Men's Hearts Failing Them for Fear

 Walking to our car after my son’s high school graduation, I noticed a couple of people complaining about the difficult walk and how their hearts were pounding.  Mind you, the quarter mile walk from the football stadium to the parking lot would not give many of us a second thought, but I was struck by limitations of life brought on by poor health.  We enjoy many freedoms here in America, but when we exercise our freedom to make poor choices, it does not absolve us of the consequences of those choices.

I recall reading in the Bible when I was young (probably in the 1960's) the verse in Luke in relation to events of the "last days" of "men's hearts failing them for fear".  At the time I remember thinking that events would become so intense, that people would be scared to death.  Almost 50 years later, understand that heart disease is the #1 killer of men and women in America.  Prior to this past century, heart disease and death from heart attacks was hardly a blip on the mortality radar.

Certainly we live in stressful times, but they are no more stressful than times previous.  Let me briefly share with you some of the current information regarding heart health and what you can do to reduce your risk.  Following these recommendations will not only reduce your risk for heart disease, but can also reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

*Start point if Continuing from Email*

Diet

Diet – Simple, but not easy.  Simple, in that you should be eating “whole, natural foods”.  Not easy, in that you will have to prepare food yourself rather than relying on fast food, processed foods out of cans, boxes and bags.  Here are some keys:

• Eggs are heart healthy.
• Sugar and a diet with a lot of carbohydrates such as breads, cereals and grains can lead to heart disease. 
• Healthy animal fats from poultry, beef and lamb, it turns out, are also heart healthy. Coconut oil - a medium-chain saturated fat, can actually help you to lose weight, lower cholesterol, improve diabetic conditions and reduce your risk of heart disease. Avoid processed oils such as canola while emphasizing oils such as olive oil, coconut oil and natural animal fats.
• Use sea salt, which provides you with the full array the mineral and avoid table salt. 
• Eat a diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds.
• Animal products from healthy sources such as raw milk, and organic beef and poultry.

For more information go to our article on High Blood Pressure.

Exercise

Exercise should be of a nature that is non-competitive, relaxing and inspiring that incorporates movement with breathing such as walking.  Exercise does in fact reduce the risk for heart disease, but go into it easy because for the sedentary and those really out of shape, too much exercise too quick can actually increase the risk of heart attack.  It is suggested by many that exercise, especially combined with a health diet, is the most important thing you can do for a healthy heart.

Sunshine

Sunshine - Vitamin D3 – For many years, the medical community has been preaching the dangers of sunshine for fear of skin cancer.  We slather ourselves and our children with sunscreen trying to avoid the deadly solar rays.  It has only been in recent years that we’ve discovered that sunshine is good and actually very healthy.  Sunshine converts an oil (a cholesterol) on your skin into vitamin D3 which contributes in a positive way to almost every aspect of your health and for the purposes of this article sunshine and vitamin D3 are very heart healthy.  So now the message is to get plenty of sunshine, but absolutely avoid getting burned.  Getting burned by the sun is not healthy and can lead to problems.

Fish Oils, high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, are also very healthy not only for your heart but for every other aspect of your health.  Omega-3’s are shown to assist in vascular health and normalize high blood pressure.

Aspirin it turns out is not so beneficial for your heart and the prevailing medical recommendation is to no longer take aspirin daily for your heart.  And while daily preventative aspirin is not necessarily harmful, studies now show that it is not necessarily helpful in preventing heart disease.  Some authors suggest that aspirin may be giving people who take it a false sense of security resulting in the patient not following other recommendations.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (taking estrogen) was thought for a time to benefit the heart and reduce the risk of heart disease.  More detailed follow up clearly shows taking hormones does not help the heart.

Stress has a direct impact on heart disease – particularly stress at work and stress in marriage and relationships.  While much of the stress we experience cannot be avoided, there is much that can be done in how we manage our stress.  Daily exercise is important in dealing with and managing stress.  There are also many self-help techniques that haven proven effective in dealing with unresolved emotional stress such as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and The Emotion Code.

Alcohol is simply not good for you, in any quantity, in the long run. There have been studies through the years suggesting that drinking alcohol can be healthy for the heart.  With further investigation these studies have shown to be seriously flawed.  Simply put, the risks of drinking alcohol outweigh any benefit or perceived benefit of drinking.

Herbal Supplements – herbs have a long history of benefiting the heart and circulatory system.

Hawthorn Berry Syrup – supports, builds and strengthens  the heart by allowing oxygen to be better utilized by the heart muscles.*

Heart Formula – provides the nutrients and support to build a health circulatory system.  

Cardio Plus – the herbs in this formula have been traditionally used to support healthy heart function.

Cayenne– The great circulation herb, prized for its ability to strengthen and tone the entire vascular system.*

Earth’s Nutrition – Nature’s answer to the multiple vitamin and mineral supplement.  This whole food supplement is free from man-made or laboratory manipulated chemicals.*

Garlic – eat it daily if you can.  Supports healthy cholesterol levels and healthy blood pressure, helps keep the blood thin.  The king of herbs.*

Turmeric – a great natural pain reliever which also promotes cardiovascular health.*

Vascular Support – Improves vascular tone of blood vessels assisting with the normalization of blood pressure.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Some of the classic causes of heart disease still hold true as it relates to heart health.

Smoking is a primary risk factor for heart disease.  The good news is that those who quit and haven’t smoked for over a year have pretty much reduced this as a risk factor for them as it pertains to heart disease.

High Cholesterol, Diabetes and High Blood Pressure are all well-established risk factors.  The good news is these conditions are reversible and by following the recommendations for a healthy heart, you can also bring these conditions under control.

We invite each of you to take charge of your health.  Change can be difficult, but it can also be adventurous.  As you make changes toward greater health and activity, your rewards will be those of more energy, less pain and less stress.

Blessings in Health,

Dr. Kyle Christensen

What to do before the lights go out!

We get up in the morning with uncertainty as to where the events of each day will take us.  Economists tell us that our American economy has been falsely buoyed up for years and could easily collapse. Epidemiologists announce that a major outbreak of the next deadly epidemic is not a matter of IF but WHEN.  Scientists worldwide suggest that we are on the verge of or overdue for earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and major storms on a grander scale than what we have previously experienced. 
Years ago (1998), I felt the strong need to write a book on how to take care of ourselves. I feel even more strongly now that we may be entering into a time where we may have to become increasingly self-sufficient.  In 2000, Herbal First Aid and Health Care: Medicine for a New Millennium was released by Lotus Press (available online at Amazon.com). This book can be an excellent resource for you.

In spite of all the fear and angst, life is incredibly wonderful in so many ways.  We have endless knowledge at our fingertips.  We have brilliant and amazing music and entertainment to enjoy.  We have opportunities to learn and grow and share with others.  And we have enough affluence that we can devote time everyday to serving and helping others.  With so many positive things going on, it is easy to grow complacent because of the relative ease of life.  Most of us struggle, not with survival issues (enough food, water, shelter, safety) but with relationships, getting ahead, and the day-to-day busyness we all get caught up in. Perhaps it is time we reassess and begin to make some preparations for potential changes.

We should all work to become more prepared for unexpected changes in our community, country or world that may occur.  Being well stocked and prepared can calm much fear and anxiety. 

Our First Tier of Preparedness is what the Red Cross and FEMA call a 72-hour kit.  This is a small backpack that contains everything you may need to “grab and go” and sustain yourself without any outside help for 3 days.  Food, water, change of clothes, medicines (herbal in our case), emergency phone numbers, etc.  There are many lists of what to include on the internet. Again 72-hours of survival is the key.  You should also consider the needs of your pets and animals.  Discuss possible plans or scenarios with your household.

The Second Tier of Preparedness would be for a three-week period that you may need to stay at home.  If for some reason, we could not go to the store (caused by anything from a major earth-changing catastrophe to quarantine issues to a trucking/railway strike), we should have enough food, water, and provisions that we could get by for 3 weeks. You should also have a first aid kit that has enough supplies to treat infectious illnesses, cuts, and wounds. Begin to prepare for this when you go to the store next time.  Purchase a few extra cans or boxes of non-perishable food and tuck it away.  You will be amazed at what you can accumulate in a short time.

The Third Tier of Preparedness is to have enough food and resources that you could get by for three months or longer. Being a part of a community, I believe, is vital to getting by during difficult times.  Whether your community is those who live within your neighborhood, within your church or some other close-knit organization, developing relationships and friendships will bless and enrich your life whether you ever need to pull together for a disaster or not.  After you are satisfied with your 3-week supply, begin expanding your resources and network.  There are lots of good buys when you purchase in bulk.

Here are additional things you should consider during the second and third tiers of preparedness.

• Fuel Source and Cooking  We suggest using solar ovens, Dutch ovens with a good supply of charcoal, or build a “rocket stove” (look it up on the internet).  Propane stoves are also good to have.  I personally like the SOS Sport Solar Oven found at www.solarovens.org. Additionally, consider how you will keep your house warm during the cold of winter – or at least one room warm (it is easier to heat one room and hang out there than heat the whole house.)

• Water Source  This is probably one of the most crucial issues.  For those of us who live in the West, where we cannot rely on summer rains, water should be stored in barrels or cisterns.  Ideally, we should catch the rainfall and store it for later retrieval.  This water can be used during the hot summer months to water our gardens and in an emergency for personal use. If you do not have a well or access to one, you should know where you could get water.  Many cultures walk miles and carry water back to their homes each day.  Do you know where you could walk or ride a bike to find a daily source of water if necessary?  Conserve and save water.  Water is more critical than food for survival.

• Get Out of Debt During the Great Depression (1929 to 1939), if you owed money to anyone, they were not above collecting on their debt whether it put you out in the cold or not.  Mortgages were foreclosed upon and any loan that was secured with property was pursued.  We strongly recommend to live “within your means” or in other words, by spend less money than you bring home.  Look in to the advice of the radio talkshow host Dave Ramsey for some sound financial advice.   Always keep some cash on hand, just in case.  Keep your vehicles at least half full with gas.

• Develop a Reservoir of Necessary Medical Supplies This includes necessary prescriptions as well as natural or herbal medicines.    If for some reason, you were not able to pick up a drug prescription, what would you do? You may want to work on your health and eliminate as many medications as you can by reclaiming your health.  At the same time, build your own herbal pharmacy with long-lasting herbal tinctures.  A properly made herbal formula (a tinctured extract) can last for many years (10-20 years if stored properly.) We recommend building a good supply to keep on hand. We have (and we use from our supply) many bottles of the following: 

Anti-Plague Syrup  -   two - 16 oz bottles per person
Complete Tissue Repair  -    one – 5 oz jar per person
Bountiful Blend    -  two jars per person
Earth’s Nutrition      one jar per person
Colon Cleanse – one – 240 capsule size jar per person
Colon Detox   -  one jar of capsules and one jar of powder per family
Immune Boost  -  one – 4 oz bottle per person
Lobelia  -  one – 2 oz bottle per family
Cayenne  -  one – 2 oz bottle per family
Goldenseal  -  one – 4 oz powdered bulk herb per family
Nerve Calm  -  one - 2 oz bottle per person
Herbal First Aid & Health Care  -  one copy per household. (Even though I wrote this book,
I still refer to it – you don’t need to remember everything – just know where to find it).

I urge each of you to consider storing those things that you may need.  If you are comfortable in preparing your own herbal formulas, I have recipes for many of these in my book Herbal First Aid and Health Care.  Purchase the dry bulk herbs from Western Botanicals Inc. and you can save a bundle.  You can even keep the herbs in a safe, dry, cool place for 3 to 5 years and they will be ready when you are.

• Grow a Garden  We have beautiful colorful lettuces growing in the planter outside our front door as well as many other fruits and vegetables hidden or strategically planted throughout our landscape.  We also grow medicinal herbs, which can give us medicine as well as beautiful flowers to enjoy.  Grow plants that can address all of the typical medical needs, such as immune system, pain, etc.  One key to success I have found is to put everything on drip irrigation and a timer.  It will save you time as well as money and you will not lose plants when you go away for a few days. 

• Manage Your Resources  Use less energy.  Walk or ride your bike when you are able.  When purchasing something new, get it energy efficient whether it’s an appliance or a car.   Turn down your hot water heater to 120 degrees.  Eat locally – shop at local growers markets, farms and dairies.  Change your light bulbs to compact fluorescents or LEDs.  Replace your hot water heater with an on-demand tankless model.  And turn off the lights or electrically powered things when not in use.  Reduce, recycle, and reuse. Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

• Develop Marketable Skills  It is not beyond imagination that we could fall into a bartering economy if our society were to experience some sort of upheaval.  I would encourage each of us to have or develop some marketable skills.  Often we find that a hobby or interest can be a valuable commodity or service to someone else.  If you have an interest outside of your normal job, pursue it by taking classes and working on it.  Our skills and interests are often the best vehicles to serve and help others. So whether your are good at fixing things or making things or have an interest in learning something new, throw your passion into it.  Begin by sharing and trading with others. This can range from making jam, bread or pies to offering professional services.  Follow your passion and “don’t die with your music still in you.”

• Cultivate an Attitude of Service  We are not in anything alone, unless we choose to be.  Be moderate in everything, except devotion and love.  The great mystery of a happy life is blessing the lives of others.  In essence, we serve God by serving others.

• Bloom Where You Are Planted  My wife often says this.  This means that you should not go looking for that greener pasture.  Unless you feel like you are being divinely directed to be living in another place, chances are you are right where you should be.  Bloom where you are planted.  The flower will make the best of wherever it is and bloom.  It does not take the attitude of not trying because there may be a little too much shade or too much sand or clay in the soil.  There will always seem like there is a better place, but bloom, grow, develop and prosper right where you have been planted.  If the time comes for you to uproot and move, you will know, but until then get to work on blooming.

Few will disagree that we are living in a time of transition.  It is not a time for fear or worry.  I often tell people that we are right on schedule and everything is as it should be.  It is a time for work and preparation.  A time to foster friendships, hone our skills and cultivate a sense of community.  So sit down with those you love and review these suggestions and decide how you should act upon them.

With Blessings of Love and Gratitude,           


Kyle D. Christensen, DC, ND, MH
September 2008
The ideas expressed herein are my own and are not intended to represent or speak for any other individual or organization.

A Nourishing Traditional Diet

More than any other topic, I have read and written about food and diets.  My wife and I have experimented with just about every reasonable diet that we have come across.  From the very strict and restrictive (we followed macrobiotics strictly for over 6 months) to diets that were regulated by the time of day (only eat fruit in the morning).  Through the 20+ years I have been practicing as a chiropractor, I have tried to give my patients the very best advice and recommendations that would help them to heal their sick, injured and wounded bodies.  Since diet is such a fundamental part of our health, making changes and improvements here can be substantial.

In my work, I have always sought to simplify.  I try to break teachings and practices down into their rudimentary concepts so I could have a grasp and handle on the big picture.  Over the past few years, as I have researched and studied nutrition, I have come to embrace ideas that I thought I had abandoned forever.  For example, for most of my career I have espoused to my patients the benefits of a vegetarian diet.  In my patient handbook, I tell my patients to eat “meat, milk, dairy products and eggs sparingly, if at all.”  These animal products I deemed acceptable only if organic and free from contamination of hormones, pesticides, herbicides and drug residues. 

I have simplified my dietary recommendations into eating only WHOLE NATURAL CLEAN FOODS.  I believe this is the essence of what we should be eating.    The very first book that I read on Nutrition was one written by Rudolph Ballentine.  I became greatly excited and motivated by it.  He sited heavy the work of Weston A. Price DDS who in the 1920’s and 30’s traveled the world observing isolated cultures, which had maintained their traditional diets.  What he discovered was that people who adhered to traditional diets enjoyed good health, while those that had adopted refined and commercial foods had increased health problems and passed on weakened genetic to their offspring.

Dr. Price discovered consistency and similarities in the worlds traditional diets.  The people and cultures he studied differed vastly from each other in regard to climate (Eskimos compared to Aborigines) but they had some remarkable dietary similarities.  Although the diets of these indigenous groups varied widely, they each shared very important commonalities.  They each ate liberally of animal proteins and fats, including seafood, organ meats, fish, eggs and raw dairy products.  They prized animal fats as essential to vibrant health and successful reproduction.  They included  lacto-fermented foods like kefir and cultured vegetables.  Seeds, nuts and grains were soaked, sprouted, fermented or leavened to remove harmful anti-nutrients and to increase digestibility and nutritional value.  And of course, they ate foods in their natural, unrefined state.  In addition, a significant percentage of their diets consisted of raw foods, from both animal and plant sources.  And while few of these groups could be considered vegetarians, their diets were predominantly plant based.


These traditional diets contained at least four times the calcium and other minerals and TEN times the fat-soluble vitamins from animal fats as the American diet.  In fact, these people attained their extraordinary health with diets that would be labeled as dangerous or full of excessive fats by both conventional and alternative dietary wisdom today.  Yet the health crisis we are experiencing today in this country has not been solved by low-fat diets or strict vegetarianism.  Each of us has a nutritional bank account stored within our own body.  If your diet is deficient, you will deplete your reserves.  In the past years, I have seen many ardent vegans and vegetarian slowly lose their energy, strength and stamina.  I have also seen many take the courageous step admitting that their diet of pure organic plant based foods may be deficient and begin eating animal products and finding their health and strength return.  Many who preach and espouse a vegetarian lifestyle feel that they are traveling the moral high ground.  That they are treading more lightly on the earth. 

The newly promoted locovore movement (eating only foods produced locally) has some merit.  How good is an organic food if it is produced half way around the world if it has to be trucked and flown and then delivered to the store you buy it at?  That kind of defeats the argument of “organic.”  Likewise, meat that is factory farmed where the animals are fed foods that they were not meant to consume (like cows being fed grain, corn and soy instead of grazing on grass) is equally unnatural and destructive to health and environment both.  As a culture, we eat too much meat and what we do eat is raised inappropriately.  Milk from a grain-fed cow is far different that a grass grazing cow as far as it nutritional content and pH.  For health purposes, about a half pound or 8 to 9 ounces of meat per week is what is needed for optimal health.  Not a half pound each day!  If we were all to eat less meat, it could easily be raised in sufficient quantity and with humane practices so that over crowded,
over-chemicaled, over-medicated factory farms could become a thing of the past.

 I have many patients, who diligently follow diets that make mine look sloppy, yet they struggle with unresolved health issues.   I look at so many of my female patients who suffer from depression and hormonal imbalance.  They struggle with their weight and avoid a fatty diet and just can’t seem to get well.  It seems as though the missing nutrients are those they so dutifully avoid and distain.  Fat!  Now please understand that when we recommend dietary fat, we are suggesting very healthy sources of fat.  It must be free from unnatural chemicals.  It must be natural, meaning it is consumed as they are given to us by nature.  The majority of fats and oils eaten today have been manipulated by the food industry and are health damaging.  What was previous labeled as harmful, such as butter, eggs, red meat and coconut oil are proving to be nutritious and healthy.  Where food containing hydrogenated and processed oils are being found in clogged arteries.

The quality of the foods we eat should not be compromised.  And this is the key issue – Quality.  We should eat grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and animal products that are free from harmful drugs and chemicals.  We should eat foods that will promote a healthy digestive tract such as fermented foods including yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and sourdough breads.  We should avoid artificial foods and supplements – those products that are manufactured and manipulated by science.  So many peopled have been duped into taking artificial vitamins and a whole array of chemical substances which strive to mimic the vitamins, minerals and other chemicals that should naturally occur in the foods of a healthy diet.  Why take a man-made artificial vitamin supplement of vitamins A and E when it is readily available and absorbable in natural butter, egg yolks and fish oils.  The Vitamin B6 that is abundantly found in milk is heat sensitive and destroyed by pasteurization, which is why I recommend raw milk straight from the farm.  Other B-vitamins are richly found in whole grains, seeds and grasses.  Vitamin C necessary for adrenal gland function and repairing tissue is found in many fruits and vegetables.  Alcohol and many common drugs such as aspirin and oral contraceptives can reduce vitamin C levels in the body.  We must stop focusing on nutrients (beta carotene) and start focusing on food (carrots).

The media has instilled in so many of us a tremendous fear of fat.  Many are convinced that eating any fat will make your body fat.  When the truth is that only unhealthy fat and refined sugars and flour will cause you to store excess fat on your body.  Remember, whole foods as they are found in nature.

The traditional diets of our ancesters are in fact the healthiest way to eat.  Mostly because they were eating whole natural foods and did not have access to processed, aldulterated, denatured foods. Whole foods, mostly plants.

Characteristics of Traditional Diets

1.    The diets of healthy primitive and nonindustrialized peoples contain no refined or denatured foods such as refined sugar or corn syrup; white flour; canned foods; pasteurized, homogenized, skim or low-fat milk; refined or hydrogenated vegetable oils; protein powders; artificial vitamins or toxic additives and colorings.
2.    All traditional cultures consume some sort of animal protein and fat from fish and other seafood; water and land fowl; land animals; eggs; milk and milk products; reptiles; and insects.
3.    Primitive diets contain at least four times the calcium and other minerals and TEN times the fat-soluble vitamins from animal fats (vitamin A, vitamin D and the Price Factor) as the average American diet.
4.    In all traditional cultures, some animal products are eaten raw.
5.    Primitive and traditional diets have a high food-enzyme content from raw dairy products, raw meat and fish; raw honey; tropical fruits; cold-pressed oils; wine and unpasteurized beer; and naturally preserved, lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages, meats and condiments.
6.    Seeds, grains and nuts are soaked, sprouted, fermented or naturally leavened in order to neutralize naturally occuring antinutrients in these foods, such as phytic acid, enzyme inhibitors, tannins and complex carbohydrates.
7.    Total fat content of traditional diets varies from 30% to 80% but only about 4% of calories come from polyunsaturated oils naturally occurring in grains, pulses, nuts, fish, animal fats and vegetables. The balance of fat calories is in the form of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.
8.    Traditional diets contain nearly equal amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids.
9.    All primitive diets contain some salt.
10.    Tradtional cultures consume animal bones, usually in the form of gelatin-rich bone broths.
11.    Traditional cultures make provisions for the health of future generations by providing special nutrient-rich foods for parents-to-be, pregnant women and growing children; by proper spacing of children; and by teaching the principles of right diet to the young.

Dietary Guidelines - What and How You Should Be Eating
1.    Eat whole, natural foods.
2.    Eat only foods that will spoil, but eat them before they do.
3.    Eat naturally-raised meat including fish, seafood, poultry, beef, lamb, game, organ meats and eggs.
4.    Eat whole, naturally-produced milk products from pasture-fed cows, preferably raw and/or fermented, such as whole yogurt, cultured butter, whole cheeses and fresh and sour cream.
5.    Use only traditional fats and oils including butter and other animal fats, extra virgin olive oil, expeller expressed sesame and flax oil and the tropical oils—coconut and palm.
6.    Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic, in salads and soups, or lightly steamed.
7.    Use whole grains and nuts that have been prepared by soaking, sprouting or sour leavening to neutralize phytic acid and other anti-nutrients.
8.    Include enzyme-enhanced lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages and condiments in your diet on a regular basis, such as homemade sauerkraut and homemade ginger-ale.
9.    Prepare homemade meat stocks from the bones of chicken, beef, lamb or fish and use liberally in soups and sauces.
10.    Use herb teas and coffee substitutes in moderation.
11.    Use filtered water for cooking and drinking.
12.    Use unrefined Celtic seasalt and a variety of herbs and spices for food interest and appetite stimulation.
13.    Make your own salad dressing using raw vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and expeller expressed flax oil.
14.    Use natural sweeteners in moderation, such as raw honey, maple syrup, dehydrated cane sugar juice and stevia powder.
15.    Use only unpasteurized wine or beer in strict moderation with meals.
16.    Cook only in stainless steel, cast iron, glass or good quality enamel.
17.    Use only natural supplements, such as herbs.  Avoid supplements with chemical sounding names.
18.    Get plenty of sleep, exercise and natural light.
19.    Think positive thoughts and minimize stress.
20.    Practice forgiveness.
Cookbook recommendations: Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, Full Moon Feast by Jessica Prentice and Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz.

Dietary Dangers - What to Avoid or Eliminate
1.    Don’t eat commercially processed foods such as cookies, cakes, crackers, TV dinners, soft drinks, packaged sauce mixes, etc.
2.    Avoid all refined sweeteners such as sugar, dextrose, glucose and high fructose corn syrup.
3.    Avoid white flour, white flour products and white rice.
4.    Avoid all hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats and oils.
5.    Avoid all vegetable oils made from soy, corn, safflower, canola or cottonseed.
6.    Do not use polyunsaturated oils for cooking, sauteing or baking.
7.    Avoid fried foods.  Use coconut or palm oil for cooking.
8.    Do not practice strict vegetarianism (veganism); animal products provide vital nutrients not found in plant foods.
9.    Avoid products containing protein powders, especially those made with soy.
10.    Avoid pasteurized milk; do not consume lowfat milk, skim milk, powdered milk or imitation milk products.
11.    Avoid battery-produced eggs and factory-farmed meats.
12.    Avoid highly processed luncheon meats and sausage containing MSG and other additives.
13.    Avoid rancid and improperly prepared seeds, nuts and grains found in granolas, quick rise breads and extruded breakfast cereals, as they block mineral absorption and cause intestinal distress.
14.    Avoid canned, sprayed, waxed, bioengineered or irradiated fruits and vegetables.
15.    Avoid artificial food additives, especially MSG, hydrolyzed vegetable protein and aspartame, which are neurotoxins. Most soups, sauce and broth mixes and commercial condiments contain MSG, even if not so labeled.
16.    Avoid caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, tea and soft drinks. Choose good quality dark chocolate and cacao over milk chocolate.
17.    Avoid aluminum-containing foods such as commercial salt, baking powder and antacids. Do not use aluminum cookware or aluminum-containing deodorants.
18.    Do not drink fluoridated water.
19.    Avoid synthetic vitamins and foods containing them.
20.    Do not drink distilled liquors.
21.    Do not use a microwave oven.

The Basics of Preparedness

One of the nice things about preparedness is that in the broad sense it doesn't have to be disaster specific.  When we get into the fine details there are some specific things to have on hand but by preparing the basics, you will be prepared for most of what could come. The basics are Food, Water, Shelter and Fire, followed by First Aid, Security, Communication and Transportation.  I will touch briefly on some of these and provide a few links for you to check out.   FOOD - Store what you eat and eat what you store.  The key is to look for deals and get started.  Click on the link below for a food calculator to help you determine what to get for a well rounded long-term supply. You will be able to download an excel file that is pretty good.    WATER - This has been a problem in Japan.  It is recommended 3 gallons per day per person.  That is nearly 10 gallons per person for 3 days!  Do the math and decide how much you should have.  Remember that not all water is for drinking.  You will need water to cook, to wash, for hygiene and to flush toilets.  We store water in just about every plastic container with a good lid.  We also have a good gravity-fed water filter so we can filter water however it is stored into good drinking water.  Check out Berkey Water Filters, they are some of the best.     SHELTER - If you are fortunate enough to be able to shelter-in-place, your home is ideal.  However, you may need a way to keep warm (at least one room in your house).  But let's say there is an earthquake and your home is not safe or perhaps you need to relocate for a time, then a good tent, trailer or motor home will be worthwhile.  Most tents and camping equipment that is purchased really inexpensively is two season equipment.  Meaning that it works okay for the first season, but starts to break and fall apart then next.  I have learned, the hard way, that you really do get what you pay for.  Buy quality and it can last a life time.  Follow the link below for great quality tents that can outlast you if cared for.   FIRE - for cooking and warmth. Do you have the means to prepare hot meals for 3 days to a week if you have no gas or electricity at home?  Psychologically, fire is very comforting.  I recommended charcoal and Dutch ovens (always, always to be used outside).  Can you make a fire using only one match?  - hint - use the first match to light a candle and your job will be easier.  I've taught my scouts 8 different ways to start a fire without using matches.  But it's okay for you to store plenty of matches.  Think this one through and have a plan for cooking and warmth.   FIRST AID - Even if you do not feel proficient in first aid, put together or purchase a good first aid kit.  Follow this link to a great first aid kit list I've put together and pick up a copy of my book Herbal First Aid and Health Care available through Western Botanicals or Amazon.       COMMUNICATION - If the phones and the power go down, will you be able to get in contact and keep in contact with those you love?  You can become a HAM radio operator or get a few hand held  radios. Hand held two-way radios are great to have and can be used for many purposes.        I challenge each of us to make an assessment of what we have and make a list of what we may need.  Prioritize the list.  If we do nothing other than fill all of our empty containers with water and stash them away, we will be more prepared than we were.          Extra Glasses for Cheap! For those of us who wear glasses, you know the frustration when you set your glasses down and can't find them.  This happened to me a couple of weeks ago.  Finally, I ended up searching for an old pair of glasses and wore them for a day or two until my good wife found where I laid my good pair.  Having a second or third set of glasses and a pair of prescription sunglasses readily accessible is a great idea.  I've found a great source for eyeglasses online.  All you need is your eyeglass prescription and in about a month you'll have a great set of glasses or a couple of back ups for cheap.  With a few additional options, I got a pair of prescription eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses for about $40.  It took about a month, but they look and work every bit as good as $200 glasses.      Got a kid who is hard on glasses?  Get a couple pair for under $20.

With preparation comes greater peace and security.  While no one knows what lies in our future, being in a position to better help yourself and those you love can be a great comfort.  Blessings, Kyle Christensen, DC Western Botanicals, Inc

The Value of Singe Herb Extracts

When given a choice between taking an herb in a capsule or a liquid extract, most choose the capsule.  After all capsules are convenient – just swallow with a sip or two of water.  Capsules hide the taste of the herb – this is probably the primary reason herbal capsules and tablets gained popularity. And no danger of spilling a liquid and staining fabric or losing product.

I definitely agree that some herbs carry with them a taste that the taste buds rebel against.  However, there really is great value in an herbal liquid tincture beginning from how they are made to their long shelf life.  When we make a tincture, which is also referred to as an alcohol extract or simply an extract, we begin with the highest quality herb available – typically dry, but sometimes fresh (as some herbs lose important qualities when dried).  We next will blend the herb with pharmaceutical grade grain alcohol that we mix to the precise proof for the particular herb being extracted.  Some herbs are best extracted in an 80-proof alcohol and a few in 190-proof alcohol.  There is a fair amount of chemistry and science that goes into all of this.

Our extraction process uses pumps and fancy glass bells – think mad-scientist laboratory- that circulates and re-circulates the alcohol against the herb driving out and pulling into the liquid the unique chemistry that belongs to each herb.  Once this process is complete, the herb and alcohol liquid is pressed in our 12-ton press.  The liquid extract is captured and then filtered.  Viola! An alcohol herbal extract is born! 

Some have expressed concern with the use of alcohol.  We have found that using any medium other than alcohol produces a weak and inferior product.  So much so, that even our non-alcohol syrups all begin as an alcohol extract in order to retrieve the herbal constituents.  It is only after we have harvested into the liquid what we are after, that the alcohol can be removed and the product re-preserved with something like glycerin or maple syrup.  This is the same concept used in your mother’s kitchen when canning peaches.  Bacteria or pathogens won’t grow in an environment that is too sweet – that is why sugar is used when canning fruit or making jam. 

Alcohol is one of the great preservatives.  A capsule is convenient, but it begins losing potency within 3 to 5 years. Mind you, old or expired herbs don’t necessarily go “bad”; they just begin to lose their strength and potency.  Kind of like peppermint leaves lose their strong aroma the longer they sit out.  Something that is preserved in alcohol, on the other hand, will have a shelf life of decades if kept in reasonable condition.

A liquid extract will also be absorbed and assimilated into your body once taken much more quickly than a capsule.  For me and my house, we tend to use capsules only for those herbs or formulas that taste so bad that we wouldn’t take it otherwise (like our Colon Cleanse formula). We will typically put a few dropperfuls of extract in a shot glass of water or juice and drink it down, followed by water or juice if necessary. The kids definitely get into the process using single herb extracts and tweaking what goes into the glass.  A little coltsfoot or elecampane for a cough added to our lungs plus can super charge the mix.  We keep lots of herbs in liquid extracts in our first aid kits and in our home storage supplies.

So my recommendation is to consider the benefits of herbal extracts, whether they are single herbs or formula combinations.  

One of the keys to herbal medicine is to begin experimenting with several singles and formulas.  As you become more familiar with the herbs, you will begin to gain greater insight as to what to use is the very early stages of health issues thereby avoiding crisis treatment and long-term management.  Remember, the great power and wisdom of herbal medicine is the prevention and recovery of minor issues, treating and resolving them so that they do not become a critical emergency.  Treating conditions early before they get out of control may not be as heroic as blaring sirens and lifesaving procedures and medicines, but as we look to herbs as our simple ounce of prevention, we can usually elimination the angst and trauma that comes with the pound of cure.

Blessings,

Dr. Kyle D. Christensen

March 2011

Preparedness as a Lifestyle

We stand at a crossroad and are faced with the choices of the well-trod path or the road less traveled. The path that the masses seem to be herded down is one of greater dependency on government with its attendant coverage plans, entitlement programs and handouts. However, many of us question the sustainability and dangers of reliance on big government, particularly in a world of increasing turmoil.

In times past, people took great pride on being hardworking and self-reliant.  But with the industrial revolution, modern manufacturing and rapid transportation came the practice of supply-on-demand.  No longer do companies stock vast inventories when it makes more business and economic sense to receive daily or weekly shipments of product or supplies as they are needed.  We are all familiar with the repair shop telling us, it will take a day or two to get the part.  Or the grocery store telling us that the out of stock product we are looking for will be in this afternoon or in the morning. This system works great so long as everything is running smoothly. But when there is even a minor disruption anywhere along the supply chain, things can dry up really fast. It is common knowledge that grocery stores stock only a few days worth of products. A store’s shelves can be emptied quickly with the anticipation of a coming storm. Those who are wise, do not rely on last minute shopping to prepare for the storm, but already have a well-stocked supply of necessities.

Likewise, farmers in times past, would harvest and store seed for the next years planting.  In fact, in anticipation of a bad year, most would have a couple years worth of seed stock “just in case”. This was considered prudent and necessary. With the development of modern agriculture methods and in an effort to stay competitive and profitable, farmers began taking out loans for seed each year as well as the necessary fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and equipment needed to run a modern farming operation. Profit margins became so narrow that a bad year would often spell financial disaster. 

We have become a society that has grown accustomed to having what we want, when we want it and it better be cheap. As the economy continues to contract and tighten, it is important for many of us to make our dollars stretch as far as possible.  And while we do not rally to the doomsayers cry that the end is near, we feel it prudent to prepare for any storm or emergency that may come our way. 

At Western Botanicals our desire is to do as much good in the world as we possibly can.  We have found that through manufacturing and providing high quality herbal remedies, we have been able to help many improve the health of themselves and those they love. 

There are a lot of us, who have been diligent students of preparedness for many years now.  We’ve tried a lot of things that sound good in theory, but in practice haven’t really worked for us.  On the other hand, we’ve also found many things that have saved us a lot of time and money, while improving the quality of our lives.  Through all of this, we’ve gained some peace of mind and security, knowing that if the power goes out for a day or a week, we’ll be safe, warm and well fed. 

For us, preparedness really has become a way of life, from little things, like picking up extra beans or rice when we find a great sale to saving nearly $200 per year on laundry detergent.  [We make our own that costs about a penny per load and works every bit as good as the expensive name brand detergent we used to use. We’ll include this recipe in our next Preparedness Email Newsletter.]  We would also like to share with you some of the resources we have found to be valuable in our journey.  We are not fanatical, but we are practical.  As one of our friends, who publishes a successful podcast puts it, “helping you to live the life you want, if times get tough, or even if they don’t”.  That is really what this is all about. 

• Improving the quality of your life. 
• Being more secure. 
• Enjoying better health. 
• Having more time with those you love.
• Being more connected to those who share your values and goals. 
• And being better prepared – “just in case”.

We invite you and those you care about to join our Preparedness Email Newsletter.  We don’t claim to have all of the answers.  But we are happy to share with you what we are doing.  We welcome you to use us as a resource.  Someone that can give you ideas that you can try out yourself.  We will share with you such things as:

• Gardening tips that can save you big bucks
• Food storage and preservation ideas and helps
• Recipes (not just for food, but laundry detergent, deodorant, and much more)
• Water storage ideas and options
• Lists of what to have on hand
• How-to advice
• Articles and resources that we think are valuable
• And much more . . .

Unlike so many of the other preparedness sites out there, you will not be getting a lot of hype to buy this or that (before it’s too late!!).  Just down to earth information at no charge, commitment or cost to you. 

If this peaks your interest, Please Sign Up for Western Botanicals’ FREE Preparedness Email Newsletter

By clicking on this link. 

Western Botanicals Preparedness Newsletter

If you already subscribe to Western Botanicals Newsletter for our monthly specials, you will also need to subscribe to the Preparedness Newsletter by completing this new subscription.  Remember, you can unsubscribe without any hassle at any time.

Blessings,

Dr. Kyle Christensen

Western Botanicals

February 2011

 

Balanced?

Life truly is about balance.  Balance can be gauged physically, mentally, emotionally as well as spiritually. In terms of health, most of us focus on the physical. In the physical body, balance is sometimes discussed in terms of homeostasis. The chemistry of the body maintains itself within a tight pH range.  In addition, hormones, immune cells and a whole symphony of chemicals ebb and flow in the uninterrupted dance. When out of balance, we don’t feel so well. Too much of this, not enough of that and the body has to divert attention in order to regain balance. For example, you eat something that does not agree with you (food poisoning). Let’s say your body gets exposed to more salmonella than it can readily destroy. As the salmonella bacteria incubates and multiplies in your digestive tract, there comes a point when the body says enough is enough – You’re Out Of Here! And so the channels of elimination get to work. Your body and mind experience great distress. The higher motive of the body is not comfort, but survival. In order to survive at this moment, the body must purge and eliminate a viable threat.

Not all threats to the body are as apparent. More often, we experience small incremental imbalances that do not require dramatic action, and so the body adjusts, adapts and learns to live with it. How would it be if your body was finely tuned to maintain your ideal weight (wouldn’t that be nice)? If your brain determined that you are 3 pounds overweight, it may cause severe nausea or a complete loss of appetite until you returned to that ideal weight. However, we understand that gaining weight is a survival strategy that was passed down from ancestors who knew they needed to eat when the eatin’ was good, because you were surely to experience famine at some point in the future and any extra weight would come in handy. Likewise, when sleep deprived, the body doesn’t just drop over and fall asleep in a grand narcoleptic gesture. That could be untimely at any given moment and jeopardize safety and even your survival. The body truly does have an inborn wisdom few really understand.

Much has been said about chemical imbalances as a causative factor for many health problems in the past 30 or 40 years. What hasn’t been discussed as thoroughly is what causes these imbalances and whether chemical imbalances can be prevented or corrected. I believe that a chemical imbalance is more often than not a symptom of a deeper imbalance rather than the primary causative factor. A classic example is someone who is under tremendous stress. As a result, they worry, they overindulge in junk food and sweets, they become sleep deprived and they stop exercising. Naturally the body becomes more acidic because of the worry, diet and lack of sleep. As a result, digestion is affected and the body’s chemical environment changes affecting hormones, immune cells and a myriad of other chemical processes. Given a long enough time, measurable imbalances in glands and organs such as the heart, pancreas, thyroid, adrenal and sex glands are observed. The medical approach often prescribes drugs that may alter the outward symptoms, but typically do not address the underlying causes. 

In re-establishing balance, it is important to take a multi-pronged approach. Certainly, you should review your diet, sleep, exercise program and relationships. But in addition, it is important to provide your body with the nutritional building blocks to build, support and strengthen the specific organs, glands and tissues of the body. That is where we can help. By taking fast-acting and effective herbal formulas that are specifically designed to restore the health of these organs, glands and tissues, your body can return to health and vitality. 

Blessings in Health,

Dr. Kyle Christensen

Western Botanicals, Inc.