The Standard American Diet (SAD) is a detriment to our personal health and a burden to the entire "health" care system. Our diet consists of processed foods, refined sugars, genetically modified foods, artificial additives, antibiotic and hormone-laden meats and the list goes on and on. The "food" that so many people consume each day couldn't really be classified as food. We live in a society that is full of obese-starving people. People are malnourished, despite their excessive BMI. Parents send their children to school after consuming a high-sugar cereal that is popular, eating a school lunch that is highly processed and non-nourishing, and then grab fast food at night...and we wonder why there are behavior problems and ADHD that is so rampant.
Consumption of the SAD diet leads to three things: (1) oxidative stress; (2) systemic inflammation; and (3) activation of NFKB (nuclear factor kappa B). This oxidative stress and chronic systemic inflammation affects how all of our cells communicate with one another. It can lead towards hormone imbalances. It can lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction with associated gut dysbiosis, which turns into gastrointestinal inflammation, into leaky gut, into recirculation of toxins, into more inflammation and so on and so on. This vicious cycle is at work in so many of the "walking wounded" that conventional medicine looks at and calls "normal".
I recently had a patient recount to me that they were told by their medical doctor that they should just "learn to live with their pain", that it is "just normal". What a lie so many are being fed! If that's normal...I don't want to be normal! :)
We can have a direct impact on our health. We must educate ourselves, we must make healthy choices day in and day out. Basically just follow the Magnificent Seven (courtesy of Dr. Robert Rakowski) (1) Eat Right; (2) Drink Right; (3) Move Right; (4) Sleep Right; (5) Think Right; (6) Talk Right; (7) Poop Right.
Next time your doctor looks at you and says "it's normal" or "there is no evidence for that"...introduce him to the volumes of research that is readily available. One great starting reference is the Textbook of Functional Medicine published by the Institute of Functional Medicine. This well-referenced text shows the science behind healthy living and "alternative" ways of health, that really shouldn't be considered alternative.
Visit www.pubmed.com yourself. This site provides an index of all medical literature where you can search and read abstracts of scientific literature.
Don't know where to start? Try this...just start by increasing your clean water consumption each day and shooting for five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Most Americans eat less than one serving each day! The number one vegetable is potatoes. Why? You guessed it because of french fries and potato chips. The number on fruit? Tomatoes...yep, for the ketchup. Pretty "SAD" isn't it?
Make small changes in your diet, pretty soon you will be eating better, feeling better and living better.
What are some tips you have to eat and live better? Leave a comment below and share!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Blog Repost from Dr. David Brownstein
I am copying below an informative blog post from Dr. David Brownstein. I would encourage you to subscribe to his blog updates. He has some good information and you can see that there is a definite, concerted effort on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry to prevent natural medicine from being adopted in the conventional health care system.
You can visit his site by going to https://www.drbrownstein.com/homePage.php
Another Nail In The Coffin for Cholesterol-Lowering Medications
How many studies have to be done which show a drug is a failure before doctors will stop using it? It is a very interesting question in light to the news headlines today about the block-buster cholesterol drug Zetia (Zetia is also part of the drug Vytorin).
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM. 2009;361) released a study today (11.16.09) which showed Zetia, a drug that brought in over $3.5 billion for Big Pharma Merck in 2008, causes more harm than good. In fact, this study compared Zetia to the b-vitamin Niacin and its effects on atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries. The authors of the study reported that the Niacin-treated group had showed a 2% decline in buildup of the carotid arteries while those treated with Zetia had no effect. Furthermore, there were fewer heart attacks in the niacin-treated group (2) as compared to the Zetia group (9).
You might guess that Zetia must have raised cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. Wrong. Zetia lowered both cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol more than the niacin-treated group. What is going on here?
What happened in this study is explained in my book, Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do. Cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol are not bad chemicals. They are necessary agents for the body. Chemically blocking their absorption (the mechanism of Zetia) is a recipe for disaster.
This study is another nail in the coffin of the cholesterol=heart disease hypothesis. You must educate yourself about the mechanism of action of the most commonly prescribed drugs in order to make an appropriate decision if taking that drug is right for you. Thirteen million prescriptions for Zetia were written in the U.S. in 2008. This is a travesty. This is a drug that not only does no good, it causes harm. This drug should be removed from the market. If you are on Zetia or Vytorin I suggest you ask your doctor to reevaluate your situation.
You can visit his site by going to https://www.drbrownstein.com/homePage.php
Another Nail In The Coffin for Cholesterol-Lowering Medications
How many studies have to be done which show a drug is a failure before doctors will stop using it? It is a very interesting question in light to the news headlines today about the block-buster cholesterol drug Zetia (Zetia is also part of the drug Vytorin).
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM. 2009;361) released a study today (11.16.09) which showed Zetia, a drug that brought in over $3.5 billion for Big Pharma Merck in 2008, causes more harm than good. In fact, this study compared Zetia to the b-vitamin Niacin and its effects on atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries. The authors of the study reported that the Niacin-treated group had showed a 2% decline in buildup of the carotid arteries while those treated with Zetia had no effect. Furthermore, there were fewer heart attacks in the niacin-treated group (2) as compared to the Zetia group (9).
You might guess that Zetia must have raised cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. Wrong. Zetia lowered both cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol more than the niacin-treated group. What is going on here?
What happened in this study is explained in my book, Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do. Cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol are not bad chemicals. They are necessary agents for the body. Chemically blocking their absorption (the mechanism of Zetia) is a recipe for disaster.
This study is another nail in the coffin of the cholesterol=heart disease hypothesis. You must educate yourself about the mechanism of action of the most commonly prescribed drugs in order to make an appropriate decision if taking that drug is right for you. Thirteen million prescriptions for Zetia were written in the U.S. in 2008. This is a travesty. This is a drug that not only does no good, it causes harm. This drug should be removed from the market. If you are on Zetia or Vytorin I suggest you ask your doctor to reevaluate your situation.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Think You're Not Toxic?
Scientific American
Greenwire - December 2, 2009
Tests Find More Than 200 Chemicals in Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Study commissioned by environmental group finds high levels of chemicals in U.S. minority infants By Sara Goodman
U.S. minority infants are born carrying hundreds of chemicals in their bodies, according to a report released today by an environmental group.
The Environmental Working Group's study commissioned five laboratories to examine the umbilical cord blood of 10 babies of African-American, Hispanic and Asian heritage and found more than 200 chemicals in each newborn.
"We know the developing fetus is one of the most vulnerable populations, if not the most vulnerable, to environmental exposure," said Anila Jacobs, EWG senior scientist. "Their organ systems aren't mature and their detox methods are not in place, so cord blood gives us a good picture of exposure during this most vulnerable time of life."
Of particular concern to Jacobs: 21 newly detected contaminants, including the controversial plastics additive bisphenol A, or BPA, which mimics estrogen and has been shown to cause developmental problems and precancerous growth in animals. Last month, researchers reported that male Chinese factory workers exposed to high levels of the chemical experienced erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems.
"BPA is a really important finding because people are really aware about its potential toxicity," Jacobs told reporters. "This is the first study to find BPA in umbilical cord blood, and it correlates with national data on it."
Jacobs said the study focused on minority children to show that chemical exposure is ubiquitous, building on 2005 research on cord blood from 10 anonymous babies. That study found a similar body burden among the babies. This is the first study to look at chemicals in minority newborns.
"Minority groups may have increased exposure to certain chemicals, but here we didn't focus on those chemicals," Jacobs said. "The sample size is too small to see major differences, but we want to increase awareness about chemical exposures."
Leo Trasande, co-director of the Children's Environmental Health Center at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said the findings, while preliminary, show that minority communities are often disproportionately affected by chemical exposure. Trasande was not involved in the EWG study.
"Presently, minority communities suffer from a host of chronic disorders, and disproportionate chemical exposures may contribute significantly to the origins of the disparities that exist," Trasande said.
Both he and Jacobs said the findings add momentum for the call to revamp the Toxic Substances Control Act, or TSCA, the law regulating the more than 80,000 chemicals on its database. They released the report on the same day that a Senate panel is scheduled to discuss the government's strategy for managing the tens of thousands of chemicals in the marketplace with an eye toward overhauling TSCA.
TSCA does not require most chemicals to be tested for safety before they are approved for widespread use. Because of this, Trasande said, less than half of the 3,000 high-production volume chemicals on the marketplace have toxicity data, and less than one-fifth have toxicity testing data on the effects on developing organs.
"These results are alarming for their implications of health impacts on children," Trasande said.
Another challenge facing chemical regulators is understanding how the different chemicals interact together, which is particularly significant given the number of chemicals found in people.
"What we're finding are complex mixtures of chemicals that sometimes have similar toxicities," Jacobs said. "There's an increased recognition that mixtures are a problem. ... It's very difficult to evaluate, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. We should also try to decrease the toxicity of individual chemicals."
Note from Dr. Sefcik:
I think it is important to understand that eliminating toxins from our body, reducing the toxic load, and avoiding unnecessary exposure is paramount to a healthy body. Not only should detoxification be a focal point in a therapeutic intervention for disease, but also a pillar in a foundational wellness program. Our family takes measures to detoxify every single day. The research is very clear...detoxification is important. However, be aware there are many unscientific claims regarding detox programs. There are many dietary fads that are out there, as well as claims from everything to magnets to foot baths to foot pads. It is important to have some objective lab testing pre and post detox to ensure that you are not making your problem worse. More questions? Send them via email or call the office for a phone consultation. Take charge of your health!
Greenwire - December 2, 2009
Tests Find More Than 200 Chemicals in Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Study commissioned by environmental group finds high levels of chemicals in U.S. minority infants By Sara Goodman
U.S. minority infants are born carrying hundreds of chemicals in their bodies, according to a report released today by an environmental group.
The Environmental Working Group's study commissioned five laboratories to examine the umbilical cord blood of 10 babies of African-American, Hispanic and Asian heritage and found more than 200 chemicals in each newborn.
"We know the developing fetus is one of the most vulnerable populations, if not the most vulnerable, to environmental exposure," said Anila Jacobs, EWG senior scientist. "Their organ systems aren't mature and their detox methods are not in place, so cord blood gives us a good picture of exposure during this most vulnerable time of life."
Of particular concern to Jacobs: 21 newly detected contaminants, including the controversial plastics additive bisphenol A, or BPA, which mimics estrogen and has been shown to cause developmental problems and precancerous growth in animals. Last month, researchers reported that male Chinese factory workers exposed to high levels of the chemical experienced erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems.
"BPA is a really important finding because people are really aware about its potential toxicity," Jacobs told reporters. "This is the first study to find BPA in umbilical cord blood, and it correlates with national data on it."
Jacobs said the study focused on minority children to show that chemical exposure is ubiquitous, building on 2005 research on cord blood from 10 anonymous babies. That study found a similar body burden among the babies. This is the first study to look at chemicals in minority newborns.
"Minority groups may have increased exposure to certain chemicals, but here we didn't focus on those chemicals," Jacobs said. "The sample size is too small to see major differences, but we want to increase awareness about chemical exposures."
Leo Trasande, co-director of the Children's Environmental Health Center at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said the findings, while preliminary, show that minority communities are often disproportionately affected by chemical exposure. Trasande was not involved in the EWG study.
"Presently, minority communities suffer from a host of chronic disorders, and disproportionate chemical exposures may contribute significantly to the origins of the disparities that exist," Trasande said.
Both he and Jacobs said the findings add momentum for the call to revamp the Toxic Substances Control Act, or TSCA, the law regulating the more than 80,000 chemicals on its database. They released the report on the same day that a Senate panel is scheduled to discuss the government's strategy for managing the tens of thousands of chemicals in the marketplace with an eye toward overhauling TSCA.
TSCA does not require most chemicals to be tested for safety before they are approved for widespread use. Because of this, Trasande said, less than half of the 3,000 high-production volume chemicals on the marketplace have toxicity data, and less than one-fifth have toxicity testing data on the effects on developing organs.
"These results are alarming for their implications of health impacts on children," Trasande said.
Another challenge facing chemical regulators is understanding how the different chemicals interact together, which is particularly significant given the number of chemicals found in people.
"What we're finding are complex mixtures of chemicals that sometimes have similar toxicities," Jacobs said. "There's an increased recognition that mixtures are a problem. ... It's very difficult to evaluate, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. We should also try to decrease the toxicity of individual chemicals."
Note from Dr. Sefcik:
I think it is important to understand that eliminating toxins from our body, reducing the toxic load, and avoiding unnecessary exposure is paramount to a healthy body. Not only should detoxification be a focal point in a therapeutic intervention for disease, but also a pillar in a foundational wellness program. Our family takes measures to detoxify every single day. The research is very clear...detoxification is important. However, be aware there are many unscientific claims regarding detox programs. There are many dietary fads that are out there, as well as claims from everything to magnets to foot baths to foot pads. It is important to have some objective lab testing pre and post detox to ensure that you are not making your problem worse. More questions? Send them via email or call the office for a phone consultation. Take charge of your health!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Swine Flu Uncovered
Here is a report with Dr. Mercola and a CBS investigative journalist. (http://www.editurl.com/5te). I think it is worth your time to watch and listen to this four part report on what we are hearing from the media, and what the numbers are really saying.
This is just one more example that you must take charge of your own health! We promote lifestyle changes and encourage you to eat right, drink right, move right, sleep right, talk right, think right and poop right every single day! It is absolutely vital that each person consumes a high-quality multiple vitamin/mineral, pure omega 3 fatty acids, and phytonutrients each day. Adequate probiotics (good bacteria) and vitamin D are also important.
You must take time to look at the conflicts of interest with the pharmaceutical industry and our "health" care system. Many people have been deceived into thinking that a single pill, for example an antidepressant, will take care of all their problems. Or worse yet, that feeling lousy all the time is just "normal". It is not normal to be fatigued all the time, not sleep well, only move bowels a few times each week, suffer with brain fog, and chronic gastrointestinal issues. Changes can be made with diet, lifestyle and safe, effective and natural supplementation. The choice is yours. LEC offers a safe choice.
This is just one more example that you must take charge of your own health! We promote lifestyle changes and encourage you to eat right, drink right, move right, sleep right, talk right, think right and poop right every single day! It is absolutely vital that each person consumes a high-quality multiple vitamin/mineral, pure omega 3 fatty acids, and phytonutrients each day. Adequate probiotics (good bacteria) and vitamin D are also important.
You must take time to look at the conflicts of interest with the pharmaceutical industry and our "health" care system. Many people have been deceived into thinking that a single pill, for example an antidepressant, will take care of all their problems. Or worse yet, that feeling lousy all the time is just "normal". It is not normal to be fatigued all the time, not sleep well, only move bowels a few times each week, suffer with brain fog, and chronic gastrointestinal issues. Changes can be made with diet, lifestyle and safe, effective and natural supplementation. The choice is yours. LEC offers a safe choice.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Why Are My Muscles Tight?
Do you suffer with chronically tight muscles? This is a very common complaint among all walks of life...from the high school athlete, to the weekend warrior, to the pregnant mother, to the retiree. There are many underlying issues that may be precipitating your muscle tightness. Because of the many underlying causes a little detective-like sleuthing may be required to get to the bottom of things.
One of the major causes of chronic muscle tightness is balance disorders. Yep, that's right, some disconnect between what your brain receives as proprioception (spatial awareness) and its output to your muscles. Want a simple home test to see if you have some balance problems? Stand next to a counter that you can hold, if needed. Then close your eyes and try to stand on one leg. You should be able to do this for eighteen to twenty seconds, if you can't consider balance issues. You can have vestibular problems that don't manifest as dizziness, vertigo, or falls. A chiropractic neurologist is specially trained to look at subtle clues on your physical exam that may point to underlying vestibular (balance center) problems. The input your brain receives from your joints determines the integrity of your brain, as well as the output and control to all your muscles. A balanced brain is a healthy body.
It is also important to note that muscles are significantly affected by stress and toxins. If you have a hormonal imbalance because of chronic real, or perceived, stress then you are setting the stage for significant alterations in all the hormones of your body, and this can effect the health of your muscles.
Toxin accumulation can also lead to muscle problems. We are exposed to a vast and wide array of toxins each day. These dangerous chemicals are ubiquitous and affect every man, woman, boy and girl. We know from multiple studies done from groups like the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) that even newborn infants have extremely high levels of toxins already accumulated in their cord blood testing.
Toxin accumulation can lead to improper muscle function and lymphatic congestion...all which can lead to muscle tightness.
You can alleviate muscle tightness. You can improve your balance, manage your stress and/or detoxify your body. Salivary hormone testing, bioelectrical impedance analysis and blood testing can identify the biochemical causes of muscle tightness. A thorough history and chiropractic neurologic examination can identify structural imbalances.
Take control of your health and motivate yourself for change!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Do You Own Your Dream?
I'm reading a great book right now from John Maxwell, "Put Your Dream to the Test". The first question you should aski to put your dream to the test is do you own your dream? Is your dream really your dream?
Many people dream of feeling better, having more energy, enjoying life, hitting the gym...but their dream is never put to the test. Excuses are made, discouragements are encouraged, and old failures are allowed to reign. But a powerful point is made in his book. You must have a stake in the game. This means investing something of value. Anytime that happens a person's level of commitment goes way up. Why? Because if you own something it requires that you give it energy, money, time, and commitment. When you have a stake in the game your attitude changes. You no longer have an easy come, easy go attitude but you're invested in it.
Are you invested enough in your health? Are you willing to place a stake in the game? That means you might have to look at your budget and ensure you can purchase foundational nutrition for your health (multiple vitamin/mineral, fish oil, and phytonutrients). you might have to invest in that gym membership or equipment to get you moving right. You might have to commit to spending a little extra on organic food for your family.
I strongly feel though that placing a stake in the game with your health is a very valuable thing to do. My dream is to be active well into my nineties and be able to enjoy my great-grandchildren. My dream is to avoid heart disease, cancer and autoimmune disease. I've got a stake in the game. I invest my time, money, commitment and energy into helping myself, my family and my patients. Just ask my boys how important their daily routine of vitamins, dynamic greens, and fish oils are. They are learning to make some commitments. They are starting to develop their own dreams. I've got to make right choices, lead by example and keep myself healthy...I've got two monkeys to take care of and one more one the way...and right now my monkeys are jumping on me and wanting their fish oil.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Be Thankful for Each Day
Some news I heard today made it very obvious that our life is just a vapor. The moments we spend forging relationships, playing with children or holding hands with our spouse are truly what is most important.
No individual is guaranteed tomorrow. Time and chance happen to all men. Our life on this earth, whether short or long, will be judged not by the money in our bank accounts, the number of cars in our garage, or the number of material things we own. Rather we will be remembered by the moments we shared with those we love. We will be remembered for the times we've spent with a friend and a good cup of coffee, the game of catch in the backyard with your boys, or the romantic homemade meal with your wife.
Take time to identify your core values and make sure your daily life aligns with these values. Identify what's really important. Today we are facing recession, job lay offs, uncertain futures and increased stress burdens. But if we can realize that if we keep those we love close to us, we have more than most, and for that we are blessed.
You get one life. Make it count.
No individual is guaranteed tomorrow. Time and chance happen to all men. Our life on this earth, whether short or long, will be judged not by the money in our bank accounts, the number of cars in our garage, or the number of material things we own. Rather we will be remembered by the moments we shared with those we love. We will be remembered for the times we've spent with a friend and a good cup of coffee, the game of catch in the backyard with your boys, or the romantic homemade meal with your wife.
Take time to identify your core values and make sure your daily life aligns with these values. Identify what's really important. Today we are facing recession, job lay offs, uncertain futures and increased stress burdens. But if we can realize that if we keep those we love close to us, we have more than most, and for that we are blessed.
You get one life. Make it count.
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