Naturopathic Doctor Mary Schrick's Newsletter

Vol. 1

April, 2005

April is:

• Autism Awareness Month
• Cancer Awareness Month
• Cesarean Awareness Month
• Facial Protection Month
• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Awareness Month
• Occupational Therapy Month
• Public Health Week
• Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month

This Month’s Issue Includes:

• Autism and Alzheimers , By Mary Schrick, N.D.
• Face Forward, By Robyn K. Cowherd
• Cesarean Birth, By Robyn K. Cowherd
• Cancer Control, By Robyn K. Cowherd
• A Great New Imposter, By Cathy Hopkins, N.D.
• Anti-Inflammatory Diet, By Dr. Kamla Knight
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome, By Robyn K. Cowherd
• Just How Aware Are You?, By Robyn K. Cowherd
• Calendar of Events
• Radio Program Listing
• Starr Walker Savings ~
• Recipe – Robyn’s GORP Recipe ~ Good Old Reaming Power

Autism and Alzheimers 

Mary Schrick, N.D.

Autism and Alzheimers disease share a common cause…mercury.  Evidence was presented showing this at this years’ Doctors for Disaster Preparedness meeting. Dr. Boyd Haley Professor and Chair of the Chemistry Department at the University of Kentucky, presented this information.

Mercury, unlike other metals, is liquid at room temperature.  It releases a steady stream of gaseous mercury atoms that linger in the atmosphere for months, eventually falling to the earth in raindrops.  The three greatest sources of human exposure to this highly toxic substance are fish, vaccines and dental amalgams.

Isn’t it strange that the CDC address the fish – mercury issue while ignoring  and refusing to research the 2 greatest sources of mercury contamination, dental amalgams and vaccines.  They ignore or discount information provided by epidemiological studies, animal studies in rodents, primates and sheep, and even clinical studies in adults and children.

I find it very interesting that autism, discovered in 1943 in American children, 12 years after ethyl mercury (thimerosal) was added to the pertussis vaccine.  The disease was not seen in Europe until the 1950’s after thimerosol was added to their vaccines.

Mercury has been identified as a likely causative factor in delayed speech and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Investigative research has shown a direct relationship between increasing doses of mercury in vaccines and autism.  In the 1950’s the immunization schedule called for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and small pox.  During that time 1 in 10,000 children developed autism.  Since then the number of vaccines “required” has risen and so has the incidence of autism.  Children born in 1981 were given, on average, about 135 micrograms of mercury.  The autism rate went from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 2600 children.  But it gets worse.  Today the immunization schedule approved by the CDC includes 13 vaccines with booster shots, 33 times before a child reaches age 2.  At age 2 the brain is not fully developed and mercury interferes with brain development.  The figures of autism, by the way, are currently 1 in 100 boys and 1 in 400 girls. Physicians diagnose 100,000 new cases of autism every year in the U.S.  Is there a connection between Autism and mercury in vaccines?  The statistics speak for themselves!

FACE FORWARD

Robyn K. Cowherd

How many times growing up did your mother say, “Don’t pick at your face,” or “Keep your hands away from your face!” Oh, the wisdom of mothers! Our faces contain most of our orifices to the outside world. Germs carried on the hands to the face make their way into the various bodily openings and then they can set up housekeeping. Keeping both the hands and the face clean will go a long way toward keeping the germs out.

   Well, April is also Facial Protection Month. I don’t know why the month of April was chosen for this recognition, but perhaps it’s because we are going into the summer months. People are probably out of doors more in April through fall. The days are longer so we are exposed to the sun more. In any case, facial protection is always important, but especially so from now through fall.

   The first place to begin in protecting the face is with good nutritional habits. Beautiful skin, in general, comes from the inside. In our culture people try to make beautiful faces by applying them; but the real beginning of beauty starts inside. Back to the wisdom of mothers. Remember when she used to tell us, “Pretty is as pretty does?” I know this applies to our actions, but it also applies to our nutritional actions. Beyond that, step one in the nutritional department is to hydrate. Drinking plenty of water keeps the face moist. Spritzing the face with water periodically is a beneficial habit. Make sure to use purified water. Adding a bit of your favorite essential oil will also perk you up – especially if you have to be indoors under artificial lighting all day. Just be careful not to use too much oil and don’t get it into your eyes.

   Starr-Walker skin care products are designed to protect your face as well as to enhance the health and youthfulness of the skin. Chemicals found in moisturizers and make-up make their way into your blood stream. Using products that are free of additives and full of antioxidant properties is crucial to a healthy glow. Antioxidants that are taken internally will benefit your face. Additionally, the Starr-Walker products include the important antioxidants Vitamin C oil, Alpha Lipoic Acid Oil which helps rid the skin of toxins, and DMAE which helps increase smoothness and reduce fine lines. The molecular copper is a great product to keep in your cosmetic arsenal. Applying it with a cotton ball helps to tighten skin and pores. Starr-Walker does not currently carry make-up. However, the other day I noticed that “Burt’s Bees” does. Some of you have asked about make-up and you might check that out. Let us know what you think.

Natural progesterone cream softens skin. If you have done the saliva hormone test and you are currently using the Provest, you can apply it to your face. You do need to rotate application sites, though, so that precludes putting it on the face daily.

Facial massage is very relaxing. It is a good idea to lie on a slant board with the head on the lower end of the board to increase circulation to the face. Plain olive oil is perfect to use for the massage. Using a circular motion, begin at the neck and work your way up to the forehead. Do this for several minutes. When you are finished, quickly rub your hands together, generating heat, and place your palms over your eyes. You will be amazed at how wonderful this feels.

Once you finish your facial massage, go to bed. Rest is crucial for the body to repair itself. Have you noticed that when you don’t get enough sleep your face is puffy – especially under the eyes? How well we are taking care of ourselves is written on our faces. Sleep deprivation is a major problem in America. We are too busy rushing around. Even when we lie down to sleep, we take our troubles to bed. Establish a healthy bedtime routine and get 7-9 hours of “shuteye.” Your face will thank you.

   Another vital way to protect your face, and the rest of your body, is to refrain from smoking. Smoking damages collagen. It also contributes to wrinkling of the skin. Cancer of the mouth or throat and subsequent surgical removal is certainly not very protective of the face!

   Sugar causes wrinkles and is a major culprit in aging. Remember, too, that a cancer cell has 6 times more insulin cell receptor sites than a healthy cell. Sugar feeds cancer. It also feeds candida and it is void of anything beneficial whatsoever. It is empty calories. Limit your intake, and don’t substitute with artificial sweeteners which cause their own set of problems!

   With the summer months approaching, consider staying out of the sun during the harshest hours of 10a.m-2p.m. If you must be in the sun during those hours, wear a broad-brimmed hat and protective neck covering. Certain physical imbalances cause sun sensitivity, such as lupus and rosacea and there are companies that specialize in sun-protective clothing. You can probably locate one on the internet. It is important to get some sunshine on as much of your skin as possible each day. Get out into the fresh air and sunshine, but use discretion.

   “Put your best face forward” by making these things a habit. While you’re at it, don’t forget to take care of your neck, too. Think of your face as extending to your collarbones. Eat well, exercise, drink lots of water, get plenty of rest and incorporate Starr-Walker products into your facial care regime. Really, when you get right down to it, it’s obvious that facial protection has the same foundational components essential to general health and wellness.

 Cesarean Birth

 Robyn K. Cowherd

   April is “Cesarean Awareness Month.” Say the word, “Cesarean,” and people think of birth by Cesarean section. They do not think “Cesar (or Caesar) Salad.” Nor do they think “King Caesar.” Cesarean birth has become so commonplace and acceptable here in the Western world that many people are probably not aware that it can be quite risky.

   Birth by cesarean section became an approach to infant delivery due to an unusually stressed birth. This method of delivery has probably saved thousands of mothers and children from death. On the other hand, in extreme cases it is used as a way to time a birth to the convenience of parents and doctors as well as spare the mother the pain and discomfort of natural childbirth.

   When discussing cesarean birth, it is important to consider general attitudes toward birthing in the Western world. First, it is an activity most often done in a hospital, under the supervision of a doctor – suggesting that it is an unnatural process. Again, without doctors and hospitals, many mothers and children would have died; but turning this event of life into an illness to be managed often creates other problems.

   Passing through the birth canal stimulates the internal organs of the infant. The squeezing effect is by design. Have you ever watched an animal with her newborn? She licks it all over. This stimulates the internal organs. Sometimes, as a result, the baby urinates or defecates. Human babies also need this. We don’t lick our babies all over (although we do a lot of kissing!). This natural stimulation is provided by passing through the vaginal canal.

   The drugs that have to be given to anesthetize the mother also effect the infant. No drug has been proven safe for tiny infant bodies. For that matter, has any drug been actually proven safe for anyone – without any side effects? Drugs can, and usually do, suppress the natural inclination of the infant to suckle. This often leads to introduction of synthetic nipples and baby bottles in order to get liquids into the baby’s system. Breastfeeding is hard work and babies have to learn the process. Synthetic nipples can lead to “nipple confusion” as well as introduce nitrosamines used in their manufacture.

   Second, women do not generally watch other women give birth. Since we tend to view birth as something to be managed, we seem to have a tendency to think that the hard work of birthing is not normal. It is normal. Even pain and discomfort are normal. Since it has been removed from the natural flow of life to the hospital setting, it is important for parents to be very well-informed about their birthing rights. They need to know about the potential intrusions that the hospital environment will introduce and how to avoid them. This includes the potential for an unnecessary cesarean intervention. Knowing what to expect in the laboring process and relaxing into that process is essential. Having a birth plan and working in tandem with a supportive birth team goes a long way toward prevention of emergencies.

   There are many effective birthing classes. The one that I used for our children (and taught for a period of time) was The Bradley Method® - also known as Husband Coached Childbirth®. These classes do not teach “the breathing” method. Rather, they emphasize natural birthing through good training, good nutrition, and by relaxing through the entire labor. The goal is “Healthy Mother, Healthy Babies and Healthy Families.” The following is a quotation taken from The Bradley Method’s® website:

1. The Bradley Method^® teaches couples ways to stay low risk. While occasionally there are risk factors out of your control, staying healthy and low risk can help to avoid complications. Low risk mothers have more choices.

 2. Relaxation is the Key to The Bradley Method^® during labor. It is the safest and most effective way to reduce unnecessary pain and to handle any pain that you do experience. While other methods seek to control the sensations of labor (emphasizing distraction as their primary labor control technique), The Bradley Method^® encourages mothers to trust their bodies (emphasizing relaxed abdominal breathing and relaxation throughout labor).”

   Thirdly, our sedentary society does not always produce strong bodies for giving birth. If a woman has never had a chiropractic adjustment and has subluxations of the spinal column, the space in the pelvic cavity may be reduced. Good chiropractic care throughout pregnancy is vital and helps to give the baby ample room to stretch and grow and ultimately to assume the proper head-down birthing position. Of course, good pre-natal chiropractic care contributes greatly toward a more comfortable pregnancy when back and hip pain can be intense. Our own chiropractor, Dr. Kamala Knight, is a mother and keenly aware of the importance of chiropractic care during pregnancy.

   If you are interested in reducing the risk of an unnecessary cesarean in your family, it is important to become well-informed, eat well, exercise and find a team who will be supportive of your desire for natural birthing and parenting. To find a Bradley Method® instructor in your area, you can go to www.bradleybirth.com. I can personally recommend this method from first-hand experience. Be sure and include chiropractic, exercise, good eating habits and Starr-Walker nutritional supplements. Be More Alive in 2005 and have babies who are More Alive in 2005!

CANCER CONTROL

Robyn K. Cowherd

   “Cancer Control Month.” Maybe this morning I am just more cynical than usual about “cancer control.” Maybe it’s because I just heard Dr. Mary on the radio giving an astounding statistic. The CNN article “Progress slow in war against cancer” is dated November 14, 1995, and begins, “In 1971, President Richard Nixon declared war on cancer. Almost 25 years later, the war is still being waged. But is modern medicine winning the fight?”

   Excuse me, but I am beginning to be very skeptical about declarations of war. I find it interesting that war was declared by a president and that at least one of the weapons appears to me to be the same as that used in fighting other nations – radiation!  How can it be that radiation used as warfare is something we certainly don’t want poured out on any of our cities, but we inject it to treat cancer? I have trouble making sense of the concept that something as hideously toxic as radiation should be taken internally.

Maybe that’s why this is called Cancer Control Month. Cancer is definitely in control. The CNN article goes on to cite a three-year-old child who has leukemia and to quote Dr. Andrew Yeager of Atlanta’s Egleston Children’s Hospital - “We’re talking about cure rates now in some kinds of childhood leukemia that are in excess of two-thirds, around 70 percent. That really is progress,…That’s compared to maybe 35 percent 25 years ago and compared to zero, 40 to 45 years ago. So this is really progress.” This is a comforting statistic. Childhood leukemia does seem to be an area where positive strides have been made. Yet, one of the questions still lurking in my mind is, “What does ultrasound do to the blood cells of developing fetuses?”

A June 9, 1999, report (from CNN.com – (Reuters)) states, “Ultrasound scans, routinely used to look at internal organs and to monitor the growth of a developing fetus, can stop cells from dividing normally, Irish scientists said Wednesday.” One of the problems with the report is that the study was done on mice. “…Researchers at University College in Dublin told New Scientist magazine it is too early to tell if the changes they found in the cells of mice are harmless or what the implications of the findings could be for humans. ‘It has been assumed for a long time that ultrasound has no effect on cells,’ said Patrick Brennan, who led the research team. ‘We now have grounds to question that assumption.’” Who assumed that ultrasound had no effect on cells? How could it not have an effect on cells? As I understand ultrasound (and, granted, it is a lay person’s understanding), it is a process of speeding cells up to the point that they produce enough heat to reveal what is going on inside the uterus! So, I certainly do not include myself in the collective “we” of those who have assumed its safety. This article seems to indicate that there is not a question until some 15-20 years after the fact of having used something assumed to have “no effect on cells.” Instead we perform a diagnostic procedure on a whole generation of fetuses and “assume” that it’s okay! Interestingly, in November of 1999, the British Journal of Medicine reported on a Swedish study done with children that showed no relationship between ultrasound and later damaging effects. I hope there is no link.

   My point is that we continue to do things that are damaging. If we really wanted to eradicate (as opposed to irradiate!) cancer; not just “control” it, wouldn’t it be a good idea to deal with causes? The CNN article (Progress slow in war against cancer; November 14, 1995) quotes Dr. John Bailar of the University of Chicago, “’There hasn’t been very much progress in terms of how cancer affects people,’ he said.  ‘The death rate has gone up. The incidence rate – that is, the risk of getting cancer – has gone up. The survival rate of patients who get cancer has probably improved a little bit, but not very much.’

   Bailar thinks modern medicine needs to change its strategy ’to put most of our efforts into a search for ways to prevent cancer so that treatment is never necessary.’

   Others disagree. ’We still have to ask patients and the country to be somewhat patient.’ Said Dr. Harmon Eyre, the chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society ’But we are making steady advances.’

   Eyre blames the lack of breakthroughs on the sheer complexity of the problem.

   The basic strategies for treating cancer, which include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, are the same now as they were 25 years ago. But there have been improvements in each area. Surgery is less disfiguring, radiation more precise, and the drugs more potent.

   Somehow those statements aren’t very comforting to me. Surgery, radiation, potent drugs… They are alarming, especially when coupled with the statistic that when this war was declared, 1 in 30 people got cancer. Now, 1 in 3 gets cancer. If you keep doing the same thing and getting the same, or worse, results, doesn’t it make sense to change the approach? I think so; but getting people to change habits before the crisis hits is also very challenging.

   If 1 in 3 people gets cancer, everyone reading this article has probably either had cancer or knows someone who has had cancer. That diagnosis is one of the most frightening to receive. We don’t have control over all of the risk factors for cancer. Our environment becomes more and more polluted. The stress in our lives continues to climb, and our food is not very pure. Instead of controlling cancer, let’s encourage one another to control as many of the risk factors as we can. We don’t have to smoke. We can exercise. We can do various things to reduce our stress. We can choose to eat as wisely as possible; and we can rest. Supplements that control free radical damage are also essential.

   My hope is that you and I will not have to deal with cancer; but the statistics suggest otherwise. Arm yourself with information and good habits. As we learn more and more about the human body, we are continually reminded of the importance of health at the cellular level. A person may have a genetic predisposition toward cancer. The following is taken from the Springboard Website: “The cancer cell doesn't think of itself as a bad cell. It thinks of itself as a cell that outsmarted you, and it is going to live on. You might die, but it is going to try to live on. But the gene that normally functions to cause that cell to commit programmed cell suicide is the gene called P53. In the 1/28/98 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) is an article entitled "To Die or Not to Die." They are not talking about your life, though they well could be. They are talking about the cell and what controls and determines if it dies on time as it ought to. They refer to gene P53 as the gene that tells the cell to die on time, and BCL2 is the gene that blocks this. So if BCL2 is the dominant one you'll develop cancer. If P53 is the dominant one you won't.”

Do the healthy things that keep the helpful genes turned on and the dangerous ones turned off! If you, or someone you know, is diagnosed with cancer, remember that we carry the Poly MVA which has been helpful to a lot of people. We also have treatment modalities available at the Full Circle Health Clinic which may assist you in regaining your balance. Let’s work toward getting out of the control of cancer.

A Great New Imposter

 

Cathy Hopkins N.D.

(Borrelia Burgdorferi)
Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease was first discovered in 1975 in the rural community around Old Lyme Connecticut, when two mothers were told that their children had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.  The name “Juvenile” does not distinguish its clinical pattern from that of “Adult” Rheumatoid Arthritis, but merely tells the parent that this horrible, crippling disease occurred in their child, a fact that most parents already know.  What was new was the diagnoses of “Rheumatoid Arthritis.”

These two mothers soon learned that many other children and adults in their region were afflicted with the same symptoms; and Rheumatoid Arthritis does not usually cluster in a specific geographic area, (with some exceptions).

Lyme Disease appears in every state of the union and is prevalent on 6 continents. Infection by Borrelia Burgdorferi occurs chiefly in the spring, summer or early fall, because of the life cycle.

MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SPREAD DISEASE

It has now been shown that ticks are not the only way the spirochete can be spread.  Researchers and doctors have found live spirochetes of Lyme in fleas, mites, and mosquitoes.  It was first thought the disease couldn’t be transmitted directly from human to human; the live spirochetes have now been found in blood, urine, tears, semen, breast milk, cord blood, and vaginal secretions.

Doctors who specialize in treating the disease are convinced it can be passed from one infected person to another by several means, particularly through repeated sexual contact and passage through the placenta in the womb.  Given Lyme’s syphilis-like nature, this shouldn’t be surprising.

The CDC has now admitted what researchers found years ago, that Borrelia Burgdorferi survive the purification process of donated blood and could be passed through blood transfusions. There’s even a possibility that our food supply could be a source of the spirochete.  At the University of Wisconsin the researchers have found dairy cattle infected with the Bb bacterium, which raises the question of whether milk or other products in our food chain may be a danger.

NAME THAT DISEASE

The problems and symptoms linked with Lyme, the new “great imposter,” can mimic over 350 different medical conditions. Some of the misdiagnosed diseases are: Lou Gehrig’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Bell’s palsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart palpitations, ADD, sleep apnea, mitral valve prolapse, endometriosis, the list goes on and on. Actually, there are very few symptoms where one should not consider Lyme, especially given that a quarter of the U.S. population may be affected.  It is estimated that Lyme disease may be a contributing factor in more than 50% of chronically ill people.

SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR A LYME SCREENING

If you have suddenly been struck with a ”labeled” disease it would be wise for you to get a screening for Lyme.
Contact the Full Circle Health Clinic at 405-753-9355  and make an appointment with me, Cathy Hopkins, N.D.

I will use the latest technology out of Germany, and determine the product that can neutralize the bacterium of Lyme. I will also make suggestions on supplements that support the liver and aid in detoxification.

My hope is that you will be more alert to the problem and realize there are solutions.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Dr. Kamla Knight

The supplement with anti-inflammatory nutrients while continuing to ingest pro-inflammatory substances is counter-productive.  These dietary guidelines help reduce inflammation for most people and are recommended by Dr. Knight.

1.      Decrease or eliminate red meat and dairy products.  Some arthritis patients also seem to react to poultry.

2.      Decrease or eliminate refined sugar.

3.      Eliminate caffeine (including coffee, black tea, cola drinks, and chocolate).

4.      Eliminate any likely food allergens during the initial three or four weeks such as gluten grains, citrus fruit, and night shade vegetables (tomatoes, white potatoes, red and green peppers, eggplant, paprika, and tobacco).These foods can be added back into the diet one at a time (one new food every third day) while carefully observing the effect. Forms are available to make it easier to monitor the effect of these foods.

5.      Drink plenty of pure water. Chlorine is an antibiotic and can diminish our friendly gut flora.  Studies have associated chlorine in drinking water with increased risk of some types of cancer. It is probably best to drink at least a half hour before the meal and no sooner than an hour after so the digestive juices won’t be diluted.

6.      Increase your consumption of fresh, raw or lightly steamed fruits and vegetables.  Good fruit choices include apples, bananas, grapes, mangoes, papayas, peaches, pears, prunes, kiwis, and other sub-acid fruits.  Use discretion if you have blood sugar problems; although fruit often does not cause a problem if the diet is low fat and high fiber.  Good vegetables include asparagus, spinach, zucchini, parsley, artichoke (without the butter), kelp and other sea-veggies, okra, snow peas and many more. Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower as well as onions, chives, and peppers are very nutritious but may create digestive difficulties for some people.  The solution is often simply chewing the food better and possibly adding supplemental digestive enzymes such as Starr Walker Digestive Enzymes.  Spices such as garlic, tumeric, etc. are also very healthy and should be used regularly if well tolerated.

7.      For snacks, consider raw vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds.  The fruits and veggies contain lots of enzymes, bioflavonoids, and other phytochemical, while the raw nuts and seeds are rich in essential fatty acids, especially flax seeds, pumpkins and sunflower seeds, walnuts and almonds (Almonds can be allergenic to some people). Raw seeds, like sesame and flax, need to be ground for proper digestion.  An electric coffee grinder works well.  These healthy snacks can be combined e.g. raw vegetable sticks dipped in tahini (ground sesame seeds) or almond butter.

These suggestions are very helpful for most people with inflammatory conditions such as sprains, strains, bursitis, tendonitis, arthritis, etc. and can be used in conjunction with supplementation.  Most people find that eating this way also often lowers blood lipids, smoothes out blood sugar variations, helps with weight management, reduces digestive problems, increases energy, and more.  It is important to note that fats digest more slowly so when fat is reduced in the diet, we may become hungry sooner and be tempted to eat M&M’s, corn chips, snack crackers, cookies, etc.  This hunger is not a problem if we have prepared plenty of healthy snacks as mentioned above.

JUST HOW AWARE ARE YOU?

Robyn K. Cowherd

Have you ever wondered how various causes get their places on the calendar? I have. Are they self-appointed? Is there a governmental office tucked away in Washington D.C. somewhere paying personnel billions of dollars to arrange calendars with equally apportioned designations to various concerns? C’mon, now, really…”Cesarean Awareness Month, Facial Protection Month, IBS Awareness Month, Cancer Control Month, Occupational Therapy Month, Public Health Week, Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month…and on and on, month after month. Give me a break! There are only 12 months a year! We are supposed to be aware of so many things that we need a new designation - “Be Aware of Awarenesses Month.” Would anyone like to form a committee so we can submit a proposal?

   Well, there’s one thing about it, being aware is what a newsletter is all about. So, we do thank Susie, who compiles this newsletter, for finding out what we are supposed to be aware of. Tell us, Susie, are you a member of that clandestine committee?

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Robyn K. Cowherd

   Just riding home from the restaurant after eating out can be a torturous experience for the person suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Because of the extreme sensitivity of the bowel muscles, this person may have to stop several times to find a restroom.

   What causes such an annoying, and “irritating” problem? Probably a number of things contribute to IBS. Brenda Watson is a leading Colon Hydrotherapist and President of the International Association of Colon Therapists. In her article in the I-ACT Quarterly, Fall 2003, she states: “The fact that the cause of IBS is officially “unknown” from the point of view of mainstream medicine may be due largely to the fact that medical doctors seldom perform the specialized diagnostic procedures needed to rule out such conditions as parasites or Candida, which may be unsuspected causes of the disorder. These important conditions should not be overlooked – and generally will not be by holistic practitioners. Some other conditions that need to be ruled out where IBS symptoms are present are diverticular disease, infectious diarrhea, lactose intolerance, celiac disease and infection of the small intestine from bacterial overgrowth.”

   Considering the typical SAD (Standard American Diet), it is vital that a person suffering from this disorder keep very close tabs on food allergies and sensitivities. The best way that I know of to ascertain these problems is to have the MSAS screening done by Dr. Cathy Hopkins. Dr. Hopkins is trained on this specialized technology from Germany. Once the sensitivities are determined, then the person takes homeopathic remedies to desensitize themselves to the offending allergens. If allergies or sensitivities go untreated over a long period of time, they can cause serious imbalance and disease.

   It is also interesting to note that lack of fiber may contribute to IBS. When the bowel has to work without the benefit of enough fiber to move the food bolus through the colon, it has to work harder. The muscles have to bear down tighter and harder to move the fecal matter through the colon and then when it passes, it may pass as small, stringy, mucus-like matter. On the contrary, when a reasonable amount of wholesome fiber is introduced, the fiber attaches to the mucus and other debris and is much more easily passed through the length of the colon. Quoting again from Brenda Watson’s article, “The reasoning is that sufficient fiber can speed the transit time of food. This means food is not sitting in your colon for long periods producing more toxins, which then may be absorbed into the bloodstream. In making decisions regarding fiber supplements, it is important to distinguish between soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber, as the name implies, dissolves and absorbs water. Soluble fiber appears to bind with toxins, cholesterol and fats in the digestive tract so that the cholesterol can’t be absorbed. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve or absorb water. It is a rough fiber that sweeps clean the intestines as it passes through them.” We carry Fiber Power made by Springboard which is an excellent fiber supplement. It contains sprouted grains, pumpkin seed meal (good for the prostate and for parasites), as well as some psyllium and apple pectin. It does a great job of “sweeping” the intestines.

   The recommendations for the management of IBS (from the above-mentioned article) include:

·             “Rule out underlying causes (such as Candida and parasites).

·             Change your diet to one that will exclude irritating foods, such as alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, dairy products, sugar and those that are high in sulfur (garlic, onions, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts).

·             Increase fiber intake with flax.

·             Replace intestinal flora (with probiotics like acidophilus and bifidus).

·             Use supportive herbs to help soothe the digestive tract.

·             Use L-glutamine and Naceytl-glucosamine, which supports the intestinal lining.

·             Include gamma oryzanol to soothe the colon.

·             Drink plenty of water.

·             Try colon hydrotherapy.”

Rx Laughter:

Patient:  “Doctor, I have been having a severe problem with my memory.”

Doctor:  “How long have you had this problem?”

Patient:  “What problem?”

The information contained within this newsletter is not meant to take the place of the advice or instruction of your physician or health care professional. It is offered here for educational purposes only.

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