How to keep your brain healthy? Use it

Using your brain is the best way to keep it healthy.

Why? A working brain has increased blood flow. Increased blood flow brings oxygen, nutrients and removes waste products. As your brain cells need oxygen to fully function, using your brain is a great way to increase its oxygen content.

Studies have shown that Alzhemier's is minimized by people who continuely exercise their brain. I'll locate some when I get a chance.

So exercise your brain to keep it healthy!

Breathe deeply while reading a book on astrophysics. If that will put you to sleep, try listening to language tapes while driving in your car.

Does TV work? Unless you're watching Jeapordy or trying to solve the case with Dr House, I don't think so.

Of course, one must eat healthy as well for proper brain health. But let's take one step at a time!

For now, pick up a great book and try to learn something new. If your partner tells you to get up, tell them you're exercising!

In health,
Ben

Medical School: High stress but keep going

Sittin here thinking I've gotta go to bed. My science board exams are on Tuesday and I've got to study hard and be focused. Every try to review 2 years worth of material...in a week? I'm giving it a shot. The good thing about med school is you get information over and over again - a slight twist on it or perhaps more in depth, but repeated. Lucky for us - and our patients.

All my classmates are hitting the 3rd year wall. Anxious to graduate but seriously fatigued from all the stress to perform. We're getting there. Week by week.

I must say the experience has been overall quite incredible. Would I repeat it? Nope. But becoming a doctor is becoming a lifelong student. I am prepared for that and look forward to continuing my education - outside of Bastyr University's walls!

August 2nd are my board exams. Think positive thoughts!

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment using Diet Therapy

My 29 year old wife has Rheumatoid Arthritis. Drug free and no progression of disease. How did we do it? Diet for the most part.

It is possible to get off of steroids, NSAID's and pain killers. In fact, it is far superior in my opinion. But do not let my opinion be any good.

Let the medical research community tell you. I have pulled up numerous randomized controlled studies and complementary and alternative medicine studies done on rheumatoid arthritis and diet therapy. Please follow the links below to read them.

DIRECTIONS to read the studies:
Click the randomized controlled studies link, then you must copy and paste (or type) this in:
arthritis, rheumatoid [majr] and diet therapy
then hit GO. The search results will show 39 studies.

If you'd like to read complementary and alternative medicine studies [111 of them] done on rheumatoid arthritis and diet therapy, follow this link and copy and paste the same search text:
arthritis, rheumatoid [majr] and diet therapy

You can read abstracts for free and some of the full studies are available free. If you'd like to read all a study that is not free, I recommend going to a nearby medical school or university library. They will have subscriptions most likely to PubMed and you can read most of them at no charge.

Beyond diet, my wife takes ArthroGenX daily and EPA/DHA from cold water fish oil. We are thinking about switching her from EPA/DHA from cold water fish oil to Borage Oil but I need to research that further. A professor of mine recommended that to me but I have yet to research it in depth.

I don't recommend just taking supplements or pain killers. One must remove the cause of immune flare-up first before any real positive change will occur. Taking ArthroGenX or EPA/DHA without removing food sensitivities will not do so much. To determine if you are sensitive to foods, you may do a lab test. Go to your doctor and request it. One lab that is pretty good for determining food allergies is Great Smokies.

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, there is hope. Tons of hope. In fact, it is not even hope. It is fact.

The basic premise for getting proper treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is to control the immune system naturally. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis but there is prevention of further damage.

As it is late, I am going to bed but I will write more about controlling the immune response naturally. Basically - limit food allergies or food intolerances and the immune system will have less things with which to react. With less antigens circulating in your blood, the less autoimmune damage there will be to your joints. Sound simple? It is.

Get better. You can. You will.

Questions? Email me. I'd be glad to provide more information.

In health,
Ben

Lower Cholesterol naturally - alternatives to Statin drugs

Huge topic. I can write a book on this but best not yet! Two more years of med school yet and by then I'll be even more versed in how to lower cholesterol naturally.

First: What is cholesterol?
According to Stedman's Medical Dictionary, cholesterol is "the most abundant steroid in animal tissues, especially in bile and gall stones, and present in food, especially rich in animal fats, circulates in plasma complexed to proteins of various densities and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atheroma formation in arteries."

What is pathogenesis of atheroma? It is the beginning stage of atherosclerosis which is the building of lipid [cholesterol] plaques within the structure of arteries. These plaques narrow the vessel wall thereby limiting the flow of blood. Limiting the flow of blood causes turbulence which causes further deposition of plaque. The slowed speed of blood through the arteries helps lay down more plaque as well.

Ways to lower cholesterol naturally:

1. Exercise: damn. How many times do you have to hear it - everyone says it. Because it works better than any drug out there. Why does it work? Simple biochemistry and physiology. Exercise requires energy. Energy comes from sugars, fats and proteins. When the sugars and proteins are burned, fats must be converted into useable forms of energy. The liver steps up by making good cholesterol, HDL. HDL goes around and picks up bad cholesterol, LDL. It converts this into useable energy. So, by exercising, your energy requirements increase thereby lowering cholesterol naturally. Exercise 30 minutes a day as often as you can in a week. Try one day a week and build up. You'll become addicted to it. Better that than statins.
2. Eat soluble fiber: Where can you find that? In beans and whole grains. The FDA's page on fiber is not too shabby. Fruits and vegetables contain insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber actually binds to cholesterol removing it from your body. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stools making you more regular - which is extremely vital as well.
3. Limit animal fat foods: damn again. Even Stedman's Medical Dictionary said cholesterol is the most abundant steroid in animal tissues. They didn't say plant tissues. I'm not saying avoid it completely. Just keep an eye on it - don't chomp down endless roast beef sandwhiches with mayo and four kinds of cheese.
4. Inositol: This is time-released niacin in the no-flush form. Niacin is a main player in cellular metabolism. If one is low in niacin, then the energy reactions do not go forward. If they do not go forward, lipids accumulate which is directly tied to high levels of choleterol. A study on time-released niacin shows its effectiveness. The study I found used pharmaceutical time-released niacin but I believe these two are very similar - with the natural form being superior. The bottom line of the study: "The results show that niacin ER [extended release] produces a beneficial effect on lipoprotein subclasses, specifically decreasing the more atherogenic small, dense LDL particles and enhancing the cardioprotective large HDL particles." Remember what I said about bad LDL and good HDL? The inositol sounds pretty good now doesn't it?
5. Red Yeast Rice: This is what the pharmaceutical companies make some statin drugs from - directly! So why not take it in its natural state? It works quite well. It works by limiting the cholesterol reaction from going forward. This means that cholesterol's production is slowed down thereby lowering cholesterol naturally. I have found a great research article on PubMed for Red Yeast Rice. The research was done by the Center for Human Nutrition and is not biased by a natural supplement company. Here is the study: Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement.
6. Policosanol: This is sugar wax. Sound safe? It is. It does not turn off the cholesterol forming reaction as strongly as statin drugs. Our bodies need some cholesterol formed. Without it, numerous hormones would not be made and we would be dead. Thus, it is better to moderately limit production rather than severly limit. Policosanol has also shown to increase the levels of HDL. Do statin drugs do this? No. There is a good study on this that I found on PubMed. You'll notice it is not a study made by a natural supplement company or with biased interests. Here it is: Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol with atorvastatin in elderly patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia
7. Bio Lipotrol: This natural cholesterol lowering supplement is made by Biogenesis. Bio Lipotrol has Red Yeast Rice, Inositol, Policosanol and Guggal Gum extract. I work for Biogenesis and have preceptored with Dr David Wood. I have visited with physician after physician that have used Bio Lipotrol and the results are seen within a couple weeks. Now this doesn't mean you can sit on your couch eating hamburgers and pizza while popping Bio Lipotrol capsules. I have already stated that exercise is the best medicine - along with the limitation of animal fats and an increase in soluble fiber. I did not know about Bio Lipotrol until a classmate kept buying it. I found her in the hall one day and asked her what it is. She told me it is working very well on her grandmother's high cholesterol levels. Then I became more interested. The benefits of being in med school - you find what works and what doesn't. You can find Bio Lipotrol by Biogenesis here.

What are the dangers of Statin drugs?

I don't know all of the dangers but I know one that is not often addressed. Statin drugs give the false impression that the one taking them does not have to be proactive in lowering cholesterol. If a drug is lowering cholesterol without them doing anything, why not chomp on fatty foods? I'll tell you why. Statin drugs limit the production of cholesterol. They do not limit the intake of cholesterol. You do.

Also - statin drugs seriously limit the production of Coenzyme Q10. This is a major energy source for the human heart and electron transport chain. So if you are on statin drugs, take CoQ10. I believe statin drugs also limit the conversion of active Vitamin D. This I need to check on but it makes sense if following the reactions down from HMG-CoA, which is the limiting step in cholesterol synthesis.

If you want to lower cholesterol naturally, these steps will no doubt help you. I recommend having a sit-down chat with your physician. Most docs will listen to you and be supportive and knowledgable about this arena. If not, find a licensed and qualified naturopathic physician who will listen to you.

This information is not telling you to stop taking your statin drugs. It is merely information. Do not stop your statin drugs without consulting with your physician. Only then, under their direction, stop the meds if you implement other means.

If you are not on statin drugs and you don't have money to see a doctor, these steps may help you lower cholestrol naturally. But as I am not a doctor yet, I am not prescribing any of this information to you. It is up to you.

I hope you are still awake. That is a ton of information. I know I'm wiped. I've got to get away from this computer now.

Take care and stay healthy. And again - if you have any health questions, do ask me. I am here to help.

Liver Cleanse

Excuse me! This is one of my more serious blog entries - as it should be. Cleansing is not to be taken lightly. If time is an issue, you may print it out and read it on your own time. It is also handy to print out so you can refer to it without having to hop on the computer all the time.

Since many of my friends, classmates and family keep inquiring about which detoxification regimen or liver cleanse is effective, I decided to post it here. I did this full body cleanse about 4 years ago now and have repeated it once again since. It is not easy but if one is really needing to fully detox, this liver cleanse may be the one for you. It requires about 14 days and ideally should be done in the springtime. Early summer is fine as well. It is not recommended to detox in the fall or winter due to our body's natural tendency to 'hold.' If the body is in a holding state, how can it release toxins and make it easy for you to detox?

As this liver cleanse protocol is pretty intense, I advise you to speak with your physician about your intentions. Not all people can do a cleanse like this. If you are weak, emaciated or working hard physically, do not do this cleanse. If you have a medical condition, definitely speak with your physician.

Here it is:

Liver and Bowel Cleanse

Purpose: To revitalize and heal the body through detoxification of the liver and bowel. Detoxification is necessary as we inhabit a toxic environment and consume toxic foods. We are plagued with food additives, flavorings, colors, preservatives, artificial sugars and pesticides. Daily stress pollutes our mind and body as well.

The Detoxification Program....

Daily: Upon waking in the morning, have a cup of warm filtered water with 1-2 Tspn lemon juice. Fresh is best if you can obtain it. This is cleansing to the bowel and liver.

Take 5 minutes to take some deep, slow abdominal breathing in a quiet setting. It is best to breathe inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. While doing this, let all muscles relax. use this opportunity to put intention and purpose into your day. Only positive thoughts during this time. If your nose is clogged, you make practice jalneti with a neti pot and salt. [Jalneti is a type of sinus irrigation and a link is below which will provide more information.]

Drink 8 cups of filtered water daily, drink 3 cups of a detoxifying tea per day (such as dandelion, burdock, clover, asparagus). To encourage elimination through the skin, try a dry brush massage after your shower or a hot therapeutic peat bath. A regular sauna or massage would be helpful as deep tissue work and deep heat mobilize fat soluble toxins.

Obviously, consume only organic grains, vegetables, fruits and pure filtered water. If cannot afford or obtain organic foods, wash with Fruit and Vegetable Wash found at your local health store.

Ensure you’re detoxifying from all organs of elimination: skin, kidneys, liver, lungs, intestines.

Sleep and rest are essential during this time of cleansing and healing. Not only should the physical body cleanse, but the mind should as well. Imagine how polluted our minds our due to television, ads, news, traffic and political issues.

Exercise should be limited to walking during this period. This is essential. If one attempts too physical of exercise, the body consumes its own proteins causing muscle loss and organ destruction. Sun salutations may be practiced each morning to stretch and warm the body. Sun salutations are described in Yoga Basics

It is likely that a toxic headache will occur. If this happens, take antioxidants. Vitamin C works well. Also drink, drink, drink, drink. Your body will mobilize toxins from all over your body so it is essential that your support this with fluids and kidney herbs.

Each day eliminates more and more foods until only fluids remain. This professional cleanse is for those who are serious about cleansing. If you would like to modify it, do so. This can be done by practicing Day 1 through Day 3 or however you desire. Day 1 and 2 should be practiced however for any form of cleanse to occur.

Day 1: Eliminate all sweets, caffeine, refined foods (junk food, white flour, fast food) and red meat. Eliminate watching the news and reading the paper. News is mainly negative and these emotions are not needed. This day is the hardest. If you find yourself consuming one of these foods, that is fine. Try the next day. Do not go to the second day until day one is accomplished successfully.
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 1 serving BioCleanse Capsules
Take 1 peat bath
Take 2 servings Asparagus capsules or Asparagus Tea (am/pm)

Day 2: Eliminate all beans, nuts, dairy, eggs, chicken and oils. This day is easier to accomplish than day two!
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 1 serving BioCleanse Capsules
Take 2 servings Asparagus capsules or Asparagus Tea (am/pm)

Day 3: Eliminate grains except white whole grain rice. Eat lots of cooked fruits and vegetables. Cooked vegetables easier to digest than raw.
Take 1serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 1 serving BioCleanse Capsules
Take 1 peat bath
Take 2 servings Asparagus capsules or Asparagus Tea (am/pm)

Day 4: Eliminate starchy vegetables, fish. Continue to eat more cooked vegetables. Stick to herbs for spicing dishes rather than salt.
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 1 serving BioCleanse Capsules
Take 2 servings Asparagus capsules or Asparagus Tea (am/pm)

Day 5: Eliminate white rice. Love those vegetables, fruits and pure broths! Ensure to eat some liver foods: beets, artichokes, onions, carrots, dandelion root. Dandelion leaf is helpful to detox the kidneys. Add 1 tsp of Psyllium husk powder along with 1 T of Betonite clay to 6 oz of dilute pure juice (no sugars added). Stir and drink quickly. Follow with 8 oz water. The psyllium and clay binds toxins and moves them through the bowel for elimination. If you are able to obtain a suspended betonite clay and psyllium preparation from a health store, use this. It is much easier to drink! Remember to eat, eat, eat, plan ahead and bring food and water (or quality organic juice without sugar) with you everywhere so you do not find yourself hungry and eating a bite of your friends greasy hamburger.
Take 1 serving BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 2 servings BioCleanse Capsules
Take 1 peat bath
Take 2 servings Asparagus extract capsules (am/pm)

Do 1 organic coffee enema. [2 c. organic coffee, 2 cups water]. before using coffee enema, use a normal filtered warm water and salt enema to prepare then repeat using the coffee. Add to enema bag at body temperature. lay on right side. retain fluid as long as possible. this stimulates the liver. If you don’t want to do an enema – skip it.


Day 6: Eliminate all solid food. Have as many broths and vegetable juices and diluted pure fruit juices as you like. No need to repeat psyllium and clay. Your body is loving you for all the hard work you are doing! If you feel well and strong, you may desire to extend this liquid only portion for another 2 days. Remember – no strenuous activity, only walking and sun salutations.
Take 2 servings of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 2 servings BioCleanse Capsules
Take 2 servings Asparagus extract capsules (am/pm)

Day 7: Time to add food back in! Have some solid fruits and vegetables. This step must be done properly. Do not add whole foods back in as this shocks the digestive system and constipation arrives. If you find yourself desiring whole foods, snack on carrots or whole apples. The best fruit to break the fast with: Watermelon. Make sure that all melons are eaten alone from other foods as they interrupt digestion of other foods.
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 2 servings BioCleanse Capsules
Take 2 servings Asparagus extract capsules (am/pm)
Take 1 peat bath

Day 8: Add in starchy vegetables and whole grain white rice. Remember – do not consume too much food or eat whole foods. Hang on. Breaking the fast properly is more important to detoxification than the first week. Plan and take your foods with you everywhere.
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 2 servings BioCleanse Capsules
Take 2 servings Asparagus extract capsules (am/pm)

Day 9: Add in other whole grains.
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 2 servings BioCleanse Capsules
Take 2 servings Asparagus extract capsules (am/pm)
Take 1 peat bath

Day 10: Add in fish or chicken and oils. Use organic only meat. Add in beans, seeds and nuts.
Take 1 serving of BioCleanse Functional Food twice daily and 2 servings BioCleanse Capsules
Take 2 servings Asparagus extract capsules (am/pm)

You did it! Now is the opportune time to make opportune lifestyle and dietary changes. Perhaps you want to stop caffeinated beverages. Keep in tune to your body. If you feel queasy after eating egg, soy, wheat, peanuts or tomatoes, it is likely that a food allergy or sensitivity exists.

Tips for a smooth liver cleanse:

• Try a fruit smoothie with BioCleanse powder.
• Organic food only is preferable (see our entry below on safe fruits and veggies)
• Bring food with you at all time
• Maintain hydration at all times.
• Take Vitamin C if feeling a toxic headache
• Do not exercise. Only walk
• Steam vegetables – do not add directly to water. This removes beneficial vitamins.
• Do not peel vegetables.
• Cleansing partner – don’t do it alone if you can help it!
• Remove all tempting foods from your house before you begin – give them away or toss.
• Do not eat out or order in.
• Take a night out on the town and bring your tea and snacks to a café or coffee house if you must. This is supposed to be a quiet time without noise and stimulants.
• If you live with roommates or a loved one, have them join you or respect your decision to detox. You need all the support you can get.
• Continue peat baths for total of 21 applications for a complete detoxification. You may substitute peat baths with a sauna if you prefer. Remember to do sauna or peat bath every other day. Please read all peat bath instructions

Helpful products for liver cleanse:
Peat bath
Chlorine water purifiers for shower, bath and drinking
Vitamin C and other antioxidants
BioCleanse powder and capsules
Enema bag
Colloidal betonite with psyllium
Herbal teas
Neti pot and salt
Asparagus Extract
Books: Yoga Basics, How to Meditate, Science of Breath
Movies: Comedies as laughter is the best medicine.
Candles

Feeling after liver cleanse:
no morning breath
easy to rise in morning and overall more energy throughout the day
no cravings
no desire for big meals or processed foods

Word of Caution:
Do not do this full liver and bowel cleanse if you are weak and thin. Do not do this cleanse if you have night sweats. Advise your physician that you are intending to cleanse and bring this paper with you. You may have heard about liver and gall bladder flushes with olive oil and lemon juice. This is not advised. A gall stone may get trapped and cause an emergency situation. Do not exercise or work physically during this cleanse. Drink fluids and eat plenty of food even if it is in juice form. If you ever feel too weak or not well, consult your physician. Please tell you physician your intention to cleanse so they can support you.

Ensure that you do not go back to eating processed foods once again. It is easy to do. I recommend educating yourself on proper nutrition. Some useful books: Diet and Nutrition and Transition to Vegetarianism If you find yourself chowing on some ice cream a month after the cleanse, no worries! Eating should not be a job - it should be enjoyable.

It is not necessary to become a vegetarian and I do not intend to force that upon you. I am not a vegetarian either. I tried it for 2 years and it did not work for me.

Any questions, tips, support or comments, please email me.

Here is the printer-friendly Liver cleanse and detox protocol - click the link and print it out.

Enjoy the cleansing experience!

You are one of few individuals who are able to accomplish a successful professional detoxification protocol. Nice work. You will feel on top of the world when you are done!

In health,
Ben

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your physician before taking any supplement or abiding by any information herein.

Don't Chase Cars!

I'm one of those guys that lives 6 miles away from school and drives. Utter laziness. Here I am so concerned about the environment and I can easily hop into my 15 mpg vehicle and drive to campus.

I have an excuse!

I don't chase cars.

There is a monster hill on the way to school. In fact, it is about 1.5 miles long - at least. So what. Push your butt up that hill.

No can do.

As I am driving up that hill, pushing on the gas peddle of my car, there is some poor chap pushing his bike peddles up that hill gasping for air and getting pure exhaust.

That is my excuse. I don't chase cars that blast exhaust in my face.

I was not genetically programmed to effectively use carbon monoxide - yet it seems our body's hemoglobin prefers it. You ready for a little lesson about hemoglobin? You're gonna get one.

We all know that oxygen binds to hemoglobin and carries it around our bodies dumping it off to whichever tissue screams the loudest for it. It's true. Some big fat cell that is laying there not working hard is not going to get nearly as much oxygen as the muscle that is pushing that guy's butt up the hill. But there is a problem for that guy riding his bike.

Hemoglobin binds carbon monoxide (CO) 200 times better than oxygen. That means that if there is an oxygen or a carbon monoxide floating nearby - BAM - the hemoglobin snags the CO. And then another one - and another one. Hemoglobin can carry up to four hydrogens, carbon monoxides or oxygens.

Hemoglobin works this way. It binds one oxygen and has three spots left for it. The more oxygen it binds, the more affinity it has for more oxygen. This means that if it binds one oxygen it becomes more attracted to binding another oxygen. But - if hemoglobin binds one carbon monoxide, it is likely to bind another carbon monoxide. The more carbon monoxide it binds, the less likely it is that oxygen will bind.

The guy on his bike is not getting much oxygen whilst riding in traffic or busy streets.

So I recommend that people who exercise, please do it on quiet streets or parks. Don't let your hemoglobin grab carbon monoxide.

And if you smoke - what is that? Carbon monoxide. Starving yourself of oxygen? Yep. What does that mean? What is one reason why cancer is so prevelant in smokers? Cancer prospers in a low oxygen environment. Don't create that environment.

Keep biking. Keep running. But on quiet streets.

Wish the 6 miles to school was all flat.

Pretty good excuse, eh?

Ben

The 12 Most Pesticide-Ridden Fruits and Veggies

I will never forget the day my mom told me to wash strawberries. As a typical inquisitive 4 year old, I asked, 'Why?' Because fruit pickers pick their nose was her response. I then washed them - sometimes.

Now as a 31 year old, I buy organic produce which must mean it is free from boogers and by all means, it best be free from pesticides. But as a med student with a wife, two kids and a mortgage, the wallet feels stress when buying organic produce.

Demand has gone up for organic products, especially in Seattle, which has lowered the cost some; but not enough during the rough financial times.

So I find myself wondering which of the non-organic veggies and fruits are the safest to eat? A watermelon looks tough - it has a big thick skin. A juicy thin-skinned peach must be really tasty to bugs so the growers must spray the heck out of it.

This rationale obviously is not fool-proof and did not put me at ease when buying non-organic produce.

What to do? I enrolled in med school, got to the second year nutrition course and found out which are the twelve most pesticide ridden fruits and vegetables. Good plan, Ben. $50,000 later I now know which twelve they are.

Being strapped on cash again, I needed to refresh my memory. In doing so, I thought I may as well benefit the public as well. This information is not new but it definitely may be new to you.

So which are the most toxic? This information is gathered from FoodNews and they gathered the information from the Environmental Working Group

Most Popular Fruits and Vegetables with highest pesticides

• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Cherries
• Grapes (imported)
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Red Raspberries
• Spinach
• Strawberries

So my rationale of thin-skinned produce was not all bad. I would have never guessed potatoes though.

So what to do? Not eat these sprayed fruits and veggies? Pretty much. Definitely do not feed them to your children. The body mass of a child is much less than a fully grown adult. Thus, it does not take many non-organic strawberries to inflict potential harm on a little one. The best method is to buy these twelve organically. If you cannot, then wash them with the pesticide-removing soaps they sell in good stores. There will still be poisons harbored in the produce but diminished at least. You can also peel apples and other produce with skins but then you lose nutrients along with some pesticides. So you may as well then go eat some plastic as it is toxic and has no nutrient value. Organic is the best bet.

Spend your tight dollars on buying these twelve fruits and vegetables organically - or keep them away from your kids.

Now that you've purchased expensive organic strawberries, what are the safest non-organic fruits and vegetables?

Most Popular Fruits and Vegetables with lowest pesticides

• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Corn (sweet)
• Kiwis
• Onions
• Mangoes
• Papaya
• Pineapples
• Peas (sweet)

To save you writing all this down, I have provided the option for you to download the FoodNews Wallet Guide. [Adobe file] Cut out the guide and stick it in your wallet. Go shopping without having to guess.

For those of you who want to know the details of the Environmental Working Group's report on Organophosphates Insecticides in Children's Food, click it. The link will allow you to download the 54 page Adobe document from my server.

See the little envelope with an arrow below and to the right. Click it. Fill it out. Help your friends and family members.

Enjoy worry-free shopping. If there is anything that is on your mind, let me know. Ill do my best to anwer your health questions.

In health,
Ben

Elidel and Protopic? Natural alternatives to treat eczema

As I was couch bound one evening, a 'cute' commerical for an eczema drug appeared. It stated that it treated eczema and that there was no cure for eczema. Needless to say, as a naturopathic medical student, I was furious. There is a cure for eczema. It is called prevention. But that is another issue.

The issue I want to address here: Elidel, the 'cute' eczema drug, causes cancer in three different animal species. That is not cute. Protopic also causes cancer in the same animal species.

The FDA advised doctors to prescribe Elidel or Protopic only if all else failed for eczema. Do not use long term and do not use on children under 2.

What are the advisories on Elidel and Protopic:

• Do not use on 2 years or younger
• Do not use on people with weak immune systems
• Do not use long term - only intermittently or short term
• Do not use until all other eczema treatments have failed

What harms can Elidel and Protopic create:

• The potential for cancer increases with frequency. Longer the use, the higher the chance.
• The potential for cancer increases with amount. More used, the higher the chance.
• Upper respiratory infections increased in children with Elidel as compared to placebo.
• Unknown issues with developing immune systems in children - harm them or not?

This is what they've found so far. The list will grow. Why didn't they discover this before it went on the market????

Bottom line: Do not use Elidel or Protopic.

A natural eczema treatment is possible:

Seek the advice of a trained naturopathic physician and your eczema will be gone. Yes. Gone. Food allergy is a main cause of eczema. Remove food you are allergic or insensitive to - and your eczema will likely disappear.

Typical food allergens which cause eczema: egg, wheat, or dairy are the biggest players. Which one it is can be determined with a food elimination diet. Eliminate that specific food and its relations (like soy sauce - wheat based) completely for 3 weeks. Then at the end of three weeks, eat a lot of that avoided food. How do you feel? Symptoms come back, aggravate, no change? Obviously, if aggravated, you are sensitive or allergic. Avoid that food for 6 months at least. This allows your immune system to calm down and not react to everything.

[this info added July 22nd] There is also a simple technique that I learned this afternoon in lecture. Our professor stated that most people find it difficult to do a food elimination diet. I agree. I know I do. He said he has patients do a 48 hour fast consuming only a quality food supplement powder such as BioCleanse Functional Food. Nothing else is eaten during this time. He states that 6 to 10 servings a day of BioCleanse hold off appetite just fine and allow the body to remove the reacting food antigens. At the end of the 48 hours, the skin is assessed along with energy and overall well-being. If the eczema improved over this time, and yes it can improve this fast as skin regenerates quickly, then he knows the eczema is diet related.

A strong topical herbal cream preparation is also useful in helping treat eczema naturally. Dr Rowan Hamilton of Rowan Botanicals recently released Professional Intensif and Professional Extreme. I now distribute both to doctors and am allowed to sell it retail as well.

The bottom line today though is to avoid these Elidel and Protopic. Treat the cause of eczema - don't just palliate the surface with a topical steroid. Steroids just push toxins deeper and to a different location. You know what the largest detoxification organ is in the body? Liver? Nope. The skin. Where do toxins appear when the liver is overwhelmed with toxins? The skin. Remove the cause of liver stagnation, do a light cleanse and apply a proven topical to your skin. In a few weeks, you should be much improved.

On a side note: You know what may happen when steroids are given for kids with eczema? Asthma. Time and time again, we see this in the clinic. We take the history of some asthmatic child and find that he/she was given topical steroids to control eczema or some other skin affliction. This goes back to what I stated earlier. Steroids only suppress the immune system and stop the body's natural healing response to a buildup of unwanted substances. These substances then accumulate in the body elsewhere. It is not advisable to push something deeper into the body. Better out than in. We then address the child's skin problem naturally and the asthma goes away. Sounds like a bunch of BS doesn't it? I don't BS. With a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, I understand science. My medical school is on the leading edge of natural healing and we are changing the way medicine is done. It is extremely rewarding to see patient after patient improve. You can as well.

Back to the topic at hand: Follow the FDA link to read the statement about Elidel and Protopic.

Questions? You may email me as well.

Stay healthy.

Ben

PS - The basic premise you will see me state over and over ...and over again: treat the cause not the symptoms. Sounds basic but it is far from basic. Imagine finding why someone has high blood pressure? You know what conventional medicine's term for some causes of hypertension? Essential hypertension [what's that?] and Idiopathic hypertension [means unknown cause]. Pin it down and you're set. I look forward to writing about this soon. I'm taking Cardiology currently and learning a ton. It is amazing how successful natural treatments are for hypertension...you'll know soon. Don't misunderstand me - I completely support conventional medicine and work with MD's all the time. Seattle is a very amazing city as the bridge is solid between conventional and complementary medicine. There is a time for drugs and there is time for natural alternatives - and there is time for both at once.

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