Loose Skin

Dr. Tim O’Shea,

I lost a lot of weight. I have loose skin. It was recommended that I take a systemic enzyme. I am also considering taking the collagen supplement you recommend. I have been told that systemic enzymes somehow eat foreign protein. Is this true and will they cancel each other out?

~ Sean

DR. TIM O’SHEA: For some collagen products that’s true, but the one that I sell at thedoctorwithin.com (Hydrolyzed Collagen Protein Hydrate) one is completely bioavailable. You must do it for two months every day to see the good effect. For more information check out thedoctorwithin.com/collagen.

Something in Common with Francis

Dear Raymond Francis,

I’ve read your book, Never Be Sick Again, and was astonished by how similar our stories are. I too had my immune system collapse, and suffered from many environmental sensitivities (though not as severe as yours). Through diet and naturopathic medicine I have recovered much of my health. One thing I discovered was a severe sensitivity to gluten. Do you believe that I can reverse my inability to digest gluten when I completely restore my health?

~ Carol

RAYMOND FRANCIS ANSWERS: It is impossible to predict if gluten sensitivity can be reversed in a particular person. Whether this can happen depends on too many individual factors, including genetic makeup. That being said, I have observed numerous people overcome gluten sensitivity by rebuilding their immunity, and very importantly, rebuilding the integrity of their gut tissue. Damaged gut tissue and leaky gut are a sure-fire prescription for food allergies. Repairing gut tissue with diet, stress reduction, and supplements will often make food allergies and gluten sensitivity go away. At the very least, as you improve your health, your sensitivity will be reduced, and it will take exposure to higher amounts of the allergen to get a reaction.

Receding Gums

I have a problem with receding gums. My dentist says I need to have surgery. Is there a way I can fix this with naturopathic medicine?

~ Sara

DR. SHILLINGTON ANSWERS: Absolutely! My “Tooth & Gum” Formula works wonders in this area. Below is a success story for you to read. The stuff IS AMAZING!!!

All the best,

Doc (Ian Shillington)

Success Story: When I moved to Clearwater in October 1997, I had advanced periodontal disease. Very deep pockets existed in all of my teeth and I had been told by 3 dentists that I would lose all of my upper teeth and at least 4 of my lower teeth. In December, my friend Valorie gave me the Tooth & Gum formula to use on my gums. At the time I had a very deep and painful abscess in my upper gums extending into my sinus cavity. I swished one dropperful of Tooth and Gum formula around in my mouth and within 20 minutes the pain (that large doses of pain medication would not handle) was gone! I used the formula in this manner for the next couple of days along with Echinacea and the abscess was gone within 3 days. Daily over the next couple of months, I diluted the tooth and gum formula and used the water-pick. This was all in an effort to save some of the lower teeth. I still expected to lose all of the upper teeth and at least 4 of the lower ones.

When I went to the dentist in April 1998 to have a final evaluation and get the necessary teeth extracted, we discovered that all the pockets in the lower teeth had shrunk from 7, 8 and 9 mm back to the depth of about 3½ mm and I was able to keep all of my bottom teeth. Additionally I was able to keep 4 teeth on the top, save myself $1500, and now eat the raw veggies which I love. I was astounded!! So was my dentist. In a nutshell this tooth and gum product tightened my gums, restored the bone loss and returned the above mentioned teeth and surrounding gums to a healthy state. All the best,

Mary O – WA

Fingernails

A few years ago I noticed ridges in my fingernails from root to tip. Then my thumbnails thickened. They break in chunks. What causes this, and what can I do to reverse it?

~ Janie

RYAN HARRISON, MA: Many women spend a good deal of time and money on their nails. Unfortunately, cosmetic care isn’t necessarily the best way to keep your nails healthy. In fact, nail polish itself can actually remove the natural fat found in nails, leading to brittleness.

Keratin is the component responsible for a nail’s firmness and if a person is experiencing nail brittleness or splitting, a deficiency of keratin is typically the underlying cause. This deficiency can be caused by malnutrition, malabsorption, or a metabolic defect such as low stomach acid. Your body will synthesize keratin, but you need to be sure you’re giving it the nutrients it needs to do so. These include calcium, molybdenum, sulfur, and zinc. Increase your intake of whole grains, organic dairy products, legumes, and toxin-free fish to ensure you’re getting these nutrients. Get an extra nail-healthy boost of the vitamin biotin from brewer’s yeast, saltwater fish and soybeans, as well.

Another way to increase your nail-enhancing mineral intake is to make and drink a tea made from nettle leaves, horsetail herb, chamomile, and yarrow flowers. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tbsp of a mixture of these herbs. Let it steep for 15 minutes and then drink 1 cup up to 3 times, daily. Finally, be sure that you are caring for your nails in an appropriate manner. Filing your nails is gentler than clipping, but don’t exert too much pressure when filing. And never push back your cuticles with a hard or sharp object, which may cause the nail to develop grooves or break off faster. Instead, oil or soak your cuticles and push them back gently with your fingertips.

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, MA: 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. 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 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.

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

Headaches

I’ve recently started getting headaches whenever I get stressed out. Yoga takes care of them, but when I’m at work, I can’t really do that. The headaches aren’t too serious; I can still get through my day, but they sure do slow me down. Any advice would be appreciated!

~Melissa

RYAN HARRISON: First off, good work in pinpointing the cause of your headaches! Now that you know that’s how your body responds to stress, you can take steps to counter that response. Chances are the headaches in question are caused by tension in the neck and shoulders, which is one of the most common physical expressions of stress. Here are several things you can try:

1. Take a few minutes whenever you start to feel stressed to stand up or sit back from your work space. Swing your head gently from side to side a few times (think of a pendulum). Then slowly roll your shoulders in a backward circle five times, then forward five times. Carefully bend your head to the right as if trying to touch your shoulder with your ear – without raising your shoulder in response – and hold it to the count of 10. Repeat this stretch to the left. Shrug your shoulders, holding the shrug for a few seconds, and release. (Of course, you probably do know some yoga stretches you can do for your neck and shoulders that wouldn’t look too strange in the workplace. Who knows, you just might start a trend with your colleagues and improve everyone’s health!)

2. Keep a bottle of stress-relieving supplements with you, and take the recommended dosage at the first hint of tension from stress. Kava kava, skullcap, and lavender can all relieve tension without the negative health effects of OTC painkillers and anti-inflammatories. But be prudent and careful – many relaxant herbs (including those above) can also cause drowsiness. Experiment with them at home over the weekend if you suspect they might make you sleepy enough to impair your work and/or driving.

3. If you have isolated the stress to a particular situation, person, or other specific cause, you can greatly reduce your emotional response to the stressor by utilizing an energy psychology technique such as MTT or EFT (Meridian Tapping Techniques and Emotional Freedom Techniques, respectively). Disarming the energetic signature of the stressor may completely alleviate your physical response, ending your headaches.

Enlarged Prostate

My boyfriend recently found out he has an enlarged prostate. He thinks it’s from too much sex. He and I have sex at least once and up to three times a day, and he also tends to masturbate once a day as well. Is this much sex bad for his health? Is it bad for a woman’s health?

~ Anonymous

RYAN HARRISON: Most people hold it as a self-evident truth that one cannot have too much sex. And, as far as the relationship between sex and a man’s potential for prostate enlargement is concerned, the jury is still out. I’d wager, however, that just as the prostate is a part of a man’s reproductive system, there may be a connection between overworking the gland and related health  complications. How much sex, or rather, how many ejaculate-producing orgasms (since these are not always synonymous!) is normal? Who’s to say? All the same, here is my two cents’ worth:

An enlarged prostate is also called “benign prostatic hyperplasia,” or BPH, for short. It’s a health complication that is very common in men as they age, and is directly connected to age-related hormonal changes and to the two growth periods that a man’s prostate goes through. During the second period – commencing around the age 25 – changes in the way the prostate tissue is growing can cause the telltale symptoms (which don’t typically emerge until the mid-40s): weak or interrupted stream while urinating, feeling an urgency to urinate that produces only a dribble, leakage, and more frequent urination (especially at night).

Assuming that your boyfriend is seeing a physician for this health complaint, I’d listen carefully to what the doctor has to say. BPH can signal some serious health concerns that you’d both certainly want to be aware of. Beyond this, there are some additional things worth trying.

First and foremost, try reducing the amount of ejaculate-producing orgasms that he has. You can do this incrementally in steps, if sexual activities have developed into
something akin to an addiction. Try going from sex and/or masturbation several times a day to once a day. Then go from once a day to once every other day. It might be one of the hardest suggestions to try (who really wants to experience fewer orgasms?), but give this a month or two and revisit the physician to see if the condition has changed at all.

Try a few supplements. Zinc is certainly the first on my list, because a good deal of zinc – which is an essential mineral for health (meaning you can actually die without it) – is excreted with each ejaculation. I have counseled other men in the past to take a zinc supplement if they are very sexually active – even if masturbation is the primary activity – and that certainly goes for your partner.

One study suggests that omega-3s fromevening primrose oil have resulted in significant improvement for many men with BPH. Get him to try 1-2 tsp. a day of evening primrose oil or other botanical omega-3 oil sources such as sunflower, linseed, or walnut oils.

And in Germany, the herbal extract saw palmetto is given out just as often as other medications for BPH. It has been shown to shrink enlarged prostates and clear up symptoms in at least a dozen studies. Find a good quality supplement and follow its dosage recommendations. Increase this herb’s efficacy by adding someorganic pumpkin seeds to your man’s diet, as well. Among other things, they’re an excellent source of zinc: 8 mg per half cup serving!

As for you and your health…is “too much sex” bad for you? That really depends on how your body handles the expenditure of energy, hormones, fluids, etc., and whether you are developing any symptoms. If you are experiencing any symptoms of ill health that you think may be related to the frequency of your sexual activity, try reducing the activity and see what happens.

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

Cold Sores

I have been getting cold sores on my lips since I was a teenager. I asked my doctor and she indicated that I had the herpes virus. I could not believe it because I thought herpes was an STD. I bought the audio book Natural Cures and the author kept saying that there is a natural remedy for herpes, but he did not say what it is. Do you know what he is referring to?

I really appreciate any suggestion.

Thanks,

Anonymous

DR. TIM O’SHEA: Cold sores are usually viral and indicate local micro-trauma to oral mucosa. They also indicate microbial imbalance in the whole body; equilibrium is centered in the colon. Cold sores indicate insufficient probiotic intestinal flora, an epidemic in the U.S. Three remedies are:

• Take an aspirin tablet (the old fashioned kind, not a capsule) and apply it directly to sore. The aspirin will burn off the sore in 15 minutes.
• Take lysine, an amino acid, as a supplement.
• If the condition is chronic, you must re-establish floral balance in the colon.

Dr. T

Note: To reestablish floral balance, Dr. O’Shea recommends his 60 Day Program, as described on his site www.thedoctorwithin.com. He recommends a double dose of flora for the first 30 days.

EFT

I enjoyed Ryan Harrison’s article on EFT, but I am a bit skeptical. I am willing to give it a try though. I wonder if you know of people who have had success with it in regard to allergies such as pollen, pets, etc. I have a ton of allergies and I want to get off the drugs and start living a more natural life.

Peter

RYAN HARRISON ANSWERS: Skepticism toward EFT is both understandable and, to some extent, wise. I like to tell people that I am an “optimistic skeptic.” What that means is that I genuinely want things to be/do what people claim they will, but that I’m not ready to simply take it all on faith and start seeing great results that aren’t really there. So, I appreciate your skepticism. The best way to determine whether EFT will work for you is to give it a fair shake. That means finding a skilled, trained EFT Practitioner and going through at least a few sessions together.

Will EFT help with allergies? It may, and it may not. EFT Practitioners typically suggest that all physical complaints will respond to EFT sooner or later, because all aspects of life are at some point energetic, and EFT directly affects your system on an energetic level. My experience is that if an allergy has an emotional component (such as an allergy coupled with a traumatic memory), then EFT may certainly help erase the allergy and with amazing efficiency and speed. If the allergy is an issue of competing or clashing subtle energies, then it may take a while longer for the body’s energy system to reconcile itself with the offending allergen’s energetic “thumbprint.”

Let me offer an example:

I had a client who had an intense allergic reaction to fresh chilies and bell peppers of any shape, size, color, or “heat.” His reaction was so strong that he would have to avoid the produce section of the grocery store, because if he so much as smelled a pepper he’d end up with a migraine. Touching a pepper elicited the same severe response, as did eating one, even if it was “hidden” in a prepared food item – proof enough that this wasn’t psychosomatic.

My suspicion was that there was a clash of subtle energies at play. Something about his body’s energy system rebelled when he was in the presence of bell peppers. Their unique energy signature was enough – even at a distance – to cause his body to respond with a migraine.

Using EFT and a related technique that stimulates certain acupoints while using guided imagery, we were able to radically shift this clash of subtle energies within one session. He left my office and reported the next day that he had enjoyed Mexican food loaded with bell peppers, with no negative response. The shift didn’t hold, however. Within a few days, his “allergy” returned. We worked on this issue for a few more sessions with similar results: great and immediate improvement followed by a return to the original state within a few days. Time and circumstance did not allow us to continue working on this case.

My take on this situation is that there was still work to do. Most likely, we needed to keep “massaging” his energetic response to peppers, making the meeting of their subtle energies copacetic as the norm, rather than the exception.

All this to say that I think EFT could very well help you find relief from your allergies, but you may need to give it time and you should certainly find a qualified EFT Practitioner to work with.

Ryan Harrison, MA

Gluten

Raymond Francis, I’ve read your book, Never Be Sick Again, and was astonished by how similar our stories are. I, too, had my immune system collapse and suffered from many environmental sensitivities (though not as severely as you have suffered). Through diet and naturopathic medicine, I have recovered much of my health. One thing I discovered was a sensitivity to gluten. Do you believe that when I completely restore my health I can reverse my inability to digest gluten?

Carol

RAYMOND FRANCIS ANSWERS: It is impossible to predict if gluten sensitivity can be reversed in a particular person. Whether this can happen depends on too many individual factors, including genetic makeup. That being said, I have observed numerous people overcome gluten sensitivity by rebuilding their immunity, and very importantly, rebuilding the integrity of their gut tissue. Damaged gut tissue and leaky gut are a sure-fire prescription for food allergies. Repairing gut tissue with diet, stress reduction and supplements will often make food allergies and gluten sensitivity go away. At the very least, as you improve your health, your sensitivity will be reduced and it will take exposure to higher amounts of the allergen to get a reaction.

Raymond Francis

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

Sleep

How much sleep do we need to be at optimum health? I’ve heard about people who say they are perfectly healthy and only get a few hours of sleep a night. I find that sometimes I need only 4 hours and sometimes 10, but I usually want 7-8.

Dustin

RAYMOND FRANCIS: Good quality sleep is essential to human health. This is when we repair and rejuvenate the body. Losing even one night of good sleep will depress your immune system and impair mental function. How much sleep you need depends on many factors including your age, amount of physical activity and genetic makeup. The quality of your sleep is very important. Light sleep or interrupted sleep is not as good as uninterrupted deep sleep. If your sleep is of good quality, 7 to 8 hours appears to be adequate for most adults.

Fortunately, you seem to be listening to your body and giving it the amount of sleep it asks for. There is no set formula, so continue to do what you are doing—give your body what it wants.

Hair Regrowth

Hey, Organic Lifestyle! Love the magazine! I have a question. My hair is thinning. I’ve considered Rogaine and other chemical hair regrowth options, but I’m the kind of guy who tries not to put any unnecessary chemicals into my body. And I’m only 33! Are there any natural remedies that I can use to regrow my hair?

Jason

DR. TIM OSHEA ANSWERS: Hi Jason,Hair growth remedies are right up there with Viagra promises and eternal love propositions on the Internet. While male pattern baldness is influenced by body type, ethnicity, and hereditary characteristics, there are two natural components that can make a significant difference.

The first is collagen, which is the principal protein of which hair is made. As we age, collagen production falls way off, which is why skin and muscles have that floorward tendency. Doctors call this ptosis. This is the same reason why wavy hair flattens out into straighter hair as time goes by. Collagen supplementation can have a significant effect.

The other issue is nutrient minerals. It is a well known fact that America’s topsoil is depleted.
Produce contains only a fraction of the minerals it contained 100 years ago, and most Americans have been mineral deficient for most of their lives. Minerals are also necessary for the growth of strong, healthy hair strands.

Sorry, Jason, no magic bullets here. Since the time of patent medicines, the promise of hair restoration continues to be a huge market, now growing larger as the toxic American diet accelerates the thinning process.
For more information about collagen and minerals visit www.thedoctorwithin.com.

Vaccinations

My brother had his newborn twins vaccinated recently. I could not talk him out of it, but he does want to know what he can do to minimize the damage done, and reduce any possible side effects. The twins are only 4 months old.

Stephanie

DR. TIM OSHEA ANSWERS:

Dear Stephanie,

This is a problem I have been lecturing on for the past 10 years. The first thing I have learned is that you cannot take responsibility for another’s health, especially a family member. My goal is to promote informed consent. If parents choose to vaccinate, they have a responsibility to at least find out what vaccines are from a scientific standpoint, not from the people making their living selling vaccines. This is the precise subject of my 2008 book the Sanctity of Human Blood, 12th edition.

But I think you were really asking about how to detox the deadly contaminants once the child has been vaccinated. This is a complicated question, and an area full of hype and misdirection. I have a full day seminar which deals with the program for optimizing the health and immune system of vaccine damaged children by chelating the aluminum, mercury, formaldehyde, ethylene glycol, etc. from the child’s blood and tissues. For the complete story look at the chapters called The Last Resort and The 60 Day program, on my site.

Christmas Tree

Should I get a fake Christmas tree or a real one?

Amy

OLM ANSWERS: Artificial trees consume significant energy and petroleum-based materials during their manufacture. Most artificial trees are made from vinyl – the most toxic, least recyclable plastic there is.

If you buy a real tree from a tree farm, as most do, the forests aren’t hurt by choosing a cut tree. Also, be sure to recycle your tree, or you could get a potted tree and plant it after Christmas.

Eye Sight

I am in my mid fifties. I currently use one pair of glasses for reading, one for the computer, and one for driving. I go with out glasses much of the time, and use them only when necessary, but lately I am finding it very difficult to drive at night, glasses or not. I understand detoxifying, nutrition, and working towards better health (but I have a ways to go). In the meantime, what can I do to improve my night vision, or at least keep it from continuing to deteriorate?

Allie

DR. SHILLINGTON ANSWERS: Allie ,   My Eyebright formula will help with the eyes and stop any further deterioration from happening. Ideally when done with a cleanse (detox), you’ll find the best results. Lastly, I’d not spend so much time in front of the computer. This can really hamper the eyes over a period of years.

Eyebright Eyewash Formula: Suggested use: 1 – 10 drops in an eye cup full of distilled water morning and evening

1. 1/2    CUP        EYEBRIGHT HERB (CUT)
2. Euphrasia officinalis
3. 1/2    CUP        RED RASPBERRY LEAF (CUT)
4. Rubus idaeus
5. 1/2    CUP        GOLDENSEAL ROOT (CUT)
6. Hydrastis Canadensis
7. 1/2    CUP        BAYBERRY BARK (CUT)
8. Myrica cerifera
9. 1/16    CUP        CAYENNE PEPPER (WHOLE OR CRUSHED)
10. Capsicum frutescens; Capsicum  minimum

Use base of standard alcohol/distilled water options. When putting a label, date and initials on the jar, tape a note on the lid that says “add 1/8 cup DMSO after pressing.”

The last step of the pressing process should be to filter the solution through the pressing cloth. Since this goes into the eye, all herb particles must be removed. After pressing add: 1/4 cup DMSO

Almonds

I love almonds, but I have read in OLM that the ones I get are pasteurized. Does soaking them remove the enzyme inhibitors even though they are pasteurized?

Michael

DR. SHILLINGTON ANSWERS:Dear Michael,

Pasteurized almonds will NOT sprout. The pasteurization process kills the nut and the enzymes and leaves the enzyme inhibitors intact.

Only Organic Raw Almonds will do the trick here.

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

Recovering Alcoholic

I am a recovering alcoholic (been sober for 3 years and 5 months now). Lately I am craving alcohol, a lot. I wonder if I might be deficient in a nutrient or if this is an emotional issue, though I am not sure what. My life has really been pretty decent lately.

RYAN HARRISON ANSWERS: Addictions of any kind are a very tricky matter, as anyone recovering from one will tell you. There are all kinds of angles to consider: every addiction has several aspects in play including physical, psychological, social, and cultural. To successfully overcome an addiction, each aspect needs to be addressed and healed. That you have been sober for 3+ years is wonderful news and a testament that you have done some good healing work – well done!

And yet, as you notice, cravings can certainly come back to dog your steps. There can be different reasons for this, chief among them psychological and biochemical.

In the former, a personality that has utilized alcohol in the past to soothe mental or emotional upset may certainly have established unhealthy psychological responses, sort of like mental “muscle memory”. The unpleasant emotional stimulus arises and the emotional body responds as it had learned in the past by craving the substance once used to numb it. For such unhealthy psychological processes, I highly recommend the use of energy psychology, especially Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). EFT is a remarkably simple-yet-effective ancillary therapy based on the energy system utilized in acupressure and acupuncture. It is especially powerful when applied to psychological and emotional disturbances, including addictions and cravings. I can’t recommend it highly enough, though I strongly suggest working with a qualified EFT Practitioner. While the technique is relatively easy to learn and apply, the help of a skilled practitioner will multiply your odds for success.

On the biochemical side of the craving/addiction coin, you should know that people with alcoholism tend to have a blood-sugar imbalance and candidiasis (an overgrowth of Candida albicans, an “unfriendly” bacteria naturally found in the intestines). These two conditions actually increase alcoholic cravings, so working to improve them should be top priority. Where blood sugar is related, you should move from fast-burning, simple carbohydrates to the longer-burning, complex kind. Decrease your consumption of simple sugars and stay away from anything with high fructose corn syrup. Drink plenty of purified water, and get adequate daily exercise. Consume a variety of organic, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. This will help your body bring itself back into balance and raise your overall level of energy. Additionally, taking 200 mcg of chromium two to three times daily can help reduce sugar and possibly alcohol cravings. Taking 500-1,000 mg of encapsulated cinnamon also helps level out blood sugar, especially if taken before each meal.

If candidiasis is suspected, a detoxification program is in order. Not surprisingly, when people undertake a thorough detoxification, addictions and cravings of all sorts drop away with relative ease as the body “remembers” what it really wants as far as food/fuel and stops craving the junk foods that have been sustaining (or poisoning) it for so long.

It takes some willpower to fight and beat candidiasis, but it can be done. My suggestions include finding an all-natural fiber supplement that provides at least 12-24 g of fiber daily. A high-potency, whole food-derived multivitamin/mineral supplement will supply your body with the combination of vitamins and minerals it needs to detoxify. Taking 250-500 mg of milk thistle three times daily helps the liver detoxify and rejuvenate itself. And a good B-vitamin complex is recommended, as well, as the body requires many of the B-vitamins for detoxification. Also, perhaps second in importance to the fiber, be sure you take a high-potency, multi-strain, enteric coated probiotic to help repopulate your intestines with “friendly” bacteria, tipping the scales back in their favor.

Finally, it bears mentioning that there may certainly be a neurochemical component to your addiction and addictive cravings. Research has suggested that much addictive behavior is actually regulated by the dopamine-serotonin relationship in the brain. In general, too much dopamine accentuates cravings; serotonin, on the other hand, signals the brain to stop producing dopamine, and produces a feeling of satiety. So, taking 100 mg of 5-HTP (a serotonin precursor) three times daily on an empty stomach may help reduce cravings from a neurotransmitter perspective.

Detox

I want to do a detox, but I have mercury fillings in my teeth. I can’t afford to get them out yet. Should I wait to do the detox, or should I make an adjustment because of the mercury in my mouth?

Danny

DR. SHILLINGTON ANSWERS: This is a good question and I’ve been asked it many times in the past. It is best to do a complete total body cleanse NOW rather than waiting until after the mercury is removed. Usually, teeth with mercury fillings in them leach this toxic heavy metal into one’s system slowly over the years and the accumulated build-up in the brain and other organs is what eventually gets one into a state of ill health. A complete detox (done correctly) removes massive amounts of toxins, including these heavy metals within a 28 day time frame, giving instant relief from the toxicity. One can then plan out the removal of the mercury fillings over the next several months. After this has been completed, another full detox is in order to clean up any residues along with the Novocain used in the procedure.

Yours in Knowledge, Health, and Freedom,

Doc

Raw Sweeteners

What are your favorite sweeteners? I make a lot of raw food dishes for a reluctant family with a sweet tooth.
Kind Regards,

Amy

RAW CHEF DAN ANSWERS: I use a lot of sweeteners depending on what dish it is and who it is for. Many times when I am making food for an event or by contract there are already considerations like Veganism, kosher, non agave eaters…

Stevia is always an acceptable sweetener for everyone from diabetics to vegans; however, I find its flavor to be thin, almost like a saccharine. It is very sweet but has very little flavor and I find myself adding more salt to a dish to bring out the sweetness. Also, different brands and the form it comes in can vary greatly. A raw stevia powder is available and although sweet it can have a very unpleasant bitter aftertaste especially if it is a green powder. Some of the liquid (tinctures) can also have a bit of a bitter overtone. In my experience, Wisdom Of The Ancients Steviaclear Extract and NOW Stevia Glycerite are good brands that taste great. Stevia is very concentrated and a little goes a long way. So if I need my product to be on the dryer side, stevia is the obvious choice. Other sweeteners like honey or agave can add too much liquid to a recipe where it is not wanted. Stevia is also very low on the glycemic index and often recommended to diabetics.

Raw honey is one of my favorites. Honey does come in many flavors determined by what flowers are feed to the bees so trying and using different honeys can produce different results. Honey has a strong taste and its flavor needs to be considered and incorporated into the recipe. Raw honey also harbors a considerable amount of amylase, the enzyme that digests starch. The only other raw that contains any measurable amount of amylase is raw miso. Raw honey is good to use in any recipe that has grains or other starchy foods. Though most starch found in raw foods is already sweet like carrots, beets, corn… the amylase can help break down the starch into sugar. Many vegans do not want to use honey due to the past misconception that it is an animal product. It was thought that bees actually ingest the flower nectar then regurgitate it once they return to the nest. That did not set well with the vegans. However in the early 1990s, using more powerful microscopes and further investigating, it was discovered that honey bees actually have an external pouch much like a kangaroo where the nectar is stored for transport and does not ever enter the bee’s innards. So as Yoda would say, “Vegan honey truly is!”

Agave is also very popular in raw foods and has a full yet fairly neutral flavor. It can be used in desserts or in savory dishes like curry sauces, dressing’s pate… there are light and dark agaves, blue agave, and “truly raw” agaves. You would have to research a little to decide which is best for you. I use agave in my raw restaurant as it works for all recipes and is accepted by vegans, though there are some raw foodies who won’t order anything with agave in it.

There are other sweeteners out there that I do not or at least have not used, like yacon which is really healthy. It tastes sweet, but the human body does not recognize it as a sugar. Therefore it has none of the biological effects of sugar. Though one of the best raw foods out there, I do not use it in the restaurant simply because of its high price and the fact it requires a large quantity to achieve any noticeable sweetness. It is good for home use, but not so great for a restaurant.

There are also beet sugars, barley malts and a few others. I do not know too much about them.

In many cases I just use fresh or dried foods to sweeten. For desserts I use mostly fruits and add agave, honey or stevia only if needed. Dried fruits also work great for thickening sauces while adding sweetness, like in a curry sauce of salad dressing. Red and yellow bell peppers are sweet and work great for dressings, sauces and gravies. Carrots and or beets can also add sweetness if you use them. In conclusion I try to use sweet food as much as possible then add dedicated sweeteners if the dish needs more.

Cashews Raw?

Are cashews a raw food? I heard they have to be heated up to be opened. I also heard that almonds are no longer raw (read that in last months issue).

Meghan

RAW CHEF DAN ANSWERS: Ah, the old cashew question. The simple answer to that is if the cashews in question are any less than $18 a pound they most likely are not raw. The word cashew refers to a tree, its fruit, and the popular, edible nut it produces. The nut comes from the bottom of the cashew apple.. The apple is a delicacy in Brazil, where the fruit originated but it is not eaten in large quantities in many other places. Cashews are now consumed heavily world-wide but they are especially popular in Asian cooking where they are a common ingredient in Thai cuisine. Reference:mahalo.com.

There is a toxic resin inside the shell layer. If the shell is not opened properly, the resin will get on the cashew nut, making it inedible. Most companies steam the shell open at a high temperature thus cooking the cashew nut inside. A certain nut producer in Indonesia uses a special technique with specially-designed tools (without using any heat at all) to open the shell cleanly every time without ever exposing the cashew nut to the resin. The raw cashews are much sweeter, tastier, and nutritious than their cooked counterparts.

Many people avoid cashew nuts because of their high fat content, though they are lower in total fat than almonds, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts. Cashews provide essential fatty acids, B vitamins, fiber, protein, carbohydrate potassium, iron, and zinc. Like other nuts, cashews have a small percentage of saturated fat; however, eaten in small quantities cashews are a highly nutritious food. Reference: living-foods.com
In the raw community raw cashews are sold under the labeling of “really raw” cashews.

As for almonds – yes, sadly enough, a law was passed and enforced last September that all almonds in the U.S., Mexico and Canada have to be pasteurized before public distribution and sale. We fought long and hard to crush the bill, but the powers that be have more money and more lobbyists than the raw foodies. And they (FDA and the Codex Alimentarius Commition) are not going to stop at almonds either so brace yourself. Pasteurized leafy greens, sterilized fruits and cocoa will be restricted as a “controlled substance” by the FDA. Its coming folks, so hold on!
Raw almonds can still be purchased as an import through the good folks at Living Tree, Better Than Roasted or from my friend Seth Leaf at Living Nuts. Glaser Organic Farms have also just put on the market a “raw” almond butter that look really great.

In conclusion if you want your nuts truly raw, your best bet is to buy from a raw conscious shop like my friends at Live Live in NYC that takes the time to research products for their purity and integrity. They have done all the work and we get to do all the eating!

Blender

What blender do you recommend? I am about to start a raw foods diet and I want to know what blender will work best. I am looking to spend not over $100, but if I really need to I suppose I could spend more. Thanks!

RAW CHEF DAN ANSWERS: No blender under $100 is worth having. Get the Jack LaLanne Power Blender if the Vita-Mix is out of your budget.

Overweight

I always seem to gravitate to 20 pounds overweight. I really eat pretty well and follow most of the guidelines OLM recommends. Is it possible my body just prefers to be at this weight, and is 20 pounds serious? I am 5’11”.

RAYMOND FRANCIS ANSWERS: Twenty pounds overweight is a serious matter since we can already measure biochemical abnormalities in people who are five pounds overweight. Twenty pounds is sufficient to be producing excess estrogen, a flood of free radicals and other health-damaging chemicals. This accelerates aging and increases the risk of all diseases and disability.

I have found that when people go on good diets and still can’t lose weight, they may be looking at a toxicity problem. There are two causes of overweight disease: deficiency and toxicity. You are obviously still lacking key nutrients and/or still exposed to environmental toxins that are causing the disease.

Trans Fats

Raymond Francis, In your book, Never Be

Sick Again, you mention that store bought cooking oils have trans-fatty acids. But lately I’ve seen so much more attention paid to whether or not something has Trans fats, they’re being eliminated it seems. Are there still trans fats in typical cooking oils?

Allen

RAYMOND FRANCIS ANSWERS: A. Trans fats are still very much with us, but they are slowly being reduced. However, even if all trans fats were removed, this still does not solve the problem that most Americans eat the wrong fats. Americans still consume huge amounts of highly toxic oils such as soy, peanut, canola, sunflower, safflower and corn oils. These contain too many omega 6 fatty acids and the excess of omega 6s in our diet is causing an enormous epidemic of chronic inflammatory disease such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and asthma.

Exercise – Heart Rate

Do you monitor your heart rate when working out? I’ve been told that it’s really important but I’ve never paid any attention to it. I consider myself physically fit, so do I need to monitor it?

Jerry

ERIC HARR ANSWERS: Hello Jerry, thank you for the question! You hit on arguably one of the most important aspects of achieving your health and fitness goals — and doing so without undue fatigue or injury. And that is: using a heart rate monitor during all of your aerobic workouts. It is vitally important, and you should begin paying attention to monitoring your heart rate no matter how fit you are. Working out without a heart rate monitor is like driving your car without a speedometer. It’s driving blind. For more information check out my article Training and Your Heart Rate by Eric Harr.

Car Pooling with Rex

I take my dog to work almost every day. I live in Atlanta and have to drive in rush hour traffic every morning. Can I drive in the car pool lane since I have a dog with me?

OLM ANSWERS: Yes, you absolutely can drive in the car pool lane with your dog! Be sure to bring your dog to court with you. OLM
Email your questions to questions [at] organicmail.net. Questions may be edited for clarity or length.

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. KELLLY 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. KELLLY 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.

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.” – Editor’s Note

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 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 terressentials.com 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.

SunlightHeadaches

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 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.

Floaters

I have a question about “floaters” in the eyes. I have asked several nutritionalists about what they are and how do you get rid of them. Do you have any data on “floaters”?

Thanks,

Joy

DR. SHILLINGTON ANSWERS:
Floaters are caused by minute pieces of protein matter (cellular debris) in the viscous fluid within the eyeball. Some people consider this to mean a weakening of the retina attachment and where there are many of them, have gone the lengthy surgery route to handle a detached retina. I have only run into a couple of people with this problem and in each case, the floaters very quickly and permanently disappeared by doing a thorough Intestinal Cleanse and Liver/Gallbladder Flush/Cleanse in addition to using a special tincture applied directly to the eyes.

My special Eyebright Formula is as follows:

1 part Eyebright Herb
1 part Red Raspberry Leaf
1 part Goldenseal Root
1 part Rue Flower
1 part Mullein Flower
1 part Fennel Seed
1/8th part Cayenne Pepper (hottest you can find = Habanero)

In a base of 50% alcohol or 100 Proof Vodka and 50% distilled water. Fill your tincture jar from 2/3rd to 3/4th full of the herbs. Blend the herbs in a blender with your alcohol mixture and let stand in a dark room for a minimum of 14 days. A part is by volume not by weight. It is best to make this tincture on the New Moon and to press it on the Full Moon. Use only 1 to 10 drops in an eye cup and fill the remaining space with distilled water. Start with 1 drop and work up to 10 as this is a warm mixture. Place over eye and open and close your eye for a minute or two while moving eye up, down and to both sides.

Hope this helps

Best regards,

Doc

Ear Infections

Can you recommend a herbal remedy for ear infections?

Joni

DR. SHILLINGTON ANSWERS: One of the best remedies for ear infections I’ve ever used is to crush a clove of garlic into about 3 tablespoons of olive oil, let sit for 24 hours, strain out the garlic pieces, and put a few drops in the ear every hour on the hour while awake. It worked wonders on the children and adults I’ve recommended it to.
Best Regards,

Doc

Distilled Water

I’ve heard that distilled water is too acidic. Is this true?

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.

Yours in Knowledge, Health, and Freedom,

Doc

Herbs

I know a herbalist from Romania who recommends that his clients places the herbs (made into powder) under the tongue and keep them there for 20 minutes, After that the herbs are swallowed. My question is, would all the power of the herbs be absorbed in the body in this way? Also which parts of the herbs are insolvable in water?

Kind Regards,

Cristian

DR. SHILLINGTON ANSWERS: Herbs are more absorbable as tinctures than the way you suggest. Tinctures (Extracts) are probably the most effective way to get the biochemstry of the herbs into the body, short of intravenous injection 😉

With love,

Doc Shillington

Second Hand Smoking

I work in a smoke filled environment. I’m a bartender. What supplements can I take to reduce the side affects associated with second hand smoke?

DR. KELLY ANSWERS: N-Acetyl Cysteine, or NAC is my first choice. NAC is an amino oxidant antioxidant and a free radicalscavenging agent that can help your liver detoxify. I’d also recommend a quality Vitamin C. Clearing the air is the best choice, obviously. If possible see if your boss could install a quality air filtration system.
Yours Truly,

Dr. Kelly