Naturopathic Doctor Mary Schrick's Newsletter

Vol. 2

February, 2005

February is:

• American Heart Month
• Children’s Dental Health Month
• Kids Ear, Nose & Throat Month
• Low Vision Awareness Month

This Month’s Issue Includes:

• Children’s Dental Health, By Dr. Terry Bass, D.D.S.
• Water, Your Heart and Sodium
• A Banana A Day, Keeps the Doctor Away!
• Health Consequences of a Vitamin B-12 Deficiency

• Calendar of Events
• Radio Program Listing
• Starr Walker Savings ~
• Recipe – Healthy Sweets for Your Sweetie – French Silk Dessert

Children’s Dental Health

    According to some recent studies children’s decay rate is taking a decline, but that study is deceiving.  These studies and most dental offices use a hand instrument called an explorer or dental pick to find decay.  The explorer has been used for hundreds of years and misses about fifty percent of decay.  Dr. Bass uses a diagnostic laser that is ninety five percent accurate, and can detect decay in the early stages. 

If detected early it is possible to sand blast the decay; this will eliminate the need for a drill or a needle. A technique called a sealant may be placed on the teeth to help prevent decay.  A sealant is brushed on the tooth; it is similar to painting a fingernail. Sealants may be placed on both children and adults. 

You may contact Dr. Bass’ office at 405-848-7780 or on the web at drterrybass.com.

Water, Your Heart and Sodium

The compound known as “salt” consists of the elements sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl). Many people use the word salt when intending to refer only to sodium. Every water supply contains some sodium and chlorides. Normally the chloride level of well water exceeds the sodium level—often by 50 percent. This is typically caused by the relative atoms weights of each and the tendency of the soil to retard or chemically combine more with sodium. Substantially higher levels of Na or Cl tends to imply contamination by activities of man including: use of road de-icing salts, human and animal waste disposal, leachate from landfills and many other activities. In 1988, EPA removed sodium from the list of drinking water contaminants to be formally regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act. When considering the health importance of Na and Cl, we assume that water users consume two liters of water per day and recognize that, on average, 30 percent of a person’s daily sodium intake is from drinking water. Persons on a sodium restrictive diet should have their water evaluated to eliminate all possible sources of sodium when attempting to reduce their overall sodium intake. EPA has recommended that sodium levels not exceed 250 mg/l for those persons on a physician-prescribed “no salt diet”. So for consumers that are having a problem getting a handle on their blood pressure levels and your medicine doesn’t seem to be helping look no farther than your water faucet. You are 75 percent water, pure, clean water will make you feel better and your heart will love you for it.

A Banana A Day Keeps The Doctor Away!

After Reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at a banana in the same way again!

 Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.

 No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

 But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

 Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana.  This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

 PMS: Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

 Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

 Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making

it the perfect way to beat blood pressure.  So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

 Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

 Hangovers:  One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and  re-hydrates your system.

 Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

 Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

 Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

 Nerves:  Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

 Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers.  For example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

 Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

 Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

 Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance.  When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

 Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say,

"A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

Health Consequences of a Vitamin B12 Deficiency

It is widely recognized that vitamin B12 in combination with folic acid is essential for your body’s health.  A deficiency can result in a particular form of anemia called pernicious anemia. However, as we continually expand our knowledge of biochemistry, it is being recognized that these vitamins fill far more broad ranging requirements. B-vitamins are needed to lower your homocystine level, and current research data suggests that a lowered homocystine level is more beneficial than a lowered cholesterol level in fighting heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.  Could it be that a B12 (and folic acid) deficiency contributes to the development of many degenerative diseases that we commonly associate with aging?

The absorption of vitamin B12 requires a highly specialized process, which tends to become less effective with age. For this reason it is common for doctors to give elderly people B12 shots which result in them feeling much better and more energetic.

Although B-12 and Folic Acid supplements are available at any health food store, your ability to absorb the B Vitamins from food and oral pills decreases as you age.  Therefore, getting the B-12 vitamin your body needs has not been easy. The shots can be painful and expensive.

What’s “The Solution”?  The Solution is the Starr Walker product called “The Solution” which consists of Vitamins B-12, B-6 & Folic Acid.  This liquid product is simply placed under your tongue and absorbed, where it can speed the vitamins directly into your bloodstream. This helps your body get the maximum absorption of the vitamin B nutrients into your system, effective as the shot and without the pain.  The B-12, B-6, & Folic Acid gives you the increased energy and stamina you need to do the things you want to do.

The Starr Walker B-12x 6 with Folic Acid gives your body nutrients it needs to naturally give you:

·         Increased energy

·         Restored mental clarity, and avoid memory loss

·         Reduced daily stress and anxiety

·         And many other great health benefits

Rx Laughter:

A young boy visited the dentist for his regular check-up.  The dentist, finding a cavity needing to be filled, said, “Let’s see what kind of filling shall I fill this with?”  The little boy quickly replied, “Chocolate!”

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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