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Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following:

1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire (as can “conventional” methods).

2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy.

Any opinions put forth by our doctors are simply their opinions, and any person following their advice does so at his/her own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself and to discuss treatment modalities with your health care practitioner. By accepting Organic Lifestyle Magazine’s advice, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health and to hold Organic Lifestyle Magazine, Inc. and its contributors free from liability.

Distilled Water

I have been drinking distilled water exclusively for a long time, however, I met with a consultant from the N company who told me distilled water is too acidic. They have several unique types of water filtration systems. According to your post, you feel that distilled water is best but what do you think of these N filter systems? I value your opinion.

Susan

DR. SHILLINGTON ANSWERS: The only time Distilled Water gets too acidic is when it is left out without a cover since it picks up CO2 very easily. As soon as you make your distilled water, put it into an old gallon apple juice glass bottle, put the top on it, and you’ll have no pH problems with it. As far as the N system you mentioned, I am down on all MLM and this one is no exception. Distilled stored in glass bottles is BEST.

Yours in Knowledge, Health and Freedom,

Doc

Enzymes

Dr. Kelly, you mentioned in last month’s article that there are three main kinds of enzymes, but you only mention two. I am a vegetarian, and I do not eat meat. Do you have a recommendation?

Adam

DR. KELLY ANSWERS: Adam, the third kind of enzyme, the one I did not bring up, is plant based digestive enzymes. And I recommend them when eating plants like fruits and vegetables unless the produce is fresh, and I mean just picked from the ground or the tree fresh. Pineapples and papaya retain their enzymes better then others, but most produce releases most of its enzymes as it sits on the shelves. In fact, an orange has lost about 50% of its enzymes within the first 30 minutes of being picked.

Dr. Kelly

Fish Oil

Why fish oil? I can’t stand the smell of that stuff! It smells like fish!!! I take flax seed oil.

Andrew

DR. KELLY ANSWERS: Our bodies need fatty acids EPA and DHA. Flax seed oil is ALA which can be partially converted to EPA and DHA, but at less than a 15% conversion rate. I recommend Nordic Naturals Cod Liver Oil. You are getting your DHA and EPA without any need for conversion this way. And it doesn’t smell fishy at all. If you are taking a fish oil that smells fishy, you are taking rotten fish oil.

Dr. Kelly

Sensitive Teeth

I have very sensitive teeth. I can’t eat cold foods at all. What’s wrong with my teeth and what can I do? I take calcium supplements, and I do eat veggies and drink milk. Can I still be low on calcium?

Patricia

RYAN HARRISON ANSWERS: Sensitive teeth can have several causes. Most commonly, as a person’s gum line recedes, the roots of teeth can end up exposed. These roots can be very sensitive to hot and/or cold or to pressure. Another cause is the exposure of a tooth’s root when the tooth’s enamel is broken, cracked, or chipped. Finally, as with many other health issues, there can also

be an emotional or psychological component; the pain manifests in the teeth, but really starts somewhere else.
   For teeth that are sensitive due to receding gums or pores in the tooth itself, most dentists prescribe a toothpaste that contains potassium nitrate, which fills pores and helps numb the pain. Unfortunately, like many other components of standard dental care, potassium nitrate is a toxic chemical. Its MSDS registration lists it as “harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin” and states that it “causes irritation to skin, eyes and [the] respiratory tract.” Is this really something you want to put in your mouth, where chemicals are quickly and easily absorbed through oral membranes?
   More natural approaches to calming sensitive teeth include herbal, nutritional, and energetic recommendations. As far as herbs go, you might find a blend of nervine (nerve-calming) herbs to be very helpful. Capsules containing equal parts of herbs such as lavender, hops, valerian, chamomile, and skullcap, when taken regularly, can help decrease pain and soothe irritated nerves. Be careful, however, in your dosage and usage of these herbs. They can also have sedative effects. Check with a knowledgeable herbalist before starting any herbal regimen.
   There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that

tooth enamel can be “rebuilt” – a process referred to as “remineralization” – if the proper steps are followed. [Editor's Note: I personally have regrown my own tooth enamel. I had a cavity that was so bad there was a visible hole in my tooth, a rather large one. At the time I had no access to healthy food. When I did again have access to healthy food and was back to living an organic lifestyle, in a few months my teeth looked good as new.] In large part, this requires adherence to some dietary instructions that reduce the acidity of saliva while also introducing foods and/or supplements high in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. Additionally, some essential oils such as myrrh, clove, and goldenseal may be used to help cleanse the mouth and safely reduce pain. Speak with a qualified naturopath to determine what would work best for you.
Finally, I would suggest that your first step be approaching the issue from a psychological angle. While it may seem strange, it’s well proven that a person’s state of mind can affect her physical wellbeing. And though we are making great strides in understanding the mind’s relationship with the body, it’s still pretty hard to tell when a physical ailment is (or isn’t) caused by some kind of mental/emotional stressor. There’s a very powerful, efficient, and surprisingly

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simple energetic technique that helps alleviate a host of physical conditions by removing mental/emotional charges called EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). It has an impressive track record for calming the body and mind and reversing even deep-seated complaints, sometimes within minutes. A professional EFT practitioner will be able to help you explore this possibility.

Cold Sores

How can I get rid of cold sores

Andy

RYAN HARRISON ANSWERS: Cold sores are caused by a Type I herpes simplex viral infection. Typically, cold sores appear after a sensation of tingling or itching and then blister and heal over a course of two weeks. During this time, cold sores are highly infectious and the virus can be easily transmitted by contact. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to help heal and prevent cold sore break outs.
Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) is well known for its ability to prevent a break out and to boost the immune system. It quickly and efficiently mobilizes the body’s defenses and helps disarm the herpes virus. The downside? It tastes awful! To use it, mix 1 part of the

extract with 9 parts of water. With a cotton swab, dab any blisters that you may already have and then drink the rest of the mixture. (Brace yourself for the bitter aftertaste. It’s certainly okay to follow it with water.) It’s worth noting that GSE has a mixed reputation. I recently came across an article about it that suggests GSE is less than healthful. You can check out www.terressentials.com/truthaboutgse.html to read more. But before you read it, let me add that I had never heard of or read an advanced practitioner of natural/holistic health suggest GSE is anything but a marvelous natural product with a myriad of uses, and have only had good experiences with GSE. OLM will do some research on this and get to the bottom of it.
Other approaches include the use of essential oils to help disinfect and speed healing. Essential oils with strong antiseptic properties such as tea tree oil, bergamot, lemon balm, and chamomile are great. They act as disinfectants, help relieve inflammation, and also discourage viral proliferation. Tea tree oil is one of a very few “neat” oils – meaning it can be used undiluted on the skin. Most other oils should be diluted using a carrier oil. Either way, you can dab them on cold sores to help speed the healing process.

Nutritionally, cold sores can be helped by taking immune-boosting supplements such as vitamin C (2,000-3,000 mg up to four times daily), zinc (5-20 mg up to three times daily during outbreaks), and beta-carotene (5,000-10,000 IU daily). You can help prevent cold sores by limiting your intake of chocolate, dairy products, cereals, almonds, and chicken, as they suppress an acid that retards the growth of the virus.

Sun Headaches

I have really bad headaches when I get into the sun. I am hearing more and more how important the sun is, but it hurts me. What should I do? Can I get over my sun allergy?

Tina

RYAN HARRISON ANSWERS: Sunlight is a tricky thing. Too much of it and you can end up burned and blistered, increasing your risk of skin cancer. Too little of it and you could end up with a vitamin D deficiency, which also relates to an increased risk of cancer. And that doesn’t even mention the possibility of a “sun headache.” What’s a girl to do?
Headaches caused by sunlight typically are the result of the sun’s heat dilating blood vessels in your brain and raising skin

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temperature. Additionally, if you spend a good amount of time squinting due to bright sunlight, the muscles of your face and around your eyes may contribute to your headache.
   You can prevent sun-induced headaches by wearing sunglasses (to prevent squinting) and a hat or cap, and by limiting your exposure to direct sunlight. If it’s too late for that and you already have such a headache, try retreating to a dark, cool room and sipping a large glass of ice water to help bring down your body’s temperature. If you can, soak your feet in cool water, as well. And let your eyes relax either by closing them or allowing them to settle on something far away.
   Herbal preparations of lavender, feverfew, skullcap, and white willow bark can help relieve pain and tension. And if you’re worried about vitamin D deficiency, be sure to take a broad-spectrum multivitamin that includes it in at least an amount that guarantees the RDA.
   People who are deficient in vitamin Bs and/or vitamin D can get headaches from sun exposure, too.
   Otherwise, if you feel that you have a legitimate allergy to the sun, I’d suggest you contact an EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) practitioner. EFT is an energy psychology technique that is easy to learn and apply and which has a strong anecdotal base suggesting its usefulness in helping people reverse allergic responses.

Email your questions to questions [at] organicmail.net. Questions may be edited for clarity or length.

Ask OLM