TLC For The Brain (Part 2) – What To Embrace

In part two of our story TLC For The Brain, we explore how oxalates, in combination with other factors, can benefit our overall health. There is one caveat however.  Although oxalates can beneficial, calcium has to be avoided for 2 hours for it to be absorbed, as oxalates inhibit the absorption of calcium.

Foods to Consume and Things We Can Do to Promote a Healthy Brain

1. Healthy Foods

Dr. Josh Axe’s list of the best anti-inflammatory foods include the following:

Leafy green veggies, celery, broccoli, blueberries, pineapple, salmon, coconut oil, chia seeds and turmeric. He says, “(these foods) are rich in antioxidants, minerals and essential fatty acids” and help regulate our immune systems.”

2. Supplements

Dr. Daniel Amen notes “several supplements that have good supporting research for memory.” These include “fish oil, gingko biloba, sage and a Chinese moss extract called huperzine.”  He also suggests taking D3, and Dr. Joseph Mercola adds that K2 should be combined with the D3 to help absorption. Dr. Josh Axe included turmeric as being helpful because it decreases inflammation, and this food can be taken in supplement form.

Several of Dr. Dale Bredesen’s protocols for improved brain function include additional supplementation with Coenzyme Q10, B12 (methylcobalamin) and B6 (pyridoxine-5-phosphate), along with melatonin.

3. Exercise

We already know that regular exercise is essential to overall health. Dr. Bredesen suggests modifying the traditional way of exercising with adding short bursts of intense exercise between less strenuous movement. A recent study even suggests that “short bursts of […]

By |October 31st, 2018|blog|0 Comments

TLC For The Brain (Part 1) – What To Avoid

Many things can affect the way our brains function: diet, thoughts, sleep, emotional or physical trauma, genetics, hormones and more. Accidents, lifestyle, toxic environment, aging and other factors can and often do result in diminished brain function. However, as Dr. Daniel Amen likes to say, “You’re not stuck with the brain you have.” As he and many other doctors and researchers are now discovering, our brains can be modified, and there are things we can do to improve how they function and even prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

It’s a lot about common sense. We need to avoid the things that damage our brains and include the things that nourish them. And a lot of what we should or shouldn’t do has to do with reducing inflammation in our bodies that, in turn, harms our brains.

1. Processed Foods, Simple Carbohydrates

Starting with diet, Dr. Amen and Dr. Dale Bredesen, who currently participated in a series titled, “Regain Your Brain,” both said avoiding foods that cause inflammation is essential to brain health. Getting junk food out of our diet is the first step. This means eliminating processed foods and those that include trans fats (any hydrogenated oils in the ingredients even if it says “0 trans fats” on the package cover). It also means eliminating or reducing consumption of simple carbohydrates like refined sugars, white breads, pastas, pies and cakes, many boxed breakfast cereals and processed fruit juices, and especially eliminating soft drinks and high fructose corn syrup altogether.

Junk foods […]

By |October 30th, 2018|blog|0 Comments

Taking “Oh No” Out Of Oxalates

Recently, some health specialists have expressed concern over the high levels of Oxalic Acid found in some very nutritious foods, (some listed below). Oxalic Acid has been blamed for causing kidney stones. This is because oxalic acid, or oxalates, can interfere with our body’s absorption of calcium.

When calcium is not properly absorbed or assimilated, the excess calcium can actually become toxic and contribute to health conditions like kidney stones. Menopausal women should be more concerned about calcium absorption as their bone density can be compromised. Through research, I found that if you take calcium two hours before or after you consume these foods, you will absorb them safely – if they are the right form. Because of this concern, some have suggested that people cut back on eating foods high in oxalates. 

My advice is to do your own research. For example, on healthline.com, Dr. Andrew Weil’s website and others,  generally advise against cutting back on foods high in oxalates, not only because these foods provide other essential nutrients, but because cooking them significantly lowers their oxalic acid levels. Also,  calcium-rich choices can be consumed along with these foods to counteract any negative effects of the oxalates. Research says to increase your fluid intake by drinking fluoride-free water, not more sodas, which are actually part of the problem.  We’re seeing stones in very young children now because of these unhealthy drinks. By substituting water for soda, you don’t have to give up nutritious foods like spinach, […]

By |October 28th, 2018|blog|0 Comments

On Being Grateful….

Being grateful is the seed to happiness. 

By |July 3rd, 2018|blog|0 Comments

Probiotics… Is Yogurt The Only Or Best Source?

Yogurt has long been promoted as being good for our digestive health because it contains probiotics – or friendly bacteria.  Yogurt became even more popular after UCLA researchers in 2013 found evidence that probiotics ingested in food can have a positive effect on human brain function and  can even reduce stress.

In other words, it’s “a two-way street,” says the UCLA Newsroom report on this study. The stress that can lead to digestive problems may actually be alleviated, and other brain symptoms improved, through balancing the bacteria in the gut.

What we don’t know from the UCLA study, however, is the quality of the yogurt that was used or which strains or cultures of probiotics it contained. We don’t know if this study yogurt contains the same strains of probiotics we would find on the market.

Fact is, not all yogurts are made the same, and regular use of those that are high in sugars or contain artificial sweeteners, GMOs, bovine growth hormones and/or artificial preservatives, can cause more health problems than they alleviate.

What we really want are live probiotics, and yogurt is not the only natural or always the best source.  Probiotics are  also gained through consuming kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, natto, tempeh, raw goat cheese, apple cider vinegar and sour pickles (organic of course). Dr. Axe recommends yogurt as a good source of probiotics IF it is not pasteurized and “first, that […]

By |April 4th, 2018|blog|0 Comments

Why Did He Get Sick?

I’ve been aware of the mind-body symptom effect since my early twenties. Sometimes it’s not that apparent, but if you look a little bit deeper, you’ll find there might be an emotional component to why a person isn’t feeling well. 

A client, who is a physician, told me he had the flu and felt very sick. I had to reschedule his appointment. I asked him when he started feeling what seemed like flu symptoms. In the course of casual conversation, he brought up a car accident that he had testify about in court. He was found guilty, because he didn’t know about a law that says that you’re not allowed to pass a bus in the state of Virginia. He suddenly realized that’s when he began feeling sick! 

Stress can cause physical symptoms. The next time you feel sick, be aware that stress could be the underlying cause.

By |February 27th, 2018|blog|0 Comments

A Simple Solution To Weight Loss

A female police officer came to me saying that she couldn’t lose weight. After a few questions, I figured out that her stumbling block was stopping off at the snack machine while on duty. I suggested that she not carry coins. She agreed to give it a try. Within a week, she started seeing a big difference in her weight.

Sometimes, you don’t need to know the origin of the problem to resolve it. But in this case, it was the answer to permanent weight loss and getting a woman to feel good about herself again.

By |February 26th, 2018|blog|0 Comments

Vitamin D Deficiency and Insomnia

Vitamin D deficiency is linked to many health conditions. One of the latest being discussed is its connection to insomnia.

Sleep disorders are far from uncommon. The Vitamin D Council” estimates that as many as 80 million Americans, alone, struggle with falling or staying asleep, leaving them fatigued throughout most of the day. Prolonged sleep loss can result in more serious health effects, including heart disease and stroke.

The recent research on D is providing hope for insomnia sufferers because of D’s ability to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm.

Most or all experts agree that the best source of Vitamin D is the sun. Several say that D2 is not the D we need, and it can make insomnia and other conditions worse. What is needed is D3. Besides the sun, other natural sources of D3 include wild-caught salmon and mackerel, eggs, cod liver oil and sardines.

Before supplementing with D3, doctors suggest it’s best to have your blood levels tested to find the dosage you need to reach optimal levels of  60–80 ng/ml. Dr. Mercola says most of us are  likely deficient and also that we should include K2 with any D3 supplement.

Maybe the best part of this news is that we may now have a solution for insomnia and its effects that eliminates the need for long-term or any use of  highly addictive and brain-damaging sedatives or sleeping aids like benzodiazepines and Ambien, which can be far more detrimental […]

By |January 12th, 2018|blog|0 Comments

Foods That Interfere With Calcium Absorption

Many people are concerned about protecting themselves against Osteoporosis and the danger of the bone fractures that it can cause. You can take supplements for calcium deficiency (the cause of the disease)​ to combat the effects of osteoporosis, and maybe slow down the progression of the disease,​ but there is no cure.

However, you can help prevent osteoporosis by avoiding foods that interfere with calcium absorption in the body. One of them is high levels of sodium. Post menopausal women and individuals with low bone density should examine their diet and then consult with their doctor about any dietary red flags they uncover.  Doctors don’t study nutrition in depth – nutritionists do. I have spoken to dozens of doctors who are not knowledgeable about nutrition. ​

To learn more, search online for this: “Foods that interfere with calcium absorption.” Doing your own research beforehand will make your doctor visits more productive and you’ll be taking an active role in leading a healthier life.

By |October 18th, 2017|blog|0 Comments

Fighting Fear

Fear can keep you stuck or paralyze you… only if you let it.

By |October 1st, 2017|blog|0 Comments