HealthNutShell

Gettin’ Neti Wit It

healthnutshell — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:22:49 +0000

My name is Ms. Healthnutshell and I am a netiholic.

*I wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy. Put my glasses on, I’m outta the door, I’m gonna hit this city. Before I leave, brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack. Cuz when I leave for the night I aint comin back.*

False. Reeeeeeeeeemmmmiiiiiiiix!

*I wake up in the morning and I do my neti. Add the salt, and the water, and I tilt my heady. Before I leave, let it flow so it cleanses. Cuz when I leave for the night, I want clear nasal passages.*

How dare you judge me. I am a real person and I have feelings. So what if I am a wanna-be-popstar who puts cheesy lyrics to into her blog? I am a grown, sophisticated, and refined woman, who happens to enjoy her daily morning routine of delicately inserting a genie lamp-like device up her nostril, followed by a waterfall of pleasantries and a smile. In fact, you should applaud me for preventing a sinus headache, being awesome, breathing clearly, being awesome, and being awesome. Are we clear? K. Now let me school you on how you can get your wittle nose clear.

Intro to Neti
The Neti Pot (Jalneti) has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine/yoga practice. It helps improve overall health by clearing the nasal passages of bacteria, allergens, and other irritants e.g. nasal irrigation.

Neti Pots come in various colors, shapes, and materials, but here are two common ones. I own both and keep one at my house and the other at my office (in case I forget to use in the morning or if I need to use it a couple times a day). They work equally well, in my opinion, which by now you should have realized is worth gold, all the tea in China, or a Tickle-Me-Elmo doll in the late ’90s.

The first is a ceramic teapot-like Neti. *I’m a little teapot, short and stout…..* This one is best for the home aka not toting around in your bottomless purse or “manbag” for you metrosexuals.

The second would definitely be the choice of Aladdin’s Abu, is plastic, light and a good travel neti.

Who Should Use
I would never suggest that everyone run out to the store right away and buy one of these………..or would I? I would. Neti is a great tool for everyone. While those prone to repeated sinus infections and headeaches (aka me) may experience more immediate satisfaction, everyone benefits from using the Neti. It helps keep your head clear of nasty pollutants flying through the air, germs that you pick up, etc. In fact, Dr. Oz recently mentioned it as one of the top ways to prevent the flu, noting that you can’t help from picking up the bug, but if you clear it out within a certain period of time, the illness cannot manifest.

Why to Use
1. It works.

I have noticed that people fall into 2 groups, those who haven’t tried it and go “GROSS! or “That’s just weird,” and those who have who respond, “Yeah it’s gross, but I LOVE IT!” and then they build a shrine to it. Seriously though, I have several friends who use it and they all swear by its effectiveness.

2. It is better than sprays.

Nasonex, Nasocort, blah blah blah. Yes I’ve tried them all. They aren’t even half as effective, most create dependence, and even doctors are beginning to suggest this as the best solution for sinus problems. The saline sprays work decently well, but again Neti trumps them as it is a complete flush of the passages.

3. It is better than meds.

Claritin, Zyrtec, same same saaaaame as above. And yes I’ve been on all of them. I used to require a stash of advil in my purse and take it almost daily, and this year, I believe I have taken advil maybe one time.

4. It helps prevent Flu and other sickness.

As I mentioned earlier, we all pick up bugs, we can’t help it. BUT, if you clear your nasal passages out before it has a chance to get all nice and comfy, you don’t get sick. Another fun personal fact: I used to get sick endless times during the winter months, but since I started bumping up my Vit D and using the Neti, it’s hard for me to even catch a cold.

How to Use
In order for the Neti to be most effective, you need to use it routinely. It certainly would still help alleviate congestion or a headache with a single-use, but you want to get all the “crap” out daily for prevention. And yes, taking a couple minutes out of your morning is completely worth it. I suffered with chronic sinus-headaches for almost 10 years (THAT SUCKED), I began using this daily about 2 years ago, and have barely had headaches since! Okay, so the Neti Pot comes with instructions and below is a step-by-step instructional video, but since I’m so giving, here are a few tips: 1. NO, using the Neti does not hurt or feel weird. If you are doing it correctly, you should not feel anything except relief. 2. If the water goes down your throat you need to tuck your chin in more. 3. If it stings a little, you probably need a bit more salt or make sure the salt is dissolved. Oddly, doing the Neti with just water hurts. 4. If you are really congested, you may have a trickle of water out of your nostril instead of a stream. That’s okay. Clear your nose first, keep using it, and over time it will clear out. 5. You need to do it once in each nostril!

This random dude demonstrates:

Where Can I Get One?
I bought my Neti from a local organic store called the Common Market, but I imagine Whole Foods, Wegmans, Trader Joes, MOM’s or any hippie store like that will carry them. CVS, Target, and other stores do as well (I obviously prefer the former). Make sure to buy the special “non-iodized” Neti Salt with it. Don’t get crazy and start shaking your table salt into the pot thinking “salt is salt, it’s fine.” You can also purchase it from the internet. Purchasing the salt and the Neti pot will cost in the range of $20. TOTALLY WORTH EVERY PENNY.

In a nutshell: Once you go Neti, you never go back!

Sugar – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

healthnutshell — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:25:43 +0000

Sugar, Honey, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Equal, Sweet N’ Low, Splenda, Stevia, Maltitol, Sorbitol, Xylitol, Truvia, Agave Syrup omgomgomgomggggggg. I mean really, at this point, there are so many poppin’ out of the woodwork, I should just have one named after me:

Name A Star?

Nah, that’s so 2003.

Name a Street Sign?

Maybe, if I was an heiress.

Please. I wanna be remembered as a sugar alternative.

So this may be a shock to some of you, but I am actually human. Take a second. Breathe. Regroup. Just because I am a health nut doesn’t mean I don’t have fantasies of dancing twinkies, deep fried oreos (double-stuffed?? Yes, please), and eating icing out a jar with a giant spoon. I’m sure you can relate, and if you can’t, let me know what planet you’re from so I can visit.

So, we all know (or we should) that our addiction to sugar, NOT FAT, is the culprit for obese American and decline in health. Whether we consume it in a blatant form like a candy bar, or in a more “second-hand” form like a piece of white bread, it’s everywhere! Now, while ideally, I would suggest that you cut it out with the exception of natural sugars that are in whole fruits, most of you are probably not at that commitment level. That being said, I cannot eat sugar for reasons I’ll discuss later (oooo secrets), but there are ways to get a little sweetness in your life and not feel like you made a booboo. So, I’m gonna break it down for you, with the “good guys” (gold star for you), the “bad guys” (tsk tsk) and the “ugly guys” (*BEEP BEEP* BACK UP before you eat poison). Kinda like finding a spouse, I’ll work from ugly to good because, well because it’s my friggin blog and I DO WHAT I WANT!

Ugly Guys
MALTITOL, SORBITOL, and XYLITOL
So these are sugar alcohols. Did somebody say ALCOHOL? I know you just got excited, but calm down because these are neither sugar, nor alcohol. Maltitol, sorbitol, and xylitol are typically found in “sugar-free” or “diet” products like Atkins bars, etc. as they do not effect blood sugar levels and have no calories. (This of course is the marketing hook). However, guys and gals, these diet products are simply not healthy for you and do not contribute to weightloss and here’s why: Your digestive system hates them. Yes, I said hate i.e. you eat too much of this stuff and you’re in for a wild night of diarrhea!! Just what you’ve always wanted!!! And when something messes with your digestive system, it is disrupting a system that needs to run like a well-oiled machine in order for you to feel good emotionally and lose weight. Also, consumption of these sugar alcohols makes you crave more sugar which is a vicious cycle. So, the moral of the story kids is don’t eat diet products pretty please. I SAID PLEASE.

HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
This recent commerical, which I’m sure you’ve seen, really floats my boat:

This reaction to the video pretty much sums up my opinion on HFCS: “I like how everyone in America is all “Anti-Fatass”, yet your FDA allows this kind of shit to run on the air? LOL. Fail Country. High fructose corn syrup is a GMO, and is a BAD fat [well makes you fat]. It’s in EVERYTHING that’s processed. Avoid that shit at all costs.”

Aaaand apparently I’m not the only one who thought this commercial was absolutely ridiculous (but fine in moderation):

For your reading pleasure: http://www.westonaprice.org/The-Double-Danger-of-High-Fructose-Corn-Syrup.html

SWEET N’ LOW (Saccharin)
Does anyone still actually use this chemical that has been linked to cancer and kills labs rats? Good. Moving on…

EQUAL (Aspartame)
Brain tumors, seizures, birth defects, MS….yeah you get the point. If that doesn’t scare you, the following is a statement made by the Organic Consumers of America Assocation: “Aspartame is the most controversial food additive in history, and its approval for use in food was the most contested in FDA history. In the end, the artificial sweetener was approved, not on scientific grounds, but rather because of strong political and financial pressure. After all, aspartame was previously listed by the Pentagon as a biochemical warfare agent!” This stuff is the devil and is found in diet and sugar-free products, such as diet soda. And if for some insane reason you still consume this stuff and think it helps you lose weight, wake up!!! There was a silly little period in my life where I consumed diet soda and fake sugars because I thought it would help me lose weight. Rather, I became an emotional wreck and had to essentially starve myself to keep weight off because it messes up your system and helps you store what you do consume. So, yeah, don’t.

Diet Soda = Fat http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1896439_1896359_1896352,00.html

SPLENDA (Sucralose)
Sorry to burst your bubble, but this is noooot so splendid actually. Did you ever notice that the old Splenda commercials used to say it was sugar, and now they were forced to add the disclaimer that it is not? NOT. SUGAR. PEOPLE. It’s no different than Equal or Sweet ‘N Low – still a chemical, still a poison to your body, and will still put weight on you because your body doesn’t like it. It is simply another way to make money and deceive the public. Don’t add it to your coffee, don’t bake with it, don’t drink Coke with Spleeeenda, and don’t sprinkle it all over your body in a sugar frenzy! Don’t do anything but laugh and point at the people who are dumb enough to believe this is good for them. I am blunt, we know this. We need to start looking deeper and not believe the people who are making money from our ignorance.

Bad Guys (or not so good)

SUGAR
The one and only, the original -SUGAR! If you need a little sweetness here and there, sugar is believe or not, one of the better choices out there for keeping your weight in check and staying healthy. It is a natural product, so in tiny amounts it should be okay (unless you have Candida which I will discuss in a future blog). But please note that you get plenty of sugar without trying, as it is hidden in so many foods, such as spaghetti sauce, ketchup, etc. So just because it is natural, don’t run out and get a twix. It obviously has calories and we get way too much sugar than our bodies like, so keep it limited ladies and gents!

HONEY
Bees put a lot of TLC into this. Winnie the Pooh loved it. Again, it’s natural, so that’s a good thing, but keep it to a minimum because it still has calories and is actually sweeter than sugar. Ideally, if you do eat honey, you want to buy the kind that is organic, raw, and unheated. I know you love the cute little squeeze bear your honey comes in, but that’s not the healthiest option as most of its natural healing properties are poof! Gone!

AGAVE SYRUP
So if you are a hippy, or obsessed with health foods like me, you may have heard of this sugar alternative that is getting more and more chitchat. It isn’t the worst choice for some added sweetness by any means, but unfortunately, it has a very high fructose level and may not be as organic and diabetic-friendly as the claims make us believe. The following article explains more about Agave Syrup:

http://www.westonaprice.org/Agave-Nectar-Worse-Than-We-Thought.html

TRUVIA
Ah, Truvia- wannabe stevia’s evil twin. Even I was excited for a hot second when this came out. FINALLY, the world is recognizing Stevia. Buuuuuuttt as usual, it’s all a big marketing scheme and is still messed with in a lab to get that perfect crystal form. If I’m not mistaken, it is actually made by the same company that makes Splenda. So while it’s 0 calories, and “kinda” natural (if that’s possible), it’s not the best choice.

SUN CRYSTALS
This is essentially Stevia plus pure cane sugar. Doesn’t sound too bad, but I suspect this product is still altered in a lab.

Good Guys

STEVIA
DING DING DING! We have a winner. Stevia is 100% Natural (from the Stevia Leaf). Stevia has 0 calories. Stevia does not contribute to weight gain, raise your blood sugar, or feed yeast in the body (that’s Candida as I mentioned earlier), and it is not harmful! It comes in packet form, as well as liquid form which comes in a tincture-like bottle and comes with a dropper. Note: The packet form will clump a bit unless you stir it well, but the liquid form is great and actually comes in yummy flavors like chocolate, hazelnut, and berry! Personally, stevia is the only sugar-like product that I can eat and feel good about. I have been using it for years in my plain yogurt, teas, and when baking desserts and it tastes great. The way I see it is, if this option exists, why use anything else?? God bless Stevia from saving me from a bitter life void of sweetness!

In a nutshell: Avoid sugar, but if you must sweeten, go al naturale!

Vitamin D- Are YOU Deficient?

healthnutshell — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:26:51 +0000

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go to your doctor, get your bloodwork drawn, and insist that you have your Vitamin D level checked. If I was a betting woman, and of course, I AM, I would bet everyone reading this is too low. This lov-e-ly Vitamin, Vitamin D (or “Vit D” because we’re totally on a nickname basis now *presh*), entered my life about two years ago. Let me set the scene for you: It’s November. The clocks have been set back and it’s getting dark earlier. I start getting random bouts of sadness, where I feel like a dark cloud just floats over my beautiful life. I am crying like a baby. Did somebody steal my bookbag? Did I drop my ice cream cone? No. I’m just plain crying for no good reason. I know it sounds like I’m sitting on a couch in a Zoloft commercial, but it really happened just like that! Luckily, someone made the connection of my sudden onset of sadness and suggested that I have my Vit D levels checked. Thank you Jesus! Turns out, it was below the “normal” range (I’ll discuss this range in a moment). Under my integrative doctor’s advice, I began taking 1,000 IUs per day and slowly but surely, felt like a weight had been lifted, the clouds had parted and *I’m walkin’ on suuunshine*!!

Now bear with me, because this is a bit longer than a facebook status, but this issue’s a bigun so I want to give you the full downlow on Vit D. For a couple reasons, there is a rampant deficiency of this vitamin and it’s causing a lot of problems for a lot of people. In today’s world, we flat out don’t get enough sun, especially during the fall & winter months. We’re not farmers anymore, but rather, we work in little dark caves we like to call “offices.” And, when we do get sun, we are likely lathered up with sunscreen which, while it protects us from harmful UV rays, unfortunately also prevents absorption of Vit D (and no this doesn’t get you out of wearing sunscreen!). So the fact is, most people today have a lower than ideal level of this vitamin and need to be taking it in a supplement form.

What can happen when my Vit D is too low you ask? Well, as I alluded to earlier, you can feel depressed. If you are suffering from depression, before you jump on an anti-depressant, make sure your Vit D isn’t at the root of the problem. Secondly, Vit D is extremely protective for our health. I recently read a detailed article that went into detail explaining how the cases of heart disease, cancers, etc. would be tremendously reduced if people had a sufficient amount of Vit D. Also, it is HUGE for supporting our immune system and preventing illnesses like the flu! Hell, even the conventional Dr. Oz mentioned it when asked how people can prevent getting the flu – not RUN OUT AND GET A VACCINE, but make sure you’ve got enough Vit D. The fact that there is a widespread deficiency of this vitamin is definitely becoming known, but at this point, it is still unlikely that your PCP will bring this up to you – it’s up to you to take control of your health and do it.

In the following excerpt from “Healthnutshell’s not-so-helpful experience at her primary care doctor’s office”, I put my money where my mouth is: This year I had my level re-checked before the winter months hit, and I asked for a copy of the results (always do this!) and the result was borderline in the “normal” zone. Hence, I received a “normal” result with no call from the young doctor who ordered the bloodwork. The fact is, the normal range scale for Vit D is outdated and is too damn low, especially for women. If you are on the low end of the scale, you’re not receiving the protection you need. While I luckily knew this because of the fiasco the year prior, I was shocked (well not really) but “irritated” that my doctor did not call me to suggest that I take a supplement. In fact, a week prior, a more experienced physician at the same office had put my mother on Vit D and her numbers were higher than mine! After bugging the office, my fresh outta med school doctor called me back with this BS: “Well, you aren’t over 50, not at risk for osteoporosis, blaaaaah blaaaah blaaaaah” and therefore, did not feel the need to suggest I take it. Well, kudos to you darlin for reading your textbook, but you need to study up on the latest research, aka, you’re wrong. I told her I disagreed and called the office again, not to be a pain in the ass (well sorta hehe) but because I wanted to make sure this issue did not go overlooked with other patients who aren’t fortunate enough to have the knowledge that I do. I left a message for the experienced doctor and explained that it was common knowledge that my Vit D level was nowhere near ideal, especially for a woman, despite my age and health status, and that I felt that this was an oversight on their part. Later that day I received a call back suggesting that I go on the supplement. BOOYA! Mission Accomplished.

Interestingly, this year is the first year in ages that both my brother and I have not gotten sick to the frequency of being pointed and laughed at! (I, of course, share my knowledge with my family so he’s been on Vit D as well). I laughed through the dark winter months (“Dark sky, I laugh in your general direction: BAHAHAHA!”) and not only did I not pick up the flu despite being around several people with it (and no I do not get the flu vaccine but that’s for another blog), but I didn’t even get a friggin’ COLD and we used to be bffs! Coincidence? I. think. not.

In a nutshell: Know your Vitamin D level and check yo’self before you wreck yo’self.

Note: Vitamin D MUST be taken with a fat (like a tbs of fish oil, etc.) in order for it to be absorbed!!

The Fat Fallacy

healthnutshell — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:09:47 +0000

The issue of fat is near and dear to my heart, so let me not dance around my feelings about it: If I hear one more mention of “but how many grams of fat does it have?” or “It’s not that bad for you, it only has __ grams of fat,” I might very well throw up in my mouth a little. WRONG PEOPLE. ALL WRONG. I know that was harsh, but let me be clear that I don’t blame you, because this is the information shoved down our throats in commercials (i.e. Eat more Special K – it’s low in fat!). The fact of the matter is, good fats (and this includes unsatured and traditional saturated fats) are not the culprits for ill health OR weight gain. (Repeat this to yourselves like a mantra). In fact, when we reduce the amount of good fats, the carbs and sugars in our diets inevitably increase! Example, check out the sugar count on your “lowfat” yogurt, salad dressings, skim milk, and your snack foods, and notice what you start eating when you become concerned about cutting out fat. Also, when people cut out saturated fats, which are not the bad guys, consumption of trans fats or “artificial fats” tends to increase. A high-fat diet composed of avacados, nuts, butter, and even lard (gasp!) is not the catalyst for weight gain and disease. It is when trans fats are consumed or fat is COMBINED with processed foods that turn into sugar in our bodies or artificial foods that are bodies cannot handle. This shift in our diets over the past 50 or so years is why we have become an overweight nation. We are addicted to sugar and additives and half the time do not even know it’s in our food! Our grandparents ate fat, but their diets were comprised mainly of stews, whole milk, potatoes, and WHOLE foods, and yes, were more active. Those foods do not pack on the pounds, it is when packaged and processed foods are incoporated. So if you want to lose weight and get healthier, STOP counting fat grams (but watch for trans fats), STOP being obsessed with how many calories are in everything, and STOP focusing on a eating a “low-fat” diet. Instead, start cutting out sugar, processed foods, items with enriched wheat flour, packaged items (yes this means your precious lean cuisines), things with more ingredients & preservatives than you can count or spell, and anything with fake sugar replacements (this includes aspartame, splenda, maltitol, etc.). A diet low in these things are what protects you against ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, and fat on your hips. Coconut oil is the best fat to eat and cook with! It can actually help with weight loss and disease prevention! It’s pretty simple folks: eat a diet comprised of beans/lentils, unprocessed meats, fish, veggies, good carbs, fruits, eggs, water and teas, etc. See what happens…..

In a nutshell: Fat is our friend.

For further details and articles on fat, visit: http://www.westonaprice.org/Know-Your-Fats/.

Gluten-Free, the new Whole Wheat

healthnutshell — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:11:48 +0000

Whole Wheat is SOOO 5 years ago! Prediction: Whole Wheat bread will soon join white Wonderbread in all its refined glory on the “not for dietary purposes” shelf. It is no secret that whole wheat bread, pastas and other products are better for you than their white counterparts – they contain a lot more good-for-your-body nutrients and in whole grain cases, a decent amount of fiber. BUT. Yes, there’s a BUT. Did you know that whole wheat products do not necesarily support weightloss? *Tear* Whole wheat, as well as pretty much every pound-increasing product on the market like donuts and muffins, contains a little something called “gluten. ” You’ve probably heard of it by now, as many people have severe allergies to it. The interesting thing is, most everyone has an “allergy” to it, not in the “OMG my face is turning red!” sense, but in the sense that our bodies have difficulty processing it . It messes with digestion and in my case, when I cut it out, I feel like my face debloated and I felt so much better. Anyhow, the point is, even though whole wheat is the healthier choicer over white stuff, it contributes to WEIGHT GAIN and some books I’ve read lately suggest cutting it out for detox purposes because our bodies just don’t like it! Without getting too into it, gluten is a composite of protein contained in wheat, rye, and barley. The cool thing is, today there are so many gluten-free products (usually supplemented with rice or brown rice) that it’s easy to cut out! Even cooler: gluten-free products taste and look more like the real thing that the whole-wheat stuff! I mean, you know when you’re eating whole wheat pasta. Since you certainly should not cut good carbs out of your diet, brown rice, quinoa (it’s good, try it) and sweet potatoes are great carbs to eat! And like I said, there are also yummy gluten-free substitutes out there, like gluten-free pasta and waffles which taste and look just like the regular kind which we all know and love. The pastas are still refined to a degree, so eat in moderation, but they won’t pack on the pounds like the white or whole wheat guys.

In a nutshell: Want to drop pounds and detox? Cut gluten out of your diet.

http://www.westonaprice.org/Going-Gluten-Free.html

Taco Bell’s “Drive-Thru” Diet

healthnutshell — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:10:23 +0000

Yes folks, I thought this was a joke too. Buuuuuuuttt, it’s not. I’m sure you have all seen this new commercial, but if you haven’t, lemme break it down for ya – Although “results are not typical” (I love this caveat- take it to mean: NEVER WORKS FOR ANYONE EXCEPT YOUR SKINNY FRIEND WHO CAN EAT A WHOLE PIZZA AND STILL NOT GAIN AN OUNCE- SHE’S JUST PLAIN LUCKY AND SHE’S NOT YOU), Taco Bell is claiming that their new Fresco line can contribute to weight-loss. Pardon me while I pause for momentary contemplation: “BAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!” I am afraid to say that I believe some Americans are buying this BS because people want to believe what they want to believe. Ok, so I am sure these new tacos have less calories because they have replaced the more “fattening” stuff like cheese (I will address the “fat fallacy” in a future blog) with salsa and other fresh items…big…freakin…deal. They still include a white processed flour tortilla, chicken seasoned in God knows what, and besides a bit of protein, are just plained devoid of nutritional value. Keep in mind, it says that “Christine” (the lady paid in the commercial to claim success using this diet) switched from her other fast food diet to this one, which is of course said very quickly and quietly. So suuuuuure, if you eat McDonald’s Big Mac’s on the regular, complete with a supersize fry and chocolate shake, and you downsize to a less hideous diet from Taco Bell, this diet may actually work for you! Reminds me of Subway and the oh so famous Jared diet, which again does not work for people unless you have a major overeating problem and you downsize to eating a turkey sub once a day. Subway has processed meats and bread…and yes, you can go ahead and feel better about it by ordering the rasberry vinegarette instead of mayo (translation – 5 tsp of sugar sprinkled on top) or by ordering “whole grain,” but that’s just basically processed bread dyed brown with a few seeds tossed up in it for texture, let’s be honest.

In a nutshell: Don’t try the Taco Bell diet unless it’s your new and improved substitution for your Arby’s diet.

Welcome Everyone!

healthnutshell — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:31:25 +0000

Oh hai,

I am so excited to be writing my very first blog! Over the past few years, through my own personal struggle, I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and opinions concerning health and nutrition, and increasingly catch myself itching to tell the world and struggling to keep my mouth shut! haha In a nutshell (get it? ;o) ), it is my conviction that most of the information potrayed in television, magazines, and even captured in the advice of your very own primary care physician is in fact unhealthy, toxic, ineffective, and often times, harmful. How is this so? Well, it is my belief that this advice is either intentionally incorrect (i.e. selfish companies just wanting to make $$ off of a product) or a top-down issue driven by the greed of the health industry (i.e. the most lucrative industry in the world), whereby the industry influences the government and its decisions (yes, including the FDA which passes those lovely drugs to increase dependency and keep us sick but alive, and drains us of our money) and also funds medical schools which train the doctors who advise us. So, this does not necessarily mean that everyone who advises us, such as dieticians and our M.D.s intentionally mislead us, but that they have not been trained to relay to us the proper information, much to our disservice. The exception to this, I have found, is in the world of integrative/ naturopathic medicine. Under the guidance of several Naturopathic physicians (N.D.s) (doctors who graduate from accredited medical schools like M.D.s but with an naturopathic focus) and an amazing and highly-respected integrative M.D., I have found that their answers/solutions WORK and MAKE SENSE. I believe that conventional or allopathic medicine certainly has its place (when I recently had a kidney infection I certainly was glad antibiotics exist), but it has failed to fix the not so blatant but serious ailments with my health. Unlike most physicians I’m sure you have experienced, my N.D.s and my integrative M.D. listened to me, got to know me and my history, spent time with me, and provided me with the knowledge to know my own body so that from here forward, I am empowered. The goal in this type of medicine is to achieve IDEAL health (and yes it is attainable), rather than fitting a person and their bloodwork into a range (which we all know does not equate to feeling good!). Ultimately, learning about naturopathic medicine has changed my life for the better, including healthwise, emotionally, and with a lifetime weightloss struggle, and I’d love to share what I have learned with all of you! It would have saved me a bundle of time, tears, energy and money had I known what I am going to share with you all………Enjoy!