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Crohn’s disease

My husband was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.  This is a nasty little condition that apparently has no known cause but rather like arthritis appears out of nowhere.  I t is basically an inflammation of the digestive tract and can appear anywhere from your mouth downward.  In his case it seems to be confined to the colon. 

Crohn’s disease is considered to be an autoimmune disease which means that the for some reason the body begins to fight itself and causes inflammation, swelling, and in some cases ulcers.  As I said there is no known cause and also there is no known trigger.  Some people may have a flare up when they eat certain foods or if they are undergoing stress  but other people are not affected by these things.

There are numerous medications used to treat Crohn’s , among them are steroid drugs such as prednisone.  My husband has been on prednisone for a month.  Unfortunately prednisone causes his blood sugar to rise so he now has to monitor his blood sugar and take insulin as needed to control it.  Hopefully he will be off of this drug soon.

As soon as he was diagnosed, I began to search for ways to improve his health that didn’t involve prescription drugs or surgery.  I emailed  Dr. Barry Sears   and his advice which can be found in his book  The Anti-Inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That’s Destroying Our Health (Zone (Regan))  was that my husband should go on a low fiber diet and take 5 to 10 grams of  fish oil daily.  (When buying fish oil it is important to buy a product that has the maximum amount of epa/dha possible.  Epa/dha is the ingredient that gives you the omega 3 that helps to reduce the silent inflammation that causes health problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, chronic pain and so many other disorders.)

So time will tell as to my husband’s colon health.  We are remaining hopeful.  The doctor says he can probably go back to work next week.

February 27, 2010  Tags: diet, doctors, Dr. Barry Sears, fish oil, health, omega 3, type 2 diabetes  Posted in: Colon health, Crohn's disease, Natural health, diet, fish oil, natural treatment, omega 3, supplements, type 2 diabetes  No Comments

Taking charge of our health

I have heard concerns from many people over the amount of fish oil I am ingesting.  First, let me say that knowledgeable doctors have and do prescribe this on a regular basis.  As I mentioned Randall McCloy’s doctor, Dr. Bailes, consulted with Dr. Barry Sears , a leading expert in nutrition and prescribed 18 mg. per day for Mr. McCloy who made a miraculous recovery.  Secondly, it is infinitely healthier than consuming vast quantities of salt and high fructose laden substances which people do every day. 

As Dr. Barry Sears points out in his book Toxic Fat: When Good Fat Turns Bad, there is really no definitive answer on the amount of EPA needed.  Age, weight, and gender play no part in the answer.  The correct amount is determined by the amount of “silent” inflammation existing in the person.  There is a blood test that measures this but most doctors don’t do it.  This blood test measures the ratio of AA (arachidonic acid) to EPA the substance found in fish oil.  Arachidonic Acid is an omega 6 fatty acid found in the human body.  It is necessary to have a certain amount but an overload creates inflammation and is then a toxic fat.  Fish oil (or omega 3) balances this out.  So the blood test checks for the balance.  The ration of AA to EPA should be between 1.5 – 3 for optimal wellness. 

Reducing your AA/EPA ratio can have a remarkable effect.  It aids in weight loss, reduction of chronic pain, improved mood.   It helps with depression, ADD, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, high cholesterol, etc. 

But the truth is most doctors won’t tell you this.  The really sad fact is most doctors don’t know.  Doctors are trained to treat disease not prevent it.  Doctors receive their information for the most part from pharmaceutical companies who fund all sorts of research and symposiums.  Pharmaceutical companies can’t make money on prevention or fish oil.  They make money on drugs.  So doctors are trained to be drug pushers even when it’s not in the best interests of their patient.  Doctors continue to prescribe medications that have potential deadly side effects even when there is a safer more natural solution to the problem.  The drugs for the most part not only do not cure the condition they are used for but cause other conditions as well. 

How many of us have wound up on 3 or 4 medications when we only needed one because we have to treat the side effects of the last medication. 

For instance, NSAIDs, such as Aspirin and ibuprofen used to treat arthritis pain actually promote joint destruction by inhibiting the formation of cartilage.  Plus they cause gastrointestinal problems for which you will likely by prescribed some other medication with equally with equally dangerous and unhealthy side effects. A far better alternative for arthritis is fish oil, a glucosamine/chondrointin supplement and the addition of SAM-e or DL-phenalynine which is an essential amino acid that helps inhibit pain.  Glucosamine/chondrointin not only treats the arthritis inflammation but helps rebuild cartilage.  These supplements are not only safe but in the case of omega 3, DL-phenalynine, and glucosamine are things found naturally in the body and essential to your well being.  However, these things are found on the drug store shelf or in a health food store or in the food you eat.  There is no money in it for the drug companies and for the most part, doctors won’t prescribe it.

As Dr. Michael Murray points out in What the Drug Companies Won’t Tell You and Your Doctor Doesn’t Know: The Alternative Treatments That May Change Your Life–and the Prescriptions That Could Harm You,   “drugs cannot overcome a poor diet or an unhealthy lifestyle.”  But most doctors are attempting to do just that.  And people, trusting their doctors, are going along with it, sometimes because they don’t know any better and sometimes just because they don’t want to change their unhealthy habits that are making them ill.  A person who has high blood pressure finds it easier to take a pill then to exercise, lose weight, or cut back drastically on their salt intake. 

Blood tests show a person to have high cholesterol but instead of looking at the individual components and determing why the number is high and counseling the patient on lifestyle and dietary changes, a doctor finds it easier to prescribe a drug.  Of course there are potential dangers to these drugs, such as liver damage and in some cases increased risk of heart attack, but doctors won’t tell you this and in fact most studies that doctors read are funded by the very drug companies producing the rug.  Talk about the fox guarding the hen house. 

It is in our own best interests to be highly informed and aware not only how we can prevent diseases in the first place and how to treat them when they arise but of the impact our choices have on these conditions.  The biggest single factor in our health is what we eat or don’t eat.  Proper nutrition and supplementation augmented with alternative natural medicines can go a long way in improving the health of everyone you know.  

It is up to us to determine our medical treatment by questioning our doctors at to treatments and medications.  We need to enlighten ourselves and then ask our doctors for a more natural and alternative approach instead of instantly turning to overpriced and potentially dangerous medications.  Find a doctor who is willing to consider these options.  If more of us demand safer care and refuse to needlessly put money in the pocket of the big drug companies to the detriment of our health, doctors will take the time to learn a new way to practice medicine, one that is safer, healthier, and puts the interests of the patient ahead of the profit margin of the drug companies.

 

January 5, 2010  Tags: alternative medicine, blood pressure, diet, doctors, Dr. Barry Sears, Dr. Michael Murray, fat loss, health, healthy, heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity  Posted in: Natural health, arthritis, cholesterol, diet, fibromyalgia, fish oil, glucosamine, healthy diet, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint care, natural treatment, nutrition, supplements  No Comments

The miracle of fish oil

Since I was stricken last week with carbon monoxide poisoning,  I have been concerned about any damage to my brain.  As a result,  I have increased my intake of fish oil.  I normally take 2 or 3 pills but now I am taking 12 – 16 pills. I know this sounds like a lot but really it isn’t.

When Randal McCloy was removed from the Sago mine suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, his doctor, Dr. Bailes, was concerned about brain damage.  He contacted Dr. Barry Sears, creator of the Zone Diet, and author of Toxic Fat and the Omega Rx Zone.  Dr. Sears recommended the use of mass quantities of fish oil to help rebuild any damage from the toxic gas. Randall walked away from his experience with no damage from the gas.   Thats reason enough for me to take lots of fish oil.

http://www.wellsphere.com/healthy-living-article/miracle-of-fish-oil-randall-mccloy-jr/395364
http://www.polymva.com/pdf/Fish-Oil-and-Disease.pdf
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/4-9-2006-93107.asp
http://www.cbn.com/health/naturalhealth/drsears_mccloy2.aspx

Fish oil contains Omega 3’s which counteract the inflammation caused by Omega 6’s and help to build pathways and new tissue in your brain repairing any damage from toxins.  Omega 6’s, which are found in grains and particularly in processed foods cause inflammation of your cells.  This inflammation leads to metabolic syndrome and also chronic pain.  Omega 3’s conteract this problem.

Everyone needs Omega3’s.  But the sad truth is the modern American diet of processed and fast foods has led to an overload of  Omega 6’s and not enough Omega 3’s.  The result of this imbalance is an epidemic of unhealthiness in the from of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Try some fish oil for yourself and see if it doesn’t lower your blood pressure and change cholesterol levels.  If taking fish oil causes your to have fish burps, try keeping your pills in the freezer.

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January 3, 2010  Tags: blood pressure, diet, health, healthy, high cholesterol, obesity, type 2 diabetes  Posted in: Natural health, arthritis, back pain, cholesterol, diet, exercise, fibromyalgia, healthy diet, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint care, natural treatment, nutrition, supplements, type 2 diabetes  No Comments

Poor lifestyle habits and disease

 Poor lifestyle habits are responsible for the vast majority of the health problems most Americans are facing.  High blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and obesity are all around us and yet these illnesses are preventable and, if you have them, controllable.  The healthiest way to control them is by changing your eating and exercise habits.  No medication can make up for a diet of processed, non-nutritive foods, enough salt to float an ocean liner, and gallons of high fructose laden drinks. 

December 13, 2009  Tags: blood pressure, childhood obesity, diet, exercise, fat loss, health, healthy, heart disease, high cholesterol, kids, obesity, triglycerides, type 2 diabetes, weight loss, workout program  Posted in: childhood obesity, cholesterol, diet, exercise, fat loss, healthy diet, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, natural treatment, triglycerides, type 2 diabetes, weight loss  One Comment

New Year’s resolutions

It’s almost time for making New Year’s resolutions.  It your goal is to lose weight and get healthier, this year resolve to make a change that will get you the results you want.  Beachbody has all the tools, programs, and motivations to keep you going in the right direction.

Exercise and healthy diet are not only for weight loss.  In combination, exercise and healthy diet are the best and healthiest way to lower your blood pressure, lower your blood sugar, relieve stress, and improve your mood and mental clarity.

Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure can be prevented or controlled and possibly even eliminated by the use of healthy lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and exercise.  

Make 2010 the year you resolve to be healthy.

To find out more

The Zone: A Dietary Road Map to Lose Weight Permanently : Reset Your Genetic Code : Prevent Disease : Achieve Maximum Physical Performance

December 12, 2009  Tags: blood pressure, childhood obesity, diet, exercise, fat loss, health, healthy, heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, triglycerides, type 2 diabetes, weight loss, workout program  Posted in: Natural health, diet, exercise, fat loss, healthy diet, heart disease, high blood pressure, natural treatment, triglycerides, type 2 diabetes, weight loss  5 Comments

Spending quality time

Today’s parents are so busy.   Our lives are full of work, and trying to schedule all our family obligations around our work obligations.  Finding a way and the time to be with our kids is hard. 

Obesity among children has been on the rise since the 80’s.  More and more kids are sitting in front of the computer, or the t.v., or a video game.  More and more parents are feeding their kids mass quantities of unhealthy snacks, fast food meals, and sugar sweetened drinks.  Combine these 2 unhealthy activities and you have a recipe for obese, unhealthy kids.   

So when you do find time to spend with your kids wouldn’t it be great to do something fun and healthy at the same time?  What better gift can you give your child than the gift of not only your time but the gift of health and the skills and knowledge they need to grow up healthy and strong?

Exercising and preparing healthy foods with your kids is a great way to spend some time with them and give them a healthy start in life.  Instead of sitting in front of the t.v. , take them out for a hike in the woods or start a walking program.  Walking is great exercise and it gives you a chance to be together and talk about things at the same time as you are burning calories, building muscle, and increasing your cardiorespiratory strength at the same time.

If the weather is bad or you just can’t go out there are good kids fitness programs that you can do with your kids in the comfort of your home.  These programs are fun and healthy.  Work out with your kids to one of these programs.  Working out together is a great way to bond and get healthier at the same time.  Plus you are teaching them skills that will help them grow up strong and healthy.  And as parents isn’t that what we all want?

Shaun T’s Fit Kids Club

Shaun T’s got a new workout FOR KIDS ONLY! Get down and get fit with Shaun T’s Fit Kids Club workouts for kids ages 7 and up! It’s all about sweat, strength, and FUN with mad awesome dance moves that keep you healthy and energized! It doesn’t matter what your size or shape is—or even if you can’t dance. Shaun T will teach you cool, new steps with rad music so you’ll be rockin’ out in no time! These workouts are so much fun, you won’t even feel like they’re exercise!

With a childhood obesity crisis sweeping the nation, choreographer to the stars Shaun T wanted to create a program that would get kids off the couch and on their feet. The most important thing was that these workouts had to be fun! And that’s how the Fit Kids Club program was invented. By teaching kids cool, modern dance moves these workouts never feel like exercise.

Get Shaun T’s Fit Kids Club  Here

November 11, 2009  Tags: childhood obesity, exercise, fat loss, health, healthy, kids, obesity, parents, quality time, teaching, weight loss  Posted in: childhood obesity, diet, fat loss, healthy diet, kids, teaching, weight loss  No Comments

A pound of cure

If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, doesn’t it make sense to prevent obesity related diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease before they start rather than try to “cure” them after they start?

Visit   http://fitnesssquadron.com    to find out how to prevent obesity related diseases and live a longer, healthier life.  Do it for the ones you love but mostly do it for yourself.

If you already have these diseases, we can help you manage them as well.

http://fitnesssquadron.com

October 23, 2009  Tags: diet, exercise, fat loss, health, healthy, heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, Team BeachBody, type 2 diabetes, weight loss, workout program  Posted in: cholesterol, exercise, fat loss, healthy diet, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, triglycerides, type 2 diabetes, weight loss  3 Comments

RevAbs – Your 90-Day Ab Solution Package

RevAbs is the latest fitness program in the Beachbody family. Created by Brett Hoebel, this brand new ab system is specifically designed to burn off the fat and give you a six-pack in just 90 days. Also available in the Deluxe version

Rev it up with RevAbs!

October 15, 2009  Tags: abs, exercise, fat loss, health, six pack abs, weight loss, workout program  Posted in: RevAbs, Uncategorized, abs, diet, exercise, fat loss, healthy diet, six pack abs, weight loss  No Comments

Fighting food cravings

We have all experienced that intense urge for something, anything, not necessarily sure what, but usually something unhealthy.  Chocolate, ice cream, chips, doughnuts.  If you are trying to lose weight giving in to those cravings can really set you back. 

The best way to fight those cravings is to try not to go without eating for too long.  Eating smaller amounts more often can cut back on hunger pangs and reduce cravings.  Also, find low calorie healthier alternatives to the foods you normally crave.  This way you are prepared when the urge strikes. 

If you know you like chocolate, try drinking a chocolate protein shake or only eat a small piece of chocolate rather than a whole bar.  Share the rest of the bar with family or friends.  When the urge for something sweet hits, eat a container of yogurt or a piece of fruit. On of my favorite snacks is a protein smoothie.  I puree fruit, mix it with yogurt, a little water, and vanilla protein powder.  It has the texture of a melted milkshake but much healthier. 

Another good idea is to set aside one day a week as a cheat day.  This way you can indulge in something totally unhealthy without feeling guilty, knowing that tomorrow you will be back to your healthy, virtuous self.

Click here to learn how to lose weight and get in shape the healthy way

October 12, 2009  Tags: diet, fat loss, food cravings, food substitutions, health, healthy, weight loss, whey protein shake  Posted in: Uncategorized, diet, fat loss, food substitutions, weight loss  No Comments

My daughter running half marathon for cancer

My Daughter is running  the Walt Disney Half Marathon on 9 January 2010 to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. She is trying to raise $5000 by November. She is running this half marathon in honor of one of her high school classmates, Sara Cooper, who died from Non-Hodgkin’s Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma in her senior year.

Please donate to help save lives.  No amount is too small.

Go to her page for all the details.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/md/wdw10/tadkins96h

August 27, 2009  Tags: donate, fundraising, half marathon, running, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training  Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

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