heart disease, not increase it.

Following media announcements about the potential risks of HRT many women already using HRT were concerned and stopped taking their hormones. Without suitable alternatives many of these women experiences severe hormone withdrawal, including mood swings, hot flashes and depression, along with a host of unseen nutritional imbalances they may still not have addressed.

What women need is a safe and effective means of managing hormonal imbalances that can actually reduce their risk of developing diseases such as cancer. In essence they need to enjoy the many benefits of balanced hormones without incurring the associated risks. Such means are available.

There is no magic hormone or combination of hormones that can be indiscriminately used by all women. Each woman is an individual and hormone balance must be the ultimate goal for all women” – Joseph Collins, ND

Estrogen is made in the ovaries from cholesterol. It is also made from testosterone in fat cells, breast, skin, bone and other tissues. In addition to natural hormones we are exposed to estrogen-like compounds in our environment (xenoestrogens), in hormone medications and in organochloride chemicals.

Whatever the source of estrogen, it is important that we get rid of the excess. This job is done by the liver. The liver converts (metabolizes) estrogen into a form that can be excreted by the colon. However, if the liver is not functioning properly then the hormones are not converted correctly and can form toxic compounds. It is these toxic compounds that are believed to cause hormonal imbalances and increase the risk of cancer. A healthy liver and colon are essential for healthy hormonal function.

Hormone testing is an invaluable tool for the treatment of hormonal disorders. However, it is not sufficient to treat hormone imbalances by measuring hormone levels and simple correct these using synthetic or natural hormones. To achieve long-term hormone safety it is necessary to ensure that the liver and colon are healthy and have the nutrients they require to safely metabolize your hormones. This approach has the additional benefit of improving circulation, increasing energy, preventing cardiovascular disease and reducing breast cancer risk.

Female Hormone Profiles provide information about hormone fluctuations and changes during an entire cycle. They are beneficial for identifying and treating PMS, detect and identify early ovulation, estrogen-to-progesterone imbalance, double ovulation, functional infertility, early abortions, pregnancy problems, recurring headaches, hot flashes and possible ovarian cysts.

Postmenopausal Hormone Profiles will help determine guidelines for proper hormone replacement therapy and for monitoring hormone replacement therapy in post-menopause women.

Tips for healthy hormones:

1) Establish optimal body weight
2) Increase dietary fiber. Especially beneficial are lignin found in flax seeds
3) Stabilize blood glucose levels by eliminating simple sugars and carbohydrates. Switch to complex carbohydrates found in vegetables and whole grains
4) Eliminate of hydrogenated and trans fats. Increase omega-3 fats found in fish and flax seeds
5) Include phytoestrogens in the diet. These are plant compounds that both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic properties. They are found in flax seeds, other seeds, soy and green tea
6) Increase cruciferous vegetables. These are rich in indol-3-carbinol which supports estrogen metabolism
7) Eat live yogurt which is rich in colon-friendly bacteria

DEPRESSION and ANXIETY

How Happy Are You?
Tick the symptoms that are familiar and persistent for you.
If you ticked five or more symptoms then you may be depressed.

• Low mood
  
• Lack of enthusiasm for and pleasure from usual activities of interest
  
• Poor concentration
  
• Difficulty making decisions
  
• Disturbed appetite – either increased or decreased
  
• Disturbed sleep – either insomnia or oversleeping; feeling unrefreshed by sleep
  
• Tiredness
  
• Decreased sexual energy (libido)
  
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
  
• Anxiety
  
• Physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain

It is normal to feel “low” after bereavement, end of a relationship or other disappointment. However, in some people this sense of sadness goes on for months and affects all aspects of life. They are unable to truly enjoy doing anything, and will often suffer from fatigue and sleep disturbances.

There are several different possible underlying imbalances that can affect the depression, and too often these are not taken into account during treatment programs. Blood sugar balance is one of the most crucial factors in balancing mood. Studies have shown that people with depression have difficulty maintaining stable blood sugar levels. See the section on fatigue for more information on blood sugar regulation.

Depression is associated with deficiencies in essential omega-3 fats. These fats are found in fish, nuts and seeds. They are needed for optimal brain function. If you suffer from depression you may benefit from increasing your intake of these essential fats and reducing processed and animal fats.

Many nutrients are needed to make the brain chemicals needed for keeping your mood up and maintaining healthy brain and nerve cells. Low levels of B-vitamins are associated with depression, anxiety, irritability and insomnia. The amino acids tryptophan is needed to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin. Prozac works by increasing this same neurotransmitter.

There are several laboratory tests that can determine the appropriate course of therapy. These tests include Brain Neurotransmitter levels, Amino Acid levels or Fatty Acid Profiles.

Once the cause of the depression has been identified we can design the appropriate nutritional program.

Symptoms Of Poor Digestion:

• Gas
  
• Bloating
  
• Diarrhea or constipation
  
• Nasal congestion or recurrent sinus infections
  
• Indigestion – food repeats on you after you eat
  
• Excessive burping or belching
  
• Sensation that food sits in the stomach for a long time
  
• Bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
  
• Stomach pain, burning or aching
  
• Lower abdominal discomfort
  
• Stool odor is embarrassing
  
• Migraines
  
• Acne
  
• Fatigue
  
• Hormonal imbalance

Many people suffer with digestive disturbances such as bloating, gas and diarrhea or constipation. Furthermore, conditions such as fatigue, acne and migraines are frequently a result of poor digestion.

The foundation of good health lies in a healthy digestive tract. All other health factors can be undermined if you do not digest and absorb nutrients well, or if you are producing toxins in the bowels.

DIGESTION
Sufficient digestive enzymes and stomach acid is needed to break down the foods you eat so that they can be absorbed into the body. Low digestive enzymes and stomach acid are common due to our poor diets and high stress levels. Any foods that are not completely digested because of insufficient enzymes ferment and become toxic to your body.

All raw foods contain enzymes. These enzymes are very sensitive to heat and are destroyed during cooking. When you eat cooked foods you rely on your own digestive enzymes, and these can become depleted if you eat too many cooked or processed foods. Health sustaining enzymes are abundant in raw fruits and vegetables and these should compose a large part of your daily diet.

If you have already depleted your enzyme reserves through poor eating habits you can supplement with digestive enzymes can help you digest your food and rebuild your enzyme reserves.

FOOD ALLERGIES
Food sensitivities are a common cause of inflammation of the digestive tract. It may surprise you to learn that you are allergic to a food that you eat every day. In fact, we often crave the foods to which we are most allergic.

The most common allergens are wheat, dairy, soy and eggs. If you are allergic to any of these foods you should avoid them for a minimum of two months. The great news is that once you interrupt the cycle of allergic reaction, you will stop suffering. Later, it is often possible to reintroduce the food.

Foods to which we are allergic inflame the digestive tract. This means that if we are suffering from food allergies we cannot properly absorb the nutrients in our food and supplements, and this can lead to severe nutritional deficiencies. Food allergies also compromise the immune system and our ability to fight infections. Only by eliminating the offending foods can this vicious cycle be broken. After that your diet and supplement program will kick in and accelerate your healing.

The body has an amazing coping mechanism. This coping mechanism reduces the symptoms of discomfort you would otherwise experience if you ate a food you were allergic to, but it does not reverse the damage caused by the offending food.

Food allergies can be identified using specialized tests. These immune specific tests look for antibody reactions triggered by the offending foods. In contrast to “skin tests” performed by allergists, these tests are more sensitive, and are able to identify foods that cause delayed reactions as well as immediate reactions.

DYSBIOSIS and PARASITES
Lets move down to the colon and discuss its role in digestion. The colon is involved in the elimination of toxins. The colon is the home of billions of friendly bacteria that live in balance with us. They protect the colon wall and produce vitamins that our body needs.

Unfortunately, these bacteria are killed by conditions common in our modern lifestyle. Antibiotic use, stress, constipation and diarrhea change the environment in the colon, causing the good bacteria to die. Bad bacteria replace them, resulting in a condition known as dysbiosis.

Dysbiosis can have a serious, negative impact on our health. The bad bacteria produce toxins that cause damage to the colon. Also, the toxins can enter the blood stream and from here they can circulate throughout the body causing migraines, acne, hormonal imbalances and liver damage. Additionally, changes in the environment of the colon can make it more hospitable to infection from parasites and yeasts such as candida.

Special testing is available to identify dysbiosis, parasitic infections or candida. Taking supplements containing friendly bacteria such as Acidophilus is not enough to correct parasitic and yeast infections. It is important to establish the cause of the imbalance or infection, otherwise the benefits of a digestive health program will be short lived. You must ensure that your digestive tract is not going to continue to produce new toxins, otherwise even the best detoxification or cleansing program will be ineffective.